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CHAPTER 34
. The First Dance and the Secret (2)
‘C-come to think of it, I did reject him when he asked if I wanted to dance…’
A chill ran down my spine.
But Ares, this guy, didn’t let go. Instead, he hugged me tighter like I was his favorite stuffed toy.
I nearly screamed.
‘Hey, you little punk!’
Can’t you see the Demon King is clearly annoyed?
While I was drenched in cold sweat, the two men calmly continued their conversation.
“It’s good to see the princess enjoying herself.”
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”
“Then perhaps it’s time you let her go now.”
“……”
“I’ll be taking her with me.”
Ares’ fingers twitched slightly as he held me.
He looked like a kid being told to hand over his favorite toy.
I quickly patted his shoulder.
“Ah, Ares? I-I’m going to… go to my dad now.”
“……”
“Areees?”
“…Yes, Princess.”
As I gently poked his shoulder, Ares turned his gaze away.
When he handed me over to the Demon King, he looked quite gloomy.
As if he was truly heartbroken that I’d chosen to go to my dad instead.
‘I guess I’ll have to cheer him up later.’
Cradled in the Demon King’s arms, I gave Ares a small wave as he faded into the distance.
This time, it was the Demon King who looked disappointed.
“This won’t do… Maybe I paired you two up too well.”
“Huh?”
“Hmm, nothing. Anyway, Elysion.”
He whispered gently, only loud enough for me to hear.
“It might be a little early, but I have something special to show you.”
“Huh?”
Something special? Just for me?
Was it another birthday present?
‘But he already gave me a mountain of gifts at the start of the celebration.’
Toys perfect for a child, glittering dresses, jewelry…
When I tilted my head in confusion, the Demon King smiled at me as if I was the most adorable thing in the world.
“I’ll show you the true reason our House of Erebos could reign as Demon Kings.”
The Demon King and I entered the corridor behind the throne.
Unlike the warm and lavish banquet hall, this hallway was deserted.
It was a place normally kept tightly shut.
‘It feels solemn—almost like a temple.’
As if it led to the most important chamber in the Hades Palace.
Gently patting my back, the Demon King spoke.
“Elysion. Did Lady Epikus ever tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“The origin of the Erebos royal family.”
“Ah…”
He meant that myth?
The one where the Erebos royal family, long ago, bound the ‘Primordial Darkness’ in the sky to create ‘Night’.
We reached the end of the corridor and quietly pushed open a narrow marble door.
Inside, it was filled with a bluish glow, like a deep abyss.
At first, I thought the room was empty…
‘No. There are ancient enchantments everywhere.’
Huge letters of an ancient language were inscribed across the walls and floor.
It was a mythical tongue no one left alive could teach me—so I couldn’t read it either.
‘What could this room be used for?’
At that moment, the Demon King placed his hand over his heart.
A faint golden mist shimmered from his palm.
“Dad…?”
When he slowly removed his hand, a swirling black mist appeared above it.
It hovered mid-air in a circular shape, humming softly.
At the center of the strange mist was a golden ring, shaped like the number 8 laid on its side.
‘Wait a minute. Is this…? Could this little puff of fog be…?’
The Demon King smiled down at my wide eyes.
“You recognize it. Lady Epikus must have told you.”
“S-so this is… the Darkness…!”
“That’s right. This is the medium our ancestor used to seal the Darkness.”
At that moment, the golden ring shimmered.
The Demon King brought it closer so I could see it better.
“This is the Ring of Eternity—the symbol of our royal family.”
“The Ring… of Eternity…”
“Normally, I keep it within my body. But in this room, I can bring it out.”
“Ooh—ah!”
Only then did I realize the purpose of this room.
It must be an ancient sealing chamber, the knowledge of which was lost over generations.
A room built to safely bring out this dangerous relic.
The Demon King glanced around, as if wistful.
“With everyone who knew the ancient spells now gone, taking this out anywhere else might release the ‘Primordial Darkness’.”
“What would happen then?”
“The world would fall into slumber again.”
“Eep.”
I covered my mouth in fear.
The Demon King, amused by my serious expression, just chuckled.
“This is also what the previous Demon King passed on to the heir during their coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Here, in this room?”
“That’s right. Someday, when you come of age, it will be yours, Elysion.”
“Ah… When will that be?”
“On your eighteenth birthday. The same time you make your debut in society.”
Debut…
My heart fluttered like a young girl’s.
I didn’t realize it, but I must’ve longed for that kind of sparkling dream.
The Demon King reabsorbed the sealed darkness into his heart.
“By then, I’ll keep that youngest brat of Phobos out of the way for a bit.”
“…Huh?”
“Judging by his behavior today, he’s starting to get cheeky.”
The Demon King stepped back into the corridor, visibly disappointed.
“He didn’t step up when I suggested it.”
“Well, um…”
“Seems the punishment I gave him wasn’t enough. He’s not even scared of me, and he talks back so well.”
“Nooo, please!”
What more punishment does a child need! Stop! Even as a joke, that’s scary!
‘Ares, you idiot! I knew this would happen!’
You should’ve read the room!
I looked up at him with a sulky face and made up my mind.
Then, with all my might, I gave “Dad” a kiss on the cheek.
The corridor instantly fell silent, like a mouse had died.
“……”
“……”
“……This is.”
“D-don’t… be mad…”
A kind of bribe, maybe?
But my body felt stiff, like it hadn’t been oiled in years.
The Demon King looked displeased at first but then sighed deeply.
After a moment of hesitation, he asked,
“Elysion. Being born as my daughter… are you happy?”
I looked up at him quietly.
‘The contrast is always so striking.’
To the world, he’s a fearsome Demon King—but to his daughter, he’s a father desperate for her love.
A bittersweet feeling welled up with a warm smile.
“Hehe. Yes.”
This man had prepared such a grand celebration just for me.
Even if all the shine was fake.
I no longer felt shy as I nestled into “Dad’s” arms.
“Daddy. Thank you. I’m really happy.”
“Elysion…”
“But, next time…”
I whispered into his ear as he bowed his head to me.
“Let’s celebrate just with family.”
This lavish ‘princess’ life was still too much for someone clinging to simplicity.
Ares pouted as he stared at the Demon King’s retreating back.
Beyond his shoulder, he saw Zion waving at him.
Even so, the feeling of disappointment wouldn’t fade.
‘Tch. I wanted to be with her a bit longer.’
He wanted to stay by Zion’s side like this, in front of everyone.
Right in the middle of the grand, glittering ballroom—together with his princess.
‘So that guy won’t get any funny ideas!’
Ares shot a glare toward Carleon.
Carleon noticed Ares staring and frowned.
‘Ugh. Those cursed blue eyes.’
‘That disrespectful red insect…’
The insults they flung at each other were clear, even without words.
Ares smirked, seeing Carleon getting worked up.
‘Hah. Can’t even talk to Zion because of the atmosphere, huh?’
It was totally worth begging Zion for a dance.
Because ever since they met in the camellia garden, he could tell—
The prince of Halcyon was his true rival.
‘If that guy stays near her, I’ll lose Zion for sure.’
Zion had been the first to fill Ares’ lonely heart.
The first person who beat him without shame.
If she had his ‘firsts’, then she should have his ‘lasts’ too.
She was as dazzling as the moon in the night sky.
He couldn’t stand her attention being stolen by anyone else.
‘That’s why—I won’t let anyone take her from me.’
And Carleon felt the same.
“That damned bug’s lost his mind…”
Seeing him clinging to the saintess in the camellia garden—it made Carleon want to punch him right there.
‘It was a miracle to even meet Her Holiness… and now I can’t even talk to her properly because of him.’
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Grinding his teeth, he took a step forward.
