After 30 minutes of a beauty bath, Dessa was all dressed up and ready. The dress she was wearing itself was a sin.
Just as she stepped outside her room, she almost bumped into Zamien who was standing in front of her door.
"Zamien!!" she yelped.
"Yes, my sweet wife."
"What are you doing here, don't you know there is a ball?" she realized how ridiculous the question was after she had already said it. How wouldn't he know about a ball in his own kingdom?
"Mm. I came to escort you." Zamien said.
Before she could even open her lips again, Zamien was already commanding her maids to get her cloak. He surprisingly didn't comment on her unusual black dress.
"W-wait, Zamien..."
"Yes, honey?" he suddenly leaned closer to her and Dessa blushed down to her roots, her heart dancing. With a small gasp, she forgot everything she wanted to say. "You don't have to be scared. I will protect you. Come on, let's go."
He outstretched his hand and as Dessa held it and walked with him, she slowly came back to her senses and berated herself for being weak – so defenseless against his flirtatious actions.
Oh please, you can't be so easily swayed! You can't! She was mentally shaking herself, hoping to get a firmer grip on her mind.
When they finally stepped out of the palace, she was wearing a red cloak unlike the black one Zamien and his men were wearing. Her seductive black dress and blonde hair were now hidden under that thick and luxurious red cloak.
While Zamien was speaking with one of whom Dessa recognized as his subordinates, she was busy looking around. She knew it was dark, but she couldn't help but admire how intricately beautiful the crown prince's palace was, in an eerily dark way. It was nonetheless obvious to see how massive the palace was and the flower garden was also vast.
As Zamien's attention came back to her, Dessa didn't know why her heart suddenly picked up its pace and started thudding loudly in her ears. Oh my, was she nervous? Why? Because of Zamien? Certainly not. This must be because she was going to meet the demon emperor – her ultimate enemy. She was certainly not ready yet.
"Wife," Zamien called as he walked closer to her "Before we go, I'd to introduce these men to you. Memorize their faces because they are the only ones you should trust."
Dessa nodded at them as the five of them introduced themselves one by one. She studied each of their faces and decided in her heart to trust no one, despite having a pretty smile on her face.
"Nice to meet you all." Dessa said, she was a little confused as to what was the point of the introductions. She'd literally been in this palace for two weeks and these were the only set of soldiers that introduced themselves to her.
As if Zamien read her mind, he spoke, "They would be guarding you in this palace and outside it."
Dessa creased her brows. Personal guards? That was even worse than the two soldiers guarding the entrance of the dungeon. How was she supposed to slip past these men that were obviously upper class demons. She knew her husband was on purpose trying to keep her caged in this beautiful palace.
Before Dessa could even confront him, another man approached them. She recognized him as Sir Gavriel, a butler or so. For the past few days she had been here, he had followed her around like a lost puppy. Thankfully, he was easy to get rid of and never got too close.
He had no expression on his face, not even a twitch. Like a grumpy old man. He didn't look like a demon but he clearly wasn't a human either. He was probably a bonafide messenger of the devil. She had heard that they looked different from demons and so did the descendants of the fallen angels.
"Meet my butler, Dessa. He'll be your butler from now onwards as well. Don't hesitate to ask him if there is anything you need." Zamien said and the old man nodded without any expression on his face.
Dessa nodded in acknowledgement of his greeting and then Zamien leaned in on her, "Are you ready?" he asked. "We are not going to use a carriage as we are already late. I will be carrying you in my arms, wife."
"Okay." Dessa replied as excitement filled her. It had been so long since she last flew on her wings, they were probably stiff by now. And she had also always wanted to know how demons flew.