The succubus seemed different; her eyes shined golden with a feeling of intellect beyond her usual self.
"So you're saying that everything that happened was planned?"
"Yes, Master. I heard it from the Queen herself in that secret room."
"Hmm... I believe you, but we have no proof, you know?"
Sariel shook her head before floating down the beautiful succubus face-to-face with Ryuji.
Her beautiful skin was smooth and pale blue as both her hands caressed his cheeks. "I can show you." A seductive and melodic voice. It made Ryuji realise how legends about their charm and dominating men became so popular in all forms. "Do you trust me?"
He could feel her insecurity and fear hidden in those golden eyes. She had a vast amount of wisdom and intellect, yet she feared his rejection so deeply.
"I have trusted you since the moment you swore to serve me. It's not like I don't have the knowledge a demon lord should have. You cannot betray me, nor can I abuse you, right?"
"Fufu, my wise master. When you stand as King, I will follow you until even in your final moments."
"I have to save you first. Don't make promises until I show you what kind of man I am. You're not some prize or toy. Call me Ryuji. Master is the innocent Sariel's thing."
"Understood, Ryuji."
The pair stared into each other's eyes, one pair of golden orbs gazing into the ocean-blue gems of the other, as both pairs of sclera started turning black as Sariel's face inched closer, her lips pressed together slightly, their glossy pink shine approaching his.
'Is this kiss the true way, or does she just want to kiss?' Ryuji wondered before he felt the soft, warm sensation of her lips stealing his entire focus.
'It's so soft... Like kissing...' He thought of the most obscene thoughts before the pair separated, their faces remaining only inches away.
"Did you enjoy that, Ryuji?" She asked, her face flushed from excitement. "Do you wish for more? I will give it all to you, Ryuji."
"I'm good. Can you be serious and show me what you want to show?"
"Fufu, oh my, forgive me. I was too excited and forgot~ let's try again."
As the sun rose from the horizon, bathing the world in the soft orange rays of a new dawn, Sariel's eyes closed as a pair of wings materialised from her back.
The succubus kissed Ryuji on his forehead before moving his hair out of the way, whispering, "Stay strong, and don't blame yourself, Ryuji."
Then the world began to transform; Ryuji felt like he had fallen into a pit of darkness, and the only thing keeping him from doubting her was the soft hand holding onto his. The world began to transform from an eerie black-and-white scenery to a familiar place filled with familiar faces.
"Ryuji!"
Her voice faded as she looked at the dying succubus on the bed and various vials of blue blood that seemed quite healthy, then two vials of dark... putrid blood.
"Please, Father... You made me marry into this family; I accepted because Avandar was a heroic man; even in our empire, his battle against the demons was popular... Why is THAT, someone who guides all creatures of light... making me do these disgusting things? Why is my mind becoming twisted... enjoying it...
I don't want to do this anymore, please, Father."
Ryuji didn't feel any sympathy towards this woman. He learned from a young age, thanks to his father. Everyone has their reasons or needs to do things, from stealing money to save their starving child or killing someone to protect their lover from being taken away. His distorted mind is a product of the distortion of human rationality that their reasons surpassed another.
However, her father seemed to be the same... A little selfish and uncaring.
Until Ryuji heard something that made his body twitch... and a murderous feeling of anger, jealousy and hatred flooded his entire body, causing his eyes to turn pure black even in this dream-like state, shocking Sariel, who trembled in fear from his aura.
"Do not be selfish; our entire family's existence and growth count on you dealing with that hero and the ones who support him! I have good news, that little brat from his previous marriage. The son of Marquis Elmond has applied for marriage through the church thanks to HER guidance!"
"Eh...? Which girl?" The Queen sounded genuinely shocked.
"The small one, it seems that fat, disgusting Marquis wants to marry the youngest princess Liana."
"Father, that is a mistake! The boy I spoke of before... He is her lover! That boy, I do not wish to face him or go against him!"
"Hmph! Again, I feel disappointed. Your sister would have never been so weak! He is just an outsider, those who only receive a temporary half-blessing! What can he do against the church and our mighty empire that even Grigor fears?"
The Queen's concerned face and worried looks vanished, and then she breathed with a sigh, yet her hands gripped tight as they leaked blood.
"When that happens, can I finally stop these vile acts, offering my body to taint the blood of these monsters? Having to drink their blood and then perform acts that profane my existence as a chaste wife? In the first place, why is the ritual of creating this foul blood so disgusting? Could we not have forced a married maid instead of me?"
A moment of silence passed, with Ryuji's head filled with white noise, static, and his emotions bubbling.
The excuses of the queen, her feelings and thoughts meant nothing.
He would kill anyone who tried to take what was his, what he liked or loved.
That was all that mattered to him.
Her father's final words then sounded, and the only thing that made Ryuji curious was who set this up.
"The goddess requested you, and our family needed to show our determination and devotion to her. Otherwise, she might have given the chance to our enemies, forever sealing our fate!"
With that, the call ended, leaving the queen standing in silence; she seemed about to smash the mirror several times, groaning and screaming in this small room that stank of putrid blood, flesh and the thick whiff of despair.
"Determination... Why don't you show it and sleep with disgusting men you have no feelings for? If my sister didn't die to that monster and married Alan, wouldn't I be free... Free to love Avandar genuinely? I will make sure you all pay... for making me betray him, lying to me and forcing this fate upon me...
what family, what empire... I will let that monster in the north kill you all!"