Kidnapped Princess C50

Chapter 50

Ah, wait. That means Luminas isn’t a princess.

Then what about my consort? Can I take a man as a consort? Humans believe my heir will rule the world. I can’t present a male Luminas as my consort.

If humans find out Luminas is male, will they think the Demon King has no intention of ruling the world?

No. Absolutely not. With the hero gaining momentum, they would only become more arrogant, convinced that they were destined to reign.

“The princess was actually a man!” would not shake them much. Most of them don’t even know a princess existed, and many who once knew have already forgotten there was ever someone to “rescue.”

“Should I bring a consort from somewhere else…? There weren’t any other princesses in the royal— ugh!”

“Your Majesty, what are you talking about?”

The one who seized my hand stared at me with fierce eyes.

I swallowed hard. The innocent Luminas who always smiled sweetly was gone. The hand gripping mine trembled, veins bulging with tension—shaking from fury, and from fear.

He emphasized each word, as if engraving them into my bones:

“Your Majesty. I am the princess.”

“Ah—no, that’s not right. You’re a man, so you’re not a princess, you’re a prin—”

“I am a princess.”

“…Huh?”

You’re a man. That makes you a prince. Yet before I could finish, he cut in sharply.

“You called me a princess, and your consort. I will continue being a princess.”

True, I had called him a princess, and even the consort…

“But you can’t just—”

Those eyes, once sharp as blades, suddenly drooped; sadness washed over his face. He reversed his grip, holding my hand gently, rubbing his cheek against it as if begging me not to abandon him. My voice faded on its own.

“You said you would stay with me until I die.”

His trembling lashes fluttered like a butterfly’s wings, yet beneath them burned the chilling gaze of a predator.

Somewhere along the way, I must have raised him wrong.

I don’t remember how I escaped. I fled the warm comfort of my room and crouched miserably atop the Demon Castle, letting the cold wind lash my face. Still, my mind would not clear.

“My adorable Luminas… was a man? Not a princess, but a prince?”

Prince. Prince…

The vivid sensation that pressed against my leg—evidence of his masculinity—refused to leave my mind.

“So that’s why he kept being anxious…”

I let out a deep sigh. She—no, he had feared growing.

Of course! Men and women grow at different rates and builds!

Why did fate deal me this cruel blow? I glared at the sky resentfully. Then another thought struck me.

That oracle—what was it supposed to mean?! I never once suspected he could be male!

I started a war with humans because of that prophecy—and yet my destined partner hasn’t even appeared? Or maybe…

“Was the prophecy fabricated by demons trying to dethrone me?”

Even if the gods are witless fools, they wouldn’t hand me a male consort…

I never once claimed to like men. My tastes were perfectly normal. I had never thought about a man that way. Though… if it’s a face like Luminas’s, maybe I’d waver slightly…

“Sigh…”

My thoughts spiraled.

“I rarely run away, but…”

As if avoiding a losing battle, I turned my back and fled.

Even though he held my hand—blocking the door so I couldn’t leave—he did not chase when I fled. He let me choose.

What face did Luminas make watching my back leave? My expression crumpled painfully.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing up here?”

Elvin appeared behind me. I wanted solitude, but a part of me desperately needed a second opinion.

“When I went to your room earlier, the princess looked terrible.”

“Yes. Obviously. I ran away.”

“Y-Your Majesty, run away? Impossible!”

“No… I bolted like a coward.”

Memory surged; I clutched my head. Before Elvin could work himself into a frenzy, I dropped the bomb.

“Luminas is a man.”

“…Pardon?”

“The princess we knew was actually a prince! A man! You didn’t know either, right?!”

I shouted, expecting him to collapse in shock. Instead, Elvin blinked slowly, then trembled—not from surprise, but indignation.

“Right?! You’re shocked too, aren’t you?! That face, being a—”

“Then what happens to Your Majesty’s heir?!”

“…What?”

“Humans say only a female can bear children. Does that not mean the consort cannot bear Your Majesty an heir?! I dreamed of raising Your Majesty’s noble heir, but the princess ruined everything! And to shamelessly insist on being the consort—!”

“You… don’t seem particularly shocked he’s male?”

Elvin’s rage wasn’t the gender reveal—it was the lack of heir potential.

“I care not for human gender matters. Why would I be shocked? The problem is my dream was shattered! And yes, deceiving Your Majesty is also infuriating!”

“That— that’s your priority?”

“Of course! My ambition to raise Your Majesty’s heir has been crushed!”

I stared blankly. Apparently, I was the only one distressed by the “male” part. Elvin had latched onto entirely different concerns.

Then suddenly… I questioned myself.

I accepted he’s male. Yet I didn’t feel betrayed to the core. I was just… extremely startled.

Right. I thought he was a girl for seven years. Of course I’d be shocked.

I fell deep into thought. I imagined Luminas—not as a girl, but as a boy—eating with me, having tea, taking walks…

“I don’t hate it.”

He hadn’t changed. He was still beautiful, still adorable.

What bothered me more right now wasn’t his gender—it was the fear in his eyes, his loneliness, and his fragile, starving body!

He must have starved himself for years to slow his male growth so I wouldn’t notice!

I sprang to my feet. Elvin asked where I was going, but I didn’t answer. I rushed back to my room.

“Luminas, we’re going to eat! You’ll collapse—!”

I froze as I opened the door. Luminas sat there silently, tears falling one after another. It felt like the ceiling collapsed on my skull.

He had always been terrified to reveal the truth. When he finally did, I ran away. I left him alone in fear.

What thoughts tormented him while he cried here alone?

We locked eyes. He hastily wiped his tears, refusing to show weakness.

“Yes. Let’s go.”

He forced a smile, wiping away sorrow in an instant, simply because I asked him to eat.

He didn’t rage or accuse me. That hurt even more. I opened my mouth again and again, but no words came.

“I’m sorry for running.”

I ruffled my hair. Leaving him after he confessed such a painful secret… unforgivable. But words failed me. Luminas shook his head.

“That’s not what I wanted to hear.”

At that, I moved instinctively. I approached and pulled him into my arms. He did not resist—he wrapped his arms around my neck.

“I’m just glad you came back.”

He was so gentle. So unbearably gentle. Male or female—what did it matter? Overcome, I spoke from the heart.

“Whether you’re a man or a woman doesn’t matter. You’re precious because you’re you.”

“Then… am I still Your Majesty’s consort?”

“…Huh?”

He was precious. But was he still the consort? I faltered. That was a tricky question. Luminas’ identity hinged on that title.

He didn’t relent; his eyes—pleading yet unwavering—looked straight into mine.

“Am I Your Majesty’s consort?”

There was no one else. Only Luminas could ever fill that role.

“…Yes. Luminas, no matter what anyone says, you are my consort.”

Luminas beamed, then demanded:

“Please kiss me.”

“…What?”

“A kiss.”

His hand gripped my shoulder with surprising strength, his eyes blazing with determination despite the sweet smile.

“Should I do it instead?”

When had he become so bold?

To hell with it. I pressed a light kiss to his forehead. Luminas touched the spot reverently, smiling in satisfaction.

It wasn’t a true kiss, just a peck…

Even knowing he was male, even knowing he suddenly grew taller—he was still unbearably endearing.

So I pressed a few more kisses to his hair.

“Never leave me alone again.”

“I never will.”

“…That sly little…!”

Elvin’s muttering drifted faintly behind us, but it barely reached my ears.