Chapter 13

I sat still in my place, trying to endure the uneasiness that kept creeping into my mind. After King Domiano announced the match between myself or rather Dean with Junigo and Jade, the atmosphere in the dining hall changed drastically. The previously calm and graceful monarchs now began to whisper and exchange glances with amazed expressions.

"I've never heard of anything like this before," said one of the kings, his voice filled with admiration. "A human being being matched with a supernatural creature... it's incredible."

"This is truly a great achievement for your kingdom, King Domiano," chimed in another. "With such an alliance, your kingdom's power will increase many times over."

I refrained from snorting too loudly. It was clear they all saw this opportunity as a doorway to profit for themselves. They knew that with the power of the supernatural beings that would soon be associated with our kingdom, King Domiano's position would be even stronger. Unrivaled power.

They began to talk about plans for military and trade cooperation. Proposals began to be tossed around one by one, each king trying to find an opening to bind themselves to King Domiano and strengthen their diplomatic ties. I looked at them with narrowed eyes.

'Of course they'll try to take advantage of this situation' I thought with annoyance.

They don't care about me, they only care about political gain and power. I'm not even sure if the attraction shown by the princes was purely physical or emotional but they could have deliberately shown it because they wanted to take advantage of the political situation between the kingdoms.

While refraining from showing any annoyance on my face, I sat quietly in my seat. However, inside my head, everything was raging. They were talking as if I was just merchandise, an asset that could be exchanged for profit. And to make matters worse, King Domiano seemed to agree with all of this. To him, Dean was just a tool to strengthen his power.

In the middle of the conversation, one of the kings suddenly interjected in a more cautious tone.

"However," he said, looking at King Domiano with a slightly doubtful gaze, "isn't this arranged marriage a little too... extreme? I don't doubt your wisdom, King Domiano, but wouldn't it be better if Prince Dean was matched with a human? For example, the son or daughter of one of the kingdoms here?"

I instantly stiffened in my seat. Obviously, he was trying to persuade King Domiano to replace the match with the supernatural being with a political match between humans. I couldn't decide if that was worse or better.

'At least, they're still human', I thought.

And even if it still meant that Dean or I would be forced to marry someone I didn't love, at least I wouldn't have to get caught up in the mess with Junigo and Jade.

"I must admit," continued the other king, "a prince from another kingdom would probably be more suitable for Prince Dean. He's young and handsome, truly a gem in the human world. It would be better if he was with someone who is his equal."

I could feel the sharp gazes of several princes sitting around the table. Their eyes swept over my face, assessing every inch of me, and I could feel the air of attraction from them. Their gazes were full of desire, as if I was just an item up for grabs.

'So this is what they mean?' I thought.

They want to replace supernatural matchmaking with political matchmaking between kingdoms, which is basically the same as treating myself as a tool to strengthen alliances. Although I didn't like the idea, I couldn't deny that it seemed more reasonable than being forced to marry demons and angels.

But underneath it all, I knew what they really wanted. They wanted to strengthen their own power by tying themselves to King Domiano's kingdom, using my position to their advantage. I snorted inwardly, feeling increasingly fed up with this situation.

Their conversation was getting warmer, full of subtle suggestions on who would be a good match for Dean. Names began to be mentioned, princes from various kingdoms who were deemed worthy of marrying me. Some of them even smiled faintly at me, as if already envisioning a future together.

Suddenly, silence fell over the room. A cold aura crept around us, making the air in the room feel heavy and tense. I could feel my hair stand on end. What was going on?

Within seconds, everyone gasped. One of the princes sitting at the table suddenly suffocated, his face turning pale as strong hands wrapped around his neck from behind. All eyes immediately fell on the figure now standing behind the prince, and I could feel my heart stop for a moment.

Junigo.

He stood there, a feral grin gracing his face, his eyes flashing with hatred and anger that could barely be hidden. His strong hands still gripped the prince's neck, making the poor man choke and shiver in fear. Junigo stared at the entire room with an intimidating look, as if he was the ruler here.

"How dare you, humans," Junigo's voice sounded cold and sharp, piercing everyone who heard it. "Do you really think you can take my beautiful gem?"

Everyone fell silent. Their gazes turned from shock to fear. Some kings looked pale, and I could see how their hands trembled on the table. Not a single one dared to move, let alone speak.

"Do you think," Junigo continued in a mocking tone, "that you deserve to take what belongs to a great demon like me?"

My heart beat faster and faster. A feeling of fear and threat enveloped me, but at the same time, there was a small part of me that felt protected.

I thought to myself stunned. 'He's really angry.

Junigo, with all his power and indifference to humans, was clearly not going to let anyone take me away from him. Of course he felt free because he was a demon who was not bound by the laws set by humans except for the laws set by the demons themselves in their territory.

The prince being strangled by Junigo looked like he was going to faint at any moment, his face paled, and I could see cold sweat pouring from his forehead. But Junigo didn't care. He tightened his grip, making everyone in the room hold their breath.

I was quite worried and my heart beat a little faster at the sight of that finish but I also couldn't do anything about it because I saw Junigo's anger really at its peak.

King Domiano remained sitting quietly in his place, his face not showing any expression, but I could see that he was a little surprised by Junigo's presence. The other kings began to exchange glances, some of them looking like they wanted to run away, but they knew that was impossible.

"I warned you," Junigo said in a hoarse but firm voice. "Dean is mine. I will not let you, these despicable humans, take him from me."

I felt my chest tighten, a mixture of confusion, fear, and somehow, a little relief. It sounds scary to be relieved in the midst of a tense situation like this, but in fact I was so uncomfortable with the treatment of the princes from other kingdoms who seemed to have no etiquette in teasing me and doing things that I didn't like.

The point of the relief I felt was that at least the princes who had such low ethics were punished by Junigo.

'Is this what's going to happen next?' I wondered.

I don't even know how to feel about Junigo, but one thing is clear: I don't want to end up as a pawn in a game between humans and supernatural beings.

However, before I could think any further, Junigo released the prince with one sharp movement, making the poor man fall on the floor with a gasp. Everyone in the room immediately took a few steps back, afraid of what Junigo would do next.

Junigo looked at me with a softer grin, though his eyes still held a hint of menace.

"You're mine, Dean. And I won't let anyone take you away from me," he said as he stared intently at the surrounding kings and princes.

Now it's my turn to get goosebumps, I'm sure that if He's really crazy then he won't think twice about burning down the entire kingdom here even if he has to fight everyone. That's horrible.