The Demon Queen's Contract
Chapter 42 - 42: You are not funny

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the palace, the call for dinner echoed through the halls. My stomach growled in response, reminding me of the intense trials I had endured that day. I made my way to the grand dining hall, my thoughts still swirling with Lady Isolde's final remark about children.

The dining hall was a magnificent space, adorned with intricate tapestries and chandeliers that cast a soft, golden light. The long table was set with an array of delectable dishes, their aromas tantalizing my senses. As I took my seat, I noticed a few familiar faces—servant who had become part of my daily life here.

But there was one face conspicuously absent: Seraphina's. I had hoped she would return by now, her presence a comforting constant amidst the palace's complexities.

Just as I was beginning to worry, the doors swung open, and Seraphina strode in, her expression a mix of exasperation and relief. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, though my curiosity quickly took over.

"Where were you?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light despite my curiosity.

Seraphina gave me a sheepish grin as she took her seat beside me. "Avoiding my grandmother," she admitted with a chuckle. "She's... well, you know how she is."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension of the day easing away. "Yes, I do. She put me through quite the ordeal today."

"I heard," Seraphina said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "And you passed with flying colors. I'm impressed."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a warm blush creep up my cheeks. "But why were you hiding from her?"

Seraphina leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let's just say I didn't want to face another one of her 'evaluations.' She's always testing me, even now."

I laughed again, the sound light and carefree. "Well, you missed quite the spectacle. She even wished for us to have many children."

Seraphina's eyes widened in mock horror. "Oh no, she's already planning our future heirs? I knew she'd be relentless, but this is a new level."

Seraphina shook her head, a bemused smile on her lips. "That's my grandmother for you. Always thinking about the future of the kingdom."

We continued our meal, the conversation light and filled with laughter. It was a welcome reprieve from the day's challenges, and I found myself relaxing in Seraphina's company. Her presence was like a soothing balm, easing the tension that had built up over the course of the day.

As dinner came to an end, the servants began clearing the table, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite the trials and the ever-present expectations, moments like these made it all worthwhile.

"Shall we head to bed?" Seraphina asked, her voice soft as she reached for my hand.

I nodded, feeling a warm blush spread across my cheeks. "Yes, I think that's a good idea."

We made our way to our chambers, the corridors quiet and dimly lit. The day's events had left me exhausted, and I welcomed the prospect of a good night's sleep.

We entered our room, and Seraphina closed the door behind us. She turned to me, her eyes dark with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You were incredible today," she murmured, stepping closer until our bodies were almost touching. "I can't tell you how proud I am of you."

Her words were like a balm to my soul, soothing the lingering doubts and fears. "Thank you, Seraphina. I did it for us."

She cupped my face in her hands, her touch gentle yet firm. "And you succeeded. Now, let me show you how much that means to me."

Our lips met in a kiss that was both tender and passionate, a blend of relief and desire. I felt her hands slide down my back, pulling me closer until there was no space between us. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in a cocoon of warmth and intimacy.

We moved towards the bed, our kisses growing more heated. I could feel the urgency in her touch, a mirrored reflection of my own longing. As we sank onto the soft sheets, I let out a contented sigh, losing myself in the moment.

Just as things were beginning to escalate, the door suddenly swung open, and a familiar, authoritative voice rang out.

"You thought I wouldn't know you were trying to avoid me?"

We both froze, turning to see Lady Isolde standing in the doorway, her expression a mix of amusement and disapproval. Seraphina groaned, dropping her forehead onto my shoulder.

"Grandmother, really?" Seraphina muttered, clearly exasperated. "Can we have a moment of privacy?"

Lady Isolde stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "Oh, I can see you're having quite a moment. But this is important."

I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, the intimate moment shattered by the unexpected intrusion. "Lady Isolde, what is it that you need?"

She raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. "I wanted to discuss your performance today, Elara. And Seraphina, you should know better than to avoid me."

Seraphina sighed, rolling off the bed and standing up. "Fine, let's get this over with."

Lady Isolde crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Elara, you showed great potential today, but there are still areas where you need improvement. Leadership is a constant journey, not a destination."

I nodded, feeling both grateful for her praise and apprehensive about her critique. "I understand. I'm willing to learn and improve."

Seraphina gave her grandmother a wry look. "Can we save the lecture for tomorrow? It's been a long day."

Lady Isolde seemed to consider this for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well. But remember, the expectations are high. Don't disappoint me."

With that, she turned and left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding, turning to Seraphina with a mix of relief and frustration.

"Well, that was... unexpected," I said, trying to regain my composure.

Seraphina sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "That's my grandmother for you. Always knows how to ruin a moment."

I couldn't help but smile, reaching out to take her hand. "At least we have each other."

She squeezed my hand, her expression softening. "Yes, we do."

We sat there in silence for a moment, the weight of the day's events settling around us. Despite the interruption, there was a sense of contentment in simply being together.

Eventually, we climbed back into bed, the warmth of the covers and each other's presence providing a comforting cocoon. Seraphina pulled me close, her arms wrapping around me protectively.

"I'm sorry about tonight," she murmured, her breath warm against my ear. "I wanted it to be special."

I turned to face her, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "It was special. Despite everything."

She smiled, her eyes reflecting a mixture of love and determination. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."

We kissed again, this time slow and tender, savoring the connection between us. As we settled down to sleep, I felt a deep sense of peace, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.

Just as I was drifting off, Seraphina's voice broke the silence.

"Elara?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't let my grandmother intimidate you. You're stronger than you know."

I smiled, my eyes fluttering closed. "I know. And so are you."

With that, we finally fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms, ready to face whatever the future held together.

In the middle of the night, a faint noise stirred me from my sleep. Groggy and disoriented, I opened my eyes to a sight that sent a jolt of terror through me: a giant spider, its eyes glinting in the moonlight, was crawling towards our bed.

Heart pounding, I turned to Seraphina, shaking her shoulder urgently. "Seraphina, wake up! There's a spider!"

She remained unmoved, her breathing steady as if in a deep slumber. Panic surged through me as the spider drew closer. I slid out of bed as quietly as I could, putting distance between myself and the monstrous arachnid.

Suddenly, Seraphina stirred, her eyes snapping open. She took in the scene in an instant, and without a moment's hesitation, she sprang into action, grabbing a nearby object and striking the spider.

"Grandma, you are not funny," she muttered, irritation clear in her voice.

I stared in disbelief. "This isn't normal, Seraphina."

Ignoring my protest, Seraphina extended her hand, conjuring a brilliant red flame. The fire enveloped the spider, reducing it to nothing more than ashes in a matter of seconds. She turned to me, her expression a mixture of exasperation and exhaustion.

"Let's sleep now," she said, her tone firm but gentle.

I couldn't shake the unease that settled over me, but seeing Seraphina's calm demeanor helped. I nodded, climbing back into bed. She wrapped her arm around me protectively, her warmth a reassuring presence in the darkness.

As we settled back down, I whispered, "Seraphina, is this... normal?"

She kissed my forehead softly. "I'll explain everything later. For now, just rest."

Reluctantly, I closed my eyes, hoping for a dreamless sleep and knowing that tomorrow would bring more questions—and, hopefully, some answers.