Demon Prince's Forsaken Bride-Chapter 23: Never invited

Rosie would smuggle books for Lareina every once in a while when she discovered the woman’s interest.

As Lareina belonged to a royal family, she was a well read woman but the books she read were limited to virtues of women after her mother’s demise. A well read woman amongst the humans would be deemed as witch. But for the demons, there were no such prohibitions. Demons worshipped the strong and capable and they believed in absolute power, regardless of what the gender of the power holder was.

On this particular day, Lareina sat by the window as she read a book about the geography of the demonic lands that were separated from the mortal lands by a barrier. The barrier was constantly maintained by strongest warriors from both the realms, the demons with their magic and humans with their inner powers.

However, every five minutes, Lareina was distracted by the loud noises by her door.

The place where her bedchamber was situated was usually isolated so she was unaccustomed to the movements like this.

Rosie happened to enter at this moment with a plate of supper in her hand. Noticing Lareina’s expressions, Rosie spoke up, ’’My Lady, did you forget? Tomorrow is the fourth prince’s birthday.’’ 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

It occurred to Lareina why the land seemed vibrant in the past few days. The fourth prince’s birthday was celebrated like a festival and the demons of all ranks and no ranks received lavish favors from the lord on this occasion.

"The lord really favors the fourth prince a lot,’’ Lareina remarked as she placed the book down.

’’Fourth Prince Samael’s mother was the most favored mistress of the lord and she even lost her life, taking an attack that was meant for the Lord,’’ Seeing the look of realization on Lareina’s face, Rosie smiled, ’’But I am relatively new here so all I know is from the lores I have heard from the people.’’

"Lores?"

"This is the first time you have shown interest in these things, My Lady,’’ Rosie smiled a little wider, seeing that these days, the lady’s complexion seemed a little better. While she did not look particularly happy, but there was a calm aura that surrounded her, ’’The lord has been involved with countless women so these lores are related to his encounters with those ladies.’’

Lareina thought about it but then she opened her mouth, ’’What about the mothers of the remaining princes?"

"My Lady, as you know, the mother of the crown prince is the legitimate wife of the Lord. The third prince’s mother passed away while giving birth to him and the second prince’s mother...’’

The last time Lareina had asked this question to Rosie was recently after Azrael had gone to war but Rosie had newly joined this duty and she had been clueless.

’’They say the second prince’s mother wasn’t particularly favored.’’

Lareina could say that Rosie was not uttering the full truth for whatever she heard must not be pleasant and she did not urge her to speak further.

She had figured out as much because Azrael was not particularly favored as well. To humiliate him, they got him married to her, a human princess that no demon would deem worthy. And if that was not it, he was sent to a war he might not come back from without a second thought.

’’My Lady, have you decided what you are going to wear for the feast tomorrow?"

Lareina straightened a bit when she heard Rosie mentioning it.

"In the past four years, I haven’t been a part of these gatherings,’’ she shook her head.

"That’s due to your lack of interest in playing the part of my wife,’’ the voice came from the door and Rosie curtsied to Azrael who stepped inside, ’’Whose fault do you think it is?"

Lareina looked at the man, lowered head slightly as a greeting, before looking away.

’’Your Highness, it’s not that My Lady did not want to be a part of the gatherings but rather, she has never been invited to one before,’’ Rosie endured through Lareina’s piercing glare as she spoke, her face reflecting ’My Lady, His Highness would not know if you do not tell’ vibrantly.

Azrael’s gaze deepened.

Lareina looked away. She understood what Rosie was trying to do but for matters such as these, she had never intended to tell Azrael.

When she married him, all her hopes and expectations had revolved around him so in his absence, she had not been hurt by others neglecting her existence.

When he returned, she realized that this marriage was probably never going to be what she dreamed of so now, she had more reasons to not bother him with such small affairs. Telling him about this or not would not change anything.

Azrael dismissed Rosie and took a seat on the opposite chair.

But Lareina did not look at him. She evaded his gaze, in an attempt to avoid his presence as well.

His gaze trailed to the book that she kept facing down on the table, ’’Do you like to read?" He reached out his hand to take the book.

But she grabbed the book and shifted it to her lap at the speed of lightning. Despite her soft appearance, the warning ’Don’t touch my book’ was stamped over her face.

Like a toothless tigress.

He suppressed a chuckle. When she averted her gaze again, he sighed and came to the point instead of beating around the bush,’’Why did you never tell me about it?"

He thought she would not respond to his words but perhaps, she found it a compulsion or out of courtesy, she responded to every word he uttered even though her gaze was never welcoming.

"It is insignificant.’’

"You are my wife. Your affairs are naturally my concern. I do not see how you being alienated in my absence is something insignificant.’’

To his words, Lareina did not give much of a response. However, his piercing gaze never strayed from her, as if he would not look away if she did not respond to his words.

...

A/N: Happy New Year to you and your family, sweeties! I hope 2025 brings you endless joy, success, and warmth.

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