The next morning, Kelsey and her parents set off for Capital City to attend the Demon King's bride selection. She had spent the night praying to the gods—if they truly existed and were listening—that the selection would be so overwhelming, her chances of being chosen would be slim.
Whether the gods didn't exist or simply didn't care, the number of participants ended up being shockingly small—no more than twenty female demons. And Kelsey was the only human among them.
What had she expected? This was the demon realm, after all. The average demon lifespan ranged from three to five hundred years. It wasn't surprising that most female demons were over a hundred years old. Finding someone under twenty-five? It is almost impossible.
If a demon's lifespan is five times longer than a human's, then this demon king is practically sixty in human years. This shameless old demon… She shook her head. What do you expect? He's a demon king.
Despite how ruthless and terrifying the Demon King was rumored to be, all the female demons were buzzing with excitement, giggling, and wagging their tails like they were heading into a festival.
"Cat demoness, you look ravishing today. Aren't you afraid the Demon King will choose you?"
"I'm more afraid he won't choose me. Don't you know? The Demon King pays a large tribute to the bride's family. Even if I die, at least my family will live in comfort."
"Ah, you're lucky. Your family has other daughters. I'm the only one in mine. If I die, that's the end of our line."
"Then support me to win."
"Of course."
Kelsey frowned as she listened to the two demonesses chatter. If what they said was true, then… wouldn't that mean her parents could buy a new house with the king's tribute? Even if she died, she could repay them for the years they had cared for her.
Surprisingly, that thought dulled the edge of her fear. She still struggled to regulate her body temperature—it had dropped so low that her hands felt like ice against her skin—but now she had a reason to breathe through it.
"The eighteen candidates have gathered. Everyone, follow me into the palace." A host came up and ordered all the participants to enter the palace.
Seventeen demonesses marched ahead, excited and carefree. Kelsey followed silently, her heart pounding.
"A human? There's a human among the candidates?"
"Wavy, purplish-gray hair… isn't that K? What's she doing here? She couldn't possibly be willing to marry the Demon King!"
Kelsey froze.
Her hair was unusual, but not rare in the demon realm. Still, of all the candidates, she was the only one with purplish-gray hair. She looked around and realized there was a crowd gathering behind them—and somehow, among the many voices, that one had reached her ears with uncanny clarity.
Do I have enhanced hearing? She wondered.
Kelsey tried focusing her senses to hear the voice again, but nothing came. Maybe it had been a hallucination caused by stress?
Brushing it off, she followed the others through the massive palace gates. Her heartbeat calmed until the iron doors slammed shut behind her, echoing ominously through the marble halls.
Will I make it out of here alive? She gulped in nervousness.
"Candidates, check your hand to see numbers from the Snake Demon Elder."
Kelsey stared at the back of her hand. A number had been branded into her skin earlier. She got an eleven. At least it wasn't the first or last—that might improve her chances of surviving.
"His Majesty the King will summon six of you at a time. He will then choose who advances to the next round and who does not."
"Candidates one through six—follow me."
Six demonesses entered the chamber. Five minutes later, only three walked out—pale, shaken, alive. One was carried out as a corpse.
Kelsey's breath caught in her throat. Her vision blurred as fear and nausea swirled in her chest. She leaned against one of the palace's massive stone pillars for support.She hadn't expected to survive—but she hadn't expected the Demon King to kill someone in the first round, either. How she wished to be one of the three who survive this deadly selection and get home.
"Candidates seven through twelve—follow me."
Kelsey blinked, her heart skipping a beat. Her number! She tried to steady her breathing, but her chest tightened. Her vision swam.
No! I'm scared! What if he kills me in that instant?
Just as her knees began to buckle, a sudden warmth enveloped her. It felt like a giant bird had spread its wings over her, shielding her from harm. Her heart rate calmed. Her breathing evened out.
Her purple eyes flashed with clarity.
Something had awakened.
She touched her forehead, a dull ache forming as fragments of buried memories clawed their way to the surface.
Damn! How did I get involved in the Demon King's bride selection?!
"Number Eleven, why are you just standing there?" a voice snapped impatiently.
Kelsey didn't flinch.
Since I'm here, let's just get it over with. I've only got one hour before my memories are sealed again.
That hour was all she had to complete this unwanted mission.
She stepped into the chamber with a confidence that didn't match her earlier demeanor. The other five demonesses trembled beside her, but Kelsey walked tall, composed. Even the host raised an eyebrow, and wondered how the human girl got confidence all of a sudden?
Inside the grand chamber, the Demon King sat arrogantly on his throne, dressed in all black with a grotesque goblin mask covering his face.
"Let's start from the left. State your name and why you're here."
What the hell!? This shameless, brainless demon king wanted a reason? She screamed inside her mind. Killing him would be as easy as flipping a hand.
Kelsey was itching to show her real power to exterminate this tyrant king, but that would blow her cover. And besides… in an hour, her memories would disappear again—and she'd go back to being a weak, frightened human girl.
This would be the perfect chance to take out one of the Demon Kings… but it's not worth it. After all, her true target wasn't the Demon King.
It was the Demon Emperor and the heir.