“Today is a very important day, sweetie,” Cynthia said as Lady Clair and Melissa finished applying her makeup.

“I know, Mother.”

“You have to be on your best behavior.”

I sighed, starting to feel a bit annoyed by her constant pestering. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“Oh dear, how could I forget? Have you memorized the names of the important Lords who will be present today?”

OK, that’s it, I’ve had enough of this! Why do I feel like she’s treating me like a half-wit? Do I look like a kid to her or something?

Oh, wait... I’m still five.

“Yes, Mother,” I replied, exerting all efforts to mask any trace of irritation in my voice.

“Good. I knew you could do it. You’ve always been a smart little cupcake.”

A small little cupcake, eh? So that’s why I am to you...

Over the last couple of years, I’d come to realize that my mother was an unusual person in several ways.

As the Queen, Cynthia was often expected to indulge in the luxuries and extravagances associated with high society. Yet, contrary to those expectations, she found solace in the simple things. For example, unlike other aristocrats who preferred the refined cuisines prepared by their chefs, Cynthia took pleasure in preparing typical home-cooked meals for herself and her family.

Jewelry and expensive dresses held little appeal to her, despite the endless collection she possessed. Instead, she found joy in the peace of the palace library, surrounded by books that she devoured with an insatiable hunger. Her love for literature and learning was evident in the stacks of tomes that she consumed regularly.

Cynthia was a far cry from what I had expected of the wife of a Demon King. In her, I found a gentle soul who exuded warmth and kindness, traits that were rare among the nobility. She was the antithesis of that treacherous, two-faced, and cold-blooded monster Valtair...

Take a deep breath... You need to keep yourself composed.

Deciding it would be best to calm myself, I strolled to the other side of the room, hoping to distract myself with the small library Cynthia had built. Her book collection was an impressive one, to say the least. Most of the books were books about the history of Azurax and the history of magic circles. It was a fascinating subject, one that I never would have thought would pique her interest.

Despite having delved into her collection of books just over a year ago, I was still only halfway through the collection. In my past life, I had been blessed with the gift of linguistic ability. I had immersed myself in various cultures, learning the nuances of their languages, and mastering them. But Morvex was a different ball game altogether.

Morvex was the universal language, spoken by elves, dwarves, and demons.

The spoken language came naturally to me, its lilting cadence and musical intonations captivating me from the very first time I heard it. But when it came to deciphering the written language, I was lost. The symbols that made up the Morvex alphabet were strange and unfamiliar, and it took me years to comprehend them.

During the first two years of my life, I struggled to wrap my head around the complex system of writing. I tried everything from studying the symbols individually, to memorizing the entire alphabet. But my young mind was simply not developed enough to retain such a vast amount of information.

Despite the stumbling block, my rate of learning was extraordinarily quick for a child.

As a result, my parents and the servants were all beside themselves in shock at my progress. To them, it must have seemed as though I were some kind of prodigy.

At first, I had tried to conceal my maturity, fearful of being discovered. But as the years went by, I realized that my mature demeanor seemed to please those in Valtair’s court, including Valtair himself. As his son, it was expected that I would possess exceptional abilities in some form or another.

While I made sure that my speech and mannerisms matched those appropriate for a child, I also tried to not go overboard with it.

“Lucy,” Cynthia called, her voice snapping me back to the present. Her tone was urgent, indicating that the matter at hand was important. “Your father wants to see us before he presents himself to the guests.”

I turned and saw the maids helping Cynthia up, carefully holding the back of her dress to ensure she could move easily.

I couldn’t help but marvel at my mother’s beauty. Though her fashion sense was more old-school than what I was used to, it was still stunning. Her dress was made of soft black silk, embroidered with gold filigree. The neckline was cut low, revealing just a hint of cleavage, and the sleeves were long and flowing. It was as if the dress had been made just for her.

“Allow me to escort you both, Your Grace,” the Vice-Captain of Valtair’s guard offered as Cynthia and I stepped into the hallway.

Cynthia gave a gracious nod. “Thank you, Sir Roland. Please lead the way.”

As we strolled through the palace halls, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the extravagant decorations adorning the walls and ceiling. The scent of fresh flowers mingled with the warm glow of flickering candles, casting a luxurious ambiance that was entirely foreign to me. Despite my apprehension, I straightened my posture and walked with purpose, trying to mimic Cynthia’s regal poise.

“What do you think Father wants?” I asked, trailing a few steps behind her.

“I don’t know, dear,” Cynthia replied, her brow furrowed with concern. “But it must be important if your father is summoning us.”

Though I could sense Cynthia was a little nervous, on the outside she seemed completely composed. She glided through the corridors with the grace and poise of a seasoned aristocrat. I couldn’t help but admire her confidence, envying her ability to blend in so effortlessly.

The guards led us through a maze of corridors, their armor clanging with each step. Every turn brought us closer to Valtair’s chambers, and my heart began to race with trepidation. Despite having lived in the castle for over five years, this was going to be the first time I stepped in his room. I didn’t know what to expect or what to think. Every time I was face to face with Valtair, I felt like a bug. Like a bug who’d just stumbled across a large beast.

Focus! I thought to myself, shaking away any lingering doubts. Now’s not the time to lose confidence.

The towering doors to Valtair’s chambers swung open, and I took a deep breath before stepping inside.

The room we entered was nothing short of magnificent. The tall windows that lined the walls allowed the daylight to flood the space, bathing it in a warm glow. The high ceiling made it feel even more spacious, and the paintings and tapestries that adorned the walls added to the luxurious ambiance.

I tried not to gawk as we approached Valtair, who stood by the fireplace, his piercing dark gaze fixed on us. His black suit emphasized his broad shoulders and his muscular build, and I couldn’t help but feel small in his presence.

“Lucian, Cynthia,” he greeted us warmly, his eyes crinkling with a smile. “I trust you both slept well?”

“I tried my best,” Cynthia replied, her voice honey-sweet. “And you, my love?”

Oh, God... I think I’m going to puke.

“I am well,” he said, turning to me. “And how about you, son? How are you feeling?”

Let’s see if you’re still calling me “son” after I drive my blade through your chest.

I hesitated for a moment, not sure how to respond.

“I didn’t get much sleep,” I responded, choosing my words carefully. “I’m scared, father. Scared for your life.”

I nearly choked as the lie left my lips.

“Oh, honey, I have to admit that I’m also terrified,” Cynthia exclaimed, tears forming around the corner of her eyes. “I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

I can.

“Oh-ho, seems you do love me after all!” Valtair cackled at her.

“I’m not in the mood for jokes, Valtair!” Cynthia snapped.

Valtair’s eyes instantly widened in fear. “Sorry honey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Is this bastard scared of Cynthia? This has to be a joke...

“Can you forgive my indiscretion, honey pie?”

Cynthia sighed and shook her head. “I told you not to call me that!”

“Oops, I forgot... Can you forgive me?”

“Fine. Only because I love you and I’m super worried about you.”

I watched in disbelief, shaking my head in disappointment. Never in a million years would I have imagined that the person to shut Valtair up would be his wife of all people.

Oddly enough, this wasn’t the first time I had witnessed a scene like this. Whenever it was just the three of us, Valtair would get so cheery that you couldn’t see a hint of the cold-blooded killer he truly was. Looking at him now, if I didn’t know who he really was, I would have never suspected him of being someone capable of committing genocide or enslaving entire races.

Unless... Maybe this is who he is. A kind and warmhearted father and husband.

No, no, no! Absolutely not!

My throat tightened when I noticed Valtair slowly leaning in to kiss Cynthia. They were so lost in the moment, they had forgotten I was in the room.

“Ahem, I’m still here,” I said, my voice cracking slightly.

Valtair turned to me, a smirk on his face. “Sorry, son,” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “So, who’s the challenger?” I asked, eager to move on from the awkward moment.

Valtair’s expression grew serious, and I knew that he was taking the upcoming duel very seriously. “I’ll be fighting Lord Alistair Thorn. Do you know who he is?”

“I only know that he’s the Duke of Calindor.”

That was a lie. In my previous life, I’d crossed paths with Alistair a handful of times on the battlefield. Back then, he’d only been a young Baron, trying to make a name for himself. Even though I never got to fight him, I’d seen his magic from afar and I knew that he was a formidable opponent.

“Very good,” Valtair said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “How do you know that?”

I hesitated for a moment, wondering how to respond. Before I could say anything, Cynthia spoke up.“Oh, honey, I made him memorize a small list of the more important guests that would attend the duel.”

Valtair smiled, his eyes softening. “I see. Good thinking, my love.”

Cynthia beamed with pride, and I couldn’t help but smile at her. Even though she could be overbearing at times, she was a fiercely loyal wife and mother who would do anything to protect us.

Valtair placed a hand on my shoulder, turning to look at Cynthia. “The reason I brought you both here was to tell you not to worry. I know you both must be scared of what could happen if I lose, but I assure you that won’t happen. I’ve prepared thoroughly for this duel, and I’m more than confident I’ll teach that wretch where he belongs.”

Ah, there’s the Demon King I know and hate.

“I believe in you,” Cynthia whispered, wrapping her arms around Valtair’s neck. “Lucy and I will cheer you on and pray for your victory.”

Valtair chuckled and placed his hands on her hips. “Thanks, my love. I’ll make you proud.”

I rolled my eyes but said nothing. It was best to stay out of their lovey-dovey moments. Besides, I had other things to worry about.

The room fell silent as Valtair spoke. “It’s time. Let’s go greet the guests.”

The moment we stepped out of the chamber, we were greeted by a group of guards led by Sir Clayton. Clayton was Valtair’s right-hand man and the Captain of the King’s guard. Behind him, I vaguely recognized a few other faces, including Sir Roland. To be frank, memorizing faces hadn’t been a priority of mine in this life.

As we approached the throne room, the clamor of hundreds of voices intensified. I drew in a deep breath, bracing myself for what lay ahead.

The doors to the throne room swung open, and the sight that greeted me was truly breathtaking. Demons of all ranks and titles had gathered for the duel, creating a sea of bodies that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Valtair’s entrance was a grand spectacle, one that left no doubt about his intentions. As he strode into the room, his very presence commanded attention, radiating a palpable energy that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. It was as if he had shed his former persona and taken on the mantle of a cold-blooded monarch, determined to claim what was rightfully his.

As we made our way towards the throne, the room fell silent, and the crowd dropped to their knees in unison, paying homage to their liege. I scanned the room, taking note of the nobles who were present. There were some familiar faces from my previous life, but most were strangers.

The expressions directed at Valtair varied, some showing support while others revealed doubt or disdain. Nonetheless, everyone had gathered to witness the momentous event.

Instead of sitting on the throne, Valtair remained standing, his eyes scanning the room. He was looking for someone...

“Rise,” he commanded.

At his beck and call, the entire room rose to their feet. Valtair then began to speak, his voice echoing through the throne room. “I welcome you all to my home. I know many of you have traveled from far away to witness the Grand Crown Duel, and I thank you for your support. Today, you will all witness a battle for the right to sit on this throne...”

Wondering why he paused, I followed his gaze and saw that he was staring at Lord Alistair. The challenger.

“I have nothing but respect for you, Lord Alistair. You are a brave warrior and I look forward to our duel.”

Lord Alistair raised his cup and bowed. “Thank you my liege. I also share the same feelings.”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease as I watched Lord Alistair exchange polite words with Valtair. Despite their cordial exchange, I knew that this was more than just a friendly dialogue. It was a battle of wits, where the winner would hold the fate of Azurax in their hands.

“Very well then, let the feast commence,” Valtair declared, and the room erupted into cheers and applause.