https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-535-This-Time-Hubertian-is-Truly-a-Princess/12584780/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-537-Lanchi-s-Steadfast-Conviction/12584789/
Chapter 536: Sybrian's Criteria for a Mate
Chapter 536: Sybrian's Criteria for a Mate
Within the grand Demon King's Palace, adorned with celestial patterns etched into its domed ceilings, Sybrian looked up at Kaliella the Fallen with an expression of weakness and innocence, awaiting the words of this Ninth-Rank Great Demon.
Kaliella paid no mind to the princess's feigned ignorance.
It was simply a matter of making things clear in front of the assembled Great Demons—
"Ordinarily, I wouldn't pressure you, but we are on the brink of war. The demon race may soon face a trial or even a catastrophe. We need insurance to ensure the opening of our ancestral lands."
Kaliella's gaze fixed on Sybrian as she spoke.
Her meaning was clear: it was time for the princess to continue the royal bloodline, or else, should she be assassinated or meet an untimely end, the ancestral lands would be closed off. If the vampire race were to attack during that time, their demon race would be at a severe disadvantage.
Sybrian froze. She hadn't expected Kaliella's intention to be this.
"Can I have some more time to consider?" Sybrian asked.
"How much time?" Kaliella inquired.
"A month and a half," Sybrian attempted to stall.
Once the forty-five-day limit in the Shadow World was up, she planned to flee back to the real world, leaving all of this behind.
"Impossible," Kaliella replied, her gentle smile transforming into a frosty grin as her tone turned stern. "The vampire race has long wanted to test our strength. They have proposed a union between you and a vampire marquess as a condition for long-term peace between our races. We can delay our response for at most another month before we must give them an answer. Finding you a suitable mate before then is also a way to protect you."
If they agreed to the vampires' demand, their demon race would lose the ability to open the ancestral lands. But if they refused, they would no longer be able to maintain their status as a neutral nation.
In large-scale wars, it was often the last to enter the fray who reaped the benefits. For now, the demon race preferred to stay out of the conflict.
"Please stop being willful, Your Highness," Kaliella continued, her cold demeanor sending chills down Sybrian's spine. "Rather than handing you over to the vampire race, we would rather take control of you ourselves. The fact that you still hold your position as princess is only due to the respect I hold for an old friend."
Kaliella's mention of an "old friend" clearly referred to the previous Demon King.
Sybrian understood. Her retention of the princess status depended solely on Kaliella, the enforcer of the rules and traditions of the demon race.
And as a Ninth-Rank Great Demon, even Kaliella's patience had limits.
"...So I must make a decision within a month?" Sybrian pressed her lips together, feeling trapped from the outset.
But she had heard from Antanas and the others that in the Demon Realm, royal betrothals had to be with a Great Demon, at the very least.
"Someone as weak as you has no right to choose," Kaliella stated matter-of-factly. "In the Demon Realm, the strong choose the weak. You can only express your preferences, and I will find a suitable betrothal partner for you from among the Great Demons who show interest, under premises that are fair and convincing to all."
At this time, the demon race could not afford internal strife or collective dissatisfaction among the Great Demons.
As the princess's betrothed, the chosen Great Demon would also gain significant power. Many of the Great Demons, regardless of their personal feelings toward the princess, might desire to become her betrothed or even seek to control her.
Directly appointing a partner would not only violate Demon Realm traditions but also offend the other Great Demons, leading to further discord.
Among the Great Demons present, aside from Kaliella, there were other Ninth-Rank demons who had not left the borderlands. If she made a decision that was perceived as unfair, even Kaliella would struggle to maintain order in the name of demon race rituals.
"..." Sybrian clenched her hands tightly.
She refused to entertain the thought of marrying a stranger from the demon race.
Escaping the Demon King's City was certainly not an option, as her skills only allowed her to evade her teacher, the Ice and Snow Witch. This would be of no use against a Ninth-Rank Great Demon like Kaliella.
For now, she could only think of a way to put on an act and weather this crisis.
"I prefer dark hair..." Sybrian pouted, mustering the courage to voice her request. "You have to help me find a dark-haired demon."
Her father, Migaya, had black hair, so she wasn't lying.
She was reassuring herself inwardly.
"That can be dyed."
Kaliella calmly rebutted.
She didn't think hair color should be a screening criterion.
"Then... I prefer..."
Sybrian fiddled with the fabric of her skirt, trying again.
"That can be altered with magic as well."
Kaliella cut off Sybrian before she could finish.
She found the princess's requests odd, as if she were deliberately trying to filter out a specific Great Demon.
"My betrothed must be a light-attributed demon," Sybrian insisted, her face reddening as she mumbled.
As a dark-attributed demon herself, it was natural to be attracted to light-attributed demons.
"You can't specify a race directly. It might be seen as racial discrimination, which could affect our demons' unity at this critical juncture. Moreover, there aren't many naturally-born light-attributed demons among the current Great Demons," Kaliella explained, growing impatient and feeling that the princess was being difficult.
She also felt that the princess was being stubborn even at this life-or-death moment.
Finally, Kaliella sighed and warned, "All you can ask for is the 'strongest demon in terms of combat' or the 'most knowledgeable demon.' We will find the most suitable betrothed for you based on such criteria and make it public in the Demon Realm. This way, it will be convincing to all, including the vampire race, that we didn't arbitrarily arrange a fake betrothed for you. If you don't make a choice, it will be assumed that you've chosen the strongest demon."
"..."
Sybrian was speechless, her throat feeling dry as her heart raced.
In the solemn and heavy throne room, the air seemed to freeze with tension.
Seated on her throne, Sybrian felt the ominous atmosphere within the palace.
It wasn't just the dangerous auras of the Great Demons, but also the quiet presence of Kaliella by her side, her gaze seeming to see through everything to the depths of one's soul.
Sybrian could clearly sense that Kaliella's patience was wearing thin.
Just as Kaliella was about to give up on respecting the princess's wishes...
"In that case, I prefer a demon with artistic talent. How about this: after a month, have the Great Demons paint, and I'll marry the one who paints the best!"
Sybrian, backed into a corner, could only grit her teeth and make this suggestion.
Although saying this made her extremely shy.
But it was the only idea she could come up with at the moment.
"That's... acceptable."
Kaliella nodded, feeling that the princess's request this time was less unreasonable.
The top painters in the Demon Realm were also capable of creating powerful magical artifacts, and their paintings inherently held magical effects. Their status and position were noble, and it was only fitting for them to be favored by royalty.
"I also accept unknown Great Demons," Sybrian added.
"..."
This surprised Kaliella.
It seemed the princess had finally made up her mind.
Kaliella could understand that there might be unknown Great Demons hiding in the Demon Realm or human kingdoms, and although they tended to be dangerous individuals, it was a risk worth taking if they could be recruited to their side.
"I understand. I will convey your request to find a Great Demon who excels in painting. At that time, Princess, you must not go back on your word, or I won't be able to protect you anymore," Kaliella replied with a bow.
"No problem."
Sybrian clenched her teeth and agreed.
She wasn't sure if she was betting on the right thing, but she prayed that there wouldn't be a demon in this era who could paint better than him.
(End of Chapter)
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