The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 152: I know I’ll be bad at politics because I hate complicated things

Chapter 152: I know I’ll be bad at politics because I hate complicated things

"It’s called Lu’ann Hadd," Natha told me as we walked out of the cabin.

The ship was finally stabilized after gaining the right altitude, and now cruising through the air to the Northeast. According to Natha, we would arrive at our first destination tomorrow morning, at the nearest big city to L’Anaak Eed.

"We’ll park right outside the city and ride to the surrounding territory in the carriage. And then we’ll spend the night in the manor of the city’s mayor," Natha explained the itinerary. "There will be a hearing session the next day, and then we set off again."

"Looks...packed?"

"Well, we only have a month to tour the whole territory," Natha stroked the back of my head as he added; "You don’t have to follow me around. Lu’ann is a pretty nice place, so you can tour the place with Arta instead."

As if getting summoned, Arta showed up beside me with her usual energetic smile. "That’s right, Young Master. We can go shopping and sightseeing. There are some nice restaurants too if you fancy local food."

"Hmm..." we stopped at the end of the deck and I grabbed the railing, pondering about my option. But there wasn’t much to think about. "If...if I want to follow you around, will I be a hindrance?"

Honestly, ever since I peeped at Natha that day when he was still working, I had been wanting to see him at work. I wanted to see how he governed his territory, since I thought it would be cool. Did it seem superficial? Well, I wouldn’t deny it.

But other than that, I also wanted to see the land under Natha’s authority, the land that would be my home from now on.

When I was still drowning in my own thought, I felt Natha caging me from behind. His hands grabbed the railing right next to mine, and his lips were right above my ear. "You are never--and never will be--a hindrance, sweetheart."

"Really?"

"Val will come along during my inspection, Arta."

"Yes, Sir!" Arta saluted and winked at me, and I felt heat creeping on my cheek.

I was happy though--Natha gave me an objective for this inspection, which was to figure out what I wanted to do. So it wouldn’t make sense for me to just spent the time shopping and sightseeing.

And I felt relieved that Natha wanted me there too.

Ah, but I had to promise myself that I wouldn’t disturb the procession. Let’s stay in the back and learn what I could--after all, my strict teacher had been teaching about the demon realm’s socio-economic situation.

Damn...now I remembered I had homework from the vampire too.

"Sweetheart, do you see that mountain there?" Natha suddenly pointed to the northern side, to a faraway mountain range that acted as the border between the Realm of Greed and the Realm of Wrath. The highest peak of the mountain, rather than covered in snow, was billowing smoke like an everlasting volcano.

"Yeah?"

"We’re going there in nine or ten days," he told me. "We’ll see if you can try handling the fire."

I raised my brows, and then narrowed my eyes, using enhanced ocular cognition to see the place better. That seemed a bit extreme for a first try, but...

"Sounds fun, Jade."

[Fun. Fireplace fire boring, puny. Jade want bigger fire!]

"Sure, but you kind of sound like an arsonist,"

* * *

Again, just like when we took off, we had to stay inside the cabin when we landed.

I watched the scenery from above as much as I like yesterday, watching the colorful landscape and drifting clouds. And then I watched it again during the night. Perhaps because it was still within the spirit of the festival, there were a lot of lanterns along the way. And then Lesta told me they also did that so the Lord’s airship wouldn’t get lost during the night.

Honestly, the airship had its own navigation system, so it wouldn’t get lost even without the lamps. But the effort that the citizens made showed their love and consideration for the Lord, so it truly felt heartwarming seeing all those lanterns and magic lamps on the way. There were also lighthouses in the hills and other high places, and while Natha didn’t say anything about it, I could see in his gaze that he was quite pleased with everything.

That love and consideration were also reflected in the situation of the field where the airship land. Even through the cabin window, I could see demons congregating outside. They filled the road leading to the field that was used as the landing site.

Of course, there was a possibility that they just wanted to see the rare airship, but I would just think about it positively.

Once the airship landed, the crew and the castle staff immediately went into motion. The logistic staff prepared the cargo with Arta, and the guards went ahead to secure the perimeter with Caba. Once almost everyone left, one of Natha’s attendants told him that everything was ready.

Before I could ask what everything meant, Natha already took my hand and all I could do was walk with him just like the time at the banquet. The only difference was that this time, Jade was perching on my shoulder.

The moment we stepped into the deck, I could hear boisterous cheers from the demons that filled the street. It reminded me of the time I watched a president come in front of the public. Well, I guessed no matter the world, people in authority still had the same reception.

It almost made me shrink back, the thought of hiding behind Natha flashed into my mind. But Natha held my hand tight and smiled at me, and I recalled the things he said before the banquet; that I was fine and strong and beautiful, and that I should be proud.

Alright. Even if the citizens didn’t like me, I still had Natha and Jade and my friends.

I followed Natha, walking down the ship with Lesta and the attendants in tow, including Panne. I glanced slightly at Natha; he didn’t smile widely or brightly, just a simple, subtle one that softened his face a little bit. His expression was relaxed, nonchalant, and above all else, confident. The face that said ’everything is alright’ and ’your future is safe’.

Haa...my Demon Lord was truly remarkable.

I cast my gaze on the cheering citizens, but they were too far for me to discern. Instead, I realized there was a group of reception in front of the stairs, and I recognized two of them; Hagai--the grandson of one of the elders--and...

"Young Master!" an energetic ’boy’ with a mischievous face waved his hand at me and stepped out of the line to greet us first.

"I feel like it’s been forever since I saw you," I said to Opti, the shapeshifter I had only met once. But he had been sending me letters and trinkets from wherever he was at that time, so it didn’t feel awkward when we met again.

He laughed and curtsied properly to both Natha and me, before greeting Lesta and taking a place beside the dark-skinned demon. For some reason though, Lesta and Opti positioned themselves behind me instead of Natha. Hmm...was that because the Mayor of the city was the elder’s son?

Not long after Opti greeted me, that fucker--I mean, dude--that dude who ignored me during the banquet until I stared dagger at him was walking forward with a demon that was basically an older copy of him; dark green skin filled with piercing, lanky, sharp eyes.

Arta had told me Hagai came to this city first to prepare for the annual visit, so that was why he was already here along with his father, the Mayor. They were part of the Di clan which was one of the nobles in the realm of greed, and the current patriarch was part of the Elder Council.

"Welcome, my Lord," the Mayor bowed his head. "My father hasn’t been too healthy lately, so forgive him for not receiving you today."

"Doesn’t matter," Natha said nonchalantly. "Of course, it’s better for him to rest considering his age."

...was it just me or was Natha basically saying the old man should just retire?

I wanted to turn to Lesta so I could confirm my conjecture, but the Mayor unexpectedly shifted his gaze to me, with a smile on his face. "This must be Your Lordship’s bride, whom I’ve been hearing a lot these days."

Oh? He acknowledged my existence? I almost arched my brow in surprise, but held myself in time. I glanced at Hagai instead, which actually looked...surprised? Were they not briefing each other before or something?

"Yes, he is."

Natha’s reply brought my attention back to the Mayor, who was nodding his head toward me. "Welcome to Lu’ann, Young Master. I hope your stay will be satisfactory."

"...thank you, Mayor Di."

I almost forgot how to make a response from the shock and confusion. When Arta told me about who ruled this city, I had expected a bad reception--at least in my regard. Well...maybe not bad, but something leas hospitable, considering how they seemed to hate me still.

But this Mayor seemed friendly, and I wondered if it was genuine or some kind of political play.

"Son, what are you doing?" the Mayor turned to glance at Hagai, who almost flinched.

But the demon was very quick to keep his expressionless face as he bowed his head slightly. "Welcome, my Lord; Young Master."

"Mm," was it just me, or did I see the end of Natha’s lips twitch?

It was getting weirder, but Arta came to tell Natha that the carriages were ready, so he told me to go first with her. Opti came with me too, and I used the chance to ask him.

"Hey, why is the Mayor being friendly?"

Opti laughed as he answered me. "Because he is," he told me in a whisper. "He’s a good demon, a good Mayor too," I raised my brow in surprise and Opti added. "Complicated isn’t it?"

I glanced back for a bit, looking at the smile on the Mayor’s face that looked more genuine now that I knew he was truly friendly. But his son definitely didn’t like me, and I was pretty sure the Elder--his father--was one of those who sent the ’rats’ to probe and watch me.

I pondered over Opti’s words. Yeah...knowing Natha, if he knew there was someone or some force within his group that treated me badly, he would have done something about it. He probably had enough authority to make the Di clan lose its influence. But that would mean tearing down the whole family and some good people in the clan. Including the Mayor. It would have been easier if everyone were a crook--like Leenar’s royal family, for example.

Right. It was indeed complicated.

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