The elves walking through the area glanced at Kael's group out of the corner of their eyes and murmured quietly among themselves.
Their whispers were not hostile, but they were filled with curiosity.
It was not every day that they saw people of a different race crossing their territory with such freedom.
More than discomfort, what was reflected in their gazes was surprise… and something harder to define.
How had they managed to get there?
The elven kingdom was not an easy place to find. Many humans did not even know it truly existed.
Kael felt those stares pinned to his back like tiny invisible needles.
He tried to maintain his composure, but inside he was completely nervous.
He walked behind Viridia, trying not to look insecure. After all, he was the Demon King… at least in theory.
Magnus, who until that moment had remained silent, suddenly raised his wings. The movement was so natural it almost seemed like a reflex.
Within seconds, he propelled himself into the sky.
Kael looked up, impressed.
From above, Magnus observed the entire territory.
The kingdom stretched like an endless sea of trees and houses, and at the center, standing out among the ancient trees, rose the elven palace: an elegant structure built of pale stone and living wood, adorned with vines and crystals that reflected the sunlight.
After a few seconds, Magnus descended with the same precision with which he had ascended.
When he touched the ground, he folded his wings with a slight motion and, almost instantly, they disappeared thanks to his magic, as if they had never been there.
Kael's eyes widened with excitement.
—Magnus… Magnus, you have to teach me how to do what you just did.
His voice sounded like that of a child who had just discovered an impossible trick.
Magnus smiled calmly.
—Later, Kael. When we have time, perhaps I will teach you how to use magic properly.
Seraphyne puffed her cheeks slightly.
—Well… that's not what matters. Now tell me, Magnus, is that the palace where the Queen is?
Seraphyne spoke while pointing toward the structure rising in the distance.
Magnus crossed his arms and answered calmly.
—From above I saw many elven guards watching the surroundings. If I had to bet, I would say yes. That must be where the Queen is.
Seraphyne remained silent for a few seconds. Then she brought a hand to one of the small pouches hanging from her belt.
—Then I think it's time for our King to speak with the Queen of the Elves.
As she said that, she extended her closed fist toward Kael.
He looked at her, confused.
—Uh… do you want to give me something, Seraphyne?
Kael extended his hand somewhat hesitantly, placing it beneath hers.
Seraphyne opened her fingers and let something small fall into his palm.
It was a piece of chewing gum.
Kael stared at it as if it were a sacred object.
—Wait… what is this?
—Chewing gum —she replied naturally—. Chew it.
—Why?
Seraphyne looked at him with a serious expression.
—So you don't have bad breath when you speak to the Queen.
Kael froze.
—Are you saying I have bad breath?
He immediately brought both hands to his mouth, horrified.
—I'm not saying you have bad breath —she answered calmly—. I haven't even gotten close enough to check. Just chew it… just in case. Understood?
Kael sighed in relief.
—Ah… I thought I did.
He slowly lowered his hands and, somewhat embarrassed, put the gum in his mouth and began to chew.
Magnus and Viridia exchanged a brief glance, holding back a smile.
Without realizing it, the four of them arrived in front of the castle.
Up close, the structure was even more imposing. Tall towers rose toward the sky, and the walls were decorated with ancient symbols carved with precision. The energy emanating from the place was different: purer, lighter.
—Well —said Viridia—. Are you ready? You have to do this. Go in there and secure that alliance, Demon King.
Before Kael could respond, Viridia gave him a firm pat on the back, pushing him toward the entrance.
—Hey!
The elven guards standing at the door watched him approach, but they made no aggressive gestures. They did not draw their weapons nor block his path.
It seemed they were expecting him.
An elven woman with a firm posture and serious gaze stepped forward.
—Are you the Demon King?
Her voice was clear and direct.
Kael swallowed.
—Yes… that's right. I am the Demon King.
He tried to sound confident, though the nervousness was noticeable in his tone.
The woman observed him for a few seconds more, as if evaluating him.
—Follow me. I will take you to the Queen.
Kael nodded silently and began walking behind her.
As they advanced through the palace corridors, Kael could not help but notice something strange.
He had not seen a single male elf. Not outside, nor inside the castle.
Only women.
His mind began connecting ideas he had heard before. Male elves were extremely rare. Almost nonexistent.
"Are they truly on the brink of extinction…?" he thought.
The interior of the palace was beautiful.
Large windows allowed natural light to enter, illuminating corridors decorated with living plants that seemed to grow directly from the walls. The air was fresh, carrying a soft scent of flowers and wood.
Each step he took echoed faintly on the polished floor.
Finally, the guard stopped in front of an enormous wooden door carved with elven symbols.
—Here it is, Lord Demon King.
Two women guarding the entrance began to open the door slowly.
The sound of wood moving filled the hall.
Light from within gradually filtered out, revealing what lay on the other side.
Kael felt his heart begin to beat strongly.
When the door finished opening, he saw her.
An elven woman was seated upon a small throne, simple yet elegant, carved from white wood and adorned with golden leaves.
Kael stood frozen.
The Queen was not only beautiful… she radiated something more.
Warmth.
Her emerald-green eyes seemed to shine with a light of their own. It was not a cold or distant gaze, but deep and calm, like an ancient forest beneath the light of dawn.
The color of her silver-blue hair fell softly over her shoulders and contrasted with her blue dress, which seemed woven from threads of light.
For a moment, the world grew silent for Kael.
His thoughts vanished.
His eyes were trapped in hers.
He did not know how much time passed, but suddenly he felt a slight heat rise to his face.
She had realized he was staring at her too much.
He quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"Focus… you are the Demon King," he told himself.
The Queen of the Elves rose gracefully and descended the small steps of her throne.
She walked toward him serenely, each step firm yet soft.
She stopped just a few steps away from Kael.
The difference in height was not much, but her presence made Kael feel as though he stood before someone far greater than she appeared.
She looked directly into his eyes.
And then she spoke.
—I have been waiting for you… Demon King..