As Seraphina and her maids made their way toward the bathroom, Lucifer followed them silently, remaining invisible. The maids, all middle-aged or older, had been hired by Seraphina's mother during her later pregnancy stages, meaning they had been with Seraphina even before she was born. The oldest among them, Matilda, was in her late fifties—a strong woman who, at first glance, resembled a WWE female champion rather than a mere maid.
The rest of the maids were equally loyal to Seraphina and her mother, as the empress's busy schedule left the maids to raise Seraphina. They knew everything about her. However, today, the princess seemed different. She appeared cautious even as they began to bathe her. She created a magical barrier that extended four feet around her. This type of barrier was typically used to prevent outsiders from hearing or seeing what was happening inside, often employed in royal court matters or during confidential situations. Though the bathroom already had a barrier that ensured privacy, Seraphina's extra precautions went unquestioned.
The maids continued their work as usual, first removing all the jewels and accessories from Seraphina and placing them in a small red velvety box. They then gently undressed her, ensuring her gown was placed in another box to prevent it from getting wet. Now completely naked, Seraphina allowed her maid Elara to add different oils like lavender and jasmine into the steaming hot bathtub, which resembled a small swimming pool.
Another maid, Lucinda, began rubbing oils and bathing salts on Seraphina's delicate curves and all around her body. Once finished, they helped Seraphina stand, and she dipped herself into the warm water, relaxing as Lucinda washed her hair. After a few moments of solitude, Seraphina gestured for the maids to come closer. Once she emerged from the water, Mira gently dried her off and wrapped her in a bathrobe.
They then moved toward the wardrobe inside the bathroom, where Seraphina sat at her dressing table. Matilda helped do her hair and applied almond oil to moisturize her skin and hair, while the other maids showed her various dresses she might like. After some consideration, Seraphina chose a stunning yellow gown embroidered with several gemstones. Once the maids helped her into it, she selected various accessories, finishing with a tiara atop her head. Now fully prepared, she had maintained the magical barrier throughout the process.
What she didn't realize, however, was that Lucifer, with his abyss-like eyes, could see through the barrier as if it were plain glass. After she was dressed, Matilda said to Seraphina, "Princess, now you are an adult and the festival of the hunt is coming. Any of the participants can ask for your hand. Are you ready?"
Lucinda, also in mock sadness, said, "Ahh, princess, wherever you go, please bring us with you! We have been with you for decades; we cannot live without you." Seraphina laughed and said, "Who would bring an old hag after marriage when I will be having fresh meat?" Even though she said that, she was panicked. In the excitement of summoning Lucifer, she had forgotten that the festival of the hunt was coming.
Last year, she didn't have to marry because she was only 23, and in this world, one had to be at least 24 before they could even think of dating, which wasn't really a thing among royalty and nobility. Now that she was 24, there would be many who would participate in the hunt just for her hand in marriage.
The festival of the hunt was an event that happened every year to honor the adventurers and soldiers who did everything in their power to defend them from different kinds of beasts and collect various herbs found in the forest near the Silvara Kingdom, the kingdom of elves. There was a forest at the boundary filled with all kinds of mystical beasts and herbs, which were not only able to treat all kinds of diseases but also could be used to cultivate powerful magicians that would further strengthen the empire.
However, due to this very reason, Zafyre and the Silvara Empire had always been at odds, resulting in several wars between them in the last few centuries. Still, when no one was willing to back down, the grand ancestors of the human empire had to intervene and made them sign a peace treaty where both parties could utilize the resources of the forest.
But back to Lucifer—he was interested in this festival of the hunt or whatever this was. It might be a good place to execute the next part of his plan. Princess Seraphina came out of the bathroom, and the maids went to do other duties. After seeing nobody was near, he stopped using the invisibility spell. He was standing very close to Seraphina when he whispered in her ear, "That mole on your back looks cute."
Seraphina, caught off-guard, became embarrassed and uncomfortable. She said, "Y-you demon! Don't you have any decency? I am your master, and from now on, I forbid you to look at me while I, I mean, do anything personal. Give me privacy!"
"Wow, Your Highness. You summoned a demon for power, and now you expect a demon to show decency? That's very admirable," Lucifer smirked, indirectly calling her stupid.
"What's about this festival of the hunt?" Seraphina, disguising her previous embarrassment, told him everything there was to know about the festival and even shared her plans on how she would introduce him as her right-hand man. She said, "You will participate in the competition, win it, then ask my father to allow you to become my subordinate. That way, everyone will know that I now have a powerful subordinate under me."
"Okay, I will," replied Lucifer. "But I want to do something first. My pet has been stuck in my castle for as long as I have been here. I want to take him out."
"What castle? Didn't you come here from another world? How do you have a castle here?"
Lucifer pointed to the obsidian black ring on his finger and said, "See this ring? This ring is called Shadow Manifestor. It can summon my Shadow Castle anywhere and everywhere I want. It has all my treasures, even some subordinates and my pet."
"Oh," Seraphina said. "What kind of pet might you have?"
Lucifer shrugged nonchalantly. "You will see."
Seraphina said, "Okay, then what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to take me to an empty space that can hold my castle."
"Ohh, how much empty space do you need?"
"You can do it in my garden."
"How big is it?"
Lucifer thought for a few seconds before replying, "Maybe around 300 times bigger than your palace."
"What? How big?" One had to know that Seraphina was among the oldest sisters and second in number among all her siblings just after her brother. Her palace was extremely big even compared to her siblings, which was 100 acres. Even the emperor's castle was only somewhere around 600 or 700 acres. Three hundred times means 30000 acres, which was almost 120 km per side. One would need a carriage just to move inside the castle from one place to another.
"We cannot get such an empty place. Although we can find it, such a large place cannot be hidden easily."
"I can shrink it, though," Lucifer said.
"Okay, then we can go after breakfast."
They went toward the dining area. Lucifer and Seraphina sat at the luxurious dining table. The maids were confused; they didn't know who Lucifer was or where he came from, but as they saw their princess gesturing toward them to serve both of them, they silently served many fresh fruits, different kinds of cakes and pastries, pancakes, and creamy yogurt served with honey, crushed nuts, and berries.
The room filled with the fragrant aroma of fresh herbal teas as fresh bread was served. Lucifer and Seraphina ate, and after breakfast, Seraphina led Lucifer toward her royal garden, which was filled with all kinds of flowers. However, Seraphina knew they were about to be crushed, as without even asking, Lucifer sent mana into his black ring as a small castle started to manifest in the garden.
The castle looked like a toy, as it was a smaller version of its grand persona. Using the ring, Lucifer transported both himself and Seraphina into the throne room of the castle. The throne was built with the bones of a legendary sainthood-level dragon, which he had killed with much hardship. Leaving that aside, there was a huge owl sitting on the throne, which supposedly should be for Lucifer, but he didn't mind as he had allowed the owl, who was also his pet, Nox.
Lucifer shouted, "Hey buddy, come!" Nox, seeing Lucifer after so many days, came toward him at record speed, but there was no noise to be heard, even while such a large owl was sprinting through the air. He came towards Lucifer and sat on his shoulder as he shrank.
This was Nox, also a sainthood-level beast, which he had raised from an egg. This owl was not simple; he could talk human speech and even managed the whole castle in Lucifer's absence when he was out doing quests or conquering dungeons. He could use all the abilities Lucifer had. As Nox settled comfortably on Lucifer's shoulder, the atmosphere in the throne room shifted.
The majestic owl, with feathers that shimmered in shades of midnight blue and silver, looked at Seraphina with curious, intelligent eyes. It was an impressive sight.
"Who is this?" Nox asked, his voice smooth and deep, resonating in the vast chamber.
"This is Princess Seraphina," Lucifer introduced her, a hint of self-deprecating tinge in his voice.
"She's my summoner and my master, for now."
Nox's expression darkened, his gaze narrowing. "Summoner?" he hissed, ruffling his feathers in indignation. "What right does she have to bind you?"
Seraphina stepped back, startled by the sudden shift in Nox's demeanor. "I'm not here to harm him!" she retorted, her voice shaky but firm.
In that moment, Nox lunged from Lucifer's shoulder, wings spread wide as he swooped toward Seraphina, talons extended. "You will not enslave my friend!" he screeched, a fierce protector ready to defend his friend.
Lucifer's eyes flashed, a hint of satisfaction crossing his face. Perhaps, he thought, this was his chance to break free without lifting a finger. But before he could revel in the idea, Seraphina's command rang out, clear and absolute.
"Lucifer, save me!"
Against his will, Lucifer felt his body move, responding to her words like a puppet on strings. His limbs locked into action, forcing him between Nox and Seraphina, pushing the owl back with gentle but firm hands.
"Nox, stop," he said, his voice filled with forced restraint. "I… I can't let you harm her."
Nox halted mid-air, his fiery gaze fixed on Lucifer in disbelief. "What are you saying?" he demanded. "How can you protect her when she's the one who has done this to you?"
Lucifer clenched his jaw, the words heavy with resentment. "Nox… I'm bound to her. If you try to harm her, I'll have to stop you. I might even have to risk my life to protect her. Would you really want that?"
Nox's eyes softened in frustration, his fierce resolve tempered only by his loyalty to Lucifer. Slowly, he lowered himself, perching nearby as he tried to process the situation.
"Why didn't you use your Eyes of the Abyss to stop the enslavement?" he asked telepathically, his voice trembling with suppressed rage.
Lucifer's reply came back in a hushed, telepathic whisper. "I don't know. I tried, but… it didn't work. Something is blocking me. But don't worry—" he added, a spark of his former confidence returning, "I already have a plan."
Nox, still seething, gave a small nod, casting a final, venomous glance at Seraphina. "Then I'll wait," he murmured, his tone icy. "But remember, I won't sit by idly if this so-called 'bond' endangers you."
All the conversation between the owl and Lucifer was done telepathically; Seraphina didn't hear anything. But as she saw the owl backing off, she gave a contented smirk. Although Lucifer had told Nox to calm down, he still seethed with rage.