Kidnapped Princess C52

Chapter 52

Luminas was a man.

That fact turned the entire Demon Castle upside down. Yet oddly enough, many simply nodded as if they’d seen it coming.

Most demons serving here reacted with, “Makes sense,” or “So that’s why he was so ferocious.”

On the other hand, there were those who reacted like I initially had—unable to believe it. Those were mostly demons who’d watched Luminas for a long time.

And then there was the third group—those who didn’t care about human gender at all. That group included Dilan and Elvin.

By the time the truth had spread, Luminas had begun growing as a man should. And today’s scene confirmed it clearly—he was definitely not “she,” but he.

“Your Majesty!”

A piercing scream rang from afar. Bleary-eyed, I opened my eyes to find Luminas’ face inches from mine.

Lately, it really felt like Luminas pounced on me way too often…

His eyes were brimming with tears, as if gravely distressed.

“My clothes got too small! D–Did I get fat?!”

It looked like he’d just thrown on something and sprinted here. Even if his room was next door, running out half-dressed like this…!

Soft, pale skin peeked out from under the fabric. The clothes hung dangerously, looking ready to slip off at any moment.

Still half-asleep, my face heated up as I hurriedly draped my cloak over him.

Even knowing he was male, I couldn’t stop my face from reddening. I’d spent years seeing and treating him one way—there was no flipping a switch overnight.

I fixed his clothing and spoke firmly:

“Luminas, even if you’re a man, you can’t walk around carelessly like this.”

His beauty didn’t dim just because his gender changed. If anything, I now worried even more—what if worse perverts started targeting him? A man who could pull off dresses this well—absolutely dangerous.

“And you didn’t ‘get fat.’ You’re growing. You said you were taking medicine to suppress growth, right? You’re not taking it anymore, correct?”

The whole “growth spurt from detoxing” had puzzled me, so I’d probed him. He confessed he’d taken medicine for years to delay his physical development—because he hated the thought of his male body being noticed.

When I confiscated the medicine and asked Nyx to inspect it, we found it was basically poison. No wonder the detox brought such intense growing pains.

He couldn’t have hidden it alone for seven years. And he certainly couldn’t make such a drug by himself.

There was only one demon who would know this secret and help him hide it.

Lilith.

When I questioned her, she confessed immediately. So that was the “secret alliance” I’d sensed.

Even while scolding Luminas for such recklessness, I couldn’t blame him. Hiding himself for years… he must’ve been terrified of being exposed.

He’d stopped the medicine, eaten properly, and now his body was visibly strengthening every day.

“I won’t take it anymore. You said you liked me as I am, remember?”

“Of course. No matter how you look. So don’t push your body so—”

While patting his shoulder, I caught sight of his chest. I went speechless.

Even considering he was in the middle of developing—it was impressive. Not bulky, but taut with compact muscle.

Once he’d dropped the suppression, his body responded immediately. That speed was shocking.

No wonder the dress didn’t fit… But how did he grow muscle just from eating?! When I was his age I had no muscle at all—buried in studies… At this rate, he might pass my height soon.

His face still looked soft and delicate, yet the body beneath—

Luminas lowered his head slightly, clearly disheartened.

“You don’t like it…?”

“Huh? N–No. The muscles are… mm… good.”

I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore. Seeing him transform so fast—it was dizzying.

Those muscles made it real. Luminas was male.

“P–Princess— you—”

Elvin barged in, breathless and battered, clearly having wrestled with Luminas for entry. His frazzled appearance told me exactly where his frustration was directed.

“Let His Majesty go immediately! Even if you cling like that, His Majesty won’t waver! And your sin— you should be confined for a whi—”

These days, Elvin and Luminas never got along. The moment Elvin found out Luminas couldn’t produce heirs, he demanded Luminas be removed from the role of royal spouse. Each time, Luminas erupted with frightening force.

Several times, he’d knocked Elvin unconscious just to shut him up.

Seeing Luminas glare at him like that, I couldn’t bring myself to intervene. Honestly, he deserved it.

“What business is it of yours? His Majesty already forgave me. Are you questioning him?”

“That’s not—!”

Elvin collapsed as soon as he touched Luminas’ shoulder, like he’d been electrocuted.

His whining tone didn’t match the devastating force.

Thank the gods that holy power isn’t aimed at me…

I rose from bed. Luminas needed proper clothes. I couldn’t let him roam like this.

I eyed his body, then glanced at my own.

Would my clothes even fit him…?

Elvin had left clothes for me; they lay neatly folded nearby.

“Luminas, take off the dress and wear this.”

His eyes lit up.

“I… I can wear Your Majesty’s clothes?”

“Yes. You can’t walk around like that. Try it— they should fit.”

He was still growing, but for today they should be okay. If they didn’t fit… I think that would hurt my pride.

Instead of changing immediately, Luminas pressed the clothes to his face and inhaled deeply.

“It smells like you… I love it…”

…Why was he blushing?!

I cleared my throat and turned away. When the rustling stopped, he didn’t say he was done, so I asked.

“Are you finished?”

“…Yes. I’m done.”

His voice sounded oddly gloomy.

I turned. The clothes fit nearly perfectly—minus slightly long sleeves that could be cuffed. Once buttoned, it was almost tailored.

Just a white shirt, and yet… it made him look strikingly dignified.

“Why that face? Don’t like it?”

“I really did grow… It doesn’t hang loose at all…”

Ah. He wanted it oversized. A boyfriend shirt look.

“You remembered what Lilith said, didn’t you? That wearing your clothes and lying in your bed meant guaranteed victory…”

What kind of lessons did she give him?!

“I tried but the shirt won’t fall off.”

So he expected a seductive drape. Unbelievable.

I ruffled his hair. His body had grown, but he was still unbearably cute.

“Don’t you dare start taking that medicine again. If you really insist, I’ll wear your clothes instead.”

Given the pace he was growing, it was only a matter of time before he surpassed me.

He used to be so tiny. Watching him grow like this—it was strangely emotional.

“Really?! You’ll wear my clothes and lie in bed for me?!”

“…Huh?”

I might have said something terrible.

Luminas’ eyes gleamed with dangerous heat, though he tried to contain it. His cute manners clashed wildly with the hungry spark in his gaze. Instinctively, I stepped back.

Suddenly, memories hit me—the impressive presence between his legs yesterday, and Lilith’s words about Luminas wanting to devour me.

I had rejected the idea, but looking at him now… Lilith might have been right.

Before I knew it, the question escaped me:

“Are you… trying to devour me?”

Luminas tilted his head innocently.

“Why would I ever devour Your Majesty?”

“…Right. Of course. Lilith just said something weird so I—”

He cut me off softly.

“To be honest, I’m holding back.”

“…What?”

He still smiled sweetly, but leaned down, eyes fixed on my neck.

“The mark’s fading…”

I instinctively covered my throat.

“I won’t bite. I’m not a beast. But… there are moments I feel an urge. Probably because you accepted all of me.”

He said it like it was nothing.

“And because I want to be bound to you sooner. Some demons still say ridiculous things—about how being male means I can’t be your bride. But since you acknowledged me, it doesn’t matter.”

He spoke casually, but his aura felt unlike before—he was showing sides he’d never shown while hiding.

I swallowed hard.

“Luminas… you still like me even though I’m a man?”

He looked genuinely puzzled.

“…Do you dislike me because I’m a man? You don’t. I’m your princess. Your bride. That won’t ever change.”

I couldn’t look away anymore.

Luminas was obsessed—with me, and with being my bride.