Chapter 163

Chapter 163
## Chapter 163

### Title: The Princess and the Demon King, the Princess and the K…night?

—

The First Detached Palace of the Hilderan Royal Castle.

This secondary residence, which had stood quiet for nearly twelve months, was once again teeming with energy following the return of its mistress.

Because the owner was currently a whirlwind of political maneuvers, the gates saw a constant stream of visitors. The domestic staff felt a sense of relief that this was a palace rather than a simple urban estate.

After all, entry was strictly regulated.

Nevertheless, noble guests arrived in massive waves, and the servants were kept in a state of perpetual motion to accommodate them.

“Pick up the pace! We cannot permit a single blunder today!”

Heran, the head steward in charge of the First Detached Palace’s household, was Diligently executing the crown princess’s commands to oversee every minute detail. He had greeted dozens of dignitaries since her homecoming.

However, this occasion felt distinct.

‘Ensure everything is perfect. Even the minor slip is unacceptable.’

The crown princess had never used such a stern tone before, regardless of who was visiting.

‘Who could possibly be arriving?’

Was it the First Prince? Perhaps the Second? Could it be Duke Heinz? Or maybe royalty traveling from a distant realm?

Heran couldn’t guess. She rarely made a fuss over her own brothers, and her relationship with Duke Heinz was icy at best.

A foreign dignitary seemed unlikely as well, given her focus on domestic affairs and her limited history of international travel.

‘Well, it makes no difference to me.’

Regardless of the guest’s identity, Heran’s task remained the same. His only priority was to avoid offending the significant figure the crown princess had warned them about—lest he find himself relieved of his position, or worse, his head.

“Faster!”

A sharp coldness in his voice drove the staff to work harder.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“This is quite the reception.”

He hadn’t anticipated being treated with such formal dignity.

Yet, here he stood. From the moment he crossed into the capital, a knightly escort had flanked him, leading him directly to this lavish banquet chamber within the detached palace.

Aside from the grand welcoming party outside, the massive room held only two individuals.

The mistress of the First Detached Palace and the Demon King concealed in human skin.

“It is only appropriate.”

Ernyan cut into her steak with practiced grace. Every movement was fluid and precise as she lifted a morsel to her mouth. She looked like a masterpiece on canvas.

“This is the bare minimum required to host you, Lord Pale.”

“There were a lot of eyes watching us, though.”

Berge sliced into a large prawn and began to eat. There wasn’t a hint of brine—only the rich harmony of butter and fresh herbs. It was impressive.

“It is of no consequence. Dozens of aristocrats seek an audience with me every single day.”

“Do you provide this level of hospitality for all of them?”

“Certainly not. But you are far from a typical visitor, my Demon King.”

He sensed an underlying motive.

“What about the new princesses?”

“Mediocre. It is almost insulting to mention them in the same breath as you, Kaede, Elena, or Lavinia.”

Berge made a small clicking sound with his tongue.

“Too fragile to be of any real benefit.”

“Is it common for a Demon King to want to collect every princess as a strategic tool?”

“I am not sure I should be hearing that particular critique from you.”

“Me? Whatever do you mean?”

Her facade of innocent confusion prompted Berge to pivot the conversation.

“Where has Hillun gone?”

“He is currently away on some personal matters.”

“You didn’t call for him?”

“……”

“A grand entrance followed by a secluded dinner here. The rumors are likely already spreading through the city. What are you planning?”

Under the weight of Berge’s skeptical stare, Ernyan finally relented.

“It concerns the matter of marriage proposals.”

“Marriage?”

“As my influence in the political sphere grows, the nobility has become increasingly obsessed with me.”

“You have reached the age of marriage by human standards. It makes sense.”

“Indeed. A legion of nobles is desperate for a royal match. They don’t seem to care that the person involved has no interest in such things.”

Political marriages were a foundational element of human history. It was inevitable that suitors would swarm around someone like Ernyan.

“Even with Hillun in the picture?”

Ernyan had been seen with Hillun Kagil at various public functions. Humans had a tendency to turn the slightest interaction into a grand romance. Many surely assumed there was a bond between them.

“That is exactly the issue.”

“The issue?”

“My father has recently cited some ancient, dusty tradition. Can you guess what it entails?”

“A custom?”

“The cliché ‘bestow the princess upon the champion who rescued her’ trope.”

She looked genuinely disgusted.

“He intends to wed you to Hillun?”

“Precisely. As if we were characters in some dated fairy tale.”

For a fleeting second, she felt a strange urge to strike Hillun.

“You turned him down?”

“We both did—both I and Lord Hillun. However, my father shows no intention of retreating.”

The King couldn’t force a legendary hero into a marriage against his will, so he had backed off for a moment. But the pressure remained. It wasn’t just a hunch.

“The capital and the courts are currently thick with talk of our supposed romance. Who do you imagine leaked those stories?”

“The King.”

“Correct. He is attempting to force our hands by making it a public certainty.”

The marriage of the Hilderan crown princess to the savior of the realm.

The common folk would love it. The noble matchmakers had backed away for now—which was helpful, in a way.

The only problem was that Ernyan wanted no part of it.

“So, this high-profile dinner for two is intended as a message to your father?”

“Yes. It draws a definitive line showing that Lord Hillun and I are not an item. You will assist me, won’t you?”

“After you’ve already involved me without asking?”

The King had undoubtedly heard the news by now.

With Berge appearing out of nowhere just as the King was trying to secure the Hillun-Ernyan match, he would be seen as a major obstacle.

‘I’ve been dragged into a nuisance.’

Still, he could manage. He owed her for past favors, and her assistance had recently ensured the survival of Golden Moon.

Publicly associating his Pale identity with the crown princess of Hilderan wasn’t a terrible strategic move.

Except…

‘I should leave this kingdom as soon as possible.’

He had an aversion to complicated social webs.

“But sparking new rumors might backfire and damage your reputation.”

Berge took a sip of the red wine. The balance of fruit and acidity was the perfect counterpoint to the heavy meat.

“No human would be foolish enough to spread groundless lies about the crown princess.”

“No race is more reckless than humans.”

“Even if they did, it wouldn’t bother me. They would face the consequences of their gossip.”

“And if the talk turns against you?”

“If I lacked the strength to endure that, I never would have begun this path.”

This wasn’t about statecraft or war—it was about the princess’s personal life.

If her political standing were weak, it might be a problem, but she was confident enough to withstand a few whispers.

“Why use me? You have other options.”

“What a peculiar question.”

“Peculiar?”

She looked slightly annoyed.

“It has to be you, Lord Pale. That much is obvious.”

“…What?”

“Which is why I have another request to make of you.”

“A request?”

“Duke Heinz is throwing a grand ball in two days.”

She slid a red envelope containing an invitation toward him.

“I decline.”

“I haven’t even made the request yet.”

“You want me to attend?”

“I do.”

“No.”

“Lord Pale.”

“Hillun is right here.”

“Then the gesture is meaningless.”

A private dinner had an impact, but it could be explained away.

However, appearing as her formal partner at a ducal ball changed everything. Bringing a man with no established background would cause a scandal.

The world expected Hillun Kagil to be at her side.

Arriving with Berge instead…

“You have been a great help to me, and I am thankful for that.”

But that…

“Does not mean I am obligated to be your escort at a party.”

“What if I invoke one of the favors you promised me?”

“No.”

“You gave your word on the Founding Demon Emperor and the Standard of the Demon King.”

“You know me well enough to know I will ignore that.”

“How can you be so blatant?”

“You’re the one telling strange stories to Kaede.”

Berge kept his face neutral.

“I will trade two favors for this.”

“I refuse.”

“This isn’t just a whim. It is a necessary step for me to secure the throne of Hilderan. You gave your word that you would make me Queen.”

“…That was slightly different.”

“In the grand scheme, it is the same thing.”

Ernyan spoke with absolute conviction.

Berge sighed. A ball? He had never envisioned attending a formal dance when he arrived in Hilderan.

Faking smiles, engaging in vapid laughter, and playing at courtly intrigue—it was everything he hated.

Then, their gazes locked.

Deep, brilliant amethyst eyes stared directly into his own.

“……”

‘I was your first.’

‘You were the one who reached out.’

‘I was the one who took your hand.’

Why were those specific memories surfacing at this moment?

“Well?”

Ernyan blinked at him.

‘Enhancing Pale’s standing isn’t a bad idea.’

That was his objective as Pale—to seep into human society like a more potent toxin.

A connection to Hilderan, along with the status it provided, would be incredibly useful.

Dealing with the King’s annoyance and the public’s prying eyes for one night was a fair price.

Yes, it was worth it.

“Fine.”

“I appreciate it.”

Ernyan flashed a bright smile, finished a piece of steak, and then added:

“But are you aware of something?”

“What kind of trap are you setting now?”

“In Hilderan, it is traditional for the gentleman to ask the lady to be his partner.”

“You were the one who asked me.”

“Ignore that detail.”

“Will you be my partner? Even though the roles are reversed.”

“Leave out that last part.”

“Will you accompany me as my partner?”

“Ask like a knight would.”

“I am a Demon King.”

“Is there a difference?”

His eyebrows twitched.

“You are pushing your luck.”

“One more favor.”

“You just used it by forcing me to ask.”

“I will use every single one of them. Surely the Demon King wouldn’t break his oath?”

“I’d break it three times over.”

“I shall tell everyone that you do not respect your vows to the Founding Demon Emperor and the Standard.”

“You already did. Kaede has been acting cold toward me because of your meddling.”

“I miss Kaede. Is she still enjoying the chocolates I sent?”

“Yes, thanks to those, things have been a bit easi—”

…er.

Their eyes met a second time. Curse it all.

“Is this truly all you wish to use your favors for?”

Berge only granted favors when the cost was high.

Like serving as a shield as one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

Or the execution of Daphne Philian.

Or her return to Hilderan for the sake of the tower and him.

“I believe this is worth the price.”

Berge considered it for a short moment.

‘If not for Ernyan, I would likely be dead.’

She had pulled him back from the brink more than once.

Compared to those debts, this ridiculous request was nothing.

It was a simple trade. Nothing more.

Berge stood up and walked slowly to her side. He did not drop to a knee; he simply offered his hand and looked down at her.

“Fair lady, would you do me the honor of being my partner?”

The proposal was unorthodox and lacked the usual flair.

But Ernyan’s smile was wide.

“I would be delighted.”

She looked truly radiant.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“A guest?”

Just as Berge had suspected, the King of Hilderan had received word of the newcomer at the First Detached Palace.

“The one called Pale.”

A man associated with Hillun Kagil. The mages of Akan had spoken highly of his incredibly pure mana.

Meeting him wasn’t inherently significant. It was Ernyan’s behavior that was the problem.

She had welcomed him more grandly than any other.

And they were dining in private.

Given her rank, such an act could not be ignored.

Doing this intentionally could only mean one thing.

“She is openly defying me.”

Had she simply refused his proposal, he could have used a royal command. However, since Hillun Kagil also wanted no part of the union, the King had been forced to step back.

But the political gain was too great to simply let go.

So, he had begun to manipulate the narrative from the shadows.

And this was her blunt counter-attack.

“How wide has this news traveled?”

“Her personal knights escorted him at the city gates.”

“Then the entire capital is aware.”

It was a calculated move.

The King shook his head after considering the situation.

“We will observe them for now.”

The stories were already circulating; there was no point in trying to suppress them. It was better to wait than to escalate the conflict and give her more reasons to rebel.

“She used to be such a compliant girl.”

But she had become a thorn in his side.

“When did this change occur?”

“It likely began after her abduction to the Demon King’s Tower and her subsequent return.”

The chamberlain provided the answer.

“Was that the catalyst?”

He understood that profound trauma could alter a person. Change wasn’t always negative, but this new independence was frustrating.

“Do we know what truly happens to royal captives in that tower?”

“The records say they are kept in cells, wasting away. In places like the Tower of Frost, they are frozen solid and lose their memories of the experience.”

“Nothing beyond the common knowledge, then.”

He had wanted a submissive future monarch to strengthen the realm—not a source of constant friction.

“Being a father is a difficult task.”

“I agree, Your Majesty.”

“For the time being, look into this man, Pale. I want to know his history, the source of his power, his magical abilities, and even what he eats for breakfast.”

“As you wish.”

The chamberlain gave a respectful bow.

**End of Chapter 163**