Chapter 68

I was relieved that the conversation didn’t turn back into a roast session of the party’s men during dinner.

I have no real obligation to feel sympathy for those guys, but as a fellow man, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for them. Both of them are a Martial Artist and a Thief, after all; they’re bound to lose to the girls when it comes to academic knowledge… Zenkei, Jaunis—you guys should probably study at least a little. While overly specialized knowledge isn’t practical, basic education truly becomes part of your own strength.

Then again, if those two get too smart, there’s a danger that Angelica might actually fall for one of them.

Right now, there’s an atmosphere of “the guys are such idiots,” which is exactly why romance isn’t blooming. In that case, forget it—they don’t need to study. Please, stay idiots.

The three girls kept chatting through dinner, but the vibe was clearly different from their earlier talk.

“Lord Demon King, as a priestess, I find your meticulous care for your stepdaughter, Angelica, to be truly wonderful.”

“Indeed. Seeing the way you handle things makes me feel that this household is in safe hands,” Selene added.

Both Naharin and Selene praised me. Even if it was just flattery, I appreciated it.

“Hey, hey! Evaluating this Demon King won’t get you anything. He’s just a Demon King, after all.”

Whenever I get praised, Angelica usually tries to take me down a peg. It’s likely just a Hero’s instinct.

“And who exactly was it that learned Explosion Magic from this ‘mere’ Demon King?” Selene teased.

“Furthermore, you are the one who may become the next Demon King yourself,” Naharin pointed out.

Cornered by the two of them, Angelica made a frustrated “Muuu…” face.

This part of her hadn’t changed much. Even if she’d become smarter, it was really just on the surface. Her inner self remained the same as always. That part might not change until the day she dies.

Still, looking at it overall, the conversation between the three girls was lively. Likely, Angelica could now participate in the intellectual topics Selene and Naharin used to discuss—things she was previously left out of.

“Fufufu, it feels like I’ve suddenly gained more daughters~”

Lateia seemed to be having a wonderful time as well. Considering this was a meal with her daughter’s friends, that was only natural.

“Garto, would you mind seeing the two of them home later?”

“Of course. It’ll only take a moment with teleportation magic.”

The two girls thanked me.

“The Demon King is actually useful for things like that, I guess,” Angelica muttered.

“That’s right. You should show a little more gratitude.”

“I… I am trying to be grateful, in my own way…”

Angelica spoke softly, averting her eyes. I’d say that’s about as high a compliment as I’m ever going to get from her.

“Oh my. It looks like Angelica is finally starting to appreciate Garto’s good points~”

Lateia’s comment prompted an immediate protest from Angelica, though it didn’t have much bite to it.

Yes, this was a day that made being a father truly worth it!

Afterward, as promised, I saw Angelica’s two friends home.

“I saw them home,” but since I used teleportation magic, it was over in an instant.

“I ask that you continue to look after Angelica. She has a tendency to get carried away, so please, don’t hesitate to give her a firm scolding if necessary.”

“There’s no need to be so formal,” Selene replied.

“Stopping those who attempt to stray onto the wrong path is a natural duty for a person of faith. I would do so regardless,” Naharin stated.

I received reliable answers from both.

Good. Angelica’s well-being is secure for the time being.

You don’t just have a good party, kid; you have good friends. The fact that you can gather such people around you is proof that you’re a good Hero. You should be proud of that.

The close interactions between the three continued after that.

The following week, they held a pajama party.

I was used to seeing Angelica’s pajamas, but I was startled when I saw Selene wearing what I think they call a baby doll—it was slightly sheer.

We had happened to run into each other in the hallway while I was headed to the bath.

“Whoops! My apologies!”

“No… I was careless as well… Please, do not let it trouble you…”

As expected of someone so mature, that was quite the bewitching nightgown… Is Angelica going to be wearing things like that in five years…?

“Hey! Demon King! Don’t you dare look at Selene with those weird eyes!”

“I am not looking at her with weird eyes. That’s a baseless accusation.”

By the way, Naharin was in pajamas that looked like a cat onesie. Whether that was appropriate attire for a priestess was anyone’s guess.

“Just hurry up and go to the bath! You’re the last one, so you can stay in there for three or four hours for all I care!”

“If I stay in that long, I’ll catch a cold!”

“Got it? Absolutely do not enter my room. This is a sacred Hero Party Pajama Party! The Demon King is strictly forbidden!”

Even if I weren’t the Demon King, it would still be off-limits to men.

“Was that a pun on ‘Hero Party’ and ‘Pajama Party’ just now?”

Realizing that she had accidentally made a joke, Angelica’s face turned bright red.

“You don’t need to comment on every little thing! Just go, get in the bath!”

I was practically herded into the changing room.

Angelica had lived the peculiar life of a female Hero, yet here she was, having a pajama party.

“She’s growing up to be a proper girl.”

I tend to talk to myself a lot while bathing.

Perhaps I could say this was an effect of my marrying Lateia.

If I had continued to reign simply as the Demon King, Angelica would have had no choice but to keep fighting as the Hero. Well, I am still reigning as the Demon King, but…

It might be selfish of me to think this, since I’m the one who made her the Crown Prince—

But I hope she leads a perfectly ordinary, happy life.

I want her to do what she loves, laugh with her close friends, and live each day feeling like she’s having fun. She doesn’t have to do incredible things as a Hero or a Demon King. It’s okay if her life looks mundane to others.

After all, if my daughter ends up unhappy, I’ve failed as a parent.

“I’ve really been thinking about that kid a lot lately. Maybe even more than I think about Lateia…”

In a way, that was only because there were zero problems between Lateia and me.

I suppose I’ve truly settled into the role of a father, and I’m finally starting to prioritize my daughter’s well-being.