The Demon's Love

Amari

“Duke, I want to be your wife.”

Hah, I was also wondering why I was here in this situation. Who would, in their right mind, would ask the ruthless Duke of Valkyrine? Those who seek dead, yes, unfortunately I had a different motive. Similarly, to those who want to garner wealth and authority, you could say I am a villainess, wants to covet the Valkyrine properties alongside its authorities.

I am still in my right mind, but I do know the danger I’d face the moment I get married to this ruthless man. If ever he rejected me, I have to find alternative ways to make him marry me, such as spend the night with him- if I get to dodge all of his attacks as a powerful paladin, who have successfully sealed the Demon in the Northern Mountains. I shivered now that I compare my small appearance unlike the Demon he fought with; maybe one slice and I’d be saying my farewell the next second.

It might be best to say I am losing my sanity due to the risk I am putting myself, yet if I don’t, more hurdles will come for my way. I need to marry him- marry him in exchange of my life, and them.

The Duke, sadly, looked down on me with his nonchalance green eyes- green like a viper snake, that could poison me, and other than that, he awfully resembled him. I dare not make any assumptions but if he were him I’d die for you, again. The Duke’s hair graced his face so much it made him more handsome, and mesmerizing. Amidst that he was emotionless, his furrowed brows exactly conveyed what he truly wants to say to me- disgusting.

Parallel world, I am in a Parallel world, living in an entirely different world. I was not aware how did I get here as I knew for sure I died under the hands of the mages in my original world… with my beloved husband and child. I gritted my teeth at that thought, as my eyes felt colder. Therefore, this time in this world, I am determined to find the killer because I am certain that killer fled away from our original world- probably to obtain more powers.

That is why, Duke Zaren Valkyrine must marry me. The emperor bestowed him his ‘Duke’ title, and his right to marry someone he’d like, no matter who it was, thus I just blurted what I want at a right time. I have the face of the most beautiful lady in the Empire ‘Amari Inlan’, he wouldn’t reject me, I know it.

I firmly stared at the tall man before me, who was still questioning my whole existence. After a long pause, I finally got to hear him say.

“Perhaps, are you ill?”

“…? Wh-what do you mean, Duke?”

Still with no emotions, he replied, holding the hilt of his sword. “Please move, Miss.”

He passed by me, and hastily, I grabbed his arm and raised my voice, “I like you, Duke, I want to be your wife!”

Shoot, that was my last resort. I may be good in magic and murdering people, but I can’t ever use my verbal skills to talk to someone, especially to someone who has such authority in the Empire. I held my hands in my skirt, looking up at him. The Duke trailed his eyes downwards his arm and when I followed it, I abruptly let go of him, and clarified.

“I… just want to marry you.”

Since no one was here, I could say anything in order to have him as my husband. Around us was no one but his guards, in a desolated place in the Temple just to profess my ‘love’ for him and marry him. Just as my Uncle, he could me at his disposal and throw me if I am unneeded, since that was always the case for me. I gulped as I watched him look at me.

Hearing no response from him, I added. “… I’d be honest with you, Duke. I want to marry you to achieve something.”

He quirked up his brow and breathed, “What is it?”

I lowered my head, “I will tell you when I am ready, but I assure that it won’t endanger someone or anything.”

“If you have something you want from me, what could I gain from you, likewise?”

I knew I could not play with him using affection. The rumors did play a huge part why I had to say I want to marry him. I looked at my hands and summoned my affinities- Light and Fire, then looked up at his slightly surprised eyes.

“In return, you could use me.”

“Use you is such a vulgar word, Miss Inlan.”

I smiled, “Duke, marrying me will benefit you in many ways. Although I have yet to be an official elementalist, I guarantee that I aid you in any way.”

I waved my hands as I explained why I haven’t showed my ability to the Temple to be titled as an ‘Elementalist’ adding that I have two affinities. Having one natural affinity was surely a good thing, but possessing two would be the dream of all the Elementalists.

The Duke looked at my hands then to my eyes. After a gesture to his guard, he gave something which he handed to me. I followed it and tilted my head.

“… A medicine? Are you hurt anywhere Duke?”

He shook his head, “Put it on your wound, Miss.”

Oh, what a perceptive eye he had. I smiled seeing the medicine and unhurriedly applied it on my fresh wound I got while chasing after him earlier, that got scratched by a thorn. Quite reckless of me. originally, I wouldn’t mind scarce wound but since it had been pointed out, then I’d apply it. I assumed the Duke would leave me alone but he accompanied me until I applied the medicine, afterward, he turned his back away from me.

“Just a moment, Duke!”

He hesitantly halted, turning his eyes on me again. I might be really crossing the line, nonetheless, I had no other choice left but to put my dignity on stake, barely holding on. Rather than killing people, asking someone to marry was embarrassing and humiliating. Despite that the Duke never said anything that humiliated me, I felt that way.

I swallowed my saliva and braced myself. “Duke, I want to be your wife. Please accept my offer.”

Instead of answering me, he stepped forward and I had to follow him, even until when he climbed into his carriage. One of the guards wanted to stop me, but I dismissed then and trespassed the Duke’s carriage. If I couldn’t have him as my husband using my verbal skills, maybe using violence would be the last choice- if I could get past his attacks, as I have said.

The carriage rattled but I still resumed, “Your Grace, I could control my power very well. Elementalist that has two affinities is rare so I hope you could put that into consideration as one of your potential brides. But I knew I am better than anyone else.”

He cast me a glance and hummed. “How are you sure about that?”

“If I ever become an Official Elementalist, you’d have stronger manpower. On the other hand, all I want to ask for was your power- use your power to find someone.”

“What will you do if you wield that power incorrectly?”

I shook my head, “No, Your Grace. I knew you’d not want me to end that way thus you’d help me.”

He tilted his head, and amusingly smiled. Throughout my persuasion to marry me, he only smiled now. The only issue was the smile that was frightening as if he was looking at his prey, and ready to eat it up in simpler words, eat me up. His green eyes were fearful enough, adding his smile- I might die without the need to splatter words.

I touched my chest, “Your Grace is searching for a wife befitting of your prestige, and I’ll willingly bear the troubles with you, even if it’s huge.”

“Having two affinities is indeed rare, but I could find another one, can’t I?”

I proudly smiled, “I doubt if you could find someone as powerful or had a higher mana than me. I like you, Your Grace.”