King Draelos stood on the rooftop of his castle, breathing in the fresh morning breeze. Today was the day he would announce the man chosen to marry his daughter, the princess, Aralyn. His mind was already made up , it would be the demon lord.
He turned slightly, looking at the all the guards around him and addressed the guard behind him.
"Hey you, call Spider for me."
The guard bowed and left immediately.
A few minutes later, Spider arrived, led in by the same guard.
"My king," Spider said, bowing deeply, "I have been waiting for your call.
"I've been quite busy in dealing with kingdom issues , did you get the information I asked for , especially on that demon lord?"
"My king... I haven't been able to gather much about him."
"Why? I told you I'd provide whatever you needed. Didn't I ask you to do proper research on him?"
"My king," Spider replied carefully, "it feels as if this demon isn't from our realm. That makes it difficult."
"Then tell me what you did find.
"Yes, my king. It's not much, and I'm unsure how useful it'll be. The demon lord lives in this kingdom, but far away , deep in the forest, in that ancient castle people say is haunted. He keeps very few servants, especially a butler. But I believe he holds immense power."
"What makes you say that?" the king asked.
Spider leaned in slightly. "My king, you remember the Zarkrath creatures? They vanished without warning. No one complained about them again. I went to the kingdom's witch for answers. She used her powers, but couldn't trace their aura at all , which means they're gone for good. That's rare. When Zarkraths are summoned, it's hard to send them back. She finally saw a vision. A demon destroyed them. Crimson hair. Golden eyes. That's why I believe it was Lord Rhonex. He likely did it to impress you… to win your daughter's hand."
King Draelos stood still, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on him. Deep down, he knew the demon lord was not just powerful , he was dangerous. Yet, what did it matter? He had promised him something magnificent in return. That was enough.
He could never make such a trade with his other children , Klara and Roshan. He loved them dearly. But Aralyn... the love he once had for her had vanished the day her mother left. Every time he looked at Aralyn's face, the haunting resemblance to her mother stirred bitterness in his chest. He couldn't even hold eye contact with her for a full minute.
Turning to Spider, he asked, "Any other information?"
"Oh yes," Spider replied. "A letter was sent from the Kingdom of Velmoria regarding Prince Corbin...he said he has cancelled the offer in which he wanted to exchange for Aralyn's hand"
"Did the letter state the exact reason?"
"No, my king."
"Do you perhaps know why?"
King Draelos fell silent, lost in thought. Part of him was glad that Prince Corvin had withdrawn. Another part was curious why , but he didn't dwell too deeply on it.
"Any other news?"
"None for now, my king.""If I may ask," Spider continued cautiously, "who do you plan to announce as the husband-to-be of the princess? I assume it would be a lord or duke…"
"The demon lord," Draelos said plainly. "I shall announce him."
"Eh?" Spider blinked. "Did I hear you right, my king?"
Draelos narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you hear what I said, Spider?"
"I'm sorry, my king," Spider said, lowering his head. "My hearing has grown slower with age… But I heard you say you would allow the demon lord to wed the princess."
"I did," the king replied firmly.
"Yes, that was what I said," King Draelos repeated firmly. "I want it announced to the entire kingdom."
"Yes, my king," Spider replied. "I shall do so immediately."
"And inform the maids to tell my family , we will all be having breakfast together this morning at the dining table."
Spider bowed. "Yes, my king," he said and quickly left.
Meanwhile, Aralyn sat in her room as always, staring into the mirror with a knife in her hand. She had considered disfiguring her face , her beautiful, haunting face that reminded everyone, especially her father, of the mother who had left. If her face was ruined, perhaps even the demon lord wouldn't want her.
But every time she brought the blade close, her hand trembled. She couldn't do it. That face was the only thing she had left of her mother, and she just couldn't destroy it.
A knock came at the door.
She sighed. It had to be Pearl and Paulina , her handmaidens , ready to prepare her for the day.
"Come in," she said.
They entered quietly, Pearl glancing around and Paulina , usually the quiet one , was the first to speak."Princess… your father has already announced your husband," she said.
"The demon lord, right? He didn't even waste time."
Pearl and Paulina looked at her with pity.
Aralyn frowned. "Please, don't give me that look. It's disturbing."
She stood and said, "Get me ready. I want to visit my mother's garden to meditate."
In truth, she planned to take the Codex book to the garden , hoping something in that sacred space might awaken the book's power.
"Oh, Princess," Pearl said hesitantly, "you might have to go later. The king said… the royal family will be having breakfast together. At the dining table."
Aralyn froze. "Breakfast? Together?"
It was unheard of. The royal family never ate together. And even when they did, she was rarely included. She instantly suspected her stepmother, Irene, was behind this idea.
Fine, she thought. If they wanted a family breakfast, she would show up , late and beautiful. She would wear her best smile, hide all her rage and pain, and not give anyone , especially Irene , the satisfaction of seeing her break.
She dressed in a stunning green floral gown and tied her hair into a neat ponytail. Then, deliberately late, she made her way toward the dining hall.
Everyone was already seated, waiting. She smiled to herself bitterly. A few more days. I'll be out of this palace. Father always does things quickly…
When Aralyn finally reached the dining table and sat down, Irene, her stepmother, immediately spoke.
"It's very rude to keep the King and Queen waiting," she said with a false smile. "Oh, have you lost your manners?"
"Mom," Roshan interjected, "maybe she got the message late. Let's just eat."
He sounded impatient, as though he had more important things to attend to.
Irene glanced at him and nodded. "Yes, you're right. She must have been so shocked to be invited to eat with us," she added mockingly.
"Darling, have you finally announced who her husband to he is going to be"
King Draelos lifted his spoon. "She shall marry the demon lord," he announced flatly and took a mouthful of porridge, as though he'd just mentioned the weather.
Klara gasped. "Oh my gosh! A demon? Father, demons are dangerous!"
Irene chuckled. "You're not the one marrying a demon, dear. Consider yourself lucky. But I'm sure Aralyn will survive. She's powerful, after all."
A tense silence followed.
Aralyn said nothing. She quietly ate her food, ignoring the heavy weight of all the words spoken around her. Irene noticed her silence and wasn't pleased. She turned to her children and said, "Both of you should start preparing for marriage too. Klara, you need to capture the attention of a prince , either from Eryndor or Velmoria, and Roshan, you must choose someone fit to be queen. A woman of true virtue."
"Yes, Mom," they both replied, though their hearts weren't in it.
Irene turned back to Aralyn, but just as she opened her mouth to speak, Aralyn , visibly holding back her anger , cut her off with a sweet smile.
"Mother," she said softly, "I think you should eat your porridge before it gets cold. It won't taste as good."
Irene let out a laugh. "Oh, sweet Aralyn, you really do care for me. A pity you'll soon be married and leave the palace. You'll belong to your husband , the Demon Lord." She smirked. "Also, I've hired a governess for you. She'll teach you how to be a proper wife starting from tommorow. You lack manners in almost every aspect… but I suppose that's the fault of your dead mother."
She said the last part casually, but everyone at the table felt the sting of it.
Aralyn stood slowly, bowed slightly, and said, "I think I'm full now, Your Majesties," before walking out.
The room was still.
Roshan and Clara exchanged glances. Irene shrugged. "What? I only spoke the truth, though the truth always hurt. Now, eat up before it gets cold."
Later, Aralyn was planning to take the Codex and go meditate in her mother's garden , the only place she felt truly connected to the woman she barely got to know, but missed every single day.