Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 20: Mona and Meyleen
It’s possible that the demons may have discovered Meyleen’s presence.
The demon woman who called herself Mona and visited here recently was, according to Meyleen, her former maid from her time in the demon kingdom.
Meyleen told me that Mona was the one who taught her embroidery, so she’d immediately recognize the handkerchief in my breast pocket as something embroidered by Meyleen herself.
So that’s why Mona suddenly introduced herself—she knew her name would likely be relayed to Meyleen.
That part went just as she planned, but I still don’t know her true intentions.
Did she want to reassure Meyleen of her safety? Or was it a warning, as if to say, “I’ve found you”?
Either way, it’s best to stay on guard until I know for sure.
So, after a week of heightened vigilance for intruders—
The barrier reacted.
It reacted, but…
“…Hmm?”
“What’s wrong?”
Meyleen, who was sitting on the sofa knitting a baby hat, asked, noticing me tilting my head in confusion.
“Well… now that the demons know where you are, I figured they’d try to reclaim you at some point, so I’ve been watching closely…”
“So someone’s here, then?”
“Yeah, someone’s here, but…”
“But?”
“For some reason, it’s only one person…”
“Then maybe it’s not a demon?”
Ad
“No, the mountain path entrance is being blocked off by Weimar’s guards right now, right? Anyone who’d go out of their way to avoid or bypass them is either a demon or someone from the human kingdoms who really wants to capture me. And if it were the human kingdoms, they wouldn’t send just one person.”
“So it’s probably a demon. But why only one?”
“Don’t know. That’s what I was wondering…”
We both tilted our heads in thought, but no answer seemed to come.
“Well, I’ll go check it out.”
I expanded my detection radius near the barrier boundary, but found no other demons around.
Since there was no way to understand the reason for her visit without speaking to her directly, I went to meet the demon myself.
Just as I did last time with Mona, I suppressed my magic energy and presence. When I reached the demon—
“…Mona?”
Hearing my voice, Mona jumped slightly in surprise, but unlike last time, she didn’t scream; instead, she slowly turned to look at me.
Ad
“Could you please stop suddenly speaking to me like that?”
When she spoke, Mona addressed me in polite language, unlike the last time.
“Sorry about that. I just didn’t expect to find you here.”
At my response, Mona looked slightly annoyed but didn’t press further.
“So? Why are you here? And… what’s with that luggage?”
Seeing Mona withdraw easily, I took the opportunity to ask her about her reason for visiting and the two large trunks sitting by her feet.
She remained silent for a while, not because she couldn’t answer, but as if she was choosing her words carefully.
So, I decided to wait until she was ready to speak.
Finally, after gathering her thoughts, she began to explain her reason for coming here.
“…During the reign of the late king, I served as Princess Meyleen’s maid.”
“I see.”
If I acted like I already knew, it would confirm Meyleen’s presence to Mona, so I just gave a neutral response.
She seemed slightly irritated by my lack of expected response but continued speaking anyway.
“When the late king was defeated by you, I stayed at Meyleen-sama’s side even after she ascended the throne.”
“I see.”
“But it was difficult to stabilize the chaotic demon kingdom, and eventually, her younger brother led a rebellion and forced her off the throne.”
“…”
Yes, it was Meyleen’s brother who deposed her through a rebellion.
Apparently, he was quite power-hungry and believed he would inherit the throne after their father’s death.
Although he was supposedly powerful in magic, his strategic mind left much to be desired.
As a result, the kingdom, which needed intelligent leadership more than brute force, saw Meyleen as the natural choice for queen.
But Meyleen’s brother couldn’t accept this and, gathering his followers, rose in rebellion, forcibly removing her from the throne.
“I was the one who helped Meyleen-sana escape from the royal castle after she was overthrown.”
“…I see.”
So, it was Mona who helped Meyleen flee.
Meyleen had told me she was deposed and exiled, but in hindsight, it would have made more sense for her enemies to execute her instead of simply exiling her.
Now I understood—Mona was the one who allowed Meyleen to escape.
“After Meyleen-sama’s escape, I searched everywhere for her. But… no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find her. That’s why I joined the demon kingdom’s intelligence department, so I could continue the search.”
“Oh, I see.”
Mona shot me a pointed glare, but, well, she wasn’t exactly wrong.
Ad
I had reunited with Meyleen shortly after she escaped the royal castle, and since then, I’d kept her hidden with my magic.
“And… finally… fi-finally, I found traces of her…”
Tears quickly welled up in Mona’s eyes.
“Kenta Maya… Meyleen is with you, isn’t she?”
“…By the way, did you report this to the Demon Kingdom?”
“I have not.”
“I see… yes, she’s here.”
When I answered, Mona dropped to her knees, then placed her hands on the ground, finally pressing her forehead down. She was actually prostrating herself.
“Please! Let me stay by Meyleen-sama’s side!”
She pleaded earnestly as I stared, stunned by her display. She didn’t seem hostile… but still, what to do?
“…Wait here.”
“Yes.”
Since I couldn’t make the decision alone, I used telepathy to check with Meyleen.
“Meyleen, do you have a moment?”
“Yes. What’s the matter?”
Ad
“That Mona woman from before is here again, and she’s asking to stay by your side. What do you want to do?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Meyleen replied.
“For now, bring her here. We can decide afterward.”
“Understood.”
Ending the telepathy, I looked at Mona.
Wow, she was still prostrating.
“Raise your head.”
“Yes.”
She was oddly obedient, almost unsettlingly so. I should be her sworn enemy as far as demons are concerned, but apparently, being with Meyleen mattered more to her.
“For now, I’ll bring you to the house. We’ll decide what happens after that.”
“!! Y-yes! Thank you!”
“And, just to confirm, you came here alone, right?”
I already knew through detection magic, but I asked anyway.
“Of course, I came alone.”
“Good. Now, stand up and grab one of your bags.”
“One?”
“I’ll carry the other.”
“Why?”
“If you’re okay with me touching you, you can carry both. If not, I’ll carry one and you can hold onto me.”
“That doesn’t make sense…”
“Whether it makes sense or not, I’m asking if you’ll do it or not. What’s your choice?”
Not wanting to waste more time on this, I kept it simple. Mona, looking slightly dissatisfied, eventually picked up just one of her bags.
“…So, where should I hold on?”
“Your choice—my arm, my back, whatever.”
As I said this, Mona placed her hand on my back.
Once I confirmed that, I picked up her other trunk.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Huh?”
Before she could react, I activated the teleportation spell.
The next moment, we were standing in front of my house.
“We’re here. Here’s your bag.”
I set the trunk I’d carried in front of Mona.
“Wha…? Huh?”
“What are you staring at? Hurry up and bring it inside.”
“Ah, y-yes.”
I could see that Mona was startled by the teleportation magic, but there was no need for me to acknowledge every reaction of hers. Besides, these bags were her responsibility, not mine.
Even so, with both hands occupied by her trunks, she wouldn’t be able to open the door herself, so I opened it for her. So thoughtful of me.
Mona entered the house, and as soon as she stepped in, she dropped her heavy trunk on the floor with a loud thud. I wondered if the trunk was still intact after a fall like that.
But Mona didn’t seem to have the presence of mind to worry about such things.
“… Meyleen-sama…”
As soon as she saw Maylene sitting on the sofa, tears that had previously just welled up now streamed down her face.
“It’s been a while, Mona.”
Meyleen greeted her warmly.
“Meyleen-sama!”
Mona cried out, tears pouring down her face as she ran to Meyleen and knelt at her feet.
Ad
“Oh, you’re safe! Thank goodness… truly, thank goodness…”
Saying this, she looked up at Meyleen, who was seated comfortably with a loose dress and a blanket over her legs to keep her warm.
One look was enough to make Mona pause as if realizing something.
“M-Maylene-sama… could it be…”
“Oh? Did you figure it out?”
Meyleen smiled softly, gently placing a hand on her stomach.
“I’m going to be a mother soon.”
Mona froze, then slowly turned to glare at me, her expression darkening.
“You… how dare—”
“Mona.”
“! Y-yes, ma’am!”
Mona had barely begun to speak when she flinched at Meyleen’s low voice, immediately turning back to face her with her head bowed.
“Kenta is my beloved husband, and I won’t tolerate any disrespect toward him. If you cannot abide by this…”
Meyleen’s voice took on a cold edge as she gave Mona a piercing look.
“…then you can die here and now.”
“!!??”
Wow, Mona looked absolutely stunned.
Meyleen’s words were harsh, but she wasn’t wrong. Although Mona claimed she hadn’t reported her whereabouts to the Demon Kingdom, if she couldn’t accept me and left, she might still reveal our location.
And with Meyleen expecting, carrying the child of the world’s most powerful summoned person, the current demon king would see that as nothing short of a threat.
If he learned that Meyleen’s child was here, he might send an army to our doorstep. I couldn’t let that happen.
“What will you do?”
Mona was speechless for a while in response to Meyleen’s cool question. Then, she slowly lowered her head.
“…Understood. I pledge my loyalty to Kenta-sama and the child to be born, just as I do to Meyleen-sama.”
Meyleen, who had been icy until then, softened into a gentle smile.
“Good. I’m glad I didn’t have to let you die, Mona.”
“Haha…”
Mona let out a dry laugh, but honestly, having her on our side worked in my favor, too. Since I’m not particularly skilled at household tasks, even now, Meyleen, despite being pregnant, has been taking care of many things around the house.
Although I try to help, I still feel bad about putting that burden on her. Now, with Mona here, formerly her lady’s maid, Meyleen could finally take it easy.
With her loyalty to Meyleen as strong as it is, I might have made quite a lucky find in Mona.