[Novel] Waking Up in a Dream, Chapter 54: The End

The End

"Two Terastines? And what happened to that baby?"
Aruscain asked, looking at the girl standing behind me holding a baby.

Today, I, Terastine, Aruscain, Forness, and Andante gathered to explain the events that had transpired. Everyone was seated around the round table.
Tea had already been prepared by Michelle.
Michelle bowed to us and left the room.

I pointed to the two of them and explained.
"This girl who looks like Terastine is named Amelia. She was originally an automaton created by the Demon King, but I made a deal with her, and she cooperated with us. The baby Amelia is holding is the former Demon King, Endarn."
"Huh? That baby is the Demon King?"
Aruscain, Forness, and Andante looked at the two of them in surprise.

"Since I took his power, he reverted to the form of a baby."
"I thought perhaps Camusyana-sama had fathered a child with Terastine-sama."
Andante dropped a bombshell casually.
"Andante... Terastine is not yet an adult."
When I looked at Terastine sitting next to me, she was blushing for some reason.

"Andante, please stop saying things like that. It makes me embarrassed."
"Understood. But I am glad to see that the two of you seem to be getting along well."
"...I apologize for the worry I caused regarding that."
"Since the Demon King is here, may we assume that the threat of interference has passed?"
Aruscain interjected during a pause in the conversation.

"Everything stolen by the Demon King has been returned. Besides, Endarn is no longer the Demon King. I am the Demon King."
"..."
"He who defeats the Demon King becomes the Demon King."

"...Do you intend to move to the land where the demons live, brother?"
"As originally planned, I will remain here as regent. Unlike the lord here, the Demon King has some who do not involve themselves in the administration of the territory, or rather, the governance. Since Endarn does not seem to lead the people other than those living in the mansion, I can just head over there between my duties to organize the system."
Hearing that I would remain here, Aruscain and Forness breathed a sigh of relief.

"At his own request, Amelia will take care of Endarn. My concern is that there is a possibility his memories will return when he grows up... but I will deal with that when the time comes, so it is not a problem. I would like the two of them to stay at Terastine's mansion for a while. Once the system over there is ready, I plan to have them move first. It is difficult for demons to live here, after all."

Amelia nodded as she received everyone's gaze.
"I will educate Endarn-sama so that he does not cause any trouble for everyone, so please rest assured on that point."
Speaking with the same voice as Terastine, Amelia smiled brightly.

"Next, regarding Terastine... Andante, how have you handled the situation with the academy?"
"Since she has been absent for half a year, it has been decided that she will make up for it with supplementary classes. She was scheduled to teach at the academy after graduating next year, but since it was unknown when she would be able to attend, and it was undecided whether she could participate in the prerequisite classes for becoming a teacher, the plan for her to become a teacher has been canceled for now."

"It cannot be helped regarding the teaching position. I will go talk to the academy side later myself. Since both of you have returned, I intend to proceed with the marriage ceremony and Aruscain's inauguration as lord, which had been postponed. Both are prepared, right?"

"Just to confirm, it is correct that you and Terastine are getting married, right, brother?"
I looked toward Terastine at Aruscain's question.
Seeing Terastine nod, I turned back to Aruscain.
"Both of our intentions are aligned. There is no problem with that."
"Then that is fine."
Aruscain smiled.
I opened my mouth to speak to Forness next to him.
"Forness, I am sorry as well. I forced an engagement upon you that was against your wishes. With this, your engagement is annulled."
"Understood."
Forness placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head.
"If there is someone else you wish to be engaged to, I will accept your request."
At my words, Forness blushed in a rare display and let her gaze wander.

"...I have not yet spoken with the person in question, so I will let you know when I am ready."
"Understood."
Andante was glancing toward Forness.
Forness seemed too flustered to notice that gaze.
I raised the corner of my mouth and watched the two of them.