The corridor remained silent long after the demon nobles left.
They had retreated quickly.
Too quickly.
Not because they respected Cairis.
But because they had seen the look in his eyes.
It had not been the calm, controlled prince they were used to negotiating with.
It had been something older.
Something closer to a predator.
Liora was still standing where he had pulled her behind him.
Her heart hadn't fully slowed yet.
"…Well."
She exhaled softly.
"That escalated quickly."
Cairis didn't answer.
His demonic aura was still swirling faintly around him like smoke refusing to disappear.
His wings had partially folded again, but the tension in his posture remained.
Liora glanced up at him.
"You can let go now."
He blinked slightly.
As if realizing something.
His arm was still around her waist.
He released her immediately.
"Sorry."
The apology was quiet.
Unexpected.
Liora raised an eyebrow.
"…That might be the first time you've apologized to me."
"I wasn't aware you were counting."
"Oh, I am."
For a moment, the corner of his mouth twitched.
Then the tension returned.
His gaze shifted down the empty corridor where the nobles had disappeared.
"They shouldn't have attacked you."
Liora shrugged.
"They didn't get very far."
"That's not the point."
His voice carried something heavier now.
Something she hadn't heard before.
Frustration.
Liora studied him carefully.
"You're worried."
He didn't deny it this time.
"The Demon Court is dangerous," he said quietly.
"You being here makes it worse."
She leaned casually against the stone wall.
"Your kingdom doesn't seem very welcoming."
"It isn't."
"Good to know."
He looked at her again.
And something about his expression made her straighten slightly.
"You should leave the palace."
She blinked.
"…What?"
"For now."
Cairis spoke slowly, carefully.
"Until we understand what the Crimson Gate is doing."
Liora stared at him.
"You want me to run away."
"I want you alive."
The answer came instantly.
Too instantly.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Liora felt something shift in her chest.
"…You're serious."
"Yes."
She pushed away from the wall.
"And where exactly would I go?"
"There are territories outside the capital."
His voice remained steady.
"I can arrange protection."
Liora laughed softly.
It wasn't a happy sound.
"That's your solution?"
Cairis frowned slightly.
"You're under constant threat here."
"I noticed."
"Then you understand the situation."
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"But I'm not leaving."
His expression hardened.
"This isn't a game."
"I know."
The tension between them thickened again.
But Liora didn't look away.
"You dragged me into your demon kingdom," she said quietly.
"Into your palace."
"Into your weird ancient gate problem."
Her voice softened.
"And now you want to send me away when things get dangerous?"
"That's not what this is."
"Then what is it?"
Cairis hesitated.
Just for a second.
But she saw it.
The uncertainty.
The conflict.
Finally he spoke.
"…You saw a memory."
"Yes."
"A memory where we knew each other."
Her chest tightened slightly.
"Yes."
His eyes darkened.
"If that memory is real… then the forces involved are far more dangerous than you realize."
Liora tilted her head.
"Meaning?"
He stepped closer.
Close enough that she could feel the faint warmth of his magic.
"Meaning that whatever happened in that past life ended badly."
His voice dropped lower.
"…And I don't intend to watch it happen again."
The words hit harder than she expected.
For a moment she didn't know how to respond.
Then
Footsteps interrupted them.
Fast.
Urgent.
A palace messenger appeared at the end of the corridor, clearly out of breath.
He bowed quickly.
"Your Highness."
Cairis straightened.
"What is it?"
"The court has convened."
Liora frowned.
"…Already?"
The messenger nodded nervously.
"The noble houses are demanding answers about the Crimson Gate."
Of course they were.
Cairis looked briefly irritated.
But not surprised.
"They want to discuss the human witch."
The messenger's eyes flicked toward Liora.
"…Specifically."
Liora sighed.
"Wow."
"That didn't take long."
Cairis didn't look pleased.
"What exactly are they demanding?"
The messenger hesitated.
Then said carefully
"They want her removed from the kingdom."
Silence.
Cold silence.
The air around Cairis shifted instantly.
The messenger visibly stiffened.
Liora rubbed her temples.
"…You know what? I'm starting to feel extremely popular."
But Cairis was already walking toward the far end of the corridor.
His voice came out calm.
Too calm.
"Prepare the throne chamber."
The messenger blinked.
"For… the court meeting?"
"Yes."
"And inform the nobles."
His crimson eyes darkened slightly.
"…If they wish to discuss the witch."
He glanced back at Liora.
"Then they will do it in front of me."
Liora stared at him.
"…You're taking me to the demon court?"
"Yes."
"That sounds like a terrible idea."
"It probably is."
She groaned quietly.
"This is going to be a disaster."
Cairis gave a faint, dangerous smile.
"Most things involving me are."
And somewhere deep beneath the palace
The Crimson Gate pulsed again.
As if listening.
As if waiting.