My first impression of him was that he was a jerk.

"Happy 10th birthday to Miss Phytis today.

I'm afraid, when you are the daughter of the Coral family, you have a very promising future.

　My family was a nobleman of some renown, and I was born to be his heir. In this era, an heiress, whether male or female, was expected to take over the position.
　So I too had learned the proper behavior and dignity of an heiress for that purpose.
　I was a boxed girl who knew nothing else and had never done anything by herself.
　I didn't realize it at the time, but now I remember that I was bored and pushed myself away.
　I wondered if I should live a life where I was praised for walking on the rails that had been prepared for me from birth, a life where I was praised for nothing but being an aristocrat.

　But my father didn't think so.
　The title of nobility he was born with was everything, and he saw no other value in me than to carry on his family lineage.
　As proof of this, my father expected me to play a role in creating a blood relationship through an engagement with the royal family.
　In other words, to further secure my position in the aristocracy, he had used my birthday party to invite certain royalty to join him.

"Well, well, well, Albus royalty, you've been waiting.

　It was a group of imperial nobles of Albrus, which was then still a small country.
　There were the sons of the would-be next emperor gathered there, some of them young men and some children my age.

"Lord Coral. I've heard of the Lord's activities in the last few years. Recently there has been an increase in the rise of brave men, especially through the heroic system, but in this world, birthright is everything, and we would love to have your help to ensure the prosperity of our nobles for many years to come.

Of course. But for that reason, I would love to see the Coral family develop a deeper relationship with the Albrus Empire. ......

Of course, that's part of the consideration. That's why we've brought my son and his daughter together like this.

　I didn't understand it well at the time, but a slightly older boy standing in front of me next to those parents' conversation opened his mouth.

"Oh, I see. Are you Miss Phytis, the daughter of the Coral family?

　The way he looked at me as if he was trying to price me is still annoying to me.
　What's even more annoying is the remark afterwards.

You're in good standing. You were born a noblewoman with no effort or activity, and you had this lavish party just because you had a birthday. I wonder how much of the citizens' blood money was paid for this useless party of yours.

　I can still remember that the air in the room froze at that statement, which stunned not only me but also his parents.
　So I said back without thinking.

I said back without thinking.　Rude!　I don't deserve to have such a rude remark on my birthday!

Well, I certainly don't blame you. You were just fortunate ...... or unfortunately born the daughter of a nobleman. And so you have wasted all the talents that should have been honed by hard work. I just thought it was a shame.

　What is this guy talking about?
　Unhappy to be born a nobleman?　I was about to yell at him, "What about you?" but before I could interrupt him, more insults were exchanged.

I see that you are here today to be engaged. Unfortunately, the future king has no intention of making your engagement. Hard-working, untalented, unpowered, just an old-fashioned, ornamental nobleman. No need for such things. In the future, all we need are jewels, men who can shine in their own strength. You'll do everything you can to improve them, but it won't even be worth it for you now. Quite simply, I'm disappointed.

　This is the first time in my life that I've ever been disappointed in anyone, ever since I met him.
　What an arrogant, arrogant, f*cking cocky man he is.
　I'll hate the guy for what comes next.
　But I also made a vow.
　What woman would ever be disrespected by such a self-centered man? So I shouted out.

"I've never known you to be disappointed in me!　Then I'll get the status and title in my own right!　Watch it!　I will definitely get the title in my power to match it!　And I'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder next to someone who can't even compare to a condescending jerk like you!　Then I'll take what you just said and push back!

　When I dared to say that, I felt an "oops" at the buzzing around me, but at the same time, I was terribly relieved. The bewilderment that I had been keeping inside until then seemed to disappear.
　Seeing me as well, the boy smiles for the first time and looks down at me as usual.

Then you'll just have to polish yourself up at best. If you become worthy of being the emperor's future betrothed, I'll take you in.

No!

　Even now it just makes me angry when I think about it, and I will never be with that man.
　Still, I have one thing to be thankful for with that man.
　Without his abuse there, I would have been miserable, walking the rails as I was born.
　As a result, through my encounter with that man, I was awarded the title of gourmet hero through my activities and experience, a title more powerful than the title of nobleman I was born with.

　That was the story of my unpleasant encounter with that man.






............

　Snuggled up by the window and look at the sky.
　The same cloudy sky as yesterday. Still I look up at the sky and hope.
　At least Kyou-san and the others are safe.

"You still don't seem to have much of an appetite, Phytis.

　At the sound of his voice, the door opens and from behind it appears Rostam the Emperor's hero.
　He looks at the almost untouched meal on the table and mutters to himself.



...... such bad food is not even worth eating. I'm a gourmet and a brave man, and I am fussy about food.

　Above all, compared to the demons that Kyou-sama had raised, there was a world of difference.
　I realized that my taste buds were evolving more than ever before. I regretted for a moment that I couldn't eat bad food anymore.

I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry about that. As expected, there is nothing in our country that can rival that cultivator's ingredients.

　Did you read my mind?
　You're tempted to ask that question, and I ignore it.

''Soon, we'll be facing off against the Demon King's army. Our troops are already in position in front of the demon king's castle and, waiting for tomorrow's order, we will launch an all-out attack. Once the Demon King's army is gone from this continent, we humans will be able to live in peace and hunt demons more freely than ever before.

Oh, yeah.

　I hope they won't turn around and wipe me out.
　As I was thinking that, a smile appeared on the emperor's lips.

I'm sure the battle tomorrow will not be at the demon king's castle, but at the imperial castle.

?

　What is this guy talking about?
　When I turned to Rostam, I saw the boy's smile, unusually for him, as if he had found something interesting.

"Kyou, huh? That's just what you expected. His temperament, which comes straight at me without breaking, is just as brave. That's why I have to face him with all my might.

"...... Kyou-sama is safe?

　Rostam nodded quietly at my question.

He's safe. And perhaps he will come here tomorrow to settle this score. To end this with me.

"...... Kyou-sama.

　Was it to save me, or was it for Lily, or was it to bring this emperor down on me?
　No, probably all of them. Kyou-sama is the one who can wrap up all of that recklessness and finally remove it from my mind.
　Perhaps seeing my smile, Rostam smiles happily too.

"Don't worry, Fitis. Whatever the outcome of tomorrow's battle, when it's over, you're free. You can leave the castle or go to Kyou as you please.

　As Rostam said that and was about to leave, I was surprised and stopped him.

Well, wait. Wasn't it me you wanted?　Make me yours: ....... If not, use your ability to make me at will: ......

　To my question, Rostam replied as if it were natural.

What are you talking about. I said it's wrong to take what you want by force. Above all, I told you a long time ago. If you were ever worthy of me, I would have you as my fiance. But now I see that you are not worthy of me. So the engagement is off the table.

　Then Rostam turns to leave through the door.
　I realized the truth of his statement, but then I asked another question that bothered me.

Wait. Are you breaking off the engagement: ...... is your brother aware of that too?

　That's where Rostam turns to me for the first time with a strange look on his face.

"?　Why does your brother's name come up here?

"What ......?　Because you, that time ......

　To Rostam's reply, I now turn my head in wonderment.
　Rostam stared at me for a moment, then turned away and walked out the door as if nothing was wrong.
　I was staring through the door where Rostam had disappeared, and I was beginning to notice something.

...... Rostam. Do you happen to be ......