"Right, so we all go out as usual—except with Ren at the back," Sara said with a thumbs-up. Then, glancing behind me, she raised an eyebrow. "Oh, they're here."
I turned and saw the Saintess and her companions approaching. "Oh, hello, Princess Ren," the Saintess greeted, her gaze lingering on my eyes, visibly surprised.
"You look beautiful in your dress," I said, complimenting her long white gown.
"Thank you, and you look quite dashing yourself, Princess. I presume these are your siblings?" she asked, looking past me.
"Yes. You've already met Hendrian. Lukas over there is the oldest, and Karl is the youngest of us. The one pouting is Julia. The bubbly one is Sara. And the skeptical one is Selena. Be careful around her—her temperament isn't always the best."
"Hey! Don't make things up!" Selena yelled from the doorway.
"Haha, sorry, sorry! No need to attack me," I said, raising my hands in surrender.
The saintess chuckled. "I see. It's delightful to meet all of you."
"Hmm, now that I think about it—you speak Narlic fluently?" Sara asked, tilting her head.
"Yes. Your mothers helped us with some translators," the Saintess explained, pointing at the small device in the colors.
"We had those?" I asked, looking at Sara, confused.
"Apparently. I didn't know either." Sara muttered, confused.
"It's a newly developed system," Leah added, walking closer.
"Oh, that's cool! Can I have the blueprints?" I asked impulsively.
"No."
"Tsk. Fine," I muttered, giving up before the argument started.
"Before we enter," Uwe said, turning toward the Saintess, "I want to thank you again for accepting the invitation. It's a rare occasion for humans and demons to dine together in peace."
"The honor is ours," the Saintess said with a slight bow. "Our people need to see this cooperation. Tonight, we will take a step forward."
Leah smiled softly. "Let's make sure it's a step worth remembering."
Leah looked at the guards and Leam before asking the saintess. "I assume everyone is in good order now that the translator has been set up."
"We've trained with the translators," one of them replied, nodding. "We'll manage."
"It's good to know; if you encounter any issues with the translators, please inform me. We will also use these with the kids when they go to you guys." Leah explained as Lina appeared behind her out of the shadows.
"Everything is ready to go," Lina said, giving everyone a warm glance.
"Good," Uwe said. "We'll do the introductions after the procession. Follow behind us."
"Understood," the Saintess responded.
"Alright, let's go," Uwe said, walking past us and through the banquet hall doors. Without delay, we all followed him.
[3rd Person POV]
A ceremonial bell echoed through the grand banquet hall. The main doors opened, and conversation ceased as guests moved aside to make way for the incoming royal procession.
The first figure to appear was a towering blue demon, over three meters tall, dressed in a sharp black suit that hugged his broad frame—King Uwe Daimonas.
Following him were two elegantly dressed women in lighter colors to highlight their beauty—Queen Leah and First Concubine Lina.
Between the two women walked a young child, clearly of royal blood, judging by his complexion.
Behind them came six other demons. Leading this group was Lukas Daimonas, the oldest sibling, in a crisp black-and-white suit. Next was Julia Daimonas, wearing a solemn black dress—a symbol of mourning for her fiancé lost months ago.
Timmy, known as the "lady killer," followed in a stylish blue suit. Behind him came his twin, Sara, dressed in a stunning long red gown. Following behind her was Selena in the same red gown as her younger sister.
Then, a final figure stepped through the doors—a surprise to many.
Whispers spread. Rumors of the royal family adopting a new girl had circulated for weeks, and now they saw her: tall, poised, and dressed in a dark red suit with black accents. Her black and purple hair was tied into a low ponytail, a black horn curved from the right side of her forehead, and beneath her right eye and down her neck, glinted patches of black scales. But what caught most attention were her eyes—divine and unnerving.
Several girls blushed at the sight of her. Her confident presence stunned the crowd.
"So that's why they were collecting the blood," someone whispered, falling silent immediately as Ren's eyes swept across the room.
Uwe stepped forward. "We have special guests tonight. Please join us, Saintess, and your companions."
Gasps rippled through the hall as the human delegation entered.
Despite the new alliance, the sudden appearance of humans at a royal banquet—especially one introducing a half-demon royal—was unnerving to many.
The saintess stepped in gracefully, her appearance matching her legendary status. Behind her followed four male guards in sleek black suits clearly designed for combat. The fifth figure, also armored, walked silently behind them, his eyes scanning every corner.
Their confident strides and readiness were unmistakable. Although some guests whispered, many others nodded in acknowledgment. The humans were allies now, respected, if still mistrusted.
In a shadowed corner, two young nobles whispered.
[Marasuki's Inner Monologue]
As the royal family walked out, Marasuki stood tall, her tail curling with quiet tension. Each figure was impressive in its own way, but her gaze locked onto Ren, the adopted daughter, the one cloaked in rumors.
So that's her.
Marasuki's thoughts drifted back to the whispers she'd heard in the training camps: A fighter of unknown origin emerged and swiftly secured Uwe's safety.
But none of the stories prepared her for Ren's presence. Ren's eyes not only gazed at you, but they also revealed hidden depths.
She's dangerous. She is not dangerous because of her violent nature, as the rumors suggest, but rather due to her excessive observation. She sees everything.
And yet… something in Marasuki stirred. Not attraction—curiosity. Wariness. Even respect.
Ren might not be a full demon blood born, but tonight, she walked like one of them.
'It's not going to be possible to get her.'
"Murasaki, are you ready to seduce the princess?" The young man teased with a grin, bringing Marasuki back to the present.
"That won't be possible. We have too similar a personality," she replied dryly.
"Is that so?" he asked, eyeing her. She wore a black suit like him, but unlike his slim build, her form was muscular and well-defined. Her dark purple hair and matching tail completed the fierce look.
"Can't I choose another princess instead?" Murasaki asked, glancing at the royal family gathered at the head.
"Huh?"
"That cat-tribe girl over there—she looks like my type," she said, eyeing Selena, who was awkwardly standing around, unsure of herself.
"She's still a princess. Half the punishment's already done. And if you befriend Princess Ren, it's basically approved."
"Heh. My father never liked me anyway," Murasaki muttered. After all, her family had over fifty children.
"I wonder why," he said with a chuckle.
"Because his beloved sons lost to a girl ten years younger than them," she said matter-of-factly.
"Haha. Your wolf clan always praises strength, but if it's a woman, it's suddenly shameful," the man scoffed.
"Says the guy who lost his tail when he was ten."
"Hey! No tail-shaming!"
"Whatever. I heard I'm the only one assigned to a mission soon. Wonder what it is."
"Probably something to do with the humans."
"Yeah… I haven't been to the human world in a while," she said with a sigh.
"It's not your fault."
"Still, if I'd been faster, they wouldn't have died."
"Focus. You need to be at the top of your game tonight."
"You're right… Wait—where is she?" Murasaki looked back at the stage.
Gone. The adopted child had disappeared.
A voice whispered beside her. "I like your hair—but you were right. You won't be able to seduce me with that suit."
She turned sharply to see two piercing emerald-gold eyes staring into her soul.
"Nice to meet you, Princess Ren. My name is Zonge. I have no surname," the man said with a small bow.
Ren smirked. "I presume you lost that because of your tail?" she asked, eyeing his feline ears.
"..." Zonge stepped back slightly, not raising his head.
"Princess, please watch your words. It's a sensitive topic for him," Murasaki interjected quickly.
"Yes, yes. Hmm," Ren said, now staring directly at Murasaki, making her stiffen.
"Princess, I'm not sure if people have told you this before… But your eyes are incredibly uncomfortable," Murasaki admitted, holding Ren's gaze.
Ren's glare intensified—but then she smirked.
"Ah, at least you have guts."