Demon Prince's Forsaken Bride-Chapter 17: All dead

"Lift them higher. Let everyone witness the consequences of provoking us.’’

In the middle of the hunting grounds, a huge cage was erected. Within the cage, a group of humans hung from the chains which were clasped around their necks while numerous small and vicious demonic beasts attacked their corpses, adding more wounds to their scar riddled bodies.

The entire ground was stained with a thick pungent and rotten smell of the flesh and blood.

At the King’s orders, a few demons dragged the chains and the corpses were pulled high up within the cage.

Lareina was greeted with this view when she reached the hunting grounds. A layer of sweat shone on her forehead as she felt her limbs going cold, disbelief coursing through her body.

It had not been even an hour since she woke up and sat for breakfast. She had just started eating when a demon presented himself at his door, informing that she had been summoned to the hunting grounds by the king.

’’The human princess is here, make way for her.’’

At the King’s words, everyone’s gaze snapped in Lareina’s direction. The demons parted, making a path for her but she could not budge a single stop from where she stood.

Her gaze was fixated on the people inside the cage. The bodies and faces were tortured beyond redemption but whether it was a curse or not, Lareina was blessed with a memory. Things, people or events that left an impression on her imprinted themselves in her mind in a way she would not forget them even if she wanted to.

She recognized the figure of the person who was hanging in the middle, his flesh dropping from his body in chunks under the continuous attacks of the huge rodent like demonic creatures.

He was the general who had offered her an escape from this place. And his friends, who, in her wildest assumptions, had succeeded in breaking out of the dungeons.

All dead. Their corpses rotten and stripped of the barest dignity needed by a person.

’’What? Are you feeling pity for your clansmen?" The King’s admonishments sounded when Lareina remained unmoving in her spot, unconscious tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked on at the cage in a daze.

’’Lady Lareina seems to be heartbroken...’’ Moira spoke, her soft voice echoing in the silent ground. All demons seemed to go quiet the moment she opened her mouth, her each action commanding respect, which was contrast to how they treated Lareina, ’’But you should know that these are grave offenders and you are no longer the princess of human realm so you should not side with them. All of us have lost part of our families to these cruel war. Are you being fair to us if you cry for them?"

The demons echoed in favor of Moira’s words, her touching words winning their hearts.

Lareina could hear everything but those words seemed to go past her.

She bit her bottom lips and looked at the hanging corpse of the general.

’’The war brought us so much damage that we cannot recover from it within days or months. It is only fair...’’

’’The war...’’ Moira’s words were cut off by a mumble, ’’is over.’’

Everyone, from the King to the subjects, turned to Lareina who stood way behind the crowd. Even though the demons had parted and made way for her, she had not taken a step and she had not looked in the King’s direction even once.

’’It has been long over,’’ Lareina repeated, whether to them or herself, she did not know.

The King’s expressions changed, ’’Are you audacious enough to defy us now? It seems like the blood of the humans within you needs to be shed for you to see yourself for who you are now! Guards—"

"She has nothing to complain about.’’

Everyone turned to look at Azrael who had spoken.

Even the King looked at him with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Lareina’s heart turned cold as she turned to look at him. His warning in that cave reverberated loud and clear in her ears when she saw how unfazed he was. He had told her he would kill them.

The King grunted coldly, ’’If you don’t know how to discipline your wife and mould her to fit the ways of this realm, you can hand this duty over to someone else who would do it better. Lest her people came to complain that we are not treating her well.’’

The mockery in his voice made the crowd of demons burst in laughter. The savagery seemed to avenge their grudges as they laughed and celebrated.

Azrael did not meet Lareina’s gaze.

The King was the first to leave. After him, Azrael also got up and left, followed by Moira. The crown prince and third prince were absent from the scene.

And the young fourth prince looked her way. Instead of walking away, he stepped towards her. The demons who had stood in clusters had already walked off to a distance so the spot where Lareina stood was mostly empty, with only Rosie accompanying her.

’’You look like a pitiful little thing!"

Lareina looked at the child who was barely half her height and frowned, ’’Your Highness, if that is all, I’d take my leave.’’

The fourth prince snorted, ’’Do you think I can get you beheaded for your lack of enthusiasm while talking to me? I even went near your chamber to invite you to witness the torture of your clansmen yesterday. Where is your gratefulness? A pathetic little being like you..." His attitude was rotten and he scolded her for another eternity before turning to leave. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

’’Your Highness, when did you visit my chamber? I did not see you yesterday." Her voice came out rather hoarse and soft, making the young prince look at her like she was a dead thing but her words made him react.

The boy stopped and touched his neck a little, ’’Don’t tell second brother...’’ he looked guilty, ’’I bumped into his guard and he said he would not tell brother I had been there if I leave quietly.’’