The slap came out of nowhere, so hard my skull rang like a struck bell.
"A mortal with no spiritual power whatsoever. How did you even get into the Demon Realm?"
"She must have slept her way in with some lowborn demon guard. That would explain the pregnancy."
"Mortals really are pathetic. She thinks that just because she bears a passing resemblance to our Lady Seraphina, she can hide here and seduce the Demon Sovereign?"
It wasn't until I heard their venom that I realized who had barged in and struck me. The woman standing before me was none other than Seraphina Crystalis, the one the Celestial Emperor had offered to end the war between the immortals and the demons all those years ago.
For hundreds of thousands of years, the Demon Sovereign could have had his pick of countless beauties. Instead, he spent every day at my side.
He had never spared a second glance at any woman other than me.
That was why, when he agreed to halt the great war on account of Seraphina, a thread of doubt had wound through my heart.
Now, seeing her in person for the first time, I understood. She bore a resemblance to me.
That was what had stirred his mercy.
At this moment, Seraphina's face was twisted with fury, her blazing gaze threatening to consume me whole.
"You wretched mortal. You knew the Demon Sovereign was hopelessly in love with me, so you thought you could use that face of yours to lure him in? A face that only barely resembles mine?"
Her arrogance was suffocating, but since she clearly had no idea who I was, I chose not to hold the slap against her.
Instead, I offered a warning out of kindness.
"The Abyssal Palace is not a place any of you should be. The Demon Sovereign is away. Leave now, while you still can. If you stay, no one will be able to help you."
But Seraphina showed no gratitude. She seized my throat and snarled through clenched teeth:
"The Demon Sovereign adores me beyond measure. There is nowhere in the entire Demon Realm I cannot set foot. You, on the other hand, you wretched mortal, putting on airs and trying to shoo me away. You're just afraid I'll expose your little scheme and ruin your chances of seducing him, aren't you?"
"Today I'll show you exactly what happens to vermin who try to steal the Demon Sovereign's affections."
With a flick of her pale wrist, a wave of spiritual energy swept toward me like a gale.
The force was immense, howling through the chamber.
My body was hurled into the air and slammed back down against the stone floor.
I curled around my belly, shielding it with both arms, and looked up at Seraphina through the pain. My voice came out cold and steady.
"Do you really think the Demon Sovereign won't find out what you've done here?"
Seraphina scoffed, utterly unbothered.
"I am the Demon Sovereign's one true love, the woman he fell for at first sight. A single glance from me was enough to make him end the great war."
"Everyone across the Six Realms knows how deeply he loves me."
"All I'm doing is disciplining a pathetic mortal. Even if he finds out, so what? You think he'd blame me over some insignificant nobody like you?"
The celestial maidens in her entourage sneered in agreement.
"Exactly. Everyone across the Six Realms and the Eight Wastelands knows the Demon Sovereign fell for Lady Seraphina at first sight. What are you? You're not even fit to be compared to her."
"The Demon Sovereign stands above all living things. Of course there are shameless little foxes like this mortal crawling around, dreaming of climbing into his bed. My lady, we should make an example of her today. Kill the chicken to warn the monkeys, and crush those delusions once and for all."
"That's right. Let every shameless wretch out there know that the Demon Sovereign's woman is not a title just anyone can claim."
Every one of them spoke with razor-edged malice, their eyes burning with a hatred so sharp it seemed they wanted to tear me apart where I lay.
I kept my expression grave. "You should go ask the Demon Sovereign himself who I am."
Seraphina lifted her chin, contempt dripping from every pore.
"You, a common mortal who snuck into the Abyssal Palace, think you're worthy of me inquiring about your identity?"
"I am the one closest to the Demon Sovereign's heart. I am the Celestial Emperor's most treasured daughter. What are you? You think your status could ever compare to mine?"
She let her gaze drift across the darkened hall, and her voice turned soft, almost idle.
"This Abyssal Palace is far too gloomy. It could use a splash of red."
The celestial maidens understood instantly. One by one, they conjured whips of pure spiritual energy.
And they lashed into me without mercy.
I was mortal flesh and bone. I had no way to withstand an assault from this many immortals at once.
I was beaten to the ground, curled into myself, my skin split open in ribbons of blood.
Through the blinding agony, I locked both hands over my belly and screamed with everything I had left:
"Stop! I am the Demon Queen!"
