Kidnapped Princess C7

Chapter 7

God cherishes all living beings. Of course, His affection varies from one to another—but this child, this tiny girl, was clearly bathed in divine love.

A new thought crossed my mind. What if that prophecy wasn’t about my destined partner at all? What if God had meant for me to take this princess and care for her? It actually made perfect sense.

I looked down at the small, ragged child before me. But I couldn’t just take her without a thought—the Demon Realm was a dangerous place. Still, perhaps… perhaps I could bring her as my bride in name only. As long as I watched over her, she’d be safe. After all, I was the strongest being in the entire Demon Realm. Protecting one child would be nothing.

There was no way I could leave her here, looking so frail she might die at any moment. She had no name, no recognition, and though she was called a princess, no one treated her as one. I wasn’t the sentimental type, but her small, empty eyes tugged at something deep in me.

If the princess who wasn’t acknowledged by her own kingdom were taken away by the Demon King, then she would, ironically, become a true princess. Because the moment I publicly declared I had “kidnapped the princess,” her existence would no longer be denied.

If the humans wanted peace, they would have to acknowledge her. I could show them the might of demons, and if they yielded, I could raise this child to be my bride. I could persuade my people—it wouldn’t be hard. And come to think of it, if I raised her to match my tastes, she might as well be my destined partner!

“Would you like to come with me?”

If the humans retreated, I could make a peace pact and return her later.

“You don’t want to…?”

She didn’t respond—perhaps stunned by the sudden proposal.

“Why? Why would you want to go with me? I know what that means. It means… together, right? But no one ever wants to be with me…”

Her small hands fidgeted with the hem of her tattered dress, revealing her nervousness. She didn’t seem opposed—just startled. The sight made me smile.

“I need you,” I said softly.

“Me?”

“Yes. I’ll make sure you have a better place than this one. A soft bed, warm meals… How about coming with me, just for a while?”

It was a promise I could keep. Of course, the way I said it sounded disturbingly close to how a kidnapper might speak—but I set that thought aside for now.

I quickly reached into my pocket before she could refuse. Her eyes sparkled, watching me eagerly. That bright, curious gaze—it was far better than the tear-streaked face from before.

“You liked this, didn’t you? It was tasty, right? I’ll give you more when we get there—however much you want.”

As expected of a child, her eyes went round at the mention of food. She looked like she was about to drool, so I placed the chocolate in her tiny hands.

“You won’t die…? You won’t leave me?”

My eyes widened. She wasn’t asking if I’d give her more sweets—she was asking about death.

“What?”

“Everyone leaves… They all say they don’t want to stay with me. Even Mama said she’d always be with me, but…”

Tears gathered in her big eyes as she clutched the chocolate tightly to her chest. To hear such words from a child—speaking of loss and death so easily—it broke my heart. She missed her mother deeply. It was clear she’d been alone for far too long. More than food, she longed for warmth.

I smiled gently.

“Of course not. I’ll live longer than you. I’ll even be there to see you when you’re an old granny.”

The lifespan difference between demons and humans was enormous. At three hundred years old, I was still considered a youngster among demons. A fleeting moment for my kind was a lifetime for hers.

Perhaps she sensed the sincerity in my words, for her eyes suddenly sparkled, curving like a crescent moon as she smiled.

“Okay! I’ll go!”

Her quick acceptance startled me.

“You’re not even going to ask why I need you? Or who I am? You shouldn’t just follow someone because they gave you sweets…”

Her education clearly needed work. Not that I had any right to talk—it was my doing, after all. Still, her innocent trust pricked my conscience.

“Are you a bad person?”

“No.”

“Then it’s okay. Besides, you… you shine!”

…Hearing that from someone who literally glowed more than I did was humbling.

I scratched my head, thinking that if she was happy to come, that was good enough. I was going to take her anyway.

“All right then. Let’s go together!”

I reached out my hand. The girl stared at it for a long moment, then hesitantly stretched out her tiny fingers and wrapped them around mine. Her small, warm hand sent a flutter through my chest.

Gods, she’s adorable.

She looked down, perhaps shy about her own joy, though her bright eyes peeked up now and then. Her round cheeks flushed pink. She was small, harmless, precious—a sight I hadn’t seen in so long.

Among demons, I was practically still a child myself, and even newborn demons never looked like this. They were born strong—fighting beasts by the time they could walk.

It had been ages since I’d seen something so tiny and gentle.

So this is what children are supposed to be like.

As I reminisced, I spread my wings and held her close. The girl clung to my clothes with both hands, as if afraid to let go. I wrapped my cloak around her tightly, shielding her from the fierce wind.

“Hold on tight, I—…”

I stopped mid-sentence. I’d almost called her by name—but she didn’t have one. I’d need something to call her by if we were to live together.

“Would you like me to give you a name?”

“A… name?”

“Yes.”

She nodded eagerly, her eyes shining.

“Good! I’ll give you a beautiful one. Now, hold on tight—I’ll fly gently so you’re not scared.”

With that, I lifted her into my arms and took to the sky. The girl reached out, fascinated by the fluttering of my wings, her tiny hands waving in the air. As we rose higher, she didn’t show an ounce of fear. Relieved, I soared freely through the clouds.

We soon reached the highest spire of the royal palace. I scanned the surroundings, then peered inside—the king sat alone in the audience chamber.

A steady gaze made me look down. The girl was staring straight into my face.

“What is it?” I asked.

“…Pretty,” she whispered.

She reached toward something invisible, her eyes wide with awe. I blinked, then chuckled softly. Perhaps she meant the sky.

“The sky is beautiful, isn’t it?”

I’d have to take her flying more often. I smiled to myself but quickly remembered my true purpose—the king. There was much to say.

“So, the world is truly to be ruled by that wicked Demon King?”

“Your Majesty, do not fret. The Hero trains tirelessly in swordsmanship. Even if not now, one day…”

I appeared before them both without warning.

“Would you two stop spouting nonsense?”

“The D-Demon King! Didn’t you flee?!”

I laughed dryly. “And why exactly would I flee from the likes of you?”

With a sharp exhale, I straightened and declared proudly,

“I have decided to take your princess as my bride. The prophecy said my child would receive the love of a great hero—so it seems only fitting to carry on that bloodline. Fortunately, you do have a princess.”

“W-what?!”

I held the girl up for them to see. She blinked slowly, tilting her head as if to ask, Why are they looking at me like that? There was no sign of recognition in her eyes—she didn’t know her own father’s face.

“P-princess?”

What, he really didn’t know? Even if she didn’t, surely he should have recognized his own daughter. My brow furrowed.

“Prime Minister! Are you saying… I have a daughter?!”

The king stared stupidly at her, as if the very idea was absurd. Fortunately, his minister leaned in and whispered,

“Your Majesty… she is the maid’s child.”

“I thought both mother and child died five years ago?”

“The maid died, sire. But when no one would care for the princess, she was locked away in the annex…”

A vein pulsed on my forehead. The king and his minister—both despicable. They’d practically left the girl to die. I couldn’t leave her here another moment.

“I’ll be taking the princess of your royal house as my bride,” I said coldly. “If you wish to stop me, then sign a pact—one that ensures neither side will invade the other. Otherwise, the prophecy will come true before your eyes.”

“You insolent—! Guards! Seize him at once!”

The king’s face turned red, then pale, as he shouted orders. But his voice would not carry outside—I had sealed the chamber with a barrier.

I smirked.

“You humans really can’t help yourselves, can you? You’ve pushed my patience to its limit. This outcome was inevitable. Don’t forget—it was you who first trespassed upon my lands.”

The king stood frozen, unable to form words.

“Make the wise choice,” I warned. “And don’t entertain foolish thoughts. Everything—every move you make—is already in the palm of my hand.”

Having said my piece, I activated teleportation. I’d had to fly here since I didn’t know the coordinates, but returning home was another matter entirely.

As my form began to fade, I heard the king’s distant shout—“Stop, you fiend!”—but I ignored it and vanished completely.

When I reappeared in my chamber, the girl’s eyes darted about in wonder at her new surroundings. I gently set her down on the floor.

“There we go. We’re home. From today onward, this is our house.”

“O-our… house?”

“That’s right. You see, this uncle’s kind of a big deal around here. If you need anything, just tell me, all right?”

I was patting her head gently when Elvin suddenly burst through the door—having sensed my return.