I'M MARRYING THE DEMON PRINCE BUT I'M WANTED BY HIS FATHER

A soft breeze filtered through the sheer curtains, carrying the faint scent of incense and something distinctly unfamiliar. The bed beneath her was impossibly soft, far too luxurious to be the simple futon in her grandmother's house. Yet, as Ember stirred, her mind remained fogged, still caught between dream and reality.

She let out a soft sigh, stretching lazily, expecting to hear the creak of the old wooden floorboards or the gentle murmur of her grandmother preparing breakfast. Instead, the air was thick with an unfamiliar warmth, a scent of burning embers, something dangerously intoxicating.

Her brows furrowed. This doesn't feel like home.

Slowly, she blinked her eyes open, the hazy glow of the morning sun casting golden streaks across the polished walls. And then….

She met his eyes.

A pair of glowing ocean-blue irises stared at her intently from the chair beside the bed.

Her breath hitched.

The demon prince….half reclined in his chair, shirtless once again, his silver-white hair cascading over his shoulders…watched her with an unreadable expression. A mixture of confusion, concern, and mild irritation flickered across his sharp features, as if he was debating something within himself.

Ember's stomach twisted.

This was not her grandmother's house.

Memories of the night before came rushing back….the throne room, the kiss, him carrying her, and then… oh.

Her face flamed.

She bolted upright in bed, clutching the sheets around her body as if they were a suit of armor. "W-What…."

Before she could finish, the heavy double doors burst open.

Several attendants….men and women, all dressed in flowing robes of black and gold….filed into the room, bowing their heads as they entered.

"Your Highness," one of them said, their voice calm and practiced. "The bath has been prepared."

The prince didn't move, still watching her.

"Prepare a tub for two," he said lazily, stretching his arms over his head.

Ember stiffened.

Wait. What?

The servants bowed without hesitation, moving to prepare the bath, as if it was the most normal request in the world.

Ember's mind short-circuited.

"Two?" she croaked, nearly choking on her own breath. "Oh, no, no, no….absolutely not!"

She threw the sheets off and swung her legs over the bed, but before she could take a step, a firm hand wrapped around her wrist.

"Going somewhere?"

Her head snapped toward him. His lips curled ever so slightly, not quite a smirk but close enough to make her heart hammer. He was still seated, his grip gentle but unwavering, his body impossibly relaxed as if he had all the time in the world.

"I am not bathing with you," she said, emphasizing every word.

His thumb ghosted over her pulse. "Are you sure?"

Her throat went dry.

"Yes," she rasped.

The corner of his mouth twitched. "You're quite stubborn, little human."

"And you're quite impossible," she snapped, trying to yank her wrist free.

His grip didn't budge. Instead, he pulled her closer, and in an instant, she found herself nearly toppling over him. He tilted his head, watching her with a gaze so intense it sent a shiver down her spine.

His free hand reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers barely grazing her skin. "You're blushing again."

Her entire face burned. "I am not…."

Before she could finish, he leaned in, his lips mere inches from hers. The space between them shrank, the air growing thick with something unspoken. His eyes flickered to her lips…..

The doors slammed open again.

The prince sighed, pulling back just as Ember practically launched herself away from him, scrambling to the other side of the bed.

A tall man strode into the room, his steps measured and filled with authority. His resemblance to the prince was uncanny….the same sharp jawline, the same glowing blue eyes, though his were more guarded. His silver-white hair was neatly tied back into a bun, adorned with golden pins that shimmered under the morning light. His attire was embroidered with intricate golden patterns, the fabric rich and heavy, exuding undeniable power.

Ember barely had time to process his presence before the prince exhaled in irritation, leaning back against the golden headboard.

"What brings you here, Father?"

Ember's breath caught.

Father?

Her gaze flickered between them. The demon prince's father. That meant….

She scrambled out of bed, awkwardly lowering her head in a bow.

Before she could fully straighten, the prince rolled his eyes. "You don't have to bow to him."

His father ignored the comment entirely. His piercing gaze swept over Ember before settling back on his son. "I need to speak with you. Alone."

The prince smirked. "Must be important if you came all the way here instead of summoning me."

His father's face remained impassive. "I expect you in my chambers within the hour."

The prince lazily stretched. "We'll see."

His father's jaw tightened. "Don't test my patience, boy."

Ember felt the tension in the air, thick and unspoken. The distance between them wasn't just physical….it was heavy, strained, as if years of unspoken words hovered between them like ghosts.

The demon prince only chuckled, unbothered. "Noted."

His father's gaze flickered back to Ember once more, then without another word, he turned and strode out of the room.

The doors shut behind him with a soft click.

Silence.

Ember released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"Well," she muttered, "that wasn't awkward at all."

The prince snorted. "You handled it better than most."

She turned to him, folding her arms. "You really don't get along with him, huh?"

His expression didn't change, but something in his eyes darkened. "Not your concern."

Ember bit her lip, recognizing the unspoken drop it.

Before she could say anything else, he suddenly lunged forward, gripping her waist.

Her gasp barely left her lips before she was lifted into the air.

"Wha….put me down!" she shrieked, squirming.

He ignored her entirely, striding toward the open doors leading to a grand bathing chamber.

"I told you I'm not…."

Her words cut off as she saw it.

A bath. No. A lake.

The massive sunken tub was large enough to fit an entire army, steaming water laced with fresh petals and infused oils reflecting the golden chandeliers above. A waterfall of crystal-clear water poured from the far wall, filling the pool with a constant stream. The air was humid, thick with the scent of sandalwood and jasmine.

Ember barely had time to process the sheer grandeur of it before the prince threw her in.

She hit the water with a loud splash, surfacing seconds later with a shriek.

"You bastard!"

He stood at the edge of the pool, arms crossed, a slow smirk forming. "I did tell them to prepare a tub for two."

"I hate you!"

His smirk widened. "And yet, here you are."

Her face burned as she wiped water from her eyes, glaring up at the infuriating demon who was far too entertained for his own good.

This was going to be a long morning.