Chapter 29
Both humans and demons have kings. So too do the elves and beastfolk.
Among elves, a long-standing royal line still exists, while among beastfolk, strength itself determines who may call themselves king.
Recently, the royal family of the elves—specifically, a high elf—had sent word requesting to migrate into the Demon Realm.
When I first received the message, I was honestly astonished. Elves, who serve and protect the World Tree and live beneath its eternal boughs, are beings beloved by nature itself. Lush forests are their very symbol. The Demon Realm, however, possesses nothing of the sort. Here, there are no green woods—only endless darkness—and over time, that very blackness even taints their fair skin.
“So elves have royalty too? I didn’t know that.”
“Neither did I. They’re such a reclusive race. Even Lenya was shocked to hear that the royal bloodline still exists.”
“Will you accept them?”
“They’re asking to come for safety reasons. There’s no reason to refuse. And besides, they said the World Tree is dying. They probably have no choice. If they stay, they’ll all perish.”
The elves’ migration to the Demon Realm stemmed from the withering of the World Tree.
Without its blessing, they could no longer draw upon nature’s power. Humans had defiled the forests for their own convenience, devastating the balance of the natural world. And because elves were so beautiful, human slavers often raided hidden elven villages to capture them.
“Having them on our side will be a good thing. Circumstances will change, sure—but they said they’re prepared for that. Survival requires adaptation, after all. Though at this rate, we really might end up wiping out humanity…”
At this point, every race in the world despised humans. The conflict would no longer end as a simple war between humans and demons. The beastfolk and elves—driven by centuries of persecution—might very well join the fight, unleashing their vengeance.
The beastfolk, especially, were eager to do so. Their thirst for revenge ran deep.
“I’m fine. I don’t feel anything toward humans.”
Luminas spoke as though she could read my thoughts.
Could she really feel nothing, even if her own kind were wiped out?
When I was first summoned to this world and realized that I was the only one of my kind here, the loneliness had been suffocating. That’s why her words struck a chord.
What worried me more, though, was the difference in lifespan. Elves and beastfolk lived far longer than humans. Even if Luminas saw herself as their equal now, she would eventually outlive them—or rather, they would remain young while she aged and withered alone.
Could she bear that fate?
If the day ever came when she found it unbearable, I was willing to send her back to the human realm. She still wished to remain here for now, so I never brought it up—but maybe I should at least make her aware that such a path existed.
“Demon King?”
Her voice brought me out of my thoughts. I shrugged as if nothing was wrong and rose from the table.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Eat slowly.”
“No, I’ve finished.”
Her meal had been small to begin with, and she hadn’t even eaten all of it.
“You should eat everything on your plate. That’s how you grow.”
“I’ve grown enough.”
“You can still grow more.”
I gently ruffled her hair before waving her off. But just as I turned to go, she asked,
“May I visit your office later with some tea and desserts?”
“Hmm…”
I looked over at Elvin. Lately, the paperwork had been piling up like mountains. If I didn’t handle it on time, we’d have problems later.
Elvin glanced over the documents, then nodded.
“It should be fine. Come in the afternoon.”
“Alright! I’ll bring some delicious desserts. And…”
Smooch.
“Work hard, okay?”
Her radiant smile was as bright as sunlight, and the faint warmth that lingered on my cheek made my chest feel strangely ticklish. A warning bell rang somewhere in the back of my mind. After watching her for a long moment, I finally managed to murmur, “Alright.”
Out in the hallway, I let out a long sigh.
“Demon King? Is something troubling you?”
“Trouble? Yeah. Elvin… hasn’t Luminas been acting a little different lately?”
The amount of physical affection had increased. She’d suddenly lean close or grab my arm—and my heart barely survived it each time.
More troubling than that was the nature of her gaze. It wasn’t the look of a child seeking affection from a parent—it was the gaze of a woman toward the man she loved. Somewhere along the way, her eyes had changed.
No, perhaps they’d always been that way, but I’d brushed it off, assuming it would pass. I’d treated her more like a daughter than a wife.
But Luminas still saw me as her husband.
If I’d taken her in as a daughter instead of a bride from the start, this wouldn’t be happening.
Ignoring her feelings would be easy… but it wasn’t. Every time she drew near, my heart skipped a beat.
Think about the age gap! You can’t possibly… Luminas is beautiful and lovable, yes, but still—!
If this continued, I might actually…
“Why do you look like that? The princess has always been that way. She’s been desperate to devour you since day one.”
“…What?”
I didn’t know that.
“She learned all sorts of nonsense from Lady Liliths. Honestly, that woman… teaching such indecent things!”
So Liliths’s “nighttime education” was still ongoing…
“Elvin, watch your mouth. Her name is Luminas. Or at least call her ‘the princess.’”
“What’s wrong with calling a human a human?”
“You’re just salty because she keeps beating you, aren’t you?”
“I did NOT lose!”
Elvin often clashed with Luminas—and more often than not, he was the one who got thrashed. Despite experiencing firsthand that she wasn’t just “some fragile human,” he stubbornly refused to admit defeat.
Even when he lost, he’d claim he’d been “in bad condition that day.”
“That brat thinks she can control you because you always spoil her! She’s trying to dominate you, Demon King!”
“When have I ever done that? I’m perfectly firm.”
For once, Elvin didn’t agree.
“Absolutely not. You indulge her in everything.”
“That’s because I can. And besides, she’s still young.”
“In human terms, she’s an adult.”
He only remembered that when it suited him—otherwise, he called her a “snot-nosed brat.”
“Demon King, you’re the only one who still sees her as a child. To everyone else in the castle, she’s become… well, a tyrant.”
I wouldn’t say tyrant, but yes—there wasn’t a single demon in the castle who could stand against her now.
“The last time I saw you lose that badly was a while ago, wasn’t it? You hardly ever win anymore.”
He scowled.
“I was just off my game! Next time will be different. I’m the Demon King’s right hand! Losing isn’t an option!”
I sighed at his stubbornness.
“If it weren’t for that holy power, I wouldn’t have lost. I was holding back, that’s all.”
“Good. Better to win than be beaten, right?”
Luminas had reached a level equal to Elvin’s. There was a time when she’d been fragile and easily hurt by the demons’ words, and I’d comforted her myself… gods, I missed those days.
“Still, there might be demons out there who covet her.”
Her beauty, which had been praised by even Liliths when she was a child, had only bloomed further. And now that she had strength to match, she drew admiration from all sides. Demons often revered power.
If their admiration stayed pure, fine—but some might see her humanity as weakness and view her as prey instead.
There were no such threats within the castle, but visiting demons sometimes looked at her with impure eyes. I made sure to handle those quietly, behind the scenes.
“I doubt anyone would dare.”
“You never know. Even I can see how beautiful she’s become.”
“…Try saying that to her face. She’d be thrilled.”
“I already do. Everyone knows how lovely and precious Luminas is.”
“I honestly don’t see what’s so lovely about that violent woman.”
“Everyone except you thinks she’s beautiful.”
It was absurd. If anyone were asked to name the most beautiful person in the castle, they’d answer “Luminas” without hesitation.
Elvin groaned in disgust.
“Are you really going to make her your consort?”
“Huh?”
“She’s of an age where she’d naturally crave attention and affection. Everything she does is for your approval. She’s an adult by human standards, you know. If you truly plan to make her the Demon Queen, you should start preparing.”
“I thought you didn’t like her.”
“I don’t. But if it’s your will, I’ll accept it. Even if I hate it.”
“The Demon Queen… my wife, huh.”
I imagined Luminas as my queen. She still wanted to be my bride, after all.
If she were my wife, we’d share the same bed. I’d finally get some sleep. In the morning, she’d wake me up, we’d have breakfast together, and in the afternoon she’d bring me tea and sweets while I worked.
Wait… that’s basically how things are now—minus the sharing a bed part.
“Demon King, she has arrived.”
Just then, Lenya appeared before me.
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