Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 26: Camilla’s Arrival

Chapter 26: Camilla’s Arrival

It had been three weeks since I began my stay at the Emperor’s secondary residence. 

Despite his busy schedule, His Highness made time to visit occasionally under the guise of discussing future plans.

“I’m planning to make a grand announcement regarding your lineage, Lord Van. That means until then, we must be careful not to let any information slip out.”

“I’m not well-versed in political maneuvers, so I’ll leave the details in Your Majesty’s capable hands.”

“Indeed. I’m thinking we’ll do it at Mariabelle’s 20th birthday party, which is a month from now. That’s when I intend to introduce you as her new fiancé.”

A month from now, huh… That’s sooner than I expected.

“To confirm your lineage, we’ll also conduct a ceremony using the Holy Grail. Until then, I want you to relax and enjoy your stay here.”

“Thank you for your generosity.”

“It’s nothing. Your return has been a long-time dream of mine as well. The debt I owe to Emperor Vildreft cannot be repaid so easily.”

“Did my father treat you that well, Your Majesty Jamirat?”

“No, he worked me to the bone, like a packhorse. ‘You can do it,’ he’d always say. Hahaha.”

“Is that what you consider a favor?”

“No… Perhaps I should share some stories from the past?”

“Please, I’d love to hear them.”

◆◇◆◇◆◇

According to the story, when Emperor Jamirat was still a general, his unit was isolated in a fortress due to a surprise attack from the eastern countries.

Upon hearing the news, my father ignored the advice of those around him and, with only a small group, used a teleportation array to rush to his aid, rescuing Lord Jamirat.

Of course, Lord Jamirat tried to scold him for such recklessness, but my father reportedly laughed and countered.

“Hahaha! I have no intention of throwing away my life, but I won’t hesitate to risk it for something worth it.”

“You value my abilities that much?”

“No. What I believe is worth risking my life for is our friendship, not your abilities. That comes second.”

◆◇◆◇◆◇

“I can never forget the smile from that time. And even now, I regret not being able to protect him. That’s why I ask you to allow me to do at least this much for his only child.”

“…Alright.”

The reason Emperor Jamirat is so kind to me is because of my father. 

When I think about it, Old Man Barnes seemed to care for me because I was his adopted daughter’s child, but Karnak… Karnak was such a skilled swordsman. If he had stayed in the empire, he could have achieved great things.

Yet, he gave all that up to raise me.

I have to repay the debt I owe them.

Just as the Emperor left, a message came from the gatekeeper, telling me I had a visitor.

“A visitor? The only people who know I’m staying here are the people of the residence and maybe Karnak…”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Besides the Emperor, no one has left here. It’s unlikely anyone else knows.”

“And this visitor is…?”

“They claim to be your wife, Lady Camilla…”

“Her?”

“Yes. What would you like us to do?”

The gatekeeper’s expression showed clear exhaustion. 

He likely told her I wasn’t here, but she must have insisted, refusing to believe him.

I could avoid her and pretend I’m not home, but it wouldn’t be right to leave the gatekeeper with such a difficult task.

“Alright, I’ll meet her. Can we use the place where I met with His Majesty on the first day?”

“Yes, I’ll make the arrangements.”

The gatekeeper visibly relaxed, clearly relieved. 

It seemed like Camilla had been quite persistent at the front of the residence.

Once the gatekeeper left, Mariabelle appeared shortly after.

“Lord Van, I heard Lady Camilla has arrived.”

“Yes, but how did you find out…?”

“Well, she’s here now, so it can’t be helped. I’ll attend the meeting as well.”

“What? No… I don’t think that’s—”

“I will attend.”

“Is there a reason?”

“With all due respect, Lord Van, you’re too kind. I want to ensure, from a third-party perspective, that your former wife doesn’t somehow persuade you or manipulate the situation.”

She really emphasized the former part… Just as we were discussing this, I heard footsteps approaching.

When I turned around, it was, of course, Camilla.

“Ahh, Van! I’ve been wanting to see you! I have so many things I need to tell you! Please, listen to me!”

As soon as she saw me, Camilla spread her arms and started running towards me. Was she planning to jump into my arms? I braced myself, expecting impact when…

Thud!

Camilla collapsed right in front of me. 

She fell face-first onto the floor with a muffled grunt, “Fugh!” 

The impact caused one of her shoes to slip off. But something seemed odd.

A thin object was stuck in her shoe. 

On closer inspection, it looked like… a hairpin?

It was embedded in the thick heel of her shoe, almost as if it had sewn the shoe to the floor.

Even if she had been wearing the shoe, it wouldn’t have injured her foot.

“Oh my, are you alright, Lady Camilla, Lord Van’s former wife?”

Mariabelle rushed over, appearing concerned, and knelt down to help Camilla. As she did, she casually retrieved the hairpin from the shoe.

…Let’s pretend I didn’t see that, yeah.

“I-I’m fine… I apologize, I got a bit excited seeing my husband’s face after so long.” 

Camilla said, standing up and rubbing her face.

Why was she calling me her husband?

Also, there was a trickle of blood coming from her nose.

“Oh dear, Lady Camilla… you seem to have a bit of blood on your face… Here, if you’d like.”

Mariabelle said, offering a handkerchief from her pocket.

Camilla bowed her head, took the handkerchief, and wiped her face.

“My deepest apologies, and thank you for your concern—ahh! Arghhhhhh!”

“W-What’s wrong, former wife?”

“My eyes! My eyes!”

“Oh dear! I accidentally spilled some spices that arrived from the southern regions earlier, and I used that handkerchief to wipe them up! I’m terribly sorry, former wife!”

“It hurts! It hurts!”

“Let’s rinse it off immediately! Here we go!”

Mariabelle began chanting a spell.

Splashhhhhh!

A huge amount of water poured down on Camilla from above—far more than necessary. The water pressure was so strong that it knocked Camilla face-first into the floor again with a loud thud! Completely drenched, she didn’t move for a moment.

I braced myself, expecting Camilla to go into a furious rage, as I knew she would under normal circumstances. But to my surprise, she lifted her head with a smile.

With a wave of her hand, the bleeding from her nose stopped almost instantly. 

Using a spell for “Balance Ward,” she dried her soaked hair and clothes in no time. Her magical skills were still as impressive as ever.

Camilla then stood up, facing Mariabelle with a calm expression.

“You must be the Princess, right?”

“Yes, my name is Mariabelle.”

“I’m Camilla, and I’m grateful for how well you’ve taken care of my husband. Thanks to you, the pain in my eyes has gone away. I truly appreciate it.”

“Oh no, it’s nothing. After all, you’re Lord Van’s former wife, so this much is expected.”

“Fufufufu.”

“Fufufufu.”

“Fufufufu.”

“Fufufufu.”

…This is kind of terrifying.