Chapter 54: Crossing paths

By any chance… I might have a thing for the Demon King?

“Do I like him?”

No, no, no. It’s not like I’m a kid who falls in love with someone simply because he says he likes me.However, the Demon King is a highly regarded figure. And considerate.

I was both terrified and delighted when he called my name earlier.

And when I had nightmares about being executed, he was the first person I wanted to see.

I just didn’t realize it, but it had been a long time coming.

“…I like him.”

Many events flooded back to me the minute I became conscious of it… the Demon King singing me lullabies… sleeping with the Demon King… the Demon King giving me a “matchmaker under the moon” flower… the Demon King prioritizing my return over the war…

I like the Demon King. That’s why,

“…Garen.”

He said he loved me, but I’ll say no. Marrying someone you love when there’s someone else is disloyal.

The next day I’m off from paperwork today, so I’ll ask Garen to make time for me.

I receive a reply that I can come right away, so I go to Garen’s office.

Garen must have been aware of my requirements since he had already sent someone.

“Garen, I,”

I’m at a loss for words. This is the first time I’ve ever been proposed to, and the first time I’ve ever declined one. But Garen didn’t press me; instead, he waited for me quietly.

“I appreciate you proposing to me. I was happy. But then I realized I was in love with another person. So──.”

I can’t marry Garen. I tried to tell him that, but Garen opened his mouth.

“Don’t tell me what happens next—Is Mika thinking of marrying “him”?”

“Marrying him?!”

the Demon King told me he loved me, and I believe I like the Demon King as well. the Demon King said that he wished I could be by his side forever, like he was proposing to me, but he didn’t say it outright.

“I’m not really sure.”

When I said so, Garen looked troubled.

“Then I’m not ready to give up—so don’t give me an answer yet.”

I’m perplexed since I didn’t anticipate his saying that.

“I know it’s my selfishness, but will you forgive me?”

■□■

“Good morning.”

“G-Good morning…”

I hadn’t received any news that there was no day off work today, so I went to the Demon Lord’s office, but he seemed somewhat distant.

His morning greeting was as gentle as a gnat’s.

the Demon King fidgeted as he moved from one end of the office to the other, then apologized again in hushed tones.

“…Well.”

“…Huh?”

I asked, and the Demon King fixed his gaze on me as if he had made his decision.

“Please forgive me, but can you forget what I said yesterday?”

“…Eh?”

I, who had been more than a little bit excited by the situation of having feelings for each other for the first time, but I was quickly pulled back to reality.

“I know it’s presumptuous of me to say this, but I’d like to be friends with you.”

──I see… I can’t become the Demon King’s lover.

”…Okay. I’ll forget about it.

“Thank you.”

I glanced down as the Demon King smiled reassuringly, but I couldn’t keep my gaze on his face.

“Mica?”

“… It’s nothing…”

the Demon King is suspicious of how I’m acting, so he asks. I answer by shaking my head.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

As we went about our job, the day concluded in an unpleasant environment.

TL: BTW our FL is sixteen.