Kidnapped Princess C23

Chapter 23

“There, we’ve arrived. You can open your eyes now.”

In the blink of an eye, we appeared in the capital’s bustling center. Luminas slowly opened her tightly shut eyes, looking around in awe as the lively noise of the streets filled her ears.

“Charming, isn’t it? The Demon Realm isn’t all that different from the human world.”

Well—except for one obvious thing: appearances. The forms of the demons were wildly varied. Some had bodies made entirely of vines; others resembled beasts; still others looked like amorphous blobs, swaying and glimmering like jelly.

The Demon King’s Castle had been unusually quiet lately—busy, yes, but silent. Most demons had been dispatched or were buried in their own duties because of the ongoing war. And thanks to Elvin’s obsessive temperament, “Silence in the Castle!” had practically become a commandment.

That was why the capital, bustling and vivid, was the best place to meet demons of all kinds. Luminas’s gaze sparkled with wonder as she pointed upward to the floating sheets drifting lazily across the sky.

“Y-Your Majesty! What are those flying papers?”

“Oh, those? They’re demons that produce the very paper you use.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The birth of a demon can take many forms. You’ve studied this, haven’t you?”

“Lady Lilith taught me,” she said proudly. “Originally, demons were a mix between humans and animals, but as time went on, their forms became more diverse. She said many were born from the grudges or lingering will of creatures or objects destroyed by human greed.”

“Exactly,” I said, patting her head with a smile. “That’s why I’d rather humans didn’t die so easily. For every demon that dies, another must be born to maintain balance—and humans are a crucial part of that cycle. Strange, isn’t it? You’ve studied well.”

At that moment—

“Huh? Your Majesty!”
“The Demon King himself?!”

Even though I had suppressed my aura, several demons recognized me immediately and rushed over. Fearing that Luminas might get trampled beneath their heavy feet, I swiftly lifted her into my arms.

“Ah, and who might this be…?”

Naturally, every gaze turned toward Luminas. My announcement that I had taken a princess as my bride had already spread far and wide, so their eyes gleamed with curiosity and gossip.

“Is that the Demon King’s bride?!”

“Shouldn’t you all step back? If my bride faints from fright, who’s going to take responsibility?”

The crowd of demons pressing in from every direction was becoming more nuisance than novelty.

“Since when did His Majesty have such a… peculiar taste? She’s so tiny. Hardly enough to make a meal of.”
“Maybe he plans to fatten her up and devour her later. Though she is rather pretty.”

…These idiots.

Bride or not, Luminas’s small frame had turned her into the center of their crude jokes. I kicked the nearest offenders away without hesitation.

Maybe I should’ve adopted her as my daughter instead.

“Are you… going to eat me?” Luminas asked curiously.

I almost choked. “Don’t say things like that! Now—where would you like to go first?”

“I… I don’t know,” she murmured.

“Hm?”

“I’ve… never been to a place like this before.”

Her world until now had been tiny—only the royal palace and the Demon King’s Castle.

I made up my mind. Today would be the happiest day of her life.

“Alright then. I’ll escort you properly, so hold on tight.”

As the Demon King, it was my duty to show her the wonders of my realm.

I held her small hand firmly as we explored the city. A mere wave of my fingers told the more perceptive demons not to approach.

We visited an accessory shop sparkling with jewels that any little girl would adore, and then a toy store full of dolls—but neither caught her interest.

Her expression remained polite but indifferent.

Too young to care about dressing up, perhaps? But dolls—shouldn’t children love dolls?

Puzzled, I picked one up and handed it to her. “Here, try holding it.”

She took it, kneading it absentmindedly before putting it back. Was she… worried about money?

“Luminas, is there anything you’d like? Anything at all?”

I could buy her the entire shop if she wanted it.

“It’s alright,” she said softly. “Just touching it is enough.”

Was it the doll itself, then? The human and demon tastes differed greatly—what passed for “cute” here might look horrifying to human eyes.

It was a bear doll, but with one glass eye popping out, claws like little blades, and rough stitches all over its patched body—something more suited for a Halloween horror display.

The gemstone embedded in its other eye gave it a kind of grotesque luxury. Red eyes, no less.

Alright, think. What do little girls like?

Every place I took her to, I failed miserably. Anxiety pricked at me.

“You’re not bored, are you?”

“How could I be? I’m with you, Your Majesty—it’s fun!” she said with a bright smile.

Her words made me both relieved and more desperate. What exactly did she like? Me, perhaps? Or maybe sweets? She did love chocolate. Maybe I should take her for dessert… though too much sugar wasn’t good for a child her age.

Just then, she pointed at something with wide eyes.

“Your Majesty, what’s that?”

Following her gaze, I saw a group of bulky demons locked in a fierce arm-wrestling match, faces red, muscles bulging, roaring in effort.

A single word summed it up. “Showing off.”

Demons had an innate thirst for competition, their pride often expressed through sheer brute strength. In the old days, they’d brawl in the streets over the pettiest reasons, wreaking havoc on property and bystanders alike.

It had gotten so bad I’d finally declared: If you want to fight, do it properly—arm wrestling only.

A civilized outlet for barbaric urges, so to speak.

Surprisingly, it worked. Over time, it became a custom. The surrounding demons even placed bets, turning the once-destructive habit into a… profitable sport.

A healthy pastime, right?

“Why are they doing that?” Luminas asked.

“Well, when you put it that way… maybe they just don’t like each other. Or maybe their bodies itch for movement. Anyway, let’s not watch such violent things. We’ll go somewhere else.”

But her eyes were shining like twin stars.

A girl—enjoying this?

“You want to watch?” I asked.

She nodded eagerly.

Fine, then. I lifted her onto my shoulders so she could see. The crowd roared, demons shouting names, waving their fists, heat thick in the air.

It was chaos.

“Your Majesty,” she whispered, “you’re way stronger than them, right?”

“Of course. I’m the Demon King.”

If Elvin had been here, he would’ve shouted that those weaklings weren’t even fit to touch my boots.

“Do you think I could win if I joined?”

“Absolutely not. You’d break your arm.”

Why was she even thinking of joining? She deflated a little, her chin drooping.

…Was she being influenced by the demons around her?

After punishing those who insulted her, she’d said she wanted to grow stronger—and I hadn’t realized just how seriously she meant it. She truly wanted to be a bride worthy of me.

Demons valued strength above all else. Even the supposed qualifications for the title of Demon Queen included power. That was why no one had stopped Lilith when she once declared herself my future consort.

Had Luminas absorbed that nonsense too? Humans and demons couldn’t even be compared! She was special, yes—but still a child.

“Luminas,” I said gently, “you don’t need to become strong. You’re fine just as you are.”

“No! I want to be a bride that everyone recognizes as worthy of the Demon King! The steward said strength is a requirement!”

“Elvin,” I hissed inwardly. It was you, wasn’t it?!

“What did Renya say?”

“She agreed,” Luminas replied innocently.

Renya! I trusted you!

“She said a bride must be able to protect His Majesty from other demon women. She said lots of demons want to steal you away!”

“I’m not interested in—”

“Lady Lilith said so too! She told me to be careful—some demons still haven’t given up on you! That’s why night techniques are important—”

“You are NOT learning that!”

My face drained of color. Cold sweat trickled down my neck.

“But it’s the most important part…” she mumbled under her breath.

“Not at all!” I said quickly. “However—learning to protect yourself is good. How’s your control over holy power?”

“Not very good yet…”

“But you’re practicing hard?”

Nyx had told me she’d struggled at first but improved quickly once she grasped the basics—like a sprout shooting up after rain. Knowing him, he wouldn’t have lied.

“I’ll show you next time,” she promised.

“I’ll look forward to it,” I said.

While we spoke, the arm-wrestling match ended, and the victor’s arm was raised in triumph. I took that as my cue. Time to move on to our next errand—buying clothes.

“Come on, Luminas. Let’s get you something new to wear.”

“Alright.”

Ding–ling.

The small bell above the door chimed as we entered the boutique. From within, a creature with the body of a spider and the upper half of a woman—the arachne shopkeeper—emerged gracefully.

“Well, if it isn’t His Majesty himself. What an honor. Thank you for always visiting our humble boutique. I’ve just finished weaving a new fabric—elastic and durable, if I may boast.”

“Not for me today,” I said. “I’d like something for this little one.”

“Oh my,” the arachne’s eyes sparkled. “What an adorable customer. To think I’d ever meet the rumored bride in person!”

She beamed down at Luminas, eyes glowing with curiosity and delight.