Chapter 40: How a Queen is Made (Part II)

Alastor told me that demons have their own laws. Take Little Mountain, for example—since he accepted the name I gave him, he will be loyal to me unto death and will never betray me.

How long is "forever"? The lifespan of the demon kin is no shorter than that of the vampires.

I suddenly began to feel lost. What kind of mindset could make the leader of the giants willingly submit to me when I hadn't even done anything?

"Although the gathering of clan leaders every four hundred years has usually been a mere formality, this meeting is exceptionally important," Alastor said suddenly, looking at me.

"Why?"

"The various clans of the Demon Realm have always been like a tray of loose sand, no one yielding to another. That was until Her Majesty appeared over a thousand years ago and forced them into submission with thunderous methods. Now, because of the rumors of Her Majesty’s disappearance, the clans are growing restless, all eyeing the throne of the Demon King..."

"Oh?" I blinked, still not quite processing the gravity of the situation.

"Although news of Her Majesty’s return has spread throughout the realm, once a clan leader harbors the heart of a traitor, it is difficult to turn back. If Her Majesty shows even a single flaw, I fear..."

"What does that have to do with me?" I blinked and asked with total innocence.

"The only way to seize the throne is to kill the previous King of the Demon Realm," Alastor glanced at me with a smile and said regretfully, "And the previous one is you, my Majesty."

I was dumbfounded. Doesn't that make me a living target?

"How many people are coming to the gathering?" I opened my mouth and asked cautiously.

"I estimate about five hundred... or so." Alastor looked at me and smiled.

Over five hundred?

Thinking of the gloomy Nazga, Usan, and the others, I felt utterly dejected. I wondered if it was too late to run away now?

"You would be in even more danger if you left the castle. At least here, no one dares to harm you openly." Alastor spoke at just the right time, nipping my fantasies in the bud.

"The gown has been delivered to your room. I'll go make the arrangements and come to collect you later, my Majesty." Alastor knelt on one knee and gave the back of my hand a flourish of a kiss. "I will always be by your side to protect you. Please do not worry."

After finishing his grand lines, Archon Alastor turned and made a grand exit.

I sat alone on the cold steps in low spirits, squinting at the patch of sunlight in the sky. By the time I snapped out of it, a brilliant sunset had already stained the entire sky.

When that blood-colored sunset gradually faded, I closed my eyes, let out a long sigh, and lay back against the steps.

"Your Majesty." A very pleasant voice, with a hint of childishness.

I opened my eyes and saw a little elf with wings. "Orlando?" My hands reflexively itched to hug him, but then I remembered he was a clan leader and pulled back.

"Your Majesty, are you unhappy?" Orlando blinked his watery eyes and sat beside me, fluttering his transparent wings.

I truly couldn't help myself; I reached out my "devil's paws" and pulled him into a hug.

Orlando smiled at me, not struggling at all, staying obediently in my arms.

"Orlando, have you ever thought about killing me to become the King of the Demon Realm?" Looking into those beautiful eyes and remembering Alastor's words, I was a bit dazed.

"How could I? Orlando likes Your Majesty very much." Orlando replied with a smile without a second thought. His voice was soft and carried a child-like innocence.

I stroked his transparent wings, a sudden chill entering my heart.

"Your Majesty..." Orlando smiled and extended a small hand clenched into a fist toward me. Before he could open it, a blade of light suddenly pierced through the air.

Orlando was startled; he leaped up from my arms and spread his wings to swiftly dodge the attack.

I looked down and saw a pair of white boots walking toward me, coming to a halt.

"Vanish. Now." I heard Albus’s voice, cold as ice.

"What are you doing?" Orlando’s voice carried a hint of grievance. "I only wanted to give Her Majesty an elven blessing."

"I inform you in the name of the Arbiter: vanish immediately." Albus’s voice remained frigid, exactly the same as when I first met him in the bar.

"Your Majesty..." Orlando looked at me, his voice soft and melodious.

"The gathering is about to start. Go with Usan and the others to prepare." I clenched my fists and forced myself to appear as if I were smiling.

Orlando paused, then vanished into thin air.

Sitting on the cold steps, I stared at the white boots standing before me. Despite the path he'd walked, they weren't stained with a single speck of mud.

"Orlando is the most powerful elf in the Demon Realm. Beware of him." After a long silence, Albus’s voice rang out flatly.

I blinked and followed the white robes slowly upward until I saw a pair of icy eyes.

He was also looking at me.

The moon had already hung itself upon the ink-black canopy of the sky. Albus stood quietly before me, the cool moonlight reflecting off his long silver hair and snow-white robes, making it seem as if his entire being were radiating a halo of white light.

He was still himself, but the little girl who used to sit in his arms was gone.

With what kind of heart did he face his lover who had turned into a child? And with what kind of heart did he watch Aurora vanish?

I closed my eyes, unable to bear looking at him any longer.

He remained standing quietly behind me, saying nothing, moving not an inch.

"Did you come to see me... for something?" Finally unable to stand the eerie atmosphere, I spoke to break the silence.

He still didn't answer, standing behind me as if he had become a jade-carved statue.

"Uh, even if you stand here forever and turn into a 'waiting-wife stone,' I still can't change back into the Queen..." I tried to persuade him.

He still didn't speak, standing behind me without a sound or breath.

"Aurora? Haven't you gone to change into your gown?" Just as my head was starting to ache, Alastor walked over. "The clan leaders have all arrived."

Not knowing what to do with Albus anyway, I nodded quickly and followed Alastor to change clothes.

Albus finally moved, continuing to follow me at an unhurried pace.

I fled back to my room as if escaping a disaster, shutting both Alastor and Albus outside the door.

What a situation...

A huge crowd of monsters is watching me like hawks, wanting to devour me whole and become King themselves, and then Albus shows up to stir the pot. Every time I see him, I feel off, as if I've deeply wronged him.

On the lace-covered bed lay a black gown. Remarkably, it had no lace on it. I took off my clothes and put it on.

What appeared in the mirror was a somewhat unfamiliar woman. The so-called gown was actually a black, high-collared, sleeveless velvet cheongsam. A golden poppy was embroidered on the left shoulder, its blooming posture extremely bold, and the slit of the dress was very high.

A vampire wearing a cheongsam... Alastor certainly has a sense for innovation.

Thump, thump, thump... A series of exaggerated footsteps.

"Your Majesty! The ceremony is about to begin!" Little Mountain’s boisterous voice diluted a bit of the fear in my heart regarding the upcoming encounter with the demon horde.

Because the slit was so high, I had to be careful with every step I took to avoid exposure. I accidentally caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror; these small steps actually gave off a quite graceful, light-footed vibe. With those light steps, my thighs were hidden yet revealed, appearing extremely alluring.

I opened the door and first glared at Alastor. After the lace, he'd certainly found a new trick.

Alastor wore a playful, exaggerated look of being starstruck.

"Your Majesty!" Little Mountain knelt respectfully on one knee, signaling with a fervent gaze for me to sit on his shoulder.

I quickly accepted his kindness; walking gracefully was very tiring...

Sitting on Little Mountain’s shoulder, I immediately had the feeling of looking down upon all living things. Sitting up high really did feel different.

"Let's go," I said.

Little Mountain strode toward the gathering place. Albus followed silently as always, flanked by Alastor on the other side.

Suddenly, I didn't feel so afraid anymore.