“What do you mean?” Diana’s voice is practically dripping with suspicion, but Claude doesn’t falter.

  “At this point, there is no crown prince and no one appropriate who can take charge. However, how will things stand after the wedding?”

  “…Oh, I see. Because I will be empress then…”

  “Exactly.”

  “In that case, we really should conduct the ceremony,” Diana concludes.

  Cattleya nods.

  Ernst sighs bitterly. “…We’ll only be buying time.”

  “On the battlefield, we buy time to find a way out, Ernst.”

  “Master Claude, I’m terribly sorry, but may we ask for your cooperation…?!” Cattleya pleads.

  “Of course. It’s for the peace of both our nations.”

  The group quickly reaches a consensus. Aileen stares at them, her face drawn and tense.

  These three probably think this was their decision, but they’re wrong. Claude has led them to it. He acts as if it’s only natural for him to stand above others, and it’s given them that illusion.

  That natural demon king demeanor of his…!

  “However, Aileen, the greatest problem is you,” Claude declares.

  “E-excuse me?!”

  When Claude gently catches her by the shoulders and turns his smile on her, Aileen remembers: She was the one who was trying to loan Claude to Kilvas and put them in their debt. She was planning to say something along the lines of, They’re in trouble, after all, and it’s only a wedding ceremony. I’ll endure it. I’m capable of conducting myself like an empress. I won’t hold Master Claude back. She would have played the part of an adorable woman whose head is positively bursting with flowers and butterflies, who’s a sandwich or two short of a picnic.

  Thanks to Claude, though, that act is no longer necessary. He picked up on the fact that she was about to sell him off and immediately took the initiative.

  “You must return to Ellmeyer at once. We’ll say you’re feeling unwell.”

  “Wha…? B-but why? I’m in perfect health.”

  “It would be strange if you were here and I was not at your side, wouldn’t it?”

  If Claude acts as a stand-in for Vica, naturally, there will be no Claude. The emperor of Ellmeyer is expected to be in attendance, and they’ll need a reason for his absence.

  He’s planning to say we’ve returned to Ellmeyer because I’m unwell?!

  The health of his pregnant wife prevented him from attending the ceremony. That isn’t so strange. No doubt some people will think, Then don’t come in the first place; what a nuisance. But as far as excuses go, it’s persuasive.

  “U-um, Master Claude… No matter how you look at it, won’t that be a little too, er, abrupt…?”

  “I beg you, Aileen. If you leave, it won’t seem suspicious that I’m gone.”

  His earnest expression is very pained. However, as Aileen looks around uncertainly, she notices that an oddly ominous wind has begun to blow, making the shredded curtains billow and flap.

  “Please understand, Aileen. This is for the good of the country. More than anything, even if it’s something I must do, I don’t want you to see me exchanging vows with another woman.”

  Claude intends to send Aileen back to the safety of her own country in a way that will seem beyond reproach.

  “Well, yes, that would probably be for the best. It would be more tiresome to have you here,” Diana says, as if she feels sorry for her.

  “I apologize, but, Lady Aileen… Just for now…”

  Since Aileen is acting the part of a sheltered woman who has nothing to offer but her rank, she has no grounds to argue with Diana or Cattleya. If she lets them unmask her here, it will prevent her from moving freely in Kilvas, even if she stays. On the contrary, Diana and the others will be all the more wary of her, and she may end up holding Claude back.

  With complete knowledge of all this, Claude and his red eyes are laughing right in her face. “Make preparations to leave Kilvas immediately.”

  “I-immediately? You say that so easily, but…”

  “I will make the arrangements. You are in danger as well, Lady Aileen; do you understand that?”

  “…Because whoever attacked Vica will realize that Emperor Claude has taken his place,” Ernst mutters bitterly.

  As things stand, there’s truly nothing more she can do.

  Perhaps her defeat was assured the moment Claude took the initiative. At this point, all Aileen can do is stamp on his toes, hiding the motion under her skirts. Naturally, he doesn’t even twitch.

  “Very well… I shall do as you say.”

  This isn’t all bad. Taken the other way around, it means she’ll be able to evade Claude’s watchful eye. Just as she’s starting to consider leaving the imperial castle to hunt for Vica, Claude takes her cheeks in his hands—gently, but with enough strength that she can’t break free—and smiles. “I’m glad you understand. I know; let me send Keith with you.”

  “What?!”

  “I’m worried about you. Besides, it would be odd if I returned but Keith stayed, wouldn’t it? You don’t need to worry about a thing. Just leave it to me; I’ll make sure everything comes out all right.”

  “I-in that case, Master Claude…” She refuses to let herself be swept along like this. In an attempt to keep Claude’s scheme from washing her away like a muddy torrent, she stamps on his toes harder. “…at least let me leave my attendants as liaisons.”

  Diana and the others swiftly exchange glances, but they don’t object. They probably think she means her ladies-in-waiting or something. However, Claude will understand who she’s referring to.

  In response to Aileen’s modest counterstrike, Claude makes an amused face. “I see; so it will be a trade for Keith. That’s fine. If it will dispel your unease, I agree.”

  “I—I can’t go home and leave you here by yourself, Master Claude.”

  “You are the only woman who’d say a thing like that to the demon king.

  “And also the only one who would try to sell him off, of course.”

  The words he whispers just before dropping a kiss on her cheek draw a tiny, stifled shriek from her. “Oh no, don’t look like that. Smiles always suit you best.”

  Uttering more sweet nothings to her with irritating magnificence, Claude offers her a beautiful smile, even though she’s still stamping on his toes.

  Third Act

  The Villainess Refuses to Fall for Nothing

  Grand bells ring out to celebrate the newly wedded couple. Unusually, the sky over Kilvas is clear, and the flock of white doves that’s released into it is more than enough to suggest the beginning of a new era.

  In the game, a declaration of revolution would have echoed through the imperial capital, but it hasn’t done so in reality. Since this was what Aileen had come to confirm, one could say she had achieved her objective. However…

  “As if I’d let Master Claude trounce me like that and get away with it…!”

  “You’re speaking in the presence of your minder, you know. Has the luggage all been loaded, Rachel?”

  “Yes, Sir Keith. May I ask you to conduct the final check with me? We’re short on both time and people. Luc, would you take care of Lady Aileen?”

  “Of course. This way, Lady Aileen. Let me take your pulse before we depart.” Luc beckons Aileen into the platform’s deserted waiting room.

  The train Cattleya has hastily arranged for them is the very latest model, luxurious even for Kilvas. From what Aileen overheard, it’s the imperial family’s exclusive train. The station platform has been temporarily sealed off, with only the bare minimum of people allowed to enter and leave. They’ve probably done it out of consideration for Aileen’s group, who need to depart almost as soon as they arrived, and in the service of keeping the secret.

  It wouldn’t do for watchful eyes to notice that Master Claude isn’t here.

  They’ll be traveling back to the port town by train, then returning home on the ship from Ellmeyer, which is still moored there.

  “I’m sure you’re unhappy about it, Lady Aileen, but I’m personally in favor of going home,” Luc tells her while taking her pulse in the waiting room. Although the bench is made of wood, it’s padded with water-resistant cushions. No doubt each country can obtain different materials, but the infrastructure in Kilvas is more advanced than it is in Ellmeyer.

  “I would imagine so. Isaac probably shares your opinion.”

  “He did agree to babysit the demon king, after all. Jasper turned pale, though.”

  “Doesn’t he think it’s unfair to Rachel?”

  “Master Isaac? I doubt it. After the wedding, the demon king will keep an eye on the situation for a time, then come home as if nothing’s happened. His greatest objective is keeping you away from danger, Lady Aileen.”

  “I’m not so certain,” Aileen says wryly.

  Luc looks up. “Should I get the details on that? I am your physician; confidentiality is part of my job.”

  “It’s nothing important. The truth is quite simple, really. There’s something Master Claude doesn’t want me to see.”

  “An affair, you mean?”

  With a contemptuous laugh, Aileen crosses her legs. “I’m still trying to decide whether I should consider it that. However—do you really suppose Master Claude would take his eyes off me and think, ‘Now I can relax’?”

  Luc has finished his exam and is putting his instruments back into his bag. She leans down to peek at his face. He’s frowning. There’s her answer.

  “Unfortunately, I have the most freedom when Master Claude isn’t keeping an eye on me.”

  “…When you put it that way, I have to admit you’re right…”

  “And Master Claude has intentionally stopped watching me. It’s almost as if he’s telling me to do as I please.”

  “I’m positive that isn’t what he meant.”

  “Since he has, in fact, taken his eyes off me, that is how I choose to interpret it. In any case, Master Claude is plotting something. Isn’t he, Master Keith?”

  Apparently having finished checking the luggage, Keith has stepped into the waiting room. Behind his glasses, his eyes are twinkling. “Oh, that can’t possibly be true. I’m simply a minder, Lady Aileen.”

  “A minder meant to stop me or adjust my path if I do anything that diverges from Master Claude’s intentions, correct? In the first place, it was you who called me to the room where they were debating whether to use Master Claude as a substitute… Doesn’t that mean it was really Master Claude who summoned me?”

  Claude must have already decided to take Vica’s place by then. He might have been angry that Aileen had been willing to sell him off, but only a little; he had her witness that scene for a reason.

  “If there’s something behind this, I would be very glad if you’d tell me about it soon.”

  “Please rest assured, I truly know nothing. I can guess at certain things, though.”

  “Don’t you know Master Claude better than he knows himself?”

  “Presumptuous as it may be of me, that’s correct. As a result, I believe I know milord’s intentions. —He sold me off to Lady Aileen, blast him. Does he hate being scolded that much?” Apparently, Keith has been sent to her against his will. Pushing up his glasses, he smiles. “What does he think a man who can’t even change clothes by himself can do? He should just drink bad tea and reflect on his actions.”

  As Claude’s adviser curses him, Aileen begins to feel concerned about her husband’s life in Kilvas.

  Well, Lady Cattleya will probably help him.

  There’s a small, rough sensation in the depths of her heart, but there’s no helping that now. Emotions are what they are. More than that, though, Aileen has her pride as Claude’s wife.

  “Now then, Lady Aileen, it’s time for the train to depart,” Keith says; he’s heard the whistle.

  She looks up at him through her lashes. “Aren’t you worried about Master Claude?”

  “Unfortunately, not in the slightest. I think a little pain would be good for him.”

  “Why don’t we stealthily watch from somewhere nearby to see whether he meets with unpleasantness?”

  “Now there’s a delightful suggestion.”

  “Isn’t it? On top of that, if we could find Emperor Vica, I imagine it would frustrate Master Claude to no end.”

  “Shall I tell you the answer in a way that’s easy to understand? You mustn’t.”

  That smile of his is quite clear. Resigning herself, Aileen rises to her feet. When she looks, Rachel is standing outside the waiting room. There’s no escape.

  Immediately after boarding the train, Aileen looks to the left and sees a splendid dining car. In front of its door, one of Kilvas’s lady knights—a Valkyrie—bows her head. There are a few guards provided by Kilvas on the train, but she’d prefer not to trouble them too much.

  “Now that I’ve come this far, I’ll behave. Is there somewhere I could rest by myself?”

  “The car to your right is divided into private compartments. There are seats that unfold into a bed as well. Rachel, is everything ready?”

  “Yes, Master Keith. Your room is waiting for you, Lady Aileen. It is a little cramped; you won’t mind?”

  When Aileen confirms that she won’t, Keith sets off in the lead. Rachel falls in behind Aileen, and Luc walks beside her. She’s completely surrounded.

  They’re this wary? As she thinks that in exasperation, there’s a clatter, and the train begins to sway. They’ve set off. Outside the window, the station platform streams past.

  “This way, Lady Aileen.”

  “I’ll be fine on my own, Rachel. There isn’t much room in here, you know.”

  Aileen’s response makes Keith, Rachel, and Luc grimace openly. She points out the window. “Even I can’t escape now. I wouldn’t leap from a moving train, not without the sacred sword.”

  “So if you had the sword, you’d jump,” Luc interprets, and Keith’s and Rachel’s eyes gleam.

  Aileen presses a finger to the spot between her eyebrows. “I don’t have it, so I can’t. There’s something I’d like to think about alone. If I need anything, I’ll call right away.”

  “But, Lady Aileen—”

  “Stay in the next compartment over, please. I won’t even be able to stretch my bare legs if you don’t.”

  Due to their professions, it isn’t unusual for either Keith or Luc to see women’s bare legs. However, generally speaking, most people would consider that outrageous. What’s more, since Aileen is married to Claude…

  “I’ll bring you tea later, Lady Aileen. You may sleep if you wish. Just leave the door unlocked.”

  Aileen nods, accepting Rachel’s compromise. After opening the door on her own, she lowers herself into the compartment’s seat. It’s softer and more comfortable than she expected. This train is even better than the one they arrived in. Kicking out her legs as she claimed she would do, she sinks into the backrest and exhales.

  Thinking is all she can do right now anyway.

  At present, she’s confirmed that reality isn’t progressing in accordance with the game’s plot. Revolution has not been declared. However, the attack on Vica doesn’t sit right with her. Of course, skillful maneuvering on Claude’s part should quell any latent hostility toward Ellmeyer, but is it really going to be so easy?

  What will happen next? Are there any hints? …Even in the game?

  At the very least, the four principal characters look exactly as they did in the game’s art. Although she’s extremely reluctant to do so, as a thought experiment, Aileen decides to compare what’s currently happening in the Kilvas Empire to the events of the otome game. Of the game’s developments, the one that’s most likely to trouble Ellmeyer is Vica’s transformation into the red-eyed demon.

  Come to think of it, why does Vica become a demon?

  In the game, in addition to the same legend that’s passed down in Ellmeyer—those born with black hair and red eyes are the reincarnation of the demon king—it’s explained that males from Kilvas’s imperial family are occasionally born as grotesques. Simply put, the imperial bloodline can produce demons. The scene where Vica turns into a demon is one of the so-called “true self revealed” episodes. Emotional agitation—his anger and sadness—destabilizes his magic, and this is depicted as the direct trigger of his transformation.

  The biggest issue is that we don’t know how to reverse the transformation.

  In the game, Vica believed the legend that he would become a demon if he left the imperial capital. However, once he was a demon, he ultimately attacked the capital. This meant that even if there was some sort of mechanism in the city, it wasn’t directly preventing his transformation. Naturally, it wouldn’t be able to reverse the transformation, either.

  In any case, there is no ending in the game where Vica reverts from the red-eyed demon to his human form.

  If I had the sacred sword, at least…

  Aileen is still lying down when a light wind from behind her stirs her disheveled hair.

  With a start, she sits up. The window was closed, but now it’s open. The clackety-clack of the train’s wheels on the rails has grown louder.

  More than anything, there’s a shadow on the floor that is not hers.

  Before she can fill her lungs with air to scream, a dagger gleams at her throat.

  “Don’t shout. I mean you no harm. I just want you to hide me for a while.”

  “Y-you’re…”

  Her eyes dart to the left, then right, until she finds the mirror on the wall. The glass is meant to allow guests to check their appearance before they leave the compartment. Now it’s reflecting Aileen and the youth standing behind her.

  “…Master Vica.”

  Meeting Aileen’s eyes in the mirror, the young man offers a troubled smile on a face that looks just like her husband’s.

  “Emperor Vica has been attacked, and Master Claude is going to act as his body double, so I’d like the two of you to stay here. Thank you in advance for your help.”

  That bare-bones explanation was all Aileen had given Isaac and Jasper before foisting all the troublesome work onto them. Was that trust or just laziness? Scratching the back of his neck, Isaac heaves a deep sigh. Some say that every sigh lets a little happiness escape, but he doesn’t care.