Lyra's POV
"Ehhh??"
The sound escaped my lips before I could stop it. I stared at them, completely stunned by the absurd situation I was in.
"Marriage?" I repeated, my voice rising despite myself. "What do you mean by marriage?"
My eyes moved from one elder to another, hoping—praying—this was some ridiculous misunderstanding.
"This must be a mistake."
I tried to take a step back, but something invisible tightened around me, binding my body in place. Invisible strings… holding me still right in front of him.
What kind of cursed situation is this?!
"If you will excuse me… I would like to leave," I said, forcing a polite smile, even while struggling against whatever unseen force was trapping me.
He didn't even look at me properly.
With a mere flick of his fingers—
Snap.
My body was pushed back violently, as if the air itself had struck me. I stumbled but somehow remained standing.
He turned toward the three elders, his expression filled with undisguised disdain.
"Me… marrying a mere human?"
He scoffed softly, as though the very idea insulted his existence.
Then his gaze finally fell on me.
Cold. Sharp. Unreadable.
Without even sparing me another second of thought, he gave an order.
"Throw her in the dungeons."
My breath caught in my throat.
What…?
Why…?
No… wait… WHAT?!
"Dungeons??"
My eyes widened so much they almost hurt.
"No, no, my lord—why should I go to the dungeons? I don't even know how I came here!"
But before I could finish, the guards grabbed me and began dragging me away. My legs scraped harshly against the cold floor, the sound echoing loudly through the grand hall.
"Hey! Let go! You tyrant! You oversized dark panther king!" I shouted, struggling against them.
"I won't let you live peacefully! You big pig! You arrogant—!"
My voice echoed until the heavy doors closed behind us.
After what felt like a long, exhausting walk, my initial shock slowly turned into irritation.
Then anger.
And finally… confidence.
I suddenly stopped resisting and stood straight.
"Wait," I said calmly.
The guards halted, still gripping my arms tightly.
"Hurry up," one of them muttered nervously. "If we delay, the Lord will kill us."
I sighed dramatically.
"It's just the dungeon. I'll walk myself. My arms and legs hurt because of the way you're dragging me."
The guards exchanged glances before slightly loosening their hold.
Big mistake.
In one swift movement—
I struck both of them at once.
One kick to the stomach.
Another blow to the head.
Both guards collapsed before they could even react.
I dusted off my hands, breathing slightly heavily, a proud smirk forming on my lips.
"Of course, I may look like an ordinary human woman…" I said, stretching my neck lightly.
"But never underestimate an orphan who grew up around a martial arts school."
A faint, bittersweet smile crossed my face.
"The only thing my parents left behind… was a book."
"And thanks to that… I survived."
I glanced down at the unconscious guards.
"You fools were saying—"
Something sharp struck the back of my neck.
Pain exploded through my senses.
My vision blurred.
Darkness swallowed everything.
And that was the last thing I remembered before losing consciousness.
---------------------------
Lucian's POV
After she was dragged away by the guards, the hall finally fell silent.
Slowly, I turned my gaze toward Martin.
"Tell me," I said coldly, my voice echoing through the throne room, "who summoned her?"
Martin stiffened.
"And how did you manage to summon a human?" I continued, my eyes narrowing dangerously. "Did you forget that summoning a human without their knowledge is strictly forbidden?"
My voice rose slightly, carrying a quiet but terrifying authority.
The three elders shifted uncomfortably.
Martin let out a nervous laugh.
"I… I summoned her from your castle… or at least, I thought so…" he said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
The elders exchanged glances before looking at me.
"Even if she is not the one you already have… or the one destined to be by your side," one of them spoke slowly, "you must marry within two days."
Another elder stepped forward.
"Remember what we told you four days ago. To ascend the throne completely… you must marry."
"You only have two days left to fulfill the requirement."
"The late king and queen always wished to see you rule the demon world with a complete family."
"Think carefully before making any decision."
With those words, the elders left the hall, leaving behind a suffocating silence.
I leaned back against the throne, my fingers tapping slowly against the armrest.
Martin hesitated before slowly stepping closer, his footsteps unusually cautious.
"My lord…" he spoke softly.
I didn't even look at him.
"What else have you done to put me in an even tighter position?" I asked coldly.
He scratched his head again.
"My lord… I have something to ask…"
"Speak."
I opened a mirror-like portal beside me, its surface rippling like disturbed water.
Martin blinked in surprise.
"Why did you send her to the dungeons?" he asked carefully. "She didn't do anything wrong… did she?"
Instead of answering, I tilted my chin slightly toward the portal.
Inside the mirror, the girl appeared.
Just in time to see her strike the guards.
Martin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"A mere human… defeating demon guards?" he muttered, completely stunned. "How is that possible, my lord?"
A faint smirk appeared on my lips.
Before he could ask another question, I stepped through the portal.
The air shifted.
Within seconds, I appeared behind her.
With a precise strike, I knocked her unconscious before she could even react.
Her body fell limply into the guards' arms.
"Take her to the dungeons in the eastern castle," I ordered coldly.
"Then come to my library."
Without sparing another glance, I returned through the portal.
A few minutes later—
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Martin entered slowly, scratching his head again, his smile awkward and uneasy.
"Relax," I said calmly, closing the book in my hand. "I will not kill you… yet."
He forced a laugh and stepped closer.
"My lord… those moves the girl used during the fight…"
I looked up at him.
"Yes," I replied quietly.
"They were exactly his moves."
My fingers tightened around the glass in my hand.
Crack.
The glass shattered from the pressure of my grip.
"The same techniques taught only by that man… back when we were still acquainted."
Martin frowned.
"But my lord… how do you know she is related to the Dragon Clan?"
"The moment I saw her… something felt wrong," I said, my voice low.
"When I pulled her closer earlier… I noticed a pendant around her neck."
"It carries the aura of a dragon."
Martin's expression darkened.
"Then she must be a spy from the Dragon Clan—"
"No," I interrupted calmly.
"They are not foolish enough to send someone so… reckless."
"She fought the guards openly, under watch."
"If she were truly a spy… she would have hidden her abilities."
I leaned back in my chair, my eyes thoughtful.
"For now… my guess is that she somehow obtained the pendant in the mortal world."
"Let her stay in the dungeons."
"If I confirm she is not a spy…"
Martin leaned forward slightly.
"Then…?"
A slow smirk appeared on my lips.
"Then…"
I rested my chin lightly against my fingers.
Martin looked completely confused.
My gaze darkened slightly.
"It seems… we may have found a way to tame that little Xiao Mo."
The room fell silent once again.
Only the faint sound of the burning candle echoed in the vast library.
----------------------