Two kinds of blood dripped onto the altar—one black, belonging to the Demon King, and the other crimson red, belonging to his human bride.
When the altar had absorbed enough of both, Luca brought his wounded palm to Kelsey’s, allowing their blood to mingle freely.
Kelsey felt no pain, yet she knew—instinctively—that something profound was occurring between those two completely different bloodlines.
The altar beneath their feet flared to life, glowing the same deep red as Luca’s eyes.
The brightness was so intense that Kelsey was forced to shut her eyes.
“I hereby declare the bride and groom officially bound as husband and wife,” a noble demon announced.
“Long live our new queen!” His roar was followed by the mass’s voice.
“Long live Northern King!
Long live Northern Queen!” Cheers erupted—but only from nobles loyal to Luca and those who had chosen to stand at his side.
The rest remained silent.
Their gazes burned into Kelsey, filled with open disgust and undisguised hatred.
“Is it over?” Kelsey whispered, her head spinning.
Walking beneath jealous stares, enduring the ascent over scorched stone, and losing so much blood was taking its toll.
She could feel dizziness creeping in.
All she wanted was to return to her room and lie down.
She feared that if she stayed any longer, she might collapse right there—and she absolutely could not afford to faint in front of demons who already despised her.
As a human, she knew how fragile she was.
Even a low-ranking demon could kill her effortlessly.
If she fainted now, wouldn’t that further prove how unworthy she was to stand beside the Demon King?
“Alright,” Luca said gently.
“I’ll take you home.”
He turned to face the crowd.
“A feast has been prepared.
You may enjoy it until tomorrow.”
“Your Majesty!
We brought a human child offering for our new queen!”
“Human slaves are inappropriate!
Beast slaves would be far more suitable!”
“No, no—human ladies prefer jewellery.
Rare gemstones would surely please Her Majesty!”
Luca had already begun carrying Kelsey away, but to her surprise, she could still hear everything.
She hadn’t expected it—her hearing was far sharper than that of an ordinary human.
Still, she was too exhausted to respond, so she let him carry her in silence.
The truth was simple—Luca no longer had the mana to cast high-level magic.
But how could he tell her that?
“It’s tradition,” he replied smoothly.
“A groom carrying his bride to the bridal chamber is said to bring good fortune.”
Kelsey laughed softly and believed him.
Her eyelids grew unbearably heavy, and she drifted into sleep.
“Good night, my little bride.” Luca pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Finally, she was his.
He stopped abruptly when a familiar presence blocked his path.
“Since when have you grown so weak?” his father’s voice echoed.
“I can no longer sense the dark essence’s authority.”
“It’s my wedding day,” Luca replied coolly.
“Do you intend to ruin my mood?”
“Why did you give her your life core?”
Luca said nothing.
He walked past his father without even sparing him a glance.
The older demon sighed.
“I never dared to give mine to your mother.”
The elder demon king didn’t know whether his son had become foolish—or whether his love for the human girl surpassed even his love for his Eternal wife.
Either way, he was certain Luca had acted with intention.
After navigating countless corridors and maze-like halls, Luca finally reached his chamber.
Ordinarily, he would have complained and chosen a closer guest room if teleportation magic were unavailable—but today, he didn’t mind.
He walked slowly, savouring the sight of Kelsey’s peaceful sleeping face.
He laid her down with utmost care, as though she were made of porcelain.
His head throbbed violently.
Creating the bracelet using his blood, enduring the backlash of the lava ritual—it was more than his body should have withstood.
Yet he felt no regret.
He conjured a white bandage and wrapped his wife’s wounded palm.
As for his own palm… He could have hastened his recovery by consuming Kelsey’s blood―an Eternal’s divine root, but he refused.
She was unconscious, and he would not rely on her power—not like that.
Instead, he lay beside her, pulled her into his arms, and fell asleep.
For the first time in his life, Luca slept without burdens or responsibilities weighing him down—and so deeply that he didn’t even sense Kelsey waking.
She lay quietly beside him, studying his sleeping face.
“Looks like you are too.”
She traced her finger along the bridge of his nose, down to his lips.
The warmth of his skin made her heart race.
She wondered—would they truly consummate their marriage tonight, as other demons did?
‘Human girl.
Come out when you awaken.’
Kelsey stiffened.
Her eyes darted around the room.
Luca remained asleep, as though he hadn’t heard the voice at all.
It carried an authority she found impossible to resist.
Detecting no malice, she quietly slipped out to investigate.
“Hello.
It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Her jaw dropped.
Before her stood a demon strikingly similar to Luca—handsome, yet worn by time.
Wrinkles traced his face, and his eyes looked profoundly weary.
Even when he did not say it, Kelsey could guess this elder’s identity.
“My name is Void,” he said.
“The fourth-generation Devil Dragon King.
Your father-in-law.”
Kelsey quickly patted her cheeks and bowed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Father.”
He raised his hand, asking her to straighten her back.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“No,” she replied honestly.
“Then… would you care to have a little chat with me?”
Kelsey hesitated.
Luca had never mentioned his parents, nor that his father attended the wedding.
Still… what kind of father would harm his own son’s bride?
And truthfully… she was curious.
“…Alright,” she said at last.
“I’d be honoured.” Perhaps she could learn more about her husband through this meeting.
Maybe?