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

The Demon King sat in his grand chamber, his hands resting on the arms of his throne-like chair, the weight of centuries pressing upon his shoulders. A single flick of his wrist, and a small demon youngling scurried in, bowing deeply before him.

"You called for me, Your Majesty?" the youngling squeaked, his small frame trembling under the king's heavy gaze.

"Tell me about the girl," the Demon King commanded, his voice deep and commanding, filled with an ancient authority that made even his strongest warriors cower. "The human who dared to stay with my son."

The youngling's ears twitched, his golden eyes bright with curiosity. "Ah! You must mean her!"

"Her name," the king pressed.

"Ember, Your Majesty," the youngling replied quickly. "She came seeking marriage with Prince Kaelith."

At the mention of his son's name, the Demon King's expression didn't change, but his fingers drummed lightly against the armrest.

"And?"

"She's from the human world, raised in a city, but returned to the countryside to live with her grandmother after her parents passed. She's sickly….has been her whole life, they say. But…" The youngling hesitated, glancing up nervously.

"But what?"

"But she's brave….or foolish, depending on how you see it," the youngling said in a rush. "She refused to leave even when the prince ordered her away. She waited for him all night, and she even…."

The Demon King raised a brow. "Even what?"

The youngling swallowed. "The prince carried her to his chambers."

For the first time in a long while, amusement flickered in the Demon King's cold eyes. "Did he now?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the youngling nodded eagerly. "He even threw her into his bath!"

The king exhaled through his nose, a deep chuckle rumbling in his chest. He leaned back, steepling his fingers as he processed the information.

"Interesting," he murmured. "My son has never been one to let anyone….human or otherwise….close to him. And yet, this girl…"

The youngling shifted on his feet. "Do you think she's special?"

The Demon King didn't answer immediately. His gaze darkened, and he exhaled slowly. "That remains to be seen."

Silence hung in the air for a moment before he dismissed the youngling with a flick of his hand. As the small demon scampered away, the king's eyes drifted toward the grand window, where the sky was already beginning to shift into hues of crimson and gold.

It had been years since he and Kaelith had spoken properly….years since their father-son relationship had crumbled into nothing but obligation and formality.

Ever since that day.

His grip tightened on the armrest.

Whatever this girl's presence meant, it was bound to shake the foundations of everything Kaelith had built around himself.

And the king wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

An hour later, the heavy doors to his chamber creaked open.

Kaelith strode in, his movements lazy, as if he had been dragged here against his will. His silver-white hair was damp, falling over his broad shoulders, his sharp features unreadable as he flicked his glowing gaze around the lavish chamber with disinterest.

"You called," he said flatly, not bothering to bow or offer any formal greeting.

The Demon King studied him for a moment before speaking. "It is time."

Kaelith sighed, already looking bored. "Time for what?"

"The Festival of the Red Moon Bonding."

The prince's expression remained impassive, but there was the faintest twitch of his jaw. "And?"

His father leaned forward, fingers laced together. "Your siblings and relatives will all be returning. Preparations must begin."

Kaelith's lips curled into a dry smirk. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see me."

The king ignored his sarcasm. "You know the purpose of the festival."

Kaelith's gaze darkened slightly, but he said nothing.

His father continued. "It is a sacred occasion….one that celebrates the peace treaty between demons and humans, ensuring that our worlds remain intertwined. Every century, a royal demon must marry the chosen human, forming a new bond that maintains the balance between our races."

Kaelith exhaled sharply, tilting his head slightly. "I know the history, Father. Get to the point."

The king's voice turned cold. "You will marry the chosen human at the festival."

Silence.

Then, Kaelith laughed. A slow, dark chuckle that lacked any real amusement.

"Will I?"

His father's gaze remained steady. "You cannot marry anyone else….not even a demon. You know the law."

Kaelith's smirk didn't waver, but there was something dangerous beneath it. "And what if I refuse?"

"You won't."

The prince scoffed. "That sure of me, are you?"

The king exhaled through his nose. "It is your duty as my son. As a prince of this realm."

Kaelith's expression flickered for a brief second, something unreadable passing through his gaze before he masked it once more.

"Is that all?"

The king studied him before shifting the topic. "The girl."

Kaelith's eyes narrowed slightly. "What about her?"

His father tapped his fingers against the armrest. "What do you intend to do with her?"

Kaelith leaned against the doorway, arms crossed over his bare chest. "Why do you care?"

"Because she is a human who has somehow gotten close to you," the king said simply. "That alone is worth questioning."

Kaelith's jaw tightened, but his smirk remained. "She's no one. Just a stubborn little thing who refuses to listen."

"And yet you carried her to your bed."

Kaelith's smirk widened, but his eyes held no humor. "Jealous?"

The king didn't rise to the bait. "Tread carefully, Kaelith. This girl… she could become a complication."

The prince tilted his head. "For you?"

"For you," his father corrected.

Kaelith exhaled sharply. "I'll handle her."

The king leaned back, watching his son closely. "Be sure that you do."

Kaelith turned toward the door, already done with the conversation.

"Kaelith."

He paused, his back still turned.

The king's voice was softer, almost contemplative. "Do not make the mistake of believing you have a choice in this matter."

Kaelith didn't turn around. He didn't speak.

And then, without another word, he strode out of the chamber, the doors closing behind him with a heavy finality.

The Demon King exhaled, watching the fading embers in the fireplace

flicker against the dark stone walls.

The festival was approaching.

And whether Kaelith wanted it or not, his fate was already sealed.