BETROTHED TO THE DEMON KING

Ducan's P.o.v

I sat on my huge silver throne reluctantly with my legs crossed listening to my generals' suggestions with interest.

Everything was going smoothly and beautifully in my kingdom that I would say. Despite the humans still fearing us and other lame losers trying to have passage to my kingdom all in the name of becoming heroes, we were still in control.

For three thousand years, I governed my kind with alter most discipline and restriction.

My mother was a humble Human being while my father was a cruel demon lord.

Due to past calamity in the human world, the human elders called upon the help of my father. In exchange for his help, they offered my mother to him, who by then was a blessed maiden.

A blessed maiden was a favoured virgin girl whom the gods granted power and gifts. They were not only unheard of, they were usually born once every thousand years. whoever they gave their body to, he or she acquired significant power no matter what being they were.

When my father saw how this offer was too good to let it slide, he agreed and took my mother for himself in exchange for granting help to the humans.

A few years went by and I was conceived through a loving bond and union.

Despite being a weak and fragile human, my mother was kind and good to both me and my father. She was also the cause of his sudden change of heart.

We were all he had and he made sure to let us know. But then one day we received news that human territory was once again in need of help. My father was reluctant to go, but my mother pleaded with him since they were still her people. Him being in love, he easily agreed.

We later went to human territory expecting a warm welcome not knowing it was all a trap.

At a young age, I witnessed my parents and our generals being brutally attacked by the human warriors. One elder was watching happily while yelling at my mother and calling her evil for letting a disgusting monster of the dark touch her.

My father was trying to protect me and my mother at the same time that he couldn't see the hero who carried the holy sword sneaking behind him.

As if it was all a nightmare, I watched as the hero brutally drove it through his heart while the warriors ganged up on my mother and our demon generals.

My father was bleeding badly while my mother's corpse lay lifeless on the ground.

With the little strength he was left with, he sent us all back to the demon kingdom using his magic.

That day was the worst day of my life but also my rebirth as the demon lord.

I couldn't mourn them because crying was a sign of weakness. I locked up my human emotions and lived with anger and hatred for a thousand years.

Emotions such as love, sadness and happiness were strictly prohibited in my territory, those that showed them were killed or taken away for severe punishment.

I was never going to let any human in our territory or ever come across one. That's what I thought, but now I wasn't sure if I was going to hold on to my own words because I was slowly losing my power.

According to the ancient witch who saved the Royal bloodline of the Demon lord, every one thousand years a demon lord was required to take to his bed a blessed maiden in order to increase or maintain his power. Failure to that, the demon lord grew weak and his magic and power began to fade away.

After five thousand years, the demon king either perished or became stone.

The ancient witch's words weren't to be taken lightly, that's why I had to call for the advisers and generals to find a quick solution to my problem.

"Great Maou" ( meaning Demon Emperor ). Why not allow us to go into human territory and slaughter as many humans as we can, maybe their blood would serve as sacrifice and grant you power." One adviser suggested.

I raised a brow and gazed at my only childhood friend who was the son of the late lead general.

He hesitated before stepping forward and giving a bow.

"If I may Great Maou, I suggest you find a blessed maiden. Please call the ancient witch and let her open the gate of winds and sound to hear if the humans are still praying to you for help like in the past. You can offer them your help and in return they can give you the maiden." He said as everyone gasped loudly.

The room instantly went quiet.

I Stood up slowly and looked at him with a cold expression on my face.

My heartbeat picked up as my heart ached badly. I closed my eyes and folded my hands into fists, then took in a deep breath and released it.

When I opened my eyes and looked at him, he quickly fell to his knees with his head to the ground.

"Spare my life Great Maou, I was wrong to suggest such a horrid thing." He said in a cracked voice. His body was slightly trembling and I could smell the scent of sweat coming from him.

No matter what, I couldn't harm or hurt him. I hated that about myself because he was the only exception.

"I guess taking your suggestion into consideration isn't a bad thing." I answered, shocking everyone. He too quickly raised his head to look at me.

"Great Maou, you seriously can't be...."

I raised my hand, stopping the eldest general from finishing his sentence.

"Call the ancient witch here. She will open the gate of wind and sound to hear if the humans are crying out for my help or not." I ordered strongly.

"Hail the Great Maou." They all said together with a bow, then went out leaving Ose still on his knees.

"Ducan...."

"You can be the lead general of the Demon kingdom and territory but know how to present yourself when you are in the presence of a demon lord." I said seriously, cutting him off.

"I wasn't wrong to suggest that Ducan. I can't sit by and watch you perish no matter what. Because of your human side you are quickly losing your power and soon you will..." He trailed off then got to his feet.

"Perish." He whispered softly.

I sighed then shifted my gaze from him.

"It wouldn't be the end of the demon kingdom even if I was to perish Ose." I answered in a low tone.

"It would, because you have no heir or female to warm your bed." He pointed out.

I groaned loudly then raised my hand.

"Hail the Great Maou." He whispered under his breath then took a few steps back before turning and walking away.

I moved and sat on the throne with a sigh.

My heart was still badly hurting over his words and I hated feeling that way.

Ducan's p.o.v

I looked at the ancient witch calmly as she threw the stones covered in dry blood on the ground chanting a few words. When she looked to the heavens with her arms widely spread, her eyes rolled up and her voice got louder.

An invisible shield began to rise up and in front of me a large black door with ancient symbols appeared. When it opened, we all could hear the loud cries of humans mostly in my name.

"Search if their territory has a blessed maiden." I ordered.

She began chanting the words backwards while the dark bones and stones on the ground rolled in the symbolic circle that had different ancient letters and numbers drawn in it.

When she stopped her chanting she dropped her hands and looked at me seriously.

Her eyes were back to normal and the bones and stones were no longer moving.

"Only you Great Maou can be able to find her." She answered huskily.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked calmly.

"Your hand, demon king." She ordered as a few murmurs broke out.

"Know you place old witch!" The oldest general spat.

"Relax." I whispered softly then stood up from my throne and went to her with my hand extended.

"Good." She whispered and grabbed my hand, slitting my palm with her sharp nail in a split second.

I stood there without flinching or reacting as my blood dripped on the bones and stones.

"Help." A child's voice called, as all the other voices coming from that door died out.

"Help my father please. He pretends to be okay when he isn't. Why haven't you answered my prayers yet when I have been praying to you sincerely. Aren't you the gods of our land who chose me as your favoured maiden? Why can't I do anything to help anyone? Am I that useless or should I pray to the Demon king?" She asked, then sniffed and continued.

"Anyone be it heaven or hell, please hear my humble prayer. Save my family and people from this drought and these diseases, please." She cried out.

From her sentence I could sense how true she was to her words and her reference of "Save my people," meant she wasn't a lowly human servant.

"She is calling out to you, isn't she?" The ancient witch asked.

"Yes." I answered.

"Then go to her. No one here heard what she said, only you did." She said as I frowned deeply.

"Are you suggesting I go there to face my death?" I asked bitterly.

We all knew the humans possessed the holy sword.

Once the sword was driven in any demon's flesh, it drew out their power and its energy began eating them up from the inside, quickly ending their lives.

"The sword has been lost for a thousand years, no one possesses it as of now." She whispered.

I looked at the generals and noticed how they had a sympathetic look on their faces. When I looked at Ose he smiled at me and nodded.

"Go Great Maou, cross this door. It will lead you straight to where the girl is. No harm shall come to you until your safe return, you have my word." She said.

I swallowed hard then turned and walked to the door. I stopped at the entrance and looked at my healed hand then back at Ose for the last time.

If anything was to happen to me, I knew he was going to take over my position and govern my people. After all, I knew him a little too well.

"See you soon generals." I whispered then crossed the entrance.

I could see a lot of energy forces in different colors before a village appeared ahead of me. I stepped out of the energy field and stood on a small road.

I was more conscious of the surroundings because I didn't want to come across many humans.

If I was to be triggered and angered, I would lose my human form and turn into my demon form which was hard to look at. Unlike the other demons who were dark fairies, dark pegasus, dark kelpie, fae hors, dark unicorn and centaur demon's ( etc ), I was different. Some of them had medium black wings and four eyes while some had long fangs and long tongues.

I looked way more monstrous with horns on my forehead.

Upon reaching the last stage of my wrath, I turned into a black dragon with large horns.

That transformation happened only once in my past, and that was when a few generals rebelled against me and tried to take away my throne. Since then I had been working on my anger and calmness.

I walked ahead and got closer to the entrance of the village. It was so quiet and no one came into sight.

I stopped walking when I heard a slight movement to my right coming from the bushes a few meters away from me.

"Come out." I ordered. With my heightened senses I could smell it was a human.

A small girl with black hair and dark blue eyes came out and approached me.

I was astonished at the amount of power and energy she possessed at a very young age. The girl surely was around twelve years old, but the aura and light coming from her was too powerful. Although she was dressed like a male child and her hair was cut short, I could smell her scent, she really was a girl.

"I didn't mean to hide." She whispered softly with tears forming in her eyes.

I sighed then got down on one knee to match her height.

"Tears only make you look weak, don't you know that?" I asked softly.

"No they do not. Tears only make you stronger my Lord." She answered.

"My Lord?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Yes, from your expensive outfit I can tell you are of higher status than I am, perhaps you came from the capital." She answered, confusing me.

"What do you mean by Status?" I asked.

"I'm the daughter of the chief although my father forced me to never tell anyone that I am a girl." She answered.

I kept quiet for a second then decided to ask her a few more questions.

"If he told you that, then why did you tell me?" I asked.

"Because I don't think you are from here. Moreover, you seem kind." She answered.

"Really?" I asked, amazed at how foolish she was.

"Yes." She answered with a smile then rubbed her hand over her eyes.

"My Lord, why are your eyes red and your hair long and white?" She asked curiously.

"Because I'm not part of this kingdom and territory." I answered.

She burst out into laughter then stopped.

"You are funny my Lord." She whispered.

"You know what, I'm feeling generous today. What can I grant or give you?" I asked softly.

She kept quiet for a second then answered.

"My Lord, I ask for rain and healing for my people in this village." She answered.

For some reason I was expecting such an answer to an extent, that's why I wasn't shocked with her response.

"Okay, but I want you to tell me what you would want me to grant you. Not for your people but for yourself." I said.

She kept quiet for a few minutes then smiled.

"I wish for everyone to know that I am a girl and for them to accept me without judging or mocking me. I also wish to marry a loving and skillful husband when I grow up, because most people will be after what the gods have granted me." She answered in a whisper.

For a young child she truly was wise.

"Anyway see you soon my Lord, I have to go and gather herbs behind our village houses for the sick elders." She said then ran away before I could respond.

"What an interesting child." I muttered to myself as I walked to the village entrance.

I hated humans a lot and I never wanted to meet any of them, but after talking to that kid, I felt at ease and I found that disheartening.

Ducan's p.o.v

I stood surrounded by a lot of humans who had come out of their houses to look at me like I was some rare priced jewel.

The so-called chief stood next to the warriors and a lady facing me.

My hand was clenched in fists and I felt disgusted by them. I couldn't help but remember how their kind brutally murdered my parents.

"Judging by the rich fur and expensive kimono you are putting on, you must be a lord, right." The chief asked as I chuckled softly then cleared my throat.

"I won't beat around the bush because I see no reason to entertain you pests." I answered seriously.

"Pests!" He exclaimed.

"Yes, so listen carefully. I am The demon king and I am here to grant you rain and healing. In exchange I want your daughter as my bride." I said simply.

The man gave me a sympathetic look before whispering something to the young lady next to him.

"I'm so sorry to say this my Lord, but my husband is asking you to leave." The young lady said as I raised a brow.

Husband?

She was just a young maiden and yet she was already married! How could she marry such an old man?

Why were humans so foolish? I wondered.

"He looks like a lord but in truth he is insane. I don't have a daughter but a son, insane lord." He mocked, annoying me.

"Old man, I won't repeat myself." I said seriously.

He gritted his teeth then pointed a finger at me.

"Kick him out of my village!" He exclaimed as the warriors ran towards me with arrows and swords.

"Stupid move." I whispered then raised my left hand, freezing their bodies to ice.

"Demon!" One screamed as they all began to run away.

"Call the priest now!" The chief called out then ran into his house as his wife followed behind.

I angrily disappeared and appeared in front of him, before he could hide himself in the wardrobe.

"Come with me." I spat then grabbed him by the collar dragging him outside.

"Please let my husband go!" The lady pleaded behind me.

I ignored her and went to stand at the center of the village. As soon as the humans saw their chief in my grip they began coming back slowly.

"Let me go, you demon. Let go while I'm still asking nicely. If the priest comes here with the holy sword, he will drive it through your heart as they did back then to that demon lord who captured and forced himself on our blessed maiden." He spat and in that moment my fangs and claws came out.

I was furious and I couldn't contain myself. How dare he, a lowly insect, say such horrible words about my father! He did not deserve to live.

I turned in a split second sinking my teeth into his neck and drinking a mouth full of his blood as his body went pale and limp in my hand. The saliva demons spat out whenever they were angry was toxic to humans. One bite at the human's flesh resulted in an instant breakdown of the nervous system. But I was different, one bite in my angry state sucked the living soul out of their flesh, their lifespan adding to my very own.

A loud scream got my attention, I let go of his body then looked up and came face to face with the child I had met.

A clay pot of herbs was shattered on the ground and she was shaking badly in fear with her eyes widened, while her mother held her shoulder with tears rolling down her cheeks.

I looked at my hands and noticed the dark smoke coming from it. I sighed softly knowing my form wasn't human, anymore but demon.

The little girl was nowhere to be seen at first so I thought nothing of her, but now that she was here witnessing me suck her father's life out, I felt uneasy.

I was about to take a step forward when she picked up a sharp piece of clay and pointed it at me.

"Stay where you are, you demon monster!" She screamed in a cracked voice.

The mother quickly went down to her knees and put her hands together in a pleading gesture.

"Please spare my son." She sobbed.

I looked around and noticed how everyone was looking at me in fear.

I looked at the lady then raised my hand as a cloth shaped like a page appeared. A binding spell was Written on it, in my language, so no one could read it, in human terms it was a contract.

"Your daughter shall step forward and press her hand on this piece of cloth. Failure to do so, I will wipe out your entire village and leave out your daughter to live a miserable life alone blaming herself for your deaths. But if she does as I have ordered, I will grant this village rain and healing then leave you in peace. I will then return to claim your daughter for myself once she reaches a marriageable age." I said as they began to whisper.

"Daughter, what does he mean?" One human asked.

"I can't sacrifice my only daughter, please have mercy." She sobbed.

"Ah, humans. Always selfish." I whispered then raised my hand to kill only a few as an example, when the girl took a step forward.

"Wait." She said seriously.

I looked at her, surprised at how bold she was acting.

"I'll do it." She said as her mother grabbed her hand, shaking it a few times.

"No, Eleanor you can't." The lady sobbed.

"Eleanor? Is she truly a girl?" The other human asked loudly.

I ignored the ruckus and grabbed the cloth in my hand.

"Step forward." I ordered.

She took in a deep breath and did as I had ordered.

"Extend your arm towards me and show me your palm." I instructed.

She breathed out then did.

I went down to my knee and pressed my claw on her palm.

"Deep breath." I whispered before making a small cut.

The girl stood still without making a sound or flinching.

When her blood dripped on the cloth it vanished.

I stood up with a smirk knowing how the contract was finally sealed.

"Now that it's done, I'll fulfill part of my bargain." I whispered softly then raised both of my hands as rain clouds began to gather.

It wasn't hard healing the sick humans and making it rain. After all, all it required was weak magic.