Chapter 16: Chapter 15 : The Demon King…Queen?

The title of the current Demon Lord was simple, yet unsettling: The Nameless Demon.

Not for flair. Not for drama. Simply because no one knew his name.

No records. No known clan. Not even whispers of his origin. Some believed he was a rogue born from an unknown vampire bloodline. Others insisted he had clawed his way out of the abyss itself.

When asked, he merely replied:

"I had no need for one. Names are for the weak to cling to. The strong are remembered by their accomplishments"

For years, this answer was enough.

Untill the summoning of the new Hero.

That was when he received a name.

And from that day forward, the Nameless Demon was nameless no more.

I A V A I

“Pay your respects to the Demon King.”

Everyone around me dropped to one knee. I froze. What?

Then I saw Mom kneeling too.

Oh. Right. King. Demon. Got it.

I scrambled into a half-graceful, half-panicked kneel.

“Rise.”

One word. Soft, yet commanding. Everyone stood.

“So, you finally got caught, huh, Nysera,” said the Demon King casually, like they were old friends.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Mom replied with a sigh.

Meanwhile, I was thinking very important thoughts.

Can a Demon King be a woman? Shouldn’t it be ‘Demon Queen’? Why is everyone calling her ‘King’? Is it like… a set title? But look at her! That’s not a ‘he,’ right?! She’s pretty. Pretty people can’t be dudes. That’s the law.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“And who is the little lady beside you?”

The Demon King tilted her head. Trying to look friendly. It worked, but also didn’t.

“Excuse me for the late introduction,” Mom said. “This is Ar’cen. My daughter.”

Whispers rippled through the crowd like a thrown stone.

“Is that really possible?”

“No way. She must be adopted—”

I clenched Mom’s cloak and tried to shrink behind her. That word—adopted—hurt more than I expected.

But it never came.

I glanced at the woman who’d been speaking… only to see sweat dripping down her brow. Wait, what? Was she… scared? Of me?

“Ar’cen, was it?” the Demon King said, still smiling. “Come here, so I can get a closer look.”

I looked up at Mom. She gave me a small nod.

I took a breath like I was going into battle. Which, in my defense, I kind of was.

Ten steps. Ten impossible steps across a room full of judging eyes. My heart pounded with each one. My legs felt like they weighed ten tons.

When I finally stood before the Demon King, I couldn’t breathe.

She reached out a hand toward my face. I flinched.

No malice. No anger. Just a gentle touch on my cheek.

“You’re really cute,” she said. “Why are you hiding your other eye?”

I stayed silent. I didn’t want to admit I was hiding what I am.

“May I see it?”

I hesitated. Then nodded.

She brushed my hair aside, revealing my red eye.

“As red as blood,” she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.

The room tensed again. Her words were simple, but in the silence, they hit like a gong.

Still, she didn’t care. Her eyes stayed on mine.

And then she stood.

“Nysera,” she said calmly. “I understand you had your reasons for fleeing the Demon Realm. But rules are rules. You shall be punished.”

My chest tightened. No. No no no—

“Do you wish to lessen her punishment?”

Wait. What?

Mom stepped forward. “She’s just a child—”

“Silence,” the Demon King said, her eyes never leaving mine. “This is her decision.”

I stared at her.

Did I want to help Mom?

What kind of question was that?

“Yes!” I shouted.

A small smile crossed her face.

“Very well. If you, Ar’cen Draveth, can prove yourself useful to the Demon Kingdom, then Nysera’s punishment shall be lessened.”

Some nobles looked ready to protest, but the King’s glare shut them up before a single word left their lips.

“Now… Ar’cen. Nysera. Vahr. Follow me. The rest of you are dismissed.”

She took my hand. And as we walked past the others, they bowed.

So this is the power of a king, I thought. Even one this… pretty.

We walked in silence down a winding hall, eventually descending into a stone corridor.

It was a prison.

Cells lined the walls. Inside, demons of every shape and size sat in silence. Some refused their meals. Some muttered to themselves. One was drawing runes in blood.

We kept walking.

Then, we stopped at a cell filled with frail, ragged humans.

They hadn’t eaten in days.

The Demon King opened the door. Then turned to me with the same smile.

She handed me a dagger.

“Kill them.”