Riel's eyes widened. "I'll die if you snap his head off," she declared.
"If it's that, then you don't have to worry. You won't die—he'll die alone," Deav responded coolly.
"Don't even think about it. Riel will protect me!" Zamel interjected quickly.
"It's fine," Riel countered, unbothered. "As long as I won't die, you can snap off his head."
Zamel clutched his chest, staring at her in disbelief. "Seriously?" he muttered, biting his lower lip.
Riel looked at him calmly. "Don't worry, I'll give you a proper burial. I'll even buy you something from the human world, okay? Die in peace—you still have me," she chuckled lightly.
Zamel's jaw dropped. "Forget it! You were raised by the devil himself. Of course, you're his female version," he gritted out.
"Ah, I'm proud of that," Riel laughed, wrapping her arms around Deav as her lovestruck gaze met his.
"Um… Your Majesties, it's time for the ritual," a young lady in a short skirt with a pair of rabbit ears atop her head and a tray of single wine cup in hand announced, summoning all her courage to interrupt.
Riel turned to her with a warm smile. "Start already," she instructed.
"Um… my Queen, you'll have to… stand outside for a while," the lady stammered.
"Why?" Riel asked, frowning in confusion.
"It's… because—"
Before she could finish, Deav raised his hand, stopping her. He calmly set Riel back onto the throne and walked out without another word.
Everyone froze. Riel, unable to understand what was happening, tried to stand and follow him—but strangely, she couldn't move.
"What's going on?" she snapped angrily, her dangerous gaze locking on the trembling lady. The playful light in her eyes vanished, replaced by a chilling aura of destruction.
"My… my Queen, please calm down! This is part of the ritual—one of the couple has to walk in from outside to take the oath," the lady stuttered.
Riel didn't seem convinced, her sharp eyes glinting with fury.
"It's fine. She isn't lying," Deav's calm voice echoed from outside, instantly soothing the air around her.
Riel exhaled deeply, her demeanor switching back to cheerful in a blink. The murderous aura faded away completely. "Be quick, then! I can't wait," she giggled in excitement.
The lady wiped the sweat off her face and nodded. "Now, His Majesty may enter," she announced.
The gigantic grand doors opened, revealing Deav standing tall and composed. As he entered, every head bowed in reverence.
He approached the lady holding a tray with a single golden cup. Taking it, he turned to Riel and walked toward her.
"From now on, you are officially my bride," he murmured gently. "Even if you try to run away, it's already too late."
Riel chuckled, her beauty growing with every heartbeat. She accepted the cup and drank it in one gulp, then smiled brightly, revealing her small, sharp fangs.
"No room for regret," she teased. "I only want to be with you—always."
Deav smiled and suddenly lifted her by the waist. "The vow is complete. The Queen accepts her position!" he proclaimed joyfully.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Long live Her Highness! Long live His Majesty!" the hall erupted in unified cheers that echoed endlessly.
Deav turned to Riel with a soft expression. "It's done. I promised to take you to the human world when you turned eighteen. Let's go now."
Riel nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with unconcealed excitement.
Deav smiled, and with a single gaze, a massive black hole tore through the air. Without another word, he stepped through it—Riel in his arms.
"Ah! Wait for me! I'm going too!" Zamel shouted, leaping into the black hole just in time before it sealed shut.
---
Human World
Inside a luxurious villa, a dark portal swirled open and three figures stepped out.
Riel looked around, her expression complicated. "Are we in the human world already?" she inquired, her tone dull.
"Hmm," Deav hummed in reply, settling comfortably into a chair as he watched her with a faint smile.
"So disappointing," she sighed. "Why does the human world's energy feel so… lacking? Are there even any wild beasts here?"
"Nope," Deav replied simply.
"Then let's go back. I don't want to stay here anymore," she groaned, clearly unimpressed.
Deav's eyes glinted. "It's possible—but only after fifty years. The portal between Hell and the human world can open just once every fifty years."
Zamel almost choked, staring at Deav in disbelief. "That's true for ordinary people," he thought. "But you visited the human world yesterday!" He exclaimed inwardly.
He was about to expose him, but Riel's next words nearly made him faint.
"So that's how it is. Then we'll just wait fifty years—it's not too long anyway," she yawned, stretching lazily. "I'm tired. I want to sleep."
She walked over to Deav, sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and rested her head on his chest. Within seconds, she was fast asleep.
Zamel's jaw dropped. "What was I even expecting?" he muttered, rolling his eyes as he turned to leave—until Deav's voice stopped him.
"Prepare the documents needed for school," Deav instructed.
"Ehn… you're sending her to school?" Zamel questioned incredulously.
"Not exactly. It's for her to experience life as a human," Deav explained.
"I see… I'm going too," Zamel decided immediately.
"Suit yourself," Deav replied nonchalantly, lifting Riel gently and carrying her to the bedroom.
---
The Next Morning
Riel slowly opened her beautiful eyes. Turning to her left, she found Deav still asleep beside her. A soft smile curved her lips as she placed her hand on his chest.
"I must say, my husband is very handsome," she thought with a quiet chuckle. She leaned closer, ready to steal a kiss—but Deav's eyes opened just in time.
She froze, caught in the act.
"What is my Queen intending to do?" he asked with a cunning smile.
"I want a kiss," Riel admitted boldly, tapping her lips with one finger. "Right here," she added, eyeing his lips mischievously.
Deav's brows lifted slightly, and in the next moment, he pinned her gently to the bed. "Deliberately provoking me like this? Aren't you afraid I might do something dangerous?" His voice was deep and teasing.
Riel laughed softly, her eyes glimmering with excitement. "I love dangerous things the most," she whispered, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist. "So let's do something even more dangerous."
Deav was amused—and tempted. His gaze lingered on her soft lips, untouched all these years. The desire in his eyes deepened.
"Riel," he breathed softly, his tone filled with emotion he hadn't realized he possessed.
Riel's eyes widened. Her heart pounded violently, her breath quickening. Trapped beneath his gaze, she could barely move.
"C-can I say something first?" she stammered, refusing to break eye contact.
"Go ahead, my lovely Queen," Deav murmured, a seductive smile playing on his lips.
Her heart thumped so fast that even the silence seemed to echo it.
"I… I think… Deav, I think… a little monster is growing inside me," she whimpered. "It wants to tear out my heart—and the worst part is, I'm actually enjoying it!"