Case 147: When caught by the righteous heroine.

''Ooh...''

Cecilia, unknowingly, let out a strange noise.

She nearly thought a K-drama was put on the screen for a moment. The demure heroine, after a secret rendezvous with the domineering CEO, was caught in an unexpected place?

How exciting was that?

While Cecilia was daydreaming, Quasar shakily tugged her arm, ''Um... isn't this really bad...?''

''Yeah, well, I mean...''

In the end, Cecilia had to abandon the weird fantasies in her head and consider her options. At this point, the cat was already out of the bag, so there was no point in trying to hide it further. Doing so may even result in a more negative result. If Lilith had a fallout with Jeanne now, it would be a disaster.

From the camera's footage, Cecilia could see a slight pained expression on the former heroine's face. It meant that she felt hurt knowing what Lilith potentially hid from her. The fact that Lilith was 'Cecilia' didn't matter much, but 'Cecilia' was publicly dating three women. Anyone would feel deceived if a woman who flirted with them turned out to be a four-timing promiscuous lady.

'She's painfully easy to read...'

Cecilia sighed inwardly.

Jeanne got hooked by Lilith, and whether she herself realized it or not, she was feeling jealous. If Lilith could also read her crush, then she'd come to a conclusion that now was perhaps the best chance to fully 'convert' the former heroine.

Charm her with your weakness. Shackle her with pity. Make yourself unforgettable.

That was exactly what Cecilia relayed to Lilith through a hidden earpiece. If she's the assertive demon queen Cecilia knew, she'd definitely follow it through. Once everything was said, Cecilia stood up, ''Let's go.''

''E-Eh? You mean... we'll return to the mansion?!'' Quasar exclaimed.

''Where else?''

Cecilia, like her supposed mother, was surprisingly decisive at certain times. Since it had already come to this point, there was no need to hide.

Seeing the girl dragging her cuffs toward the door, Quasar couldn't dumbly sit in place anymore. She hurriedly closed her laptop, then rushed after Cecilia, draping her coat over the girl's delicate shoulders. Though her fragile frame seemed needlessly pitiful, Quasar could still see a burning determination in her crimson eyes.

In no time, they were back at the Orleans' mansion.

At this point, the struggle had largely calmed down, yet Jeanne still looked at Lilith with bitter, distrustful eyes. On the way, Cecilia naturally didn't forget to continue hearing the conversation between the two, so she had, fortunately, grasped the flow.

The former demon queen had temporarily defused the situation by saying she'd make everything clear in a minute, perhaps expecting Cecilia to arrive. And now... she did.

''Why don't we find a more suitable place to talk?'' Cecilia sighed as she closed the entrance door.

Jeanne widened her eyes as she turned around, ''You...''

The former heroine had many questions from the moment she saw Lilith in this disguise. Was Lilith 'Cecilia' all along? Then how come the 'Cecilia' she'd occasionally met felt different? What about the supposed 'rumors' about Cecilia being imprisoned that she'd heard from Beatrice?

The instant she laid her eyes on the real Cecilia, who subtly hugged her outercoat to hide the cuffs beneath, everything seemed to click.

And she became even more stunned.

Perhaps she'd been under a spell all along—how did she, or anyone else for that matter, not recognize the resemblance between Lilith and Cecilia? Worse yet, there was only one other person who looked like the femme fatale of high society—the new mistress of the Orleans Marquisate—Lily de Orleans!

''Ow...!'' Lilith let out a pained noise as Jeanne's grip on her wrist tightened.

Amidst the confusion, the former heroine quickly apologized, ''Ah, sorry...'' Not knowing that this level of strength couldn't possibly hurt a demon queen.

In the end, it was Lyra who sighed annoyedly, ''Come on. Get to the living room. We don't have time for this.''

The women could only follow the heroine one after another.

Thankfully, the mansion's living room could fully accommodate the number of people present. On one side, Jeanne and Lilith sat solemnly, while on the other, Cecilia, Lyra, Penelope, and Quasar crowded the three-seat couch.

''So... let me get this straight.'' The former heroine held her throbbing temples. ''Cecilia de Orleans is the current demon queen, Lily de Orleans is the former demon queen, and you, Lyra, have known this all along...?''

''I've had my suspicions, but not until recently did she confess.'' Lyra calmly replied.

''...And what are you doing here, Miss Quasar...?''

''I-I'm Cecilia's friend, heheh...'' The pink-haired woman scratched her head, showing a silly smile.

Jeanne, speechless, leaned back on the couch and shook her head. Naturally, Cecilia had affirmed that their current goal was to eliminate Astaroth, not to cause harm to humans, which was why Jeanne even hesitated.

'Indeed, they've been here for years, and nothing bad has happened... unless they're secretly preparing something. No, but they can't possibly hide it that well. My party still goes out on inspections often...'

Seizing the initiative, Cecilia spoke up, ''Miss Jeanne, please help us. With your strength, we'll surely have an easier time facing Astaroth.''

''...''

''If you need anything to prove our sincerity, look no further than me. You know what state of health I've been in—it's because I have not harmed any human throughout my time here.''

Facing Cecilia's earnest look, Jeanne was torn between acceptance and rejection. Still, she thought I'd be wise to continue questioning her before making a decision.

''You want me to help. How?'' She sharply asked.

''Use your influence, your strength, and connections.'' Cecilia confidently shot back. ''Defeating Astaroth benefits all of humanity, too. You should know it already.''

All of a sudden, the former heroine's face turned sour, ''Then... did you approach me for this?''

That question was directed at the woman beside Jeanne—Lilith. Somehow, Jeanne regretted spitting out those words. She was afraid to hear a confirmation from the succubus, afraid that her budding, chaotic yet addicting feelings toward her were no more than a goal in someone's scheme.

Until Lilith flatly denied it, ''My feelings for you are genuine.''

''...I see.''

The atmosphere in the room turned strange once again. Both Lilith and Jeanne averted their gazes, blushing like maidens in love. This made the four women on the other side feel incredibly awkward.

For Lyra, it was both awkward and infuriating, somehow. How was her teacher having such a smooth romance while she had to go through so much trouble to tame Cecilia?!

''Teacher, I also ask for your assistance in this matter.'' She said. ''I believe it is the right cause.''

''...Is that so?'' Jeanne sighed.

After holding her thoughts for a few more moments, she finally nodded, ''Fine. I'll try my best. However, I'll have to verify everything you've claimed first.''

At once, everyone was relieved. Only Jeanne seemed to still have some grudges with her disciple. Folding her arms, she spoke incredulously, ''Still, I can't believe you've been hiding this from me, Lyra. Do you know how dangerous it is to shelter a wanted demon? If I—''

Before she could finish the sentence, Lyra cut in, ''She is mine.''

The young heroine's eyes were unfathomably deep and dark, her gaze stabbing at Jeanne's composure like daggers. It was a real, unconcealed killing intent, one that sent a chill down Jeanne's back.

For the first time in recent memory, Jeanne vowed to herself—

'I shouldn't provoke this little demon!'