The study fell silent once again, leaving only Seraphina’s slightly hurried breathing and the faint, deep wind outside—sounds unique to the Demon Realm.
“You look troubled… Is there anything you need me to do?”
The voice was soft, hesitant, and tinged with awkwardness.
Seraphina paused, lifting her eyes to look at Lina. The latter kept her head lowered, as if the previous words were merely a figment of her imagination.
Knock knock.
“Your Highness, it’s time for the court assembly.”
The maid outside interrupted their moment. Seraphina endured the discomfort, steadied herself by the table, and stood up. Her pale face quickly settled into a cold mask.
After smoothing her still-tidy robes, she glanced once more at Lina.
“You’re coming with me. Stay silent—don’t do or say anything. It’ll be over soon.”
Seraphina had expected this assembly to be like any other—just a formality. But when she opened the palace doors, she was met with a solemn and grand scene.
The dim surroundings accentuated the overwhelming presence of the demon clan leaders. Their faces seemed shrouded in a thin veil of dark mist.
Every movement exuded an ancient, almost aristocratic elegance.
Usually, not many attend these assemblies; half showing up would already mean something serious was going on. But this time, almost all were present.
Without a doubt, this was a test. Seraphina had never faced so many leaders at once before.
As she stepped into the great hall, all the demons—whether towering giants or ephemeral specters—bowed slightly in unison.
Seraphina knew much of this respect was thanks to Movira’s delegation of authority to her, but also a testament to the reputation she’d painstakingly built over the past year through her wisdom.
“Greetings, Regent,” came the low, synchronized voices, reverberating strangely through the spacious hall.
They parted, forming a path leading straight to the throne at the far end.
Lina followed closely behind Seraphina, feeling countless eyes sweep over her—curious, scrutinizing, silent, and beneath their refined demeanor, disdainful.
Seraphina seated herself as gracefully as she could, fixing her gaze on the demon leaders below, who took all manner of shapes.
She deliberately slowed her voice. “It’s rare to see everyone gathered today. Is there some pressing matter to report?”
Though unlikely, Seraphina prayed internally that it was nothing troublesome. The best case would be that they all happened to be here by chance, and the assembly would soon conclude.
If it dragged on, maintaining her serious demeanor would be impossible.
The demons exchanged whispers among themselves, surprised that Seraphina hadn’t left immediately as usual.
They guessed it was because of the large turnout.
After a while, a figure in ancient noble attire stepped forward. His aura was somber—a Bloodborn Physician. With meticulous precision, he bowed and spoke, “Your Highness, today’s gathering concerns a private matter.”
Seraphina inwardly grumbled: a private matter? You really had to bring it here? Announce it loudly?
“Do you remember the young girl I brought several months ago?”
His words stirred Seraphina’s memory. Indeed, months prior, he had presented his daughter before her, claiming the girl admired Seraphina and wished to serve by her side.
She had thought the old man’s plan was cunning—what else was it but selling his daughter?
At that time, Seraphina’s… “functions” were still intact, and the girl was not yet of age. Beautiful, yes—but that was the greatest risk.
Seraphina had firmly and righteously refused.
“Of course, I remember her—your daughter, Ailinuo.”
“It is our honor that Your Highness remembers her,” the Bloodborn smiled with paternal pride.
“The private matter is that her Coming-of-age Ceremony will be held next month.”
According to ancient tradition, this marks her formal entry into adulthood and the social sphere.
“I humbly request Your Highness to grace our humble home with your presence at the evening banquet for her Coming-of-age Ceremony. It would be a glory worthy of recording in our clan’s history.”
Several months had passed in the blink of an eye. Seraphina hadn’t realized Ailinuo was so close to adulthood! That meant… cough cough.
Seraphina’s lips twitched slightly. Coming-of-age Ceremony? In her understanding, Bloodborns were demons who fed on blood—would the banquet’s dishes be cups of blood?
That thought was chilling.
But then she reconsidered—it might be a rare opportunity to leave this place. After all, in over a year, she had never crossed even one wall of the Demon King’s Castle.
She also noticed the Bloodborn’s eyes flickering towards Lina from time to time, causing Lina’s body to tremble.
Seraphina cleared her throat, her gaze sweeping over Lina before settling back on the Bloodborn, who seemed to sense her meaning and withdrew his stares.
“Ailinuo’s Coming-of-age Ceremony is indeed important. I have made a note. If no pressing duties arise then, I shall attend.”
The Art of Ruling Ministers dictated that a monarch should not express strong feelings on unimportant matters—whether willingness or aversion.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity!” The Bloodborn seemed oblivious to the underlying subtext and bowed again, thoroughly pleased.
However, the others were visibly displeased at such a private matter being raised in court—sharing private affairs in a public hall?!
“Your Highness!”
Just as the Bloodborn’s side quieted, a massive Abyssal Flame Demon stepped forward, sulfur scent clinging to him.
His enormous footfalls pounded the floor with such force the wood might have cracked had it not been of fine quality.
His voice rumbled like molten lava erupting from deep underground.
“You have been too merciful to those insignificant Human Nations. They grow bolder along the borders, provoking us repeatedly! With but a word from you, no need for your personal guards, my warriors will crush them utterly!”
Before he finished, several warlike demon leaders nearby echoed his call.
“The lands of the Demon Realm can no longer contain us. We need more territory!”
“The sparkling treasures in their cities will fill the Royal Treasury!”
“Please, Your Highness, give the order to launch a campaign!”
Now Seraphina finally understood why they had gathered.
The hall stirred briefly—not with roars or chaos, but the tension was palpable.
Those seemingly “courteous” calls to war felt like arrows piercing Lina’s heart.
The polite yet forceful pleas made Lina feel a suffocating terror unlike anything before.