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

The air buzzed with activity as preparations for the Festival of the Red Moon Bonding consumed the entire kingdom. The castle halls were adorned with flowing crimson banners, golden lanterns lit every corridor, and the scent of rare incense drifted through the air, mingling with the hum of servants hurrying to complete their tasks.

Yet, despite the chaos, Ember had not seen Kaelith all day.

She had asked about him….first to the attendants, then to the guards, and even to the cooks bustling in the grand kitchen.

Each time, she was met with the same response.

"The prince is preoccupied."

"He is dealing with other matters."

"Best not to disturb him, Lady Ember."

And so, frustration curled in her stomach as she paced the length of her chamber.

Where the hell was he?

Was he avoiding her?

By the time the sun had long dipped below the horizon and the golden moon cast its eerie glow across the mountains, Ember had all but given up.

With a sigh, she turned to her wardrobe, peeling off the heavy ceremonial robe she had been forced to wear all day.

"If he's going to ignore me, then fine. Let him."

Her fingers worked quickly, unfastening the intricate knots along her sleeves. The cool air kissed her bare skin as she loosened the bindings of her inner garments, exhaling in relief as the constricting fabric slid down her shoulders.

And then…..

The door burst open.

A gust of cold air followed the sudden intrusion, making the flames in the lanterns flicker wildly.

Ember screamed, clutching the fabric to her chest as she whirled around.

And there he was.

Kaelith.

Looking completely unbothered as he leaned lazily against the doorframe, arms crossed, his piercing blue eyes gleaming with something far too amused for her liking.

"What the hell, Kaelith?!" she shrieked, scrambling to tighten her robe.

He arched a single elegant brow. "I thought you wanted to marry me," he mused, tilting his head slightly. "If that's the case, shouldn't I be allowed to see everything?"

Ember's face ignited. "That is not how it works!"

He chuckled, the sound deep and utterly infuriating. "Are you sure? It sounds exactly like how it should work."

She gaped at him, horrified. "Get out!"

Kaelith smirked, making no move to leave. "Relax, little human. I've seen bare skin before. Yours isn't special."

Ember's eye twitched. "Then why are you still here?!"

He took a slow step forward, his gaze dark and unreadable. "Because I want to be."

Her pulse quickened.

For a moment, the air between them shifted….charged with something unspoken.

His eyes flickered down, and then….

"For such a small human," he murmured, his voice smooth as silk, "you sure have a big chest… and behind."

Ember froze.

Her entire body locked up, her brain short-circuiting as his words registered.

"What?" she croaked.

Kaelith's lips twitched. "I didn't notice before," he mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "But now that I have….."

"Shut up," she blurted out, mortified.

"Why are you so embarrassed?" he asked innocently, tilting his head. "It's just an observation."

"You do not just say things like that!" she snapped.

"Why not? It's true."

She gaped at him, utterly speechless.

Then, despite herself, she huffed. "That's because I wrap it up," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.

Kaelith raised a brow. "Wrap what up?"

She exhaled sharply, glaring at him. "My chest, you idiot!"

His smirk deepened. "Why?"

She crossed her arms, avoiding his gaze. "Because I used to get bullied for it."

A beat of silence passed.

Then…..

Kaelith laughed.

Not just a chuckle. A full, rich, amused laugh that sent warmth curling through her stomach.

Ember's scowl deepened. "Stop laughing!"

He ignored her, shaking his head as he placed a hand on his hip. "You shouldn't do that anymore," he said, voice laced with amusement.

"Why do you care?" she huffed.

"Because I like them," he said shamelessly, flashing a slow, wicked smirk. "And if I'm going to marry you, I want them bouncing for my eyes to see."

Ember let out an incoherent noise of rage.

The nearest object….a golden hairpin….went flying at his head.

Kaelith dodged effortlessly, laughing as he caught the next object she hurled….a decorative pillow.

"Temper, temper," he teased, dodging yet another flying object.

"You are impossible!" she shrieked, grabbing a handful of fabric and hastily redressing.

She turned sharply, storming toward the door, her face burning hotter than dragon fire.

But before she could escape, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.

With a startled gasp, she stumbled….only to be pulled backward.

The world tilted….

And suddenly, they were falling onto the bed.

Ember landed against the soft silk sheets, her breath caught in her throat as Kaelith caged her beneath him.

His arms braced on either side of her, his body dangerously close, his warmth pressing into her through the thin layers of fabric.

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

Then, Kaelith inhaled deeply, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Her pulse hammered.

"Kaelith…..?"

"Be quiet," he murmured against her skin.

Her breath hitched. "What are you…."

"I need to sleep," he interrupted, his voice dropping into something almost… vulnerable.

She stiffened.

"And I need you," he murmured, "to be able to do that."

Her heart stopped.

For a moment, the room blurred around them.

His scent, his warmth, the weight of him….it was too much, too overwhelming.

And yet…

She didn't push him away.

Instead, she swallowed hard, whispering, "When will you marry me?"

Silence.

Then….

A deep, amused chuckle rumbled against her skin.

"We'll see."

Meanwhile…

In the far wing of the castle, a new presence entered the grand halls.

The grand corridors of the demon castle stretched endlessly, the flickering lanterns casting eerie shadows along the marble walls. The air felt heavier….thicker….as a new presence entered the halls, his steps silent but filled with undeniable authority.

Kaelith's eldest brother had returned.

Draped in flowing black robes embroidered with silver, his long silver-white hair was tied back into a high bun, strands cascading down his shoulders. Unlike Kaelith's more relaxed presence, his aura was cold, commanding, suffocating. His glowing blue eyes, similar to Kaelith's but sharper….colder….scanned the castle like a predator sizing up its territory.

A small youngling hurried to his side, his tiny feet barely making a sound against the polished floors.

The youngling bowed deeply. "Master Xeylan," he greeted, voice barely above a whisper.

Xeylan…..Kaelith's eldest brother. The firstborn prince. The one Kaelith hadn't seen in years.

Xeylan's sharp gaze flickered toward the young demon. "Speak," he commanded.

The youngling swallowed before launching into an eager report. "Prince Kaelith has been… preoccupied as of late, Master."

Xeylan raised a brow, unimpressed. "Is that so?"

"Yes," the youngling nodded quickly. "There's a human girl. She arrived not long ago, demanding he marry her."

Xeylan's steps slowed.

A human?

The youngling continued, seemingly oblivious to the sudden shift in the air. "She's stubborn. She won't leave, no matter how many times he tells her to. And the prince…..he actually lets her stay."

Xeylan exhaled a quiet chuckle, tilting his head slightly. "Interesting," he mused.

"But that's not all!" The youngling's golden eyes glowed with the excitement of a gossiping servant. "Prince Kaelith carried her to his chambers on the very first night she arrived! And last night….he slept beside her!"

Xeylan stopped walking.

The youngling noticed too late, almost stumbling in his rush to keep up.

The silence that followed was icy.

Xeylan turned his head slightly, his lips curving into a slow, dangerous smirk.

"Another human," he murmured, his voice laced with mischief.

The youngling hesitated. "Y-Yes, Master Xeylan."

Xeylan's eyes darkened with something unreadable. "My dear brother… how utterly predictable of you."

His smirk widened as he stepped forward once more, his gaze now filled with something close to amusement.

Or perhaps, something far more dangerous.