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 8: The Royal Castle

Chapter 8: The Royal Castle

It’s been a long time since I last visited the royal castle.

The last time was for Prince Albert’s engagement party to the Imperial Princess—about five years ago.

Usually, a messenger from the prince or the king brings their requests directly to my house. 

As an adventurer, I’m treated quite differently from the rest. 

So I rarely have to go to the castle or the adventurers’ guild.

I typically report my completed missions to the messenger, but this time, I finished much earlier than expected. 

Arranging for an early messenger through the guild and then waiting for them seemed like a hassle. 

Besides, I’d heard that His Majesty was deeply troubled by the fate of the villagers who fell victim to Galforne.

It seemed best to deliver the good news in person as soon as possible.

I headed to the side entrance near the main gate to handle the formalities for entering the castle. As soon as the gatekeeper saw me, he hurried over.

“Ah, Sir Ismir! Do you have business at the castle today? If it’s regarding a mission, we can send a messenger to your home.”

“No, I finished earlier than expected. I thought I’d report directly to His Majesty.”

“I see… Please wait a moment.”

The gatekeeper quickly flipped through a notebook in the guard station, his brow furrowing as he read.

“My apologies, Sir Ismir, but His Majesty’s schedule is quite full today.”

“I see. Then perhaps I could meet with the prince?”

“I’m very sorry, but both His Majesty and the prince are currently in meetings with foreign dignitaries.”

“Understood. In that case, I’ll wait inside the castle.”

“I must apologize again, but we will arrange for a messenger to contact you later. May I ask you to return home in the meantime?”

“…Alright.”

There was something odd about the gatekeeper’s demeanor.

Normally, because of my role in sealing the Demon Lord, I have free access to the castle. 

But my wife doesn’t like it when I rely on that privilege. 

She often says, “Being treated like a hero and acting too grandly could have a bad influence on Emilia. It’s important to keep a certain distance from power.”

It was even her idea to handle requests through messengers. 

That’s why I rarely come to the castle, and when I do, I follow the usual procedures, just like today.

However, despite this, the gatekeeper seemed to be subtly trying to send me away. It felt like he was hiding something—there was an air of secrecy.

Maybe I’m overthinking it, but the thought of Galforne crossed my mind.

That witch was known for manipulating men and turning them into pawns. 

If she still had sympathizers within the castle, they could be working to break the Demon Lord’s seal.

In that case, it would make sense to keep me away from the castle.

I need to gather more information, but if this turns out to be a misunderstanding, well, no harm done.

I retraced my steps partway, ducked into an alley, and activated my stealth magic before returning to the side entrance of the castle.

I figured I might as well sneak in; after all, I technically didn’t need permission.

Even if I got caught, I could probably talk my way out of it.

As I arrived back at the gate, I saw a soldier coming to relieve the current guard on duty.

“Hey, shift change.”

“Good timing… I’ve been on edge here.”

“Something happen?”

“You won’t believe it. Sir Ismir showed up asking for permission to enter the castle.”

The new soldier looked shocked and rushed over to his colleague.

“You didn’t let him in, did you!?”

“Don’t worry, I managed to turn him away.”

The new guard sighed in relief.

“Good, that’s a close one. Everything’s probably fine, but better safe than sorry, right?”

“Yeah, can you imagine if he’d run into Lady Camilla? Who knows what kind of trouble that would’ve caused.”

“Exactly. She’s been inside the castle for three days now.”

Hearing my wife’s name unexpectedly caught me off guard. 

Camilla’s here? And for three days?

So, does that mean Emilia’s been home all alone this whole time?

As I struggled to process this, the guards continued their conversation.

“Still, I feel bad for Sir Ismir. Who’d have thought His Highness and Lady Camilla were… you know, together.”

Thud. My heart sank.

The shock nearly broke my stealth, but I fought to stay calm, forcing myself to maintain control.

“Hey, don’t go around spreading rumors. It’s just hearsay, right?”

“Huh? You seriously don’t know? The maids say that whenever Lady Camilla visits, you can hear a woman moaning like an animal from the prince’s room late at night.”

“Are you serious? That beautiful woman…”

“Yeah, acting all virtuous, but ‘having quite the fun at night,’ as they say.”

“While her husband’s out risking his life hunting down remnants of the Demon Lord, she’s having fun with a former party member? Some saint she is.”

Though their words were full of scorn, both guards chuckled with smirks on their faces.

Albert and Camilla…?

No, that couldn’t be true.

It had to be some malicious rumor spread for entertainment.

I trust my wife… I trust Camilla. 

There’s no way my faithful wife would do something like that, especially with Albert of all people.

Confronting these two wouldn’t get me anywhere.

It’s just gossip, after all. 

But the fact that Camilla had been staying in the castle for three days, leaving Emilia alone at home, was something I couldn’t ignore.

Thinking back on Emilia’s odd reaction when I mentioned going to the castle, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Why hadn’t Camilla told me she was here?

And if Emilia knew, why didn’t she say anything? What was she hiding?

I needed to find out the truth.

Using my stealth spell, I slipped past the two guards, who were still gossiping, and made my way into the castle.