The Rakshasa Princess’s Love (4)

After finishing her conversation with Ryoga, Mei returned to her room for dinner, where Gen came running up to her.

“What did Master want with you?”

“Apparently, a guest from his homeland is coming. He told me to keep a low profile while they’re here.”

At the word guest, Gen flattened both ears against his head. His expression could only be described as displeased, and a short growl rumbled from his throat.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Gen probably knows who that guest is. Master made the right decision. Princess, you absolutely must not meet them.”

“They’re that bad?”

Mei’s eyes widened at the thought that even Gen would say such a thing, but he merely snorted loudly.

“Gen hates her. She’s selfish and noisy. And just because she’s one of Master’s own kind, she thinks she can push him around. No matter how many times Master rejects her, she keeps coming here and causing trouble for us.”

“Oh my…”

What kind of person could provoke such hostility from Gen? Ryoga had not gone into detail, but it seemed certain that the guest was an oni.

“What kind of person is she?”

“She’s a noisy female oni called Yoka.”

“What…?”

Mei had assumed without question that the visitor was a man, and for a moment she could not react.

“She’s always clinging all over Master. She’s such an eyesore. Listen carefully, Princess. You must never let your guard down around her!”

As Gen growled insistently, Mei heard his warning as though from somewhere far away, standing there in a daze.

Amid the restless atmosphere that had settled over the residence at the news of the visitor’s arrival, the day finally came.

Early that morning, a large palanquin pulled up in front of the estate gates. It was drawn by a huge Aberration resembling an ox, with four horns protruding from its head. It snorted threateningly at the small Aberrations that had gathered around out of curiosity.

Mei had been told that there was no need for her to greet the guest, but she secretly slipped among the assembled Aberrations and watched the scene.

The blind of the palanquin lifted, and a figure gracefully emerged from within.

“…!”

A dazzlingly beautiful woman, as though a hundred flowers had suddenly burst into bloom, stepped down to the ground with the hem of her brilliant crimson, kimono-like robes fluttering around her. She had long copper-red hair, delicate features, and beautiful milky-white skin.

Her flawless beauty was so devoid of human warmth that she seemed more like a doll than a living creature, and Mei unconsciously let out a breath of admiration. At the same time, her chest tightened with discomfort at how shabby she herself seemed in comparison.

“Ryoga! I have arrived!”

With a forceful voice utterly at odds with her appearance, the woman hurried toward Ryoga, who stood with his arms folded and an expression as though he had bitten into something bitter.

“Yoka. I told you not to come here again.”

“Don’t be so cold, Ryoga. With enough time, surely your heart might change. You must have missed me. Come now, come now, let us return to the village together.”

Her painted red lips curved into a smile as Yoka leaned coquettishly against Ryoga.

“No. I’ve told you countless times—I have no intention of returning. Go home.”

Ryoga irritably pushed away Yoka as she tried to drape herself against him, then turned on his heel as if the conversation were already over. Yoka hurried after him as he headed inside the residence.

“Ryoga, wait!”

She was like a storm.

The ox-like Aberration that had drawn her palanquin turned its head as though making certain Yoka was gone, let out a single loud cry, then walked away without the slightest hesitation.

The Aberrations who had come to greet her seemed accustomed to the spectacle and scattered back to their respective duties.

Left behind, Mei found herself unable to move right away and absently replayed what she had just witnessed.

(—They looked so good together.)

How beautiful oni were. The sight of Ryoga and Yoka standing beside one another had possessed all the splendor of the illustrated scrolls Mei had seen as a child. It was a world Mei could never enter. If the two of them were the protagonists of a story, Mei would surely be no more than a nameless extra.

A sense of alienation filled her chest as she realized just how out of place she was. Ryoga was an oni, while Mei was merely a human who happened to possess healing powers. She suddenly understood that even standing at his side was more than she ought to presume.

“Princess, let us go back inside.”

At Kyo’s words from beside her, Mei quietly nodded.

Still feeling dispirited, she slowly made her way along the veranda toward her room when Gen, walking ahead, gave an exaggerated snort.

“That oni is as noisy as ever. I wish she would hurry up and leave.”

“She… Yoka-sama has visited often before, hasn’t she?”

“You don’t need to call her -sama! She’s an unwanted guest. Every time she comes, she damages the residence and causes endless trouble!”

Gen growled furiously as he bounced across the floor like a ball.

“Last time, she said she was bored because Master was away on business and punched a hole in the wall! Do you know how long it took us to repair it?! Gen hates her!”

The sight of Gen expressing his anger with his entire body was so adorable that Mei could not help laughing. The heavy, cold feeling that had filled her chest moments ago seemed to lighten.

“Princess, you must never leave Gen’s or Kyo’s side. There’s no telling what that oni might do.”

“…All right.”

Even without being told, Mei had no desire to come face-to-face with her.

Standing before someone as beautiful as Yoka would only make Mei compare herself to her own plain appearance.

“You only need to endure it a little while. She gets bored easily, so she always leaves fairly quickly.”

“I see…”

When Mei turned her gaze toward the garden, the crape myrtle blossoms that had been in full bloom that morning were just beginning to flutter to the ground. Their petals covered the gravel, creating a dreamlike scene.

What kind of flowers would bloom next? Whatever they were, they would surely be beautiful as well.

Mei reached up to touch the hair ornament Ryoga had given her. Everyone had praised the modest, adorable piece, saying that it suited her perfectly.

She had never cared whether she was beautiful or ugly before. So why did it suddenly bother her so much?

She exhaled slowly, trying to suppress the hot, heavy feeling rising in the back of her throat.

(—I hope nothing happens.)

With an unpleasant unease, as though the tips of her fingers had dipped into cold water, Mei found herself thinking about the days ahead.

Three days had already passed since Yoka’s arrival.

Thanks to the consideration of the Aberrations around her, Mei had managed to avoid encountering Yoka so far.

Perhaps out of consideration from Ryoga, no requests for treatment had come in either, and Mei spent most of her time in her room reading or practicing calligraphy.

The room she had been given lay on the southern side of the residence, and as long as she kept the window open, warm sunlight and a gentle breeze streamed inside throughout the day. Thankfully, even staying indoors did not make her feel confined.

And since the smaller Aberrations took turns visiting her to play, she never even had time to feel lonely.

If only these quiet days could continue until Yoka finally left.

It happened just as Mei was thinking that.

“So you’re the Princess Ryoga’s been keeping here.”

Mei had been sitting on the veranda with Gen in her lap, gazing absently into the garden.

Since it was nearly noon, Kyo had gone to Aki to fetch their meal.

Mei had just been thinking that perhaps it would be nice to eat outside when—

Startled by the sudden voice behind her, she turned around to find Yoka standing directly behind her, feet planted wide and both hands on her hips.

Amber eyes stared coldly down at Mei.

“I am Yoka. Ryoga’s betrothed.”

The unexpected declaration tore a strangled sound from Mei’s throat.