Aster’s face flushed a bright red and it seemed as though steam would start erupting from her head.

But is that really true? Why didn’t I know this? Did I perhaps forget something else has happened? Did I have suffered amnesia because of the recent problems piling up? But..

But that’s impossible! I’m pretty confident of my memory, If not then he was just making fun of me right?

… but that can’t be! That boy won’t do something ridiculous as this! Aster believed Hein would never do something like this…

If it was the usual Hein then of course he would not, but unfortunately the current Hein wasn’t the Hein she met. But she didn’t know this~

But still, Aster pretended she knew everything about Hein and felt like this ridiculous joke didn’t fit him at all. Therefore, she didn’t think that this was done merely out of a joke.

While she was lost in thought, Aster’s hand slowly moved to her head and began to absorb in her thoughts.

Aster closed her eyes as she tried to hold down the resurfaced feelings, completely ignoring the surprised surroundings as they anxiously looked at her as she moved slightly while thinking of something.

Even the crimson demon king could only look at her daughter with an incredulous expression without knowing what to say.

Unbeknownst to everyone present, a ridiculous thought appeared in Aster’s mind causing a large crack to appear, tearing the wall around her heart.

Although the crisis, she and her people are facing hasn’t been resolved yet and she had no grounds for her beliefs but right now, with this outrageous situation, Aster actually suddenly felt relieved.

She doesn’t know what Hein was planning or even thinking at all but if Hein said that she was his lover, then maybe this is some sort of code or something that meant that he will help her with anything?

… but was that really okay? Will he really help us? If so then everything would be okay.

Going by reason alone, Hein wouldn’t do it after all he have no relation to them.

Why would he stick his head to the place it doesn’t belong?

However, Aster’s heart rejected that logical reason. No, somewhere deep in her heart believed that Hein isn’t the kind of man who would ignore their plight.

Yes, they’ve only met once. At that time they saw each other as enemies or maybe she was the only one who thought that way.

However, in that very short amount of time they’ve spent together, Hein didn’t struck Aster as someone cold and heartless; instead he gave her a warm yet gentle feeling as if he would help her regardless, if she asked him.

Reason and emotion clashed in a young girl’s heart.

That’s right, what was I so worried about? We’re already facing a very huge problem here! Even if he declined nothing would change… and if… if he by chance agreed then it would be wonderful! We would lose nothing if I would just ask him…

Aster’s trembling hand grasped at her throbbing chest.

Unknown feeling spread throughout her small chest and they eventually turned into hope that brightly shone on the dark clouds surrounding her heart.

It was only then that she recalled something sealed in the corner of her memory and she blushed as though fire came out from her face.

It was the time when she was suddenly embraced strongly in the back. Their warmth transferred to one another as she snuggled deeply into his embrace.

When she thought of that time, Aster suddenly began to shake her head like a madman while saying ‘No, no, no’.

She repeated her excuse to no one in particular.

As expected, the princess loyal servant, the demon girl and even the crimson demon king who loved his daughter above all else, was taken aback by her eccentric behavior to the point of not knowing what to do.

The crimson demon king could only grit his teeth while trembling and thinking as to what happened between her daughter and that human.

Just what did that man do to her beloved daughter! His eyes bloodshot as if he was prepared to kill anyone on his sight and reap them to pieces.

After a few minutes of doing a one-man show, Aster was finally able to come to terms with her feelings.

She then self-concluded that it was only a temporary hesitation caused by unstable emotion.

Thus, she decided to immediately go to see h-, no to ask what he wants. Yup, that’s what she thought or she believed.

She didn’t notice it.

The thing about her and Hein wasn’t concluded even the least, it was just put on hold.

Thus the unknown bud began to blossom…

At last, Aster wiped her tears away and her eyes began to shine.

Her eyes no longer gave off the impression of her worrying or suffering. She had wiped away her hesitation and uneasiness, leaving behind her normal and powerful clear red eyes.

She had finally found an answer, a hope and light that draw away the anxiety and uneasiness that delved in her heart.

“Father, I’m going out for a while… Good bye.”

Aster bowed her head while maintaining her stiff expression and hurriedly walks away.

She desperately tried to keep her real feelings from showing and in order to keep herself from smiling she gritted her teeth.

She sped up after saying a short farewell.

She felt like if she stayed in there for any longer, she would be unable to contain her feelings.

Without waiting for her father’s response, she bolted out from the throne room to her own room, leaving the demon girl and the crimson demon king whose face is now distorted like a Noh mask.

After entering the hallway she stopped for a moment.

“Phew…”

Everything is going to be alright… I just need to meet him again…

Aster felt a deep relief that she had been able to keep her feelings together because if not, her father would certainly misunderstand something.

She didn’t know but the demon king has already done…no, he might have even imagined worse than what she imagined he would have.

Aster let out a sigh of relief and then she started to tremble from joy and looked like she would start to cry any second now.

However, she tried to hold her feelings in as she believed that meeting Hein was the best thing to do right now but that is something impossible.

When left alone, contained feelings would sometimes explode and gushed out whether you like it or not.

The wall around her heart had already collapsed and the feelings they contained escaped as tears fell from her eyes.

For each step she took, her tears scattered but in her face was an awfully brilliant smile.

Her smile was like a blooming flower.

I… I will protect my people!… and I… I need him for me to do that!

… …

The day has gown dark.

The warm night carries a soft wind and the night is scattered with intermittent flashes of luminous lights and clouds turning to brilliant colors with shades of blue and red and green.

It was supposedly a peaceful and warm night despite the coldness that enveloped the world in the small little kingdom of Berona however…

The palace courtyard.

A beautiful elf, accompanied by a few attendants, held a little girl with green, slit eyes, walked up and knocked on majestic looking, golden embroiled door, wearing a panic-stricken expression.

When the door was opened, the beautiful elf was greeted by a beautiful young girl while in her sleepwear and rubbing her eyes drowsily.

Ignoring the girl’s cute appearance, the beautiful elf hurriedly rushed over and said, “Your highness Mifuelle, the kingdom is in crisis. Wake up your parents and tell them to prepare the soldiers. My husband felt a very strong enemy coming here and was also filled with hostility! I don’t think it’ll come here with good intentions”

Looking at the beautiful elf’s expression, princess Mifuelle could tell how grave the situation is as her face immediately went alert as her drowsiness disappeared in a flash.

The beautiful elf was Leviana Vilestone, foster mother of Hein Vilestone. She has rushed towards the nearest room to warn the others.

“Is that true!?”

“Yes! My husband is now rushing towards it but even still he’s not that confident to defeat it!”

“W, what should we… Whhaa-!?”

Before Princess Mifuelle could finish her words, she lost her balance and fell onto the ground.

… that’s because the ground was shaking intensely.

“W-what’s happening!?”

The intensity of the tremor made the princess, Leviana whose carrying Hell and the others kneel down.

The trees lining on the courtyard and the whole palace clamored. Thick pillars shook violently as if they could fall down at any moment.

At that moment…

BOOOOOOOM!!!

…. something suddenly exploded, making the earthquake become stronger than before.

———————–