Chapter Nine

LEAH’s POV

As I stormed into the opulent chambers, I was met with a sight that ignited my ire. My daughter-in-law's maid lay serenely on the majestic bed, her tranquil slumber an affront to the royal family's dignity.

“How dare she!” I thundered, my voice echoing through the halls. “Guards! Remove this insolent servant at once!”

The guards rushed to my side, their swift response a testament to their loyalty.

“Maids are not allowed to behave as royals,” I decreed, my tone stern. “Such audacity will not be tolerated. If this happens again, there will be no maids!”

Kyla's POV

I was jolted awake by the cacophony of voices and scurrying footsteps. “Guard, guard…" The urgent cries pierced my eardrums, making my heart race.

As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, a disturbing scene unfolded before me. Kira, my loyal maid, was being dragged away by the guards, her face twisted in a desperate plea for mercy.

I threw off the covers and rushed to her aid, my bare feet pattering against the cold floor. “Let her go” I implored, trying to intervene.

But the guards were unyielding, their grip on Kira unforgiving. They pulled her away, leaving me feeling helpless and worried about my attendant's fate.

As the guard uttered the queen's decree, I stood firm, my heart racing with defiance. “This is an instruction from the queen,” he warned, but I would not be swayed.

I swiftly pulled Kira from his grasp, embracing her tightly. “She's going nowhere,” I commanded, my voice firm and resolute.

The guards, though reluctant, eventually retreated from my chambers, their attempts to take Kira thwarted. As the door closed, Kira's wails filled the room, her fragile frame shaking with fear.

As I comforted Kira, the door burst open, and Her Majesty stormed in, her countenance stern and unforgiving. We hastily rose, offering greetings, but she remained unresponsive.

“Guards, take them both and lock them up!” she commanded, her voice icy.

I grasped her gown, pleading, “Her Majesty, please! Spare Kira, she's innocent. I'm the one who disobeyed. Punish me, not her.”

But she shook off my grasp, her expression unyielding. Kira's wails grew louder, and I felt a pang of despair.

“I'll take the blame, Mother,” I implored, desperation creeping into my voice. “Kira knows nothing. Have mercy!”

Her Majesty's gaze remained icy, unmoved by my desperate pleas. I clutched her leg, begging for mercy, until she finally waved her hand, ordering Kira's release. I remained, taking her place in captivity.

Sitting silently, my head bowed in shame, I reflected on my actions. Had I done the right thing? How had I offended my mother-in-law so deeply? Convincing Kira to stay on the bed had sparked this chaos.

Self-blame consumed me as the dungeon keeper's knock echoed outside my cell. He slid a tray of vile-smelling food beneath the door.

“Aghh!”

I recoiled, disgust etched on my face. The stench was overwhelming. My stomach growled, but I lost all appetite.

The food at home was a culinary delight, crafted with love and care. This, in contrast, was a miserable, foul-smelling mess.

I pushed the platter away, unable to stomach the thought of eating it.

GIBSON’s POV

Within the confines of my chamber, I effortlessly manipulated the air with my magic, my powers under precise control. As the product of human and demon blood, I possessed a unique advantage in the demon kingdom — a potent blend that rendered me virtually unstoppable.

My thoughts drifted to my beloved wife, her joyful expression etched in my mind as she savored each bite of her meal. Her happiness resonated deeply within me, evoking an inexplicable tingling sensation.

A gentle smile crept onto my face as I pondered her reaction to my masked appearance. “Would she love me still, or would fear grip her heart if she discovered my true nature?” I wondered, torn between revealing my identity and maintaining the secrecy that had become my shield.

“I must remain hidden,” I resolved, “and keep my demon heritage concealed, lest she shrink from me in terror.” And so, I chose to wear my mask, safeguarding my secret.

I've worn this mask since childhood, concealing my face from the world. As the demon prince, my identity has remained a mystery. The prophecy foretold of a human-demon hybrid, destined to unite our realms. Fearful of my potential, ignorant demons sought to destroy male hybrids.

My father, the former king, sacrificed everything to protect me. His dying wish was for me to keep my true self hidden, ensuring my survival. I vowed to honor his memory, donning this mask as a shield.

Now, I rule with an air of enigma, my face hidden behind this ornate mask. Few know my story, and even fewer understand the weight of my responsibility. I am the key to a harmonious future, where humans and demons coexist.

The prophecy's words still echo: “A human-demon will bring balance, and demon and human will dine together.” My existence holds the power to unite or divide.

A sudden knock on my door shattered my reverie. “Enter,” I growled, my senses heightened as the scent of demon blood wafted in.

The maid, tasked with safeguarding my wife, burst in, her breathless panic palpable. “Master…" she stammered, her eyes wide with fear.

I sensed impending doom. “Speak, woman," I commanded, my voice firm but laced with concern.

“Mi-lady…mi-lady …" she stuttered, her words trembling. “She's…she's gone, Master.”

My heart sank, icy dread coursing through my veins. “What do you mean she's gone?” I demanded, my mask hiding the turmoil within.