For several seconds after the vision ended, Liora could barely breathe.
The chamber of the Crimson Gate felt smaller now.
Heavier.
Like the air itself had thickened around her.
The memory still clung to her mind.
The balcony.
The stars.
Cairis standing in front of her, younger and fierce and worried in a way she had never seen before.
Find me again.
Her chest tightened.
Had she really said that?
Had that really been her?
"Liora."
Cairis's voice cut through the chaos of her thoughts.
His hands were still gripping her shoulders.
Firm.
Grounding.
"Look at me."
She blinked slowly.
His crimson eyes searched her face carefully, like he was trying to read every emotion passing through her.
"What did you see?" he asked again.
Liora hesitated.
Not because she didn't want to tell him.
But because the truth sounded ridiculous even to her.
"…A memory."
The chamber remained tense around them.
Guards still knelt.
The ancient figure beyond the gate had gone silent again, its presence lingering like a shadow behind the crimson light.
"What kind of memory?" Cairis pressed.
Liora swallowed.
"You."
His expression didn't change.
But his grip tightened slightly.
"…Explain."
"You were younger," she said slowly.
"And we were standing on a balcony somewhere… looking at the stars."
She paused.
Her voice softened.
"…You were worried about me."
That seemed to catch him off guard.
For a brief moment, his eyes flickered with something unfamiliar.
Then the emotion vanished beneath his usual control.
"That proves nothing," he said quietly.
"It could be an illusion created by the gate."
"Maybe."
Liora rubbed the back of her neck.
"…But it didn't feel fake."
Behind them, the Demon King had been listening silently.
His gaze remained fixed on the partially opened gate.
But his voice cut through the chamber calmly.
"The Crimson Gate reveals memories."
Everyone turned toward him.
"Memories?" the commander asked carefully.
The Demon King nodded once.
"Fragments of the past connected to those who sealed it."
The implication spread through the room slowly.
Liora felt her stomach twist.
"…You're saying I sealed that thing?"
The Demon King finally looked directly at her.
"…Yes."
Silence.
Even the guards seemed unsettled by that answer.
Liora let out a small breath.
"That's… not great news."
Another chain snapped.
The sharp crack echoed through the chamber.
The gate flared again.
Cairis's aura instantly surged darker.
"We should not be standing here discussing this."
The Demon King nodded slightly.
"The gate must be reinforced."
He looked toward the guards.
"Reapply the containment seals."
The soldiers moved immediately.
Several powerful demon mages stepped forward, beginning to activate the ancient runes carved into the pillars.
The glowing symbols flickered back to life.
For the moment, the gate stopped opening.
But the tension remained.
Something was still pushing from the other side.
Liora exhaled slowly.
"…Can we leave now?"
Cairis didn't argue.
He placed a hand lightly on her arm and guided her toward the exit.
The moment they stepped outside the chamber, the atmosphere changed.
The corridor air felt lighter.
Less suffocating.
But the silence between them was heavier than before.
They walked side by side without speaking.
Finally Liora broke it.
"…You don't believe me."
Cairis didn't answer immediately.
"I believe something showed you a vision."
"That's not the same thing."
"No."
He stopped walking.
She turned toward him.
His expression was unreadable again.
But his eyes were different now.
More guarded.
"Reincarnation memories are rare," he said.
"Even among witches."
Liora crossed her arms.
"You think I'm lying."
"I think the gate is manipulating you."
That stung more than she expected.
She looked away.
"…Fine."
For a moment neither of them moved.
Then footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.
Three figures approached.
Demon nobles.
Their robes were elaborate, decorated with gemstones and ancient sigils.
Each of them carried themselves with the quiet arrogance of people used to power.
They stopped when they saw Liora.
Their expressions shifted immediately.
Disapproval.
Cold curiosity.
One of them spoke first.
"So the rumors were true."
His voice carried a smooth, venomous tone.
"The prince has brought a human witch into the royal palace."
Liora sighed under her breath.
"…This again."
Cairis's posture straightened instantly.
"She is under my protection."
The noble's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Protection?"
His gaze drifted toward Liora.
"A human responsible for awakening the Crimson Gate?"
Another noble spoke quietly.
"The court will not accept this."
Cairis's voice turned colder.
"The court does not decide what I accept."
Tension filled the corridor instantly.
The first noble stepped closer.
"Be careful, Your Highness."
His smile held no warmth.
"Your affection for this human may cost the kingdom dearly."
Liora blinked.
"…Affection?"
Cairis ignored her.
But the noble's eyes gleamed.
"In fact…"
His hand moved suddenly.
Magic flared across the corridor.
A thin blade of dark energy shot toward Liora.
Fast.
Silent.
Deadly.
Liora barely had time to react.
Cairis moved faster.
His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her sharply behind him.
The blade struck his barrier and shattered instantly.
The corridor exploded with demonic energy.
Cairis's aura erupted.
Black flames spiraled violently around him, slamming into the walls and ceiling.
The nobles staggered backward in shock.
His crimson eyes burned with fury.
"You dare."
His voice was no longer calm.
It carried something darker.
Something dangerous.
Liora felt his arm still wrapped protectively around her.
Firm.
Unyielding.
The nobles suddenly looked far less confident.
One of them raised his hands defensively.
"We were merely testing her strength"
The floor beneath them cracked.
Cairis stepped forward slowly.
His wings began to unfold behind him.
Massive.
Terrifying.
"You will not test what belongs to me."
The words echoed through the corridor like a threat.
The nobles went pale.
Even Liora felt her heart skip slightly.
Because the way he said it…
Didn't sound like a political statement.
It sounded personal.
Very personal.
And for the first time since arriving in the Demon Kingdom
The entire palace began to understand something dangerous.
The Demon Prince was not simply protecting the witch.
He was willing to burn the entire court to the ground for her.