"Where did I go wrong?"
I find myself staring at a beautiful, yet somewhat sinister young woman with long crimson hair. Her eyes glistening in the moonlight as she stares back at me.
Creatures that seem to have leaped from the pages of a fantasy RPG are closing in on her! To add to the tension, the standoffish glares they're exchanging are enough to send chills down my spine. Each one looks capable of dispatching me in manners too grim for my imagination.
My hands tremble, and I swallow hard as she slowly approaches me with an alluring smile on her face.
And to think I was just a mere high school shut in who loved mangas and computer games. All I wanted was to read some of my Grandpas' old books
My heart races as she softly lifts my chin.
"Welcome to my realm, mortal. Fate has chosen you to be my groom. Rejoice, for you shall stand by my side as the Demon King!"
Bewildered, I stare at her. "Wait, what? Groom? Demon King? There must be some mistake! I was just reading a book in my attic!"
She cracked a playful smirk and chuckled. "No mistake, Kaito. You are mine and mine alone."
She looks kinda cute. Who ever is. I tried to ignore the fact that she had two large, black wings and her…. assets aren't too bad either.
Still confused, I sharply give myself a solid slap across the face. "What do you mean, I'm yours?"
"Oh, Kaito. Must I spell it out for you?! You are to be my consort!"
It sounded more and more ridiculous. The idea of some strange girl dressed in a Halloween costume pushing something like this on me. Maybe I'd hit my head, or maybe it was a bad dream.
No.. it all felt too real. The cold marble floor, the soft glow of the moon through the stained glass windows- and the overwhelming sense of dread I have.
The scent of strange perfume wafted up my nose. I couldn't resist leaning closer to rest my head on my those heavenly pillows.
"You adorable... for a mere human, I mean," laughed the girl, stroking my chin. "I look forward to having some fun with you. My little plaything."
With that, she left me in the hands of one of her personal maids, a shy looking young girl, from where I'm standing. She looks perfectly normal- and really cute in that maid get up. Two ponytails held her jet black hair.
"It's...nice to meet you, my liege," she muttered, sheepishly. "I'm Hana"
"Please stop bowing." I begged, offering a weary smile.
She looks up at me with her deep green eyes and giggled softly. "You really shouldn't be so nice to me"
Yikes! What kind of person do these people think I am? She's making me sound like some horrible tyrant.
I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my head. "I....haven't agreed anything. Especially not marriage. I'm only seventeen!"
Hana's eyes widened, and she let out a loud gasp. "But....you mustn't refuse Lady Lilith's proposal."
At that moment, her guards spun their heads, their spear points gleamed in the dim light. My heart pounded like a drum as they quickly surrounded me.
"Hey! Back off, you freaks!" I barked, holding up my fists.
Hana stepped out in front of me, her arms extended to shield me. I could see her trembling. "L...leave him alone! Or I'll tell Lilith!"
"You don't have to do this!" I murmured, shrugging my shoulders.
"But... it's my duty to serve you. In any way I can."
I honestly thought she was to going sacrifice herself to save me, but the guards lowered their spears and allowed us to leave the throne room. Hana led me through a long hallway. Scary-looking men and women stared out from large portraits that covered the walls. It felt they were watching me as we walked.
"Er...Hana, who are those people?" I muttered, trying not to look at them.
"Hmmm? They're Lilith's parents." She explained.
"I.. don't have to.... (gulp) meet them, do I?"
She slowly nodded, twiddling her fingers. "Of course you do, Kaito. You're Lilith's betrothed, after all."
I lump formed in my throat, and I laughed in denial. "There's no way I'm going anywhere near those people! She can't make me!"
********************
The hours passed as I spent the evening sulking on the large bed, it was miles better than the cheap bed I had back home. The gentle scent of roses and incense filled the air.
"You really don't have to stay with me, ya know?"
Hana slowly shook her head, offering me a gentle smile. "Oh, it's...it's fine, really." She stammered. "Is...there... anything you need, my liege?"
"No, I'm just a little cold, I muttered through the quilt. "But I'm fine, so don't worry"
Much to my surprise, she climbed into the bed and snuggled up to me. "Is this better?"
"W-what are you doing?"
"You said you were cold, my liege." She looked into my eyes and put her arms over me. "Now, you just get comfortable, okay?"
"Your way too close for that, Hana," I muttered. "You'll get in trouble if she caught you."
It was at the moment; I felt a chill run down my spine, like someone was standing in the doorway.
"Hana?! What in the hell do you think you are doing?" A regal, intimidating voice called out from somewhere. "Get your filthy hands off my betrothed! Or else!"
Terrified, I slowly peeked out from the quilt to see Lilith glaring at the two of us with crossed arms. She angrily tapped her foot on the floor and gritted her teeth.
"Of all the insults... you didn't even invite me to join you!" she sobbed, stamping her foot on the floor.
"Join me?!"
"Well, I am going to be your wife soon, correct?"
"Y-yes. I mean... of course, you're not." I hastily climbed out of the bed, wrapping the surrounding quilt. "I haven't agreed to anything. Have I?"
Again, Lilith laughed and offered me an inviting smile. "You're so cute when you struggle, my betrothed."
"Will you stop saying that?! I protested. "You brought me here without asking me first!"""
She exhaled, her expression softening with sadness. "Don't you want me, Kaito?"
Lilith began to chuckle softly in her hand and gave me a playful wink. "But didn't you used to draw skimpily dressed elves and ogle over them?"
"H-How did you know about that?!"
"Come now, my beloved. I know all about you!" She laughed.
Hana hastily climbed out of the bed, humbly bowing at her feet. "P-please forgive me, my lady."
Lilith shifted her gaze towards Hana. Her eyes were cold and unforgiving as she glared at her. Much different from when she was teasing me. "Just get out of my sight, slave!"
"Y-Yes, my lady" Hana hurried out the room in a panic.
"Now then, my love." Lilith said. "Isn't there anything you want to say to me?"
I sat back on the bed, hiding my face in the quilt. "Yes, just let me go home, please."
"Home?" laughed Lilith. "I don't know what you mean. You ARE home."
She sat beside me on the bed, gently holding my hand. Her skin felt so soft and warm. I tried to resist her charms and pulled away my hand. "I refuse," I muttered under my breath.
"I'm sorry, my beloved. What did you say" She growled, her eyes began to glow. She grabbed my hand once more, her grip tightening. "You refuse?"
"You heard me!" I replied defiantly. "I don't want to be your husband! Ever!"
"Is that so?"
With a click of her fingers, the windows swung open and she nodded towards them. I slowly glanced over at the pouring rain and raging winds outside and swallowed hard.
She calmly nodded and clicked her fingers once more. "That's what awaits you if you don't change your mind."
My heart sank in my chest, and my hands shook. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Wouldn't I?"
Something told me that she wasn't going to give until I agreed to be her husband. I took another look at the storm, swallowing hard and loosening my shirt collar. "Fine," I muttered, cracking a weak smile. "You win!"
Her eyes lit up, and she teasingly stroked my cheek. "I knew you'd see things my way, my betrothed. Now, if come sit lay with me for the night!"
A cold sweat ran from my forehead, and my heart started to race as I drew closer to her. She quickly pulled me towards onto the bed and wrapped her arms around me.