Kidnapped Princess C26

Chapter 26

Something felt wrong. As Elvin stood before me, his expression smug and self-satisfied, a deep, uneasy feeling settled in my chest—one that whispered I was about to regret everything.

“What?” I asked flatly.

“As Your Majesty’s aide and right-hand man, I demonstrated the full extent of my capabilities,” he declared proudly. “I annihilated them all!”

His bright eyes sparkled like those of an overexcited puppy expecting praise.

Oh, for the love of—my head throbbed. I pressed a hand to my face, dry and weary. It was my fault for trusting him with this in the first place.

Wait. Maybe… this isn’t so bad after all.

Come to think of it, this might actually work in my favor.

The maein who had kidnapped Luminas today was clearly part of a larger scheme operating out of the human realm. And that strange, foreign energy Dylan had mentioned—it was the mixture of holy power and demonic energy. That was why my magic hadn’t worked earlier when I tried to repel the maein’s attack.

They must have recruited priests from the human side, using their divine power to counteract demonic magic. But this wasn’t the end of it—it meant they were trying to merge the two.

They weren’t just showing that demons could be harmed by holy power. They were experimenting—to create a body capable of holding both divine and demonic energy at once.

If they succeeded, they would become something close to perfect. Holy power could defeat me, and demonic energy would erase the weakness demons naturally possessed toward the divine.

Such a being would be invincible. With dragons—the once-strongest species—long gone, perhaps there were those who now dreamed of becoming the new supreme race.

“Elvin,” I said after a pause, “how powerful were the priests you fought?”

“They could overpower lower-ranked demons,” he replied proudly. “Naturally, they were no match for me, of course!”

Only strong enough to subdue lesser demons, then…

“Elvin, do you think holy power and demonic energy can coexist within a single being?”

He blinked. “What do you mean?”

He sensed the gravity of my tone and straightened, the humor fading from his eyes.

“There was a maein who kidnapped Luminas today,” I explained. “When I tried to block his attack, my magic scattered. I weakened it intentionally to avoid killing him, but the mana disappeared completely. I believe it was holy power.”

“A demon using holy power?” Elvin’s eyes widened. “But isn’t that supposed to be a gift from the gods, granted only to humans?”

“There are two possible explanations,” I said calmly. “First, a priest became a maein. Second, a demon has found a way to acquire holy power. Neither is impossible. The gods, after all, claim to love everyone.”

The Church taught that holy power and demonic mana were absolute opposites. In principle, that was true. And holy power was indeed superior—it was divine blessing, the evidence of the gods’ favor. But it wasn’t limited solely to humans.

Did the gods hate demons? Not necessarily. They granted holy power to humans as a way of maintaining balance between races, not as a declaration of favoritism.

Humans lacked the natural strengths other species had—no affinity with nature like elves, no physical might like beastkin, no mastery of magic like dragons, no control over demonic energy like demons.

So the gods had given them something else—a weapon to compensate.

Which meant… coexistence might not be impossible.

That was my current theory. I had once been both a demon and the wielder of the Holy Sword. In my case, there had been an external medium—the sword itself. But the maein today had carried the power within his own body.

Demons possessed stronger bodies than humans. Perhaps, just perhaps, it was sustainable.

To confirm it, though, I’d have to speak to that damned god again. But—no answer, of course. Never any answer.

“I never would’ve thought of that,” Elvin admitted slowly. “But… it makes sense. And if it’s true, then there’s already a living example beside us.”

“Nyx,” I said.

The reason I believed this theory at all was because I had someone who embodied it.

He’d fled his post as a divine attendant, but the mark of divine love still lingered in his soul. He could wield holy power, yet being fallen, he could also command demonic mana. Managing both drained him severely, but his body was strong enough to withstand it.

“My head hurts just thinking about this,” I muttered.

“I’ll send a letter to Dylan,” Elvin said quickly.

The key now was to discover how far their influence had spread. I tapped the desk lightly, thinking, but no clear answer came.

If they wanted my throne, I’d crush them. If they planned to spark another war by stirring up the humans, I’d meet it head-on.

But this time, I’d make sure to cut out the root entirely.

“Oh, and Elvin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“You just got back, but I have another errand for you.”

“Leave it to me!” he said with renewed vigor.

Alone in her room, Luminas sat on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest.

He was such an incredible person—so different from her. Dignified, respected, admired by all. Everyone looked at him with affection. That was why she had to try harder—to deserve to stand beside him.

Because she was small. Insignificant. Weak.

“I’ve only been a burden again…” she whispered.

She had promised herself she’d do better. She had worked so hard. But the moment she thought of her own helplessness, the memory of being saved again and again, tears burned in her eyes.

“The Demon King had to come rescue me again…”

She didn’t want to be someone who always needed saving. She didn’t want to be a burden. Because if she became too heavy to carry—she’d be left behind.

He would never say it, of course. But someday, maybe, he’d realize she wasn’t worth the trouble.

She didn’t want that. She couldn’t imagine a life without him anymore. Even the thought of it terrified her.

“Luminas, are you awake?”

Her head shot up. “N-No, I mean, yes!”

The door opened slowly. He stood there, framed in the soft light of the hall.

“You must’ve been really frightened today. I’m sorry,” he said gently.

It’s okay. Please don’t apologize. It’s my fault for being weak.

“I brought you here to make your life better,” he continued, frowning faintly, “but it feels like I’ve only put you in more danger.”

Luminas shook her head quickly.

Just being near him gave her strength. That was enough.

“I see. That’s good.” His expression softened. “Here. A gift. I wanted today to be a good memory for you. Do you like it?”

It was the stuffed doll he’d bought from the boutique earlier—a fluffy, lopsided bear with a slightly eerie face. Luminas had never cared for dolls before. But because it came from him, it instantly became precious.

“Thank you! I’ll treasure it!”

Everything was new. Everything with him was happiness.

I want to stay with you, no matter what happens.

Such a small wish—and yet, it filled her entire heart.

Seeing her bright smile, Suhyeon felt convinced that girls really did love dolls. That misconception would one day lead to Luminas’s room being completely filled with them.

She reached out and took his hand.

“Your Majesty… You’ll stay with me forever, right?”

He’d been asked the same question countless times. But as always, he smiled.

“Of course. I’ll stay by your side until the day I die.”

Luminas buried her face into the bear’s fur and whispered softly, “Please… don’t forget.”

Several Years Later

“I’ll go! Waking His Majesty is my duty!”

“No, Lord Aide, you should wait outside. From now on, that responsibility belongs to me—His Majesty’s bride. I see no reason to let you intrude on our private moments.”

“You’re not officially the Demon Consort yet.”

“Would you like to settle that by strength, then?”

“You… insolent human—!”

There was a sharp thud, followed by silence.

Half-asleep, I pulled the blanket over my head to block out the voices and sunlight. Who on earth was fighting so early in the morning…? I sighed and tried to fall back asleep.

Elvin, that idiot. Didn’t I tell him I was sleeping in today?

I hadn’t slept properly after last night’s paperwork.

Rumors had been spreading—humans were moving again. For years they’d stayed quiet, but now some newly grown hero had formed a “party” to slay the Demon King.

A hero’s party to defeat me? Ridiculous.

That little brat wasn’t worth worrying about—but the Holy Sword he wielded was another matter. Reports said he’d already crossed the border, cutting down beasts and low-ranked demons with divine light.

After years of monsters swarming the forests, the hero’s arrival had miraculously opened a path through.

So, the story had begun again. Every tale needed its hero.

Meanwhile, Dylan’s search for the hidden faction continued. After a century in hiding, they still hadn’t shown themselves. The few small fry we caught always slipped away, severing their ties like lizards shedding tails.

Dylan was growing frustrated. Were they experimenting with merging holy power and demonic energy? Hiding deep within the Church itself? No one knew.

But sooner or later, they’d stand before me. That much was certain. After all, their true target was my head.

Footsteps approached the bed, pulling me from my thoughts. I forced my heavy eyelids open and rubbed my eyes.

“Elvin, didn’t I tell you to wake me at noon—”

A quiet laugh brushed against my ear, soft and warm. It wasn’t Elvin’s voice.

A gentle heat touched my cheek.

“Did you sleep well?”

“…Luminas?”