Kelsey took a deep breath, then bowed ninety degrees in the deepest show of respect.
"My name is Kelsey, and the reason I'm here is…" She hesitated. One wrong word, and she could end up like the corpse from earlier. "I don't want to be a burden to my parents."
"Why are you a burden?"
There was a strange shift in the king's tone—an interest she couldn't decipher. Was that a good sign? Or a bad one? "As you know, I'm just a human. But I was adopted by a pair of boar demons. They're not high-ranking, but they've treated me like their own daughter. I want to repay their kindness by participating in this bridal selection."
"Does that mean you are willing to be my bride?"
Kelsey's brow twitched in disgust. Thankfully, she was still bowing—no one could see her expression. "Are you willing to marry a lowly human like me? If you don't mind humans and are willing to protect my family, then… I will be your bride."
It would be interesting if the groom died on the wedding night instead of the bride. I'll fake my death and flee to another demon territory. Kelsey thought.
Of course, no one could see the smug little grin on Kelsey's lips, still hidden behind her lowered head.
Had Kelsey forgotten that her memories would be sealed again after an hour? Not at all.
She knew that her seal would create a gap whenever she was in danger. Even if she were stabbed in the heart and slain, she would revive—because she was no ordinary human. But if she did die, the seal that trapped her memory and powers would be permanently destroyed. Worse, her aura as a divine messenger—a hidden Eternal—would be released, and every demon in the realm would know that an Eternal had infiltrated the demon lands.
For centuries, the Eternals had concealed their divine presence, hiding among humans as ordinary demon slayers. It weakened them, but it kept the Demon Emperor from detecting their movements. After all, it had taken ten Eternals to critically injure the emperor once—yet with a snap of his fingers, he had obliterated the body and soul of one Eternal in return.
No one dared to challenge the emperor directly again.
That's why Kelsey's plan had to be executed in the shadows. Becoming a Demon King's bride was never part of the agenda, but this setback had to be handled delicately.
"Next. State your name and your reason for being here." The host moved on.
Kelsey wasn't sure whether to sigh in relief or be annoyed. She kept her head down, feigning fear. Inside, she was waiting for this farce of an interview to end.
Fortunately, the king asked the remaining candidates only a few questions. It didn't take long before the king voiced, "I choose number eleven."
Number eleven? Isn't that her?"
Only number eleven, Your Majesty?"
There was no reply, but the host seemed to understand.
"Number eleven, this attendant will escort you to the next chamber. The rest of you may return home."
What?! Why?!
Confused but left with no choice, Kelsey followed the attendant. Her enhanced hearing picked up the host's voice in the distance—calling in the final six candidates. But before any of them could even speak, the Demon King dismissed them all.
This king is utterly unpredictable. What was his main power again? Right—black ice. And his weakness...
Kelsey clicked her tongue.
Beauty.
The North's demon king had a fatal flaw: he was weak against beautiful females.
After fifty-two steps, the servant stopped in front of a lavish chamber. Two female demonesses were already inside, chatting leisurely. One was a fox demon, with a soft white tail and fluffy silver-blue hair that shimmered like moonlight. She was stunning—any demon would fall head over heels. No wonder the Demon King liked her. The other was a tiger demon, with a striped tail and clawed hands. Her curly brown hair framed her cute, mischievous face.
"Oh? His Majesty even chose a human?" the tiger demon said, looking at Kelsey with interest.
The fox demon's gaze scanned Kelsey up and down, evaluating her. Her wavy, waist-length purplish-grey hair and glowing violet eyes made her beauty hard to ignore—even among demons. "No wonder the king chose you. You're breathtaking, even for a human. What's your name?"
"Shouldn't you introduce yourselves before asking someone else's name?"
The tiger demon laughed. "I like your guts. I'm Sira of the Tiger Clan, and this is Emmeline of the Fox Clan. And you are?"
"Kelsey. Just Kelsey."
"But you have family, right?"
"From Boar Village."
"I see. Emy, why are you so quiet?" Sira nudged the fox demon with a playful elbow.
"I have nothing else to ask," Emmeline replied flatly.
Kelsey ignored the awkward vibe between the two and quietly took a spot by the window. She tried to estimate how much time she had left before her memories would seal again. Twenty minutes? Maybe twenty-five?
No matter the outcome, she wouldn't be hurt. If the Demon King didn't choose her, she'd return home and resume her mission. If he did, she'd carry out the assassination plan. Either way, she would win.
Soon, the host entered the room. Alone.
Kelsey had already guessed what happened to the final six candidates. But Sira and Emmeline looked surprised.
"Congratulations to the three of you. You've passed to the next round."
"Just the three of us?" Emmeline and Sira echoed, confused.
The host ignored them. "For the next selection, you'll be called in one by one. You must satisfy the king if you wish to be chosen—or leave this place alive. He will marry the candidate who brings him the greatest satisfaction."
Kelsey's fists clenched. Her heart burned with fury. What? They had to satisfy him?! Not only was the king a monster, but he was a pervert as well!!
"The king will start with number three."
"That's me!" Sira exclaimed, tail swishing excitedly. "Wish me luck, girls!"
How long would this 'satisfaction' trial last? What if the Demon King forced her when she remembered nothing?
Well, she had nothing to worry about. Her memory seal would loosened the moment she faced danger.
As she expected, the host didn't return for almost an hour. And suddenly—A crushing pressure slammed into Kelsey's mind.
The seal had activated. Her powers, her true self—gone. All that remained were the memories of her quiet life with her demon parents in Boar Village.