Chapter 40

"Alex, where did this guy hit his head? No matter how cute you are, proposing to a girl you just met five minutes ago—is he really okay?"

"How should I know! Forget that, Little Sword—what do I do now!?"

"I-I don’t know either! Just do something to make him hate you first!"

Honestly, Lisbeth had only meant to act like a delicate girl in front of Crus to hide the fact that she couldn’t possibly have killed all those giant bear monsters. That’s why she’d exaggerated her cuteness. But to her utter shock, Crus wasn’t just unconditionally smitten—he was already planning to ask Christia for Lisbeth’s hand in marriage. She nearly choked on her own frustration.

Still, Lisbeth could never marry a man. She took a deep breath, ready to reject Crus. But before she could speak, a familiar voice rang out from behind her.

"Ah! It’s Lisbeth!"

"But who’s that man holding her?"

Damn it, how did they get here so fast?

Lisbeth knew it had to be Hilda and the others. After finishing off the stray giant bear monsters, they’d come straight to find her. But the real embarrassment was being cradled in Crus’s arms.

As Hilda’s group drew closer and recognized Crus, Hilda quickly composed herself. "Crus, thank you so much for coming from the Demon King’s Fortress to rescue us. You arrived much faster than expected."

"Of course," Crus replied smoothly. "Your Personal Maids are on the same level as us Four Heavenly Kings. If anything happened to the three of you, it’d be no joke."

Hilda smiled and nodded. "Well, actually, it’s not three—it’s four. This is Lisbeth, the Demon King’s newly appointed Personal Maid."

"Eh!? She’s that Lisbeth? The one who angered Lord Demon King on her first day and got locked in the dungeon overnight?"

"Y-yes… that’s me…"

Since Hilda had explained, Lisbeth simply nodded and tried to pull away from Crus to stand up. But before she could, Crus tightened his embrace. "Wow! My future wife is such a bold girl—I, Crus, am truly blessed!"

"Huh!?"

"Eh!?"

Everyone’s faces twisted at Crus’s words. Lisbeth immediately waved her arms and snapped, "Hey! Now that you know who I am, you must realize I’m a—"

*Thwack!*

Hilda smacked Lisbeth’s head hard before she could finish.

"Ow! Old hag, what was that for!?"

"Lisbeth, you may be unruly normally, but Crus is one of the Four Heavenly Kings. Your tone was disrespectful."

Though Hilda seemed to scold her manners, Lisbeth caught the warning glance she shot her.

"D-does that mean… almost no one in the Demon King’s Fortress knows my real identity?"

"Seems so. Otherwise, Hilda wouldn’t have hit you for no reason."

After Clothilde confirmed it, Lisbeth’s eye twitched. She could accept ordinary maids not knowing her secret—but even someone as high-ranking as Crus being clueless? She couldn’t fathom what Christia was thinking.

But that didn’t matter now. Since she couldn’t reject Crus by revealing her gender, Lisbeth took another deep breath. "Lord Crus, I sincerely apologize for my rudeness earlier. I’m deeply grateful you saved me, but I have no intention of marrying anyone right now. I’m sorry—I can’t accept your proposal."

"I see… I understand…"

Crus’s face fell with disappointment. Lisbeth actually felt relieved; hurting him was regrettable, but if he’d give up, that’d be best.

Then, in the next second, Crus crushed her against his chest, his expression pained. "If that’s the case… there’s no choice. If you’re not ready to marry, Lisbeth, we’ll just have to get engaged first."

"Huh!?"

Is this guy brain-damaged!? Did my punch really scramble his brains!?

Lisbeth’s face contorted instantly. When she turned her head, she saw Hilda and Elinest barely holding back laughter, while Stalos had already collapsed on the ground, rolling with giggles.

Hey! Stop laughing and help me!

Lisbeth could keep refusing, but Crus was one of the Four Heavenly Kings. Angering him would make her life hell later. She desperately shot pleading looks at Hilda, hoping for rescue.

But Hilda simply turned away, pretending not to see.

Hey!! How could you abandon me like this, old hag!!

Fuming but helpless, Lisbeth braced herself to risk offending Crus. "Lord Crus, I’m sorry. I truly can’t like you. I’m grateful for saving me, but I feel no romantic affection for you."

"H-how can that be…"

Crus flinched at this second blunt rejection, but he quickly steadied himself. "Even so… I won’t give up on you, Miss Lisbeth!!"

*Sigh… What a hassle…*

As Lisbeth prepared to reason with the stubborn Crus, an unexpected voice cut in.

"Crus, Lisbeth would never say she likes you~"

"Eh?"

Lisbeth whipped her head toward the speaker—and her jaw dropped. It was Stalos, the one who’d been laughing on the floor moments ago.

Crus frowned. "Stalos, what do you mean? Does Lisbeth already have someone she likes?"

"Not exactly~ As I said, she’d never say ‘I like you’—that’s all. And the reason is simple~"

"Hm!?"

Though Stalos seemed to help, Lisbeth caught the malicious grin on her face. Sure enough, Stalos’s next words made Lisbeth want to spit blood.

"Lisbeth’s just terrible at being honest about feelings. She always says the opposite of what she feels. So the more she rejects you, the more you need to melt her heart with your love until she truly likes you~"

Hey!! You damn fake loli, what nonsense are you spewing!?

Crus’s eyes lit up with understanding. He hugged Lisbeth tighter. "I see! No problem—I’ll win you over with my love! So, Miss Lisbeth, please marry me!!"

"No! That’s not it at all!!!"

"It’s fine. Stalos explained your shyness. One day, I’ll make you honest about your feelings."

Seeing Crus completely ignore her protests, Lisbeth shot a furious glare at Stalos. But Stalos, Hilda, and the others were all grinning as they told Crus, "Lord Crus, winning over our dear Lisbeth is up to you now~"

"Understood! Let’s go propose to Lord Demon King right away!!"

With that, Crus swept Lisbeth into his arms, soared into the sky, and shot straight toward the Demon King’s Fortress. Clutched against his chest, Lisbeth silently shed a tear and screamed into the wind:

"I·TOLD·YOU!! I’LL NEVER LIKE YOU!!!”