"What is it?" Lareina asked when she noticed Rosie's pale face from the reflection of the mirror. "Are you not feeling well?"
"My Lady, I…'' Rosie hesitated as she spoke, "I never intended to talk to you about this but now that the time of His Highness's return is close, I am worried that you would get to hear this from someone else instead and…''
The mention of that person made Lareina's fingers tremble slightly.
Azrael Callisto Draven. The second prince of the demon realm.
The man who was her husband.
They were from two different worlds—a demon and a human. Yet, at the same time, they were husband and wife. He was gentle and kind towards her when the rest of his kingdom was against their marriage. When he left, he had held her tenderly and kissed her, filling her with an assurance she had not felt in a long time.
It had been a while since Lareina had seen him. On their wedding night, he was sent off to war right after the ceremony was completed.
The calmness on Lareina's face faded a little. ''Is he injured?" She repeated again when there was no reply, "Is the second prince injured?"
"It's not that. He is not injured…''
Lareina's expression relaxed.
"But he…''
"The demon army is back,'' came an announcement from outside, "along with their general, the second prince!''
Lareina's feet moved on their own as she made her way out of her bedchambers.
"My Lady, wait… Your shoes…'' Rosie called from behind, but Lareina paid no mind.
She crossed a few hallways and appeared in front of a grand, cavernous hall lit by chandeliers made of enchanted crystal. Glowing veins of red ran through the stone of the tall pillars, pulsing faintly with magical energy.
The Infernal Court was bursting with energy. The tall doors were wide open, welcoming visitors to congratulate the second prince for his victorious return.
Lareina's eyes zoned past the crowd of people. She arched her neck, her gaze shifting quickly until she spotted that one man sitting to the right of the King's throne, a few steps beneath it.
He looked different than how she last remembered him, yet he felt familiar. Those raven locks of hair fell on his face, that silent and strict posture, and those dark purple eyes that looked up indifferently every time someone said something to him.
But there was someone else sitting beside him. A woman Lareina didn't recognize.
Lareina's heart dropped, a wave of nausea hitting her when she saw the beautiful woman leaning into his arm, whispering something intimately in his arms. The arc on her lips disappeared just as fast as it had come.
This happened to be the moment when Azrael noticed her.
Their gazes met and she did not see an ounce of regret or shame in those purple eyes. If anything, there was anger… or even hatred when he looked at her.
"My Lady, you ran so fast. Your shoes…'' Rosie appeared by Lareina's side, her voice garnering some attention from the crowd.
A few people close to them looked their way first before they alarmed the rest and soon, they had the entire court's attention.
The King who was indulging in his wine also looked up in her direction, "Oh, the human princess.'' He looked in the direction of his second son. "Seeing she is such a diligent wife that she came running to see you without putting her shoes on, you need to remember to treat her well in the future, understood?"
Those words were just an indirect warning for Azrael to put her in her place. After all, she was a human—the reason why their second prince had been at war for four long years.
The King seemed partly amused and partly annoyed as he continued, "Your husband has emerged victorious in the war against your clan members. Wouldn't you congratulate him for this victory?"
Lareina paused for a moment, tilted her head, and then turned to Azrael before lowering her head again, "Congratulations, Your Highness."
"I wonder if she is worried about her clan," the crown prince said with a smirk. "I heard she was rather close with the general. Brother, did you not just show off his severed head? Or have you saved him up for some torture?"
The crowd of demons roared with laughter at these words.
"Why would she care? They didn't care for her either when she was sent here as a distraction," the unruly fourth prince said. "Unless, of course, she agreed to be one?" He turned to his father and brothers. "Does that make her an enemy? Brother, you ought to sleep with one eye open!"
"But there seems to be no need for that," said the crown prince. "It seems like there is already someone else warming our dear brother's bed."
The king laughed at his son's snide remark.
Lareina said nothing.
Even though the human realm was defeated, they still caused a lot of damage to the demons in the process. And to these demons, she was just one of those enemies. To trample upon and humiliate her was giving them utmost pleasure. If being silent meant she could keep her head, then silent she would be.
"Leave us," the King suddenly said, waving her off as though she was none better than a servant.
Lareina raised her eyes slightly to look at the man she had married. His gaze was focused on the woman by his side. Not once did he look at her, causing her heart to clench in hurt and confusion.
She didn't need to be told twice. Lareina quickly left the court, stopping only once she was a good distance away from the hall. Rosie trailed after her, and once Lareina caught her breath, she stopped Rosie.
"My Lady…"
"Was that what you wanted to tell me, Rosie?" Her eyes felt warm and prickly, welling with tears. "That he… My husband—"
A deep baritone caused Lareina to raise her gaze in surprise.
"Tell you what?"