In a small, quiet office, a tired woman sat at her desk, working late into the night.
The light above flickered now and then, and papers were scattered everywhere. She let out a deep sigh, rubbing her eyes. She was exhausted, overworked, and the only one left in the building.
Suddenly, something wet touched her fingers.
She froze.
"…Blood?"
Before she could think, her vision blurred. Everything around her started spinning, and she felt herself falling as her consciousness faded.
*********************************
When she woke up, she wasn't in her office anymore. Instead, she lay on a huge, soft bed in a room so fancy it looked like something out of a palace. The walls were decorated with gold patterns, and the furniture was so shiny and perfect it seemed unreal.
Rustle.
Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly sat up.
"Huh? Where am I?" she muttered, looking around in confusion. Memories of her office came rushing back—working late, feeling tired, and… the blood.
She reached up to touch her nose. 'Was it a nosebleed?'
But when she touched her face, there was no blood. Her nose was fine.
She spotted a mirror nearby and picked it up to look at herself. What she saw made her freeze in shock.
The reflection wasn't her. Instead of her tired, plain face, she saw a stunningly beautiful woman staring back. Her skin was flawless, her eyes sharp and bright, and her hair looked soft and silky. But the strangest part was the two horns sticking out of the top of her head.
"Horns?" she gasped, reaching up to touch them. They were real—hard and solid.
"Who… who is this?!" she cried, staring at the mirror in disbelief.
"This must be a dream," she whispered, her hands trembling.
Before she could think further, a deep voice boomed from the massive door in front of her. The door itself was unsettling, decorated with skull-shaped knobs and strange carvings.
"Your Majesty! Are you awake?"
She froze.
Your Majesty?
The voice continued, unfazed by her silence. "I heard shouting earlier, so don't pretend you didn't hear me. I'll send the maids in to help you prepare for your meeting with the high noble demons."
Demons?!
The door creaked open, and a huge figure stepped inside. The woman's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the creature.
It was massive, its broad shoulders barely fitting through the doorway. Its skin was dark and rough, like cracked stone, and two sharp, twisted horns jutted out from its head. Glowing red eyes burned like fire, and smoke curled from its nostrils.
Yet, strangely enough, it wore a perfectly tailored butler's suit. The crisp black jacket, white shirt, and spotless bow tie somehow made the terrifying creature look… formal.
The woman started sweating as an overwhelming aura filled the room, making it hard to breathe.
The bull-like creature, clearly nervous, suddenly knelt down before her.
'Her Majesty is glaring at me. Did I upset her?' it thought, beads of sweat forming on its face.
"Your Majesty," it said, bowing its head. "I didn't mean to intrude, but you've been ignoring your duties as King. It's important you attend this meeting with the high noble demons."
The woman blinked, completely overwhelmed.
King?!
******************************
After a long preparation by the maids, she emerged from her chambers, exuding the undeniable presence of a ruler. Her gown, dark as the void, flowed around her like a shadow, embroidered with silver threads that glinted like moonlight.
A cloak of pristine white fur draped across her shoulders, soft as snow, but heavy with the weight of her position. Atop her head rested a demonic crown, jagged and sharp, a symbol of her power and lineage.
The bull demon from earlier, towering and imposing, guided her through the hallways. Despite his fearsome appearance, his movements were gentle, his obedience unquestioning.
'Wait... I never asked his name,' she realized, intending to inquire, but she hesitated.
"Excuse me—" she began, only to be interrupted as the bull demon suddenly punched himself in the face. "PLEASE DON'T USE FORMALITIES WITH A LOWLY BEING SUCH AS MYSELF!" he thought, his voice filled with panic. He lowered his head, shame washing over him. He doesn't deserve this kindness from her...
'??? What does that mean?' She blinked in confusion, unsure of his reaction.
She decided to shift her focus. 'I need to understand this place... and myself.'
"Kneel!" she commanded, and before she could even think, the bull demon knelt before her, his eyes filled with awe and reverence.
"Tell me about this place... and about me," she ordered, her tone more authoritative now, the weight of her words making the air thick with power.
The bull demon straightened, his voice unwavering. "Of course, your Majesty. This place is the demon king's palace. It began a thousand years ago, under the rule of your father—the former demon king. He was a tyrant, a god in the eyes of his people, but one who squandered his kingdom. Resources meant to sustain the realm were drained on his selfish desires—wine, women, gambling—while the demons who were under him and worshipped him starved and suffered. But despite his cruelty, no one could rise against him. Demons revere their kings as divine, gods who are untouchable."
The bull demon paused, his gaze filled with reverence. "Then, you, your Majesty, stood up. You alone rebelled against the god they worshipped, slaying your own father to claim the throne. With your power and will, you became the most feared and respected demon king in history. No one has matched your strength or your resolve. You became the ruler that demons had only dreamed of."
He hesitated, his voice softening, filled with sorrow. "But... for the past three years, you've neglected your duties, turned away from your people, choosing instead to indulge in... men, wine, and pleasures that were beneath you. Yet, despite all of this... you remain the most powerful, the most worshipped. You are the king of kings. Your name is spoken in awe, even as you rest in your silence."
The bull demon's voice dropped to a whisper. "But we all believe in you, your Majesty. We still wait... for the day you choose to lead us once more."
The woman's mind raced as she processed the bull's words. Her head spun. 'Demon king? I slayed my father? The most feared and respected demon king?'
Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to make sense of it all. I've neglected my duties as king? She couldn't remember any of it. Was she dead? Was this hell? The confusion clouded her thoughts.
But despite the chaos swirling in her mind, one thing became clear: 'Whatever this is, I just have to survive here.'
With a deep breath, she forced herself to stand tall. "Don't worry," she said, her voice steady despite the storm in her head. "I will lead you all once more to the path of greatness."
She didn't think much about the words, speaking them almost automatically. This was her life now, and as strange and overwhelming as it was, it couldn't be any worse than her old job at that damned company.
The bull's eyes widened, clearly overcome with emotion. He looked at her with a kind of worship that could rival the devotion of a fanatic to their god.
"Your Highness…" His voice trembled with awe. "This is wonderful news! The kingdom will rejoice at your return! They will scream with joy at the thought of your leadership!"
The bull's enthusiasm seemed boundless, and he immediately gestured for her to follow him down the hallway.
They passed ancient, ornate pillars and thick, red carpets that seemed to absorb every step they took. The atmosphere around them grew heavier, the air thick with anticipation.
At the end of the hall stood a massive door, dark and foreboding.
A chilling aura emanated from behind it, thick with power. The woman's skin prickled, and sweat began to form on her brow. She kept her expression as neutral as possible, refusing to let her discomfort show.
The bull, on the other hand, appeared unaffected. With a swift motion, he threw open the door.
The room beyond was nothing short of overwhelming. It was an enormous hall, the very air heavy with dark, ancient magic.
The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, deep shadows crawling across the stone, illuminated only by the dim light of flickering torches. Ornate tapestries depicting fearsome battles and powerful demons hung from the walls, their rich, blood-red hues adding to the ominous atmosphere.
***********************************