That’s right; Keith is his human attendant. He’s a childhood friend of the demon king, a young man with curly nut-brown hair, spectacles, and a mild demeanor. The demon king saved his life once when he was a child, and though his fellow humans persecute him for it, he serves Claude wholeheartedly.

“However, this young lady proposed to you, didn’t she, Master Claude? The rumors about her aren’t pleasant, but the fact that she’s chosen you is admirable.”

“Nothing else is, though. If you wish to keep the human woman as a pet, my king, I will make the necessary preparations, but…”

“There’s no need for that, Beelzebuth.”

Beelzebuth is his demon attendant. His long, perfectly straight hair and cold, porcelain beauty make him seem more like a devil than a monstrous demon. He is devoted to the demon king and will follow absolutely any order Claude gives him.

“It’s all right, Master Claude. Even if her reputation’s a touch less than ideal, the moment she set foot in this castle, her fate was decided. I will reshape her from the ground up and fashion her into a suitable bride for you.”

“As I’ve been telling you, that won’t be necessary, Keith.”

“Then prepare to keep the human woman as a pet, my king.”

“Why do you two insist on putting us together…?”

“Well, you are clearly not displeased, sire. Earlier, lightning struck because you were flustered.”

As Beelzebuth speaks, Aileen hears someone choke. Keith nods.

“Yes, that’s right. Your bouts of anger usually cause rather significant damage, what with all the earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the like. When you truly lose your temper, you even transform into a dragon… Don’t leave me behind and fully become a demon, please.”

Apparently, those were flustered lightning bolts, not wrathful ones. Aileen had assumed he’d been aiming at her with the intent to kill.

Feeling a little relieved, Aileen opens her eyes slightly. The sight that greets her is exactly what she expected, or rather, it’s just like one of the scenes from the game.

Claude is seated in a magnificent chair, drinking tea, as his attendants offer their thoughts while standing on either side.

…This really is the game world, isn’t it?

She’s soared beyond surprise and now feels something closer to pure wonder. Of course, her survival is currently hanging in the balance, so she can’t simply relax and be impressed.

“At any rate, I intend nothing of the sort, and neither does she. Look—she came with a sword. Perhaps she’s come on someone’s orders, or this may even be a trap of some kind. Either way, it will be a nuisance if she kills herself here.”

“You misunderstand. I came of my own free will.”

When she speaks, the game art moves. It’s as if reality itself has sprung into motion.

All three of them direct different looks at Aileen, who is currently lying on the sofa. Keith’s is concerned, while Beelzebuth’s is overtly wary and hostile.

Claude’s gaze, however, seems completely devoid of emotion.

“I brought the sword only for my self-defense. I intend you no harm.”

“Do you have any illusions of defeating a demon with that toy, girl?”

Beelzebuth snorts. Aileen adjusts her position on the sofa, sitting up properly, and smiles back at him. Out of the corner of her eye, she also notes that the sword she brought is standing in the corner beside the sofa, its blade still naked.

“I would hate to die without putting up any resistance, you see.”

“Resistance, hmm? Resistance is good. Very entertaining.”

That patently demonic notion sends a shudder down her spine. However, she keeps it to herself and continues to hold her head high. Keith chides the other attendant.

“Enough of that. What meaning is there in terrorizing a young human girl? Dealing with the aftermath would be a headache. And on that note, young Lady d’Autriche…”

“Do call me Aileen, Master Keith.”

“Hoh-hoh. You know of me?”

“I learned as much as I could about Master Claude before I came.”

It would be more accurate to say she remembered, but she doesn’t plan to tell them that much. Possibly because Claude isn’t interested, he doesn’t even blink.

In his demon form, as a dragon, he reigns over all creation. However, in his human form, he can’t perfectly control his vast stores of magic, and his emotions cause abnormal phenomena. I already knew his character profile, and I was still caught by surprise.

Claude’s anger leads to volcanic eruptions. His sorrow brings unending rain. When the demon king’s heart is unsettled, it disturbs nature itself.

Demons are under the influence of his emotions as well. At the moment, demons don’t attack humans because he has no inclination to attack them. If feelings of hatred or anger toward humanity drive him to awaken as the demon king, no doubt a great host of demons would immediately wreak havoc.

The moment Claude awakens, he’ll transform into a dragon and cease to be human completely.

That’s how he becomes the game’s final boss, incidentally killing Aileen.

In other words, if Aileen doesn’t want to die, she’ll have to keep Claude from turning into the final boss.

Coming to that conclusion was a simple matter, but it presents a new problem.

For some reason, I can’t remember the content of the “demon king’s awakening” event…! There are quite a few other glaring holes in my memories, too! All I’m sure of is that he awakens just before the ending. I can’t believe it! My life depends on this!

Thanks to her less-than-reliable recollections, Aileen has no idea what must be done to avert that critical event where Claude awakens as the demon king. It would have been fine if she could have at least managed to remember by now, but she couldn’t bear to pin her hopes on something so uncertain when her life is on the line. And so she came up with another plan.

“Returning to the matter at hand, what brings you here, Miss Aileen? I’m told Prince Cedric called off your engagement, but if you’re here to borrow the power of demons for your revenge, you’ve come to the wrong place. Master Claude’s general policy is to spend his days in peace and quiet, you see.”

“My, then I believe we shall get along. I am very fond of being safe as well.”

“I hardly think people who value their safety would willingly come to see the demon king, let alone propose marriage.”

“But if Master Claude will love me, I too will be able to spend my days in comforting repose.”

She receives several looks of bewilderment, but she can’t afford to care.

The one thing that allowed Claude to stay human and refrain from becoming the demon king was his love for Lilia.

However, Lilia can’t romance Claude. Claude was one of those characters who could only be conquered on the second playthrough, and he wasn’t unlocked until the player had seen the ending once. Unlike the game, reality only happens once. In other words, if he can’t be romanced here and now, then he’s almost certain to turn into the final boss.

In that case, Aileen will simply have to take Lilia’s place and become the person who holds Claude back from the brink—by becoming the woman he loves.

Under the current circumstances, she decided that is the safest and most optimal plan available to her.

Aileen smiles at Claude.

“As such, please marry me. I’ll make you happy.”

“Is this human out of her mind?”

“I was just wondering that myself…”

“Beelzebuth, throw her out.”

In response to Claude’s curt order, Beelzebuth moves without hesitating. The moment she sees that, Aileen snatches up the sword that’s leaning against the end of the sofa and holds it to her own neck.

“Bel, wait!”

Before Beelzebuth’s hand reaches Aileen, he stops.

Seeing the events proceed exactly as she predicted, Aileen chuckles to herself. Had she been the heroine, she would have meekly allowed Beelzebuth to seize her and would have been forcibly returned home, gaining the rare and priceless experience of flying through the sky on her way. However, it isn’t as if she has much of a choice in the matter, and avoiding the whole “getting flown home” event won’t affect her relationship with Claude, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

On the contrary, I need to play it up. If I’m not the one he loves, it’s pointless.

Once he’s stopped Beelzebuth, Claude frowns a little.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“If I must go home, I’ll return on my own. I categorically refuse to do anything as shameless as flying through the sky in the arms of a gentleman who is not my fiancé.”

“Gentleman?”

Beelzebuth points at himself, looking perplexed. Claude, who’s begun to rise from his chair, sits down again.

“I was only going to send you home in the usual way.”

“No, Master Claude. Being carried by Beelzebuth and returning home by air is far removed from the ordinary. Her people would positively faint.”

“…Very well. I’ll take that into consideration, so put down the sword. I have little desire for such theatrics.”

“You’re a kind man.”

Aileen lowers her sword as she flashes a smile at Claude, whose face is still expressionless. Keith puts a hand to his chin.

“Her reputation is…unflattering, but the young lady has spine. The d’Autriches are a great noble house, too. This chance may be too good to waste.”

“Keith, enough idle talk… In any case, I refuse your request. Go home.”

Still smiling, Aileen claps her hands together lightly.

“I’ll take my leave if you agree to my proposal. Simple, isn’t it?”

“As I said before, I don’t understand what sense that makes. We’ve only just met. Why do you want to marry me? —Er…”

Although his expression doesn’t change, Claude falters.

Aileen blinks. It feels as though a light breeze is blowing inside the room.

“Do you…love me?”

“Well, no.”

When she answers his hesitant question with a blank look on her face, a strong gust of wind kicks up, also indoors. Keith hurries to soothe Claude.

“M-Master Claude, calm down! No whirlwinds, please!”

“Then what on earth is this about…?!”

“My king, I sympathize completely.”

“I mean, we only just met.”

“Yes, and that was the moment you decided to propose marriage! Besides, Cedric only just ended your engagement. What possessed you to do something so brazen right after—?”