"It's already been two days. What are we going to do? Tomorrow is the final deadline… if she doesn't follow the Regional Demon Lord, we'll all die."
Feng Ling, weak and seemingly trapped in endless darkness, heard her parents' voices. She could recognize the worried tone of her mother, the Witch Queen, and the deep rumble of her father's voice.
But no matter how hard she tried, her eyes wouldn't open. Her limbs felt heavy. Powerless.
Why… can't she move? Why can't she wake up?
This was the first time in her life she'd felt so helpless. Her mind drifted to one person—What would her fiancé do when he found out she was being married off to someone else? Would he be angry? Would he try to see her?
Suddenly, a blinding white light surged in front of her, forcing her to shut her eyes. When she opened them again, the scene before her changed—her family was gathered around her.
Her brother's face was tight with worry, her sister's cheeks streaked with tears.
Feng Ling groaned softly as her sister gently helped her sit up, while her brother quickly poured her a glass of water.
"Mother… what happened?" she asked hoarsely.
"You fainted in the garden," her mother said gently, brushing strands of hair from her forehead. "You must have overused your powers and collapsed from exhaustion."
But Feng Ling's eyes widened. The garden?
"No… I wasn't in the garden. I was in a strange forest. I remember… I was talking to a woman—she said something about a prophecy—and then… everything went black," she said in confusion.
Her mother and father exchanged a quick, worried glance—but when they turned back to her, their expressions were calm."Xiao Ling must be mistaken. We found you in the garden, unconscious. You likely pushed your magic too far and passed out."
"But—"
"Hush now." Her mother, the Witch Queen, stood, her voice firm but gentle. You need to rest and gather your strength. You'll be following the Regional Demon Lord tomorrow morning. It's already noon, and your energy is still weak.
Our people and our kingdom are depending on you. Make sure to act with grace and wisdom."
She then turned to the maidservants. "Bring something light for the princess to eat."
As her family quietly exited the room, Feng Ling felt a chill run down her spine. Was it truly just a dream? The memory of that eerie forest and the woman's strange words still lingered in her mind like a shadow.
Was it real… or a dream?
After her meal, exhaustion pulled her back into sleep. When she awoke again, sunlight streamed through the windows. The air was crisp, and outside, she could hear faint murmurs and movement.
Her maidservant entered with a quiet smile. "Princess, it's time. The Regional Demon Lord has arrived. We must prepare to leave for the Demon Realm."
Feng Ling's heart sank. No matter how she cried or protested, it wouldn't change anything. She was going to be married off to a ruthless demon emperor. For the sake of her people… she had no choice.
Dressed in ceremonial red robes, she was escorted from her chambers. As they reached the palace gates, her family awaited—solemn, resigned.
But beside them stood strangers cloaked in dark, ominous robes. Their auras radiated a suffocating pressure, and their blood-red eyes sent a chill down her spine.
As she approached where her family stood, Feng Ling bowed deeply to her mother and father.
"Xiao Ling, this is the Regional Demon Lord. Greet him properly," her mother, the Witch Queen, said gently. "Be well, my child. Mother is sorry she can no longer care for you." her mother said.
The Demon envoys stood with bored expressions, some even curling their lips in disgust. One of them, tall and cloaked in black robes, stepped forward with crimson eyes glowing coldly.
"Witch Queen, we don't have time for farewells," the Regional Demon Lord said flatly. "Our Lord awaits. We march now."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward one of the carriages. His entourage followed him silently, vanishing into their own carriages like shadows.
Feng Ling gave her parents one last look. This might be the last time she ever see them. She clutched her dress and hurried to the carriage prepared for her, accompanied by her two maidservants.
Inside, another girl was already seated. Her aura was unsettling, her eyes pitch black and filled with disdain.
"I can't believe we came all this way just to pick up a weak little witch," the demon girl sneered. "Because of you, my Lord had to waste his time coming to this pitiful kingdom."
Feng Ling lowered her gaze. Control yourself. You're still in the Witchlands… but once you leave with them, nothing will ever be the same.
She glanced at her maidservants, whose cheeks were flushed red with anger. Using only her eyes, she silently signaled them to remain calm. Now's not the time to pick a fight. We're already on the losing end. She thought.
"Hold tight. Don't fall off," the demon girl warned abruptly, just as the carriage jolted violently.
Feng Ling and her maids clung to each other as the vehicle lurched forward. Moments later, it settled into a smoother pace, and they continued their journey in tense silence.
After two long hours, the carriage finally stopped.
The demon girl flung open the carriage door, smirking mockingly. Princess, we've arrived.
She stepped out without offering any help.
With the assistance of her maids, Feng Ling descended from the carriage. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes met the towering gates before her.
A palace loomed in the distance, built entirely of black stone and twisted metal. Demonic statues lined the entrance, their hollow eyes staring into her soul. Seven demon guards, each armed with a long blade, stood like statues at the gate.
Feng Ling's body trembled. This place… it reeks of death.
The Regional Demon Lord approached her. "Princess, Chi Ruo will take you in."
Without another word, he and the other demons vanished.
The girl from earlier—Chi Ruo—walked over and clicked her tongue. "Follow me. Hurry up. I have better things to do."
As she passed through the gates, the demon guards bowed their heads respectfully to her. Feng Ling and her maidservants followed quickly, trying to keep pace.
"Who will bring my luggage?" Feng Ling asked, her voice soft but unsure.
Chi Ruo scoffed. "Didn't your mother tell you? You won't need any of those things here. We'll provide everything. You have no luggage anymore."
Feng Ling froze. Her heart sank. She turned to her maids, who nodded solemnly, confirming Chi Ruo's words.
They had taken everything… She truly wasn't going back, was she?
She tried to take in her surroundings, but all she could feel was unease. The Demon Palace was cold and eerie, its halls echoing with silence. Everything smelled of metal, ash, and old magic.
She just wanted to go home… she just wanted to speak to her beloved… even once.
But that was no longer possible. She had already stepped into the Demon Realm. There was no way out.
After several long corridors, Chi Ruo finally stopped before a door.
"This is your room," she said curtly. "Food will be brought to you. Rest well and gather your strength. You'll meet the Supreme Demon Emperor tomorrow… on your wedding night."
She smirked wickedly. "Pray you survive it."
Then she walked away without another word.
Feng Ling and her two maidservants froze in disbelief. The wedding was tomorrow.
Ever since the announcement that she would be marrying a demon, everything had moved at an overwhelming pace. She hadn't even had time to rest.
Her maidservants pushed open the heavy doors of the guest chamber and quickly stepped inside. The room was sparsely decorated—dark, cold, and silent. Everything, from the drapes to the furniture, was black. Not a single touch of color brightened the space.
Feng Ling followed them in, her expression unreadable. When the door shut behind her, Lan Xue turned anxiously.
"Mistress, should we try to escape?" she whispered. "There must be a way out. These demons surely don't understand witch spells. If we act fast, we might slip away."
Feng Ling slowly walked toward the bed and sat down, silent for a long moment.
Escape?
But Father and Mother… their lives are still in the demons' hands. If she run, they will die. She. can't risk that. She need to find a way to send a message to Brother Chen. He's the only one who might save her.
"Let me think," Feng Ling finally said, her voice calm but tired. "We can't act blindly."
"Yes, Princess," Lan Xue replied quickly. "His Highness will surely come for you. We just need to endure for now."
"We must learn more about this realm," said Lian Huo, her second maidservant. "Which demon kingdom are we in? And why does their lord want to marry you of all people? Something isn't right."
"Find a way to talk to the other servants here," Feng Ling ordered. "Also, bring me food. I'm starving."
"Yes, Princess," both maids said in unison, bowing before they stepped away.