The grand hall of the Abyssal Palace echoed with tension as the Demon Queen paced back and forth, her fiery crimson dress trailing behind her like molten lava. Her sharp eyes, glowing with an inner flame, scanned the room as if daring anyone to speak out of turn. The air was thick with the scent of brimstone, and the flickering torches cast menacing shadows across the ornate obsidian walls.
“Where is Nicholas?” the queen demanded, her voice slicing through the air like a blade.
At the head of the chamber, lounging on his throne, the Demon King let out a low, mocking chuckle. His massive frame was draped in dark armor that shimmered with infernal energy, and his glowing eyes met hers with a smirk that only deepened her fury.
“Why waste your time, Lilith?” he drawled, waving a clawed hand dismissively.
“Nicholas is a fool. A disgrace. The boy can’t even light a torch without tripping over his own tail. Let him rot wherever he’s wandered off to.”
The queen’s jaw tightened, her fingers curling into fists. “He is your son, Alastor. The rightful heir to the throne.”
Alastor leaned forward, his smile turning sharper. “Rightful heir?” He barked a laugh that reverberated through the chamber.
“You mean the so-called prince who spends his days gorging on mortal food and chasing skirts? Oh yes, Lilith, truly the pride of the underworld.”
The queen’s eyes blazed with anger, but before she could retort, a melodic yet venomous laugh rang out from the side of the room.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” purred Carmen, the king’s favorite concubine, her tone dripping with mockery. She rose from her seat, her slender form swathed in a shimmering black gown that sparkled like the night sky. Her jeweled crown of lesser status gleamed under the torchlight as she sauntered closer.
“But perhaps you should focus your efforts elsewhere,” Carmen continued, her lips curving into a wicked smile. “After all, everyone knows that Nicholas is… unsuited for leadership. My son, Aeron, on the other hand…” She let the sentence dangle, glancing pointedly at the Demon King.
“Aeron,” Alastor mused, stroking his chin. “Now there is a demon worth my crown. Strong, cunning, ruthless. Everything a king should be.”
Carmen’s laughter spilled from her lips like honeyed poison. “Exactly. Aeron is destined to rule. Unlike… well, some demons who can barely keep themselves from falling out of the sky.”
The queen’s power flared, the temperature in the room rising dramatically as the torches flared higher. Carmen flinched slightly but recovered, her smirk only faltering for a moment.
“You dare speak of my son that way?” Lilith hissed, her voice a low, dangerous growl. “Nicholas may have his faults, but he carries royal blood. He is destined for the throne.”
“Destined?” Alastor sneered, rising from his throne. His towering figure cast a long shadow over the room. “Destiny favors the strong, Lilith. Not a bumbling fool who’s probably eating pastries in some mortal kitchen as we speak.”
She turned sharply to face him, her power crackling in the air. “You underestimate him. Nicholas has potential, more than you or your scheming harlot can see.”
Carmen gasped in mock offense, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Oh, Lilith,” she said sweetly, “if you truly believe that, why not go find him? See if your precious son has managed to do anything worthy of the crown—or even of your time.”
The queen’s fiery gaze locked on Carmen, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the hall, her rage barely contained. She knew Nicholas was far from perfect—he was reckless, lazy, and woefully untrained—but he was still her son. And if she had to search every corner of Hell and Earth to find him, she would.
Behind her, the king’s laughter echoed once more, mingled with Carmen’s softer chuckles.
“Good luck, Lilith,” Carmen called after her, her tone as sweet as poisoned wine. “You’ll need it.”
As the doors slammed shut behind the queen, she vowed to herself that she would not only find Nicholas but also prove them all wrong. He would rise to his potential—whether he liked it or not. And when he did, the schemers in the palace would regret ever doubting him.
Lilith stepped closer to Carmen. her aura commanding even the most arrogant of demons to cower. But Carmen, ever composed, met her gaze with a sly, knowing smile.
The king’s favorite concubine adjusted the jeweled strap of her gown, pretending not to notice the fury simmering beneath Lilith’s glowing crimson eyes. “Why so tense, Lilith? Surely you’ve realized by now that Aeron is—how shall I put it?—better suited for the throne.”
Lilith’s lip curled into a smirk, but her eyes burned like molten lava. Leaning in until her breath brushed against Carmen’s ear, the queen whispered in a voice as cold and sharp as a blade.
“Nicholas wasn’t a stupid demon,” she began, her tone laced with venom, “you wouldn’t even dare to dream of your precious Aeron on the throne. One day, if my son awakens to his true potential, he will claim what is rightfully his. And you, Carmen, will kneel before him as your king.”
Carmen froze, her smile faltering for the briefest moment. But her composure quickly returned, and she let out a low, mocking laugh, turning her head just enough to meet Lilith’s fiery gaze.
“Awaken?” Carmen teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, Lilith, forgive me, but I’ve seen no sign of that boy ‘awakening’ to anything other than his appetite and lust.” She tilted her head, her smile widening. “Perhaps you should accept reality. Nicholas is... comfortable in mediocrity, while my Aeron thrives in strength and cunning.”
Lilith’s eyes narrowed, her smirk deepening as she straightened, towering over Carmen. “Be careful with your words, Carmen. Pride often comes before a fall. And when the day comes that Nicholas rises above your scheming brat, I will relish the sight of you choking on your arrogance.”
With that, Lilith turned sharply and walked away,
Carmen remained still for a moment, her sharp nails digging into her palms. Despite her outward confidence, Lilith’s words clung to her thoughts like an unwelcome shadow. She hated to admit it, but the queen’s unwavering faith in Nicholas was... unsettling.
Shaking off the unease, Carmen smirked to herself, her eyes gleaming with determination. “We’ll see about that, Your Majesty,” she murmured under her breath. “Nicholas is too foolish to rise, Aeron will crush him before he even tries
