“Hahaha…” Bella suddenly burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the room. “Relax, sweetheart. I was just teasing you,” she said, her tone softening as she realized she had secured another loyal ally. To Bella, Aengus was more than just a servant; he was a potential partner in her grand plans for the future.
“Now, let’s go. I’ll take you to my lord father. He will decide whether to grant your request or not. But don’t worry—I’ll personally recommend you,” she added with a reassuring smile.
With a graceful motion, Bella Bellfrost signaled for Aengus to follow her. As she led the way, her hips swayed with a seductive allure, her dark, angelic wings unfurling to their full span, adding an ethereal beauty to her already captivating presence.
Aengus followed her out, leaving the servants behind, still shaken from the intense exchange that had just unfolded.
“Ho ho, look who it is? A half-breed master and her half-breed servant. Truly, a disgustingly fitting combination,” a mocking voice suddenly echoed through the corridor.
As Bella and Aengus approached the duke’s court, they were confronted by a succubus whose words dripped with disdain. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. The succubus had an air of arrogance, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of Bella and Aengus.
The succubus turned with a sneer, addressing the group of succubi behind her. “Didn’t I say that right, sisters?” she asked, her tone laced with venom. The succubi behind her were a stark contrast to Bella; their skin was a deep, rich purple, a stark difference from Bella’s pale, almost human-like complexion. Each of them exuded a dark, seductive energy, their eyes glowing with malicious amusement.
“Hahaha..”
In response, the group of succubuses burst into laughter, their voices filled with cruel delight as they echoed the insult. The sound of their mocking laughter filled the corridor, a twisted harmony that resonated with their shared contempt.
Bella’s eyes flashed with a brief, icy fury, but she remained composed, her expression unreadable.
“Ruby, you’re as immature as ever. Have you already forgotten your last lesson? Or do I need to remind you again?” Bella’s eyes glinted dangerously as she spoke, her voice laced with a chilling threat. A powerful aura emanated from her, suffocating the very air with an unrelenting intensity.
Ruby’s eyes flashed red, anger and fear mixing in her gaze as she recalled the humiliating defeat she had suffered the last time they fought. The memory of that bitter encounter clearly still haunted her, as it did the others who were watching closely.
Ruby and the other succubi were all Bella’s half-sisters, sharing the same father, but different mothers. Their mothers were of royal demon blood, boasting lineage that was pure and powerful.
Bella, however, was different. Her mother was human, a rarity in the demon world. No one could explain how a human woman could give birth to a demon’s child—a mystery that had baffled the entire realm at the time.
Shortly after Bella’s birth, her mother vanished from the Duke’s mansion, possibly leaving the demon lands altogether. Rumors swirled that she had another lover, and that she had fled to avoid making a cuckold of the Incubus Duke.
Yet, the Duke seemed unfazed by the rumors. Instead, he decreed that no human was to be harmed within his territory, a law that was strictly enforced. Despite the whispers and the scandal, the Duke’s affection for Bella was undeniable—he cherished her more than any of his other children.
Bella had many half-brothers, half-sisters, and stepmothers, but she was the only half-breed among them. This distinction often made her a target of scorn and envy, yet none of her siblings could rival her power. Despite their royal blood, they were no match for Bella.
There was something else within her, a different, ancient bloodline that granted her strength far beyond what any of them possessed. It made her a formidable opponent—one that few dared to challenge, and even fewer could hope to defeat.
It’s wasn’t like all of them were bad. She have some people who seemed to be in supportive of her. Among them her father’s support was most prominent.
“Let’s go, sweetheart! And goodbye, my dear sisters!” Bella called out with a mischievous grin before sweeping Aengus into her arms and launching into the sky with a powerful flap of her black wings.
Ruby glanced at them angrily, throwing fit like a child. Well, she was Bella’s younger half-sister after all.
The Duke’s court was located a bit away from the mansion, nestled in a more secluded area.As she flew, she cradled Aengus in her arms like a prince carrying his princess. The wind rushed past them as they ascended, and Aengus found himself gazing down at the dark, desolate landscapes below, avoiding Bella’s playful attempts to catch his eye.
“So, Aengus, I forgot to ask—do you still have that system thing with you?” Bella asked, her curiosity piqued as she glanced at him.
Aengus, ever cautious, responded, “No.”
He knew that revealing the truth could put him in grave danger. His body harbored a secret—one capable of miracles. Within him, two powerful energies coexisted, a rare and unique phenomenon. If Bella were to discover this, it could lead to unpredictable consequences.
“Oh, I see,” she replied, nodding as a hint of melancholy crept into her voice. Her gaze drifted to the sky, lost in thought.
“Humans are so blessed,” Bella began, her voice tinged with bitterness. “They have fertile lands, delicious foods, and the system—granting them power just by killing monsters and beasts. Meanwhile, we have to train relentlessly to master our bloodline abilities. And those of us without any special bloodline? We’re just cannon fodder, expendable. Isn’t that unfair?”
She paused, her eyes darkening as she continued, “Why do we have to suffer so much? What have we ever done to humans? Just because our abilities differ from theirs, they brand us as demons—their mortal enemies.”
Aengus listened quietly, feeling the tension in Bella’s words. Her tone was a mix of bitterness and longing, a deep-seated resentment for the world she was born into. He could sense the weight of her thoughts, the frustration of being judged and hunted simply for existing.
Bella continued, her voice carrying over the wind as they flew, “We didn’t choose to be born like this, Aengus. Yet, we’re the ones branded as demons, forced to fight for our survival every day. It’s not just the humans’ land and their so-called blessings that make me envious—it’s their freedom. The freedom to live without being hunted, without constantly having to prove their worth or their right to exist.”
Aengus remained silent, understanding the pain in her words but knowing better than to reveal too much of his own thoughts. He could feel the tension in her grip as she held him, the weight of her frustration and despair pressing down on her. Despite her seductive exterior, Bella was a creature burdened by her existence, struggling against a world that sought to destroy her simply for what she was.
As they neared the Duke’s court, Bella’s wings flapping began to slow down, the massive structure looming ahead. She glanced down at Aengus, her eyes still holding that melancholy gleam.
“I don’t want to lose what little I have, Aengus. I have big dreams for the future, for our people. I want them to live peacefully alongside humans. But it’s hard when the world is against you.”
“So, I need every bit of help I can get to convince everyone in this demon realm that humans and demons can coexist peacefully, if only they choose to.”
