The dim light of a flickering torch illuminated the damp stone walls of the palace's underground corridor. Vritra strolled through the narrow passageways, his steps steady and deliberate, his mind swirling with the weight of recent revelations. The son of the Demon King—no, not only the Demon King, but the ruler of the Hell Continent—he was expected to live up to a legacy of tyranny, destruction, and domination. But Vritra had something even more potent—something no one else in this world knew about.
The Heroine Stealing System.
It had revealed itself to him moments after his arrival in this world. Now, it lurked in the recesses of his mind, offering him the chance to seize the very destiny of heroes and alter the course of fate. His lip curled in a wicked smile. He was not bound by the laws of this world—he would break them.
But that was a thought for another time. For now, his goal was clear—integrate himself into the politics of this strange, brutal land. The Eastern Kingdom's capital city, Kara'thor, loomed ahead, the seat of power of a human kingdom unaware of the forces conspiring against them. He had to begin somewhere, and this was the perfect stage.
He glanced down at his reflection in a nearby puddle. His crimson eyes glowed in the low light, a stark contrast to his smooth obsidian hair, which fell lazily over his face. His pale skin was flawless, giving him an almost otherworldly beauty, marred only by the small, predatory smirk that seemed permanently etched onto his lips.
As Vritra emerged from the depths of the palace, he found himself at the edge of a vast courtyard. The palace of Kara'thor was a sight to behold—its towering spires kissed the heavens, built with elegant marble and decorated with silver etchings that shimmered in the morning sun. Soldiers in gleaming armor marched in disciplined rows, their metal boots clanking against the stone as they passed by. The smell of fresh bread from nearby bakeries mixed with the faint scent of roses that grew along the palace walls.
Vritra's gaze shifted to a figure waiting near a fountain at the center of the courtyard. Dressed in a flowing white gown that shimmered with a faint magical aura, the woman seemed to command attention even from the distance. Her long, golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of sunlight, her delicate features highlighted by a pair of piercing emerald eyes. She stood tall and regal, her posture perfect, exuding the aura of royalty.
Princess Seraphina, the jewel of the Eastern Kingdom.
Vritra narrowed his eyes, watching her as she spoke to her handmaidens, her voice soft but firm. This was his first target, and she was nothing short of perfection. The way she carried herself—graceful, commanding, and oblivious to the dangers lurking in her own home—made her all the more appealing. The system had given him his task to Steal the affection of the princess.
Seraphina was undoubtedly the heroine in some hero's destined path. But that path would soon diverge—because Vritra had arrived.
As Vritra approached the princess, he took note of the palace guards, their eyes fixed on him. Their gazes flickered with suspicion, but none dared challenge him. After all, he was the demon prince, and no one would risk their life by questioning his movements so openly.
He cleared his throat as he neared the fountain, and the soft murmur of the handmaidens ceased. Seraphina turned toward him, her expression one of mild curiosity mixed with the faintest hint of annoyance.
"Prince Vritra," she said, her voice melodic but carrying the weight of royal authority. "What brings you to the palace courtyard so early?"
Vritra offered a small, polite smile, masking the darker thoughts running through his mind. "I find the mornings here in Kara'thor quite... refreshing. Besides, I wanted to meet the famed princess of the Eastern Kingdom. Your reputation precedes you, Princess Seraphina."
Seraphina raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by his flattery. "I see. And what, may I ask, have you heard about me, Prince?"
"That you are not only the jewel of this kingdom, but also its fiercest protector," Vritra replied smoothly. His words rolled off his tongue effortlessly, like a snake coiling around its prey. "A leader as much as a princess."
The corner of Seraphina's lips curled into a small smile, but it was a cold one. "Flattery will get you nowhere with me, Prince Vritra. I know your kind all too well—demons, always seeking to manipulate."
"Demons?" Vritra feigned surprise, placing a hand on his chest in mock offense. "I am simply a guest in your kingdom. A humble one at that."
"Humble?" Seraphina's smile faded as she stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I find that hard to believe. You may have the court fooled, but I see through your facade."
Vritra's crimson eyes glinted mischievously. This was exactly what he wanted—an adversary who was not easily swayed. The game had only just begun, and Seraphina was already proving to be an exciting challenge.
"I admire your candor, Princess," Vritra said, his voice softening. "But you should know, not all demons are as they seem. Perhaps... you will come to see me in a different light."
"That remains to be seen," she replied coolly, turning on her heel and motioning for her handmaidens to follow her. As she walked away, her white gown flowed behind her like the trail of a comet, leaving Vritra standing alone by the fountain, his grin widening.
She's perfect, Vritra thought, his mind already working out the next steps in his plan.
As he turned to leave the courtyard, Vritra noticed a small figure hiding behind one of the palace pillars. A young girl, no older than eight, with short brown hair and wide, innocent eyes. She peeked out from behind the stone, clearly fascinated by him.
"Hello there," Vritra said, crouching down to her level, his voice gentler than before. "What's your name?"
The girl hesitated for a moment before stepping out from behind the pillar. "My name's Elise," she said shyly. "I-I saw you talking to the princess."
Vritra chuckled softly. "Did you now? And what did you think of it?"
Elise tilted her head, her expression serious for a child. "You were nice. But... she doesn't like you, does she?"
Vritra laughed, a deep, amused sound. "No, she doesn't. But that's alright. Sometimes, people just need time to warm up to each other."
Elise smiled, her earlier shyness melting away. "I like you, though. You're funny."
"Well, thank you, Elise," Vritra said, patting her head. "You're a very smart girl."
As Vritra stood up and walked away, Elise waved at him, her smile wide and innocent. He couldn't help but chuckle at the strange encounter. In a world filled with danger, deception, and power struggles, it was moments like these that added an unexpected touch of... humanity.
As the sun continued to rise, casting its golden light over the city of Kara'thor, Vritra's thoughts turned once again to the system lurking within his mind. He had taken his first step toward Seraphina, but this was only the beginning.
The whispers of fate were all around him, and Vritra intended to make sure that every whisper, every turn of destiny, would fall into his hands.