“Well, that’s why you’ve disguised yourself like this…”
“Right, maybe it wouldn’t be a problem if some time had passed. But declaring that you, a human, are in a relationship with the Demon King at a time like this would likely bring a lot of unnecessary complications.”
Right after getting the full explanation from the Demon King, I slowly nodded my head.
Indeed, even as a hero who had just helped end a war, the fact that I, a human, would be openly dating the Demon King might present a burden for someone who rules an entire kingdom.
Maybe in the future it wouldn’t matter, but for now, keeping things this way was beneficial for both her and me.
In fact, from my perspective, being able to hang out with her without worrying about others’ eyes made this situation even more comfortable.
“Thank you for considering me like this.”
“Well… either way, we are still lovers, right? It’s just what’s expected.”
As she said that, the Demon King’s face turned slightly red.
Seeing such an unexpectedly cute side of her put me in a daze, my gaze fixed on her.
Despite our different appearances, now that I knew who she was, I felt my heart fluttering automatically, contrasting starkly with the caution I had felt just moments before.
So, in the awkward silence that followed, both of us sat next to each other with flushed faces.
And shortly after,
It was the Demon King who broke the silence first.
“So then… let’s keep it that way for now, and I should really get back. Even though my double is covering for me, it wouldn’t be good to be away for too long in a situation like this.”
With those words, the Demon King slowly stood up.
Watching her, I couldn’t shake the deep happiness still lingering within me, and I spoke to her in a polite tone.
“Yes, Your Majesty, the Demon King. I will follow you in a bit.”
“Right, when we meet next time… let’s find a more private place where we won’t be disturbed.”
With those final words, we exchanged gentle smiles for a brief moment before parting.
Even though it was all a disguise, showing too much closeness in a situation with so many eyes around wasn’t great for either of us.
After the Demon King disappeared from view and some time passed,
I began to slowly head back toward the banquet hall, feeling somewhat relaxed.
At that moment…
“Uh?”
“!…”
*
My mother, Elias, looked noticeably disheveled.
Eliza felt her anxiety, which had been simmering beneath the surface, intensify as she cautiously opened her mouth.
“Mama… where have you been?”
“Uh? Ah… well, I just… got a bit tipsy and wanted to get some fresh air.”
Elias spoke in a stiff voice, almost as if making an excuse.
Hearing her words, which were clearly not her usual self, Eliza felt a surge of anxiety and confronted her.
“How long has it been since the banquet started that you’ve already gotten drunk? You never drink like this, Mama.”
“Uh… well…”
Elias began to show clear signs of panic at Eliza’s words.
However, she quickly regained her composure and, looking at her daughter, said,
“Of course, that’s true… but given the occasion, shouldn’t I allow myself a little drink? The war is over and we’ve fully reclaimed our lost territories.”
“…Well, that’s definitely true.”
Eliza had a lot on her mind regarding her mother’s words, yet she chose to remain silent for now.
Seeing her like that, Elias approached her with a smile that was familiar and gently ruffled her hair.
“My dear… it seems like Mama worried you a lot? Thank you for coming to find me. You’ve grown up so much.”
“…Uh…”
Feeling her mother’s warm touch made Eliza blush slightly.
As the previously tense atmosphere quickly settled down, Rebecca, who was standing nearby, sighed in relief.
“Thank goodness… I was honestly worried something might happen…”
Having a clear understanding of how terrifying love triangles could be, Rebecca was relieved that things hadn’t escalated into something serious.
However…
At that moment, unlike Rebecca,
Eliza, slightly cradled in her mother’s arms, still felt far from calm.
No, in fact, she was now caught in an even more serious turmoil of emotions…
“That scent… it’s not Mama’s usual. It’s mixed with another man’s. And judging by her heartbeat, Mama is still quite tense… Moreover, even though I didn’t notice it from afar, now that I’m close, I can clearly see that mark on her neck… that’s definitely…”
At this moment, right in front of Eliza, on Elias’s neck,
There was a mark that she hadn’t recognized until now but had now become painfully obvious… a faint lipstick or bite mark left by someone else.
And what it implied…
Even though Eliza had no practical experience, she was well aware of such matters from her readings.
But at this moment, she couldn’t bring herself to point it out.
The moment she asked about it, she would have to confront what her beloved mother would say, and what secrets her mother was hiding from her.
It all felt too frightening.
“Mama… no, right? It’s not what I’m thinking… right? Please… please tell me it’s not true… please…”
As Eliza desperately tried to reject the thoughts that danced in front of her eyes,
Just then…
“Huh?”
“!…”
A small voice suddenly came from the side.
In this moment, that voice, which Eliza had least wanted to hear, caused her to turn slowly.
Then, she saw someone enter her vision.
The moment she recognized who it was,
Eliza could no longer maintain her normal expression.
“Y-You… Hero?”
“Uh… um…”
At that moment, the Hero’s face showed a rather awkward expression while looking at Eliza.
Immediately after, the Hero quickly glanced around and swiftly left the area.
His demeanor suggested he was trying to hide something.
Realizing that, Eliza felt a huge shaking inside her heart.
“Could it really be?… Could it really be that Mama was with the Hero?… If that’s true, then the mark on Mama’s neck is definitely left by the Hero…”
Just thinking about it caused a cold reality to spin her head.
As she processed this realization,
Tears began to flow down Eliza’s eyes.
“…Eliza?”
“Huuh… Huuuh…”
Seeing her daughter start to sob in her arms, Elias’s face showed deep perplexity, and she turned to Rebecca and Amelda, who were watching this scene.
“What’s wrong with this child?”
“Uh… um… well…”
Rebecca hesitated, struggling to answer a tough question.
At that moment, Amelda spoke up calmly in her stead.
“Excuse me, my Lady, but it seems that the Lord may have had a little too much to drink.”
They had all witnessed the Hero briefly visiting and then leaving once he saw Elias and Eliza together.
Both understood what that meant but couldn’t bring themselves to speak the painful truth.
After all, mentioning that the person Elias was having a secret meeting with was someone Eliza had feelings for would definitely lead to an unmanageable situation.
Fortunately,
Elias seemed to understand from Amelda’s words and slowly nodded in agreement.
“True… she often cries when she’s drunk. It’s okay now… Mama is here, so don’t cry, my darling.”
“Sniff… sniff… Huuuh…”
With these words, Elias began to soothe her daughter with gentle touches.
Eliza could do nothing but cry even more bitterly, feeling her mother’s comforting hand.
However,
At that moment, neither Elias nor the observing Rebecca and Amelda realized the truth.
The tears flowing from Eliza’s eyes were not tears of resignation or despair…
They were tears imbued with a resolve and sadness over having faced her beloved mother in battle.