There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her: Daily Life at the Demon King's Castle
Youki used to be a mid-boss in the Demon King's army—right up until the hero's party stormed the castle and ended his boss's reign. But instead of finishing him off, the party's priestess, Cecilia, gave him a second chance at life among humans. And somewhere along the way, he fell for her. Hard.
So he did the only logical thing: he confessed. Dramatically. With a "I am the one who rules the darkness—" speech and everything.
She shot him down so thoroughly it echoed.
Now, six months later, You
There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her: Daily Life at the Demon King's Castle - You're Not Alone Anymore: Bonds Blooming in the Wake of Wings, and a Creeping Dark Shadow
There was the smell of bandages.
Dry cloth and crushed herbs. And, faintly, iron.
Youki slowly opened his eyes. An unfamiliar white plaster ceiling swam into blurry view. His head felt heavy. A dull, throbbing pain lingered around his stomach.
He tried to sit up and realized his arms wouldn't move. Bandages were wrapped in tight coils from his chest down to his belly.
The fight in the abandoned mine shaft. The searing heat when Miller's dagger sank into his gut. Happiness's sobs. Duke's and Seek's voices. And then—nothing.
"...So this is the Aquarain house."
A hoarse voice slipped from his throat.
Just then, he heard a small sleeping breath from the floor. He turned his head—
Duke was there. Still clad in his black-iron armor, all six feet of him slumped against the wall, asleep. His head was set on his armor as usual, pale face tilted slightly. His red eyes were closed, his breathing quiet and steady.
Beside him—Seek. Her emerald short hair spilled across the floor, her small body curled into a ball. Her tiny frame looked even smaller than usual. The little wings on her back swayed softly, gently, in time with her breathing. She was clutching a bag of herbs like a pillow.
Both of them had simply collapsed on the floor and fallen asleep.
Youki let out a breath. He was alone on the bed. On the floor, Duke still in his armor, and Seek curled up tight.
"...Nn, nnnh."
Seek rolled over.
"Munya... this herb is amazing, you know..."
She was talking in her sleep. The corner of Youki's mouth softened.
Then the door clicked open.
"Oh my."
A gentle voice. He turned, and Cecilia stood there. A priestess's habit in white and blue. Her long hair caught the afternoon light from the window and shone softly.
"You're awake, Youki."
"Cecilia... ma'am..."
"Thank goodness. You slept for three whole days—I was worried."
Three days. Youki's eyes went wide at the words.
"Three days...?"
"Yes. After that, you were carried into the mansion and haven't stirred since."
Cecilia walked over to the bedside.
"I'm sorry. I should have realized sooner. I couldn't stop you from going off alone—I'm ashamed of myself."
"N-no, that's not it!"
Youki shook his head in a hurry.
"It's not your fault, Cecilia. I was the one who ran off on my own."
"But..."
"And look—I'm alive, thanks to you and the others."
He grinned sheepishly. Cecilia gazed at him for a moment, then let out a soft smile.
"...You really are something."
"Huh?"
"No, it's nothing."
She shook her head slightly.
"More importantly—are you hungry? I'll make you something."
"Oh, no, you don't have to—I'd feel bad."
"A sick person doesn't get to be polite. Besides, your subordinates must be starving too."
Cecilia looked at the two asleep on the floor.
"Those two have been taking turns watching over you ever since you were brought in. Barely sleeping at all."
"...What?"
"Duke stayed by your side all night, and Seek kept mixing herbs. During the day they'd just doze off while keeping an eye on you."
Youki looked at the two on the floor again. Mud was still caked on Duke's armor. Seek's small hands were stained green with herb juice.
Something warm spread slowly through his chest.
"...Hey."
Duke twitched.
"...Mm."
His red eyes slowly opened.
"...Captain?"
"Morning, Duke. You'll hurt your back sleeping on the floor."
"...!!"
Duke shot bolt upright.
"CAPTAINNNN!!"
"Whoa—!?"
Armor clanking, Duke rushed to the bedside.
"You're awake! Thank goodness... thank goodness...!"
"Y-yeah. Sorry to worry you."
"Worry? Never! I simply believed—I knew the captain would surely wake up!"
"Uh, your face just now was something else, though."
"That's... well..."
He faltered.
"...I'm sorry. If I had reached you sooner, you would never have been wounded like this."
"Duke."
"I was too late. Truly, I apologize."
He bowed deeply. His head wobbled on top of the armor.
"...Cut it out."
Youki gave a wry smile.
"If you two hadn't come, I'd be dead in that mine shaft right now. I can't thank you enough."
"But..."
"Thank you, Duke."
He said it looking straight into Duke's eyes. Duke was speechless for a moment. Then he bowed deeply once more.
"...Those words are too good for me."
His voice trembled, just slightly.
"...Nn... nn... so loud..."
Seek stirred, wriggling.
"Huh...? Duke, what's wrong—wait."
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she sat up. Her pale blue eyes landed on Youki.
"...Captain?"
"Morning, Seek."
"CAPTAINNNNN!!"
She sprang to her feet.
"You're awake! You're awake! Yay! My herbs worked! Amazing! These herbs are amazing!"
"You were saying that in your sleep just now, you know."
"Eh, was I? Oh, but it's true, they really are amazing! If you mix staunchweed and healing flower at a three-to-one ratio, then add just one drop of moonlight-grass dew, the healing power triples! I've been researching this forever!"
"Weren't you asleep?"
"Ehehe, only a little. But I was researching properly too!"
She puffed out her chest proudly.
"...Seek."
"What?"
"Thanks. Without your herbs, I don't know what would've happened to me."
Seek blinked. Then her face lit up like the sun.
"Ehehe... you're welcome! But I've still got a long way to go. I'm gonna learn to make even more amazing herbs!"
"I'll look forward to it."
When Youki smiled, Seek beamed back.
"...Hehe."
Cecilia watched the scene with a warm smile.
"Then I'll go prepare some food. Duke, Seek—you two rest a little too. I'll take it from here."
"No, I'm fine. I can't leave the captain's side."
"Me neither! I can still keep going!"
"...Oh, you two."
She smiled helplessly.
"Then at least sit down? You've been sleeping on the floor this whole time."
"...Yes."
The two obediently sat in chairs.
"Youki, is there anything you think you can eat?"
"Ah, yes. ...Um, Cecilia."
"What is it?"
"...Is Happiness all right?"
His voice turned serious. Cecilia lowered her eyes for just a moment.
"...Yes. She's safe. She's resting in another room right now."
"Her wounds..."
"I healed the wound on her back with holy magic. It'll take some time to fully close, but her life isn't in danger. ...But."
She paused.
"...The wounds of the heart, I can't heal. That girl has been worrying about you the whole time. She's been blaming herself—saying that because she was captured, you got hurt."
"...Happiness."
He clenched his fist.
"...It's because I was weak."
"Youki."
"If I'd been stronger, Happiness wouldn't have been hurt. She wouldn't have had to go through that."
"...That's true. You tried to carry everything alone. But that's not right."
Cecilia gently laid her hand over Youki's. It was cool to the touch.
"You have comrades. People who worry about you and come running. Don't shoulder it all by yourself. ...I'm here too."
"...Cecilia."
His heart gave a heavy thump. Her golden eyes were looking straight at him.
(This is bad.) (She's close. Way too close.) (She smells so good.)
"...Um."
"What?"
"...Your hand is cold."
The moment he said it, he didn't even understand what he meant. Cecilia blinked. Then she started giggling.
"What was that? You're saying that now?"
"S-sorry! I said something weird!"
"Hehe, it's fine. But it's true—I've always had poor circulation. Winters are rough."
"Is that so."
"Yes. So when someone warms me up like this, it makes me happy."
She smiled mischievously. Youki's face went bright red all at once.
"...! Um, that, that's—"
"Oh my, your face is red. Did you come down with a fever?"
"N-no! I'm fine!"
"Hehe, I'm joking."
She let go of his hand.
"...Sorry for teasing a sick man. But I'm glad you look well."
"...Yes."
Still red-faced, he nodded slightly.
(...Damn. She's exactly my type.)
"...Captain."
He called in a low voice.
"W-what?"
"Were you just now thinking something impure?"
"I-I was not!"
"Truly?"
"Truly!"
"Ahaha, Captain, your face is all red!"
"Shut up! It's, uh, because of the wound!"
"Does a wound make your face turn red?"
"It does! ...Probably."
"'Probably'?"
"...Hehehe."
Cecilia burst out laughing.
"...Honestly, you all really do get along so well."
"Of course. We're comrades who've fought together at the Demon King's Castle all this time."
"That's right! We're a team!"
"...A team."
He rolled the word around in his mouth.
(Right. I've got these guys. I don't have to fight alone. I don't have to carry it all alone.)
(I'm... not alone anymore.)
"...Thank you, everyone."
He quietly spun out the words from his heart.
---
The other room.
Happiness sat in a chair by the window. Her long silver hair caught the light from the window and glowed faintly. The pale blue tips swayed in the breeze with a soft rustle. Bandages were wrapped around her back.
"...Haah."
She let out a small breath. Her golden eyes were fixed outside the window. The trees in the garden swayed in the wind.
"Happiness, pardon me."
The door opened and Cecilia came in.
"...Lady Cecilia."
She tried to stand.
"It's fine, stay seated. You'll hurt your wound."
Cecilia sat in the chair across from her.
"How are you feeling? Does it hurt?"
"...I'm all right. Your holy magic is working very well, Lady Cecilia."
"I see. Good."
She smiled in relief.
"...Um."
"What is it?"
"Has Lord Youki... woken up?"
"Yes. Just a little while ago. He looked well. He was talking happily with Duke and Seek."
"...I see."
The tension drained from her shoulders.
"Thank goodness..."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"...Happiness."
"Yes."
"You've been thinking it was your fault this whole time, haven't you."
Happiness's shoulders gave a small jolt.
"...Because I was captured. Because I'm weak. Lord Youki got so badly hurt..."
"That's not it."
She said it firmly.
"Youki went to save you of his own will. Not because you're weak. He went because you're precious to him."
"...I'm... precious?"
"Yes. That man truly cares about you. Duke and Seek feel the same. You are not alone."
Happiness lowered her head. Her silver hair hid her face.
"...Why."
"Hm?"
"Why... would you go this far for me?"
Her voice was trembling.
"I'm just a demon—no wings, no use to anyone. And yet you healed me, Lady Cecilia, and Lord Youki risked his life to save me... Why would you go that far..."
Cecilia gently took Happiness's hand.
"Because you're precious to Youki."
"...!"
"And besides—I already think of you as one of us. You've worked so hard as a maid of the Aquarain house."
"Lady... Cecilia..."
Tears spilled from her golden eyes. One streak, then another, soaking her silver hair.
"...I tried to tear out my wings and become human. Because I thought I couldn't stay by Lord Youki's side as a demon."
"Happiness..."
"But maybe I was wrong. Even without wings, I'm still a demon. ...And yet you call me one of us."
"Of course. Wings or no wings, you're still you, aren't you?"
She smiled gently.
"And even without wings, you're plenty lovely. Your silver hair, your golden eyes—they're beautiful."
"...!"
Happiness burst into tears. Cecilia gently stroked her back as she sobbed.
"...It's all right. Your place is here."
Happiness nodded, again and again.
---
Evening.
Youki was out in the mansion's garden with Duke and Seek.
"Are you sure your wound is all right, Captain?"
"Yeah. Seek's herbs are working. I'm fine just walking around."
"Please don't push yourself. If you collapse again, I..."
"I'm telling you, I'm fine. You worry too much, Duke."
"...Naturally. To me, the captain is—"
He started to say something, then closed his mouth.
"Duke?"
"...No. It's nothing."
"C'mon, now I'm curious."
"...To me, the captain is someone I would risk my life to protect. That's all."
He looked straight at Youki. Youki flinched for a moment at the intensity of his gaze.
"...I see. Thanks."
"It's not something to be thanked for."
"Oh, hey, hey! Me too! I care about the cap
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