Lyra's POV
He took me out of the dungeon through the portal and brought me into a huge room.
The moment I saw it, I gasped.
The room was massive, decorated with dark royal elegance. Heavy curtains framed tall windows, and everything carried a cold yet powerful aura.
Before I could properly observe anything—
He pushed me onto the bed.
I gasped as the mattress sank beneath me.
In the next second, he placed one knee beside me, trapping me between his arms.
My breath hitched.
His gaze locked onto mine.
Sharp.
Unmoving.
Dangerous.
I swallowed nervously, slowly trying to move away.
"It's useless," he said calmly, as if he could sense my intention to escape.
I immediately stopped moving and sat quietly… like a well-behaved cat.
"I only have one heart…" I said cautiously. "Can you… not eat it?"
Instead of answering, he simply looked at me.
No—
He studied me.
That gaze…
I couldn't understand what it meant.
Curiosity?
Interest?
Suspicion?
I stared back into his eyes as he leaned slightly closer.
Thinking this was my only chance—
I slowly raised my hand, aiming for his neck.
Just one strike and—
Before I could even complete the movement—
My wrist was caught instantly.
His reflexes were terrifyingly fast.
His other hand moved to my throat.
Not choking me…
Just holding firmly enough to remind me I had no control.
"Bold enough… aren't you?" he said with a faint smirk.
"Hehe…" I laughed awkwardly.
"I was just… testing whether I had a chance," I blurted before immediately regretting it.
He smirked again, his eyes darkening slightly.
"Well… it has been a while," he said slowly.
"I really want to dig this heart out."
My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
"Mr. Demon King, hail…" I said quickly.
"Why eat such a small, useless heart? It won't even fill your stomach."
"Let's do this… you let me go, and I will do anything you say."
I froze for a moment.
Did I just say that?
"Anything… I say?" he repeated slowly.
My eyes widened immediately.
He leaned back slightly, his gaze slowly moving up and down.
I followed his gaze—
And instantly covered myself dramatically with my arms.
"Anything doesn't mean what you're thinking!" I blurted out.
He moved closer again.
"How do you know what I am thinking?" he whispered, his breath mixing with mine.
I gulped, moving back nervously.
After a moment, he straightened, his expression turning cold once again.
"I need you to do something for me," he said calmly.
"If you cooperate… you will be released."
Released?!
Hope lit inside me instantly.
"Really?" I asked excitedly.
"But until then… you will follow my instructions," he continued.
I nodded quickly.
"What do I have to do?"
"You will know in two days," he replied.
"All you need to do… is say yes to anyone who questions you."
He gave a faint smirk.
I didn't fully understand what he meant.
But freedom was freedom.
"Double okay," I said enthusiastically, not realizing the trap I was walking into.
All I could think about was going back home once this was over.
As I was lost in my thoughts, he snapped his fingers.
A guard appeared instantly.
"Bring that maid here," he ordered.
My eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
A few minutes later—
A girl was brought into the room.
She looked around my age… perhaps slightly older.
Her skin was pale, almost fragile, and her body was extremely thin.
She looked like she might break if touched too roughly.
He turned to her.
"From today onward, you will take care of her," he said calmly.
"You will be her personal attendant."
Then he looked at me one last time.
His expression unreadable.
And left through the portal.
Leaving me alone with the timid girl.
She looked so delicate that I felt afraid even speaking loudly might scare her.
"Hello… your highness," she said softly.
"My name is Catherine Miller."
Her voice was gentle… like warm milk.
I stared at her for a moment.
She was unbelievably beautiful.
I mentally slapped myself.
Focus, Lyra.
"Hello… I am Lyra… Lyra Vega," I replied with a small smile.
She nodded politely, keeping her gaze lowered.
"Hey… you don't have to be scared of me," I said softly.
"I am just a human… who got stuck here with that demon."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"A… human?" she asked, her doe-like eyes shining with curiosity.
"Aww… you are so cute," I said without thinking.
She blushed instantly.
Her shy smile made her look even more adorable.
"I am also from the Dragon Clan," she said quietly.
"I am not from here either… I was brought here."
"I don't know why."
I smiled slowly.
A new idea began forming in my mind.
"Catherine…" I said gently.
"Do you want to escape from here?"
Her eyes lit up for a moment.
Hope appeared clearly on her face.
But just as quickly—
Fear replaced it.
Meanwhile…
My eyes sparkled with mischief.
__________________
Lucian's POV
A faint smirk appeared on my lips as I heard her words through the surveillance spell.
"Escape…"
How naïve.
"Xiao Mo… Xiao Mo…" I murmured softly.
"There is only an entrance to the Demon World…"
"…there is no exit."
My smirk deepened.
Just then, the doors opened and Martin hurried inside, slightly out of breath.
"My lord… you called for me?" he asked cautiously.
I leaned back in my chair, observing him calmly.
"Yes, Martin."
"The news I am about to share… will shock you."
He immediately tensed, clearly expecting trouble.
"In two days," I said slowly, swirling the wine in my glass, "I will announce my fiancée to the entire world."
Martin choked on air.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at me.
"My lord…?"
His confusion was obvious.
"Did you not say I must marry within two days?" I replied calmly.
"For now… I will get engaged."
"To the girl you so carefully brought into my castle."
I deliberately emphasized the words my castle.
Martin swallowed nervously.
"I… understand, my lord."
"Inform all clan kings about the engagement banquet," I continued.
"And do not forget to personally deliver the invitation to our dearest guest…"
I paused briefly, my gaze darkening.
"The Dragon King… Leviathan Thalassa."
"He must attend."
Martin stiffened immediately.
He nodded quickly.
"My lord… I do not fully understand what you are planning…" he admitted carefully.
I smirked slightly.
"What is there not to understand, Martin?"
"You advised me to secure the throne."
"I am simply following your advice."
"I will be engaged."
"I will take the throne."
"Is that so difficult to comprehend?"
Martin still looked puzzled.
Which only amused me further.
"Tengshe," I called calmly.
The air trembled.
A massive shadow appeared behind me.
A gigantic serpentine figure descended silently, its enormous form filling the hall with overwhelming pressure.
Martin immediately moved behind me in fear.
Tengshe soon transformed into his human form and bowed respectfully.
I glanced at Martin's frightened expression and smirked faintly.
"Take Tengshe with you," I ordered.
"Inform every clan about the engagement banquet."
"Do not forget the most important guest."
I looked directly at Tengshe.
He bowed deeply.
"As you command, my lord."
Martin hesitated before stepping closer to Tengshe.
"Go with him," I said calmly.
Tengshe immediately returned to his original form.
Martin climbed onto his back nervously, visibly shaking.
Within seconds—
They disappeared into the sky.
To deliver invitations…
To the most important guests…
For the banquet that would change everything.
I turned back slowly and sat in my chair.
The wine in my glass swirled as I gently rotated it between my fingers.
Two days.
Just two days more.
A faint smirk appeared on my lips.
Everything was falling perfectly into place.
Now…
All that remained…
Was for the day to arrive.