Rejected and Auctioned off to the Demon King

Chapter Four: A Day Out

Nolan told me not to worry too much about the order, he’s going to deal with it for me. If my father could protect eight daughters from the order then a Demon King could protect one wife from it… I think.

Today Gwen said she’d take me out to show me around. Nolan entourages it but gave me a new phone and his number just in case I needed him. I was waiting for her right outside the castle. I saw her approach me and smiled. “Hey, so where are we going first?” I asked.

She smirked. “I was thinking we would go to a party tonight so we should go shopping first. How much did your old man give you?” She teased.

“Nolan isn’t old,” I mumbled and rolled my eyes. “Maybe in human standards.” I shrugged. “He gave me a card.” I showed her the credit card.

Her eyes widened. “That’s a f*****g unlimited credit card. Wow, we’re gonna look so expensive tonight.” She chuckled.

I chuckled nervously as we started walking. “I don’t really think I want to go to a party. I mean I am engaged” Sounded so weird coming out of my mouth but I always knew I’d be engaged at 19.

She rolled her eyes. “Red you’re not even twenty yet. I get you’re marrying him now but it’s a contract marriage. Have some fun now and then worry about being loyal when you’re actually married to him. I’m not saying sleep with anyone but flirting and having a good time wouldn’t be the worst thing.” I didn't really like the way that sounded and Nolan wouldn’t either.

As we walked into the nearest city I noticed how many different types of demons there were. They all had different types of horns, tails, and wings all with different textures, colors, and sizes. They even had different skin colors like blue and purple. The sidewalk was crowded and so was the streets and I noticed how many people were staring at us.

“I know day drinking isn’t the best look.” She said as I followed her into a bar. “I just need to find someone, not here for a drink.” 

I looked around and I guess it looked exactly how I thought a bar during the day would look. Not very crowded at all but somewhat calming. I sat down at the bar next to Gwen.

“Hey do you know where Zack is?” She asked the bartender. 

He shook his head. “He was passed out here last night but that’s all I know about it. I’ll let you know if I see him again anytime soon.” He went back to making drinks.

She sighed. “I guess we should just leave.” She sighed and stared up at the ceiling for a little while then looked at me. “Alright, let’s go.” 

We were about to stand up when the bartender put two drinks in front of us. “Those guys other there wanted you two to have these. Guess they’ve both got a thing for human girls.” He shrugged. “Not uncommon.”

Gwen looked even more annoyed. “Toss those drinks out, we don’t want to accept them.” She looked at me. “Come on Red.” She left with me following while she threw up the middle finger to The two men who bought us drinks. They looked a lot older and a bit scary. “Some demons have weird human fetishes. Sorry about that.”

I nodded because I wasn’t very surprised. “It’s fine. The bartender said, 'human girls,' plural.”

We crossed the street. “Yeah, I’m half-human. Can’t you tell?”

I took another good look at her. “Well yeah... you look like it but I’ve never been around demons at all,” I explained. 

She pointed to the clothing store she wanted to go to. “My Mom was human.”

“Was?” I asked.

She nodded. “Was.” She repeated so that meant she was definitely dead.

“My mom was human too. Psychic like me or I guess I’m psychic like her.” I looked at the store as we walked in. I wasn’t used to opening up about my mom but Gwen and Nolan made it easy.

She frowned. “Sorry about that.”

“Same for you.” I looked at all the outfits in the store. “This has to be the highest quality store I’ve ever been at.” 

“Same. And everything we buy is on the King.” She smiled and we started looking around. She got a ton of things but I decided to only get one tight-fitting long strapless black dress. It was basic but it was so beautiful with lace. I wanted it because it looked sexy and I’ve never felt sexy before. 

“You picked out an amazing dress,” Gwen said as we were on our way to her place. “You’re going to turn so many heads.”

I blushed. “I’m not trying to do that…” 

A phone started ringing and it was Gwen's so she took her phone out of her pocket and picked it up. “What? Yeah, I’ll be right there.” She hung up. “The guy I was looking for. He’s at the bar, come on.” She put the stuff away and we left.

Once we got to the bar Gwen marched up to the guy with a glare. “I haven’t seen you in three days.” I wasn’t sure what their relationship to each other was,

He looked up at her. “Val?” He was a lot bigger than her. His horns, wings, and tail were twice at big as hers. He was a big guy but he looked like a wreck and reeked of alcohol more than anyone here. 

Gwen groaned. “No, it’s Gwen, fuck.” She walked closer. “Come on, you’re leaving, now.” 

He didn’t look like he was going to agree but then he saw me. “What’s she doing here?” He recognized me and that was a surprise since Nolan hadn’t announced our marriage yet. Only his servants knew but they couldn’t keep a secret so rumors of a human girl being engaged to the king have been going around. It’s not like they knew what I looked like. He glared at Gwen. “You brought her on purpose? To scare me? That’s not funny Gwen I could lose my job for the King.” 

“That wasn’t my intention Dad we’re hanging out.” She sighed. “You’ll lose your job all on your own if you don’t show up tomorrow. King Nolan isn’t going to be forgiving just because you’re having a relapse around the anniversary of mom’s death.” It was a family problem I was witnessing. Everyone had some kind of baggage about their family and this was Gwen’s…

“Leave me alone Gwen, you couldn’t understand.” He slowly got up and staggered while he walked out.

Gwen stood there in defeat and tears came to her eyes. “He’s so pathetic.” She looked away. “I’m done caring about him. Let’s go to this party and let’s just have fun.” She looked at me and tried to look happy. 

“You don’t have to. We coul-“ I started.

“No.” She interrupted. “This is how I want to feel better.” She said and I nodded. We left the bar and went to her house. We hung out for a while which consisted of her showing me pictures of a few guys she was talking to and told me about them. I guess she was opening up to me about her personal life in a way. Maybe we were beginning to be friends.

We started to get ready for the party. Gwen was already changed and was now doing her makeup. 

I stared at the black dress and I couldn’t help but think about the one time I saw my mom in a black dress. My father loved the dress on her when he was a decent human being once upon a time. I wasn’t sure if I was beautiful enough to pull it off the way she did.

A knock was heard at the front door and Gwen answered it. “What? No way.” She said and I walked over to see what was going on.

A familiar face. It was Nolan’s head servant. “Hello again. King Nolan has requested you come back.“ she said to me then elaborated. “He doesn’t approve of your plans.”

Gwen clenched her fists. “Wow. That’s great.” She walked to me and gave me a hug. “Your old man calls. I guess I’ll call up someone else to go with me ugh.”

“The King requested you as well Gwen.” She clarified.

Gwen frowned. “Fine as long as it’s quick.” We left in the car of the servant and she drove us back to the castle. I stared out the window the whole time. I wondered if Nolan would be mad at me for wanting to go to a party. 

Once we got there Gwen and I went into Nolan’s office. He didn’t look happy in the slightest. “Your father called Gwen. He let me know what was going on.”

“How did he know?” I asked because we didn’t say anything around him about the party or our plans tonight.

“I go to a party every year to celebrate my birthday, it’s not a big deal.” She answered. “I’m surprised my dad even remember that much about me right now.”

“It’s a big deal when you include my bride Gwen. You have no training to protect her with and I haven’t announced my engagement yet. This means those demons don’t know Red is mine.” It’s not like he couldn’t just buy another bride... “They could harm her or sexually assault her.” He sighed. “I’m also concerned about you Gwen. I’m going to have to fire your father.”

Gwen frowned. “King Nolan I understand he’s relapsing and that he always does around this time. He’ll bounce back. My job isn’t enough to support both of us. Barley myself.”

Nolan nodded. “I understand that’s why I’m offering you a job here in the castle. Any job you’d like.”

“Really?” She said surprised. 

“Yes, your father has done good work here so it’s the least I can do. He just can’t continue to work here. He will have his title as knight took away.” He explained. “Think and let me know if you accept and what position you’d like.” He wasn’t a cold-hearted person at all. Maybe there was a lot more to demons than I thought before. He cared about her and her family.

“Thank you.” She looked like a lot of stress had been lifted from her. “But about the party thing, I apologize. I was behaving recklessly because I wanted to show Red a good time. I deal with demons while being half-human all the time but she’s not half-human. She's human and a psychic so she’d be a much bigger target than me.”  I wasn’t sure if she meant that or if she just wanted to stay in his good graces after what he just did for her.

“You’re dismissed.” He said and she left but before she did she put a comforting hand on my shoulder for a second. Nolan looked at me. “You don’t seem like the party type.”

I looked at Nolan. “I was never given the opportunity to be…” I shrugged. “It would have been nice to experience.”

“Then be my date to a ball.” He suggested and it didn’t seem real to me at all. “Some of the nobles have put together an annual ball. I never go but I’m always invited and it would be a good chance to introduce you as my fiancé. Then I will make a public announcement.” 

I swallowed. “O-Okay, I’ll go.” 

“Great. It’s getting late you should get to bed. I’ll be there in an hour. All of your things have been moved.” I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of sleeping with Nolan.

“Is there a place I could sleep beside your bed?” I asked.

He frowned. “I suppose you could sleep on the couch that’s in there. I was just looking forward to having another body in the bed.” He paused. “Red. Are you afraid of me?” 

I stared him in the eyes. “No...” I looked away. “I’ve just never been with anyone before. Especially not a demon. I’m nervous.” It was hard to admit.

“Okay.” He looked back at his work. “You can leave.” 

I sighed and left. I went into his room and it was three time’s bigger than my last. I stared at the couch but I walked to his bed and I got in. Nolan was a good person and it’s not like I liked the idea of sleeping alone. The couch was so far I’d rather be right next to him... where I’d feel safe.