Chapter 55

“I’m going to tell you everything right now. You can be the judge. That’s the best I can do.”

Looking Angelica straight in the eyes, I explained the situation in order.

I told her that the woman clinging to me was Princess Freise of the Dattle Duchy.

I explained that her family had fallen on hard times and she had pressured me into marriage to orchestrate a sudden reversal of fortune.

I also admitted that while she had hugged me forcibly… since it was a woman hugging me, I didn’t exactly feel bad about it at the time.

Even if it’s a woman I don’t particularly like, being hugged is somewhat pleasant… Honestly, it’s just a primal male instinct…

“Demon King, you really didn’t need to tell your daughter that much… In fact, I’d rather you hadn’t…”

True, this was a conversation about her stepfather’s carnal instincts… It must be tough to be on the receiving end of that. However—

“If I make it seem like I’m hiding something, there’s no point. Besides, one could argue that the root of the problem was the fact that I could have pulled away the instant she hugged me, yet I didn’t…”

The difference in ability between Freise and me was like night and day—a dragon compared to an ant. I could have flattened her in a single second.

The relatives really were that weak. If any of them were even remotely close to my strength, there would have been many more people considering them as the next Demon King.

Well, if I had flattened a girl, people would question my character as a man, so I wouldn’t do anything that heartless. It feels like bullying the weak anyway, which doesn’t sit well with me.

“If I caused you to misunderstand on that point, it was my blunder. I apologize. Furthermore, I would be happy if this clears up the misunderstanding.”

I had said everything there was to say. So, that was the end of it.

“Demon King, what do you plan to do if I say ‘I don’t believe you, you’re cheating’?”

There was still a prickly atmosphere coming from Angelica.

However, it lacked the tension of a battle. She just seemed dissatisfied.

“At the very least, the Investiture Ceremony would be canceled. It can’t be helped.”

The answer was already decided, so I replied immediately.

“Eh? But wouldn’t that be a massive scandal? You’d be in trouble…”

For some reason, Angelica was the one wearing a look of disbelief.

What? Why that reaction? Once again, I couldn’t understand the feelings of a teenage girl.

“I’d have no choice but to apologize profusely to the participants, but I can’t force someone who refuses the position to become the Crown Prince. I can’t exactly drag you out there and declare you the heir against your will.”

“Wait, seriously? You’re being serious?”

Angelica blinked repeatedly.

Seriously, which part of my words was shocking her?

“Good grief, honestly…”

Angelica laced her fingers behind her neck.

Her expression was relaxed, or perhaps more accurately, deflated.

“You know, Demon King, you’re not cut out for politics. As a Demon King, maybe, but as a politician, I think you’re second-rate.”

“I wasn’t expecting that kind of insult, so I’m not sure how to react…”

“I mean, even if you weren’t the Demon King, any other person in power would usually say they’d drag you there even if they had to beat you. If the Crown Prince bails at the last minute, it’s a total political disaster.”

“Even so, I couldn’t choose a path that makes my daughter miserable. Before I am the Demon King, I am your parent.”

I wondered if she’d complain again about me calling her my daughter.

However, that reaction never came.

Instead, Angelica stepped closer and gave me a few light pats on the back.

“You know, Demon King, you’re trying too hard to be a good parent. You aren’t hiding it at all, and it’s almost embarrassing for the daughter’s side.”

Huh? She didn’t tell me not to call her daughter.

“I wish you’d be a bit more clever about it. Even though you’re the Demon King, you have zero talent for social maneuvering; you’re always just a direct frontal assault. Oh, but I guess a Demon King is supposed to just sit boldly on a throne. It would be weird to have a Demon King who constantly uses support magic and sets up perfect contingencies. So, I guess it fits.”

Her monologue was getting long, but I could tell she wasn’t angry anymore.

Still, I had to stay on guard, as she might suddenly snap just when I thought things were fine. It’s hard enough to distinguish between ‘safe’ and ‘out’ with a woman’s heart, but add puberty into the mix and it becomes impossibly difficult.

Angelica abruptly turned her back to me.

However, she tilted her head to look back at me.

“Demon King, we have preparations for the Investiture Ceremony, so let’s get back.”

“Ah… right. You’ll actually go through with it?”

“I thought about it, and there’s no way such a clumsy person could ever pull off cheating. Well, you’re a demon, not a person, but still.”

Angelica began walking faster and faster ahead of me.

I followed after her. With my long strides, I caught up easily.

“I am not clumsy. I can handle multiple tasks in parallel. If anything, I’d say I’m quite dexterous.”

“No, you might be dexterous at work, but human relationships are a different story.”

“Is that so? I’ve rarely been told I’m bad at relationships.”

Angelica let out a little giggle at that.

“In a way, you’re just like a Hero’s parent! This is exactly what a Hero’s parent is like!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I had taken crisis management training before, after all.

When something bad happens, disclosing everything without hiding anything can actually earn you trust. Drip-feeding information is the most foolish strategy of all.

I’d had my doubts about that training, but it seemed it had helped me win back Angelica’s trust.

“This horned headband is actually pretty cool. Maybe I’ll wear it as equipment when I go to dungeons.”

“I don’t mind, but since it’s for ceremonial use, the defense stats are negligible.”