Just as Kelsey was about to lift the lid, a voice suddenly rang out, stopping her.
“What’s that?”
“Didn’t you give it to me?” Kelsey handed the bottle to Luca.
She watched in shock as he burned it to ash, leaving nothing behind.
“Who gave you this?”
“The maid who usually serves me.”
Tsk.
That explained her death.
Thought Luca.
This was his palace—his domain.
Nothing that happened within it escaped Luca’s awareness.
He didn’t care if low or mid-rank demons died under his rule.
But this was different.
The demoness had been destroyed by purifying power—power possessed only by demon slayers.
And Luca knew no demon slayers had infiltrated his palace.
Which meant only one thing.
His mother’s necklace on Kelsey had reacted to the threat.
That was why he had come immediately, the moment he sensed the surge of purification.
“I told you never to eat or drink anything that does not come from my hand,” Luca said quietly.
“The pearl necklace can protect you from demonic attacks—but it cannot protect you from poison taken willingly.”
Kelsey covered her mouth, eyes trembling.
“Y-you mean… I was about to drink poison?”
“I’m sorry.” His jaw tightened.
“I was careful when selecting servants I believed I could trust.
I never expected betrayal.” He offered a comforting hug and whispered in a soothing voice to calm her nerves.
“Then the maid—”
“You don’t have to worry.
She won’t trouble you again.” He reached for her wrist and slipped a thin chain bracelet around it.
“I couldn’t convince the nobles to abandon the lava ritual.
This is the only compromise I could make.
The bracelet will protect you from the heat.
You won’t feel pain or burn while walking across the lava.”
Kelsey’s shoulders slumped.
Her voice turned small as guilt rushed inside her heart.
“I’m sorry… The maid said the potion would protect me, and I thought you’d already prepared something, but you were too busy to tell me in person.” She lowered her gaze, not daring to look at her husband-to-be in the eyes.
“I should’ve waited.
I should’ve trusted you more.”
Luca smiled and gathered her into his arms.
“You don’t need to apologize. The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
I know you’re anxious.” His voice softened.
“I’m far more anxious than you are.
Even within my own domain, I never stop worrying about your safety.
I promise that no harm will come upon you, and you can believe that.”
“En.
I believe you.”
He studied her quietly before speaking again.
“You look beautiful.
You’ve made me fall in love all over again.”
Color flooded her cheeks.
“The dress is beautiful.
I like it.”
“I’m glad you like it.
Are you ready?
The ritual will begin soon.”
“I’ve never been ready,” Kelsey said softly.
“Make me yours completely.”
“With pleasure.” Luca took her hand to give a meaningful kiss on it.
In a shimmer of magic, Luca’s attire transformed.
A luxurious black cloak settled over his shoulders, armored scales gleaming beneath moonlight.
Dark feathers adorned the hem of his robe, marking him unmistakably as king.
Kelsey stared in awe.
She had always known Luca was handsome—but now he was breathtaking.
Even disguised as a mid-rank demon, he had stood out.
This version of him was beyond words to the point it had stolen her breath.
“Let’s go.”
“Aren’t you going to wear a mask?”
“This is our wedding,” Luca replied.
“Why should I?”
Kelsey swallowed the thought lingering in her heart—What if other demonesses fall in love with you?—and said nothing.
“Besides,” he continued, “it’s time for the people to know the face of their king.”
With that, Luca teleported them to the ritual grounds.
Cheers thundered across the altar, waves of demonic energy rolling from the nobles.
Kelsey’s stomach twisted violently.
Even if she had gotten used to demonic energy, it only came from the lower ranks.
Luca noticed immediately.
He released his own demonic aura, wrapping it around her like a protective cocoon, and activated a soundproof barrier.
“Huh?” Kelsey blinked.
“Why is it suddenly quiet?”
“How do you feel?” Luca asked, brushing his fingers through her hair.
“Did you do this?” She got her answer when he nodded his head.
His reaction touched her heart if only he hadn’t added the next words.
“I can’t have my bride faint during our wedding, can I?”
“I’m not going to faint!” she protested—then froze as heat surged ahead.
The ramp leading to the altar was paved with glowing lava rock.
Steam coiled upward, the air distorted by heat.
Even from twenty paces away, her skin prickled.
She swallowed, and for a second…
only a second, she had the urge to turn around.
“Do you trust me?”
“…I do.” Hand in hand, Luca led her forward.
She lifted her foot and stepped onto the lava rock alongside him.
She felt no pain or scorching heat.
If she had felt any fear or anxiety, it was now gone without a trace.
With growing confidence, she walked beside the Demon King, ascending the altar as equals.
From the shadows, a pair of blood-red eyes watched.
“That foolish boy,” murmured he.
“He’s willing to damage his core just to bear the backlash of demon law.
I didn’t have that courage when I married his mother.”
No protective artifact could truly nullify the agony of the lava ritual.
Pain could only be transferred through a conductor forged from essence blood.
Luca had spent an hour crafting the bracelet from his own blood, draining his vast demonic energy.
Every step Kelsey took spared her pain—and multiplied his instead.
The greater the heat meant for her, the heavier the backlash he endured.
As they reached the altar’s summit, Luca coughed, blood burning his throat.
He swallowed it down and smiled reassuringly at Kelsey when she stared at him with a questioning look.
They stood before a noble demon adorned with layered necklaces.
“Let the red moon witness the bond between our invincible Demon King and his queen.” The noble demon handed Luca a dagger.
Without hesitation, he tore into his palm and let the blood flow to the altar.
He took Kelsey’s hand, sliced her palm to draw fresh blood.
She flinched, bracing for pain—but nothing came.
It was as if the dagger hadn’t pierced her skin.