The Dragon King's Hated Bride
Chapter 78: Demon Town

Chapter 78: Demon Town

>>Ariston

I drifted back into awareness slowly, the weight of sleep still pressing down on me. My eyelids fluttered open, the dim light of the room filtering through the slits between my lashes. My body felt heavy, my breath slow and deep. One arm lay draped over my eyes, shielding them from the world.

I let out a long sigh.

For a while, I stayed like that, staring into the darkness behind my arm, trying to push away the remnants of the dream—the memory. But it clung to me, a cold, unwelcome presence.

With a quiet breath, I shifted, lowering my arm just enough to let my gaze settle on the ceiling. My red eyes reflected back at me in the faint light, and I inhaled sharply before forcing myself to sit up. The bed creaked slightly under my weight as I swung my legs over the edge, my bare feet touching the cool floor.

I only meant to take a nap...

That was all. The princess had gone out with her husband, leaving me with nothing to do. I’d let my guard down, let sleep claim me.

I didn’t expect that some awful memories from the past would come to haunt me.

I let out another sigh

How old was I then? Seven?

I turned my head slightly, my gaze landing on the mirror across the room. My reflection stared back at me, eyes the same shade of red that had once made me a target. I met my own gaze.

A soft, bitter chuckle escaped me. My lips barely moved as I whispered to myself, "At least the demons have no issue with my eyes."

The lingering weight of my dream pressed against my chest as I stood, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. I exhaled deeply, pushing my fingers through my hair as I tried to rid myself of the bitter taste left behind by my memories.

There was no time to dwell on the past. The festival had begun, and I had work to do.

I walked over to my wardrobe, opening it slowly and scanning through the contents. My usual garments hung neatly, but my fingers moved past them with purpose until they found what I was looking for—a navy blue dress, folded and hidden beneath my more traditional attire.

I had bought it in secret. I had a feeling there might come a time when I needed a disguise, and today, with the festival in full swing, that time had finally arrived. If I wanted to move freely, to investigate without attracting attention, I couldn’t afford to be recognized.

I can’t afford to look like a human either.

I pulled the dress out, letting the fabric unfold in my hands. It was simple yet elegant, with delicate embroidery along the hem. Next, I reached for the red wig, its long strands silky under my touch. A pair of cat ears and a matching tail completed the disguise.

A cat demon. A common enough sight during the festival, where people of all races roamed the streets.

I caught my reflection in the mirror, tilting my head slightly as I studied my face. My features were delicate, almost too soft for a man. That would work in my favor. If I played my role well, no one would look at me twice.

I nodded to myself and then began to undress myself, letting my ’man clothes’ slide off of my slender shoulders.

***

Once I was dressed, I secured the wig carefully, adjusting the ears so they looked as natural as possible. The tail was easy enough to affix. A final glance in the mirror confirmed what I already knew—there was no trace of Ariston anymore. Only a cat demon girl stood before me.

I pulled a dark cloak over my disguise and fastened it at the collar, drawing the hood up to shadow my face. Then, moving quietly, I slipped out of my room, my steps light and purposeful as I navigated the palace halls. The guards were preoccupied with the festivities, and it wasn’t difficult to avoid being seen. Within moments, I was outside, stepping into the lively streets of the city.

The festival had transformed the capital into something almost otherworldly. Magic lanterns in every shade of red and gold hung from buildings, casting a warm glow over the bustling crowds. Stalls lined the streets, their vendors calling out to passersby, offering everything from fragrant roasted meats to intricately crafted jewelry. Music filled the air, a lively melody that made even the most serious of men smile.

I walked among them, my eyes sharp beneath the cover of my hood.

As I weaved through the festival, my gaze caught on two familiar figures in the distance. Draegon and Aelin stood near a game stall, the demon prince smiling softly as he handed a wooden ring to the princess. Aelin’s expression was determined, her brow furrowing as she focused on which paper she was going to put her hand onto.

I smiled faintly at the sight.

They looked happy.

For a moment, I let myself enjoy the scene before turning away and blending back into the crowd. I had work to do, and no time to waste.

***

>>Aelin

The festival was alive with chaos, the streets glowing with floating lanterns and firelight. The scent of roasted meats and spiced drinks filled the air, but what truly caught my attention was the laughter—deep, belly-aching laughter—from a group gathered around a small, candlelit stall.

"What’s this one?" I asked, glancing up at Draegon beside me. His purple eyes gleamed with amusement.

"A prank stall," he said, his voice dripping with mirth. "Demons enjoy harmless tricks. This one is probably hexed to—"

"Ah, welcome, travelers!" The vendor, an elderly demon with curling horns and a wicked grin, gestured toward the wooden counter. A stack of blank parchment lay before him. "Care to test fate? Place your hand on any sheet, and let the spirits surprise you!" He picked out a wooden ring, "You’ll just have to wear this beforehand!"

"We should move on before—"

But I was already curious. "A surprise?" I repeated, eyeing the papers. Each one was identical—no markings, no hints. Just smooth, cream-colored parchment.

It could be nothing. Or it could be something. Then I looked at Draegon, he already had his eyes on me. When he saw the look in my eyes, he looked at the vendor and presented his palm to him to take the ring.

!!!

I smiled as he turned to me and put the ring on my finger

"I can?" I asked, my heart pounding.

"Why not?" He gave me a soft smile. I turned to look at blank papers again.

I hovered my hand over them, hesitating for a moment before pressing my palm firmly against the one in the center.

The effect was instant.

!!!

A surge of light flared beneath my fingertips, forming a glowing, golden magic circle. A gust of wind swirled around me, kicking up dust and loose fabric. The symbols spun and flickered, wrapping around my wrist like phantom chains.

Then, just as suddenly as it started, it stopped.

I blinked, my heartbeat loud in my ears. The crowd around us clapped and cheered, clearly entertained.

Draegon turned to me, his lips twitching with a barely restrained smirk. "Do you feel any different?"

I opened my mouth to answer.

And what came out was—

"I have hands but cannot hold, I have a face but never grow old. You see me every morning, yet I never wake—what am I?"

I froze. My own voice had betrayed me.

!?!?!?

What the!?!? What just happened!?!?

Draegon was amused, "Oh,"

I clamped a hand over my mouth. My eyes narrowed at the vendor. "What—" I stopped myself before I accidentally blurted another puzzle.

The demon vendor grinned, utterly delighted. "Ah! A fine curse indeed! You shall speak only in riddles until sunrise!"

Draegon looked at the vendor, "Until sunrise?"

I groaned, but what left my lips was—

"I have keys but unlock no doors. I create songs yet sing no scores. What am I?"

Draegon’s eyes searched my face, catching the way my hands clenched at my sides. Anyone could tell I was frustrated.

With a sigh, he turned to the vendor. "Is there a way to undo the curse?"

The old demon grinned, utterly unbothered. "Undo it? Why would you want to? It’s fun! A day of riddles! A fine test of wit and patience!"

I shot him a glare, then opened my mouth to say just that—

"A traveler goes east and west but never moves. They see the world but never leave. What are they?"

I gritted my teeth. That was not what I wanted to say!

"No." Draegon’s voice was firm, though not unkind. "I would like to talk to my wife normally."

The vendor’s grin faltered. His head snapped toward Draegon, golden eyes going wide. "Your wife?"

Draegon tilted his head, as if suddenly wary. "Yes."

The vendor beamed. "Why didn’t you say so sooner? A husband should prove himself in a challenge of mind! Very well, let’s make a deal." He rubbed his hands together, excitement crackling around him like static.

Draegon exhaled, clearly not liking where this was going. "What kind of deal?"

The demon wagged a finger. "If you can answer five riddles in a row, the curse will be broken."