Case 127: To the story’s final stretch.

''Train?'' I nearly burst out laughing. ''Really? Our energies aren't even compatible.''

Somehow, a sort of petty anger swelled up in me. I raised my arm, swaying it so that the chains clinked loudly, ''And in this state? Are you kidding me?''

''Calm down, Cecilia...'' Rachael quickly reached out; her expression was that of panic. ''It's just a proposal. If you don't want to do it, then we naturally won't force you.''

Even the other two were taken aback. After all, I must have seemed quite aggressive, unlike my usual self. Truthfully speaking, I was indeed a bit frustrated, being confined to this room all day, not even allowed a walk outside.

Again, I knew that staying put was reasonable, that it was the best course of action, still... I wasn't a cattle. Perhaps the pent-up irritation exploded at their ridiculous request. As a result, I was fuming.

''I'm sorry, Cecilia. I spoke too carelessly.'' Rachael gently hugged me, coaxing. ''Consider that proposal null.''

''...''

My anger gradually subsided as Penelope and Kiara also took their turns soothing my emotions. In the end, I also apologized for my rude words and moved on.

''I don't need her help.'' Lyra coldly interjected. ''Even if I could use demonic power, she's in no condition for teaching.''

''That's... right.'' I bitterly agreed.

A glance at my lovers' dejected looks was enough for me to deduce what had happened. Most likely, they saw that as the only hope in this situation, so even if they realized that the possibility was improbable, they still bet on it.

Like this, witnessing their anxieties for me, I felt my conviction weakening. In fact, I was drowning in doubts constantly, even though I had sworn to uphold my determination when I escaped the Heart of Demons with Yuria.

Should I give up my life so easily when there were people who dedicated so much to save me?

Lyra killing Astaroth before my time expired... that was a tall order. Even if she could defeat him in a fight, she could easily fail if I were taken hostage. I could see that scheme coming from a mile away.

My rational mind told me to just die for the sake of everyone, yet my human soul wanted to selfishly live.

Lost between those two paths, I could finally make a decision for myself after seeing their distress. For the moment, I would wholeheartedly cling to the tiniest of hope with them, but for the worst case... I would also need to prepare some countermeasures.

A plan quickly formulated in my head. Taking a deep breath, I called, ''Lyra.''

''I'm listening.'' The heroine replied.

''I can't teach you how to fight like a demon, but I can help you get stronger... just like how I had been doing it until recently.''

At my inadvertent admission that I was intentionally feeding Lyra myriads of elixirs and treasures these five years, the room fell silent. Of course, with the level of intelligence they possessed, this guess must have been made a long time ago. Even the heroine herself must have realized it at some point.

''Everyone, can I ask you to believe me and do as I say?'' I spoke clearly, clenching my hand. ''With your help, I... won't be able to guarantee us a victory, but it would definitely improve our chances.''

I smiled bitterly.

Along this unpredictable story of mine, this was perhaps a pivotal point. With my indecisiveness no longer plaguing my actions, everything was now set in motion. We were heading straight to the end.

Soon enough, my lovers, who were willing to follow this useless woman to the end, readily accepted my words. Lyra remained wordless, but she didn't seem to object.

And so, I began to delegate different tasks to each of them, mainly retrieving certain treasure items that could be useful to Lyra. Some could be obtained through auctions at specific times, some from monster subjugations, and some straight from unknown alchemy. Utilizing the extensive knowledge from the numerous playthroughs I did of the original game, I painstakingly exhausted every possible opportunity to design, hopefully, the best plan for the next year and a half—my time limit.

Afterward... it all depended on Lyra.

Of course, helping Lyra get stronger was only a part of the reason I decided to do this, albeit the largest one. Once they were committed to this plan, I would be left unmonitored... by these four, at least.

I wasn't going to make a thrilling escape. I only wanted to make some preparations for the worst scenario in secret. In addition, without Lyra's 'harassment,' I could focus on researching my final weapon against Astaroth.

After all, even if I decided to sacrifice myself, I still had to make that sacrifice meaningful. Merely dying wouldn't solve much of the fundamental problems.

So... I had to research self-destruct spells and whatnot. Lyra would probably nail me to the bed at that point if she saw me doing such a thing.

The theory was perfect. I just hoped I wouldn't meet any unfortunate obstacles.

''Hah...''

Sighing, I sank back into the fluffy quilt, ready to doze off while everyone else began briefing. Their voices, soft and soothing, gently dusted my ears, lulling me to sleep.

Yet, the moment right before I actually fell asleep, a shadow loomed over me.

''...Rachael?'' I tilted my head.

''Aside from what we've discussed, there is something I want to make clear.'' She smiled coldly. ''My dear, would you care to tell me what is going on between you and your little sister?''

The moment the princess mentioned that, I nearly jumped. Yet, her arms were pinned on either side of me, preventing my escape. It really did seem as though she wouldn't let me slip away without giving her an answer.

''U-Um...''

But I was stumped. I mean, what could I even say? That my sister resigned her post to make me her wife? What kind of lunatic would accept such a thing?

In desperation, I turned to Lyra, the cause, pleading with my eyes. The heroine grinned triumphantly for some reason, then patted Rachael's shoulder, ''Your Highness, she's clearly uncomfortable.''

''Oh, really?'' Rachael sneered with clear hostility. ''Then, are you going to answer me?''

''I also demand an answer, little sister,'' Penelope added to the pressure, her face expressionless.

''Mhm.'' Kiara nodded along. ''What you're doing is crossing the line.''

For a while, a taut tension hung between them. Unfazed, Lyra sat down right beside me, holding my hand, ''You people are so vicious.'' She uttered, ''You three took advantage of my dearest's naiveness for so long... and now you're denying my sincerest feelings for her, too?''

At close range, I saw Rachael almost baring her fangs, ''You—''

''Imperial princess, aren't you just relieving your urges using her? Be it her beauty... or her blood.''

''Bourbon's heiress, aren't you only trying to satisfy your twisted desires and relish in her body?''

''Anjou's princess, do you truly think of her as the love of your life? Or merely someone you could fall back to, someone who would treat you well no matter how hard you fell?''

One by one, the accusations rolled out of her little mouth, rendering everyone speechless and honestly stunned. I was the first to snap out of it.

''Lyra, that's too much.'' I sternly warned. ''Apologize to them, now.''

Even if I were truly a damned fool, I knew how much my lovers treasured me and my feelings. If their affection for me only stopped at those superficial levels, then they wouldn't have been here to help me.

Yet, Lyra only smiled at the hostility directed at her. As if to make a stance, she flatly shook her head and reached out to touch my cheek, ''Whether what I said is true or not... let them find out for themselves.''

The heroine then lowered her voice, ''But you should remember, Cecilia. Only I, who have been by your side the most, know you and love you the most.''

In the world that seemed frozen, her thin smile sent a chill down my spine.