Inside the royal castle of the Arclesia Empire, King Laguna of the Hydra Kingdom was currently visiting as a guest of Emperor Chris.
"So... Valentine’s, is it? Yes, I’m familiar with it. The tradition where one gives sweets to a person they fancy."
"Exactly. I thought you might be interested, Your Majesty, so I took the liberty of inviting you."
"Hmph. But listen here, Lady Chris. I’ve rarely made a sweet in my life. Would a nice salted grilled fish not do the trick?"
"That does sound delicious, but I’m afraid it’s not quite right for Valentine’s Day. Don't worry, I’ll guide you through the process."
"Pah... what a tedious event..."
Unfamiliar with such customs, Laguna muttered her dissatisfaction, but Chris simply maintained her serene, encouraging smile. Knowing it would be a breach of etiquette to refuse a fellow monarch's earnest request, Laguna begrudgingly agreed to join the chocolate-making effort.
As they worked under Chris’s instruction, Laguna suddenly remembered a certain topic and spoke up.
"By the way, Lady Chris... I heard a rumor that you intend to resign as Emperor. Is there any truth to it?"
"Oh? Yes, well, it’s true. It will take a few years to handle the succession, so the formal announcement is still some time away."
"...But why? There isn’t a ruler alive who has devoted themselves to their people as much as you. Besides, you’re half-demon—you don’t need to worry about your lifespan. You have more than enough talent to serve far longer than I have. So why so suddenly...?"
"It is a rule I imposed on myself when I took the throne."
The news of Chris stepping down had been circulating among the high officials of various nations as mere gossip. Because it was currently nothing more than a rumor, Laguna found it difficult to swallow, which was why she had taken this rare moment alone with Chris to ask. The person in question had now given a definitive confirmation.
Laguna had known Chris since the beginning of her reign and knew she was the type to sacrifice her own life for the sake of her country without a second thought. Everything was for the nation, for the people... Laguna couldn't believe such a woman would quit without having committed some grave failure.
In response, Chris explained that it was a personal law she had long ago established.
"A rule, you say?"
"Indeed. I am the Emperor. As such, I must place the welfare of the nation and its people above all else."
"Well, that is true. And on that front, you have certainly—"
"That is precisely why."
"Hmm?"
"I decided that if I ever found something more important to me than the state, I would step down from the throne."
As she spoke, a gentle, genuine smile graced Chris’s face. It was an expression she had begun to show more frequently of late—a pure smile devoid of hidden agendas. For a woman who had spent her life navigating a world of cold calculations and political schemes, it was a profound transformation.
"Is it Kaito?"
"Yes, it is. I’ve been quite thoroughly defeated... truly. Originally, I intended to manipulate Miyama-sama to strengthen my ties with the Six Kings. He seemed inexperienced in romance, so I used my charms as a woman to target him... but much to my chagrin, I was the one who ended up enchanted."
"I see. For a half-succubus to be the one caught in a spell—that is a poor showing."
"Haha, you’re right. It seems the blood of my mother, the woman who famously seduced an emperor, runs quite thin in my veins."
Though Laguna was unaware, Chris had confessed her feelings to Kaito nearly a year ago. At that time, she had asked him, "Will you wait for me until I resign as Emperor and become just Chris?" and Kaito had happily accepted. That was why she was now moving to hand over the throne—swiftly, yet with enough care to ensure the empire remained stable.
"Well, the moment I heard it was Valentine’s Day and started worrying about what chocolate to give Miyama-sama before I even considered affairs of state... I knew I no longer had the right to be Emperor."
"I see. If you have no regrets, then so be it. But why is it that I’m the one who can’t quit!?"
"Perhaps because the Hydra Kingdom still needs you?"
"But I’m ready to retire! And yet, those ministers... they tell me I can’t leave until I have a child with Kaito and produce a successor. Just how long do they intend to work this old woman to the bone...?"
In stark contrast to Chris, who was gracefully preparing to abdicate, Laguna was trapped by her own council. Having once defeated the Demon King alongside the Hero, she was the living symbol of the Hydra Kingdom. Given the public’s adoration, even if she did produce an heir, her retirement seemed a distant dream.
"Good grief... The kingdom doesn't even need a King anymore. Why won't they let me go...?"
"I have the answer! It's because you look like a total loli!"
"Wait, what?"
"Who’s there!?"
A voice that certainly wasn't Chris's answered Laguna’s lament. Both women looked around in shock. Entrance to the kitchen was strictly forbidden to everyone else, meaning whoever had spoken was an intruder.
They scanned the room with high alert and spotted someone perched atop a large cauldron.
"One: Valentine's is a celebration of love. Two: Chocolate is a vessel for one's feelings. Three: I’m really hungry. Hah!"
"This... this ridiculously theatrical preamble... Could it be?"
"Ta-da!"
"She actually said 'ta-da' with her mouth..."
"The Beautiful Girl Thief of Love and Justice! Hapty-chan has arrived!!"
The girl who landed before them had two-toned hair—black and brown like a pudding—tied back behind her neck. She wore a functional outfit paired with a cape that looked distinctly cumbersome. She was adorable, yet radiated an aura of pure suspiciousness.
"It really is Hapty!? You—were you actually alive all this time!?"
"Excellent question, Laguna! Since we're such old pals, I'll give you the answer for the special discount price of one silver coin!"
"Wha—You’re charging me!?"
"Even among friends, proper etiquette must be observed!"
"What part of you has any etiquette? For that matter, are you even the real Hapty?"
The girl was indeed Hapty, the self-proclaimed thief who had traveled with Laguna during the Hero's quest. Since she had been missing for over a millennium, Laguna was stunned, yet she narrowed her eyes, half-expecting an impostor.
In response, Hapty smirked.
"Whoops, look at this! Despite being practically a youngster compared to actual demons, here’s Laguna calling herself an old woman—all while looking like a textbook loli! Actually, I’m the older one here! Too bad for you! Peace—Ack!?"
"That annoying attitude... it seems you’re the real deal. It’s been a long time, Hapty. Now die!"
"Such pure murderous intent!?"
"Quiet! To bring up the very things I’m sensitive about... I won't let you live!!"
Provoked by Hapty’s obnoxious taunting, Laguna immediately summoned her great spear and lunged. Dodging the strike with nimble grace, Hapty shot a quick look toward Chris.
"Ah, that’s right. Empress?"
"Yes?"
"I like the current you much better than the old one."
"Oh...? That is... an honor."
"Hehe. Wait, whoa! Laguna, stop! Stop!!"
"Who are you calling a loli! Who!! It’s not like I chose this physique!!"
"Eeeh!? You were sensitive about that part!?"
Based on those few words from the girl she was supposed to be meeting for the first time, Chris understood exactly who she was dealing with. This was the same being who, in a different form, had once told her to her face that they disliked her.
Feeling a spark of genuine joy that this person's opinion of her had improved, Chris smiled as she watched Hapty scramble away from the thrusts of Laguna's spear.
It wasn't the smile of an Emperor who took pride in being a hollow doll; it was the smile of a woman in love.
A much cuter Chris... and the mysterious, beautiful thief Hapty... What Alice indeed...