Asmodeus clasped the hand of Ciela. He could feel her worry, shame and embarrassment as they trembled in his fingertips. "Don''t worry, I will protect you, Ciela."

    "Mm... but what if he insults you, because of me?" Ciela''s hand tightened back. Her lovely eyes narrowed with a wet surface as she leaned gently against his shoulder. "You are too important to me that I can''t bare to hear him insult you."

    ''Such a wonderful woman... is this what she wanted to say all this time? I am very lucky.''

    "I feel the same, Ciela to me, you are the most beautiful and pure elf that exists in this world."

    The moment she heard his words, Ciela gasped, her lips opening wide. "Thank you..." Though her voice became quiet, the meaning of his words caused Ciela''s chest to flutter. A loud thud echoed inside as her heart pounded wildly.

    Those words meant more than the most epic poem of love to Ciela.

    They followed the knights through the silver passage leading to a set of white steps made of pure marble and the bannister from the branches of the world tree. The three-story building loomed overhead like a giant castle, with an open roof and golden pillars supporting its massive frame.

    The palace was nothing more than a small piece of an endless labyrinth made in every part of the world tree''s beautiful form. The entrance to the true palace, these stairs took them inside the world tree through a doorway, like a portal. This special feature kept the elven imperial family safe from most attacks.

    However... the Empress and her daughters lived outside, meaning the current Emperor prioritised his concubine over the Empress.

    "Mother used to live inside this mystical tree..." Ciela''s mutter caught the ears of Asmodeus and the knights, who flinched. Not. Not all the elves were like those in her palace from the night before.

    Most elves adored the queen because she currently fought for them, desperate to keep the kingdom safe. It was the Empress and her daughters who sacrificed themselves to protect the silver forest.

    Though the knights seemed to be affected, the doors soon opened before they could speak.

    "Good luck, Princess Ciela." A small voice that soon doubled; the four knights in their green armour all wished the princess good luck the moment they stepped into the watery barrier, a silver film that protected the Emperor''s palace, like stepping into a dungeon—that''s what Asmodeus and Ciela thought now after entering many.

    .

    .

    .

    Once they passed through the distorted barrier of light, they emerged in a hall made entirely of pure wood—a living room in which two figures sat on a luxurious golden sofa with white leather.

    However, then the room flashed with light, as if by magic, and transformed into two grand thrones in the distance, another set of stairs as if to elevate the Emperor and his Concubine above all who entered, and pillars of pure ivory standing metres into the air.

    Such a scene took Asmodeus''s breath away.

    A full-sized banquet table appeared with various fruits piled high on plates and goblets full of wine.

    Asmodeus achieved what he desired after gazing at the concubine, now with a fierce glare, while biting her lips. She seemed genuinely shocked when her husband took back his offensive words when Asmodeus glared at him.

    Maybe she realised who held power right now, but her hands scraping the arm of her chair revealed her frustration and anger toward the Demon King.

    "His Majesty, Al''Runan. Ar''Ciela returns home after a long journey and journey for the Empire and the beautiful forest of Aristella." Ciela lowered herself gently into a beautiful curtsey. As she rose, she kept her eyes on the Emperor, unwavering no matter how uncomfortable he appeared.

    "I have come to discuss my part within your court, Your Majesty. I shall give my all for my mother and sisters, and thus, I request your help for the Empire''s prosperity."

    The Emperor seemed to be genuinely interested, his brows lifting, "Oh? You?"

    "Princess, do you not mean your loyalty toward the Emperor?" A snobbish noble grinned at Ciela, causing others to laugh behind the palm of their hand.

    "I serve the Empire, and the Emperor is my father. They are the same, Count Arisan."

    "You misunderstand. Emperor Al''Runan rules over all, not simply our nation. His word is absolute, and you should follow it!"

    The nobles tried to corner her, yet the beautiful princess, who once lacked the power to slay a goblin elite, now stood with a confident glow in the back of her eyes, "The only absolute for me is my future husband. The Demo King Asmodeus."

    This answer seemed to hurt the Emperor''s pride, and the concubine was excited as she whispered something into Al''Runan''s ear.

    "HOW DARE YOU SIDE WITH THAT FILTHY ABOMINATION!" The golden glow of Runan''s eyes turned dull, slightly black for a moment, like smoke washing over them before he insulted Asmodeus again. "YOU WILL NEVER BECOME HER HUSBAND! YOU FILTHY WRETCH!"

    "Haha, after all, a dirty demon could never hope to touch our princess; she needs to give birth to an elven child. Even if she looks disgusting right now."

    The sound of flesh impacting the floor came from inside the room. Everyone, including the Emperor, looked toward the princess with wide eyes.

    A demon appeared with long black horns... flowing green hair, like vines filled with thorns, yet carrying a bizarre beauty, eyes like emeralds and lips twisted into a bright smile.

    In a hand made of leaves and vines, the Count Arisan who insulted Asmodeus trembled and convulsed... blood pouring along the flood dragged by the magical arm appearing behind Ciela''s back.

    "I warned you once not to badmouth the man I worship and adore. My only absolute is the man beside me. Count Arisen..."

    "Asmodeus," the voice of the Emperor trembled when speaking his name.

    However, before they could react, another demonic hand gripped the knight''s neck from earlier, causing the woman beside him to scream.

    Ciela''s vine arms smashed them into the ground before tossing the two heavily wounded elves back to their previous position, a vigorous glow in the depths of her eyes.

    "Father, I do not care about the throne or your petty games with that woman. I only ask you allow mother and my sisters to return, then I will fight in their stead and wipe out the demons."