Chapter 9

I chose a deserted place and ran around inside the castle, tottering.

If someone came, I would quickly hide, and when I had to pass through crowded areas, I would fly up near the ceiling to move.

Everyone seems to pay little attention to the ceiling. Well, the ceiling is really high, after all.

I wonder if the magic of flying isn't actually used much. I like this, though. Besides, I'm not very good at other magic, which seems a bit dangerous.

"Amazing..."

I wandered around the castle alone.

Even when I walked the corridors with Lord Demon, I thought it was wide, but it really is. To see the whole of the castle's spire, you have to look up so much that your neck hurts.

I peeked into various rooms, marveling.

The music room, the dining room, the ballroom, the audience chamber, the throne room.

There were countless rooms, and I broke out in a cold sweat thinking about how long it would take to see them all.

"Hey, something smells good..."

After wandering around the castle for a while, a delicious aroma of cooking wafted over.

This is unbearable.

Like a dog, I sniffed and followed the scent.

◆

"Wow, amazing!!"

In a room filled with many devices, chefs in white coats and chef's hats were working busily.

I peeked into the kitchen through a crack in the door.

The cooking tools of the demon world are so interesting. When you turn something like a switch, fire comes out. How does that work?

"Hey, hey, who are you? Where did you come from?"

While I was absorbed in the cooking, a rough voice came from behind.

I jumped and turned around to see a bearded man in a chef's hat staring at me intently.

Oh no.

I was so engrossed that I didn't notice him behind me...

I have to say something... and opened my mouth on the spot.

"Um... I'm hungry..."

A ridiculous excuse came out.

What do you mean, you're hungry?

You just ate, didn't you?

"You're hungry?"

The bearded man stared at me intently.

After stroking his chin as if thinking, he smiled.

"Then, miss, would you like to eat something?"

"! Really?"

I beamed, and the bearded man nodded.

"I just wanted to get some feedback."

"?"

"Come on in."

Encouraged by the bearded man, I was allowed into the kitchen.

Of course, not where the chefs were busy, but to a table and chairs in the corner.

"Wait a moment," he said, and I dangled my legs, resting my chin on my hand, and watched the kitchen.

The magical devices that produce fire, the mysterious taps that produce water.

All things that don't exist in the human world, just looking at them made me excited.

I wonder if I can use those...

"Here, sorry to keep you waiting."

"!"

Just as I was excited to play, the bearded man returned.

He placed a mug in front of me with a thud.

"Wow! What is this!"

What was in the mug was not just a drink.

"There's a kitty cat!!"

It was probably cocoa.

But what was amazing was not that, but the fluffy cream shaped like a cat on top of the cocoa.

It looked like a real cat, so cute!

"Did you make this, sir?"

I asked with sparkling eyes, and the bearded man sniffed, blushing.

"Yeah. It's popular in the capital recently. I wanted to try it out in the Demon King's castle."

Wow.

This is what's popular.

The demon world is so interesting!

"Don't hesitate to drink. It's meaningless if it doesn't taste good."

"Okay!"

I didn't want to drink it, but I will.

I lifted the mug, which was a bit big for a five-year-old, with both hands.

Then, I drank the cocoa, kissing the cat cream.

Hmm. The taste is really good.

It's the best! I smiled, and the bearded man wiped the foam that had stuck to my mouth, looking pleased.

"Oh, that's good. Then, I'll try serving it to Lord Demon once."

I almost choked on the cocoa.

He's going to serve this kitty cat cocoa to Lord Demon...

To that scary Lord Demon...

This cute kitty cat cocoa...

"Okay, miss, I also baked some delicious cookies earlier, so wait a moment."

"Thank you!"

The bearded man ruffled my hair and went back to the kitchen.

After he was out of sight, I quietly jumped off the chair.

Then I hid in the shadow of a large wooden box nearby.

Sure enough, the man came back with a woman.

"Here, drink the cocoa... huh?"

The bearded man's eyes widened.

"It's not here!"

Tiana's voice echoed in the kitchen.

The man slapped his head and laughed.

"Well, I've been outsmarted."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Hehe, I'm still an adult inside.

There are still many things to explore.

I stuck my tongue out at the laughing man.