Cian stared at Ruka’s yellow-golden eyes with a piercing but soft gaze, one that looks not to a servant or a slave but to an adorable…lover.

This realization throws Ruka in the ninth cloud unable to believe that such a demon prince was capable of such soft and gentle gaze.

While staring at her beautiful eyes, Cian continued savoring her taste. Tickling her palate, sliding along the back of her teeth ridge, his tongue twined around her tongue before polishing her teeth.

Ruka’s body almost lost all its strength in the blink of an eye, almost about to collapse. Cian propped her body up by embracing her. And then, he continued to torment her with his tongue.

After a moment that looked like an eternity, Cian let go and stepped backward.

As for Ruka, because of depending on Cian’s body, she was almost tripped forward if not for Cian’s right hand holding her shoulders.

“I’m going to go now, Ruka… I’m leaving the rest to you. Please don’t betray my trust…” He said as he turned around, opened the window and… disappeared.

Up until Cian left the room, Ruka was still standing there, staring blankly.

Oddly, today’s Prince Aanuel seemed a bit different, no, not just a bit but completely—different!!

Very different from the brutal and demonic prince from the past. He even looked somewhat… handsome and kind… the hell…!!?

What just happened…?

Ruka was left staring blankly in a daze towards the open window in which the curtain swayed due to passing cold wind.

She was taken aback and looked at the direction where Cian had disappeared to.

Had she lost her mind? How could she find her demonic prince... gentle...?

Damn! This man is so different today, is he under a spell?

*** ***

The moon hung high in the sky.

Various places in the Dreadstorm Empire were illuminated by lights. It was not coming from electric poles or light bulbs but instead, it was a piece of stone shining brightly as they hang on the walls of their houses and wooden poles.

[ Moon Stones ] Cian knows it from Aanuel’s memories. It was a piece of Mineral that radiated light when covered by darkness. Thus it was called a Moonstone. It was precious mineral if Aanuel’s memory was correct—however, there was a large mining lode here that produces this kind of mineral, thus, apart from other Empires, the Demon Empire was brightly lit even in a dark night just like Macau.

Wooosh.

Illuminated by the moonlight, a figure runs along the path formed by the rooftops of the building. The flurries of snow in the sky lowered the temperature similar to that of a chilly winter.

In this kind of season, normal civilians should be staying home, gathered around the stoves or cocooned in quilts. Few people could be seen in the streets even in the other human cities and empires. Since the cold accelerated the burning of their energy, people had to eat more to keep warm.

There was also the danger of catching a cold outside their door. Hence, most people would reduce their outside activities to subsistence purposes.

But that was not the case in the Demon Empire, even Beastlord Empire was similar. The city at night was bustling with people and activities. Some were pushing carts and some were carrying big bags.

It seemed that all of them were in a hurry and engaged in all kinds of work.

This is because their bodies are much more sturdy than humans and this kind of cold was nothing to them!

The night’s full moon was shedding its magical silver light everywhere on this peaceful mid-winter day. The moonlight was beautiful with a gentle breeze, easing the anxiety of this world he was trapped in.

Cian stopped at the highest tower where he can survey the entire Imperial City. His gaze was cold and indifferent. In this case, he should have been like a sore thumb, completely noticeable but for some reason, no one noticed him.

This was simply because of his ability.

It’s not like his sister was the only one who knows to become an invisible man. He can do it as easy as lifting his hand. With a simple manipulation of light reflections and redirecting it, he can be unseen by any other people…!

“Haaaizzz, if I need to find the [ Box of Pandora ], I would certainly start with my mother’s palace or her dwelling but that would be nothing but suicide… forget about being killed, she would suspect the reason why I would know the [ Box of Pandora ] and then she would certainly discover my real identity—so, [ Box of Pandora ] should be left for later. In any case, mother doesn’t seem to have any interest in using it for the time being if not, this war should have escalated by a lot…” Cian muttered softly. “In addition, I’m not that naïve to believe Night’s words without doubting… this war should have more than meets the eye…”

I need to observe for the time being then plan on my actions up until then…

“Hmmm, was that so…? Then what are you doing here outside…?”

“Hm? I want to test my powers that’s a—!!?” Cian’s eyes widened in shock that he immediately jumped away from his position, only reappearing over ten meters away.

When he turned around, Cian’s eyes immediately glinted coldly. Damn! He was actually taken behind…?!

He was the greatest prodigy of the Cahlo Clan and that even his sister wouldn’t easily win against him if he gone all out but now—he was actually defeated…?! He didn’t even notice when had someone managed to appear behind him.

Who are they…?!

“Who are you?!!” Cian was calm and indifferent but inwardly, his heart gone cold and even his mind was a mess. He couldn’t sense anything… how is this possible…?!

“……What? Have you forgotten about your mother… nah, my dear Aanuel…?”

After a bitter reply came from the dark shadows, a figure emerged from it. A seemingly female silhouette gradually became clear, and her face was also clearly visible.

A beautiful woman whose appearance is like a girl in her mid-teens and possessing a voluptuous and well-endowed body-figure. She has translucent white skin and flowing golden hair and an appearance rare for female demons.

She also has a pair of bright blue eyes, delicate eyebrow, and a small mouth with red blood colored thin lips under the nose. Seeing this woman, an explosion rang out within Cian’s mind as if a nuclear weapon had exploded inside of him.

This was none other than, her mother, the ruler of the Demon Empire—The Tyrant Blood Demon Empress—Sitana Mamanium Vorn Stormfury.

“Mo…Mother…!!!?”

With smiles and happy eyes, she looks at Cian lovingly.

What is going on here…!?

How is she possibly here…!!?

Cian’s heart was beating so fast not because of how beautiful his mother was but because of fear. In an instant, his expression hence became naturally relaxed.

Taking off the mask of Cian Cahlo, it became one that is of loving the mother before his eyes – that of an identity known as Aanuel, the second prince of the Dreadstorm Empire.

…Hm…?!

Then, Cian noticed that there were two more people behind Sitana, although their figure can’t be seen. They were hiding carefully, so as not to allow Cian to discover their presence.

“M, mother… it’s a joyous event to see you here. How can I help you…?”

Sitana giggled out loud ‘hehehe’. In an instant — Cian was no longer able to move.

…T-This is…!?

The powerful sense of oppression that Sitana disseminated — was so great that it momentarily took away his freedom of movement. The principle was similar to the mental restraint one can get when looking at Chrollo Lucilfer of the Phantom Troupe in the eyes.

Cian can’t really believe it. Although his original demon body was only second rank, however, his innate abilities, was above normal of any super demons. He was even confident he can easily defeat his half-brother or big sister in a fight! And yet—This dreadful aura that seemed to have completely restrained his every movement. —Why? Why is this so powerful…!!?

Cian was about to reflect the vectors of the air so that he can be freed from immobilization when suddenly, he caught sight of Sitana’s narrowed pupils as if giving him a warning not to do anything impulsive.

“You can’t run away~ Mother can’t possibly let you run away.., right son?”

While Sitana said that, she approached him with audible footsteps.

“Mo, mother…”