The contract floated between them.
Softly glowing.
Quietly threatening...
Seraphina stared at it like a child staring at a brightly colored toy.
Fascinated.
Intrigued.
And fully aware it could kill her!
"…Wow," she muttered under her breath, as their first condition was applied in pale gold letters. Her fingers hovered just beneath the surface of the magic, not quite touching. The energy hummed faintly, like it was alive.
Beautiful, yet---
Deadly!
Magic wasn't something to be taken lightly…
Across from her, the Demon Lord watched her closely. He'd lied when he said she wasn't his type – anyone who could kill a fly in his court and lie to his face and still keep a straight face was someone he definitely took an interest in.
And seeing her admire with gusto what in his mind was basic magic, was somewhat---
Amusing!
Not afraid.
Just---
Interested...
Like it was a puzzle she intended to solve rather than a force she should fear.
"You're taking this rather lightly," he remarked, wondering what her reaction would be.
Sera glanced up at him.
"I'm taking it seriously," she corrected, before returning to study the contract. "Just not dramatically."
A small crack threatened the Demon Lord's facade. Of all the humans he'd ever interacted with, she was by far the most---
Peculiar!
Usually, when he interacted with humans, they would be in all states of hysteria. Or be trigger-happy soldiers, shivering in their boots. Yet here was a woman who acted like she'd never seen magic before, threatened him, and then offered him a lifeline while he was drowning…
Was this a blessing from the gods?
Or was he walking blindfolded into a trap?
He wasn't sure...
And he hated that as a fact...
"My turn!"
Sera's head snapped up.
Their eyes met, and the air shifted.
The contract pulsed.
And new words began to write themselves across its surface.
"Second condition: You will never discriminate against my people!"
His voice was calm.
Even.
But there was something beneath it...
Something Sera knew all too well!
"No matter their appearance. No matter their magic."
A pause.
And Sera noticed a faint narrowing of his eyes...
"No matter what you've been taught to believe."
She didn't hesitate.
"Agreed!"
The words etched themselves into the contract immediately.
Binding.
And this time, Virex couldn't hide his surprise…
"That was quick," he noted, studying her.
Was she even aware of what this meant?
She shrugged.
"A rose by any other name and all that," Sera replied with a small shrug. "Just because demons look different, you're not that different from humans, you know."
"Really?" Virex replied, once more amused. He leaned back, lazily resting his hand under his chin as he watched her. "Explain!"
Sera's heart skipped a beat, her eyes darting to the contract and him.
But nothing happened.
Wait!
Why did nothing---?!
"I can ask you questions, My Lady," the Demon Lord explained with the patience of a kinder garden teacher – or a saint. "I can't ask where the information comes from, regarding the crystals."
...Oh---!
Well, that made sense…
"Of course," Sera replied, hoping he didn't notice how beet-red she was turning. Embarrassed, she realized how stupid she'd been thinking he would never be able to question her.
"Hi, honey, where's my ring?"
And then – BOOM!
Yeah, that was stupid…!
"What I mean, My Lord," she spluttered, wanting to put this behind her as soon as possible. "Is that despite our different appearances, we're all the same underneath. We laugh, we sing, we cry… we feel all the same emotions. Happiness, sadness, betrayal. Sure, there are some cultural differences, but even then, why are we so afraid of those who are different? There are elves, beast folk, mere folk--- all of us living together on the same planet and yet, we act like they are all alien to us?"
She let out a scoff…
"It's absurd!"
She remembered back to her third life, when training with the beast folk swordsman. And while he taught her everything she knew about swords, it was his elven wife who taught her archery. The mere folk male medic showed her the way of herbal medicine. The demon male who showed her how to track prey in the forest, and the human woman chef gave her the throwing knives, which quickly became her favorite tool.
She lived with them.
Laughed with them.
And watched them live free and happy of all restraints that would keep them separate.
That was the kind of life she wanted...
"Besides," she added with a sigh. "Not everything is always black and white. Good or evil. Everything has nuances, and just because the gazelle cries, it doesn't make the lion the villain."
"Monsters wear all kinds of faces, not just that of a demon…!"
She clenched her teeth, remembering all those pretty faces that drugged, kidnapped, and sold children – no matter their race. Remembering the fat baron, who had a cellar full of slaves.
Their actions made them monsters!
Not their appearances...
"You've seen it?"
Sera's head snapped up---
And just then realized that she'd been talking for a long time.
The demon had been listening.
Sera opened her mouth, but---
How did she answer?
It had been her previous life. In this life, she'd never been anywhere outside the Capital. So how could she explain to him about something that hadn't even happened yet?
But to her surprise, Virex let out a cold laugh.
"People are creatures of mysteries," he continued.
With a flick of his wrist, a flower appeared in his hands. It was a beautiful gold, but once the light hit it differently, it turned into a deep blue.
"People are deceitful, selfish, and cruel. But sometimes,"
He held out the flower---
for…
HER?!
"...They can surprise you."
A beat passed between them.
Sera wasn't sure what to think about the things Lord Virex had just said. But she couldn't deny that his words were true.
But what did it mean?
Was it a trap?
She already felt like she'd revealed too much to him.
Had been too vulnerable.
Too open!
Too unarmed…
Yet---
She had to trust him at some point – didn't she?
Otherwise, what made her different from the people she despised…?
She reached out…
And took the flower.
"Thank you."
She watched it, letting the light hit it at different angles, and enjoyed the shifting colors.
And without meaning to---
Smiled...
"It's beautiful..."
The demon watched her, realizing that the woman he'd originally written off as a nuisance ---
Was far more interesting than he had ever given her credit for...
"Do you have other things you want to add?"
His question pulled her back to the real world.
She shook her head.
Ready to get back into the game…
"Third condition!"
She sucked in a deep breath.
And then said it...
"Neither one of us will deliberately act in a way that would incite war between humans and demons."
Virex's lips twitched…
"Why would I want to make war with the humans?"
She blinked…
Confused?
Surprised…?
Both?!
But before she could reply, he waved a hand.
"Agreed!"
And just like that, the words appeared in the contract.
Stunned, Sera watched it happen, her brows furrowing. He agreed to that so easily, you would think that the idea of "war" hadn't even been on his mind.
But---
If that was true, then---?
Virex spoke before she could finish the thought...
"Fourth condition: In the event of a berserker outbreak, it takes priority over everything else."
Understandable…
Sera nodded.
"They are your people, and you should take care of that."
It made sense...
But what if a demon outbreak coincided with a convoy attack?
Well, in either case, she couldn't force the Lord of Demons to prioritize crystals over his people's safety…
So---
"Agreed!"
And the fourth line appeared...
"Fifth condition."
And she knew this was a tricky one.
"I will be allowed to continue my training."
The Demon Lord's eyes snapped back to hers.
Evaluating...
"Training?"
Virex asked.
But his tone was cold.
Almost warning…
Sera rolled her eyes.
Darn, this man had very, very low opinions of humans...
"If you haven't noticed, Lord Virex---"
She gestured to herself...
"I'm human!"
"I won't discriminate against your people, but if I'm attacked by a berserker demon or--- anyone, really! I'm at a serious disadvantage!"
"I don't have mana, and I can't use magic! This---!" She gestured to her knives. "This is the only way I have to defend myself. And furthermore---"
Sera leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.
Relaxed.
Confident...
"Not everything in your territory is part of 'your people', My Lord."
"Angelista is known to be home for beasts like dragons, goblins, dire boars, and devil wolves. All things that would eat me alive if given the chance."
A pause.
Then, more pointedly---
"And I think I've already admitted that I would like not to die!"
By the time she finished...
The room was quiet.
The demon let out a murmured sound, his fingers clicking against the table. The sound pulsing in harmony with the magic he'd created...
"Is it typical for human noble ladies to know such things?"
He asked – genuinely curious, actually...
Sera smiled.
Sweet...
Sharp!
"Oh, absolutely not!"
She shrugged.
Nonchalant...
"I'm just not 'typical.'"
…Yes!
He was beginning to see that...
"Very well," he said, biting back a smile. "Training will be permitted. However---!"
Sera sucked in a breath…
What now?
"...I will be your instructor!"
OK---!
That was…
Unexpected!
She'd imagined that he would want to toss her to the nearest, unfortunate soul to train or just leave her to her own devices.
But he actually wanted to teach her?
Himself?!
Wait!
That could actually work in her favor!
If they were together all the time, then she'd be able to keep an eye on him. And make sure that he did his due diligence with the crystals and outbreaks!
This was actually perfect!
"Agreed!"
The contract shifted again.
New terms forming...
Good!
Almost done…
The Demon Lord looked the contract over and leaned back, reading it over…
"I also want to discuss a timeline with you," Sera added, realizing she should have brought this up first.
"Timeline?"
He echoed, sounding surprised.
"Yes!"
She sat up straight.
"I'm in no rush to get married," Sera lied, when in reality she needed time to stop the war from breaking out. And she didn't actually want to marry the demon.
Not because she wasn't interested…
He was insanely handsome and would make any woman weak in the knees. And while he seemed aloof and she knew from her previous lives that he was a lazy sod, she found him strangely---
Comfortable…
Like she could talk to him and not worry about what to say. Even now, she felt disarmed in his presence, even knowing that he was ultimately the one who killed her.
She shook her head free of such silly thoughts.
No---!
Everything she did, she did so that she could eventually live a happy life. And she didn't want to take away his chance at his own happy life.
So marriage wasn't necessary…
"Let's go for a long engagement and revisit the contract in 2 years," she suggested. "If we both think it's still beneficial for both of us, we'll get married. However, if we both feel that we've reached the end and the agreement isn't mutually beneficial anymore, we can cancel it!"
Virex's fingers stopped mid-motion.
His eyes never left mine – and I wondered if he knew I was lying.
But in two years, the war broke out, and my life would reset if I hadn't prevented it.
And all of this would be for nothing…
Virex--- definitely knew she was lying!
Why?
A part of him wondered…
Another part of him was happy to have a way out of this silly arrangement. He never wanted to get married, never wanted to sire children, and didn't want a woman all up in his business…
So---
"Agreed!"
The contract glowed.
Sera smiled…
Only one thing remained now...
A deep breath for courage.
And---
"One more thing!"
Virex stilled.
His golden eyes finding hers...
"Yes?"
Virex thrummed his fingers on the table again.
The motion was a soothing one, as he waited for her final condition.
He expected something foolish.
Something shallow.
Something---
Human.
After all, he had agreed to this arrangement for one reason alone:
Her information.
Her usefulness...
If she continued to prove valuable, his people would prosper.
If not---
Well...
The contract would take care of itself!
He had already accepted that this "engagement" would not be pleasant, although the female did surprise him now and again. That he would have to tolerate her – endure her even.
For the sake of his people...
So whatever this last condition was---
He would hear it...
Sera hesitated.
Just for a second.
And in that second---
Something shifted.
Her posture remained straight.
Her expression was composed.
But her eyes – for just a moment – weren't sharp...
Weren't calculating.
They were---
Something else!
Quieter...
"During these two years," she said slowly, not meeting his gaze. "You will not belittle, ridicule, or humiliate me!"
A pause.
The contract flickered.
Waiting...
The demon's fingers stilled.
His expression hardened – barely noticeable!
But there nonetheless...
"Explain!"
She shifted---
Uncomfortable...
But then resolve steeled her spine, and she straightened.
Looking directly at him...
"Our relationship is a contract marriage only," she continued. "I understand that!"
Another pause.
Carefully choosing her words...
"If you take other women to your bed, I won't interfere. If you hate me, I won't blame you for those feelings. What happens between us in private is between you and me only!"
The words were calm.
Too calm…
Because... what happened behind closed doors, she could handle. Even if he spat on her, abused her, and laughed at her---
She would be able to bear it.
She would endure and survive!
Like she always had...
What she couldn't live through again---
"But to the rest of the world---!"
She swallowed.
Thickly!
The words felt like cotton in her mouth...
"You will be discreet with your mistresses," she finally bit out. "And in public – be it in your court or mine – you will treat me like a loving fiancée would."
"And I will do the same!"
Silence…
Virex watched her – seeing something that felt strangely familiar to him…
Something---!
Sera's fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
Was he going to laugh at her?
Mock her?
Would he---
"Why?"
The question came softer than expected.
Which surprised her…
Still---
Sera didn't look at him…
Couldn't!
"Because I'd prefer not to be made a fool of!"
Simple.
Almost dismissive...
But it wasn't the whole truth.
Not even close.
And Virex knew it...
He saw it!
In the way, her shoulders were just a bit too stiff.
In the way her voice had flattened.
In the way she refused to meet his gaze.
Someone had done this to her.
Humiliated her.
And the thought---
Irritated him!
No...
It angered him!
Sharply.
deeply.
Unreasonably!
His jaw tightened.
For a brief moment, something darker flickered behind his golden eyes.
Something dangerous!
But then---
It was gone...
Because he had no right to pry!
No right to judge.
Not with his past...
"Very well," he said at last.
"Agreed!"
The words appeared.
Binding.
Final...
Sera exhaled.
Relieved.
"Give me your hand!"
Sera's head snapped up--- and before she knew what was happening, Virex was holding her hand in his.
Their eyes met---
And magic surged between them...
Warm.
Light...
And just like that---
The contract dissolved!
Gone!
And in its place---
A ring!
Sera blinked.
It sat perfectly on her finger.
Elegant.
Intricate...
Glowing faintly with magic...
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
"It is now our agreement," Lord Virex corrected, holding up his own hand--- and sure enough, there was another ring on his finger, matching hers but with a more masculine look.
A pause...
Then, with a faint – dangerous – curve of his lips...
"You're mine now!"
Erm---!
WHAT?!
For a split second, she faltered…
What did she even say to that?!
Then---
She stood!
Met his gaze head-on.
Unafraid.
"Then you'd better keep up," she shot back. "Because from now on---!"
Her eyes burned.
Bright.
Unyielding.
"I'm your shadow!"
A beat.
Then---
Virex smiled...
Just slightly wider than his usual grin…
"...Interesting."
He turned.
The air shifted, and before she knew what was happening, Virex was out on the balcony, his wings and horns visible once more. He looked just as magnificent as he'd been the first time she'd seen him. Like a fallen angel, he looked graceful and terrifying at once...
He was leaving!
And just as he did---
Sera remembered!
"Wait!"
He paused.
Half-turned.
"Yes, My Lady?"
Sera tilted her head slightly.
Embarrassed!
"…How do you feel about attending a ball?"