支柱で囲まれた白亜の祭壇の前に、黒髪の魔王が舞い降りる。
ここはかつて、聖剣の乙女がこの国の建国を宣言し、聖剣を掲げた場所。
そしてかつて、彼が皇位継承権を放棄した場所でもあった。
「――クロード・ジャンヌ・エルメイア。貴殿を皇太子に定める」
祭壇の前で署名された書状を確認し、皇帝代理である宰相ルドルフ・ローレン・ドートリシュが宣言した。
「アイリーン・ローレン・ドートリシュ」
「はい」
優雅な足取りでアイリーンは中央へと進み出る。クロードが少し振り向いた。
「皇太子妃候補として、クロード皇太子との婚約を認める」
「謹んでお受け致します」
膝を折り、完璧な淑女の礼をもってこたえる。わっと祝福の拍手と花弁が撒かれた。もちろん、その思惑は様々だ。ここは人間の世界なのだから。
だからこそ自分が必要だと、クロードの元へ寄り添うべく花弁の舞う花道を進もうとしていたアイリーンは、横道で参列しているセドリック達を見つけた。
遠慮なく、優雅に微笑む。
「あら、セドリック第二皇子。お祝いにきてくださいましたの?」
返事はなかったが、ただの第二皇子になってしまったセドリックの顔がはっきりと引きつった。その横に立つリリアは顔を上げないし、付き従っているマークスはほとんど殺意をこめてこちらをにらんでいる。とても祝いにきた顔ではない。欠席したかったのが本音だろう。
だが、彼らはクロードが皇位継承権を取り戻すこの立太子儀に何食わぬ顔で出席し、祝わなければならなかった。それが何もなかったことにする条件だからだ。
「クロード様は長く政務から離れていらっしゃった方です。どうか、臣下として支えてあげてくださいませね。わたくしもいずれ皇妃になる者として、精一杯頑張りますから」
やはり返事がない。ただの負け犬のようだ。ふふとアイリーンは勝者の笑みを浮かべる。
いつまでもやってこないことに焦れたのか、クロードの方が近寄ってきた。ぐいと腰を引き寄せられ、アイリーンはクロードの胸に落ちる。
「何をしてる。帰るぞ」
「あら、もうですか?」
「魔物達が心配する。それに、見世物になる気はない」
ふわりと足が宙に浮いた。宙に浮く本日の主役達に周囲はどよめくが、アイリーンは気にせず優雅に微笑み、横抱きにしてくれたクロードの首に腕を回す。
夜空を駆ける馬車も素敵だが、こうして空に浮かんで人々を見下ろすのもいい。
「では、皆様ご機嫌よう」
ばちんと音を立ててアイリーン達はその場から消える。
魔王を皇太子にするなんてというセドリックの熱弁と聖剣を失った経緯を涙ながらに語るリリアとその二人を守るマークスが大変惨めで面白かったと、ルドルフが後で教えてくれた。
「つーまーりーあの三馬鹿はこれからじっくりつぶせばいいんだな。任せろ、世界中の笑いものにしてやる」
「......アイザックさんの方が考えてること容赦ないですよね?」
こっそり耳打ちしたドニに、リュックがいつもの穏やかな笑みを浮かべる。
「はは。僕らをまとめてるんだし当たり前じゃないかな」
「......。皇太子位を取り上げられ、聖女の座も失ったんだ。十分、笑いものだと思うが」
「俺もそう思うけどそう平和にはいかねーだろうなぁ。ほら見ろこの記事。魔物コミで禁断の第一皇子につくか、無能でも人間な第二皇子につくか、勢力争いが始まってるだろ」
「あなたたち、何をさぼってるの」
会議室に入ったアイリーンは、六人でテーブルを囲んでだらけている面々に仁王立ちする。
「さくさく働いて頂戴。お父様から借りた土地の購入資金、まだ返しきってないのよ。借りを作るのはごめんだわ。アイザック、どうなの売上げは」
「化粧箱付き販売で売上げは倍増中。でも、店舗持つか考え時かもな」
「ドニ、城の修繕と改装については?」
「ほぼ完了です! ベルゼビュートさんも怪我が治って、よく仕事手伝ってくれますし」
会議室の扉が派手な音を立てて開いたと思ったら、まさに話題になった本人だった。
「お前、まだ仕事か。この本を読んでくれるという約束だろう」
「もう少し待って。時間があるならこの間読んだ本を魔物達に聞かせてあげたらどう? 復習にもなるわ」
最近文字を覚えようとしているベルゼビュートは、素直にこくりと頷き、約束だからなと念押しして出て行く。それを見送ってアイザックが尋ねた。
「......なあ、ドニ。いつの間にあの魔物、アイリーンを名前で呼ぶようになったんだ?」
「え? そう言われたら......いつだろう......」
「彼はどうなんです、アイリーン様。飲みこみは早いですか」
「文字を覚える速度はアーモンドの方が早いわ」
真顔で答えると、全員が微妙な顔をした。
ごほんと咳払いをして、ジャスパーが話題を変える。
「最近姿を見ないけど、あの従者さんはどうした? まさかやめたわけじゃないだろ」
「キース様なら、ものすごい勢いで魔物を買い戻してるわ......クロード様に平気であくどい提案するようになったし、もう手に負えないわね」
「立ち回りすごいですよね。今度、第五層に学校ができるのは彼の手回しだと聞きました」
リュックの情報は初耳だ。クォーツが後を継ぐ。
「......魔王の、出資という形で」
「......。ちょっと待って、その資金はまさかうちから出てるの!? アイザック!」
「慈善事業はこれからの商売に必須でーす。大丈夫、うまくやってやるって」
「だからって――アーモンド!」
影から忍び出て、会議室の棚にあるお菓子を漁ろうとしているカラスの姿を目敏く見つけたアイリーンは、ぎろりと睨みをきかせる。
「行儀が悪いから盗み食いはやめろと何度言わせるのかしら。聖剣で焼かれたいの?」
「魔王様、言イツケル!」
「言っておくけれど、今のわたくしはクロード様も一撃で粉砕できるわ」
「オ前、ダカラ魔剣ノ乙女ッテ呼バレテル......」
「魔王様は人間だから聖剣、きかないですよね」
「色気で粉砕するんじゃねーの」
投げやりなアイザックの回答に、アイリーンはテーブルを叩く。
「いいから、全員、仕事! わたくしはクロード様のところへ行ってくるから」
はーい、と間延びした返事を聞いて、アイリーンは会議室を後にした。
(まったく。慢心するわけにはいかないわ。本当の勝負はここからですもの)
――クロードが魔王として覚醒しかけたあのイベントから一ヶ月。
アイリーンは自分を誘拐し監禁したセドリックを追及しない代わりに、クロードの皇位継承権を戻すよう皇帝にかけあった。アイリーン救出までのわずかな時間の間にアイザック達が集めた情報は言い逃れを許さない完璧さで、かけあったというより脅したという方が正しいかもしれない。実際やり取りしたのはルドルフだが、ほとんど手こずらなかったと聞いた。
肝心のクロードが拒否するのではと懸念していたが、それも杞憂で終わった。聖剣を手に入れた反動か寝込んでしまったアイリーンを見舞いにきた際、ルドルフから「アイリーンは皇帝になる人間の嫁にやる」と言われ「では皇帝になろう」とその場で即答したらしい。
それを聞いて、アイリーンが寝台の上でごろごろ転がって悶えたのは余談である。
皇太子として仕事をするようになったクロードのために、応接間は執務室に改装した。そこへひょっこり顔をのぞかせたアイリーンにクロードが目を上げる。
「少し待ってくれ、もうすぐ終わる」
はい、と頷いてアイリーンは大人しくソファに座る。さらさらと羽ペンを動かして作業を終えたクロードは、ぱちんと指を鳴らして書類を送り届ける場所へと送る。便利だ。
一度、魔物になってしまったクロードだが、結局変わらないまま人間兼魔王として暮らしている。それがアイリーンは誇らしい。
魔王としての幸せも、人間としての幸せも、両方手に入れられるのだから。
「それで、どうした?」
「いい人材を見つけましたの。こちらに引き込めないかと思っているのですけれども、お誘いしてもよろしくて?」
「......まだ集めるのか......」
「当然です。うちは人間の味方が足りなさすぎますわ。いい人は積極的に集めないと」
「そういう意味じゃないんだが。まあ、君は好きにすればいい。いざとなったら僕がなんとかする」
嘆息混じりの言葉に、ぴくりと眉が動いた。
「それはどういう意味ですの? まるでわたくしにクロード様の庇護が必要かのような物言いですけれど?」
「いずれ妻になる女性を庇護して何が悪い?」
今度は笑顔のまま固まってしまった。クロードが頬杖を突いてその様子を見ている。
「愛らしく守られるのも妻の役目だ。僕はその権利を手に入れた。君はそのあたりの自覚が足りないな」
それはその通りだ。だがしかし。
「......。楽しそうに仰いますのね」
「君が悔しいだろうと思うと、楽しくてたまらない」
そこは正直に言わなくていい。ぎりぎりと内心で歯噛みしていると、ふわりとアイリーンの体が浮いた。聖剣の乙女になったアイリーンだが、奪い取った聖剣だからなのか、意識しなければ普通の人間と変わらずクロードの魔法にかかる。
だからぽすんとクロードの膝の上に簡単に落ちてしまう。
「嫌なら逃げることをおすすめするが?」
「逃げる? おかしなことをおっしゃいますわね」
皇太子に戻ってもクロードが魔王であることに変わりはない。魔物に脅える人間達が、必ずセドリックを持ち上げるだろう。リリアが聖剣の乙女であったこともそれに拍車をかける。
クロードが皇帝になるのは決して安易な道ではない。
だが困難を何食わぬ顔でばきばきに踏みつぶしてやるから、人生は楽しいのだ。
――何よりも。
「あなたがわたくしにつかまったんでしょう。逃がしませんわよ」
命も、幸福も、皇妃になる夢も、二度目の恋も。
――かつて、魔王を打ち斃した聖剣の乙女によって建国されたエルメイア皇国。
かの国が聖剣の乙女を打ち斃した魔剣の乙女によって、魔物と人間の共存をかかげ、魔王を皇帝にしようと目論むのは、ここから先の話である。
The black-haired Demon King flew down in front of the white altar that was surrounded by pillars.
The Maiden of Holy Sword had once raised the Holy Sword and declared the founding of this Kingdom on this place.
And then, this was also the place where he had once abdicated his succession right to the throne.
[----Claude*Jeanne*Elmeier. We established you as the Crown Prince of this Kingdom] 
The Emperor's deputy, Prime Minister Rudolph*Lauren*D'Autriche, declared after confirming the doc.u.ment signed in front of the altar.
[Irene*Lauren*D'Autriche] (Rudolph)
[Yes] (Irene)
With an elegant step, Irene stepped forward to the center. Claude slightly turned his head towards Irene.
[As the Crown Princess' candidate, accept your engagement with Crown Prince Claude] (Rudolph)
[I will humbly accept it] (Irene)
She bent her knees and answered with a perfect curtsy. Then, they were given a booming blessing's applause and flower petals were scattered for them. Naturally, their thoughts were different from their action. This was the human's world, after all.
For this reason, what Irene needed to do was to stand closer by Claude's side; as she advanced through the dancing flower petals, she discovered Cedric and the other's presence by the sidewalk.
Irene elegantly smiled at them without reservation.
[Oh my, Second Prince Cedric. Have you come here to congratulate us?] (Irene)
Although there was no response from Cedric who had just become the Second Prince, his face was clearly hardened. Standing beside him was Lilia, who was unable to raise her face while Max who had been accompanying them, was pretty much shrouded with killing intent while glaring at Irene. Those were certainly not a celebratory expression. They'd rather be absent from this joyous occasion, it had seemed.
However, they had to nonchalantly attend this invest.i.ture of Crown Prince Claude's ceremony who had regained his right to the throne. That was the condition she had imposed on them for her to pretend that nothing had happened after all.
[Claude-sama has been staying away from the government affairs for a long time now. Please give him your support as his retainer. Because as someone who will become the Empress in the future, I will be doing my best as well] (Irene)
And as Irene had expected, there was no response from Cedric. He looked like a dejected loser. Giggling, Irene expressed her victorious smile. 
Perhaps he was getting impatient waiting for her to come to him, so Claude had approached her first. Claude pulled Irene's waist towards him, causing his fiancee to fall onto his chest.
[What are you doing? Let's go back] (Claude)
[Oh, already?] (Irene)
[I'm worried about the monsters. Besides, I have no intention on becoming a spectacle] (Claude)
Their feet lightly floated in the air. Everyone in their surrounding stirred when the main characters of this ceremony were floating in the air. But, Irene gracefully smiled without caring about their reactions and wrapped her hands around Claude's neck, who was holding her sideways.
Although it was amazing to be in a carriage that could run through the night sky, to float in the sky while looking down on people was good as well.
[Then, farewell everyone] (Irene)
With a zap, Irene and Claude's figure vanished from the spot.
Later, Rudolph would tell her about how amusing it was when Cedric was making a fervent speech about how unthinkable it was for the Demon King to become the Crown Prince with Lilia narrating the whole story on how she lost the Holy Sword while crying, and how Max very miserably had defended those two.
[So, in other words~ from now onwards, we can slowly smash those three idiots. Leave it to me. I'll turn them into the world's laughing stock] (Isaac)
[......There is no mercy on Isaac-san's schemes, isn't there?] 
Luc expressed his usual calm smile at Donny who was secretly whispering his comment to Luc.
[Haha. It's what we've been putting in together, so it's a matter of course, isn't it?] (Luc)
[....... Cedric's rank as the Crown Prince has been taken away, and the Saint had also lost her position. That's pretty much a laughing stock material in my opinion] 
[I thought so as well, but there's no way we can leave them in peace, don't you think? Here, take a look at this article. The forbidden first prince revered by the demons versus the human but incompetent second prince, who will be ascending the throne? The start of a power struggle] 
[All of you, why are you guys idling around?] (Irene)
Irene who had just entered the conference room stood with an imposing stance before the six people who were slacking off around the table.
[Please do your job quickly. We have yet to return the purchase fund we borrowed from my Father to buy a plot of land. I've had enough of making debt for myself. Isaac, what's going on with our sales?] (Irene)
[The sales are doubling now that we have cosmetics case sold together. But, I guess it's still too early to think about getting a store] (Isaac)
[Donny, what's the progress on the castle's reconstruction?] (Irene)
[We're almost done with it!Since Beelzebub-san's injuries has been healed, he often a.s.sist us with the construction] (Donny)
No sooner than that, the door of the conference room was opened with a loud bang; speak of the devil and he doth appear.
[You, are you still working? You did promise to read me this book, didn't you?] (Beelzebub)
[Please wait for a little while. If you have time, how about you read the book that I had read for you the other day to other monsters?It can be a revision for you] (Irene)
These days, Beelzebub had been diligently trying to learn humans' letters. Upon Irene's suggestion, Beelzebub obediently nodded his head in consent, reminded Irene of her promise before leaving. After making sure that Beelzebub had left the room, Isaac asked.
[......Hey, Donny. Since, when did the monster, started calling Irene by her name?] 
[Eh?Even if you ask me that......well, I wonder when......] (Donny)
[How is he, Irene-sama? Does he learn fast?] 
[Almond is faster in remembering the letters] (Irene)
When Irene answered with a serious look on her face, everyone made a strange face.
Clearing his throat with a cough, Jasper swiftly changed the topic.
[I haven't seen his figure these days, but what happened to that attendant-san?Don't tell me he quits] 
[If it's Keith-sama you're talking about, he's buying back the monsters in a tremendous momentum......He even turned in a wicked proposal without batting an eyelid to Claude-sama; he's already uncontrollable] (Irene)
[He's conducting himself amazingly. I heard that this time, it was thanks to his arrangement that a school will be built in the fifth layer] (Luc)
Luc's news was novel to Irene. Quartz continued.
[......It's a form of investment by the Demon King ] (Quartz)
[....... Hold on a second, don't tell me that the fund for that school came from us!? Isaac!] (Irene)
[From now onwards, philanthropic work is indispensable for the business. It will be alright, things will go smoothly] (Isaac)
[So what? That doesn't----Almond!] (Irene)
Irene who had easily discovered the figure of a crow that sneakily went out from her shadow to scrounge for confectioneries in the conference room's shelf was looking at Almond sharply.
[I wonder how many times do I have to tell you that snitching food is a bad manner and that you should stop doing it? Do you want to be burned by the Holy Sword?] (Irene)
[I'll tell Demon King-sama on you!] (Almond)
[Let me tell you something, the current me can demolish Claude-sama in one blow] (Irene)
[You, that's why they called you the Maiden of Curse Sword......] (Almond)
[Demon King-sama is a human after all, so the Holy Sword won't work on him] 
[But, isn't he going to be demolished by s.e.x appeal?] 
Isaac's casual reply caused Irene to bang on the table.
[That's enough, everyone, work!I'll be going to where Claude-sama is] (Irene)
O-Kay, Irene left the conference room after listening to their slow reply.
(Good grief. I can't afford to be prideful. Since the real battle starts from here onward)
----It has been a month after Claude started to awaken as the Demon King
In exchange for not investigating Cedric for kidnapping and confining Irene, they negotiated with the Emperor to restore Claude's right to the throne. The information that Isaac and the others gathered within a short time until Irene was rescued was flawless; and rather than negotiating, perhaps it would be more correct to say that it was threatening. In actuality, the exchange was done by Rudolph, but she heard he pretty much didn't have a hard time doing so.
Most importantly, she was actually worried that Claude would refuse it, but even that needless anxiety was over in a blink of an eye. When Claude came to visit Irene who had to stay in bed after receiving the backlash from obtaining the Holy Sword, Rudolph had said to him [I'll make Irene the bride of a man who will become the Emperor] ; and apparently,  Claude had immediately replied[Then, I shall become the Emperor] on the spot.
By the way, when Irene listened to that conversation, she rolled around on the bed as if she was in agony.
The reception room was remodeled to an office for Claude to work in for his duty as the Crown Prince. Unexpectedly, Claude raised his eyes as Irene peered out to him.
[Wait for a while, I'll be done soon] 
Nodding, Irene obediently sat on the sofa. The quill pen in Claude's hand rustled as it moved. When he's finally done with his work, Claude snapped his fingers to deliver the doc.u.ments to the dispatch location. How convenient.
Although Claude had once turned into a monster, in the end, nothing much had changed. He was still living as both human and the Demon King. Irene was proud of that.
Because he was able to obtain happiness as both a human and a Demon King.
[So, what is it?] (Claude)
[I've found a talented person. I've been thinking of bringing that person in, but is it okay for me to invite him here?] (Irene)
[......Are you still gathering them?......] (Claude)
[Of course. We really don't have enough human allies. So, we need to a.s.sertively gather those good people]  (Irene)
[That's not what I meant, though. Well, do as you please. When the necessity arises, I'll do something about it] (Claude)
Those words that mixed with a sigh caused Irene's eyebrow to twitch.
[What do you mean by that?Claude-sama spoke as though I need your protection, am I wrong?] (Irene)
[What's wrong with protecting my future wife?] (Claude)
This time, Irene stiffened while still smiling. Claude looked at her state while resting his chin on his hand.
[It's also the wife's duty to be loved and be protected. I've obtained that privilege. You don't have enough self-awareness in that area, though] (Claude)
That was exactly right. However.
[....... I see that you look like you're having fun] (Irene)
[When I think about how annoyed you get, it's very gratifying that I can't stop doing it] (Claude)
He didn't have to be honest about that. While she was gnas.h.i.+ng her inner thoughts and grinding her teeth, Irene's body floated softly. Although Irene had become the Maiden of Holy Sword and perhaps because it was a plundered Holy Sword, if Irene wasn't conscious of the magic, she could be caught up in Claude's magic like any other human being.
That was the reason she could easily fell onto Claude's lap.
[If you don't like it, how about I suggest you to run away?] (Claude)
[Run away? What a ridiculous sounding suggestion] (Irene)
Despite being reinstated as the Crown Prince, Claude was still the Demon King. The humans who were afraid of the monsters would certainly tried to elevate Cedric. They would also spur on the matter about Lilia as the Maiden of Holy Sword.
Claude's path to becoming the Emperor, by no means, was an easy path.
However, life was fun because she could easily trample on the difficulties with a nonchalant look on her face.
----And, more than anything.... 
[I've captured you, haven't I? I will not run away] (Irene)
Life, joy, the dream of becoming the Empress, and as well as her second love.
----Elmeier Kingdom was once founded by a Maiden of Holy Sword who defeated the Demon King.
It was a story from here onward, that the Maiden of Cursed Sword who had defeated the Maiden of Holy Sword aimed to make the coexistence of humans and monsters possible in that Kingdom by helping the Demon King to ascend the throne as the Emperor.
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ