“So, what will you do?” Cian stared at her down and their waltz came to a stop.

Sibylla had now understood that Cian, the prince before her was a much more dangerous person than what she already imagined. Even still—wh...why is my chest beating so fast.

What am I gonna do? If she refused and leave right now, then it would really be impossible for them to be together ever again in the future. That is what she realized—no, in the first place, does she even have much choice? Can she leave safely after being proposed by such a person?

Can she change her destiny? Her fate? Sibylla subconsciously raised her head and there—Ah! That’s right…

The decision has long been made...!

She took a deep breath. “… My fate has long been decided. I can only wish for your love, dear husband!”

From the moment he glared at her with those devilish eyes which could even be said to possess true darkness, Sibylla had realized that there would be no escape from the darkness. Yes, those were the eyes of a ruler.

It’s just that they were turned towards a petty little frog that fell prostrate trembling in fear.

A look from a snake of absolutely higher rank… the eyes of a ruler.

And that malevolence and contrasting smile filled with kindness…

Shivers ran along her body that was hard to describe as if she has been touch by darkness…

A being antithetical to this world…

A being which thinks nothing of his kind…

Now I seem to have realized why… the Demon Empress favors you, your highness…!

The poison of those eyes went straight into the depths of Sibylla’s heart, which was full of cracks from loneliness, stealing away the last fragment of resistance.

“I shall accompany you in this life you so desired… please accept my loyalty, my dear husband…!”

“… …” Cian saw Sibylla’s determined expression and suddenly understood. While he was forcing her, she was also forcing herself. Regardless of the outcome, she wanted to settle it so she accepted her fate that was unavoidable for her and choose the best option for her.

Not a bad choice…

"Don't call me that."

Sibylla raised her head up slightly.

"Please, you don't need to call me that," Cian answered, more softly. "Aanuel will be fine, my dear wife…" he grinned.

Quietly she rested her head again, but her green eyes swirled restlessly.

There’s no escape in the first place…

The thinking that she can get away from such person is nothing but a child’s delusion…

*** ***

When Cian returned to his own room within the Main Palace, he saw Ruka standing in front of his door.

“Young Master, you have returned. I have already prepared the bath and a change of clothes for Young Master.” Ruka maintained propriety and said.

Cian only nodded and opened the door. Sure enough, he saw a wooden tub already filled up with warm water. Truthfully, there was a large bath within the Main Palace. However, that was mostly used by his mother and siblings whenever they were there.

However, walking till there was troublesome. Thus, Cian was too lazy to walk and just ordered Ruka to prepare a small wooden tub.

“I’ll help Young Master undress.” Ruka came forward to help Cian undress.

Cian saw a pink tinge develop on her lovely face. “It’s fine. You only need to prepare the water from now on. I’ll bathe myself. You go back and rest.” Cian took off his outer coat and said to Ruka.

“This…This isn’t right. I…” Ruka quickly refused. She had always been helping Cian like this and had become her little happiness. Not doing it is such…

Before she finished, Cian interrupted her and said, “Do you want to go against my orders?”

Ruka was immediately frightened and said, “I wouldn’t dare!”

“Since you don’t dare then do as you were told,” Cian said with a deep voice.

“Yes, Young Master.” Ruka gave Cian a complicated glance, curtsied, and left the room. However, before she could go out, she suddenly heard Cian’s voice.

“Ruka, find some information about Duke Rabilla and Viscount Fortueti… remember discreetly…”

Ruka was startled. She turned around and immediately bowed, “I understand young master…!” She muttered and hurriedly went out.

“Those bastards... since I had seen your tail now, the moment I find your head, I will cut them off…!” Cian said to himself as he stripped and jumped into the tub. His gaze cold and indifferent.

Before he leaves, he wanted to fix everything he could. Even if not all, at least he managed to reduce some hidden dangers!

Cian was wearing a pristine, white bathrobe as he walked out of the bathroom. A complicated look surfaced in his beautiful mismatched eyes as he looked around the empty Room.

Certainly… he was feeling restless for some reason. He was confident in his perception and yet, he can’t feel any strange or oddness.

Ruka hasn’t yet returned but somehow, he felt as if he was being stared at.

However, can that be possible? Aside from his perception of a trained assassin, his eye was not seeing anything. There are no people here other than him!

What is going on?

The bathrobe only covered the most intimate areas of his body while his white legs, neck, and shoulders were exposed. His skin was rosy white without blemish, and any woman who saw so much of his skin exposed would not be able to resist becoming excited, no, probably envious from the complexion that was much better compared to any women in the world.

Cian stepped on the snow-white wool carpet and sat down on the bed. He then began to quietly listen to make sure nothing unusual was happening. Confirming that the area surrounding his room was as quiet as it should be… Cian’s confusion deepened. Why is this happening…?

Why is his heart beating so restlessly…?

Assassin…?

Drip!

A clear teardrop fell onto the wool carpet, creating a small wet patch.

No… the Main Palace is the safest place in this world for him…! So, suddenly a realization struck Cian and he couldn’t help but stand up in fright!

There’s only one person in this world that would give him this kind of discomfort! Even if not, at least, those close to her!

Yes, she was none other than… “Mother…?”

“… …”

A strong wind blew through the open window of the room.

“I know you’re there, Mother!” Cian coldly barked as he surveyed the entire room. However, aside from him, no one could be seen even with his eye—the room was without the shadow of a single person.

Damn it! Cian was confident in his power and skills in killing but now he finally realized what a true powerhouse was!

In this world, there are many kinds of abilities as stars in the sky… and no matter how powerful his power was, one would never feel safe as sound all the time!

Cian’s beautiful mismatched eyes gleamed and the wind around him suddenly started moving, circling around his body. It was protective cover—Reflection. Whatever kind of sneak attack, strong or weak, all would be returned back to the enemy.

Woosh. As expected, as Cian roamed his eye around, an air-tearing sound echoed and a sword shot toward Cian. Seeing this, Cian snorted, “This sword… it’s not Mother then, die!”

The sword that shot towards Cian, like an arrow from a bow, rebounded, turned around and shot back towards where it came from. The sudden action seemed to have been quite unexpected as a shadow silhouette appeared from the shadows but before she could react, the sword struck her in her own chest.

“Gah…!?” the attacker was knocked back to the ground with a shock that felt like she had been struck in the chest with a hammer.

However, the girl only coughed slightly before somersaulting midair, her body flipped before standing back on the floor.

It was a person wearing pitch black clothes and mask but from its well-endowed body, one can see that it was woman—unless, a tranny in this world was as abundant as in Earth!

Through the eye holes of the mask, Cian could see clearly the widened eyes due to shock. she must have never thought that Cian would be able to repel her attack with such ease and precision.

Hm? Now that the attacker showed itself, Cian’s right eyes gleamed and the person before him was immediately unmasked.

This woman…!

Cian could now clearly see her entire appearance. The woman’s chest was wrapped with bindings, but it was still impossible to hide the swellings that can cause men to drool. Her very tall neck was protected.

Her exquisite body was both curvy and delicate. She had a beautiful pair of big dark blue eyes staring straight at him without blinking. That pair of blue eyes gave him the distinct impression of a clear blue sky without any bit of impurity. However, Cian can feel the coldness and aloofness on them.

No hostility… no killing intent…

Was this a test…?

Cian appeared astonished. Standing tall and proud, he continued to stare at the attacker. The woman’s stature was very tall, most ordinary people were not that tall. Compared to her tall figure, he was only half a head taller.

Covered by the trousers was a pair of slender thighs that Cian couldn’t help but get captivated. However, just like other Demon, as a pure demon lineage, her skin was deep in blue color with a pair of small horns on her forehead.

Even still, this strange complexion gave her an exotic kind of beauty that can shake a person to their core.

Seeing her appearance, Cian finally eased up his anxiety. Indeed, this surely is his mother’s test or whatsoever. This woman… was the Demon Empress very own personal servant.

But what for…?