Asmodeus clasped the hand of Ciela. He could feel her worry, sha and embarrassnt as they trembled in his fingertips. "Don't worry, I will protect you, Ciela."
"Mm... but what if he insults you, because of ?" Ciela's hand tightened back. Her lovely eyes narrowed with a wet surface as she leaned gently against his shoulder. "You are too important to that I can't bare to hear him insult you."
'Such a wonderful woman... is this what she wanted to say all this ti? I am very lucky.'
"I feel the sa, Ciela to , you are the most beautiful and pure elf that exists in this world."
The mont she heard his words, Ciela gasped, her lips opening wide. "Thank you..." Though her voice beca quiet, the aning of his words caused Ciela's chest to flutter. A loud thud echoed inside as her heart pounded wildly.
Those words ant more than the most epic poem of love to Ciela.
They followed the knights through the silver passage leading to a set of white steps made of pure marble and the bannister from the branches of the world tree. The three-story building lood overhead like a giant castle, with an open roof and golden pillars supporting its massive fra.
The palace was nothing more than a small piece of an endless labyrinth made in every part of the world tree's beautiful form. The entrance to the true palace, these stairs took them inside the world tree through a doorway, like a portal. This special feature kept the elven imperial family safe from most attacks.
However... the Empress and her daughters lived outside, aning the current Emperor prioritised his concubine over the Empress.
"Mother used to live inside this mystical tree..." Ciela's mutter caught the ears of Asmodeus and the knights, who flinched. Not. Not all the elves were like those in her palace from the night before.
Most elves adored the queen because she currently fought for them, desperate to keep the kingdom safe. It was the Empress and her daughters who sacrificed themselves to protect the silver forest.
Though the knights seed to be affected, the doors soon opened before they could speak.
"Good luck, Princess Ciela." A small voice that soon doubled; the four knights in their green armour all wished the princess good luck the mont they stepped into the watery barrier, a silver film that protected the Emperor's palace, like stepping into a dungeon—that's what Asmodeus and Ciela thought now after entering many.
.
.
.
Once they passed through the distorted barrier of light, they erged in a hall made entirely of pure wood—a living room in which two figures sat on a luxurious golden sofa with white leather.
However, then the room flashed with light, as if by magic, and transford into two grand thrones in the distance, another set of stairs as if to elevate the Emperor and his Concubine above all who entered, and pillars of pure ivory standing tres into the air.
Such a scene took Asmodeus's breath away.
A full-sized banquet table appeared with various fruits piled high on plates and goblets full of wine.
Though this banquet wasn't for them, the noble elves were standing at either side, gazing at them with judgental eyes.
"Entering, Her Highness Ar'Ciela and the Demon King, Asmodeus."
Asmodeus could see the contempt within each elf he glanced at; even the guards by the door appeared less impressed by the sight of him.
The elf man raised his hand and closed it again, signalling the start of a chant:
"Our people rejoice—ten thousand years of pain is but a mont for those gathered here today!" But not once did the Emperor gaze at Ciela.
He only scowled towards Asmodeus, his golden eyes filled with disgust and hatred. His hair flowed, cascading around his face in a river of gold like his skin, unblemished without a hint of facial hair or the scars of battle.
"How dare they not bow for His Majesty!" A noble scoffed—however, Asmodeus grasped Ciela's hand tight, not allowing her to bow before this scum; whether controlled or unaware, he dared not to look at his daughter once.
'This bastard.'
"So that's the slut of a concubine, Gladia... She's not that pretty, though." Asmodeus spoke with a voice that clearly registered in the ears of the elves, who boasted great hearing.
The face of the concubine twisted, becoming ugly like a demon-possessed her soul and filled it with evil.
"How dare you!" one of the guards shouted, his spear pointed at Asmodeus. The Emperor's face scrunched together, his golden eyes shining as he noticed the huge aura of magic spreading from the Demon King, instantly targeting not them but the tree.
"STOP!" The Emperor commanded and flicked his hand, causing the guard to beco flung backwards.
In truth, the guard almost struck out at them, which would have relieved his anger at the arrogant monster. However, because the monster exceeded his expectations, the Elven Emperor felt a sense of fear toward the handso male with golden hair that was more pristine than his.
The strange aura coming from the palace motivated Asmodeus to constantly cycle his mana. Since arriving, the stench of the cult of death had filled his nose, causing him to increase his guard by several levels. He noticed that none of the other girls realised this.
Thus, he needed to remain on guard. Because the elves were different from the beastkin, their thods were clearly more sinister and underhanded.
"It's a pleasure to et the father of my future wife, and Emperor of the elves." Asmodeus spoke with an elegant tone, using the elven language, causing the room to stir in shock.
Even Ciela gazed at him with her mouth open and eyes curling into pleasant crescent moons after hearing his words.
"A monster—a man like you dares?!" The Emperor Al'Runan shouted, his voice growing quiet after eting eyes with Asmodeus and flinching. "Your disrespect is—" his lips tightened when Asmodeus glared at him, warning the elf to watch his words.
"If we're talking about disrespect, Your Majesty, then where are my manners?" Finally, Asmodeus gave a half bow, refusing to kneel or show full respect, but Ciela's hand tightened, and she stroked the back of his hand with her fingertips.
"Thank you, Asmodeus..." A soft voice, like a mouse whispering. This sign of support made all the difference in Asmodeus' rising annoyance, and he was able to push it down with the soft gaze and beautiful voice of his companion.
To show his support for her, he squeezed her hand twice. 'Go for it, say what you want to say.'
Asmodeus achieved what he desired after gazing at the concubine, now with a fierce glare, while biting her lips. She seed genuinely shocked when her husband took back his offensive words when Asmodeus glared at him.
Maybe she realised who held power right now, but her hands scraping the arm of her chair revealed her frustration and anger toward the Demon King.
"His Majesty, Al'Runan. Ar'Ciela returns ho after a long journey and journey for the Empire and the beautiful forest of Aristella." Ciela lowered herself gently into a beautiful curtsey. As she rose, she kept her eyes on the Emperor, unwavering no matter how uncomfortable he appeared.
"I have co to discuss my part within your court, Your Majesty. I shall give my all for my mother and sisters, and thus, I request your help for the Empire's prosperity."
The Emperor seed to be genuinely interested, his brows lifting, "Oh? You?"
"Princess, do you not an your loyalty toward the Emperor?" A snobbish noble grinned at Ciela, causing others to laugh behind the palm of their hand.
"I serve the Empire, and the Emperor is my father. They are the sa, Count Arisan."
"You misunderstand. Emperor Al'Runan rules over all, not simply our nation. His word is absolute, and you should follow it!"
The nobles tried to corner her, yet the beautiful princess, who once lacked the power to slay a goblin elite, now stood with a confident glow in the back of her eyes, "The only absolute for is my future husband. The Demo King Asmodeus."
This answer seed to hurt the Emperor's pride, and the concubine was excited as she whispered sothing into Al'Runan's ear.
"HOW DARE YOU SIDE WITH THAT FILTHY ABOMINATION!" The golden glow of Runan's eyes turned dull, slightly black for a mont, like smoke washing over them before he insulted Asmodeus again. "YOU WILL NEVER BECO HER HUSBAND! YOU FILTHY WRETCH!"
"Haha, after all, a dirty demon could never hope to touch our princess; she needs to give birth to an elven child. Even if she looks disgusting right now."
The sound of flesh impacting the floor ca from inside the room. Everyone, including the Emperor, looked toward the princess with wide eyes.
A demon appeared with long black horns... flowing green hair, like vines filled with thorns, yet carrying a bizarre beauty, eyes like eralds and lips twisted into a bright smile.
In a hand made of leaves and vines, the Count Arisan who insulted Asmodeus trembled and convulsed... blood pouring along the flood dragged by the magical arm appearing behind Ciela's back.
"I warned you once not to badmouth the man I worship and adore. My only absolute is the man beside . Count Arisen..."
"Asmodeus," the voice of the Emperor trembled when speaking his na.
However, before they could react, another demonic hand gripped the knight's neck from earlier, causing the woman beside him to scream.
Ciela's vine arms smashed them into the ground before tossing the two heavily wounded elves back to their previous position, a vigorous glow in the depths of her eyes.
"Father, I do not care about the throne or your petty gas with that woman. I only ask you allow mother and my sisters to return, then I will fight in their stead and wipe out the demons."
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