“Lady Isabella~♡”
Gabriella suddenly felt something was wrong, but then she thought it wasn’t bad for a proper wife to learn how to act spoiled.
The moment she spread her arms, she was pulled into an embrace by the Demon King.
Isabella loved touching the dip of her lower back, right above her hips.
Every time that spot was stroked, it felt incredibly good; that had always been Gabriella’s belief.
Now, however, realizing the Demon King wanted her to fall, she instinctively grew wary.
The sense of crisis made her skin even more sensitive; she let out a soft “Nn” and her body trembled.
Isabella blew gently into her ear.
“So needy first thing in the morning, Gabriella?”
“I am not!”
Gabriella lightly pushed the Demon King away.
She absolutely would not accept the 【Gift】 so easily now!
The pattern on her belly was gradually spreading; she had no idea what it signified.
If she truly became a demon and a kin, that would mean complete submission.
She refused to yield.
“Lady Demon King, if I remember correctly, we still have to visit the 【Eternal Night Palace】 today. We should set out once breakfast is finished.”
“…Mm.”
Isabella seemed reluctant to let go, but after releasing Gabriella she obediently sat down at the dining table.
Elsa had remained silent the entire time, quietly observing her big sister’s expression.
Right now, she was Gabriella’s assistant.
The personal maid had to accompany the Demon King throughout the day’s duties, while Elsa’s job was to follow Gabriella and help her fulfill those duties.
By the time the Demon King finished breakfast, it was six o’clock.
The three of them left the residential palace on time, walking along the wide roads of the inner city until, after several hundred meters, they entered a grand palace.
From the outside it looked like a massive square building.
Several beautiful black stone pillars supported a covered corridor; the crimson patterns on them resembled the marks of time, or perhaps the curse of an ancient ruin occupied by ghosts and gods.
The Eternal Night Palace.
This was the Demon King’s court, where all major demon gatherings were held.
Soldiers of the demon race already lined both sides, saluting the Demon King, Gabriella, and Elsa who walked beside them.
The inner city was especially lively today.
Because of the war with the humans, the demon generals and nearly all the nobility had been summoned back.
Upon entering the palace, Isabella took her place on the throne at the far end. Her aura instantly changed.
From a gentle, doting wife, she transformed into a queen radiating cold, solemn authority.
Gabriella and Elsa stood at her left and right, like the Demon King’s twin guardians and personal guards.
The presence they exuded left the demon guards and the soldiers awaiting audience in awe.
The sky outside had only just begun to brighten.
“All hail Her Majesty the Demon King.”
“Lady Gabriella is here too… and the Queen Consort as well…”
“So beautiful, yet so powerful.”
Many gazes filled with reverence and worship were directed their way; this was simply part of Gabriella’s everyday life.
Over the years—or rather, ever since becoming the personal maid—her status among the demons could only be described as “second to none.”
Even if Gabriella had no intention of hollowing out the Demon King’s power, the nobles currently in power had all been carefully selected with her help, making them easy to control in the future.
At this point, rebel forces had been completely eradicated within demon society.
In contrast, there was Elsa.
A former human Grand Commander was now an object of admiration among the demons.
She still felt a little unaccustomed to it…
Moreover, this new maid dress had been shortened slightly for ease of movement, revealing more of her legs at the front.
It felt quite different from the open boldness of knight armor.
But whatever her big sister did, she would follow.
She didn’t feel anything was wrong with that.
“Your Majesty, on behalf of the demons of the Eastern Ridge, I greet you.”
A beautiful demon woman bowed deeply to the Demon King.
“We will do everything in our power to repel the human knights and crush them.”
She wore a red qipao that exposed her fair thighs; the tight fabric perfectly outlined her exquisite figure.
When she bowed, her ample bosom nearly spilled out.
Her crimson hair blazed like living flame.
The Eastern Ridge was another demon city built high in the mountains outside the Demon King’s Castle.
Though not as prosperous as the capital, it still housed a great number of demons, and Vina was its leader.
Vina had been chosen by Gabriella herself, so she was particularly protective of the capital’s authority.
“You have worked hard, Vina.” Isabella nodded to the woman.
Vina then turned toward Gabriella and offered her a salute as well.
“Lady Gabriella, it’s been too long.”
Gabriella nodded back, the corners of her mouth curling into a cute yet dignified smile.
Vina’s gaze suddenly locked onto Elsa.
For some reason… she looked familiar?
“May I ask who this is…?”
The instant Vina realized the other’s identity, her crimson eyes widened in shock.
She had studied human intelligence reports and knew there had once been a young woman named Elsa who served as the Grand Commander of the Holy Knight Order.
Yet now she stood at the Demon King’s side alongside Gabriella, acting as a guard?!
Had she fallen and become a demon?
Even the terrifying Grand Commander of the Holy Knight Order had joined the demons…
“As expected of Your Majesty the Demon King.” Vina praised respectfully.
Afterward, several more generals and nobles from the various demon legions arrived, all swearing loyalty to the Demon King.
Most, like Vina, presented weapons and gifts as proof of their devotion.
Gabriella recognized nearly all of them.
Only after confirming that every one of them remained firmly under the Demon King’s control did she relax.
Over the next few hours they would move to a more secluded location to discuss how to deal with the knight order.
In truth, everything had already been coordinated over the past few days; what remained was simply the final scheduling, which wouldn’t take long.
According to the timetable Gabriella had arranged, all these tedious matters would be finished before noon.
Once every demon in the palace had withdrawn and even the guards had departed, only Gabriella, Elsa, and Her Majesty the Demon King remained inside the Eternal Night Palace.
Isabella did not rise from her throne.
Her melancholy gaze drifted to Gabriella, then away again, as though something weighed heavily on her heart.
Gabriella’s chest tightened.
The Demon King was in a very bad mood.
“I suddenly remembered… some things from the past.”
Isabella placed her hands flat on her lap.
Her gorgeous dress revealed beautiful skin; those magnificent horns and the demonic aura she exuded commanded the awe of all demons.
Yet from Gabriella’s perspective right now, she looked almost… pitiful.
And maybe a little… cute?
“What did you remember, Lady Isabella?”
Gabriella asked tentatively in her sweetest maid voice, walking forward at the same time and gently taking one of the Demon King’s hands.
“About… what happened eight years ago…”
“Do you hate the trouble caused by humans?”
“Mm… actually, it might be a little different from what my wife imagines?”
Only then did Isabella finally meet her eyes.
“It’s not that I hate them. I’m… afraid.”
“…”
“I’m afraid the same thing that happened eight years ago will happen again; that I’ll have to use that power once more.”