NOVPUBOne week later.
In the midst of midsummer’s haze, as July draws to an end.
Within the vast expanse of the Demon World’s territories lies its capital, known as Demon King’s Castle Necaris.
This city is situated near an inland strait and is surrounded by meandering mountain ranges of rock, resembling a natural fortress.
The city’s central landmass, "Naka Island," stands tall with a huge palace made of obsidian and deep blue demon crystal rocks, its spires piercing the sky, close to the bay.
Opposite it is the outer "Lisi Island," which is also an exceptionally prosperous area.
The streets of the entire Necaris city are complex and labyrinthine, with narrow alleys and squares alternately appearing. On these streets, one can see various creatures of the Demon World, some tall and formidable, some cunning and slender, along with many non-human Demonic beings, engaged in trade, conversation, or killing, then captured by the enforcers of the Demon World.
At this moment, in the Demon World’s royal palace, the main hall on the first floor is a large circular Regency Hall. In the center is placed a majestic black throne, surrounded by a ring of flames dancing like fire.
The floors above, however, are exclusive to the royal family, including amenities such as a library, bedrooms, and meeting rooms.
Apart from Fallen Lord Calila and those she permits, other Demonic beings are not allowed to enter the higher floors of the royal palace.
In a spacious bedroom on the second floor, the purple-red sunset shines through the gauzy curtains onto the soft carpet.
"…Lisandra, you can get off work now."
Hyperion sits quietly on a cushion next to the large window, with the court garden and the distant barrier visible beyond.
Her gaze seems to penetrate the semi-transparent barrier, staring off into the inland bay of the Royal Capital.
"It’s not time yet, I can’t leave early. If I disturbed Your Highness, I could wait outside the door."
Near Hyperion, a Demonic Girl dressed in the courtly attire of the Demon World softly converses with her.
"No no, you might as well keep me company here."
Hyperion puts down the book and speaks to the Demonic Girl named Lisandra.
Hyperion looks at Lisandra, standing like an attendant, thinks for a moment, pats the large cushion space beside her, and gestures for her to sit next to her.
"Very well, Your Highness."
Lisandra nods and walks over obediently, sitting at a distance neither too close nor too far from Hyperion.
Her full name is Lisandra Pulik, from a once prestigious family of the Great Demon Clan, although her generation has seen their decline.
The Pulik family, in the Demon World, is considered an esteemed and noble lineage, being descendants of the ancient Great Demon Clan Duke Pukeli… although the first ancestor was actually her great-grandfather’s brother. 𝓃ℴ𝓋𝓹𝓊𝓫.𝒸𝓸𝓂
Fortunately, Lisandra managed to barely graduate from the harsh Demon World schools. Thanks to her ancestors’ slight acquaintance with the Fallen Queen, she was arranged to work in the Demon King’s Castle after graduation.
Perhaps the Fallen Queen feared the princess would grow despondent alone in the royal palace, so whenever the princess had any request that didn’t go against the Fallen Queen’s principles, she would try her best to fulfill it, leaving Lisandra to handle the specifics.
And her job had just one purpose, to ensure the princess wouldn’t fall into depression.
If she failed, the Fallen Queen would replace her.
Or even possibly kill her.
And so, when Lisandra brought things to the princess, she also had a little time to communicate with her.
The princess turned out to be a Demonic being with a very gentle nature.
She didn’t have the haughtiness one might expect from a princess.
Possibly because she has half human blood and spent some time living in a human kingdom.
"Thank you, Lisandra. If it weren’t for the books you brought, I think these days would have been too hard."
Hyperion spends most of her time reading the magic books in the royal palace.
There are very few Demonic beings she can come into contact with in the court; Fallen Lord Calila has kept her incredibly well-protected.
"Well, it’s part of the job..."
Lisandra says helplessly.
Everything is arranged by the Fallen Queen.
The reason she was sent here was partly because she understood the etiquette of the nobility, and partly because her character was soft, and she herself was weak, so she wouldn’t make the princess feel pressured.
Of course, it might also be because she had studied the arts and had obtained the highest marks in an art appreciation course, which led Fallen Lord Calila to think she might have topics to discuss with the princess.
In reality, Lisandra had spent several days with the princess and felt that the princess had little interest in paintings.
Every time she tried to initiate conversation about art, it would not go anywhere with the princess, who would just utter a few noncommittal sounds and then look out the window again.
It was during these moments that Lisandra felt the princess was rather pitiable.
She envied the princess’s high status and position.
Yet the princess envied her freedom.
She didn’t seem as strong as the Great Demon Clan imagined her to be, just feigning stubbornness.
"These pastries, I’ve brought them from the outside."
After some thought, Lisandra took out a box of Demon World pear and caramel pastries, preserved by a magic device, and handed it to Hyperion.
Upon opening the lid, she could only see a slice of sweet pear-flavored ice cream as the main part of the dessert, complemented by crispy vanilla crackers and Necaris black chocolate chunks. The tartness of the pear and the sweetness of the caramel intertwined, while the crackers and chocolate chunks added further texture.
The pear and caramel ice cream was highly praised at the Demon King’s Castle, so she had bought some to bring into the royal palace.
It had already passed the royal magic inspection, so it wouldn’t poison the princess.
If the princess had been poisoned, she would have lost her head as well.
Hyperion received the black box absently, staring at the ice cream inside. She scooped a small piece into her mouth with a spoon and then paused for a long time without making another move.
"Don’t you like it?"
Lisandra asked.
"..."
Hyperion shook her head.
Seeing such a unique treat from the Demon World made her want to share it with Tata.
Eating alone, even the tastiest food didn’t taste as good as she had imagined.
"Did it remind you of someone?"
Lisandra thought she understood Hyperion’s expression; she could read such clear emotions.
"Someone who was both like a mother and a sister to me from the Demon Race."
Hyperion placed down the little black box and replied.
"Is she… not around anymore?"
Lisandra asked with some concern.
"She’s still here, she’s still here!"
Hyperion, snapping back to reality, clarified.
Although Tata had few scenes, Hyperion always felt her presence everywhere, especially in Lanci’s heart.
"Sorry, sorry!"
Lisandra quickly nodded and apologized.
There was a brief silence between the two Demonic Girls.
After some thought, Hyperion decided to continue savoring the sweet that Lisandra had brought specially for her.
"Lisandra, has there been any newcomer from the Great Demon Clan at the Demon King Castle Necaris recently? If so, don’t blink for two seconds."
Hyperion momentarily set aside her spoon, moved a bit closer to Lisandra and whispered.
"...Such matters, I can’t speak of them, Lord Calila has warned me."
Lisandra murmured, looking down.
