New chapter for Highest Tier (May 2021)

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Archdemon Empress Luna

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As Princess Ourania opened and shut her mouth like she was a fish out of the water, Apollyon's mother had no time to react to her husband's shocking news when the three of them saw King Oberon and Queen Titania riding their unicorns.

The Summer Monarchs took their sweet time as they enjoyed their surroundings as their attention ricocheted to different things at once, feasting their eyes on the beauty of the hedge maze, garden, and gazebo.

Queen Titania and King Oberon weren't curious enough of the Vampire King and his Empress's presence.

Or maybe, they were too caught up in the beauty of their palace gardens as the servants followed behind them as if there was a flower procession.

King Oberon was an older immortal with a great build.

He wore a gold helmet over his head, so Luna couldn't see what the Summer King looked like.

King Oberon paired it with a breast and shoulder plate armor with protective crystals all over his wide shoulders and the front of it to absorb dark magic aimed at him as he wore a red tunic underneath those hard shells.

The royal equestrians riding these majestic creatures trotted towards the gazebo and their Faerie attendants from the Summer Courts.

These were the times Luna would question the validity of the Monarch's claims that unicorns were extinct in the Faerie Realm.

How come?

It appeared like this was one of the prerequisites to be considered a true Monarch.

'You have to own one and show it off to the visitors.'

Luna glanced at Apollyon and saw him squinting at the unicorns as well.

Then, she went back to the unicorn watching.

Why wouldn't he wonder about this?

Apollyon went to the Spring Courts with Prince Aspen to stop the demonic faeries from sacrificing these beautiful animals.

These Monarchs might have taken care of these innocent creatures and feeding them well.

But why did they capture these wild animals to use them like this?

Yes, capturing them wasn't the same as killing these animals for a blood sacrifice.

But to these unicorns, it must have felt restricted to being confined in the stables than being free in the wilderness.

But if the Summer Monarchs released them in the wild now, some stupid Summer Faerie might hunt them as long as a Faerie Sentinel missed them.

A cruel world, indeed!

Biting the inside of her cheek, Luna returned her gaze to Apollyon, and their eyes met simultaneously.

Both of them must be thinking about the same thing about the unicorns.

Or was it her wish to know that Apollyon can still feel empathy for these gorgeous creatures after hunting those demonic faeries and killing them with no remorse?

How many unicorns' deaths have he witnessed?

Frowning, Luna learned from Apollyon that she shouldn't interfere if it weren't her business in the first place.

His words stuck to Luna's mind.

An abrupt, unbidden image of the Archdemon of Sloth flashed through her thoughts.

Surprisingly enough, Luna could hear Sloth's voice coinciding with Apollyon's in an instant.

Luna sat there in her chair, frozen in place as Apollyon sitting beside her, Princess Ourania and the entire gazebo faded away except for the Archdemon of Sloth's head positioned directly in front of her face, too close for comfort.

As she blinked once or twice, Luna couldn't appreciate his masculine beauty--hair spun with gold and forest green eyes--when he scared her with these unwanted surprises.

Sweat trickled from the side of her temples down to her clenched jaw, gritting her teeth to escape this mental prison she created for herself.

'I told you that sticking your nose into other people's business will only lead into trouble, didn't I?' The Archdemon of Sloth said in a disembodied voice.

She knew Sloth was the one who told her about his advice before.

What was creepy about this was that his lips weren't moving---like a ventriloquist.

Her skin felt too sensitive, as if her nerves were raw and frayed.

At that moment, Luna felt like her consciousness was trapped in a world where the only sign of life was Sloth's face, distinct in the black background.

Sweat broke out from her forehead as she reminisced one particular memory.

The Archdemon's lips were pressed together in a sardonic grin as he added, 'It' not worth it, pretty Lune.' Sloth's ghastly hand-pulled something from behind him and threw her the bloody head of the imp whose neck he snapped at Ravin's obsidian lake filled with dark, icky souls.

She almost screamed when a drop of greenish slime landed on her open eyeball.

A snap of a finger smacked her out of her reverie.

"Wife." Luna flinched because it felt like her husband was shouting in her ears. "Are you alright?"

"It felt like I have lost you for a second." Luna had no response for him except breathing hard as if death was chasing her heels. "Your eyes were as dark as the night sky."

She heard Apollyon's voice, but it felt like her head was underwater for a long time. "I apologize, husband. I must have been tired. We woke up too early this morning."

"I apologize." Not removing his gaze from her, Apollyon caught her fingers and kissed the back of her hand with reverence. "Perhaps, I was too vigorous with my attentions yesterday."

"Apollyon." Luna blushed. "It isn't that."

"Then, what?" Apollyon tilted his head and watched her with concern. "Are you so—"

Luna had the idea that Apollyon was about to say 'sore,' so she placed her palm to cover his mischievous mouth.

Her hand stayed over his lips for a good minute before something moist stroked her palm, and she yelped, removing her hand immediately.

It was her husband's naughty tongue!

Princess Ourania gave them a strange look.

"Those eyes…" Chuckling to himself, Apollyon tucked her hair behind her ear. He murmured, "You did this before at our royal suite at the Vinca Inn."