"Wow… Whoever this Luna is, she has impeccable fashion sense," Ceres muttered, unable to hide her admiration as her gaze swept across the endless rows of dresses and shoes inside the walk-in dimensional closet.
She turned, eyebrows raising. "My only complaint? The colors. All black. Doesn't she own anything in another shade?"
The space was luxurious, far too large for a single person. There were both men's and women's clothing, meticulously arranged. The men's items? Clearly Tuf's. Every piece screamed his style, dark, sharp, powerful. And like the women's wardrobe, everything came in shades of black.
But what truly made her pause was the setup.
This didn't feel like a shared sibling closet.
No. It was more intimate than that.
Especially with the lingerie folded in one of the drawers, delicate pieces of silk, lace, and mesh. Definitely not the kind of thing a sister casually stores beside her brother's tailored coats.
The arrangement reminded her too much of Zeus's closet, both in the penthouse and at the mansion.
A closet built for a couple. Not siblings.
Her brows furrowed.
"Oh my god… Are they together?" she whispered to herself.
Was that normal among demi-humans? Were they even allowed to marry within their own bloodline? Was incest not taboo in Velrathis?
She didn't want to judge, Earth had movies that romanticized it, but she'd never actually met someone in a relationship like that.
Still… as long as Tofu and Luna were happy, who was she to interfere?
"Tofu and Luna…"
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck her head.
She winced, gripping her temple as a pounding ache bloomed behind her eyes.
It felt like someone was knocking at the door of her memory, but she couldn't open it. Couldn't see past the fog.
"I've heard that couple's name before," she whispered. "On Earth…"
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall their faces.
She'd felt this gnawing fear ever since they returned to the Capital after the Annual Monster Hunt, that her mind was slipping.
She could still remember the most important things,
Her parents. Her friends. Her enemies. And of course, Zeus.
But when she thought about her animal shelter, the pets she loved and cared for… she couldn't remember any of their names.
And it scared her.
'What if… the longer I live in Solmara, the more of my Earth memories fade away? What if one day… I wake up and I don't remember my parents? Or my friends? Or Zeus? Or even that I was once Ceres Evadne Monteverde?'
She'd asked Ori once if it was possible.
But as always, the voice inside her had only said, "I cannot answer that question, Your Highness."
Her spiraling thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock.
"Your Highness?" Tuf's voice broke through, softer than usual.
He peeked into the closet, concern in his eyes.
"Are you alright? Do you need something?"
"I'm fine," she lied, forcing a smile.
"I just wondered… why everything is black."
Tuf stepped inside, his usual grin returning.
"Luna and I are both black felines in our animal forms. It's kind of symbolic," he explained.
Ceres nodded slowly. "Makes sense."
"You look good in that, by the way."
She turned to the mirror and studied her reflection.
She'd chosen a body-hugging mini dress, open-backed, the fabric a soft velvet that clung to her like a whisper. Sexy, but classy. Exactly how she liked it. She paired it with sleek knee-high boots.
"Your sister has very good taste," she said.
Tuf grimaced.
"Not really. I picked everything in here," he admitted.
"Luna couldn't care less. She'd wear anything, literally rags if you let her. Choosing clothes? She'd rather die."
Ceres chuckled.
"Sounds like someone I know…" Ceres murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her mind drifted to Zeus.
He always looked perfect, flawless in whatever he wore.
But he'd never spent more than five minutes picking out clothes for himself.
And yet, he would waste hours carefully selecting outfits for her. Every piece. Every detail. Every damn color.
That nostalgic smile on her lips faltered the moment she noticed Tuf's eyes fixed on her neck.
"Nice necklace," he said softly, reaching out as if to touch the Starlight necklace resting at the base of her throat.
But he stopped midway. Not because it was unfamiliar to him.
No.
Tuf had seen that necklace before, through his father's memories.
Caelum had given it to her.
And the design matched the royal crest of the Demon Lord's bloodline.
He froze.
Because now that he was this close… he could feel the energy pulsing from it.
Not mana. Something deeper. Something ancient.
And suddenly, everything made more sense.
That's why she can't remember everything.
That necklace… it's shielding her.
"May I ask… who gave you that?" Tuf asked, his voice unusually quiet.
"A very special person," Ceres replied, eyes softening as her fingers brushed the gem.
Tuf saw the emotion in her gaze, the kind of affection that time can't erase.
And just like that, he knew.
She hadn't forgotten Caelum.
"How special?" he asked carefully.
Ceres smiled faintly, the kind that carried weight.
"So special I wanted to see him just one more time. Just to say goodbye," she confessed.
"I never got the chance. That's the real reason I want to strike a deal with your father."
Tuf exhaled slowly, his chest tightening.
"Why do you ask?" she added.
"Do you not feel the power in that necklace, Your Highness?" he asked instead.
"Power?" she blinked. "No. It's just a blue diamond. From Earth. Or maybe… because I can't detect mana?"
She tilted her head. "What kind of power do you feel from it?"
Tuf hesitated.
How could he tell her the truth?
That it was Caelum's mark of devotion? That it might be the reason she couldn't piece together who he really was?
So he decided to twist it. Not lie… just divert.
"The kind of power that could make the Demon Lord bend to your will," Tuf said with a grin.
Ceres's eyes widened.
"Are you saying… this necklace is your father's weakness?"
"And you're just telling me that? Are you insane? What if I use it against him?"
Tuf only shrugged, smiling lazily.
"I'm actually suggesting that, Your Highness."
She stared at him like he had grown two heads.
"My father has locked himself away for five hundred years. Maybe you can bring him out. Make him see the world again."
"Or, " his eyes twinkled mischievously, "you could use that necklace to make him yours. Rule the world together, if that's your thing."
"Oh my god. You're actually crazy," she muttered. "Who says that? Who even suggests that?! Don't you hate humans? Are you just that bored from living so long?"
Tuf burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.
Then, without warning, he took her hand and anchored it around his arm, like a prince escorting a queen.
"It's true, I hate most humans," he said, walking her out of the dimensional shower space, his tone light but unmistakably honest.
"But some humans? I can tolerate."
He looked at her from the side.
"And you… you're not entirely human, are you? I can smell it on you," Tuf said casually. "Narf blood. It's in your veins. That makes you… one of us. A demi-human."
Ceres's steps faltered.
She was about to respond, but Tuf flashed a grin and continued as if her silence had already answered something.
"Besides, I'm not that bored. I play a lot. And when you keep yourself entertained…" he smirked, "time just flies."
"Empress," Aurelian's voice caught in his throat as soon as he saw Ceres emerge from the shower chamber.
His eyes widened slightly, and the red tint spreading across his ears didn't go unnoticed by anyone, especially Tuf, who clicked his tongue and raised a brow.
"That garment looks… good on you," Aurelian finally managed.
"Good? Are you blind, pest?" Tuf scoffed dramatically. "She looks perfect. And even if she were wearing rags, she'd still look perfect."
Aurelian's jaw tightened.
"Please," Ceres cut in, already rubbing her temples. "Not again. Didn't you go through enough of this while I was bathing?"
She cast a warning glance at Legion, who looked like he was about to add his own insult to the brewing verbal war.
"I'm starving. Let's eat. Now."
But the moment she stepped out of the golden chamber, Ceres froze in her tracks.
Her eyes widened.
Before her, stretched across the ruined courtyard of what used to be the capital, was an open-air banquet.
Dozens of long, shimmering tables and ethereal maidens glided midair, arranging plates and pouring drinks with grace.
"What in the…?" she whispered, blinking in disbelief.
Around her, nobles and commoners were emerging from Seiryu's labyrinth, their expressions mirroring her own astonishment, as if they had stepped into a feast thrown by the gods themselves.
It was impossible to believe that just yesterday, this kingdom was nearly wiped from the map.
Ceres glanced sideways.
"What are they?"
Tuf smiled, clearly pleased with himself.
"Nymphs, Your Highness," he replied smoothly. "To be honest, your people tried their best yesterday… but the food was terrible."
Ceres blinked at him.
"I figured you might be craving something familiar, something close to what you used to eat. So, I had my nymphs prepare breakfast. For you… and everyone here."
Tuf gently escorted her to a grand, elongated table positioned at the center. He pulled out the head seat for her.
On her left, Delphine was already seated, clearly placed there on Tuf's instruction.
Tuf took the seat to Ceres's right, earning a visible glare from Aurelian.
"Hey, vermin," Tuf said cheerfully, turning to Aurelian with a taunting smile. "You're the Duke, right? You should sit at the other end of the table."
He pointed far down, fifty seats away.
Aurelian's jaw twitched.
But when he met Ceres's gaze, firm, quiet, and full of don't start, he exhaled through his nose and walked to the other end without a word.
Ceres began inviting the others to join her at the long table, the Mages, the Knight Commanders, the High Priests, Captain Hugo, and select nobles and warriors.
The rest of the citizens, both noble and commoner alike, filled the surrounding tables spread across the courtyard.
It was surreal.
Like a scene out of a dream.
"Your Highness," Tuf leaned toward Ceres and whispered. "May I say a few words?"
She nodded once.
Tuf rose from his seat, his presence commanding the attention of every person in the city.
"As I mentioned yesterday," Tuf began, his voice loud, smooth, and unhurried, "I am Tuf, third son of the Demon Lord Caelum."
A few nobles visibly tensed. Commoners shifted in their seats. Mothers clutched their children's hands.
"I know many of you are wary of me," he continued, unfazed. "And honestly? I get it. You should be."
A pause.
"I take half the blame for the destruction of Aquilonis."
Murmurs spread.
"The other half?" Tuf grinned, turning toward the other end of the main table.
"You can blame that on your Duke… and your Celestial Knight."
Ceres barely suppressed a sigh.
His speech had just started, and already she could feel the beginnings of a headache.
"I will be staying in your kingdom for an indefinite time," Tuf continued, voice calm and pleasant.
Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire.
Understandably so, after all, most had witnessed with their own eyes what kind of power, and destruction, this demi-human prince was capable of.
"But rest assured," Tuf went on, flashing a disarming smile,
"I am here as a friend of Empress Ceres. Which means… if you're her friend, you're mine too."
He paused for effect.
"However…"
His gaze sharpened, narrowing toward the nobles seated along the other tables, his senses zeroing in on the lingering resentment and hostility they radiated toward Ceres.
He let his eyes rest just a little too long on Celestria, whose faint scent of bitterness betrayed her true feelings.
"If you are hostile to her…"
He smiled. Sweetly.
"…I will torture you until you beg for death."
A collective shiver rippled across the nobles.
"Tofu!" Ceres snapped, her voice rising in disbelief.
"Is this a speech or a threat?"
Tuf only winked at her and kept smiling.
"While I'm here," he continued, "I'll lend my power to help rebuild your kingdom.
Actually… 'rebuild' isn't the right word. Develop.
I will help you turn Aquilonis into the kind of kingdom the other five will wish they were born into."
The entire square went silent.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
"Now…" Tuf raised a hand and conjured a smooth obsidian bell, which he rang three times.
And just like that, more nymphs materialized out of thin air, gliding through the open space like glowing silk dancers. They moved with elegance, their trays floating beside them.
The scent alone made mouths water.
Bread so soft it glistened with butter, fruit that glowed like jewels, meats roasted to golden perfection, nothing looked like food from Aquilonis.
Even the nobles stared, slack-jawed.
What they once considered "fine cuisine" now looked painfully dull.
"Bon appétit," Tuf declared with a grin before settling back into his seat beside Ceres.
But still, no one moved.
The food remained untouched.
Children eyed the pastries longingly but did not lift a hand.
Even the commoners, hungry and awestruck, didn't dare take the first bite.
They were unsure.
Afraid, even.
"Continental breakfast, Your Highness," Tuf said to Ceres softly.
The nymphs behind him stepped aside as he personally prepared her plate.
Waffles.
Pancakes.
Maple syrup.
Fresh butter.
A generous portion of berries.
And then, a cup slid forward.
"Spanish latte," Tuf said. "Room temperature.
I never liked Americano.
And… I get the feeling you don't either."
Ceres's expression softened in surprise.
He was right.
Somehow, he just knew.
She waited patiently as he finished arranging her plate, and others watched the scene unfold, the dangerous demi-human prince serving their Empress like a devoted attendant.
"I can assure you, the food is good.
Not perfect, though," Tuf added with a shrug.
"You see, nymphs don't eat physical food, so they don't exactly understand taste.
They base everything off smell and memory. So flavor depends entirely on aroma."
He glanced at her with a boyish smirk.
"But once you come to Velrathis with me… I'll introduce you to the best chef in the Dark Tower.
You'll love her cooking.
It feels like… home."
He placed her utensils into her hands with care.
And Ceres took a bite.
Just one.
"Oh my gods…" she murmured. "This is delicious."
Her eyes lit up, and a small, honest smile spread across her face.
She glanced around, realizing everyone else still hadn't touched their food.
"Go on, everyone," she said gently.
"Dig in."
That was all it took.
The people followed. Slowly at first, then all at once, tasting, gasping, smiling, even laughing through full mouths.
Even hardened warriors were stunned.
Aquilonis hadn't tasted joy in a long time.
But not everyone joined in.
From his end of the table, Aurelian watched the scene unfold in silence. His jaw was clenched.
Not far from him, Legion said nothing, his gaze locked on Tuf with a rare, unreadable expression.
They knew what this was.
Tuf wasn't just feeding them.
He was seducing the Empress, not with words, or flowers, or power…
But with comfort. With nostalgia. With reminders of the world she came from, and the world she could have again.
A world without them.
And they both knew…
It was working.