Kidnapped Princess C43

Chapter 43

My suspicion had been correct. Luminas admitted it without hesitation. So that was why Elvin and Lilith’s reactions had been so peculiar.

Without my knowing, Luminas had been driving demons away at night?

“You’re far too defenseless when you sleep, Your Majesty. You barely wake up even when I shake you. What if something happened to you?”

The words that followed left me momentarily stunned.

“Elvin never worries like that. But… thank you. You must not have slept much because of me. Even when I tell them to stop, most of those fools don’t know how to give up.”

A wave of guilt washed over me. Luminas needed sleep more than anyone—she was still growing. Yet she had been guarding me all this time, entirely of her own will.

“It’s fine. I’ll protect you. Protecting one’s husband is a wife’s duty, after all.”

Luminas smiled, sharp and predatory, as if daring anyone to challenge her.

That vow—to protect me—hit me harder than I expected. Had anyone ever promised to protect me?

And before I realized it, I answered softly:

“…Alright.”

“Truly?”

Luminas’s eyes sparkled too brightly.

“Huh?”

“Then I can act as your wife? Say it openly?”

She looked at me like a starved cat waiting for the one word that would feed her soul. The word ‘wife’ always got that reaction from her.

“When you were little, you proudly told demons you were my bride.”

She had shown her intent from the very beginning. I never forgot it.

“In that case—!”

“Being a wife comes with many duties. You’re still too young to fulfill them all.”

“I can do it.”

I snorted faintly. Did she even know what I meant by ‘duties’?

“You think you can?”

Luminas suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me toward her. Her face hovered inches from mine, brows drawn in fierce determination.

With a smirk both bold and dangerous, she whispered:

“Did you forget who I’ve been learning from? I know how to do things like this.”

Her breath brushed my cheek. Then—peck—her lips brushed the corner of mine.

A kiss. Not on the cheek—close enough to be a real one.

My heart dropped like a stone. The child who once clung to me sweetly was now staring at me with a gaze meant to seduce.

It was a smile that made roses seem dull by comparison.

And I knew exactly who she reminded me of.

Lilith. What on earth have you been teaching this kid?!

I forcibly schooled my expression and replied calmly:

“You still have a long way to go.”

“It was supposed to be my finishing move…”

Thanks to my poker face, she didn’t notice my pulse racing.

“Try again when you’re older.”

She puffed out her cheeks in irritation, but the fight drained from her soon after. She hid her face against my chest and murmured, staring straight into my eyes:

“Make sure you tell me you love me before it’s too late.”

I stared at her blankly for a moment, then covered her eyes with my hand. Heat crawled up my neck, and I waved her away without thinking.

When she vanished, silence fell.

“…This might be a problem.”

I exhaled deeply.

“Trouble on your mind, Your Majesty?”

“My heart feels unsettled.”

I tapped the table lightly.

When had Luminas become so important to me?

No—that wasn’t the right question. She had always been important. But not like this. Not as a woman. She was a sweet, lonely child. I simply couldn’t leave her behind.

But now—

“…This isn’t good.”

The thought had been creeping up on me lately.

“Luminas is far too forward.”

Elvin blinked. “If anything, she has become subtle.”

“What?”

“She used to charge straight at you. Now she waits for openings. She’s gotten… strategic. Or perhaps she’s keeping her distance—”

Elvin stopped mid-sentence. His brows drew together.

“Come to think of it… the Princess has not appeared today.”

Normally, they’d have fought already.

I looked away, remembering yesterday. I had sent Luminas back abruptly. Maybe she was angry.

“…Maybe she’s sulking.”

“Impossible. The Princess is devoted. She would never disappear simply because she’s upset.”

“…I know.”

She always showed it—through her gaze, her words, her every breath.

“And she knows her place.”

“…Her place?”

“She knows she cannot monopolize Your Majesty. You have too many responsibilities. A wise lover does not sulk. The one who lacks power must move first.”

I stared blankly at him. Annoying as he was, Elvin could be surprisingly perceptive.

He was right. I could not devote myself solely to Luminas. I loved this realm too—my realm of three hundred years.

Luminas would understand—and also be hurt by it.

“Elvin, you truly haven’t seen her today?”

“I have not.”

“She hasn’t been in the kitchen either?”

“No reports.”

A cold feeling crept up my spine.

I thought she was avoiding me. But what if she wasn’t?

“I’ll go to her.”

I stood before Luminas’s door.

“Luminas? What are you doing?”

No answer.

“Listen… about yesterday. I didn’t mean to push you away so suddenly. It just seemed dangerous to— no, what I meant was—”

Still no sound.

A chill ran down my spine.

“…I’m coming in.”

I opened the door. The room was empty.

My gaze dropped to thin threads of golden hair on the floor, leading toward—

The wardrobe.

“Your Majesty?”

I strode forward and threw it open.

Heat hit me like a furnace. Inside, Luminas was curled up, trembling, gasping for breath.

Why? Since when? After I sent her back? Who did this?

“Why is the Princess like this?!”

That didn’t matter. All I saw was Luminas in pain.

I scooped her up quickly, brushing damp bangs from her feverish forehead. My chest twisted painfully.

How had I not known?

“Elvin—get Nyx. Now.”

“Just a moment—”

“If he refuses, drag him.”

Nyx would grumble, but he was the only one who could heal her with divine power.

I tried healing magic anyway—

“Heal.”

The spell fizzled uselessly. Of course it would. My demonic mana and her holy energy would never allow it.

I clicked my tongue.

Three centuries ruling the Demon Realm—and one human child mattered enough to ruin all logic.

“Luminas… if it hurt, you should’ve told me.”

Her eyelids fluttered painfully. She looked at me hazily, managing a soft, reassuring smile.

“I’m not… sick…”

“You’re burning up! How is that not sick?!”

I pressed my forehead to hers to check her fever. Normally, she would stay still.

Instead she flinched, eyes widening, and shoved me weakly.

“Luminas?”

“D-Don’t… come near me…”

She pushed me away.

Weakly—but unmistakably.

It was the same as last time.

A familiar sting shot through me.

Luminas rejecting my touch—
I could not accept it. Not now. Not ever.