Chapter 47: The Devil’s Embrace

Satan’s Throne Hall

Lucy stepped into the grand throne hall alongside Abres. The moment she entered, her eyes locked onto the man sitting upon the exalted throne—Satan, the ruler of this domain. A goblet of crimson wine swirled idly in his grasp as he awaited her approach.

This was only her second meeting with him. Their first encounter had been so brief that she hadn’t been able to gauge his true nature. What kind of being was he?

Judging by the deference his vassals showed, he was undeniably a revered king. But was he friend or foe?

He was, after all, a demon.

Even if they were bound by blood, she couldn’t afford to blindly trust him.

Stay on guard, just in case.

Satan’s gaze swept over her, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slow swirl of his wine, he took a sip. It was hardly the reaction of a father seeing his daughter after a long absence.

A silent gesture dismissed Abres from the chamber, leaving them alone.

Then, without warning—

“Come to your father.”

Satan suddenly knelt on the floor, spreading his arms as if expecting a heartfelt embrace.

Lucy blinked, stunned by the absurdity of the scene. The great and fearsome Satan, kneeling like a fool? It was utterly bizarre.

Suspicion gnawed at her. Was this some kind of trick?

“No.”

Her flat refusal hung in the air.

Satan, momentarily caught off guard, soon straightened and returned to his throne, regaining his regal demeanor. A chuckle escaped him.

“Ah, puberty…”

“Hmph.”

“Sit down. Let’s reminisce a little—father and daughter.”

Lucy hesitated but eventually took a seat. Their conversation drifted towards her achievements, her rapid rise in power.

Rather than interrogating her, Satan seemed to take pride in her strength.

I expected him to be suspicious… but he just accepts it as natural?

Apparently, in his eyes, a child of Satan was destined to be powerful. It was a convenient assumption that allowed her to keep her status as a player a secret.

Eventually, their talk turned to war.

“Congratulations on your victory.”

“The Northern War? Hmph…”

“Something wrong?”

“We won, but it doesn’t feel like a true victory. A real triumph is when the enemy surrenders.”

“Didn’t the northern region submit?”

Satan leaned back, resting his chin on his hand. “The ruler there is no ordinary foe. He won’t surrender unless his very life is at stake.”

Lucy nodded. “I see.”

“Enough talk of war. A father and daughter should discuss lighter matters.”

After their conversation, Lucy returned to her chambers.

Though it had only been a day since her return, she still wasn’t accustomed to the castle. She had intended to stay in Edem Garden longer, but an unforeseen accident had forced her back.

Inside her dimly lit room, someone was already asleep in her bed—Rubia.

Lucy frowned.

Rubia had started sleeping in her room recently, mostly to prevent her from sneaking out. But now that she was back, was there still a need?

She gently nudged Rubia awake. “Hey.”

Rubia stirred, groggy, her long purple hair spilling across the sheets. Her loose nightwear was light enough to make Lucy avert her gaze.

“Huh…? When did you return, Princess?”

“Just now.”

“I see… Haah.” Rubia stretched lazily. “Well, at least you’re safe. Let me help you change.”

“Before that, a bath.”

They made their way to the royal bathhouse.

Even at this late hour, warm water flowed freely. The castle’s staff worked tirelessly, though Lucy wondered if their diligence was for her sake.

The thought unsettled her.

However, as soon as she slipped into the warm water, all concerns melted away.

“Ugh… this is heaven.”

Rubia knelt behind her, gently massaging shampoo into her hair. “I’ll wash it for you.”

Lucy closed her eyes, letting the tension leave her body. The scenery of Edem Garden had been breathtaking, but there truly was no place more comfortable than home.

After the bath, she changed into a fresh set of pajamas. As she was settling into bed, she glanced at the small, fluffy figure curled up in the corner. “Where’s Perry?”

“Asleep. Should I wake her?”

“No need.”

“Then, let’s rest. It’s late.”

Lucy climbed into bed, expecting solitude. Instead, Rubia lay down beside her.

Lucy frowned. “Why are you here? You have your own bed.”

“To make sure you don’t sneak out again,” Rubia teased, wrapping her arms around Lucy.

The proximity was almost suffocating, but Lucy decided to let it go.

She does have a point… She had been slipping away too often.

The Next Morning

Lucy was summoned to the throne hall early.

Satan stood clad in a combat uniform, rather than his usual imperial robes.

Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

“Hunting.”

“I see. Have a good trip.”

“You’re coming too.”

Lucy blinked. “Me?”

“Yes. This is an opportunity to showcase our bond to the nobles.”

Refusal wasn’t an option.

Servants dressed her in formal hunting attire under Rubia’s strict supervision. By the time she emerged, she had been transformed into the perfect image of a noble princess.

Their destination: the Demon Forest.

A vast, blackened woodland brimming with eerie energy. It was the perfect hunting ground for Satan himself.

Dozens of large tents had been set up on the outskirts, each bearing the sigil of a noble house. Nearly every aristocrat from Helatos had gathered at Satan’s behest.

As the hunt began, Satan and his men rode into the forest, leaving Lucy behind in the tent. She had no real interest in hunting, but it wasn’t long before she was surrounded by nobles eager to introduce their sons.

“This is my eldest. He’s the same age as the princess. Perhaps they could talk to pass the time?”

Lucy barely suppressed a sigh. So predictable.

The nobles’ gazes gleamed with ambition, but she had no interest in any of it.

“I need some fresh air.”

Shaking off the fawning aristocrats, she slipped out with Rubia. The suffocating air of the noble circles faded as she stepped into the open.

She glanced toward the darkened forest. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“I’ll call an escort.”

“No need.”

Rubia hesitated. “But—”

“You’re here, aren’t you?”

At those words, Rubia’s face turned slightly pink, but she gave in. Together, they entered the ominous woods.

Even in daylight, the thick canopy absorbed light, leaving the path shrouded in unnatural darkness.

Lucy remained unfazed. “Just a forest full of monsters.”

Or so she thought.

Suddenly, an arrow shot through the underbrush.

Before Lucy could react, Rubia moved faster, swatting it away effortlessly.

Lucy’s eyes narrowed. A monster didn’t fire that.

Either it was a misfire from the hunting party—or an assassination attempt.

Either way, she wasn’t about to let it slide.

“Let’s find out who’s behind this.”