Chapter 297: Meeting the Empress - A Jealous Knight!
Asmodeus noticed the two women spoke freely after he called for Levia and Liana to come and meet the children. He also wondered whether it was due to the kindness and adaptability of Yuina; or the noble and accepting personality of Juliet.
However, the children felt a little resistant to leaving the city where they grew up. Once the two women in expensive clothes and armour appeared, they soon left.
The young boy looked back towards Asura several times, likely unsure and worried he was a slave trader or tricking them.
'This kid is quite cute, though I have no desire to trick them.'
"Asmodeus, you seem quite different from the prophecy... I mean, it painted you in such a horrible light that it makes no sense to me." Juliet touched her chin while gazing at Asmodeus. That was now relaxing, with Yuina massaging his scalp.
'I guess it depends on the god and place who gave the prophecy, though, right?' He thought to himself while letting out a pleasant sigh.
Yumiko normally did this for him after the day ended in bed. It was the only thing that made the demon king feel sleepy.
"Hmmm... a prophecy from the true goddess of this land or the little usurper Mephisto?"
His words caused the lovely grey wolf to suddenly freeze, her mouth opening wide before checking around them. She looked terrified someone might have heard his words, a sense of amusement on his lips seeing this spectacle.
"A-Asmodeus... you must be careful! That kind of speech, it will be dangerous if someone hears?!"
'Haha, it seems the cult has taken a deep hold of this city. Just you insects wait.'
There was no chance he would tolerate them remaining while Yuina was the empress.
"Haha, what the truth. It was Serena, goddess of darkness, that saved and protected your kind. Now you wag your tail to her enemy and the god trying to kill her apostle?"
"H-Husband, you shouldn't be so mean to Juliet. She's not a bad person..." Yuina's soft hands stroked his cheeks, while pushing out her lower lip pouting.
The little princess didn't wish for him to get in trouble and became worried about his words.
"..."
Juliet watched with a dazed look in her eyes. It seemed she also felt it strange but didn't want to implicate herself.
That's when Asmodeus slowly lifted himself from the peaceful and warm thighs of his lovely fox princess and moved close to the grey wolf. His sudden movement caused the lovely second princess to blush.
But upon hearing his words, her face began to twitch.
"Well, it seems you agree with me, right? Those filthy cultists of death must have hurt many of your people since they came. Don't worry, I only speak the truth; as the apostle of Serena, I won't let that filth remain when Yuina takes the throne."
"H-However...." She responded, only for Asmodeus to place a finger on her lip, causing the wolf to blush and tremble.
'This man doesn't listen to me... doesn't he know how fearsome those people are?!'
Despite these thoughts, even stupidly caring for the enemy. Asmodeus just sneered, then stroked her silky grey hair. "Don't worry. Would you not like to remain the princess after Yuina takes over? I think the beast empire needs to evolve. This current state just makes each clan compete and never work together."
"Hueh?!"
"What!?"
This statement shocked both the lovely Yuina and Juliet; at first, Yuina pouted and seemed jealous.
"Do you like this girl that much, Husband?" A nervous and worried voice that carried the insecurities of Yuina straight to his ears. Asmodeus wasn't as dense anymore, thanks to his evolution. He could understand the intense feelings of the women he spoke to.
'This cute little fox, she's jealous and worried I have fallen for the wolf. While the wolf is just as innocent in that head of hers...'
"Both of you, don't be so silly and jealous. I just think that Juliet would be a great help to the future of this empire, and only Yuina could unleash that potential inside her. Because you wouldn't crush her just because she began helping the people with her policies and actions, right, Yui?"
"Y-Yui??"
Yuina's face turned red; it was the first time he had used such a nickname, causing her heart to flutter and start beating faster. In honestly, Asmodeus did this on purpose to make her this way. He knew Yuina carried many things on her back and struggled to let them out, thus he would help her. That's what it means to be her husband and her partner.
Juliet's mouth dropped. She couldn't believe his words and actions. The fact he wouldn't eliminate her political and authoritative rival and even asked for her to stand beside him was confusing.
'Does he truly not care for the consequences?'
But the moment Yuina heard those words, she smiled gently and then hugged Asmodeus from the back. Then pulled him back onto her lap with a gentle smile; meanwhile, their carriage slowly approached the palace gates.
It was a beautiful and grand sight. They used the bones of powerful beasts to make the main gate, making the walls thick and durable. Their essence and mana radiating from the walls through a flaming brazier at the top, creating beautiful coloured flames. It was like a beacon to all mana users.
When the carriage approached the gates, it halted, and the coachman talked to the guards outside. Juliet seemed to become less active the closer she came to the palace. Asmodeus now understood why she seemed so animated before. She was free of this place. It seemed to the current Juliet this place was her prison, or cage.
Juliet didn't show her feelings on her face, but her ears and tail were expressive.
'It seems both these girls feel nervous and worried right now.'
Asmodeus couldn't help but extend his hand to Yuina and stroke her soft cheek, then with a simple whisper. "Don't be worried or scared. I am here for you."
"Ah... Husband... you are too good for me."
Her eyes showed a delighted expression until she seemed to realise it was all an act. Then she grasped his wrist, and her eyes trembled, with her lips parting. She felt vulnerable, squeezing his arm as if worried he might disappear. "Hmmm?" He tilted his head with a smile, feeling her unstable emotions and letting her express them.
This was her choice, and he would only support her, not take her place. 'She must become their empress, not me.'
"Are you... are you sure about this?" He could sense the worry and doubt in her heart and mind. He didn't blame her for this, nor did he feel upset because he knew this girl well enough.
"Ah... that..." For a moment she seemed to be lost, turning and gazing at the guards speaking with the coachman, looking at documents he submitted. Then, she seemed to calm down after taking a deep breath. "Will you be disappointed or leave if I said I wasn't?"
"Hahaha, never. I am with you until the end, Yui."
He smiled gently, kissing her forehead with a tender and loving kiss. "I am your husband and partner. Even if this empire is destroyed and gone, I will still help you live and find happiness."
Her face lit up red, and her eyes trembled. Asmodeus didn't understand how much support and joy she gained from his subtle gestures and words.
Yuina no longer felt their relationship was an act. No matter how many times she reminded herself, the lovely princess couldn't help but fall for his charm. 'Brother-in-law, you idiot! Always making me feel this way....'
It was only a few moments later that the carriage began moving once again, this time passing through the gates. The moment Asmodeus and the two princesses entered the courtyard, the coachman stopped the horses and opened the door for them to exit.
'It seems we have to walk the rest of the way...'
The three of them were quite a distance from the main palace, its huge and grandiose appearance taking up the horizon. Juliet and Yuina gazed at each other before taking deep breaths.
"I am sorry, no carriages can come any close to the palace; the rest of the way must be done on foot," Juliet told Asmodeus, who looked a little irritated, while her knights walked towards them with sour faces.
"Princess Juliet!" A male wolf with brown hair scowled at Asmodeus before turning a flattering look to Juliet. This caused her to frown, and her lips pressed tightly together while narrowing her gaze. She didn't realise just how judgemental this city and the surrounding people were until meeting Princess Yuina.
This lady from the Inukami clan spoke to her and accepted her ideas when no one else would.
"Please let us accompany you to the palace," the knight said with a gentle and loving smile. It was clear to Juliet he wanted her to accept him as a suitor or maybe to approve of his loyalty. But the moment she felt a tug on her sleeve, she realised Asmodeus was pulling her along.
"Shall we go together, Juliet?" His lips curled into a smirk, a strange feeling, but Juliet didn't mind him calling her name so easily; it felt strange and fresh.
"I—"
"How dare you speak to the princess that way!" The knight shouted, breaking off her words and interrupting her. A rude and shameful act for a knight, yet he showed no repentance. Only a look of disgust and anger.
"Hmm, are you that desperate for the princess to like you? You must be quite desperate, huh?" Asmodeus chuckled, then stroked Yuina's silky hair, who was blushing and pouting at him.
'Always flirting and chasing women... this man, will he ever settle down? No! I must make him stop so sister doesn't become sad!'
A war started inside Yuina's mind as she pulled Asmodeus closer to her and clenched his arm with both of hers. He tried not to smile or laugh at the adorable face of victory on Yuina's face.
Her lips curled into a lovely smile, and eyes narrowed into crescent moons and her nose slightly elevated as she snorted with an arrogant air.
A look that didn't fit a lovely princess at all, making her look even cuter in his eyes.
"You should be careful, Sir Knight. It is rude and uncouth to speak over royalty." Asmodeus spoke with a calm and cold tone, yet everyone realised he wasn't angry or irritated.
The knight, however, couldn't see this and became furious.
"Who do you think you are? You're not even a beastman. Leave this place. You have no right to speak here!" The knight's words made the others confident, yet they didn't notice the dark face Juliet made as she looked down in embarrassment.
"Yeah! Get out!"
"Filthy human, we don't want you here!"
It was an amusing situation for Asmodeus, but Yuina and Juliet both became angry on his behalf.
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