I Just Wanted A Soft Life, Not A Demon Husband

Elyn’s POV

"You said you would all be on your best behavior," I told them.

"Or..." I said, letting the word linger. "...perhaps none of you wishes to go on outings with me anymore?"

Aziren’s little flames dimmed even more almost immediately.

"I’m sorry," he said. "I only wanted to touch the sword. The one my daddy uses doesn’t melt. I didn’t know this one would."

Well, his father was a Fire Demon like him, so obviously it wouldn’t melt. Besides, these weapons were for training.

One after another, the others followed.

"I’m sorry," Velira said quietly.

"I got carried away," Thalira admitted.

"I shouldn’t have eaten the rock," Azerion muttered.

"Lunacite Stone," Brixton corrected automatically.

"...I shouldn’t have eaten the Lunacite Stone."

"I apologize as well," Zayrion said, adjusting his glasses.

Retheris scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"...Sorry."

I couldn’t stay upset with them, though. Not when they looked so genuinely remorseful.

I smiled softly.

"Let’s try this again then."

Several little faces brightened immediately.

I turned toward Brixton.

"Since you’re our guide..."

He straightened instinctively.

"...I’d prefer if you showed us someplace outside the castle. After all, that’s what we came here for."

"Yes, Your Majesty," he said with a smile. "I..."

Before he could continue—

"I know the territory very well," Thalira announced confidently. "I can guide you all like I’ve been doing."

Brixton rolled his eyes.

"You were leading us the wrong way. If not for me, we would have gotten lost."

"That’s why you are my assistant. Your job is to help me after all," Thalira argued.

Brixton shook his head, then walked toward Zorathys. He stopped a respectful distance away before bowing.

"Your Majesty..." he said.

Zorathys looked down at him lazily.

"Hm?"

"Would it... perhaps be possible..." Brixton hesitated, his voice shaking, "...to teleport us outside the castle?"

The world became silent immediately after his words.

Several warriors gasped so loudly that I almost looked around for whatever had frightened them.

"Young... Master?"

One whispered it so quietly that I almost missed it.

Another looked positively horrified.

"...The Young Master..."

"...He asked His Majesty..."

"...Directly..."

Even Dracolthar’s four eyes widened.

He stared at Brixton as though the little Stone Demon had just challenged Zorathys to a duel.

Brixton, meanwhile, appeared blissfully unaware.

Zorathys regarded him without speaking.

Then, very slowly, one elegant eyebrow rose.

He leaned forward ever so slightly until he was looking directly into Brixton’s eyes.

"...Did you, a pest, just make a request of me?" he asked calmly.

Brixton nodded innocently. It was obvious he was scared from how his voice shook and even his hands trembled, but he wasn’t backing down.

Only in the demon realm had I seen people scared to death of someone and still admire and like everything about that person.

The silence somehow became even heavier.

Then Aziren suddenly bounced excitedly.

"I like traveling with Your Majesty!" His tiny flames danced happily. "The shadows are fun!"

Zayrion adjusted his glasses.

"I agree. They’re extremely efficient," he said, then muttered quietly, "If only I could copy them."

"I agree too," Thalira said immediately. "That way I can show you guys around faster."

Retheris nodded.

"I’d rather teleport."

"So would I," Velira added. "It’ll preserve my beauty."

Azerion made a disgusted sound at that, and for once I understood his sentiment and was with him.

Zorathys slowly straightened.

Then he looked at every single child.

One after another.

His sleepy ruby eyes lingered on each of them before finally returning to me.

"...Have I perhaps given the pests too much authority?"

I bit back a smile.

"They seem remarkably comfortable ordering their King around," he said.

"They weren’t ordering you."

"They made requests."

"They’re children."

"They’re pests, Firefly. Very demanding pests," he said to me.

I laughed softly.

"Just do it. It’ll make everything much faster. And besides, you can go back to sleep earlier. I know you’re already tired," I told him.

"I am always tired."

"I know."

He considered my words.

"...It truly would make things faster, though," he said to himself.

"It would."

"Hm."

After another thoughtful hum, he finally nodded.

"...Very well."

The shadows at his feet stirred.

Darkness flowed silently across the ground before rising around our little group.

When the darkness faded, we were no longer standing inside the castle.

Instead, we stood in the middle of the Golemhold Territory itself.

I slowly looked around.

The difference between here and the capital was astonishing.

The capital had been vibrant, lively, and bustling with activity.

Demons had filled the streets, but the Golemhold Territory was different. It was very quiet.

Wide stone roads stretched into the distance between beautifully carved buildings fashioned from countless shades of rock.

Massive crystal formations protruded naturally from hillsides, catching the sunlight and scattering soft colors across the streets.

Only a handful of demons walked nearby.

None hurried.

None shouted.

Even conversations seemed quieter here.

The entire territory carried a calm dignity that suited its people perfectly.

"...It’s beautiful," I murmured.

Vaelory let out a soft sound of wonder.

"I’ve never seen anything like it."

Retheris immediately smiled.

"My territory is prettier, VV," he said.

"My name isn’t VV," Vaelory told him in reply. "The buildings are incredible, Your Highness."

"They really are," I said with a nod.

There was no wonder these demons were such skilled craftsmen. The beauty wasn’t gaudy like the human realm was, like Aelthryn, for instance. This was simply perfect.

Brixton smiled shyly before stepping forward.

"If everyone would follow me..." He pointed farther down the street. "I’d like to show you my favorite golem maker."

I thought Thalira would have something to say, but she was quiet, and we all began following after Brixton.

After less than a minute, Zorathys let out a weary sigh.

"...We’re walking."

I looked at him.

"...Yes."

"...Why? I thought me teleporting us would make things faster."

"Zorathys," I called out, "I came here to enjoy myself and see what the demon realm is actually like beyond the capital. If you would hate to do so with me, then maybe go back to the palace?"

He stared at me, then his lips tilted up in a smile.

"You are really demon-like, Firefly," he said. "I like it."

Then he took my hand in his once more and began walking, though I’d come to regret that soon enough.

As everyone continued chatting happily ahead of us, I found myself smiling at the sight.

The children had already forgotten the earlier mishaps and were laughing amongst themselves. Rin was teasing Vaelory about something.

Everything finally seemed peaceful.

What I completely failed to realize... was that one demon was missing.

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