Chapter 4

Second Act The Villainess Is Not Cute, and So She Does Not Cry In the interval between the broken engagement and the ending, there were two major events that were related to Aileen’s fate. One was the “demon king’s awakening” event, which led directly to her own demise. The other was the soiree event, at which Cedric publicly announced the dissolution of his engagement to Aileen and his new engagement to Lilia. Aileen, the villainous young noblewoman, refused to accept the broken engagement. In an attempt to prevent the announcement of Lilia and Cedric’s betrothal, she hired some ne’er-do-wells and plotted to have Lilia kidnapped so that she wouldn’t be able to attend the soiree. However, the plot was ultimately foiled in advance by a pseudo–love interest (which was how Marcus looked to Aileen). Unaware of this and intent on winning Cedric back, Aileen attended the soiree, only for Lilia to appear and accuse her, causing her to be disowned from the d’Autriche family, stripped of her rank, and thrown into the streets. This is a development Aileen would dearly love to avoid. After all, she doesn’t have the sort of abilities that would let her survive as a commoner. Unfortunately, her past self didn’t have them, either. That said, not attending the soiree is no longer an option. This morning, when she’d tested her father by saying, “Perhaps I won’t attend that soiree after all,” he looked startled and asked, “Do you want to lose your rank?” He meant every word. Her father would definitely follow through and disown her. Failing to attend would yield the same results. That said, trying to prevent a kidnapping incident that someone else might perpetrate would involve getting close to Lilia, which would ironically look very much like a kidnapping attempt. No doubt she’d seem far too suspicious. In short, as things stand, she has no concrete way to avoid triggering the event. However, at the very least, I must take Master Claude to the soiree as my partner and make it obvious to everyone that I’m genuinely happy about the broken engagement…! If she can do that much, then even if someone else kidnaps Lilia, Aileen won’t be immediately implicated. Since there’s no telling what may happen, she needs to make the moves she’s sure she can make. She also has to fulfill her father’s request and “recoup the losses.” There’s no time— I’ll just have to work on both in tandem. And so even though it’s been only a day, Aileen is walking down a familiar path through the forest. She’s wearing a tidy white dress and lace-up boots, carrying a rather large basket, and twirling a parasol. Even she feels she’s the very picture of a perfect young noblewoman. The trouble is that she’s been walking in circles for just about an hour. “Could this be the barrier, perhaps?” Untying the handkerchief she attached to a tree branch to mark her path earlier, Aileen closes her parasol. She looks up at the sky but doesn’t see a single shape in it. The dense canopy also seems somehow artificial. “It was the same as the last time until the palisade just before the forest, and yet… Isn’t anyone here?” She looks around. The only response is unnaturally deep silence. As an experiment, she calls again. “To think he’s too frightened to show himself to me! The demon king seems to be quite the coward.” Nothing in the scenery changes. However, she feels a presence of sorts. They must be angry that she’s insulted the demon king. Am I the only one who can’t see any of them? It was like this in the game, too; the demons really are fond of him. It’s likely that Claude has a soft spot for the demons as well. Aileen gives a modest sigh. “All right. I’ll give up on seeing him today. However, someone is there, correct? Won’t you come out? I’ve brought a present, as an apology.” There’s no response. However, vaguely, she senses that her watchers are bewildered. Aileen opens the lid of her basket, displaying its contents to the empty space. There are a large quantity of cookies in various flavors, like almond and chocolate. Thanks to the game, she knows that—surprisingly—demons are partial to human food. “I made them myself. I don’t know whether they’ll suit your tastes, but I hope you’ll help yourselves to them. And also, I meant to give this to one of the crows.” She takes a small bow tie out of the basket’s inner pocket. The silk ribbon is deep crimson, very smooth, and definitely not cheap. Ribbon in hand, Aileen smiles. “I said as much yesterday, but the way the crows welcome guests reflects on the demon king. As such, I’d like all the demons to be dignified as well.” There are no visible changes in the scenery. Even so, the bemused atmosphere is palpable. “Hence, this accessory. Do you suppose the strongest of the crows, your leader, could wear it? It will serve as a mark of the demon king’s trusted gatekeeper.” There is no answer. However, she feels as if she’s heard a voice say, Mark of the gatekeeper. It’s the same buoyant tone she heard from Beelzebuth yesterday in response to her saying “right-hand man.” “Will no one come forth as a representative? Or has the demon king forbidden that as well?” ”Human girl, hand it over!“ With a sudden rustle of wings, a crow flies out of empty space. They’re somewhat larger than the rest. With eyes the same red color as the demon king’s, this one has gone out of their way to carry a skull in their talons, which are far larger and sharper than would ordinarily be possible. That can’t be what passes for fashion among demons, can it? Once the crow has landed on the ground, Aileen kneels to put herself on eye level with them. “You are the strongest?” ”That’s right! The demon king’s gatekeeper! Girl, give me the proof!“ “I’ll put it on you, so turn the other way, would you? Your eyes are the same color as the demon king’s, I see.” ”Same as the demon king!“ The crow seems perfectly giddy. They spin around, turning their back to her. Aileen sets the open basket down right in front of them. “If you’d like, you may sample any cookie that strikes your fancy.” ”You have a good attitude, girl. Almond for me!“ Dexterously picking up a single almond cookie with the tip of their beak, they crunch into it. In the meantime, Aileen gently wraps the bow tie around their neck. Their down is fluffier than she expected, and quite pleasant. ”Yum! Yum! Girl, you bring good offerings! I’ll allow it.“ “My, how kind of you. You have lovely feathers, don’t you?” ”Because I’m the strongest! Girl, you have good eyes— Ghk!“ The crow flinches. A shudder runs through them, and then they flop over onto their side. The next moment, her vision opens up. In a twinkling, the bright track through the woods is transformed into the demon king’s gloomy forest. A murder of crows sits in the tops of the dead trees, just like yesterday. There are demons who resemble rats and moles, too. She’s been completely surrounded. However, Aileen picks up the crow, who is still trembling all the way to the tips of their feathers. Holding them firmly, she puts the tip of the knife concealed in the end of her parasol to them and gives an elegant smile. “Everyone stay where you are, please. What a foolish demon. To think, trusting a human!” ”What decent human would say that?!“ ”Ghk… What…did you do, girl…?!“ “I laced the cookie with a numbing agent.” ”Die! I’ll kill you, girl!“ “Dear me, do you wish to cause trouble for the demon king? I belong to the house of d’Autriche. If I am killed by demons, it will worsen his position.” Aileen smiles thinly. The crows caw at her raucously, as if they’re condemning her. The other demons look downright murderous as well. Apparently worried for the companion in her clutches, however, they don’t attack. Paying them no heed, she raises her voice. “Now then, Master Claude, if you wish to save this demon, present yourself! If you don’t, I’ll pluck its feathers one by one until it’s bald—” She’s interrupted by a blast of wind. Hair as black as darkness. Crimson eyes that gleam with a richer color than jewels glare down at her from midair. ”Sire!“ ”Demon king! The human girl betrayed us!“ The demon king lightly descends to the ground, and the demons cling to him. Aileen beams. “Good day to you, Master Claude.” His only response is silence. She’s managed to draw out the person she was after, though, and that’s enough. “Would you heal this demon? It should recover naturally with time, but…” Claude kneels in front of her. Then, gently, he touches the paralyzed crow in her arms. The next instant, the crow’s eyes fly open, and they begin flapping their wings. Apparently, the numbness is already gone. “I’d expect no less of you.” Aileen is impressed. The crow, who has struggled free of her arms, lands on Claude’s shoulder and shrieks at her. ”You’re dead, girl! I’ll kill you, I swear!“ “Oh, but we’re even now, aren’t we?” “How so?” Rising to his feet, Claude directs that brief question at her. Aileen smiles at him. “I haven’t forgotten, you know. The way the crows surrounded me and heaped abuse on me.” Although Claude’s expression has been as cold as ice, faint uncertainty flickers through it. Dusting herself off, Aileen moves to stand directly in front of him. “If that makes you feel beholden to me, train your crows properly in the first place. Isn’t that right, little crow I just deceived?” ”Kill!“ “Let’s make up. As an apology, I’ll give you a chocolate cookie.” ”You can’t fool me! No more fooling me!“ “It’s all right. Only the almond kind have the numbing agent mixed into them. As proof, you can watch me eat half.” Aileen takes out a chocolate cookie, then bites into it with a light crunch. The crow with the bow tie stares at her until she’s swallowed. “You see? It’s all right. Come, now. Let’s be friends again, shall we?” She holds out the half-eaten cookie. They glare with their red eyes from Aileen to Claude and back. With a sigh, Claude takes the cookie from Aileen, then has a bite. Aileen wasn’t expecting this development, and she blinks. His expression cool, Claude swallows, then offers the remaining morsel to the demon on his shoulder. “It’s fine to eat.” Immediately, the crow latches onto the cookie. ”Yum! Chocolate is good!“ ”D-demon king…“ The surrounding demons begin to stir restlessly. Claude looks at Aileen. “Everything but the almond kind is safe, you said?” “Y-yes… But whatever shall I do? This really isn’t the place for…” “…What do you mean? Don’t tell me you did something to the chocolate cookies as well.” “Yes. I’d hoped to put you in the mood, Master Claude, so I added an aphrodisiac that only affects men.” As Aileen responds brightly, lightning strikes behind her. “There’s something wrong with you.” Claude looks haggard. Aileen tilts her head dubiously. “Do you think so? I’d based that plan on the assumption that you had a strong sense of responsibility, Master Claude.” “Responsibility for what?” “Gracious, you’d actually make me say it?” “Ahhh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Keith, who’s served them black tea, abruptly bursts out laughing as if he just can’t take it anymore. Claude glares at him. “What exactly is funny about this, Keith?” “W-well, I mean, a young lady who’d take a demon hostage, threaten the demon king, then dose him with a love-potion? That’s quite a gift she’s got.” “You flatter me, Master Keith.” She takes a sip of the tea he’s prepared for her, then sets the cup down on its saucer. They’re currently in the parlor where Aileen awakened the previous day. Claude insisted that she go home at first, but she adamantly refused, and they’ve finally reached a compromise, leading to the current sit-down. The fact that this is the only room they can host guests is problematic, but the tea she’s been given is good, and the sofa she’s seated in is quite comfortable. Keith, who’s convulsing with laughter, must have arranged for them. “It is a pity, though. To think that aphrodisiacs don’t affect Master Claude…” “As if such an insolent scheme would work on the king!” Beelzebuth sounds oddly proud. Smiling wryly, Keith supplements his answer. “There have been all sorts of attempts to poison Master Claude. He’s built up a tolerance, and potions tend not to work on him. And to be frank, he’s the demon king, after all.” “My. In that case, even if I used a stronger dose, it wouldn’t work?” “I will never eat anything you bring me again.” “Then I’ll think up some other method.” “You don’t have to.” “But I’m running out of time.” Putting a hand to her cheek, Aileen gives an anxious sigh. “Are you going to inquire about my reasons?” “I don’t want to know.” “Duly noted. The truth is, I’ll be attending a soiree in two months’ time…” “Was that preamble about whether I was going to ask really necessary?” “…And I would truly love to have you attend as my escort, Master Claude.” “So knowing is mandatory. I see… But why would that require an aphrodisiac?” “? If I’d simply asked you, would you have agreed?” When she asks him that, her eyes round, Claude’s face goes blank. Keith bursts out laughing, holding his sides. “S-so you thought you’d establish a fait accompli first. Oh yes, I see…” “You ‘see.’ Ha! Girl! If you wish to attract the king’s attention, then strip naked and demonstrate your intent to submit. His Majesty is kind. I’m sure he will take pity on you.” Claude, who is seated in an armchair, freezes up, but Beelzebuth’s eyes are serious. For just a moment, Aileen’s expression turns sober. However, she promptly recovers her smile, then places a hand over her chest. “If that is what you wish, Master Claude.” “It isn’t. Be silent, Bel. And you! Don’t you dare disrobe…!” “Then will you attend the soiree with me?” Claude holds his head. Keith speaks up; he’s laughed so much that he’s wheezing. “A-a soiree… Well, really, why not? I’ll do my very best to help you get ready!” “My! Thank you very much, Master Keith.” “Wait. Don’t act as if the matter’s been settled. I haven’t said I’m going.” “We will not allow you to force something the king does not want on him, humans.” Beelzebuth takes a step forward, as if to shield Claude. “A human soiree? I’ll destroy the whole pointless thing, venue and all.” “Master Beelzebuth. You don’t understand in the slightest.” “What?!” “Bel. She’s going to trap you. I can see it coming. Don’t.” “Don’t you want to show the world Master Claude’s splendor?” Beelzebuth’s eyes widen just as she predicted. Claude puts a hand to his face. Watching him out of the corner of her eye, Aileen smoothly continues her negotiation. “Master Claude is splendid, is he not?” “…Of course, the king is magnificent.” “Then he simply must attend the soiree. He cannot truly be an object of awe unless he reveals himself to the humans. Your demon king will shine.” “The king will…shine…” Beelzebuth darts a surreptitious glance at Claude, torn. If the king his people love and respect were to be venerated and revered by all, of course he’d be happy about it. Consequently, Claude can’t casually dash the demons’ hopes. “Will you escort me, Master Claude?” “…In the first place, I am the demon king. I would never be able to attend in the normal way. Someone is bound to interfere before I reach the venue. It’s tiresome.” “Master Claude… Did you not hear what I said yesterday? I distinctly remember telling you that I would be keeping you like a pet.” Keith cracks up yet again, while Claude’s expression goes beyond a grimace and reverts to a blank slate. “I had decided to ignore it.” “Then let me tell you once more. You will be mine. In other words, you are the fiancé of the daughter of the house of d’Autriche.” “…To begin with, let me point out that the ‘fiancé’ premise is incorrect.” “What I am saying is that I will be with you. You may simply walk straight in, boldly, through the main entrance. What does it matter if you are the demon king? I will bear all responsibility.” As Aileen confidently volunteers, Claude watches her with an indescribable expression. “Do you have any other concerns?” When she arbitrarily moves the conversation along, Claude recrosses his legs, looking away slightly. “…You will damage your position. If the court thinks you are consorting with demons…” “My… My, oh my, oh my! Are you worried for me, Master Claude?!” Clasping her hands in front of her bosom, Aileen leans in closer until she’s right in his face. Startled, Claude draws back, but unfortunately for him, he’s still sitting down, so the distance between them doesn’t change. “Have no fear. At the moment, my reputation couldn’t be worse. People can’t possibly hate me more or give me a wider berth than they’re already doing, so there’s no need to worry!” “Who says that about themselves so confidently?” “You see, in any case, this soiree is being held to mock me. I must publicly consent to having my engagement broken, humbly hand over complete control of the trading company I established, and congratulate Prince Cedric and Lady Lilia on their betrothal. In doing so, I’ll supposedly earn Prince Cedric’s forgiveness. Personally, I’m still not convinced whether my behavior was so bad that it merits all that penance.” She gives a smile that doesn’t go past her lips. Claude responds with silence. Beelzebuth snorts. “Everything humans do is truly petty.” “And that is where Master Claude comes in, Master Beelzebuth!” When Aileen abruptly calls his name, Beelzebuth twitches and pulls away slightly. “A man who will give people no choice but to fall silent, even if he is standing by my side as I am now! Who but Master Claude is so perfect in appearance, title, and every other way?” “I… I see…!” “Don’t give me that— Enough of this. I will not attend.” At his unexpectedly firm tone, Aileen falls silent. Although Beelzebuth has been muttering to himself and Keith has continued laughing uncontrollably, they’ve both gone quiet in the next moment. Claude rises from his armchair without a sound, his eyes fixed on Aileen. “Miss d’Autriche. I must ask you to leave. I won’t see you off. Walk home, on your own.” “…And if I refuse?”