Kelsey's eyes fluttered open groggily. She blinked a few times and gasped when she realized she was in an unfamiliar room. She tried to recall what had happened, but a cold voice halted her thoughts.
"You've got some guts. You dare to sleep and make me wait."
Kelsey swallowed nervously, turning toward the voice with a robotic movement. Her face paled as she saw a monstrous figure looming over her, blocking her entire vision, as if ready to take her life.
Has... has the angel of death come to take me?
Her hands, which had been gripping her clothes, tightened as the monstrous frame stepped closer.
"So, what are you going to do?"
What was she supposed to do? What did this demon want? It felt like she was trapped in an ice-cold room—her brain frozen, unable to think.
"Wh-What... should... I do?" she stammered, trying to sound brave but failing.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Yes, she is! She's terrified! If she had the courage and strength, Kelsey would have jumped away and run for her life. "If... if I say I'm scared... will you..." she struggled to finish, "kill me?" Kelsey held her breath as two fingers with long, black nails clamped down on her chin, forcing her eyes to look directly at him.
"Funny. Why didn't I detect your fear this afternoon?"
This afternoon? Had they met before? When? Kelsey tried hard to recall. She remembered being in the palace hall, watching six candidates enter. Three emerged alive, and one came out as a corpse. After that—nothing. She couldn't remember anything after that.
Who is this man? Where was the host who led the event, and why was she in this place? What's going on?
Kelsey's panic surged, but strangely, the fingers on her chin didn't hurt. And those blood-red eyes... they weren't menacing. They looked almost pleading with her to be his friend. Strangely, her fear began to fade.
"I think... I must have been going crazy this afternoon." She lowered her gaze, flustered when she heard him snicker.
"What's your name, little one?"
After hesitating for a moment, she answered with eyes filled with anxiety mixed with curious. "Kelsey."
"That's a pretty name. Don't worry. I only kill those who betray me or try to take what's mine."
Kelsey exhaled in relief as the grip on her chin loosened. But her relief only lasted for a second after hearing the Demon King's next question.
"So, what are you going to do to satisfy me?"
S-Satisfy? In what sense?
"I... I don't understand."
"Didn't my attendant tell you? The candidate who satisfies me most will be my bride."
Instantly, Kelsey's face turned pale. She could even sense her body turned as cold as ice. "I... I... am... I..." she wrapped her arms around herself as if protecting her chastity, realizing who he was.
The infamous Demon King of the Northern Region.
"What do you think I meant?"
Kelsey flinched when he flicked her forehead lightly. She hadn't expected the tyrannical, monstrous Demon King to flick her forehead with his finger, instead of killing her.
"What are your skills? Show them off. That's enough to satisfy me."
Oh! So that's what he meant. Kelsey let out a loud sigh without meaning to. She didn't notice the demon king suppressing a chuckle.
This human girl is really… endearing. Thought the demon king. "So?" he asked again, more gently this time.
"I... I don't have any special skills. But I'm a good listener," she said softly. In Boar Village, many demons had befriended her just to talk and vent. She was an introvert, after all, and a shy girl.
"Listening, huh? Then would you like to accompany me to enjoy the moon?" he asked, holding out his hand.
Kelsey hesitated. She glanced out the window and realized it was already dark. It was already night? That meant she'd been unconscious for over six hours. Her parents must be worried, but she lacked the courage to refuse his hand. She placed her hand in his. Surprisingly, warmth and comfort flowed from his touch. Kelsey realized that her fear had lessened a lot, and she no longer felt uneasy as if she was sure the demon king wouldn't kill her... for now.
The Demon King led her to the rear garden of the palace. Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't awkward. Not until he spoke again.
"If I were to choose you, what would you want me to do?"
Anxiety crept back into her chest. "You... you'll choose me?"
"I said if."
Kelsey hesitated, then answered, "If you choose me... I hope you'll protect my parents' lives in my place."
"I can give them tribute."
She shook her head. "I don't want money. I want you to take care of them... like you'd take care of your own."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure." Though doubt flickered in her voice.
"Even though you know I killed both of my parents with my own hands?"
Kelsey gasped in horror and tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn't let go.
"I'm just kidding."
She froze. It was a joke? What a terrible joke!
"Are you crying?"
She looked away quickly and wiped her tears. She couldn't understand him. His thoughts, his emotions—they made no sense and were truly unpredictable. He was dangerous. If he didn't kill her on their wedding night, she might go insane and commit suicide. No. She didn't want to be chosen!
Father... Mother... I want to go home. She cried in her heart.
Suddenly, she felt two hands gently pull her into an embrace. Her body tensed, unsure of what was happening.
"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
What?
"Please... stop crying."
Had she heard that right? The infamous, self-centered Demon King—apologizing? To her? A lowly human girl?
Was she hallucinating?
She must be. Because then, the demon king gently turned her around and removed his goblin mask.
And Kelsey's breath caught in her throat. It was as if time froze. The face behind the mask was nothing as she'd expected. Not monstrous or terrifying. But stunning. Regal. Ethereal. His features were sharp, elegant—yet laced with something untamed.
She couldn't look away.