Chapter 332: The Plan That Would Definitely Work (And the Demon Who Just Wanted Sweets)
Chapter 332: The Plan That Would Definitely Work (And the Demon Who Just Wanted Sweets)
Meanwhile, in Velistrae, within the walls of the Duchess’s palace, the evening was unfolding in a very different manner from the rest of the realm.
The grand chamber was warm and opulent, decorated with flowing silk drapes and cushions scattered across the floor in inviting clusters. The air was thick with the familiar scent of Velaryx Miasma, though it was lighter here, filtered through the palace’s protective wards. Lanterns cast a soft, golden light across the space, and the distant sound of music drifted through the halls.
Velira sat cross-legged on a large cushion, her stuffed bunny clutched tightly to her chest. Her magenta hair was slightly disheveled from the day’s activities, and her small purple wings fluttered with excitement as she spoke.
"The Queen really is beautiful," she said, her voice bright and earnest. "She’s even more beautiful than the images. And her hair is like fire, and her eyes are like the sky, and she’s so nice to me. She even let me help her pick out clothes."
Seraphielle lounged on a chaise nearby, her elegant form draped across the cushions like a painting come to life. Her purple-tinged wings were folded neatly behind her, and her horns caught the lantern light, glinting softly. She smiled at her daughter, her eyes warm with affection.
"And you’re certain your plan is working?" she asked.
Velira nodded vigorously, her bunny bouncing with the movement.
"Yes, Mama. I compliment her every chance I get. I tell her how beautiful she is, how nice she is, how pretty her dresses are. And she smiles at me. She even hugged me." She paused, her expression turning thoughtful. "I’m very certain I can convince her to give you a chance. It’s only a matter of time."
Guilidern, who was seated beside his wife, raised an eyebrow. His silver eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked at his daughter.
"And that will actually work?" he asked. "You’ve been going to the palace for some time now, after all. If the Queen hasn’t accepted your advances by now, perhaps she never will."
Seraphielle turned to him, her expression carrying a note of playful offense.
"Do you not trust our daughter?" she asked. "She has been working very hard on this. I’m sure she knows what she’s doing."
Velira nodded, her wings fluttering with renewed determination.
"My plan will work," she said firmly. "Soon the Queen will be unable to resist my charms."
She paused, her eyes widening slightly.
"And if it all goes well, maybe I’ll be able to seduce both the King and the Queen."
Seraphielle’s expression shifted immediately.
"No," she said flatly. "Absolutely not."
Velira blinked.
"Why not?"
"Because, as handsome as the King is, we cannot risk it, especially since he has turned me down eighteen thousand, five hundred and twenty-four times."
Velira nodded.
"But even with how scary the King is," she said, "I like him a lot. He let us play with his shadows. He even bought clothes for us. He carried us and everything."
She launched into a detailed description of the outing, her voice rising with excitement as she recounted every moment. She talked about the shadows, the snacks, the clothes, the way the King had smiled at the Queen, the way the children had laughed and played.
"I cannot wait to go back to her again," Velira finished, her eyes bright. "The Queen is so beautiful. And the King is so cool. And the shadows were so much fun."
Meanwhile, far from the opulent chambers of Velistrae, a very different scene was unfolding.
A demon had arrived in the capital.
He was not a noble, not a duke, not anyone of particular importance... which was a lie. He was just a demon with a problem, a problem that had been weighing on his mind for far too long. He had written to the King numerous times, had sent countless petitions, and had waited patiently for a response that never came.
And now, he had traveled all the way to the capital in the hopes of finally getting an audience.
He stood in the middle of a bustling street, his eyes wide as he took in the chaos around him. Demons of all shapes and sizes moved past him, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of sound. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from glowing fruits to enchanted trinkets.
He sighed heavily.
What was even the probability that the King would see him? Especially after the King had been ignoring him for so long?
He was about to continue walking when something caught his attention.
A sweet smell.
He paused, his nose twitching as the scent drifted toward him. It was warm and sugary, like freshly baked pastries. He didn’t care what they were made with, only that they smelled sweet.
His stomach rumbled loudly.
Yes, he decided. He would think about his problems later. But for now, some sweets were calling his name.
He turned and walked toward the source of the smell, his earlier worries temporarily forgotten.
Meanwhile, deep within the palace, a very different kind of chaos was unfolding.
Ignivar groaned loudly.
The sound echoed through the office, bouncing off the towering shelves and the stacks of parchment that covered every available surface. He was buried in paperwork—petitions, mostly, each one demanding his attention, his signature, his approval.
"I can’t do this anymore," he muttered, his voice muffled by the stack of documents in front of him.
"That’s the six hundredth time you’ve said that since we began working seventy-six hours ago," Naviel said calmly.
"And this is the six hundredth time you’ve reminded me that I’ve said it since we began working nonstop seventy-six hours ago," Ignivar told him.
They both looked at each other.
Then they groaned loudly.
"How he gets to enjoy going on an outing while I work, I’ll never understand," Naviel muttered.
"Do we understand anything about him?" Ignivar asked. "Even his shadows?"
Naviel paused, then sighed.
"Nothing at all."
They continued working.
Then Naviel spoke up.
"Did you notice that he summoned Dracolthar?" he asked Ignivar.