The Demon Queen was reading chapter forty-seven of her favorite romance novel.
It was a good chapter. The hero had just confessed his love to the princess. He had fought through an army to reach her. Been beaten down a hundred times. But he never gave up. He kept coming back, kept fighting, because he loved her.
She looked up from the book.
The pink-haired knight was back. Again. Sword drawn. Eyes determined behind his mask.
She looked at the book. Then at the knight. Then back at the book.
A thought formed.
He keeps coming back. No matter how many times I defeat him. No matter how hopeless it is. He never gives up.
Just like the hero in the novel.
Her face flushed crimson.
He must be in love with me.
Pinky attacked.
The Queen disarmed him with a casual wave of her hand. His sword clattered across the floor. He stood before her, defenseless.
She didn't flick him away this time.
Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Pinky froze.
Her embrace was gentle. Warm. Her body pressed against his, soft curves meeting hard armor. She rested her head on his shoulder.
"You came back for me," she murmured. "Again and again. No matter how many times I pushed you away. Just like in the books."
Pinky's mind went blank.
What was happening?
He had come here to kill her. She was supposed to be evil. A monster. The calamity that had plagued humanity for a thousand years.
But this hug... it felt nice. Comforting. Like something he had been missing his entire life.
Was she really a monster?
"MY HUSBAND!"
The scream shattered the moment.
Lyriel stood at the entrance of the throne room, face twisted with horror and rage.
The Queen's head snapped up. Her eyes narrowed. "Husband?"
She looked at Pinky. Then at Lyriel. Then back at Pinky.
"You have a wife?"
Pinky shook his head frantically. No. She wasn't. He had never—
"Guards." The Queen's voice turned cold. "Take the elf to the dungeon."
Demon maids appeared from nowhere. They grabbed Lyriel before she could react, dragging her away despite her screaming protests.
"NO! HUSBAND! SAVE ME! HUSBAND!"
Pinky tried to break free from the Queen's embrace. Her grip tightened. He might as well have been fighting against a mountain.
"Let her go," the Queen whispered against his ear. "She's not important. You came here for me, didn't you? I'm the one you love."
Lyriel's screams faded into the distance.
Pinky felt something cold settle in his chest.
Fear.