Seru's Plan; Years of Feelings Finally Fulfilled

Seru stood amid the dense forest, the collapsed corpse of a demon beneath her feet and scattered demon souls fleeing in panic all around her.

She looked down at her hands, then at the short blade half-drawn at her waist.

The battle had ended too quickly.

So quickly that she had not even had time to—

"Lady Seru!"

Several demons from the patrol stumbled over.

"Are you all right? Where is that demon?"

"Dead."

Seru answered calmly and sheathed her blade.

"Check on the other demons. If anyone is injured, send them back to the outpost for treatment immediately."

"Yes!"

The patrol members hurried off, but Seru remained where she was.

She gazed into the depths of the forest, toward the royal city of the Western Country.

What was Chiyo doing right now?

Was he handling state affairs in the council hall, or accompanying Princess Lingyue and Kanade Hime at Moonlight Hall?

Or perhaps...

Was he watching Sesshomaru interrogate that captive?

She suddenly found herself envying Sesshomaru.

That child could stand openly before Chiyo and receive his father's recognition and praise.

And what about her?

She was the only daughter of the Kirin King of the Eastern Country, the most honored Princess of the Eastern Country.

Since childhood, she had been surrounded by admirers and given whatever she wanted.

Yet the one man she wanted did not belong to her.

Ten years ago, she had come to the Western Country as an envoy of the Eastern Country.

Back then, she had been proud and curious, wanting to see what kind of demon had unified the Western Country.

Then she met Chiyo.

Black robe, White Hair, crimson eyes.

He had merely glanced at her indifferently.

Just that one look.

Even now, she remembered it vividly.

From that day on, she had