The grand hallway leading to the Demon King's dining chamber stretched out endlessly in front of her, its towering obsidian pillars and flickering crimson lanterns creating an oppressive beauty that made her stomach tighten.
Rie stood in front of the massive black doors.
She said nothing.
Her arms were crossed loosely under her chest, her long white hair cascading freely over her silk nightwear—a matching black top and pajama-like bottoms that hugged her figure modestly, yet still hinted at the soft curve of her hips and the elegant arch of her collarbones. Black gloves covered her delicate hands, though her blood-red nails pierced through them, long and polished, like claws freshly painted in desire.
It was an odd outfit for a formal dinner.
But she didn't care.
She never had the need to dress up for people who never looked at her.
The butler gave a soft bow and opened the gate.
As the great obsidian doors creaked open with an echo that reverberated through the hall, Rie stood motionless for a heartbeat. Her crimson eyes, once fierce and distant, now veiled beneath lowered lashes, flicked over the scene before her. The chamber was vast, cold, yet suffocating. It smelled faintly of burnt incense and polished steel. The chandeliers above flickered with pale blue fire, casting ghost-like shadows across the smooth marble floors.
She stepped in.
Three pairs of eyes turned toward her immediately.
Her black slipper padded softly against the stone, and the silk of her night robes rustled gently with each step. Despite being summoned, she hadn't bothered changing into anything formal. No jewels, no expensive and complicated dresses—just that sheer silk pajama set clinging to her figure, her long snow-white hair unbound, falling like a curtain around her shoulders. Black gloves clung to her arms, but her crimson nails pierced through them like delicate blades.
She paused before the throne and lowered herself into a formal bow. Her voice came out clear and soft, like the start of a storm's whisper.
"…Your Majesty."
Their eyes snapped toward her the moment she stepped in—like hawks watching a trespasser.
Kiel was the first to narrow his gaze. His sharp black eyes flickered with something between annoyance and disgust. Lily, seated near him, flinched slightly, her shoulders tensing before her hands quietly folded in her lap.
The Demon King, seated at the far end of the table, leaned forward ever so slightly, his dark eyes boring into her. He wore his usual robe—deep black trimmed in blood-red. His face Expressionless.
For some reason her heart was beating Fastly, she didn't know if it was fear of him notice her earing.
Or his existence itself cause fear in her.
Then finally, his voice came, calm and cold.
"Why do you think i called you?"
She raised her head just a fraction, her lashes brushing her cheek.
"I… do not know, Your Majesty," she replied, bowing once more. This time, there was a deliberate emphasis in her tone—Majesty—a word she rarely used.
And true to expectation, it struck a chord—not with him, but with Kiel. Her half-brother's brow twitched, his jaw tightening. She could feel the weight of his silent scorn even without looking.
'What why are you making that face didn't you guys wanted me to call him majesty instead of father.'
Yeah, you always fight me for that reason so why make such ugly face.
She sighs inwardly these guys were hopeless, that's why she didn't like this place, because no matter what she did they will hate…
If she talks, they will hate her.
if she doesn't talk, they will still hate.
If she goes out, they will not like it
If she doesn't go out and curl up in the corner of the room...
They will come to her room banging her door to fight with her…
She was now tired.
In the past.
She had always tried to act like a princess, like she belonged.
Because back then, she didn't know the truth.
She didn't know she wasn't his real daughter. Not truly one of them.
The way the servants used to whisper it behind her back, the way her siblings looked at her like she was a stray who'd snuck into their castle…
She hated it those cold eyes of his siblings and parents.
That's why she always tries to prove herself that she is also one of them but no matter what she did it was pointless.
But now, she didn't need their validation. She didn't want it anymore. If anything, it would be easier if they simply left her alone.
But she knows that was too good to be true.
The demon king eye were on her she can feel it but.
Still, she kept her head down.
"I heard some complaints about you."
That was all he said—but the air changed.
A sudden, dreadful stillness took over the room. The temperature dropped. It was subtle at first, but then the weight began to settle on her shoulders. The pressure. An invisible force curling around her lungs, tightening.
Kiel's smile twitched. He'd been waiting for this—ever since she struck that guard, he knew punishment was inevitable.
It was not like the pressure was something she can't handle.
In the first that he wasn't trying to pressure her.
It was just that he so damn strong. That emit such pressure without knowing.
But this was a nice development…
It's better if she acts pitiful here, so he throws her out of the hall.
With that-
Her knees buckled beneath her, and she fell to the floor with a hard thud. Her hands pressed to the stone as she bowed so deeply her forehead touched it. Her breath came in shallow gasps as if the very air had been stolen from her lungs.
"Please… forgive me, Your Majesty…"
Her voice trembled.
The words felt like shards in her throat. Her hands clenched tightly, the black gloves doing little to hide how badly they were shaking. From the outside, it must've looked pitiful—this once-proud girl crumpled in a heap, pleading for forgiveness.
Lily and Kiel both stared, wide-eyed. Even they hadn't expected her to fall so low.
But the Demon King said nothing.
He simply stared at her in silence.
In truth, he hadn't cared about the incident. He hadn't summoned her out of fury or judgment. The money she spent? Of course, he was little curious—but that's all. beside when she enters, he notices high rank artifact on her. that was enough to satisfied his curiosity. he understood. Multiple A-rank artifacts.
The only reason he'd said those things was because… there was nothing else to say.
It was the only way to start a conversation with the daughter he didn't know how to speak to.
And now here she was, grovelling.
A flicker of something dark passed through his expression.
Disgust.
"As long as you know your mistake," he said at last.
His voice was quieter than before, more tired. Distant.
Rie remained kneeling, her body trembling slightly, her forehead still to the floor.
"…Thank you… for your mercy, Your Majesty,"
She whispered slamming her head on the obsidian tiles.
Both Kiel and lily were looking at her with mix expression.
It was hard to tell what they were thinking while looking at such scene
On the other hand the demon king was looking at her with a frown.
His mouth tasted bitter.
He looked at her one last time.
This daughter who was not his daughter.
And he turned his gaze away.