Although Kelsey had lived among demons for three years, she had never met a high-ranking one. However, she knew they were said to be beautiful and flawless. This was evident in the bride candidates—most of whom were high-ranking demons.
Still, she never imagined that the infamous demon king, rumored to be old and ugly, would appear as a handsome and charismatic young man. His body had the presence of a monster about to pounce, but after walking beside him, she felt his large figure was reliable—as if she could entrust her life to him.
As if that wasn't strange enough, even his bloody red eyes didn't seem as menacing as she had thought. They looked at her gently, full of affection and...
Wait!! Why did the demon king take off his mask and look at her like that?
"I think I managed to stop your tears."
Kelsey felt her heart skip a beat as she saw the charming smile that graced his handsome face. It wasn't the evil grin typical of demon kings but a mischievous one—like a man teasing a girl he liked.
"You... you... You really are the demon king?"
"I am."
"But I heard you're already 300 years old!!"
"Indeed."
"But your looks... Is this magic?"
"It seems you're not afraid of me anymore?"
"Are you going to kill me?" That was strange. So strange! She wasn't afraid at all when she asked that.
"No," the demon replied, his smile widening. "You've made your way into my heart. How could I possibly kill you?"
The gentle caress of his hand on her face made Kelsey gasp.
"If I killed you, it would be suicide."
Kelsey felt like she saw stars dancing above her head. What was this? What was happening? Why was the ruthless demon king talking to her like this? Why were his words affecting her?
The demon king leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"Your heart is beating fast again. But I'm sure it's not because of fear."
Kelsey's face flushed, and she covered it with her hands. She didn't want to show the demon her tomato-red face.
The demon king chuckled in amusement. "Do you still have the same favor?"
Kelsey parted her fingers slightly, peeking at the demon through one eye.
"If I choose you to marry me, do you still want me to take care of your parents like my own? Just so you know, my mother died of an incurable disease, and my father has been wandering who-knows-where since he abdicated two centuries ago. You don't have to worry about me killing them."
Kelsey lowered her hands, contemplating every word he said. She also recalled the dark rumors about this unexpectedly hot, gorgeous demon king.
"There's something I'd like to ask."
"Go ahead."
"I heard you killed all eight of your wives on your first night. Is that... true?"
"No," the demon answered with absolute certainty. "I've never been married."
"So the rumor isn't true?"
"The rumors you heard about the North's demon king are all true, but that wasn't me—it was my half-brother. He married a high-ranking demoness by force and killed her after absorbing her core. The chief of the noble clan forced me to seize the throne a few months ago. But I asked them not to publicize it until I got married."
"Why?"
"If so many people are interested in becoming the demon queen just because the king has changed, imagine how much blood will be shed for the position."
Kelsey remembered the conversation the bride candidates had had that afternoon. Even after learning that the king was a tyrant, they still wanted to marry him for the sake of their family's well-being. If they knew the younger brother—the new king—was kinder and wiser, even more candidates would come flocking.
"Then where is the previous king?"
The demon king simply smiled.
"Why are you smiling? If you don't want to tell me, that's your right."
"It's not that I don't want to tell you. I'm just afraid you'll hate me after hearing the answer."
"I don't know you well enough to hate you or like you."
"Really? It only took me three seconds to fall in love with you."
Her purple eyes widened. That was cheesy! Was this person really the demon king?
"Just tell me. I'll decide whether I hate you or like you after hearing it. Or maybe... I want to get to know you better first. Who knows?"
The demon king laughed, brushing her nose with his index finger. "You're really something. But can't you guess? I usurped the throne."
Suddenly, she remembered one of the bride candidates who had been carried out, dead, and covered in blood.
"You... you killed him?"
"Either that, or I'd be the one who died. Since I'm alive and well, it means it was the former."
"I see." Kelsey didn't notice the look of awe in the demon's eyes. "Then why did you kill the candidate?"
"I hated her."
"You killed her just because you hated her? Are you going to kill everyone you hate?"
"Only if I can't use them."
Kelsey sensed the demon king's mood shift. She knew she should stop. But her tongue didn't obey her logic. "Then... will you kill me when you start hating me?"
The demon king looked genuinely shocked. "I won't hate you. Never."
Kelsey scoffed. "No one knows what the future holds. And it's easier said than done."
"Kelsey, I—"
"I have two requests." It was truly hard to face this dangerously handsome demon king. She hadn't expected her name to sound so beautiful coming from his mouth. "First, please don't choose me. If you truly value me, please don't force me to marry you." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Second, please let me go now. I'm tired, and I want to go home." Honestly, Kelsey didn't know what she would do if the demon king refused. She was only human. She wouldn't be able to escape if he decided to take her hostage.
"Luca."
Kelsey opened her eyes again, confused.
"My name is Luca. I'll grant not just your two wishes—but any future wishes, if you'll remember my name."
Luca.
Luca.
His name is Luca. She called it in her heart over and over again, as if to imprint it. "Okay. I've remembered it."
"Go. My attendant will take you to your parents."
Kelsey was about to bow deeply, but Luca stopped her.
"One more thing. You don't have to bow to me."
"I can't do that." What would other demons say if she didn't respect their king?
"You can. No one knows the new face of the North's Demon King."
Kelsey had no other choice but to accept his request.
"The next time I see you, I won't bring my title. At that time, will you be my friend?"
Kelsey was hesitant, but she answered after a moment of silence. "Maybe." She would never know her answer could hurt the mighty demon king's heart.