Chapter 31: Ancient Demon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Ancient Demon
Kindred. The reason Desmond, a demon himself, said such a thing was obvious.
‘The Empress Dowager made a contract with a demon?’
I trembled at the shocking revelation.
But it didn't make sense. Before entering the Imperial Palace, hadn't the Empress Dowager been hailed as a Saintess by the Temple?
Even now, she was supposed to be in close cooperation with them. For such a woman to have contracted with a demon was unthinkable.
[There is no mistake! That woman has made a contract with a demon!]
‘How could this be…?’
[But it is not one of us, the Demons of the Gem.]
‘Then what is it?’
[It’s something more… hmm…]
Desmond struggled to find the words. I tilted my head in confusion.
Of course, the Demons of the Gem weren't the only demons in this world. Unlike House Winston, there were likely many others who had secretly contracted with demons. It was just that the Winstons were the most famous example used in gossip.
However, those who secretly contracted with demons usually had something to hide. For instance…
“Now, come. Take my hand.”
“…”
Like how the Empress died as soon as she entered the palace as a Royal Consort, or how her son, who ascended as Emperor, died along with his wife, leaving her with no political rivals.
I stared blankly at the pale palm extended toward me.
Her skin, clear and flawless, looked incredibly soft. They were the slender, delicate hands of someone who had never performed a day of hard labor in her life.
Did the Empress Dowager really contract with a demon? And did she use that power to kill the former Empress and the previous Emperor and his wife?
Goosebumps broke out all over my body.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Bibi shouted.
[You idiot! That’s the energy of an Ancient Demon!]
‘…An Ancient Demon?’
[Yes, Master! There’s no doubt! It’s definitely an Ancient Demon species that should have lost all ties to the human realm by now!]
‘…’
What was that now?
My head began to throb. Not just a regular demon, but an Ancient Demon? That sounded like a massive headache waiting to happen.
As I clicked my tongue inwardly, my young, fragile body swayed, perhaps from the sudden surge of stress. Sir Raven, who was standing beside me, quickly stepped closer.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. The young lady’s constitution is quite weak…”
“And who might you be?”
“…I am Raven Hunter, currently serving House Winston.”
Sir Raven replied with a polite bow toward the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager gazed at him intently.
“I see. I am aware that Lionel’s child is of frail health.”
“…I am honored by your concern.”
“It would be best if you carried her.”
With a bright smile, the Empress Dowager stepped back graciously. I practically lunged into Sir Raven’s arms.
As the trembling subsided, a sense of stability returned. I let out a secret sigh of relief.
‘Phew, thank goodness.’
[It is better not to touch that woman.]
‘Is it that bad?’
[Yes. Ancient Demons are of a completely different caliber than us.]
‘…?’
For the first time since our contract, I heard fear in Desmond’s voice.
Was an Ancient Demon really that terrifying? I swallowed hard instinctively.
[Those things have no reason. They move solely on their master’s commands. They are closer to mindless monsters.]
‘Can a human even make a normal contract with things like that?’
[Of course not! Ancient Demons are outcasts even in the Demon Realm. For a human to contract with them, they must pay a corresponding price!]
‘A corresponding… price?’
Desmond’s words gave me a clue.
The method to summon and contract an Ancient Demon—something even other demons recoiled from—could not be ordinary.
I recalled the contents of the original novel.
The stories of how the Empress Dowager was worshipped as a Saintess before she became a Royal Consort.
At that time, a plague had broken out in a small village on the outskirts of the Empire. Many people died, and the village was at risk of being quarantined and abandoned.
The one who saved them was Gabriella, the Empress Dowager.
The impoverished daughter of a Viscount, she had supposedly been passing through the village when her Sacred Power awakened, allowing her to heal the dying villagers. Because of that incident, she was recognized as a Saintess.
But now that I knew she had contracted with an Ancient Demon, my perspective shifted.
‘She didn't heal them. She sacrificed the villagers to contract with the demon.’
The plague itself must have been the Empress Dowager’s doing. It would have been easy to orchestrate in a small village.
After contracting with the demon, she must have pretended her Sacred Power had manifested and used the demon’s power to withdraw the plague.
‘This isn't something a normal human could do.’
How blinded by greed must one be to commit such an act?
Just thinking about it made me want to gag. I tightened my grip on Raven’s arm as he held me.
“My lady?”
“Uwaa, Mommy… I want to see Mommy.”
“Please bear with it a little longer. We are almost there.”
I wanted to see Veronica. I wanted to look at her beautiful face and feel safe.
I bit my lip, thinking of the woman who would be my most steadfast ally in this world.
Soon, the terrace where the three of us had been earlier came into view. However, Veronica and Dantalion were not there.
It seemed they had gone inside to talk. I hopped down from Sir Raven’s arms.
Then, I scurried over and threw the terrace doors wide open myself.
“Mom—!”
The scene inside the room came into view.
But my eyes widened at the unexpected sight.
“Oh my.”
“Ahem, cough.”
“…”
What was this?
Why were they hugging?
I glared with sharp eyes at the two of them as they hurriedly pulled apart.
Before I opened the door, they had been holding each other so tightly they looked like a single person. I saw it clearly with my own two eyes.
“Dia, you… you’re back early.”
“Did you enjoy looking at the garden?”
“…”
I glared at the flustered pair with icy eyes.
I went out of my way to give them space to reconcile, and they skipped straight to this? Dantalion, you brat!
Just then, a puzzled voice echoed in my head.
[What is the problem?]
‘What?’
[Does Master not intend to marry the two of them?]
‘That’s one thing! This is another!’
I shouted back fiercely at Desmond’s indifferent remark.
Technically, Desmond wasn't wrong, but I couldn't stop the surge of indignation.
For some reason, I felt like Dantalion was stealing Veronica away from me.
Veronica is my mom; she should cherish me the most; that warmth belongs to me…
Such thoughts dominated my small head.
“Mommy…”
“Yes, my Dia.”
Veronica quickly approached and hugged me as I whimpered. As I breathed in her signature fragrant scent, my agitation began to cool.
Immediately after, the Empress Dowager’s gentle voice drifted in.
“Did we interrupt a pleasant atmosphere?”
“…Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager, who had followed us into the room, smiled brightly. Dantalion looked at her with a hardened expression. He stepped forward as if to shield us.
“What brings you all the way here?”
“What brings me? Such cold words to say to family.”
“Family.”
Dantalion let out a short, dry laugh, as if he had just heard something truly amusing.
Then, the Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted to Veronica and me behind Dantalion.
“Even if the two of you have been close since childhood…”
“…”
“Displaying such affection does not seem beneficial for either of you.”
The Empress Dowager smiled with a face that was the picture of benevolence. When her gaze fixed on Veronica, that smile deepened.
“And you are a woman with a family, are you not? Is that not so?”
“…”
Veronica had not yet divorced Cedric. Since she was still officially married, rumors of an affair with the Crown Prince, Dantalion, would be disastrous.
She was right, but hearing those words from the Empress Dowager—who was taking Cedric’s side—left a foul taste in my mouth.
“Thank you for the advice, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed. I trust you will handle yourself appropriately.”
“…”
Once again, the Empress Dowager offered a profoundly motherly smile.
She didn't look at all like someone who had slaughtered a village to contract with a demon. I burrowed deeper into the arms of Veronica, who was holding me.
“By the way, what a truly lovely child.”
“…!”
The Empress Dowager’s gaze turned toward me. Her amber eyes swept over me from head to toe.
“It is a pity I haven't seen much of her. Please, bring her to the Imperial Palace often from now on.”
“…Yes, I shall.”
“With Cedric as well.”
“…”
Veronica fell silent at the Empress Dowager’s words. I was equally appalled.
The Empress Dowager must have heard the news that Cedric had brought his first love and her child into the mansion.
Hadn't he even brought them boldly to the last Victory Banquet? And yet, she was telling Veronica to visit harmoniously with her cheating husband.
She was definitely doing this on purpose. I cursed the Empress Dowager inwardly.
“But… hm?”
Just as she was about to turn away, having finished her business with us, the Empress Dowager tilted her head.
What was it now?
The moment I felt a sense of unease, the Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted back. Her eyes locked onto a single spot.
“That doll is…?”
“…!”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes were pinned directly on Desmond.
More specifically, on the teddy bear I was clutching tightly in my arms.