>> “Your Highness, where have you been?” asking with worried and a little fret on her voice, Abigor walked briskly towards Astarte.

“Oh, Abigor.” Astarte answered as she smiles sweetly to the servant. “I just made a detour for the meantime.” Behind the servants are the other attendants walking, as one of them sneaks a glance at the Queen.

It was Gorgon, servant of Asmodeus. “You said you went to a detour? But where? I mean, you’re supposed to be at the room for the Gala tonight. The guests are arriving!”

“Come on, Abigor. Worry not about me. I didn’t leave the castle.” The Queen answered. “But I got worried sick about you! What if you—-"

“This should be enough. Let’s get going.” Cutting off her statement, Abigor reluctantly grunt to the reply of the Queen. It was about 10 minutes ago, when she just leaves for a moment due to the servant’s preparation for the Gala.

Only the three attendants, including Gorgon attends Astarte. For some reason, as she came back to supervise the preparation, the Queen left without a trace.

Astarte’s demeanor to do this thing has never been new to her. At the time she assigned to attend the princess, Abigor has been in the ropes to look after her.

She knows the princess like the back of her hand. And she thought that behavior will change once the princess appointed to the throne as the Queen.

“Is everyone from the Kingdom, and from the borderline already arrived?” walking along the hallway, Astarte asked. “Yes, only the Dragon Empress from the Far East Empire and Countess Lilith hasn’t here yet.”

Gorgon answered in behalf of Abigor, whose walking behind her. “I see. Then, I should prep the summon for the King-to-be tonight.” Abigor stopped from walking, as Astarte turns around to look at her.

“You’re announcing the engagement to everyone? Is it too hasty to do that?” on her voice is the doubt. The situation itself is in dire right now because a mortal has been summoned to present as the Demon King.

Every noble, and other race might not be pleased for this matter. “It’s not a new thing; I know this is kind of dire to announce something bizarre in our realm. But I know everything will be fine.”

Though she knows that might be a superficial thing, Astarte still believe there’s no harm in trying at all. “I will announce my engagement tonight, and we will celebrate it together on the day of my birth.”

Her voice, firm and absolute, announced the agenda for tonight. Abigor bows for the agreement the Queen asked, whilst of the reluctance that this should be give a second thought.

* * * *

>> The banquet hall brightens with the candelabras and chandeliers lightened up. Noblemen as well as the other races arrived for the celebration of their Queen.

Servants attends to the dining hall placing the foods for the guests. Clamor of stories and laughs heard around as a soft music played by the band orchestra in the background.

A lively evening, indeed. “Has the Queen, her majesty not here yet?” from the crowd, a man in his early 70’s asked. Wearing a black, long coat, his brown eyes gazes at the crowd.

Waved hair shaded with grey hue combed upped and muscular body shown on his physique. Pair of wide, big horns rises up on his head and thick, long beard wrapped over his face.

He’s the Duke of Citadel, brother of former King Mephistopheles and Queen Astarte’s uncle, Pithius. “She might be arriving soon. Let’s wait patiently for her.” Beside him is a woman in her 30’s, wearing a blue Tudor dress and updo hair, Mashtema.

“...I am just curious for the noble he chose to marry. Everyone got astonished as she announces her engagement. That girl never shown any interest through the nobles I choose.”

Mashtema couldn’t give a word. She can’t just say something about the Queen in choosing the King. An outlander, and a mortal to be the next ruler of this Kingdom.

“Duke Pithius,” along the crowd is a voice of a woman. The men ogled their eyes from the person who speaks, as she walked in the aisle of guests dispersed from that moment.

Her grandiose looks captivate everyone’s eye. “Countess Lilith.” Mashtema greeted and bows. Alongside Lilith, Hecate walked and bows to the two.

“Countess Lilith, I thought you won’t make it.” Pithius greets as he opens his arms to hug her. Lilith does the same and giggle from his words. “It’s my niece’s day of birth, I shan’t make any excuse not to see her.”

“It is, indeed.” Pithius rebuts and smiles. “Oh, and Mashtema... I believe you’re her appointed Confidant, just like the former Queen?”

Turning her attention to the Confidant, Mashtema nods to answer. “It is I, Mashtema, indeed accept Her Majesty’s appointed position.”

“I see. And I believe you’re aware from the noble she chooses to marry with, right?” Lilith answered. Mashtema twitches from what the countess said.

Yet, she can’t just spit it out. “... Indeed, I am.” She answered. Lilith then gazes at her. A strange feeling succumbs her as Lilith’s eyes glow. “Well, if you don’t mind saying it—-"

“The Queen Astarte arrives.” A sudden announcement basked over the banquet hall, as the big door opens and the Queen herself steps in. Beside her are the servants a grand opening music played by the orchestra.

Everyone’s eyes turn to the Queen as she steps in. “She’s really pretty.” Their clamors heard. “An impeccable Queen resembling our Queen Juno in her prime years.” Added by some.

Pithius and Lilith glances at how beautiful Astarte has been since. “She’s getting look like her mother.” Pithius mumbles. “Indeed. Juno really is beautiful.” Lilith replied.

The crowd stopped for awhile as Astarte walked forward to the center of the banquet. “Let’s all greet the Queen Astarte.” Botis, along with the magistrate under his supervision stands alongside the Queen and bows before her.

Everyone followed, even Pithius and Mashtema. Only Lilith, who stands before the Queen and the crowd, glares without blinking. “I did forget my love for Mephistopheles, but seeing my niece, my cousin’s daughter resembling her looks...”

Her hands clenched tightly. “Why...? I should be happy for her. I should celebrate the life she has now as the ruler of this Kingdom. Yet...”

A swirling emotion brew inside her. Remembering her cousin, the Queen Juno taking away Mephistopheles, her adored person and the man she wished to be with... slowly awakens her long gone hatred.

“You are really her daughter.” Lilith utters. Right now, isn’t the time to make a commotion. She knows there will be consequences if she raises a hand to the Queen right now.

And it’s all over now. Lilith thought this must be the time to forget everything about it. She must act maturely from this point on. No matter what happens, there mustn’t be conflict arise.

Right after, she then bows down. But as just she does so... a familiar scent captures her nostrils. Over the entrance door the scent comes from.

A scent she has never been smell for a while now. The wafting scent of fear coming from a mortal. Glancing at the door, she notices a male standing, surrounding with servants.

“What the...?” grunting inwardly, Lilith asked that question. And his looks, he seemed like Mephistopheles on his prime years. “This can’t be...”

His attire resembles a noble. His face is good looking. His physique, the way he conceals his scent... “What in the world is the meaning of this...?” she grunted.

Right that moment, the man’s eyes turn to look at her as if he notices someone’s staring. And from that, Lilith’s eyes glow, as she smirks. “So, you’re the one betrothed to our Queen, huh?”

The man’s body got petrified as their eyes locked at each other. “This is interesting. A mortal being the next Demon King...” Lilith snickers as her eyes keep locked on the man’s eyes.