The Hero Stole My Lover, So I Decided to Steal the Hero's Lover Instead - Chapter 76-77 END

Chapter 76

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“—And so, the execution of the four members of the Hero’s Party was carried out.”

The day after the four were executed, Sharon came to our home and told us the gist of what had happened. Alicia and I didn’t go to the execution site. We didn’t want to see their heads being chopped off. I mean, it would definitely have been a pretty grotesque sight to behold…

“I see. So they’re dead…”

“Yeah, they’re dead. Even if they were still alive, it’s not like they’d ever reform. And if they hadn’t been caught, they probably would’ve just committed more crimes.”

That was exactly right. Which was why they had to die. It wasn’t that I was mourning their deaths, but I wasn’t exactly celebrating either. It was a complex feeling—one that couldn’t be easily put into words.

“So, what are you going to do now?” 

I asked. 

“Are you staying in the Holy Kingdom? Or going back to the Demon Kingdom?”

“I’m going back.”

Sharon answered plainly.

“You may have forgotten, but I am the Demon King, after all. I’ve got mountains of work to do as the ruler. With the Hero dead and the Holy Sword retrieved, the immediate threat is gone. Plus, we’ve reconciled with the Holy Kingdom and established a friendly relationship. There’s not much reason for me to stay here anymore.”

“I see…”

“I’ll feel lonely…”

Alicia said in a faint voice. To her, Sharon was one of the few true friends she had. The same was true for me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll probably visit the Holy Kingdom again sometime. Or maybe you two can come visit the Demon Kingdom when you’ve got some free time.”

With that, Sharon placed a plump leather pouch on the table.

“Hm? What’s this?”

“A parting gift from me.”

When I opened the pouch, it was stuffed full of gold coins. I flinched in shock. It was a huge amount of money. With this, we could even buy a new house.

“I-I can’t possibly accept this!”

Alicia, flustered, pushed the pouch back toward Sharon.

“No need to hold back. That money is part of the reward we received for capturing those four. Elna, Elma and I also got our fair share. Think of this as a little something I’m sharing with you.”

The lives of those four from the Hero’s Party had turned into a pile of gold, huh… Since she said “don’t hold back,” I didn’t. I accepted the money without hesitation.

“Well then, I suppose it’s time for me to take my leave.”

Sharon stood up from his chair. As she headed for the front door, she suddenly stopped and turned around.

“Oh, I almost forgot to ask.”

With a sly grin, she asked.

“—So, when are you two getting married?”

“When, huh…”

When would that be? We hadn’t really thought about it. Of course, we would get married eventually, but there was no need to rush. The threat named Cain was gone now, after all.

“Make sure to invite me to the wedding.”

“Of course.”

When I gave a big nod, Sharon nodded just as firmly and left our home. I wondered when we’d see Sharon again next. In a month? A year? Or even longer than that… In any case, there was no way that we’d never see each other again.

“Let’s use this money to buy a new house and have a wedding.”

“Yes, let’s.”

Alicia smiled warmly.

“I’d really love for Sharon-san to see me in my wedding dress.”

Just imagining Alicia in a bridal gown made my heart swell with love, and I gently kissed her on the cheek.

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Chapter 77

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It had been ten years since I married Alicia. I was past thirty now, and I had started to feel like I was gradually aging. Well, I wasn’t that old yet…

Our daughter was born about a year after we got married. When I reported the birth to Sharon, she said, “Very well, I shall be the godparent,” and went ahead and named her without asking.

Sharl—that was our daughter’s name. Since it was a name similar to Sharon’s, it felt almost like she was her own daughter.

Maybe because she was her godmother, Sharon doted on Sharl immensely. She came to our house at every opportunity, bringing presents or playing with her… I wondered if she was doing her job as Demon King properly.

Alicia and I had aged a bit compared to our younger days. …No, maybe “aged” wasn’t quite the right word. But it was true that our appearances had changed somewhat. We were human, it was only natural for us to change. 

Our daughter Sharl was growing up healthy and strong and on the other hand, Sharon, Elna, and Elma, being demons, hadn’t changed at all—hardly even a little. Visually speaking, Alicia and I looked older than them now.

“Hmm, I feel like Sharl gets bigger every time I see her.”

“Really?”

“At this rate, she might grow taller than me someday.”

“You think so?”

“Well then, you need to eat lots so you can grow big.”

“Okay! I’ll do my best to eat a lot!”

I listened to Sharon and Sharl chatting while sipping some hot tea. Sharl looked like her mother. I was glad she took after Alicia rather than me. She’d definitely grow up to be a beauty that way.

“Luke-san, you look older every time I see you.”

“Elna, that’s a bit rude. Even if it’s true, there are things you should and shouldn’t say.”

I gave a wry smile at the twins’ remark. Of course, I knew they were just joking around.

“But Alicia-san hasn’t changed at all.”

“Yeah. I’m starting to wonder if she might actually be a demon.”

Alicia had changed a little compared to when we first met, sure. But the changes were so subtle that only someone who spent every day with her—like me—would even notice.

It wasn’t that I was aging unusually fast or anything like that. It was just that Alicia aged slowly—almost like a demon. Well, maybe that was an exaggeration. Even now, her beauty hadn’t faded since the day we met. In fact, I felt like she’d become even more beautiful after we got married.

“No, I—”

“It’s probably because you’re happy right now.” 

Sharon said. 

“A person’s mental state has a direct effect on their physical condition. So if you feel happy, maybe it slows down physical aging, too.”

“If that’s the case, I guess I must be happy.”

“Me too! I’m happy!”

Elma and Elna chimed in. Sharon gave them a wry smile.

“You two just don’t change because you’re demons.”

After dinner, Sharon, Elna, and Elma returned home. Sharl must have tired herself out playing with them since she was already fast asleep. After tucking a blanket over her, I sat down on the sofa in the living room. Alicia sat beside me and leaned gently against me, like she was cuddling up against me.

“They never change, no matter how much time passes.”

“Yeah. I think even when we become a grandpa and grandma, they’ll hardly look any different.”

“Jealous?”

“Who knows?”

Alicia smiled and tilted her head slightly.

“Growing old isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you know.”

“That’s true.”

I held Alicia gently in my arms.

Humans age and eventually, they die. That’s just the way we are. It couldn’t be helped. Someday, I too… and Alicia as well… We would die. But until that time comes, I hope we can continue to live a happy life together.

“Alicia.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“I love you.”

When I said it directly, Alicia blushed and, looking shy, she said.

“I love you too.”

“Let’s keep living a happy life together forever.”

“Yes!”

And then, I gently kissed Alicia on the lips.

THE END

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