The Damned Demon

Chapter 781: Abandoned By The King?



The exodus of the Bloodburn Kingdom's survivors had led them to the towering obsidian gates of the Nightshade Kingdom, their once-proud banners now torn and tattered, their weary bodies moving like ghosts across the desolate landscape.

King Lakhur, the ruler of Nightshade, had granted them asylum, recognizing the bitter plight of a kingdom that once stood as a beacon of power now reduced to nothing but ashes.

The Nightshade Kingdom, a land draped in perpetual twilight, was a fortress in its own right, its mountainous terrain and darkened forests making it an unappealing target for the already weary and battered Draconian forces.

The paths leading into the kingdom were treacherous, narrow ridges that could barely support an army's advance without severe casualties. The draconians, fresh from their conquest, would think twice before attempting to lay siege to another formidable stronghold.

For now, the survivors of the Bloodburn Kingdom could breathe.

But breathing did not mean living.

The survivors huddled in makeshift camps within the cold embrace of Nightshade's capital, the ominous stone towers offering little solace to hearts weighed down by grief. The air was thick with sorrow, the very atmosphere an echo of loss that could not be ignored.

Here, in the shadows of unfamiliar lands, mothers clutched their children, whispering prayers for the dead, for the ones they would never see again. Fathers sat in silence, their gazes hollow, trying to make sense of the ruins of their lives.

Cries of the bereaved pierced the night-a mother wailing for the husband she had last seen fighting on the burning streets of their once-glorious capital. A young girl clutching a broken amulet, whispering the name of her fallen brother. Old warriors staring at their trembling hands, hands that once wielded swords in service of their kingdom but could no longer save those they loved.

Among them, discontent and fear festered. The whispers began to spread like poison, laced with a question that grew heavier with each passing moment.

"Where is our King?"

"Did he abandon us?"

"Why hasn't he come for us?"

"Is he dead?"

Their hope was beginning to fracture, crumbling under the weight of uncertainty.

Asher had not come even after their kingdom had fallen.

-

The atmosphere in Nightshade Castle was thick with unease. The once-proud nobles of the Bloodburn Kingdom who had sought refuge here carried the weight of despair in their hearts.

The grand halls, usually bathed in an eerie twilight glow, now felt somber, filled with the whispers of the broken, the cries of the lost.

Silvia and Sabina had seen war before, had seen blood spill, but nothing could prepare them for what they were witnessing now.

A group of nurses hurried through the castle doors, carrying two unconscious, bloodied figures-one with raven black hair matted with blood, the other with silver strands that had lost their luster.

Both of them were unconscious and gravely injured.

Silvia and Sabina who were lingering outside the castle saw them being carried in.

Silvia felt her heart drop into her stomach. "N-No...the queen is..." her voice trembled as her hands tightened around her wrist.

Sabina was deathly silent, her sharp red eyes locked onto the tattered form of Rowena and Isola being carried inside, their regal figures reduced to broken bodies.

She was holding a grudge against Rowena for not telling them where Asher was. However, seeing her this close to death after trying to protect them made her heart clench. She always seemed so strong and indomitable. And so seeing her like this was not a sight she could process. In the end, she lost the most.

Merina was following those who were carrying in Rowena and Isola, her face twisted with deep concern, walking with hurried steps.

However, upon spotting Sabina and Silvia, she turned towards them, her dark blue eyes filled with concern,

"Your Highnesses, please follow me," She urged them.

Silvia and Sabina didn't hesitate as they followed her in.

The castle was bustling with movement, servants and warriors rushing about in an organized panic.

At the center of it all stood Kayla, the princess of Nightshade, waiting to receive them, her expression heavy with concern.

The moment she saw Rowena and Isola's battered bodies, a look of genuine sadness and shock crossed her face.

"Quickly, take them to our royal physician," Kayla commanded, her usually soft voice firm and unwavering. "My father will personally oversee their recovery."

As the servants and healers rushed to carry the fallen women away, Kayla turned to Merina, her voice dropping to a gentler tone.

"You should rest. Your queen and Consort Isola are in safe hands now."

Merina bowed her head respectfully, her eyes heavy with exhaustion but filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. If not for you and your father's grace, we wouldn't have a safe place to go."

Kayla offered a soft, sorrowful smile, shaking her head, "It is only natural that allies take care of each other. We will do everything we can to help everyone who sought refuge here." Merina exhaled, relieved yet still burdened, "Thank you, Your Highness. I won't disturb you any longer." She wondered if she should tell Sabina and Silvia that the queen was pregnant. But then she felt it wasn't her place to say and they would learn soon enough once the queen

recovered.

With that, Merina turned away, her thoughts now racing towards another worry-Ceti.

She hadn't seen her since the fall of their kingdom even though she did see Luna, the one who was sleeping inside Ceti.

And yet why was she unable to shake off this uneasiness in her heart? The fact that her Master has yet to return only further weighed down her heart. She also wondered if he knew that the queen was pregnant with his child.

As Merina disappeared down the hallway, Kayla turned towards Silvia, her close friend, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"I'm so sorry," Kayla said softly. "For your people... for your kingdom... for everything. I wanted to help sooner, but we were held back by the Draconians who tried to keep us from intervening. We had to fight off those evil things while protecting the refugees making their way here... I feel like I failed you."

Silvia stared at Kayla, eyes brimming with emotion before she suddenly pulled her into a tight

hug.

"You shouldn't apologize," Silvia whispered through choked sobs, her body trembling as she buried her face into Kayla's shoulder, "Silvia is grateful... that you were here to give us a safe

place. If not for you, we wouldn't have had anywhere to go."

Kayla softly nodded, tightening her grip around Silvia, letting her cry out her pain.

She understood.

She wouldn't have known what to do if she had lost her home.

When Silvia finally pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes, Kayla hesitated before

speaking.

"But... where is your King?" she asked, concern heavy in her tone. "I find it strange that he still hasn't returned. Nothing could be more important than protecting his kingdom. I fear

something is wrong."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Hmph, you aren't the only one to think that," Sabina muttered, crossing her arms. Her expression was bitter, frustrated.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, "He is the one I chose as my man. So I know he would never abandon us, even if our people have every reason to believe that. I still believe our queen is somehow involved in this... but now that she is unconscious, I can't even ask her. Nor do I have a way of reaching him. How frustrating!"

Kayla studied Sabina's fierce determination, a understanding smile appearing.

"I am sure there must be a good reason," she reassured gently, "From what little interaction I had with him, he didn't seem like the kind to abandon you all."

"Of course... There must be a good reason..He is our husband after all..." Silvia mumbled, her voice cracking, eyes filled with desperate hope.

Esther had barely recovered from her injuries, but she was already back on her feet,

overseeing the recovery of her people.

Her sharp eyes scanned the castle grounds, noting the restlessness of the survivors, the

defeated postures of former warriors, the lost expressions of the displaced.

Her people needed her.

But her eyes narrowed when she spotted Rebecca slipping away.

"Rebecca. Wait."

Rebecca froze, turning back with a look of frustration, "What? I already did enough here like

you wanted me to. I need to go."

Esther stepped closer, voice calm yet firm, "Go where? If it's Oberon you're worried about,

you can bring him here. He will be safe with us."

Rebecca's gaze flickered, looking away, "No, it's... it's not just that. I have something else to

do."

Esther's eyes narrowed,. "Something else? Are you... going to look for him? You think you can find him when he still hasn't returned to us?"

Rebecca grunted in frustration, arms crossing over her chest, "How the hell should I know? Don't misunderstand I can't care less if he rots out there after abandoning us like this and tricking me. But ugh..." she sighed, rolling her shoulders stiffly, "You must already know that I am his...slave. I have to seek him out even if I don't want to. I need him to get rid of this bond

so that I can finally be free from him, hmph!"

Esther's sharp eyes studied her closely, seeing past Rebecca's words.

"Rebecca," she said, tone softer this time, "I still believe he didn't abandon us, but something must have happened to him. I would like to help you find him. But... I can't leave.

My people need me here."

She hesitated, then added, "If you find him... tell him to come back. Even if it's too late."

Rebecca huffed, eyes narrowing. "Why are you so unusually concerned about that despicable

king of ours? Don't tell me you really-"

Rebecca's words trailed off as she saw Esther avoid her gaze which was very uncharacteristic

of someone as aloof as her.

"You should go now," Esther said in a low voice before turning around to walk away.

Rebecca's jaw dropped slightly, eyes widening.

"You can't be serious," she muttered under her breath, realization dawning, "That bastard...

He didn't even spare my sister?"

Her hands curled into fists, an unreadable expression flickering across her face.

With a final huff, she turned on her heel and shot into the sky, leaving the kingdom behind.

She had a perverted king to find.