Chapter 5 – She Doesn’t Bet on Losing (2)

“Let me be more precise,” I said, meeting the Demon King’s gaze. “I have no need for borrowed power.”

“……” A slow smile spread across her face. Ah, the pride of a hero’s son.

He’s perceptive, intelligent, bold, and not easily swayed by temptation. Disciplined, patient… and yet utterly rejected by those around him.

Still naive, though. Unformed. Innocent. Years of pressure, of being forced into a mold that didn’t fit, of enduring endless, pointless trials… His emotions had been blunted, his sense of self eroded. It wouldn’t take much to break him completely. She’d seen it happen before, countless times. The privileged, pushed too far, often became the most twisted. Some even brought about the downfall of their own nations.

How… intriguing. A hero’s son, deserving of every blessing, drowning in a sea of misery. Utterly alone.

Someone laid a very intricate trap. She couldn’t quite place it, but the scent of manipulation was strong. And in these matters, her instincts were rarely wrong.

====

The next day, the news of my engagement to Elhermina was the main topic of conversation. Not a whisper about the treasury incident. Of course. It would reflect poorly on the Imperial Family, and on House Brendiar. I was used to being the target of gossip and slander.

–That’s learned helplessness, little bird. You’re exhibiting classic symptoms of severe depression. Your brain isn’t functioning optimally. Inefficient glucose absorption, most likely.– The Demon King, spouting unsolicited medical advice, was perched in the air beside me as I browsed the academy library, searching for information on her.

Here it is. I pulled the heavy tome from the shelf, careful not to draw attention to myself. Reading about the Demon King right after the… incident… would only raise suspicions. I casually flipped through other books as well, a pretense of normal research.

–Paranoid, are we?– She didn’t need me to voice my thoughts. –Your intentions are transparent, but your actions deliberately obscure them. The reason is obvious.–

She wasn’t simply the Demon King, but the King of Wisdom. A being credited with advancing human civilization, no less. And yet, they called her the Golden Beast, a mindless monster.

The book contained illustrations, vague depictions of a massive, fox-like creature. Or perhaps a wolf. Bipedal, with a long, flowing tail. Though rendered in black and white, the accompanying text described a brilliant golden aura, bright enough to pierce the darkest night.

The memory she had shared corroborated this. Standing over the battered forms of the Nine Heroes, radiating power and disdain.

“Cariel. Fancy meeting you here.”

I closed the book, turning to face the newcomer. “What do you want, Seras?”

Seras Estina. Not a face I hated, not exactly. It was her twin sister who truly earned my loathing. Seras, with her dark blue hair and matching eyes, her sharp features accentuated by a high forehead, was… striking. Her appearance wasn’t simply the result of good breeding; it was carefully cultivated, a calculated presentation of self. Her pristine white uniform seemed to amplify her aura of cool competence.

“I have a question.”

“For me?”

“Obviously. Who else?” Seras Estina, heir to one of the few noble houses that rivaled the Nine Heroes in prestige and power. A key figure in the current political landscape. Had her family survived the demon wars intact, she might have been counted among the ten heroes. House Estina, the cornerstone of the noble faction, a direct counterpoint to my father’s unwavering loyalty to the Emperor. We were, by definition, political adversaries. I vaguely recalled a time, long ago, when we had been… friends, of a sort. Children of heroes, bound by a shared legacy.

“Your engagement to the princess. The future Empress. What are your thoughts?”

“Why do you care?”

“Are you just going to… accept it? Knowing what it means for your future?”

“……” Was this… concern?

“This isn’t simply about merging bloodlines. You know that.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Choice or not, it’s your life.” Her voice was sharp, her tone laced with impatience. She always became like this when frustrated, unable to articulate her thoughts clearly. She, too, was an outcast, pushed to the fringes despite her talent. Still, she consistently ranked within the top five of the academy. And yet, even she was considered a failure. What did that say about those above her?

“This is a political maneuver to solidify Elhermina’s position. You’re being used. Surely you realize that.”

“……” Had I realized it? Perhaps I hadn’t allowed myself to think that far ahead. Or perhaps I had simply… given up. Matters like this were beyond my control.

Besides, what did it matter? My plans didn’t extend beyond my sibling’s birth. Just surviving each day was a struggle. Breathing was a chore. Researching the Demon King had been a welcome distraction, a way to escape the suffocating reality of my life. And now, here she was, forcing me to confront it.

“Shall I paint you a picture of your future? When your parents’ generation fades, Elhermina will rise. And you, her consort, will be relegated to the shadows, a useful tool, nothing more.”

“……”

“You don’t want to be a caged bird, do you? Am I wrong?”

“So you’re suggesting I refuse? Is that why you’re here? To echo the prince’s sentiments?”

“……” Seras hesitated.

“There’s… another way.”

“What?” I stared at her, surprised. Had she somehow… guessed my intentions? There were only two options, after all. Acceptance, or defiance.

Don’t panic. Don’t react. She was perceptive. Any display of emotion would be a weakness.

“We could get engaged.”

That… I had not anticipated.

–Wow…– Even the Demon King, who had been lounging in the air above me, seemed genuinely surprised.

What expression must I have worn?

====

–My, my. Quite the heartbreaker, aren’t we? I suspected as much, with those looks, but… wow.–

“Don’t be absurd.” This was a political calculation, pure and simple. House Brendiar, though led by heroes, was a new house, its influence fragile. My position was precarious. Unless my sibling proved to be as exceptional as my father, our influence would wane. But an alliance with the Imperial Family… that would change everything. We would no longer be simply noble; we would become part of the golden lineage. My parents, and the Emperor, had undoubtedly considered this. Securing my future, and their legacy. And for Elhermina, a potential heir to the throne, this alliance would solidify her claim.

I sighed. Politics disgusted me.

If I simply disappeared… the fallout would be significant.

But why should I care?

–It’s a sound strategy, though. Your parents, however, won’t be pleased.– House Brendiar and House Estina. My father, loyal to the Emperor. The Estinas, leaders of the noble faction. If I sided with Seras… the political landscape would shift dramatically.

–She’s even offering to relinquish her claim to the headship of House Estina. A bold move.–

I didn’t want to think about it. Strategy, alliances, power plays… it was all so exhausting.

–And that girl… she has feelings for you, you know.–

“For me?”

–Politically, you’re adversaries. But she’s part of the prince’s faction out of necessity, not choice.–

The Demon King’s words… rang true. Seras had always been careful, strategic, positioning herself to avoid disadvantage. Even when the other descendants of heroes had mocked and ostracized me, she had often intervened, preventing them from going too far.

–Did you think she joined them to protect you?–

“No. She has no reason to…” Had I actually entertained that thought? Such foolish sentimentality. Why would she go to such lengths for me?

Wait…

“Are you saying… her proposal is genuine?”

–Precisely. She’s intelligent, attractive, and clearly… fond of you. A potential ally, and a powerful one at that. What do you think?–

A flicker of… something… ignited within me, quickly extinguished.

Expect nothing. Trust no one. Dream of nothing.

“Don’t be absurd,” I said, my voice flat. Such a fairytale ending wasn’t meant for me. Not anymore. I believed in nothing. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.