Early the next morning, after waking up, Shendu pushed away Felt, who was clinging tightly to her. She looked at the first ray of sunlight shining into the bedroom and the gentle breeze drifting through the window.
Shendu took a deep breath, used water-attribute magic to wash her face, and then changed into clean, neat clothes.
Standing before the mirror, she admired her flawless reflection. Gazing at her own beauty, she momentarily lost herself in appreciation.
Knock knock knock~
Just as she was indulging in her reflection, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"It's me, Ram!"
"Come in."
Hearing Ram's voice, Shendu's crimson eyes turned toward the door as she responded casually.
When the door opened, the twin maids entered in perfect unison. They bowed neatly and greeted her.
"Guest, have you been resting well lately?"
"Is there anything about the mansion that dissatisfies you?"
The moment they stepped in, the twin maids began offering polite inquiries. Anyone unaware of the situation might think she was someone of extraordinary status.
In reality, their favorability toward her had already dropped into the negatives. How much genuine respect could there be?
"Everything's fine. It's quite nice here. I'm surprised you two aren't joking around this morning."
Shendu sounded slightly amused. She knew perfectly well that the twins' impression of her was far from good—nearly at rock bottom.
The fact that they could maintain this surface-level courtesy meant they were exercising restraint. Still, this outward harmony satisfied her enough.
"It's nothing. A guest is a most honored traveler. We will naturally conduct ourselves appropriately."
Ram replied politely. A trace of vigilance flickered in her eyes before quickly disappearing.
"I see."
Shendu responded lightly before turning and leaving.
Strolling through the mansion, she headed straight outside.
Usually, Emilia would be at the pavilion—either reading or studying methods of communicating with dragons. She would certainly find the silver-haired half-elf there.
Before long, the quiet figure of a silver-haired girl reading came into view. The book she held contained illustrations of a dragon—a traditional Western-style dragon.
The pages were annotated with methods of sincerely communicating with dragons and forms of prayer. It was rather intriguing.
Speaking of dragons, she herself was a powerful demonic dragon.
"Emilia, already studying communication methods? Planning to speak with the dragon once you become queen?"
Shendu stepped forward, interrupting Emilia's thoughts. The girl's previously calm expression instantly brightened with surprise.
"Yes. These are basic skills that royal candidates need to learn in advance."
Emilia closed the book, a trace of emotion surfacing in her heart.
Whenever she thought of her identity as a silver-haired half-elf, she could not help but worry. If she truly became queen, what if the dragon protecting the kingdom disliked her?
"Speaking of which, Lugunica is called the Dragon Kingdom. What exactly does that mean? Could you give me a general explanation?"
As a dragon herself, Shendu was genuinely curious about the dragon that protected this nation—how it had come to occupy a position akin to a religious leader.
At her question, Emilia gathered her thoughts and explained carefully.
"When the kingdom was first founded, it was surrounded by powerful enemies. At that time, the king encountered a dragon and was saved by it. That was how the foundation of the kingdom was established."
"After that, the most noble dragon settled beyond the great waterfall. According to the covenant, it guards the kingdom's peace, ensuring that foreign enemies dare not invade."
"Even when the royal bloodline perished, the dragon upheld its promise to protect the nation. It even helps select candidates for the throne."
Emilia spoke earnestly, word by word. Her feelings toward the dragon were a mixture of admiration and fear—awed by its strength, yet wary of its unfathomable power.
"Oh? That sounds rather like the position of a pope."
Shendu remarked thoughtfully. From the perspective of her past life's knowledge, the comparison felt appropriate.
"A pope? What is that?"
Emilia looked puzzled, clearly unfamiliar with the term.
"Nothing important. Don't worry about it."
Shendu smiled and did not elaborate further.
...
"But if I do become queen one day, and the people of the kingdom still dislike me because I'm a silver-haired half-elf... what should I do?"
The thought made Emilia visibly uneasy.
Noticing her troubled expression, Shendu stepped forward and gently stroked her silver hair in comfort.
"It's fine. With me by your side, I'll help you change their opinions."
"I promise."
Shendu's words carried a reassuring warmth that eased the anxiety in Emilia's heart.
[Ding~ Emilia favorability +17. Current favorability: 97.]
After gaining another wave of Emilia's favorability, Shendu slipped away.
Even if Emilia did not continue studying, the busy silver-haired half-elf still needed to communicate with minor spirits. Naturally, she had no time to accompany Shendu outside.
Feeling a bit bored, Shendu wandered aimlessly through the garden, passing time amid the fragrance of flowers.
After sitting quietly for a while, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears.
Turning her head, she saw a lively Natsuki Subaru walking toward her.
"Lady Shendu, you seem to have quite a lot of free time."
The moment he arrived, Natsuki Subaru said something rather strange, prompting Shendu to slowly open her previously closed eyes.
"Yes, I don't have anything pressing at the moment. Why do you ask?"
She studied the boy, finding him somewhat peculiar.
Recently, Natsuki Subaru had behaved quite obediently. He had not done anything outrageous. Among transmigrators, he might be a little chuunibyou, but he was not entirely foolish.
As Shendu had expected, having not experienced death yet, Natsuki Subaru remained lively and full of fantasies about light-novel adventures—dreaming of setting off on a spontaneous journey with a beautiful girl.
An adventure in another world—such was the dream of a middle-school-minded youth.
"I heard you went to a village with Emilia before. I'd like to visit it too—see some of this other world's local customs. Could you take me there?"
Natsuki Subaru rubbed his hands together, looking expectantly at the silver-haired girl.
In terms of appearance, Shendu's beauty was top-tier. Even Emilia could not quite compare.