Chapter 41

I fleshed out the plan in my mind and even asked Angelica for her opinion.

After all, the cooperation of Angelica, as a member of the family, was indispensable.

“Yeah, isn’t that nice? I’m sure Mama will be happy with your feelings, Demon King.”

“I see. Then I’ll be counting on you on the day itself.”

“It’s not like I have much to do. Just make sure you do it right, Demon King.”

Laughing, Angelica held out her fist toward me.

She surely didn’t mean it as a challenge for the Hero and the Demon King to settle things with a fistfight.

“Yeah, I’ll show you the pride of a Demon King.”

I made a fist as well and gave hers a light bump.

Compared to right after the remarriage, maybe Angelica and I have started to seem a bit more like father and daughter.

The morning of the day before Lateia’s birthday.

I said this to Lateia:

“Lateia, I’d like to have dinner at a restaurant the day after tomorrow. What do you think?”

“Oh my, that sounds lovely~. Then, Angelica should come along—”

“Sorry, Mama, but that day my party is diving into a cave until late at night. So, I can’t make it.”

Close one… It was a good thing I’d spoken to Angelica in advance.

Of course, someone as angelic as Lateia would naturally try to invite Angelica too.

“Is that so? Then, let’s postpone it—”

“Wait, wait! Since it’s a special occasion, I think the two of you should just go that day!”

“That’s right… You see, the discount ticket I have is only valid until that day…”

Both Angelica and I panicked slightly. Truly, one must never underestimate Lateia’s sheer power of goodness.

However, we somehow managed to get as far as securing a dinner reservation at the restaurant for her birthday.

On the day of the dinner, as soon as my working hours ended, I used spatial teleportation magic to return home.

There, I changed into formal wear.

“Oh my~, Garto, you look so handsome~.”

Lateia was completely in her everyday clothes… I mean, Lateia is wonderful in her everyday clothes too, obviously, but I wanted a bit more of a “special day” vibe!

“Lateia, the restaurant I booked for today is a very high-end establishment. I’m sorry, but it might be safer if you changed into a dress… You know, because of the ‘dress code’…”

“Oh dear. In that case, it’s even more of a shame that we couldn’t bring Angelica~.”

She still believed that Angelica couldn’t make it because of her adventurer party’s schedule. Lateia, you’re too pure! I started to feel guilty, like I was deceiving her!

By the way, once she changed into a dress, Lateia was glowing so much she looked like the highest-ranking angel among angels!

“I had this made when I was younger, so it’s a bit embarrassing. I wonder if it suits me? The back is quite open, too.”

“Not at all! It’s magnificent! No royalty or nobility could help but turn their head! Well, it’s about time, shall we?”

I took Lateia’s hand and chanted the spatial teleportation magic.

Our destination was the finest establishment in the Royal Capital.

While I’m more familiar with shops in demon territory than those in human lands, the cuisine here would likely suit Lateia’s palate better.

“My, I’ve never set foot in such a grand establishment before.”

“I am the Demon King, after all. Securing a table is a simple matter.”

“This is my birthday present, isn’t it? Even so, I feel a bit overwhelmed.”

Upon entering the restaurant and giving my name, we were guided to a table with a calm, quiet atmosphere. There were no prying eyes from other customers—which was for the best, as a Demon King like me tends to stand out regardless of the setting.

“I have already pre-ordered the course. Please, choose whatever you’d like to drink.”

“My, even the wine is expensive, isn’t it~?”

“Please, don’t worry about the price today! Even the most premium selection is fine!”

It was surprisingly hard work getting her to indulge herself…

Dish after dish of high-quality cuisine was brought to our table.

It certainly lived up to its reputation as the best establishment in the Royal Capital. I almost felt like scouting the head chef for my own castle. We have top-tier restaurants equipped for banquets back home, after all.

“Everything is delicious. It’s so good my taste buds are actually startled. It feels almost wasted on a country person like me~.”

Despite saying that, Lateia’s table manners were impeccable. She must have been raised with great care and love by her parents.

Soon, the lamb dish that served as my main course was finished.

Truth be told, the portions weren’t quite enough for me… but ordering two of everything would be embarrassing, so I refrained.

“Garto, are you still hungry? Would you like some of mine?”

“No, no! Today is about celebrating you, Lateia!”

Making her worry about me now would defeat the whole purpose.

Lateia finished her meal as well.

The server promptly cleared the plates, leaving the table empty.

“Is dessert next? Garto, that was truly wonderful~.”

“Actually, the main event is still to come.”

I reached out and placed a small wooden box I had prepared in front of Lateia.

“Please, open it, Lateia.”

Lateia slowly opened the wooden box.

“My! What a lovely ring!”

Yes—it was a ring designed for a noblewoman.

Of course, it was a top-grade piece, but the value was secondary in this instance.

The meaning lay in the act of giving this specific ring.

“Lateia—no, let me just speak to you as Lateia, my wife.”

She seemed to notice that my expression had shifted into something deeply serious.

“Yes, Garto.”

“And could I ask you to stop addressing me so formally? Could you call me Garto, or perhaps ‘dear’?”

“Then… dear.”

The way she said “dear” had a truly sweet ring to it.

But I couldn’t simply lose myself in the sweetness of that sound.

There was still something I had to tell her.