CHAPTER ONE — THE DEMON KING WHO WAITED FOR HER
by C.G
She was a breathtaking young woman — graceful in a way that felt both natural and enchanting. Her skin glowed like polished cocoa, smooth and flawless under soft light. Her delicate features — high cheekbones, a gentle jawline, and full inviting lips — formed a beauty that melted worries away. Wide, expressive eyes framed by long lashes completed her quiet elegance. When she moved, she carried innocence and confidence in equal measure, as though beauty had chosen her long before she understood it.
Despite her poor background, Linah was intelligent, kind-hearted, and admired by everyone. Her parents were proud of her good character, but they always blamed themselves for failing to send her to university. To help her family and save for school, Linah worked as a cleaner at a rich man's mansion — a job she got through her aunt, who worked as the chef there.
When she left her village to search for a better life in the city, she stayed with her best friend Cecilia. But after months of struggling to find work, she felt guilty for burdening her friend and decided to return home. While waiting for the bus, she met Aunt Rose, who told her that her boss needed a maid. The salary was too good to refuse. Though Linah wanted to go home, she knew this was her chance.
The next day, she began working at the mansion — a beautifully enormous estate on the outskirts of Kuraone village, elegant enough to rival the state house itself. Every day she felt as if she lived in another world.
Two years passed, yet Linah never met her mysterious employer, Mako. He traveled often and returned home late at night when everyone was asleep.
One day, while visiting the small town near Kuraone to send a parcel to her parents, Linah overheard women gossiping about a handsome, mysterious rich man — a man who had lived since the time of their forefathers. An unaging man. A man kings feared. A man the villagers called the Demon King.
Startled, Linah listened closely. When she realized they were talking about the mansion where she worked, her heart trembled. She had never seen her boss, yet she had always felt a strange aura in the house — a deep darkness, as if shadows lived in its walls. Strangely, she enjoyed living there.
On her first day, the darkness had frightened her. She promised herself she would only work for one year — enough to save money for school and help her parents open a small grocery shop. But time passed… and she found herself unable to leave. She even began studying online during her free hours.
That evening, she returned to the mansion with her mind buzzing from the rumours. When she entered, she found Aunt Rose preparing dinner. Linah asked if she had ever met their employer. Aunt Rose laughed and said she served him every time he ate at home. Linah was shocked — why had she never met him?
"Because he is a very busy man," Aunt Rose explained. "He leaves early and returns very late, long after everyone has gone to bed."
Linah nodded, but her curiosity grew even deeper. She wanted to see him, to understand the man who lived like a myth. She decided she would stay awake that night until he returned.
By 2 a.m., exhaustion claimed her. She fell asleep on the couch in the downstairs sitting room, waiting in the cold with no blanket. At 4 a.m., Mako returned. Silent as the night itself, he paused when he saw her on the couch. Without a word, he covered her with a blanket.
Linah stirred at the sound of footsteps and opened her eyes. A tall figure stood at the door, ready to leave again. She tried to greet him, but he stepped out and closed the door before she could speak.
She sat up, stunned. She had waited all night… and still had not seen his face. Yet she found herself smiling. From the way he moved, she could tell he had a strong, well-built physique. Her heart fluttered unexpectedly.
From that day on, Linah grew restless. She had never cared about men — so why was her mysterious boss filling her thoughts?
"Busy daydreaming?"
Linah jumped. A deep, commanding voice echoed from behind her, carrying the aura of a king. She turned and froze.
A tall figure stood on the staircase balcony, holding a glass of wine. Though a cap shadowed his face, Linah gasped.
He looked familiar. Too familiar.
A storm of questions rushed through her mind.
Where have I seen him before?
And who is he, really?
End of Chapter One