It had been almost a month since Kelsey started living in the palace, and her adoptive parents had arrived in the Capital just yesterday afternoon. Luca offered to let them stay in the palace, but they declined, saying they wanted to move around the city more easily.
Luca had taken her to the altar where their wedding would be held and explained the rituals they would have to perform. They would marry under the red moon as their witness, and in that moment, they would unite their blood as a sign of their bond. Kelsey would have to cut her palm for this, and she was already terrified just thinking about it.
As if that ritual weren't frightening enough, she was also expected to walk side by side with Luca on scorching lava rocks. For demons, it was commonplace, but she was only human. How could she walk on lava rocks without getting burned?
Luca told her not to worry, promising he would abolish that part of the ritual. However, to this day, the nobles opposed his proposal, insisting he should marry a fellow demon if his human bride could not perform the sacred rite.
And tonight, the long-awaited red full moon would rise—the witness to their mating. That meant their wedding would take place tonight.
Kelsey was excited to marry Luca. After tonight, he would be all hers. Yet unease still gnawed at her heart. She didn't know where her anxiety came from. At times, it told her she was foolish and blind, that she would regret her decision someday. At others, it whispered that she would regret it even more if she didn't hold Luca's hand tightly now.
She didn't know how many times she felt torn between two voices within her, but in the end, she still chose the Demon King.
"My lady, the Demon King sends you a present."
Kelsey heard the servant's voice from behind the door and rose to open it. She allowed the servant in, carrying a large box, and noticed another bringing a tray with a small vial of potion. She had grown accustomed to these two over the past month—Luca had assigned them as her attendants. Both were mid-rank demonesses who had long served in the palace. One had black horns sprouting from her head, while the other bore cat-like ears on either side.
The servant with the box opened it to reveal a beautiful gown. "This is your wedding gown, my lady. Please wear it."
Kelsey remembered Luca telling her that a maid would deliver the gown. So, she let the cat-eared servant help her prepare.
The gown was a deep shade of regal purple, its fabric shimmering faintly as though woven with moonlight. It bared her slender shoulders, the neckline curving gracefully around her collarbones before tapering into a modest plunge that hinted at delicacy rather than boldness. A single clasp at her neck held it in place, elegant yet commanding, as though declaring her the bride of a king.
Her arms were left uncovered, smooth skin gleaming like silk against the richness of the fabric. The waist hugged her form with perfect precision, accentuated by an intricate band embroidered with threads of silver that caught the light like falling stars.
Below, the skirt blossomed in layers of fine silk and gossamer, cascading like waves until it touched the floor in flawless symmetry. Each layer was edged with a subtle gleam, creating the illusion of petals unfolding around her feet.
When she moved, the gown whispered like a secret—majestic, ethereal, and unlike anything a human or demoness had ever worn.
The maid styled her hair and dressed her in a fashion no demoness would wear. Instead, she adorned her like a human noblewoman—soft, pure, and majestic, with a refined elegance.
"Is this… me?" Kelsey whispered, staring at her reflection. It felt strange—this was her first time truly dressing up. Or perhaps she had once looked like a princess, but with no memories, there was no way to know. "You're gifted," she praised softly, satisfied with her maid's work.
"My lady, you are already beautiful without make-up. I merely enhanced it."
After completing her task, the cat-eared maid withdrew, leaving the other to present the potion. "My lady, His Majesty wishes for you to remain unharmed when crossing the lava rock. He has given you a heat-resistant potion for protection. Please drink it."
Kelsey eyed the small bottle, no larger than her thumb. Luca had never mentioned such a potion. While the thought of her feet blistering on molten stone made her shudder, she didn't drink it at once.
Never eat or drink anything that wasn't coming from me. She remembered Luca's sharp warning when she first arrived. Wariness crept into her heart.
"I understand. Leave it on my desk," Kelsey said calmly. She preferred not to raise suspicion by refusing outright.
"My lady, His Majesty instructed that this potion will take effect only after three hours. The sooner you drink it, the better."
"I'll drink it later."
"My lady—"
"Aren't I about to marry your king? Put the potion on the table. I'll drink it when I wish."
"But—"
"If you fear punishment, I will explain it to him myself. Now go. I want to be alone."
The cat-eared maid obeyed and left, but the horned demoness lingered. Kelsey, reclining on the couch with her eyes closed, didn't notice.
The servant glared at her with hatred.
If she refuses to drink it, I'll kill her myself.
Primal instinct surged through the demoness. She shed her guise, transforming into her true form—a one-horned water horse.
Neither she nor Kelsey noticed the twenty pearls around Kelsey's neck begin to glow. A wave of purifying energy erupted, striking the demoness. She disintegrated soundlessly, vanishing without a trace.
Kelsey's eyes fluttered open, sensing some kind of wave-like breeze, which was ridiculous. How could she feel a breeze in the sea while she was inside her room? She looked around but saw nothing. Shaking her head, she dismissed it as nerves before the wedding.
Her gaze returned to the potion bottle. Perhaps Luca had truly found a way to protect her and simply hadn't mentioned it. After all, walking on lava was death for a human. She picked up the thumb-sized bottle and uncorked it. It had no scent, and the colour was just fine.
"I suppose… it wouldn't hurt to try." She raised it to her lips.