The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 583: When you’re too used to seeing the Big Boss that the executive feels like a regular employee

Chapter 583: When you’re too used to seeing the Big Boss that the executive feels like a regular employee

The Demon King.

It was a title with a completely different concept than the Demon King I had in mind while consuming Earth’s culture. The word ’King’ had always been used to illustrate the highest ruling authority, but with the Demon Realm, the ’King’ acted more like a religious leader.

Which was rather weird to me, since the demons didn’t look religious at all. Was it because there was no big worship activity? There was no obligation to do any worship aside from the New Year. Each community had a habit of praying during harvest and going to the Temple during hard and important times, but it was more cultural and religious.

Or perhaps because the King showed himself to the public--well, it was my first time, even. Since the governmental position had already been carried by the seven Demon Lords, there was no need for the King to show up unless a matter that might destroy the Demon Realm came out.

Which made me think for a second that something like that had occurred.

But then, it vanished just as quickly the moment I felt my baby’s heartbeat. If anything, the Demon Realm was more prosperous than ever, now that the other Lords basically rallied behind Natha.

Perhaps...he came for a blessing?

"Y-Your Majesty!" the Head Priest kneeled and bowed their head, while the other clerics had been doing that the moment the King’s presence could be sensed through the fire.

"Your Majesty," Natha followed, calmer than the others. Still, I could feel the reverence in his voice, and the slight tremble in his fingers that he swiftly clenched.

The elves and the druids, while not bringing themselves to the ground, still bowed their heads respectfully.

As for me...

Uhh--how should I say this? It wasn’t that I wanted to be impolite, but...it just felt like usual Thursday for me.

I mean...just like how Amarein could never feel like Mother, the Demon King could never have Lord An’Hyang’s full aura. As someone who had been meeting those deities more than I met the elders of the Demon Realm...

It was just like your husband’s manager strolling into your child’s birthday party, but you played golf often with the Chairman. Wow, but...okay.

Perhaps that was why, I didn’t feel anything when I looked up at the figure on the altar. Shrouded in a robe made of fire, with long dark hair that reminded me of Lord An’Hyang. The King’s gaze was cold and detached from this world, maybe because he had been living in the Sanctuary for so long, just watching over the Realm.

Weirdly enough, I felt the Demon God was more ’alive’ than this King. But there was something in that gaze that felt rather...unsettling, as it landed on my child.

What was it? Greed...desire? A flicker of possession that startled my heart.

Instinctively, I grasped Shwa tighter, and positioned my hand over his head so no one could peek at my baby’s face.

No one said anything, and everyone’s gazes were on the floor, so I had a staring contest with the Demon King for a while. It was very, very uncomfortable. The back of my neck felt hot and cold, while my spine was tingling in alarm. Was it an instinct, or nothing more than paranoia from a post-partum confusion?

I had no idea how long we were locked in that staring contest, but the King eventually opened his mouth.

[On his hundredth day, bring him to the Sanctuary]

His voice sounded far away and very close at the same time. If I had to liken it to something, it felt like a very loud recording delivered through an earpiece.

The reaction was immediate; rather than a ripple, it was a wave of astonishment. I didn’t even need to check on the other demons because the one beside me was radiating joy. It wasn’t really surprising, because I knew Natha revered the King for sending him to me in the past. And well, obviously because he was a demon. The King’s alpha seed worked as a source of admiration and reverence--as long as you were a demon, it was hard for you to feel any negative feelings toward the King.

"Yes, Your Ma--"

"Why?"

Before Natha could finish his agreement, I cut him off, staring sharply at the Demon King. I knew I was being rude and might sound as if I was challenging a divine decree, but I wasn’t a demon. Unlike them, I could see the coldness and greediness behind those blazing eyes, which looked upon my child as if he were a tool.

So, why? Why did he want us to bring Shwa there? If it was a blessing, he could just do it right then and there, in the Temple, in front of the guest. I talked to the Demon God several times in this Temple, so why the need to go all the way to the Sanctuary?

Or why wait until Shwa was a hundred days old? Why not now?

But the demons, including my husband, couldn’t understand my distrust.

"Sweetheart?" Natha was confused at the cold tone I used to address the King--his King.

And the King looked at me coldly before replying in a dry, indifferent tone.

[That is for Lord An’Hyang to decide, mortal]

It was the Demon God’s will? My stomach suddenly churned and I couldn’t help but frown. While I was freezing from the sudden bad feeling, Natha had already replied.

"We shall be there."

The fire blazed again and the King vanished along with the creaking sound of the brassier. It took me two seconds to digest the way my spine grew cold and turned my head to Natha with eyes widened in shock.

What?! How could you...how could you make that decision without me?!

I get it--I got that you were a loyalist, a devotee. I got that you felt indebted to the Demon God and the Demon King for sending you to my previous world. But damn it, Ra Natha--you should have talked to me first!

I gripped Shwa tightly, feeling anger bubbling inside me. Anger that I didn’t know I could feel toward Natha, because what I felt was...betrayal.

I felt betrayed by my husband; the one who should never betray me until the end of time.

I kept Shwa closed to my chest and fixed his robe, shielding him from view with my wide sleeve as I stood up. A pair of cold hands were helping me stabilize, but I didn’t find them helpful or shooting at all.

Especially, not when I heard the cheerful tone in his voice. "Sweetheart, it’s--"

"Your Lordship, congratulations!"

The Head Priest rushed toward us--or rather, toward Natha--along with the clerics. Behind me, I could hear excited murmurs from the audience and the reporters, who had something bigger to write than Shwa’s name. Zia looked astonished and sparkly-eyed on the side, and Natha...was responding to the clerics’ congratulatory with a smile I saw on his face.

I knew that the demons were overjoyed because they rarely interacted with the Demon King--much less the Demon God. It was weird, but I probably had more interaction with the Demon God than any normal demons.

Yes, I understood the excitement. The happiness.

Didn’t mean the sharp chill I had on my nape was dismissable.

I glanced at Amarein, who looked at me with concern. Ah, at least she seemed to know that I wasn’t fine. Holding Shwa securely, I walked away from the happy congregation. Away from the crowd and the source of the churning feeling in my stomach.

My steps were heavy, and my head felt muddled. But I could see my destination clearly; the carriage that was supposed to bring us back to the Castle.

"Valen," Amarein whispered when she reached my side.

"I need to see Mother," I said quietly while glancing toward Jade.

"Alright, I’ll go back and prepare--"

"No," I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling my heart getting stabbed as I spoke. "I need you to guard my son."

Amarein raised her brows and widened her eyes, but I had no leeway to tell me my fear and concern in this place, which was the closest to the Demon God’s connection. Instead, I looked at the vassals--well, at my other son, to be precise.

Interestingly enough, Lesta and Eruha did not look as dazed and blissful as the other demons. Was it because Eruha was D’Ara’s direct offspring? Vampires probably did not get influenced much by the King since their Progenitor was a Sacred Guardian of the Realms.

In tacit understanding--although mixed with confusion--they approached me instead of Natha--unlike the other vassals--who were still being surrounded and congratulated. We reached the carriage simultaneously, and I threw some excuses.

"I don’t want Shwa to get cold," I said with a smile.

I knew Eruha and Lesta could see past my bluff, but they didn’t say anything or question me. Eruha simply opened the carriage door and Lesta put Jade’s down. The little boy, who was very talkative and energetic before, was quiet and held my coat tightly.

"Can you turn back, baby?"

Jade nodded and climbed into the carriage. A soft sound of a breeze and a little glow later, a plump little bird perched on the seat, leaving a white robe scattered on the carriage floor, which Lesta deftly took. Amarein helped me get inside and softly asked.

"What would you like me to do?"

"Tell everyone to go back quietly," I frowned slightly. "And if you can, stay. Eruha..." I turned toward the vampire, who thankfully looked at me with a serene gaze. "D’Ara...I need to see your mother."

"What about your friends, Young Master?" Lesta asked.

My eyes widened in surprise at his initiative, and I was so very thankful. "Can you please send them back right away? Tell them I’ll see them soon," I paused, lowering my voice before adding. "On the other side."

Lesta nodded, but he frowned slightly before going away. "You will...talk to His Lordship first, right?"

"...yes," suddenly, everything felt heavy. My body, my heart, my tongue. I held Shwa close, more to protect myself than him. To protect my heart and my conviction. "Yes, I will."

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