That night, Aliana sat alone in her chamber, staring at nothing.
The silence of the demon palace felt heavier than anything she had ever known. Even the walls seemed to watch her, reminding her that she did not belong here.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.
But not for long.
When she pushed open the bathroom door, she froze.
A man stood before her.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. His jet-black hair damp, water dripping slowly down his chest. His presence filled the room—powerful and suffocating.
Aliana's breath caught.
"Who are you?" she demanded, gripping her robe tightly.
The man turned at the sound of her voice. His dark eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable.
"I should be asking you that," he said calmly.
She lifted her chin despite the fear rising inside her. "I am Aliana. Princess of the human kingdom… and your wife."
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
"…Wife?" he repeated.
Understanding flickered across his face.
"You're the one they sent."
Her anger flared instantly. "You didn't even come to your own wedding!"
He stepped closer, his expression cold. "I didn't agree to this marriage. Just like you didn't."
The words hit her harder than she expected.
So he didn't want this either.
Before she could respond, he turned away, dismissing her as if she were nothing more than a passing thought.
Aliana stood there, shaken.
The next morning, the palace felt just as unfamiliar.
Aliana found Anvara seated comfortably, as if nothing in the world was wrong.
"I wanted to ask if I can go out of the mansion," Aliana said hesitantly.
Anvara raised an eyebrow. "I don't know… unless you ask your husband."
Aliana lowered her gaze, nervously playing with her fingers. "What's wrong with asking him… I don't even know where he is."
Anvara sighed lightly. "He's in his study."
Without another word, she stood and walked away.
Aliana hesitated, then forced herself to move.
The halls of the palace seemed endless.
She stopped a passing servant. "Excuse me… where is the king's study?"
"The first door on your left, Your Majesty," the servant replied with a bow.
Aliana nodded and continued walking until she stood before a large door.
Her heart pounded.
Should she go in?
Or turn back?
After a moment, she gathered her courage and knocked.
"Come in."
She pushed the door open slowly.
Inside, Aiden stood beside a desk, speaking with another man. Papers were spread out before them.
The other man turned first.
He was tall, with blonde hair and sharp features. Handsome—but not nearly as striking as Aiden.
He must be someone important.
Aiden's second-in-command.
"This is about the document—" the man began, but stopped when he noticed her.
His expression softened immediately.
"My lady," he said politely, bowing his head. "I'll take my leave."
"Aiden," he added respectfully before walking out.
The room fell silent.
Aliana suddenly felt very aware of herself.
Aiden looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"What do you want?" he asked.
She hesitated, then spoke softly. "I… wanted to ask if I could go outside."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment.
"You need my permission for that?" he said flatly.
Aliana swallowed. "That's what your people told me."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips—though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Then go," he said. "No one will stop you."
She blinked, surprised.
"That's all?" she asked.
Aiden turned back to his desk. "Unless you came here for something else, you can leave."
His tone was dismissive, but not cruel.
Just distant.
Aliana stood there for a moment longer… then quietly turned and walked out.
As she stepped back into the hallway, her thoughts raced.
He wasn't what she expected.
Not a monster.
Not kind either.
Something in between.
And somehow… that made him even harder to understand.