The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 307: I found out that morally...my romantic life is questionable

Chapter 307: I found out that morally...my romantic life is questionable

I had gone to Natha’s companies before, but it was either with Lesta or Eruha, never with Natha.

And boy, it was different.

No matter how high the two vassal’s position was, they were not the Big Boss. And when the Big Boss came without prior notice, it was chaos.

Well, they weren’t bumbling or anything; Natha had enough mercy to tell them we were coming through a messenger this morning. So, by the time we arrived at the merchant guild, all the staff were already lining up to greet us--well, him. But I could see the anxiety behind their forced smile, and although it was still considered morning, some of them, especially the managers, were perspiring.

But their anxiety was mixed with confusion when they saw the Big Boss came with a little boy in his arms. When did the Lord have a child? They were probably wondering, but had no wit to ask, only stealing glances while bowing until we disappeared behind the elevator.

Hmm...that was something. I could smell the tension in the air, and even though Natha told the staff to just get back to their work as usual, all of them looked like they were held at gunpoint.

"I will wait here, Your Excellency," Irra bowed and stayed in the lobby while I followed Natha further to the office.

He sent the merchant guild’s vice-president to tend to me while he talked to the other supervisor, which actually made me sorry for the man--or the demon, rather. I mean, I was only here to ask them to send Izzi’s letter; a meager task, I must say.

But then...he looked relieved? Or was it just my imagination? His smile was brighter after Natha went away with the other guild’s executives.

"What can I help you with, Young Master?" he asked politely, almost cheerfully.

"Ah, I just want to send this to Etherziel," I took out Izzi’s sealed letter, which the vice president accepted with both hands. "I want the messenger to ask the receiver whether they would send any replies, and if they do, please tell them to send the replies through the merchant guild or the bank, using my name as the recipient."

I took out a small box and put it on top of the letter. "This is a one-time use seal and stamp, make sure they use this to send the letter with."

"I understand, Young Master."

I looked at him wordlessly for a few seconds before asserting firmly. "I can trust you, right?"

"I would put this letter in their hand myself if you’d like, Young Master," the demon bent their waist in response, shoulder tensing slightly as his voice turned firmer.

"No," I chuckled softly. "Just make sure you send a trustworthy person--hmm, an elf would be preferable."

I would like to use Heraz’s team if I could, but they were busy stalking the Hero’s companion for me. Besides, I still had no idea about the situation of Izzi’s family, so I didn’t want them to be subjected to suspicion.

"Please have the messenger send a separate report about the recipient’s situation to me," I added after contemplating it. "You don’t need to probe invasively, just general stuff; like how society perceives them and what the family member had been doing for the last decade."

"I see," the vice president nodded, seemingly understanding more now that it wasn’t just a simple letter-sending mission. "I’ll see to it that we carry your order perfectly, Young Master. Shall we send the report to the Lord Castle?"

Hmm...I had no idea how long I would end up spending in the druid tribe, and even if I knew...I didn’t think they could send it easily to the tribe. Heck--I didn’t even know which tribe I would stay in.

"Yes, please."

In the end, I agreed to it, and gave the vice president the payment for the elf that would become the messenger. After that, I took the little boy who already started to get bored, bid farewell to Natha, and left the building with Irra.

The first place we visited? You guessed it--a confectionary store. Not in the itinerary, but what could we do if a little boy pointed at a shop while jumping and screaming excitedly not unlike when he could only chirp. We made a quick stop and bought every kind of candy there because if we spent time carefully choosing what we liked, it would take a long time.

And we didn’t have that kind of time because we had an appointment with Issa.

Sure, she wouldn’t chide me for being late. But I was trying to make the best impression here, so I didn’t want to do that. How credible would my words be if I didn’t even adhere to my promise?

Thankfully, we arrived at the plaza we promised to meet on time. I alighted the carriage just as Issa’s came, so I was actually just a tad bit earlier. She had a hooded cloak, perhaps because she was a high-profile elf. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the fact that I just looked like a regular druid no one knew of. The elves might know my name, but they wouldn’t know what I looked like.

After being stared at secretly in the merchant guild, it was refreshing to have people glance once and ignore me for the rest. "Ah, how wonderful," I muttered while taking a deep breath of sweet air rich in mana.

"I’m glad you found this place to your liking, Your Excellency," Issa said with a hint of delight in her voice.

Well, it wasn’t necessarily for the place, but...I did think the plaza was also nice-looking. There were several districts in the palace city, and we agreed to meet in a place known as Academia Circle. It probably came from how the plaza was centered in a big circular fountain with the statue of the First Elf holding a book and seemingly giving a lecture as the centerpiece.

Apparently, the First Elf was the one who discovered the concept of rune magic, the magic that the elves--and now also humans and formation masters--used.

Following the fountain, the plaza was also circular, with five arches standing an equal distance from each other along the outer rim. Each arch was a gate to a path leading to five different complexes; the royal academy, the grand library, the research tower, the dormitory cluster, and the market for bookstores, stationary, and research material.

The district was very neat and clean, with beautiful pointy buildings and glowing sun towers. The street lamps were made by utilizing a carved mana crystal that would absorb the mana in the sunlight and use it to illuminate the space during the night.

Very sustainable and environmentally friendly, I must say.

We walked toward the market because I told her I wanted to buy some books and stationery. We ended up staying for a long time because Jade suddenly got interested in children’s books that had a lot of pictures, and I got engrossed in looking over the beautiful papers and stationery set. Issa helped me pick books that were beginner-friendly, as well as pointing to rare ones, even asking the clerks to bring some from their warehouse.

"Oh, it’s rare to see a prospective academia druid," the owner of the bookstore said cheerfully while packing my books "You must be here for the spring entrance test, boy."

"...I...I’m twenty-four..."

"Oh, pardon me," the owner laughed softly. "You’re still in basic education then? Are you here to check on your future academia?"

I turned toward Issa and Irra, who averted their gaze and pressed their lips. What kind of guide are you?!

"I’m...just here for a vacation," I told the owner with a small sigh.

"Oh?" the owner looked at the book he was packing in slight confusion. "Oh! How admirable of you to still seek knowledge during your vacation--you have such a bright future, boy!"

...ah. It was then I realized that the bookstore owner thought I was a minor. They thought I was a druid and well...twenty-four in druid society meant I wasn’t an adult yet.

Was this why all the store owners I visited before treated me so sweetly? They even gave me a discount! I thought it was because of Issa and Irra, but I forgot they were disguising themselves. No wonder the confectionary store clerks chuckled at our frantic shopping.

"Jade want this!"

When I was feeling embarrassed, my little boy lifted a mountain of children and picture books with his air magic, putting them on the counter. The owner smiled sweetly at Jade while processing the purchase.

"So you’re on vacation with your baby brother?"

I pressed my lips and just smiled at him while he packed the books and put them inside a small chest so I could easily store them inside the storage ring. Jade, however, frowned and slammed the counter with a pair of tiny fists.

"Jade is not Master’s brother! Jade is Master’s child!"

The owner paused, looked at Jade, and then looked at me, and then looked at Jade again, and swallowed. "I...I’m not judging or anything--"

And that was how people thought I gave birth to a child for the second time.

And that was the first time someone thought I gave birth out of wedlock when I was still a minor.

Gosh, Mother--someone accused me of juvenile debauchery!

I pressed my lips, paid for the books, took the crate, and stormed out of the shop while carrying Jade. "How could you leave me dealing with that alone?" I pursed my lips at my ’guides’, who were obviously holding back their laughter.

"Pardon me, Your Excellency, but you are quite...adorable," Issa said, and I had to tell you that seeing someone who usually acted so elegant suddenly looking mischievous made it impossible to get upset.

"Jade is Master’s child!" the little boy in my arms asserted his position.

"Yes, yes, you are," I patted the green hair. This was why I couldn’t even refute the store owner earlier--I knew Jade would get upset if I told him Jade wasn’t actually my child.

I let out a sigh and took a seat on the nearest bench, looking at the park in front of us. Well...it was only embarrassing at that time, but I quickly got calmer now. That being said, it got me thinking...

Would the druids consider me to be a minor too?

...what if that was the whole reason they wanted me to face the Chief Council?