Kidnapped Princess C54

 

Chapter 54

Preparing to go to the human realm with Luminas was simple. We only needed to bring ourselves.

There was no human capable of harming me, and we already had a place to stay.

“Sir Dylan?”

“You’ve seen him before, right?”

“I’ve heard more than I’ve seen.”

I recalled Dylan and Luminas’ first meeting.

Dylan had disliked Luminas immediately, and Luminas, likewise, had taken an odd dislike to him.

And the reason was obvious. Dylan had treated Luminas like a leech clinging to me from the very first encounter—complete with a cold, cutting gaze.

Honestly, I’d hate him too…

“He’s operating as a spy in the human realm. There’s no one better at shapeshifting than Dylan.”

Some demons resemble humans enough, but their tails or wings give them away, especially when emotions surge. Dylan was different—his species excelled at disguise.

“Yes, I know. He’s a slime, right?”

“…Did I ever tell you that?”

Very few knew Dylan was a slime.

Slimes were considered low-tier monsters in the demon realm. Dylan far surpassed ordinary ones, but prejudice was hard to shake. That was why he loathed revealing his true form.

Elvin had teased him about it multiple times, nearly starting fights.

To protect his pride, I kept Dylan’s true identity hidden. He hated having it exposed, and—honestly—it didn’t suit his image.

Could Elvin have told Luminas already…?

“The aide told me.”

“That guy… they really are enemies. Anyway, Dylan hates others knowing his real form, so don’t speak of it.”

“Yes.”

“Dylan’s been tracking the hero’s movements in the human realm. He sends information on what’s happening there.”

Recently, the reports had mentioned demonized beings—humans corrupted into demons—wreaking havoc in the human capital. Because of that, human resentment toward demons had spiked. That was the core issue.

My goal here was to uncover who wanted human–demon relations to collapse.

“We’ll be back soon. Don’t worry too much.”

I patted Elvin’s back as he tearfully saw me off.

“Please return quickly…”

“Yes, yes, I got it.”

“Oh, Dylan asked me to give you this. Your demonic energy is… on a different level. This will conceal it.”

Elvin handed me a ring. As soon as I put it on, I felt slightly suffocated—proof it really was suppressing my magic.

We were heading to the human capital—where the temple was. The more precaution, the better. Dylan always wore one too.

“Your Majesty, let’s go!”

Luminas suddenly threw himself at me, dragging me away from consoling Elvin. My hand naturally shifted from Elvin’s back to Luminas’ head.

“If you’re ready, let’s go.”

I teleported immediately. The moment we arrived, Dylan was already standing before us.

“You’re here.”

He had clearly been warned of my arrival.

“You really brought the human after all.”

He stared at Luminas with his usual hostility.

“Dylan, Luminas has a beautiful—no, distinguished name.”

“I don’t memorize human names. Only a select few here know I’m a demon. Mind your tongue. And don’t reveal this one’s identity either.”

If a princess kidnapped by the Demon King walked the human capital freely, pandemonium would ensue.

“But weren’t they a man now?”

Dylan asked because of Luminas’ attire. We had offered him men’s clothing before leaving—but Luminas refused to wear clothes someone else had worn.

Even though they were Elvin’s clothes—chosen for similar build—Luminas still refused. It seemed he knew they belonged to Elvin. When I tried offering my own, he refused again, saying those were also unsuitable.

I had no idea why.

“It doesn’t matter what I wear.”

“That’s true.”

Their standoff fizzled out quickly, and Dylan refocused on me.

“Wear the ring properly. Don’t let magic leak.”

“I know.”

“They even have portraits here. They don’t resemble you much, but better safe than sorry. If the priests notice, I’ll have trouble.”

I knew the humans had drawings of me. I remembered complaining once about how terrible they looked.

Dylan handed me identification and some money.

“You’re my cousin here. Name: Haron Welten. Use the alias.”

“Oh, thanks. Thorough as always. I was just going to have Luminas call me by name.”

“…You don’t just tell people to call your true name.”

“You’re so rigid. Hardly any demons take true names seriously these days. Luminas, only call me Haron while we’re here.”

“You’re the Demon King. I can’t call you some strange name…”

He thought seriously, then lit up with an idea.

“Shall I call you Husband?”

“…Put that away.”

“Then I will call you Master.”

Honestly, anything but “husband” was fine.

“So where do we go first?”

“I didn’t plan a route. We’ll just tour the capital. Buy clothes for Luminas, sightsee, and stop by the temple.”

The demonized ones and hero-watch info would inevitably lead there, even if I didn’t enter. I could always coax some priest into talking.

“…Don’t go there yet.”

“Why?”

“The saintess and hero just returned.”

Perfect timing, really.

“Even with the ring, the saintess may recognize you.”

“They say the saintess can always identify the Demon King.”

A slight schedule change—no big deal. There were many places to visit anyway.

“I’ll take Luminas around first.”

Show him the human world. Show him there were many ways to live—not just as a demon’s “princess.”

Dylan’s expression crumpled like a crushed can.

“You’re here to sightsee.”

Fair.

Since it was for Luminas, naturally Dylan wouldn’t like it.

He sighed deeply and waved us off as if to say do what you want.

Then someone arrived—one of Dylan’s trusted subordinates. I knew him too.

“It has been a while, Your Majesty.”

“Milde, glad to see you’re well. Must be tough under Dylan.”

“It is fine. I’ll guide you. This way, please.”

We followed Milde. Since we couldn’t fly here, we were set to take a carriage to the main district.

“Been a while since I rode one.”

Demons typically flew, so carriages felt nostalgic.

“A warning—do NOT spread your wings here. And I must address you as Lord Haron.”

“Go ahead. I don’t plan to announce myself.”

“Thank you.”

I looked out the window. As Dylan said, the hero and saintess’ return had the city overflowing with crowds and a giant parade.

Even statues modeled after them marched through the streets.

“Quite the frenzy.”

“Pay them no mind. Lowly humans have lowly hobbies.”

He sounded exactly like Dylan.

“But it’s nice.”

“…Why?”

“It’s a festival.”

A perfect way to show Luminas the cheerful side of humanity.

Luminas watched too, gaze distant. He seemed deep in thought.

“Interested? Want to see it up close?”

“Ah… no.”

“Hm? I thought it caught your eye.”

“It’s not that… my eyes just drifted there.”

That is interest…

His gaze lingered outside. Slowly blinking, he asked,

“Are you interested, Your Majesty?”

“Hm… a little?”

If I said yes, I assumed he’d imitate me. But Luminas reacted in an entirely different way.

He grabbed my face in both hands, fixing me with a low, intense whisper.

“No. Do not show interest in the saintess. I’m far prettier and more beautiful than her.”

His expression was the same gentle smile as always—yet the glint in his eyes was sharp and dangerous. That predatory smile made my heart jolt.

“I’m not interested in the saintess. Why would you think that?”

“When a princess isn’t the one kidnapped by the Demon King, it’s the saintess.”

Luminas burned with rivalry. Against the saintess.

Being kidnapped wasn’t good news, yet that was his baseline.

“We’ve arrived. Please step out.”

Just then, Milde announced our arrival at the boutique. Cold air brushed my cheeks as I stepped out, still dazed.

Even knowing he was a man now, my heart sometimes still acted foolishly.

It wasn’t just cuteness anymore—he could look striking, too. It was exhausting for my heart.

This is… really becoming a problem…