My Demon King

2

I might just need that club trip right about now.

It was always a hassle getting on a plane to a different continent. It always left me wondering if it's better to just run away from my duties and explore the horizon for pure joy. But no, I couldn't do that, I wouldn't forsake my people like that.

The joyous atmosphere at the hotel greeted me generously, giving me a warm welcome alongside my warm suite.

Unpacking, I dreaded the scenery I would be met with once I entered the dreaded ball. The way Gordon described it made me weak to my knees; a whole lot of royals? Old, young, all in one place? Count me out.

I settled in finally, allowing museums to the comfort of the pleasant suite specially picked out for me. Even in my comfort, I was deeply stressed. My body was in a constant state of fight or flight, and I knew I needed some help quickly.

Alcohol wasn’t supposed to be an option for me as a Queen, but I was damn near in dire need of a sip or two at this point.

The night of the ball had come and needless to say, I was horribly afraid. This was my first event with so many royals and higher-ups in one place, with the way Gordon had described it anyway.

“I'm not so sure about this, Gordon,” I informed him.

“What could possibly be the problem, Your Majesty?” he asked with a concerned look on his face.

“I don't think I can do this. Is it too late to back out? Maybe say I'm ill and had to go back home for urgent care,” I made up.

Gordon shook his head with a smile on his face, “You will be just fine, Your Majesty. It’s just a bunch of royals like you in one hall, just leave a smile on your face, be polite, and wave. Any snarky comments, please don't lash out. There are going to be comments like ‘She’s too young to be a queen. She's still an immature young adult’–”

“And I'll simply remind them of their receding hairlines, deadbeat children, and cheating wives or husbands,” I teased with a shrug.

He smiled, immediately pale with a shocked look in his eyes, “Let us not do that, Your Majesty,” he seemed stressed, not taking the hint that I was just kidding, “Grace and meekness, uphold that no matter what anyone throws at you. That's the true power of a queen.”

“I'm none of those though,” I reminded him, “I hope you're aware?”

“You can't say that, Your Majesty. We all have a little grace and meekness in us, some more than others, and you definitely have the amount rather needed because you were raised by a woman of grace,” he smiled softly.

I sighed, the realization hitting me of what he was trying to do, and it very much worked, “I will make her proud, whatever it takes,” I nodded.

“That's the spirit,” he cheered, “I'll leave you to finish up while I get the car ready,” he informed me before leaving me in the room with the lady finishing up my makeup and the other handling my hair with such care.

Finally, I got to stand from the bloody chair, placing my book aside as I analyzed the beautiful work they had done on my hair and face. All that was left was for me to put on the gorgeous gown my cousin Juliana, the Royal tailor had made.

It was nothing too extravagant because the material was the moment of the dress, with black detailing atop a cream silk dress and a scarf to match alongside gloves.

I thought it looked rather princess-like, which I didn't mind but I needed to look like a Queen. So the make-up and jewellery were my compensation, which I thought was gorgeous, but something was missing.

Right, a man to link my hand through the inner crook of his. My king.

I sighed, picking up my bag with a smile as everyone changed on and on about supposedly how gorgeous I looked till I began to believe it.

I had no qualms about the rider coming extremely late because Gordon always said ‘A queen does not cuss people out on their bullshit, I will do it all for you,’ and he really does it, a great job at that, almost as if he takes the rage-filled words out right off my mind.

Indeed, it was extravagant. The crowd that gathered with the unstoppable cameras were insane and always made my stomach turn. It was a mystery how I was still able to keep a smile on and come out great in the pictures.

“Nothing extra, a subtle, queen-like smile,” I reminded myself before flashing a soft smile, not too many poses or waiting for cameras, just walking right by with my chin high and firm.

A shiver ran down my spine as I stepped foot in the large hall and almost everyone turned to me in an instant once someone who was, by peradventure, faced towards the door, pointed me out.

The room filled with chatter, as expected, but I kept my chin high, greeting those who greeted me and ignoring those who turned their noses up at me.

‘Keep calm and do what you came here to do,’ I mentally noted, walking up to King Galahad, who had humbly invited me.

“Queen Elora!” He greeted me warmly, welcoming me with two kisses across each cheek pleasantly, “I'm glad you came! I know you don't do too well with parties of this nature but my queen has been dying to see the new Queen of Gomore,” he enthusiastically added.

Suddenly, my anxiety was out the window and I felt a lot more comfortable, “I wouldn't miss an event the King of Deranel invited me to, now would I?” I teased and we both laughed it off.

I have known King Galahad right from when I was little. He was still a very young teenage boy, following his father wherever he went for his King duties. His father and mine were best friends, but they never admitted it, so naturally, Newton Galahad and I spent quite some time seeing each other's faces.

Alas, his wandering about with his father was put into use at an unfortunately early time. Like me, his parents died once he turned nineteen. Barely fit to rule a kingdom as large as Deranel but he did it anyway, having no older siblings or other trustworthy family members.

He had a tough time; I witnessed it first-hand. The great Deranel almost crumbled in the hands of a teenager but he managed to make it greater than what his father ever did.

Any time I looked at him or remembered him, or got a letter from him, I smiled with pride at how far he had come, and still quite humble.

“My love, this is Queen Lavinia Elora of Gomore,” he introduced me to his drop-dead gorgeous wife, “Lavinia, this is my lovely wife, Katherine,” he blushed, visibly still head-over-heels for his queen after so many years.

“Oh my, you're gorgeous,” she proclaimed, her bright blue eyes sparkled.

“Coming from you? I'm greatly honoured,” I admitted from the bottom of my heart.

She smiled, blushing bashfully as her white skin turned bright crimson, “All I hear is true then, you're a lovely woman.”

“Thank you so much, Queen Galahad,” I smiled, “A lovely event the both of you have put together like so,” I glanced around, mesmerized.

King Galahad laughed, “We try our best–”

Their voices quickly faded out, and the snarky two women behind me’s conversation took over my attention, “My lord! She's not even as beautiful as everyone claims. The w***e isn't possibly fit to rule a kingdom,” the first said.

The other scoffed, “I hear Gomore is even in great debt because of her and she has turned her backyard into a fetus cemetery. The people need to know their queen is just a drunken whore.”

“Her poor parents probably in hell with a bloody heartache when they remember who they left their kingdom with,” she scoffed, “I would have said let's pray for her but that w***e doesn't deserve a place in our precious prayers,” they laughed.

I felt my heart sink and my eyes well up with hot, burning tears I tried to suck back in, and they noticed as well, hence the worried look on both their faces.

“Come dear,” Katherine consoled me, wrapping a gentle hand over my shoulder that almost made the tears flow, “You can't be listening to words of low lives filled with hatred. I know for a fact that none of those things are true.”

“Gomore isn't even in debt, my kingdom is thriving–”

“A Queen doesn't react to those lower than her,” she informed me, “Keep your chin up and try not to shed a tear because that's what those real whores want to see. They have had multiple affairs with multiple men outside their marriages and are only describing their lives as yours.”

I smiled as she did, dabbing a handkerchief carefully under my eyes, “I guess that seems befitting.”

“I don't know why you're even fretting or listening to them. You're an amazing queen, Lavinia. You've learnt so much in just a year and are doing wonderfully,” Newton assured me.

“Thank you, Newton,” I smiled, “You're going to make me actually cry now,” I teased and they laughed even if I was being as sincere as possible.

“Always remember, if you need any help or guidance, don't hesitate to reach out to Newton or me. I've been wanting to meet you for the longest but the distance,” she shook her head, “But now you know me well enough, I'll endeavor to visit whenever I can just to see if there's anything I could help around with,” she assured me.

I pouted, touched, “How lovely of you,” I smiled, “Thank you. I'll visit whenever I can as well,” I smiled.

“Come on, let's get you a drink,” she smiled. Unknown to her just how long I've been feening and scouting for one.

I followed her carefully, her gracefulness making me question mine to a great extent. The way she sipped on such strong alcohol with such poise, the way she moved, the way she walked, the way she talked, it was all so very intriguing and satisfying.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the only thing that had caught my eye.

Far but not too far behind her, my eye caught a significant, gray-eyed gentleman. His aura was immaculate, his stance, his poise, his style, everything about him seemed to draw me right in.

I stared over the rim of my glass, unable to look away, but his eyes locked in with mine, too, giving me a gentle smirk that filled my stomach with butterflies. I had never seen him or heard of anyone like him before, just like so many others in this hall so I didn't think much of it.

But he seemed…odd…out of place if I may add.

It seems I was nearly on point.