Epilogue: I raised the heroine wrong!

*****

I took the heroine's hand that day.

It felt as though I had shattered a barrier that stood between us. Like I was freeing myself from a cage, stepping into the light. From then on, everything to me seemed like a dream.

It turned out that Lyra had somehow gotten into contact with the Dracul clan and made a deal with them before the final battle. They would help to shatter Astaroth's dominance, and in return, the throne of the demon kingdom would be theirs once the dust settled. Yuria also came to their assistance on Quasar's call, using her influence to mobilize adventurers from her country. As for how Quasar could contact Yuria in the first place... well, she had countless ways to dig into my phone contacts.

And then... Lilith's participation. Even the former hero party set aside their differences and went for it. From start to finish, it was a culmination of events I'd never thought were possible.

So in the end... there was a way, after all.

It would be a lie to say that I didn't feel embarrassed. I'd confidently throw myself into the crossfire, stubbornly denying their efforts while not even sure I could do it myself. It was foolish.

And... I also regretted denying the feelings of those who loved me. Saying I was unworthy of their attention and care was equivalent to belittling their respect for me as a person.

But everything was fine now, precisely because I had taken that step into the light.

The curse was gone. The pain, the hunger were gone. Astaroth... was gone. I was truly freed from those shackles, which was all thanks to them.

A few weeks had passed since, and the world was still recovering from this colossal geopolitical shock. The demons hadn't been eradicated, but they had expressed a willingness for peace negotiations. This was allowed to happen because Lyra spared the rest of the demonkind. The reception to such a decision by the heroine and her team was... controversial, to say the least. Many demanded that Lyra be a heroine for humanity—to fulfill the role of an executioner for mankind's sake.

Officially, Lyra only mentioned she intended to avoid further bloodshed, and that she wanted to give those who were willing to change a chance. Speculations hadn't died down one bit, but deep down... I realized, whether she truly believed in those words or not, she was doing everything for me.

It wasn't to the degree of white-washing my reputation or anything. Such an impression was hard to change, but she—they must have wanted to soften the public's sharpened opinions about me as much as possible.

Many must have already caught onto it, but what could they do?

The heroine made her heroic return to the human world with the demon queen in her arms in a princess carry, proudly displaying her affection. Then, equally as crucial, my lovers announced they would not change the nature of their relationship with me, and the former hero party members also came to my defense.

And... somehow, there were also those who still supported me after everything. Quasar, Yuria, and Marina...

In any case, I wasn't too worried about my image just yet. As long as I could stay beside my beloveds, it was fine by me. This time... no catch. That mere thought liberated me. As I stared out the window, gazing at the sky, a smile tugged at my face.

It was no longer gloomy.

''Oh.''

Just then, a knock delivered itself at my door, ''Cecilia, are you there?''

I stood up, feeling refreshed, and came to the entrance. Beyond that familiar door was Quasar, who smiled brightly upon seeing me, and the free-spirited Yuria.

''Come in.''

Quasar, who had visited my room several times, settled down as usual. Yuria, on the other hand, had her eyes curiously dashing around as if a cat exploring a new territory.

''Man, the security is tight...'' The cat-kin princess sighed, ''Isn't this too much?''

''W-We can't help it... Miss Rael—I mean, Cecilia is the demon queen, after all.'' Quasar replied.

While staring down my horns and tail, Yuria nodded, ''Indeed...''

Essentially, what happened was... I was kind of soft-locked within the Orleans mansion. People were scared of me. The reason I called it 'soft' is that Lyra could already take me out on dates whenever she wanted, using her authority as the heroine.

If someone were to ask me... staying like this was a bit stuffy, but bearable for a while. They'd promised to find a way to get my freedom, so I had no reason not to believe them.

The only major problem I had was something else entirely.

''So, Cecilia... are you planning to accept her feelings?''

''...''

Yuria's direct question hit the mark. Bullseye.

Another thing that Lyra did right after returning to Syrus was confessing her feelings for me publicly. It turned into quite a spectacle, and I could only ask for some time to consider.

Despite saying I would be with her that day... I hadn't agreed to be Lyra's girlfriend. While everybody was busy and I had nothing to do for a few weeks, I thought for a long time, mulling over many aspects.

But now, I had an answer.

''I'll do what my heart tells me to,'' I replied.

Quasar and Yuria glanced at one another, smiling. They both took my hand affirmatively.

''I-I'll support your decision!'' Quasar said.

''Do what makes you happy, Cecilia.'' Yuria nodded, ''And... um... I'll be in Syrus for a while. Taking a vacation, you see. Would it be alright if I ask you to guide me around a bit...?''

At the cat-kin princess's clumsy attempt, I couldn't help but chuckle, ''I'm willing, but you'd have to get permission from my lovers, okay?''

''I'll try my best!''

''A-Ah...!''

''Quasar?''

''...It's n-nothing.''

The two visited me regularly for some time afterward.

And then, exactly one month after the incident, amidst the chaotic political storm, we finally found some time to hold a celebration on our own. It would be a close group of family and friends hanging out.

In the backyard of the Orleans mansion, a novel scene played out.

''Hey, tone the fire down. The meat is grilling too fast.'' Penelope nudged her grilling partner, ''Who's going to eat all of this?''

''Do it yourself. Can't you see I'm busy?'' Rachael snapped back, ''And you, Kiara, stop eating and lend us a hand, will you?''

''Mgknay.''

The three beauties getting along, doing mundane tasks together.

''A-And then, you can pick the color and draw over the part...'' Quasar pointed at her laptop screen, ''See? I-It blends well together now.''

''Woah...! It's like magic!'' Yuria exclaimed, her ears standing straight, ''This will be incredible, Quasar!''

''Eheheh...''

A pair of new friends.

''Darling, open your mouth...'' Lilith offered a bite, her tail waving excitedly.

''A-Ahn...'' A certain former heroine obliged.

''How is it?''

''Delicious. Mhm.''

A pair of lovers.

''...Say, why do we have to watch this?'' Mia grumbled, ''Look at that face. Gross...''

''No idea.'' Cordelia stared ahead with dead eyes.

''Well, well, just enjoy the food and be done with it.'' Serendia giggled, putting another piece of meat into her mouth. ''Oh, this one is good.''

A trio of old pals.

And then...

''...Ah.''

Someone sat beside me. I gently turned to the side, taking in her appearance—long, straight black hair cascading down her back, a pair of misty, enchanting black eyes, and a smile that could seduce a nation.

She was my beloved heroine—Lyra de Orleans.

''How is it?'' She asked, ''Enjoying yourself here?''

''I am.'' I shyly replied, ''All thanks to you, Lyra.''

''As long as you're happy.'' Lyra didn't deny it, but itched closer to me. Shoulder to shoulder, we sat gazing at the starry sky, chatting about everyday stuff. Until... we both went silent.

As if on cue, Lyra ran her arm around my waist, hoisting me over. I could see the nervousness in her touch. The tremblings of her body. Yet, she looked straight at me, unwavering, ''Have you thought about it?''

At some point, the eyes were all on us. Taking every bit of my courage, I answered, ''Yes.''

The heroine extended her hand innocently, almost pleading, ''Then... will you be my girlfriend?''

Before I knew it, my body moved on its own. I placed my hand on hers, my heart beating wildly. Without much else to say, I nodded, ''...Yes.''

The world seemed to slow down.

A clap here and there.

Someone's whistling.

Lyra's tight embrace.

''I'll make you the happiest bride in the world.'' I heard a whisper.

''We're not getting married yet, you silly...'' I responded, giggling.

Sometimes, I thought I raised my little heroine wrong. I thought I raised a sister, but what I got was a clingy girlfriend. Sometimes, I pondered if something went wrong. Maybe there was, maybe there wasn't.

But... I also thought that this, too, was not so bad, after all.