Chapter 6: Epilogue End

Epilogue

I wake up in a room bathed in the morning sun. I look around and see four people lying around. Leon and Nina seem to still be asleep.

"...I've really done it."

I mutter softly. A sense of exhaustion fills my body, and complicated emotions swirl within my heart.

"Fufu, good morning. Do you resent me?"

Clarissa, who had woken up earlier, asks me with a smile that hints at anxiety.

"... No, I don't resent you. Well, I was a bit taken aback by the whole child thing, though."

Hearing this, Clarissa seems relieved, buries her face in my chest, and hugs me. She's holding me so tightly it's almost painful, so I guess she must have been really worried.

"I'm sure you care about me more than I think.... I won't hate you just because of something like this."

"Really...? But didn't you like it more with Leon than with me...?"

Clarissa asked, lifting her head from my chest.

"... I've been saying this all along. I have no feelings for Leon beyond friendship. ... I.... I only accepted him yesterday because I couldn't bear to see him in pain."

"I'm happy..."

Clarissa laughed and used me as her body pillow again.

... In the end, things didn't turn out the way I had imagined. But I knew there was a part of me that didn't think it was so bad.

•

•

A month had passed since then. We were living in the mansion we'd been given as part of the reward for defeating the Demon King.

Since each of us had our own things to do, we weren't always together like before, but we lived under the same roof and were truly like a family. 

Of course, I spend all my time researching magic. Freed from the hassle of being an unmarried princess, my research environment is now fully secured, and in a way, it's the ideal I once envisioned.

"... Is it really that time already?"

It felt like I'd just taken a lunchtime break, but before I knew it, it was already evening. Maybe it was time to call it a day.

Knock, knock

Just as I was thinking about this, there was a knock on the lab door.

"Lady Isolde."

There's only one person in the mansion who calls me by that name. I opened the door and welcomed the caller.

"Hey, Clarissa. What's the matter?"

"I thought it was about time you started cleaning up... Would you like to come to my room tonight?"

Clarissa leaned her body against mine and invited me with a seductive smile. 

"I'll clean up right away, so just wait there!"

I quickly cleaned up and headed to Clarissa's room.

•

•

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"No, I wasn't waiting long... neither was he."

When I entered the room, Clarissa, the owner of the room, was, of course... and Leon was waiting for me.

... Again?

Whenever I head to Clarissa's room at her invitation, there's a certain percentage of Leon waiting there too. It's not always like that, which is her cleverness.

After welcoming me into her room, Clarissa pulled me into bed and kissed me. ...And once again, I let myself get carried away and the three of us, including Leon, spent the night together.

★

Clarissa and Leon were whispering to each other as Isolde lay in bed. 

"...Every single time, it's a sneak attack like this... is it really okay?"

Leon muttered, still harboring a sense of guilt he couldn't shake. Hearing this, Clarissa spoke up, looking a little prickly.

"...Do you think there is something lacking with Lady Isolde, Leon-sama?"

Leon quickly denied the question, saying "No," before slowly explaining his defense.

"She may have a bit of a bad attitude sometimes, but she's a reliable woman. ...Otherwise, there's no way she could become the kingdom's greatest magician."

"Exactly."

Clarissa, proud as if it were her own words, agreed with Leon.

"... What are you trying to say, Clarissa?"

"If Lady Isolde really didn't want to, she wouldn't have been deceived so many times. ...Well, I guess the best thing is that she wouldn't want to turn down my invitation."

Clarissa's expression as she added this was tinged with possessiveness and a sense of superiority.

"I hope so..."

Leon said, sounding a little sad, but also convinced.

As if the conversation was over, Clarissa turned to Isolde, who was sleeping next to her, and muttered in a voice only she could hear.

"... Isn't that right, Lady Isolde?"

My eyes were still closed, but I could feel the surface of my face getting hot. ...It seemed she'd noticed my 'pretending to be asleep' act.

Well, I can't deny it. I haven't become a woman in my heart... I don't think so. But living together as a family of four is fun.

And when Clarissa invited me to have sex with Leon, I readily accepted it, thinking it couldn't be helped.

★

In the end, Isolde's plan failed, and an unexpected life began.

The Princess, who had been a man in her previous life, became the Hero's wife, and the four of them, who had traveled together, began living together.

Isolde hadn't completely become a woman in spirit. Somewhere, she still had memories of her previous life, and the man she had become.

But she had no intention of rejecting this life.

Her magical research continued.

She also maintained a certain degree of freedom.

And... she had important people in her life.

She was able to continue the magical research she had always wanted, and spend her free time with those she loved. She looked pleased as she drew magic circles by the laboratory window.

[TS Princess Doesn't Want to Marry the Hero!]

[THE END]