The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 38: A test

Chapter 38: A test

As Ren crossed the courtyard, the afternoon sun bled toward the horizon, staining the sky in hues of gold and crimson. She needed to finish this before darkness claimed the land.

The scent of roasted meat and spiced wine thickened the air as they wove through the bustling crowd of vassals. Tents stood tall, their canopies rippling under the fading light, while servants moved in a tireless rhythm, putting the final touches on the grand feast. They were eating lunch late.

She felt their eyes on her—curious, assessing. Instead of shying away, she straightened her spine and met their gazes with quiet resolve. These were the people she would live among, the ones who had labored without rest since her arrival. And they must know they had earned more than silent gratitude. So, she stepped forward, determined to show them what their efforts meant to her and that they would be rewarded when the time came.

She approached a tall, brown faun who sat on a chair, catching his breath and drinking some beer. She tried hard not to stare at his goat legs and be rude.

Wearing a gentle smile, she told Arkilla, "Wait, I need to thank them for this!" She pointed at the odd decorations she didn’t quite understand—wooden dolls, wooden crowns, and strange dark flowers in small vases. Before she could take two more steps, a hawk screamed and landed close to her. She jerked away and clasped Arkilla’s arm.

Shit, that was scary!

Arkilla could hear that and smiled. Surely, her lady was about to say it aloud but stifled it, unwilling to lose her grace. So, she frowned and stepped forward. "How dare you swoop down like this, you ignorant Calisa!"

Ren looked at her guardian. She knew this hawk, and just as she steadied herself, the hawk began to transform into a teenage boy. Ren wasn’t sure how to keep her mouth from dropping open. But to her surprise, he was fully dressed in royal white attire. How? The Gamma Wolves, mostly warriors, walked around naked most of the time.

What else did this land have for her in its strange depths? Humans called these people the "Queer Folk"—now she understood why. She collected herself and beamed at Calisa. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was quite handsome and lean. His eyes were icy gray, and his hair was as black as Kai’s, but his skin was truly pale. She could imagine him glowing under the moonlight. Ren avoided looking at his pointed ears. He was young and might take offense even more than his elders would.

"Calm down, Killa, it is fine. I believe I have seen you before, Calisa—correct me if I’m mispronouncing your name?"

The young boy, who had been pouting and narrowing his eyes as though assessing her behavior, suddenly smiled. "You remember me?"

Ren nodded. "When we arrived at the market, you were the first one to catch my attention!"

Saying that was like pouring cold water on a burning bird. His pale cheeks flushed pink, and he scratched the back of his neck. "Oh, thank you, my lady. That’s so kind of you. And yes, that’s my name. Sorry for scaring you."

"Hun, you shouldn’t have done that in the first place, kiddo. You might hurt someone if you keep making your arrival so dramatic," the Faun growled. And he wasn’t quite wrong.

Ren turned to the Faun man as he stood up. His upper body was bare, but his limbs were covered in natural brown fur—thankfully, nothing like the werewolves. He sipped his drink and bowed his head before setting down the wooden mug. As his shadow stretched, she tried not to flinch. Oh, good gods, he was even taller than Kai, and twice as broad.

"Oh, it is alright. I’m here to thank you for your hard work. I have seen you working tirelessly since the feast was announced."

"It is my honor to serve Your Highness at his wedding. I owe him my life." His voice was a deep, guttural growl, thick yet serene and respectful.

Ren suddenly felt guilty and ashamed for all the years she had believed these people were filthy, monstrous killers—fearsome and undignified, their souls beyond redemption. They were simply different. A diverse society of other species, doing their best to live in peace. Clearly, her husband had a substantial reason for protecting this land.

"Then I am even more grateful that you serve my husband so loyally. Your devotion is everything already." She wasn’t sure if her uncle had ever had such people around him—unless it was because of his power. People sought him for his power, his wealth, and, most of all, their fear of him and his dragon. Fear had been the key to his reign.

"You are so kind, milady. Let me pour you some beer."

Beer? It was heavy for her, and she hadn’t figured out how much alcohol it contained.

"No, she can’t have—" Gloria began, only to be silenced by Ren’s hand clasping hers.

The shine in the faun’s light brown eyes told her this was a test. She had been challenged many times in her life and could recognize one when it came. This man wanted to see if the famous princess of Alvonia looked down on them or not. As far as she had learned, some folks had simple traditions. To refuse would be offensive, and as long as it wasn’t threatening her life, she would accept it with grace.

"Actually, I’d love to taste it."

The Faun nodded, turning around to fill a wooden mug. Holding the jar steadily, he poured some beer for her. "Here you are, my lady."

Ren didn’t hesitate. She took the mug and sipped. It was done. He hadn’t poured much, which meant he had no ill intent. Instead, she noticed him watching her carefully, ensuring she didn’t play a trick. She did not doubt that neither he nor his people trusted a D’orient child. She only prayed she hadn’t unintentionally offended him.

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