Kidnapped Princess C19

Chapter 19

“Are you sad…? But you’ll be even sadder, won’t you, Uncle?”

“Why do you think that?”

I tilted my head, genuinely puzzled, and Luminas murmured softly, voice trembling with uncertainty.

“Because of the war… so many people are going to die.”

She heard about the war? Damn it. I’d tried to keep that information from reaching her ears. My chest tightened with guilt. She wasn’t wrong, though — people would die. Humans would die. Not demons.

“If anything, I should be the one apologizing,” I said quietly. “The ones dying are humans from the royal city — your kind, not mine. I don’t feel a thing when humans die.”

It was true — I wasn’t heartless, but that didn’t mean I mourned for humans who invaded my territory. The world was full of people who deserved what was coming to them. I didn’t say that out loud, though. Seeing Luminas recoil in horror would hurt worse than anything.

“Tell me, Luminas. When the people who hated and rejected you die… does that make you sad?”

“I don’t know… it doesn’t matter.”

“Exactly. It doesn’t matter to me either.”

I pulled her into my arms and gently wiped her tear-streaked face with a handkerchief. Her skin was hot from crying, her breath trembling against my shoulder.

“Besides,” I said lightly, “I’m the one who declared war, remember?”

Her eyes widened. “Because of me?”

“Well… maybe that is part of the reason,” I admitted.

At that, the brief light that flickered in her eyes dimmed again, like a candle snuffed out. I could see the guilt creeping back, so I quickly smiled and continued.

“They came to my doorstep demanding I return my princess.”

“…Your princess?”

“Of course. You,” I said, tapping her forehead playfully. “Do you want to go back to where you were before?”

Her head shook so violently I thought her neck might snap.

“Didn’t think so. They keep shouting for me to hand you over, and honestly, it’s getting on my nerves. So, what choice do I have? If they want war, I’ll give them one. You think I’d ever send you back there?”

I pinched her nose gently, watching her scrunch up her face. She really had no idea how much I was spoiling her.

“Really…?”

“Of course. Demons are possessive creatures, remember? I told you — you’re my bride, my princess. The moment you took my hand, you became mine. That can’t be undone. So if you ever say something like that again…” I leaned closer, my tone darkening. “I’ll be angry.”

Her lips trembled, and she nodded meekly. “…Okay.”

I had meant to sound intimidating — to make her reflect — but then she smiled dreamily, as if pleased. Her emotions were an absolute mystery.

“Elvin,” I said suddenly, “give Renya the list of the Elders who visited me today — and the names of the demons they brought with them.”

“The list, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Renya,” I continued, turning to the dark elf. “You remember the face of the one who insulted Luminas, don’t you? Bring him to me. That’s an order.”

Renya blinked in surprise at the cold edge in my voice but bowed immediately. “As you command.”

There are some lessons words can’t teach.

“Uncle?” Luminas peered up at me, confused.

“When words don’t work, actions do,” I said, grinning darkly.

If someone dared to make my princess cry, they’d pay for it. Her pretty face had been ruined by tears — it was only right to fix the cause. Besides, punishing the offender would calm her too. Two birds with one stone.

The room was dimly lit, only a few flickering candles struggling against the heavy air. Around a massive round table sat the Elder Council, faces etched with anxiety. None dared to speak first.

Finally, one of the elders broke the silence.

“This is outrageous…” His wrinkled hand trembled as he spoke.

The others muttered in agreement, their nods full of suppressed rage.

“You think we accepted that nonsense willingly? We backed down because His Majesty left us no choice.”

They had all rushed to the royal audience chamber after hearing the shocking news — that the Demon King intended to make the kidnapped human princess his queen.

One elder slammed his hand on the table. “How could a human become Demon Queen! His Majesty deserves a consort befitting his power — a demon of equal strength and stature!”

“Indeed! The prophecy clearly speaks of our king! A half-human heir is nothing but blasphemy!”

“Let’s not forget,” another added gravely, “there hasn’t been true peace in our realm until His Majesty’s reign. Demons once tore each other apart — kings rose and fell endlessly. Only when he ascended did unity return.”

A rare smile touched one old demon’s lips, eyes distant with reverence. “I still remember when the strongest of us bowed before him. His power was… divine.”

Their meeting, meant to address the human issue, had turned into a worship session for me.

Elders were supposed to maintain dignity before the younger demons, but the truth was, they revered me like a god. If I’d ever seen them talking about me like this, I’d have shuddered from head to toe.

They spoke heatedly, each trying to outdo the last in praise.

“His wisdom is unmatched. Remember the near-war with the beastkin? He resolved it with brilliance — welcomed them instead of annihilating them. No other demon would have done that!”

“And he even gave them land! Told them to cultivate it. A king who sees potential in every race — charisma and vision both. Truly majestic.”

“Thanks to him, even the elves requested migration to the Demon Realm! Our population has grown because of it. Low-ranking demons struggle to reproduce, after all.”

“Enough,” a deep voice rumbled.

The others fell silent as a towering, broad-shouldered elder leaned forward. His presence alone made the candlelight flicker.

“Lord Clit,” one elder murmured respectfully.

“Tonight is not for nostalgia,” Clit said, voice steady and commanding. “We must discuss the future of the Demon Realm.”

The room quieted further. He wasn’t just any elder — Clit was the founder of the Elder Council, one of the few remaining demons who had survived the Great War 5,000 years ago. His strength still ranked among the top ten even now.

“I agree,” he said gravely. “His Majesty deserves a consort worthy of him. I have given it much thought.”

He pointed at one of the elders. “What about your daughter? She serves as the fifth maid of the royal household — surely she knows His Majesty well enough.”

“M-my daughter isn’t even fit to touch His Majesty’s boots!” the elder stammered.

“Then what about yours?” Clit asked another.

“My daughter would never dare, Lord Clit! It would be an insult!”

Every proposal was met with refusal. Clit’s frown deepened.

“There truly are few who could stand beside our king,” someone muttered. “It’s not just strength — influence matters too.”

That was when a name crossed their minds.

“What about Lady Lilith? Didn’t she once declare she would become Demon Queen?”

Lilith had indeed gone around proclaiming that the position was hers by right. Unsurprisingly, she’d failed — like everyone else over the past three centuries.

“She sent a message today,” Clit said slowly. “She’s withdrawing her claim. And… she said she supports the princess.”

“What?! That’s absurd! His Majesty never even offered her the position!”

The elders erupted. Lilith’s pride was infamous; to “withdraw” sounded like a refusal meant to save face, and it infuriated them.

“She’s not even suited for it!” one snapped. “Even if she fought beside Lord Clit in the old days, she’s always been a controversial figure!”

“She only became acting ruler because His Majesty recommended her centuries ago! She never cared for the realm itself — only her own pursuits. Compared to our current king—”

Clit rubbed his forehead as their bickering resumed. Still, beneath his exasperation, he felt a quiet pride. The Council might be noisy, but every one of them stood firmly behind me. They had once despised humans — yet they followed a king who had once called himself human.

Suddenly, the heavy doors burst open.

“Sirs! Urgent news!”

A demon guard, assigned to protect one of the elders, stormed in, breathless. The room erupted with outrage at his intrusion.

“What is the meaning of this!?” Clit barked.

“M-my lord! Forgive me, but an urgent message from His Majesty—!”

“From the Demon King himself?”

“Yes, sir. It seems… a certain demon spoke rudely to the princess. His Majesty is furious.”

The entire chamber froze.

Suhyeon — furious? Impossible. He was calm, composed, almost unnervingly so. For him to lose his temper… this was serious.

“Who was it?” Clit demanded.

“Sir… it was Lord Melan.”

An elder shot to his feet. Melan was his grandson. Without another word, he bolted from the room. The meeting ended abruptly, left in stunned silence.