The aftermath of the battle was a far cry from what you had expected when facing the heroine by herself. Slashes caused by her sword adorned the entire throne room, and in one especially powerful move, she even blew off a huge chunk of the ceiling. But now, amidst the fiery and tattered remains of your tapestry, she finally fell to her knees, heaving.

"Damn it...if only I wasn't..." She muttered to herself, feeling a prickle of the tears filling her eyes as she remembered the betrayal, the abandonment her former companions put her through. As much as she tried, as much as she wanted to keep fighting for this world...what was the point? She had been backstabbed by those she trusted the most. Was that some sort of cruel joke of fate? Reincarnating in the land of her dreams, only to end up like this?

You loomed over her defeated form, and she looked up at you, awaiting her unavoidable demise. But you could sense it during your fight, and you could see it now, in her pain-stricken face. For whatever reason, the heroine wasn't herself in this battle. You could end her, right here and now...or you could try and find out why.

Slowly, the confusion on her face was replaced with disbelief and a tiny flicker of hope. Her blue eyes locked onto your own as you addressed her, promising her a chance at survival...and to join you. A lump formed in her throat as she struggled to find words amidst the cacophony of emotions assaulting her. She swallowed hard, still uncertain whether this was all just another cruel joke, or if it really meant what it seemed to mean.

"I-is that true?" she managed to choke out, hardly daring to believe the words even as they left her lips. "Y-you...believe in me?" There was a tremor in her voice, barely concealed desperation threading its way through each syllable. It had been so long since someone had spoken kindly to her, shown her any sort of kindness at all. She could almost forget what it felt like.

As she waited for your answer, she clutched the hilt of her sword tighter, her knuckles going white from the force. Her heart raced in her chest, a myriad of emotions warring for dominance within her. Was this really happening? Or was it all just another cruel trick fate had played on her?

Her gaze remained locked onto yours, pleading with you to tell her the truth. To show her that she wasn't alone anymore. That there might be a chance for redemption, even after everything she had been through.

She didn't dare believe it at first, couldn't comprehend the magnitude of what you were offering her. The chance to survive...to fight alongside you...and maybe even become something more? It was a dreamlike state, one she had long ago accepted as beyond her reach. But here it was, presented to her on a silver platter. A second chance at life...at redemption.

Her heart raced in her chest, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she struggled to find words. Finally, she managed to choke out, "I-if you'll have me..." The words came out soft and broken, barely a whisper. She wanted this so badly...but was she worthy? After everything that had happened, could she really earn your trust?

As the silence between them stretched on, she slowly lifted her gaze from the scorched floor, meeting yours once more. Her resolve began to grow, as if a tiny flame flickered within her chest. "I...I will fight for you," she said, her voice firming slightly. "Whatever it takes, I'll prove myself. To you and to everyone else." There was an almost desperate edge to her words, but determination as well. She knew what she was promising, and she meant every last word.

She stared at your outstretched hand for a moment, her heart racing in anticipation and trepidation. Finally, with a deep breath, she reached forward, grasping your palm firmly. The contact sent a jolt of excitement through her body, making every nerve end feel alive for the first time in ages.

"I'm...Liselotte de Eclair," she said, offering up her name with a small nod. "But most people call me Lisa." She paused, feeling an urge to add something else. "Thank you...for giving me this chance." There was so much more she wanted to say, but for now, just the simple words seemed enough.

Her gaze darted around the throne room, taking in the carnage that had been wrought during their battle. In the distance, faint cries and groans rose up from where her former companions lay among the fallen. It pained her to think of what they must be feeling right now, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of relief as well. For once, she wasn't alone anymore. And even if it was with you, the Demon Lord...it felt better than facing the world by herself ever again.

Nodding slightly, she forced herself to ignore the weight of their betrayal for now and instead focused on what was ahead. With a new purpose burning bright within her, she followed you from the throne room, doing her best to keep up despite still feeling exhausted from the battle. As you led her through the winding halls of your stronghold, she couldn't help but marvel at its immense size and impeccable construction. Every inch was a testament to your power and influence over the land.

"So," she ventured hesitantly after several moments of walking in silence, "what sort of plans do you have for me?" Her words were soft, almost shy as if she wasn't quite sure how to broach the subject. Yet despite her uncertainty, there was an undertone of determination and eagerness running through them. She wanted to prove herself worthy of your trust...and maybe, just maybe, earn a place by your side in the process.

Her heart skipped a beat at your words, confusion and disbelief warring with an unexpected fluttering in her stomach. She had expected to be asked to serve you, but not...this. "W-what do you mean?" she managed to stammer out, her voice barely above a whisper as they wandered down a grand staircase carpeted in deep red velvet.

You gave her a sidelong glance, one eyebrow arching slightly, before meeting her gaze once more. "I want you to be my wife," you repeated simply. There was no mistaking the sincerity in your voice now, and it took her a moment to process what you had just said. A blush began to creep up her cheeks as she struggled with the unfamiliar emotion rising within her chest.

"B-but why me?" she finally managed to ask, feeling both flattered and overwhelmed by your sudden proposal. "I'm just a human...a reincarnated hero at that." She shook her head, trying in vain to deny the hope blossoming within her chest.

The blush in her cheeks deepened as she fought to keep a small smile from tugging at the corners of her lips. Your words filled her with a warmth she hadn't felt in so long, making it difficult for her to focus on anything else. She knew that you must see something special in her...something worth having by your side. The idea that she might be able to find love and acceptance again after everything she had been through was almost too much to bear.

"I-if you really mean that," she stammered, finding it difficult to meet your gaze as she struggled with the conflicting emotions swirling within her. "I-I would...I would be honored." Her voice came out little more than a whisper, barely audible over the hushed silence that had settled between them.

Finally, she mustered enough courage to look up at you once more, searching your features for any sign of doubt or mockery. But what she found instead was a genuine warmth and kindness in your eyes that made her heart race even faster. She hoped with everything she had that this wasn't all just another cruel joke...that there might be some truth to the feelings you seemed to have for her.

Their hands brushed against each other as they continued down the stairs, sending a shiver of anticipation through her entire body. The thought that she might find happiness and purpose again with you filled her with hope, banishing the doubts and fears that had plagued her for so long. Maybe...just maybe, she could finally move past everything she'd been through and start anew.