King Charles, standing at the corner, couldn't bear it any longer. He knew the devil would soon take her. He had to tell her the truth before things got out of hand.
With all his courage, King Charles approached them on the dance floor. A smile formed on his face as Olivia's eyes met his.
"Your majesty, may I have a moment with my daughter? There are a few things I need to share with her," King Charles requested. Azriel assessed him and gave a nod of approval. He released Olivia gently and swiftly vanished, reappearing in his seat.
Olivia, her eyes fixed on her father, was unaware of Azriel's disappearance. The mention of her father wanting to talk to her made her stomach churn with anticipation.
King Charles gently took Olivia's hand and guided her back to the study. This time, he wouldn't hold back or speak in riddles. He had to reveal the painful truth that had burdened him since the beginning - the truth of the devil's imminent arrival to take her for a thousand years. They entered the study, and he carefully seated her. His heart weighed heavy with anguish. Olivia gazed at him, sensing that something was wrong, and now he was about to finally disclose it.
King Charles took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he began to speak. "Olivia," he said softly, "the story I told you earlier about the king and the devil, it's a true story. And that king is me"
"What?!" Olivia yelped and stood up.
"Father what are you talking about? Tell me you're joking"
"It's the truth Olivia, it's a truth that has burdened me since the beginning. The devil, he... he has come for you. He plans to take you away for a thousand years." Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief and fear at her father's words.
Olivia couldn't help but wonder why it had to be her. She had always felt a nagging feeling deep down, but she dismissed it as mere imagination. Little did she know that her intuition was right all along.
Olivia's body was shivering, not from cold but from fear. Olivia's body trembled with fear as she considered the possibility. The Red-eyed man downstairs did seem a bit eerie and domineering. Could he really be the devil? With a trembling voice, she asked King Charles,
"Who is the devil?" King Charles, who had kept his head down, slowly lifted his gaze to meet her eyes.
"The man you danced with," he replied, his voice filled with sorrow and concern.
Olivia's heart skipped a beat as she processed King Charles' words. The man she had danced with, the one who had captivated her with his piercing red eyes, could actually be the devil. Fear gripped her even tighter, and she felt a chill run down her spine. "But... how? Why would the devil choose me?" she stammered, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and terror. King Charles took a deep breath before answering, "The devil didn't choose you Olivia. I gave you away for my sake and for the kingdom."
Olivia's voice quivered as she tried to comprehend King Charles' words. "You... you gave me away?" she whispered, her eyes welling up with tears. The weight of his confession hung heavy in the air. King Charles, his own voice filled with remorse, replied, "Yes, Olivia. I made a terrible decision for the sake of the kingdom. I am filled with regret and I cannot begin to express how sorry I am." Olivia's heart ached with a mixture of sadness and anger, but she knew deep down that forgiveness would be the only way forward.
Everything was already done and she had to go even if she didn't want to. It was a deal and she was meant to, for the sake of the kingdom.
"Olivia, don't fret. Once the war ends, I'll fight my way to rescue you from that man. He's dangerous, so please do your best to stay away from him, alright? We'll find a way to reunite and overcome this together. Stay strong, ok?" King Charles reassured her as he pulled her crying figure into his arms.
"I understand, Olivia. The decision has been made, and you feel compelled to go against your own wishes for the sake of the kingdom. It can be tough when we have to sacrifice our own desires. Just know that I'm here for you, and we'll navigate through this together and one day you'll be back to this kingdom to be with the man you want to be with. I won't stop you ok?"
Olivia nodded in agreement. If her father believed the red-eyed man was a threat, she trusted his judgment. She would comply and go with the red-eyed man, knowing that her father would come for her later to ensure her safety. The kingdom's well-being was their priority.
"Father, I will go with him for the kingdom's sake, but I'm afraid I may not return alive," Olivia's voice trembled as she spoke. Mila's stories about the devil filled her with fear, recounting his merciless killings. The mere thought made her legs weak.
Olivia couldn't shake off the chilling stories Mila shared about the devil's cruel acts. The thought of him taking a lady's life for simply looking at him with hatred sent shivers down her spine. She couldn't help but wonder if his seemingly friendly demeanor towards her was just a facade, knowing that one day he would claim her.
Her body trembled as her mind wandered to the horrors that awaited her in Hellothan.
King Charles looked at his daughter with worry.
"Olivia, it's time to descend. After the party, you will accompany him to Hellothan as planned"
He said to her and she wiped her tears. This was no time to be a baby like she used to.
It's time to do something for the kingdom.
Besides, didn't she always wish to leave the palace?
This was her chance to witness a different world.
The demon's world.