I'm the Villain, But the Heroines Keep Choosing Me-Chapter 157: Asking Out

A servant directed them to Lyristae’s private office rather than the formal war room.

"More intimate setting," Elara noted. "Interesting choice."

They were shown in to find Lyristae at her desk, reviewing documents.

She looked up as they entered, and something soft flickered across her expression before her queen’s mask returned.

"Thank you for coming. Please, sit." She gestured to comfortable chairs arranged around a low table. "I thought we could discuss matters more casually than in the war room. Given what we need to address."

"Which is?" Seria asked, taking a seat.

"Several things. First, the political aftermath of yesterday’s battle. The demon army was larger and better organized than any previous incursion. That suggests coordination at a level we haven’t seen before." Lyristae set aside her papers. "The Emperor will want detailed reports. He’ll probably summon us back to the capital for direct briefing."

"Wonderful," Damien muttered. "More imperial politics."

"It gets better. Second issue – your display of power yesterday has officially made you a person of significant interest across the empire. Every kingdom will want to know who the shadow wielder is that stopped a demon raid of the magnitude. Some will see you as an asset. Others as a threat."

"I’m leaning toward threat," Seria said. "Shadow magic already has negative associations. Shadow magic powerful enough to kill legendary demons? That’s going to make people nervous."

"Exactly. Which brings us to the third issue." Lyristae looked directly at Damien. "We need to decide how to frame your capabilities publicly. Whether to emphasize the demon-killing aspect or try to downplay the shadow magic connection. Both approaches have advantages and risks."

"What do you recommend?"

"Honestly? Lean into it. Own the shadow wielder identity publicly instead of trying to hide or minimize it. You’re too powerful now for subtle positioning to work. Better to be openly dangerous and have people respect that than secretly dangerous and have them plotting against what they don’t understand."

"That’s aggressive."

"You just killed several thousand demons and a demon lord. Aggressive is your new baseline." But Lyristae smiled slightly. "Though we can discuss strategy later. That wasn’t actually why I asked you here."

"No?" Elara sounded curious.

"No. I wanted to address something more personal." Lyristae’s composure cracked slightly. "Specifically, I wanted to apologize to both of you."

That caught everyone off guard.

"Apologize for what?" Seria asked carefully.

"For manipulating events to push Damien toward the Second Core without fully explaining my reasons to you. For positioning myself as understanding him better than you could. For systematically creating dependence while claiming to support your relationship." Lyristae’s voice was steady but clearly uncomfortable. "I told myself it was necessary. That his survival justified any manipulation. But that doesn’t make it right or fair to you."

The room was silent for a moment.

"You’re apologizing," Elara said slowly. "Voluntarily. Without us demanding it."

"Yes. Because Damien asked me to be honest, and honesty includes acknowledging when I’ve behaved poorly." Lyristae met their gazes. "I love him. That’s true. But loving someone doesn’t excuse treating the people he loves poorly. You’ve both been nothing but protective of him, and I’ve responded by undermining your trust and creating unnecessary tension. That was wrong."

Seria studied her. "This is remarkably mature for someone we thought was just pursuing him strategically."

"I can be both strategic and capable of growth." Lyristae’s smile was self-deprecating. "Though I’ll admit, having to actually apologize instead of just maneuvering around conflict is uncomfortable. I’m much better at tactics than emotional honesty."

"Join the club," Damien muttered.

"We appreciate the apology," Elara said. "And we understand why you did what you did, even if we don’t fully agree with the methods. You were trying to keep him alive."

"I was. I am." Lyristae looked at Damien. "But I’m trying to do it without sacrificing the relationships that keep you human. Even if that means being vulnerable and admitting mistakes instead of maintaining perfect control."

"That’s... actually kind of sweet," Seria admitted. "In a weird, overly-tactical way."

"I’ll take ’sweet in a weird way’ as a compliment."

The tension in the room eased considerably. They spent the next hour actually discussing strategy – how to frame Damien’s capabilities, what to report to the Emperor, how to handle inevitable political fallout. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

But the conversation was different now. More collaborative. Less adversarial.

Lyristae treated Seria and Elara as equals rather than obstacles. Asked their opinions. Adjusted plans based on their input.

And they responded in kind. Offering tactical suggestions. Supporting her political positioning. Treating her as part of the team rather than an outsider trying to steal their partner.

Damien watched it all with quiet satisfaction. This was what he’d hoped for – his anchors and the woman he was exploring feelings for actually getting along.

"There’s one more thing," Lyristae said as the meeting wound down. "Something personal I wanted to ask."

"What’s that?" Damien asked.

"Would you have dinner with me? Just the two of us. Tonight." She looked nervous in a way he’d never seen from her. "Not strategy and crisis management. Just... dinner. Getting to know each other without the pressure of saving the world."

"Like a date?"

"Exactly like a date. I know I’m terrible at this, but I’d like to try. If you’re interested."

Damien glanced at Seria and Elara. Some silent question passing between them.

Seria shrugged. "We trust you. And her, apparently."

"Go," Elara agreed. "We can survive one evening without monopolizing your attention."

"Then yes," Damien said to Lyristae. "I’d like that."

Her smile was genuine, warm, carrying none of the calculated queen’s mask.

"Seven o’clock? I’ll have the palace kitchen prepare something special."

"Seven works."

They left shortly after, Seria immediately starting to tease him about being nervous.

"It’s just dinner," Damien protested.

"It’s your first actual date with a queen who’s been in love with you for lifetimes. That’s not ’just dinner.’"

"She has a point," Elara added. "You should be at least a little nervous."

"I’m not nervous. I’m concerned about making a good impression."

"That’s the same thing with different words."

"It’s completely different."

They bickered all the way back to their quarters, and Damien found himself smiling despite the teasing.

Tonight, he’d have dinner with Lyristae.

Just the two of them.

He was absolutely nervous.

But also looking forward to it in ways the Second Core couldn’t quite suppress.