"For the safety of the kingdom…" the voice of the High Priest echoed in the air. "We surrender the pure blood of the Vale family to the Ruler of the Underworld, Demon King Lucien."
That night, the sky turned crimson as if burned by blood. The entire kingdom of Lysandra fell silent beneath the red moonlight, a sign that the gate to the Underworld was about to open. The wind carried the scent of sulfur and incense, wrapping gently around the white cloth covering Arveline's body.
Arveline stood in the middle of the stone altar, wearing a sacred wedding dress that looked more like a shroud. Every small step she took was accompanied by the rattle of silver chains wrapped around her wrists, a sign that she was the offering bride for the Demon King.
"Tonight my life will end," she thought.
She closed her eyes, sensing hundreds of eyes staring at her with pity, yet none dared to approach or say goodbye to her.
"They wouldn't dare do anything, even just to comfort me." Her body trembled, feeling the fear that increasingly entangled her.
Everyone knew Lucien was a very cruel Demon King who ruled the seven dark realms. Once that name was mentioned, no one would return alive.
"I must not be afraid!" she whispered to herself. Arveline gripped the edge of her gown tightly, trying to calm herself.
But the whisper only echoed in the empty space of her heart. Her pale blue eyes reflected the light of the sacrificial fire, and behind the forced resilience, there was a sense of deep despair.
"All this is for my family," she muttered, convincing herself.
"For my father who is lying sick. For my little sister. For the name of the Vale family, which is now on the brink of ruin after breaking an ancient covenant with the Underworld. I have to do this. I must!"
"Arveline," the whispered voice of her mother was heard from below the altar, holding back tears. "Forgive us, dear."
Arveline slowly bowed slightly, giving a silent reverence. At this moment, she couldn't open her mouth; if she did, the tears she was holding back would spill uncontrollably. She did not want the Demon King to see her cry.
"I must not be weak in the presence of Demon King Lucien."
Arveline glanced at the Priest who raised his sacred staff.
"With the blood of the bride, the gate shall open!" the priest exclaimed.
Suddenly, the wind spun wildly. The sky shrieked. The ground shook violently until the cracks formed an ancient pattern beneath Arveline's feet.
Red light blazed on the altar. From the vortex, a tall figure emerged with black wings spread behind him. His steps sounded heavy and graceful. Instantly, the air froze, suffocating. His eyes, deep crimson, were like embers burning in the pits of hell. Everyone simultaneously knelt, bowing down in sheer terror.
"Your servants welcome the arrival of His Majesty King Lucien."
But Lucien did not spare them a glance. His gaze was fixed on only one person: Arveline. His bride.
"So, this is the bride you sent for me?" His voice was deep, echoing in the air like distant thunder.
Arveline flinched. She wanted to speak, but her tongue felt tied, so she couldn't say anything. She could only stare at the man from behind her thin veil, seeing a face too perfect to be called a demon—a strong jaw, a sharp nose, and cold lips that curled into a slight sneer.
Lucien extended his hand, touching Arveline's chin with a single finger. His touch was cold like ice, but beneath her skin, there was a strange heat, like a contained ember.
"Beautiful," he said with a flat tone. "But too fragile."
"If I am not enough for you, then just kill me now. I will not scream," Arveline said. Her eyes met the man's face.
"Humans always think dying is easy," Lucien said. His voice was low and deep, sending shivers down her spine.
"But I prefer seeing you live in fear," he continued, then laughed softly as if mocking Arveline.
His fingers slid to Arveline's neck, then paused right at her pulse point.
In an instant, the air around them froze.
"This is the end of everything. I will die at the hands of that demon," Arveline thought.
However, Averline's assumption was wrong. Lucien's touch was so gentle that it stunned her. Her eyes widened when Lucien lowered his hand and held Arveline's chained wrist.
"These chains… disgusting," Lucien murmured. With a single motion, the chain melted into dust.
The Priest below the altar immediately prostrated himself. "Your Majesty! That is a sacred chain to bind the offering—!"
Lucien glanced at the priest, who instantly froze in fear.
"This woman is not an offering. She is my bride," he stated.
Arveline was shocked; her whole body was frozen, unable to utter a word. She knew the words were just a formality of the ancient ritual, but when Lucien spoke them, there was something in his voice, a tone that sounded like an acknowledgment.
Before the shock subsided, the sacrificial fire died out. The sky darkened again.
And before Arveline could even understand what was happening, her body was lifted by an invisible force.
She screamed, but the world had spun. The air felt cold and heavy. When her eyes opened again, she was no longer at the stone altar but in a grand hall with black walls carved with gold.
The Underworld Palace.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed behind her. Lucien walked closer, his black cloak sweeping the floor, and his red eyes staring straight at Arveline.
"From now on," he said with a cold tone, "you live here. The human world has sacrificed you. You have nowhere else to return."
Arveline straightened her back. "I don't need a place. I only need freedom."
Lucien moved so close that his breath was felt on the girl's face. "Do you think freedom can be bought with sacrifice?"
"Then just kill me. At least I won't be a demon's puppet," Arveline replied.
Lucien stared into Arveline's blue eyes, as if weighing something.
A smile appeared on his face, which made Arveline's heart beat rapidly.
"I won't kill you," he said softly. "Not yet."
He turned, and walked away from Arveline. "Rest, my Bride. Tomorrow, this world will begin to demand your share of the covenant."
Arveline could only stand transfixed, watching the man's back move away. And for a reason she couldn't understand, her heart trembled violently.
"I should hate him. But why do I feel like I'm staring at someone I've known for a long time?"