"Hurry up and pack. You have to leave the demon land as soon as possible!"
Kelsey felt her heart stop. Why was her father suddenly kicking her out? Did he no longer want her?
She should've suspected it. After all, she wasn't their birth daughter. Even though her adoptive parents were demons—and not exactly attractive by human standards—they were kindhearted, and Kelsey had always felt safe living with them. She knew she couldn't stay with them forever, but she hadn't expected that day to come so soon.
"Husband, what happened? Why are you saying this all of a sudden?" her mother asked, visibly distressed. "Kelsey doesn't remember anything from before she met us. If she has to leave the Demon Land, where will she go?"
"To the human land, of course. She's human. It's only right that she returns."
"But—"
"It's okay, Mother. I understand." Kelsey forced a smile. "Thank you for taking care of me these past three years. I'll start packing." She spoke calmly, but inside, it felt like a knife was tearing through her heart.
"Kelsey, my princess," her father said, stopping her before she entered her room. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to send you away like this. We treasure you very much. If it weren't for that damn decree, you wouldn't have to go."
Damn decree?
"What decree?" her mother asked with a demanding tone. "Explain yourself."
Without a word, the father pulled out a notice he had torn from the wall and handed it to them. Both mother and daughter read it, eyes wide in disbelief.
The Demon King was searching for a new bride. All unmarried girls under the age of twenty-five were ordered to travel to the Northern Capital to be considered as candidates. Anyone caught hiding their daughter or helping her escape would face execution.
"Wh—WHAT THE HELL!?" her mother screamed, burning the notice with her fire magic. "That tyrant is looking for a new bride again!? Didn't he just marry his eighth wife a few months ago!?"
"You forget," her husband said grimly, "his eighth wife died on their wedding night—just like all the others."
"And now he wants another victim? Why is he collecting young girls like livestock!? He's already three hundred years old!!!"
"That's why Kelsey needs to leave immediately. Marrying the Demon King is a death sentence."
"You're right. Kelsey, I'll help you pack." Her mother rushed to her room and began gathering her things. Her father joined in, preparing food for the journey.
Kelsey stood frozen, stunned by her parents' reaction. She had thought her father didn't want her anymore. But now she realized they were risking their lives to protect her.
Her chest ached. Her heart felt heavier than ever.
Though her adoptive parents were low-ranking demons, the Demon King was a royal one—with power said to rival an Eternal or even a god. Kelsey had never seen either in action, but the books described that it takes five demon slayers to defeat a Demon King. Even more terrifying was the Demon Emperor, who ruled over all four kings. He was said to be powerful enough to rival a high-ranking god, and it took ten Eternals just to seriously wound him.
The Demon King of the North was infamous: cruel, ruthless, and narcissistic. He had been married eight times, and every bride had died on the night of their wedding.
No one dared to volunteer anymore.
Why is that monster suddenly holding a public bridal selection? Kelsey thought. Normally, the Demon King would simply propose to the family of any girl who caught his interest. So why change his approach now?
And the timing was suspicious. The gap between his marriages was usually ten years, but it had only been eight months since his last betrothal. Why the rush?
"Kelsey, I've finished packing your things," her mother said, breaking her train of thought. "Is there anything else you want to bring?"
Kelsey looked from her mother to her father. She couldn't remember her real family, or what affection had felt like before—but she knew this was one. She had received it in abundance from these two demons.
"Mother, Father… I'm not going," she said quietly. "I'm going to join the Demon King's bridal selection." Her parents looked at her in shock as she added, "How can I run away and let you two be killed? Even though I can't remember my past, I know I'm not ungrateful."
"But you could be chosen and killed! We don't know what that bastard king does to his brides. And I've heard his appearance is so hideous, it makes you lose your appetite. You deserve better, my child!"
"That may be true," Kelsey replied, "but there's also a chance I won't be chosen. I could disguise myself, make myself look ugly so he won't favor me."
"That won't work," her father said. "He's no low-rank demon. He'll see right through it. And if you try to trick him, there's no telling what he might do. He could kill you on the spot."
That's true. "Then I'll just act like myself and hope he dislikes me."
"Kelsey," her mother said, eyes brimming with tears. "How can you be sure he won't kill you just for that? He's cruel. Unpredictable. The only way to—"
"Mother." Kelsey gently cut her off. "I'm not escaping by myself. That's my decision. Don't worry. I'll be fine." She smiled softly, then cleared her throat awkwardly. "Let me get ready."
She entered her room, shut the door, and collapsed to the floor as her legs gave out. Despite her brave words, she was terrified. Her entire body trembled as if struck by winter's chill.
Tears welled in her eyes. She couldn't hold them back anymore. "I'm scared… I'm so scared." Her voice broke as she sobbed, clutching her chest. "But I can't let them die to protect me."