Chapter Three: Proposal
2715 Words
“Red.” The Demon King knocked on the door. “I want to take you somewhere.”
I was still mad from this morning, I didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone so cruel. I knew I couldn’t defy him because he could just have me killed and then buy another… I’m expendable. I got up and walked to the door to open it. “Okay...”
“Follow me.” He said so I did as he instructed. “I didn’t like your behavior this morning and I trust you won’t have any more outbursts like that one.”
I sighed. Just like with my father I was silenced. “Yes, your majesty.”
“Better.” We kept walking. “Have you ever been in a greenhouse before?”
I shook my head. “I’ve never gotten the opportunity,” I mumbled. I didn’t know if he was trying to be nice now or what his intention was.
We walked up a staircase and it led to a beautiful greenhouse. There were all kinds of magical plants and even demon fairies flying around. “Wow.” I couldn’t help but admire the beauty. I loved nature because it just was.
He chuckled slightly. “I thought you’d like it.” So his intentions were good?
I looked around and saw that some of the plants were black and the others colorful. I have never seen anything like this. I looked up at the dome and vines grew upward against it. The sun was setting so it all looked even more magical. “I’ve never been able to look at something so beautiful before.”
The King wiped away my tear just before it fell. “This morning.” He brought it up again. “I want to talk about your outburst. We have a certain way we operate here so I can’t have you undermining my authority or I’m going to have to punish you.”
I looked up at him with my big gray eyes. “You brought me up here to threaten me?” I had so many mixed signals from him. I couldn’t understand him because he was so different from my father, the only other man I’ve ever had in my life.
He turned his back to me and observed one of the demon Venus flytraps. “Red. Do you know what it means to speak out against me in front of my servants?” The flytrap opened up slowly. “They will see I have a weakness for you and maybe get brave, thinking they can disrespect me too. And then what will I have to do to show I have no weakness?” Just at the moment, he spoke his last word the fly trap chomped down on one of the fairies. I could even hear her squeal before death.
Chills ran down my spine. “You wouldn’t…”
He turned to and had an emotionless expression. “You dare call my bluff?” It would be stupid to but sometimes I wonder what I’m living for.
I said the first thing to come to my mind. “Your name. What’s your name?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Nolan.”
I couldn’t help but let a laugh escape my mouth and I slapped my hand over it immediately. I wasn’t trying to challenge, disrespect, or be rude to him.
He stared at me blankly because he was taken aback by my response. “You find that funny?”
I shook my head and let my hand fall. “It’s kinda beautiful…“ I admitted. “I didn’t expect that to be the name of the Demon King.” I laughed.
He watched me curiously and closely before uttering the single word, “mine.” In a whisper.
I looked up from my laughing fit confused. “Huh? Your what?” I asked for clarification.
“You’re going to be mine.” He clarified. “My new Queen.”
My eyes widened in response. “Wait what?? But you bought me for your son??”
“I did but I want you for myself.” I blushed from his words. “You’re much more suitable to be mine.” He explained.
I hugged myself and looked away as I came to the conclusion that he didn’t have a wife anymore. I wanted to ask what happened to her but I knew this wasn’t the time. “Well, what if I don’t want to marry you?” I diverted my eyes away from him.
“What? Why wouldn’t you? You haven’t shown opposition since you’ve gotten here. You’d be the Queen of the entire demon realm.” He said. “You’d have power against your greatest enemies.”
I scuffed. “I have no enemies, I don’t even have any friends…” I sighed. “What would I do with power?” That’s something my father craves not me. “Anyways I didn’t oppose because I didn’t think I had the choice to. You bought me for god's sake.”
He glared at me. “Don’t speak that name here.”
I chuckled, I felt kind of comfortable now at this moment but I wasn’t sure if it’d last. “So you’re saying I have a choice?” I never felt like I did in my entire life.
He nodded. “Returns aren’t valid but haven’t paid for you yet so I could send you back off to your family.”
I frowned. “I don’t want to go back there…” I muttered. “I’d rather be your wife than return home.” At least it was still my choice and I was able to choose the lesser evil.
“Then you have no other choice.” He said seriously. “Be my wife Red.”
I looked up into his eyes. “On one condition.”
He smirked. “And what’s that?”
“I want to be taught how to strengthen my psychic ability.”
His smirk when away. “No.”
“What? Why not??” He was denying me my one wish. The only thing that would make this all worth it.
“No. You’d put a bigger target on your back so I won’t allow it. Demons are already attracted to human psychics. The stronger your ability the worse danger you’ll be in so I won’t allow it.” He said firmly. “ I’m not going to be around to protect you at all times and I won’t trust anyone else to.”
I groaned. “Just let me learn how to protect myself, please.”
“I can offer you the chance of making strong friendships, a realm of people who will learn to love you, power, revenge, and my dedication to you but I can’t offer you training of any kind.” He shrugged. “Maybe my son is willing to give you that if you marry him instead but not me. Come to me with your choice in 24 hours.” He left.
I sighed, so I could take a chance with his son but he might not be any better. I walked down the hall trying to learn my way around. I definitely knew I wouldn’t go back home but who did I want to marry? I yelped at a demon child bummed into me, maybe a ten-year-old and he knocked me now. “Hey!”
He looked at me and laughed. “You’re a human girl, they're so weak.”
“What are you doing here?” I stood up slowly.
He shrugged. “That’s official confidential business.”
I laughed, “you’re not even supposed to be here are you?”
“Look I don’t have time to slow it down for you, if I get caught They’re going to kill me.” He looked really worried.
I frowned. “Come with me.” I grabbed him by his arm and rushed into my room closing the door. “So what’s going on? Why’d you sneak in here?”
He shrugged. “Do you live here?” He looked around. “Or is this a random room?”
“I live here,” I answered. “Only my second day and things are kinda hard but I’m adjusting.”
He sat down on the floor. “Are you a maid or something?”
I frowned. “No, the King bought me.” It was kinda silly whoever I had to say it out loud.
The boy laughed. “Bought you? Like with money and stuff?” He laughed harder. “That’s embarrassing. Well, I guess it’s only fair to tell you I ran away from training. It’s hard… they expect so much of me.”
I sighed. “I know how that feels. My father expected so much from me but I guess in the end he got what he wanted from me.” I chuckled sadly. “Anyways I wish I could train but the king won’t allow it.” Some people’s dreams were other people’s burdens.
He chuckled. “You’re kinda lucky then.” He yawned. “You got anything to play in here?”
I shook my head. “No, but we could come up with something. I have psychic abilities.” I shrugged.
His eyes lit up. “Wow, that’s pretty cool.” He jumped up and walked to my window opening it up. Let’s mess with people; they'll think they’re crazy!” He laughed.
I smiled a bit at his words. I never really got to have child-like fun, especially with my abilities. I looked out the window and we used my levitation abilities to make a little trouble. We laughed a lot and had a tone of fun, then he fell asleep so I laid him on the couch in my room and I slept in my bed.
In the morning I felt really good. I got up and the boy just woke up. “Where are you going?” He asked me.
“To eat breakfast .” I shrugged. “I can bring you som-“ but before I could finish he ran out the room. “Hey!” If anyone knew I was hiding him in my room I could get into a lot of trouble And who knows what would happen to him so I ran out after him.
I saw Nolan and the boy was about to run right past him but Nolan grabbed the boy by his face to stop him. “Nolan I can explain, just let him go.”
Nolan looked at me, then at the boy. “Stefan. What are you doing back?” I was surprised to learn he knew the kid.
Stefan kept moving around to get out of Nolan’s hold. “Nolan you’re being rough let him go he didn’t do anything wrong. How do you know him?” I was worried about what he’d do to him.
Nolan let Stefan drop the floor. “He’s my son.” He answered.
I chuckled nervously. “You have more than one son?”
Nolan shook his head. “Just the one disappointment.” He glared at Stefan who crossed his arms annoyed.
My eyes widened. “You wanted me to marry a child?!”
Nolan sighed. “I wasn’t intending for you to marry him right away. I went to the auction with the intention of insuring his future.”
Stefan got up. “I don’t want to marry her; she’s too fun to be a wife.” He made a face of disgust but I couldn’t help but take it as a compliment.
I chuckled. “Guess I’m stuck with you Nolan.”
Nolan nodded. “Then you’ve made your decision, you’ll be my wife.” He looked down at Stefan. “Red is going to be your new mother but you’re going back to your training retreat until next month.” Stefan looked away and said nothing.”Go see Nadia, she’ll send you back. Now.” He ordered and Stefan left. Nolan turned to me. “You shouldn’t have hidden him like that, but I guess it’s a good thing you two met now.”
“You’re putting way too much pressure on him, Nolan.” We started walking towards the dining hall.
“Red he’s going to be king one day, this is the necessary training.” He stopped one of his servants. “Can you move Red’s things into my room?” He nodded and left
“I’m moving into your room?”
He nodded. “Of course, we’re engaged now. I’ll have to make a doctor's appointment for you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“To see if you’re able to bare my children or not.” He answered as if it was no big deal.
“What??? I can’t have your children I’m human.”
Nolan laughed. “That doesn’t matter, my seed isn’t going to kill you from the inside or anything. Plenty of humans are capable and have carried demon children successfully. I want to find out if you’re one of them.”
“I never wanted children,” I mumbled
He looked down at me and opened the door for me. “Why wouldn’t you want children? Human women are a lot more maternal than Demon women which is another reason for my purchase.”
I sighed. “I’m maternal I guess. That’s why I hid and had so much fun with Stefan yesterday. I just don’t want to be a disappointing mother. I don’t want to end up being as bad so my father. If I don’t have children then I can’t hurt them.”
We sat down at the table. “You won’t be alone and the fear you have about being your father will prevent that.” It made sense.
“I hope. Why do you need to have more children? You have Stefan as an heir.” I said.
Nolan watched the server as we were served breakfast. “Well, it’s not for any practical reason. I just want a daughter.”
“Any emotional reason for wanting a daughter?” I picked up my fork. He nodded but didn’t say anything so I did. “Does it have anything to do with Stefan’s Mom?”
He sighed. “Yes. She always asked for a daughter to keep her company. I just want you to have the company she never did.” That made me feel good.
“Sometimes you can have eight daughters and still feel alone.” I stared down at my food as I spoke.
“You’re referring to your mother?”
I nodded. “Anyways what did the servant tell you yesterday to make you give a death sentence?”
“The order knows you’re here.”
- Writer
