Chapter Text
Ever since I was a child, I was familiar with teleportation magic.
I loved to play, I loved to explore, and I loved to play as an explorer of the vast castle that was my home. My stamina was only slightly above that of an ordinary child, so more often than not I fell asleep by the bookcases of the royal library, or among the war trophies in the treasury, or in the labyrinthine hedges of the royal gardens, or in the corridors leading to the knights quarters, or on the king’s throne… suffice it to say, there was nary a spot I didn’t use for a nap at least once, but no matter where I fell asleep, I always woke up in my bedroom.
Of course, as I got older the need for such teleportation magic became less, but I’m used to falling asleep and waking up in different places; or rather, I’m used to waking up in my own bed regardless of where I fell asleep.
Usually when I fall asleep in my own bed it is where I wake up as well. But I suppose it’s not that much of a stretch to assume you might wake up in a place different from the one you fell asleep at. After all, I did experience falling asleep in the royal carriage and waking up in a proper bed.
So the situation is like this: after a long day of office work, I went to sleep in my room in the royal castle as per the usual, but the room I woke up in was completely different. I don’t recognize a thing about this place. Could it be that the teleportation spell got more advanced now that I’m an adult?
Speaking of the room, if there is one word to describe it, that word would be "crude". The bricks that make up the walls and the floor are almost evenly cut and polished to a degree, but the masonry is left completely bare. I know such design was popular in the days of old, but there aren’t even any of those embroidered blankets they hung up on walls to make the rooms look nice and regal! To say nothing of the missing carpet! Central heating is a must, you know? Bare bricks get cold awfully quick, you know? If you can’t afford a carpet, at least use animal furs!
I suppose there’s warm air coming from all these pipes that go through this room, but why are they exposed like that? Not to mention that the room has a very high ceiling and several windows that are little more that barely refined openings in the wall! Wouldn’t all the warm air escape? It wouldn’t be a surprise if all the warm air escaped, now would it?
And what about the sparse, unrefined furniture? There’s a single small bed, a single small table, and a single small wooden chair! What about a sofa? What about a wardrobe? Where are all the decorations? Also, the light is very dim! Enchanted stones can shine for a very long time, but even those need to be replaced! Does nobody check up on these matters around here?
I’d like to speak with the interior designer, but before that I’d like to speak with the architect! This room is rather high up, and the biggest window isn’t covered at all! How would you take responsibility if somebody falls out? I don’t see any safe nets below! Did you ran out of bars? One of the walls is made up of bars entirely, were those all the bars you had?
While I’m on the topic of the window, what’s up with the view outside? The sky is dark, with a big red-colored moon that hangs low, and occasional flashes of lighting. An ominous-looking forest stretches out beyond, and some things are circling above it in flocks. The castle architecture I can see outside the window is also something I don’t recognize. The background mana is also unfamiliar. Is there something like that in the remote regions of our kingdom? Is it a stronghold of the Circle of Mages? But there was nothing about visiting such a place on today’s schedule. Today I was supposed to give a speech to boost the morale of our soldiers, since they’ve been getting dispirited on the account of the decline of demonic activity.
Still, this room is rather peculiar. Isn’t it quite similar to a dungeon cell? But the dungeons are supposed to be underground, so there should be no windows…
— So you have finally awoken!
Oh, there’s somebody standing outside the bars. I did hear footsteps, but there were all kinds of awful noises outside already, so I didn’t really pay attention.
The visitor is a rather young-looking man wearing an elaborate caped outfit in a design I can’t recognize. For some reason, he has a fine pair of black cow-like horns on his head. I don’t see any headband they would connect to… don’t tell me those grow on his head naturally? It’s not a contagious curse or something like that, is it?! Now that I’m looking closely, there are all kinds of peculiar folks behind him. Are all of them cursed as well?
— I see that you are so frightened that you cannot utter a word! - the young cow-horned man continues in a grandiose voice. - That is how you ought to behave! Tremble in fear and weep, for you have…
— What poor manners.
The cow-horned youth stuttered to a halt. Well, this room is by no means a suitable parlor for receiving guests, but I would have to make do.
I sit up properly and assume a regal air befitting of my rank.
— I don’t recall to be acquainted with you, sir, so on what basis do you address me with such familiarity? Isn’t it common sense to be introduced first?
— Ah, yes, my bad, sorry, — the horned youth mumbled. — I’m called Twilight, and um, I’m also the current demon king…
No, wait, if you’re a king, should you be doing the introductions yourself? There should be somebody officially appointed to do that for you; isn’t that the reason you brought an entourage along? Well, the setting does appear to be informal, so I suppose this much can be permitted... and etiquette can wary from one kingdom to another. A king would outrank me anyway, so I guess I’ll have to go along with it.
It would’ve helped if I knew the customs of this kingdom, but since the visit was so sudden and I had no time to prepare, I simply stand up and curtsy:
— I am Aurora Suya Lis Goodereste, the sole princess of the kingdom of Goodereste. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your majesty demon king Twilight.
— Um, yeah, likewise…
I sit back on the bed. Hmph, his composure is certainly lacking, but he does look quite young, so there’s a chance he wasn’t prepared to be crowned at such an age.
— Your majesty, may I ask a question?
— Y-yes, what is it?
— May I inquire as to where I am and why was I brought here? I don’t recognize this place at all, you see…
A weird expression appears on the young king’s face. He’s surprised, or should I say, dumbfounded? Surely I didn’t show ignorance in a matter that should have been common knowledge?
He turns around and converses with his entourage in a furious whisper, then turns back around to face me.
— Um, princess, — he clears his throat, — I did say I was the current demon king, didn’t I?
— Yes, I believe you did.
— And um, these guys behind me, — he makes a vague gesture towards his entourage, — you do see that they are demons, don’t you?
— Now that you mention it… I apologize, I assumed they were cursed, but I suppose they do look like demons.
— What kind of a curse would!.. — the young king almost cries out, but stops himself and changes his tone. — Look outside, you don’t get a view like that back in the human kingdom of yours, right?
— Hm, I suppose that is true…
So, the demon king is that demon king. Well, I guess it really wouldn’t make sense for anyone else to claim that title. If I look closely, the king’s entourage does resemble some of the demons I saw in books. I’m not sure if the view outside can be called "demonic", but it’s certainly how you might picture one.
Still, I’d like to make sure:
— Do I take it that I’m in the demon kingdom, in the castle of your majesty the demon king?
— Yes, that’s exactly right! You finally get it! — the young king exclaims in relief while his confused entourage gets more lively.
For some reason, everyone looks as if they’ve made some kind of accomplishment.
— So this is the demon kingdom. I see, that certainly answers my first question. But I’m afraid to say I still don’t understand why I’m here…
Ah, everything got quiet.
The demons were murmuring and whispering so cheerfully, but now they are all quiet. And the young demon king looks dumbfounded again.
— Um, princess? You are a human princess, aren’t you? The one and only princess of the human kingdom, aren’t you?
— Yes, that’s true.
— And we’re demons, right? I’m the demon king? Do you really have no idea why would a human princess be kept at the demon castle?
— Hmmm… "kept", you say?
I don’t see why everyone has such blank looks on their faces. I mean, if only you had explained everything properly from the beginning, we wouldn’t have to go through any of this, now would we?
— Arghhh! — one of the demons yells. — You’re our hostage, alright? Our king captured you and brought you here to be our hostage, alright? Anyone would realize the situation just by looking at your cell! What are you, stupid? Is human princess stupid?
— Poseidon, don’t be rude! — the demon king tries to appeal.
— She’s a hostage, isn’t she? She’s supposed to cry and stuff, isn’t she? Why are we even talking to her like that?
Hey, raising your voice in the presence of a lady is poor manners, you know? Even before that, why are you wearing only a ragged piece of cloth? Do you have no decency? Are you some kind of a lowly servant, perhaps? Your majesty, do you allow lowly servants to speak so brazenly?
— W-well, it is as Poseidon says, — the demon king coughs and assumes a grandiose pose again. — I am Twilight, the demon king! I have captured you, human princess Aurora Suya…
— Oh, just "princess Suyalis" would do, given the formality of the occasion.
— Err, right… — the demon king falters, but continues. — Human princess Suyalis, I have captured you to be our hostage! Cry, tremble in fear, yearn for freedom in vain! For what remains of your days, you shall be our captive!
The demons cheer, and even I’m compelled to join in and applaud. The demon king can speak in a rather impressive manner once he puts his mind to it.
— So, am I to be your hostage or your captive? — I ask when the commotion dies down a little.
Ah. Everyone becomes quiet again.
— Th-there’s… no difference, though? — the demon kings says with uncertainty.
— If there really wasn’t, we wouldn’t have to use two different words, though? — I say. — One implies you will hold me for ransom, while the other implies you will detain me for a period of time. So, do you expect my kingdom to pay you in exchange for my freedom? In gold, jewels, artifacts or any combination thereof?
— Uh, no, we don’t really need anything like that…
— I see, so it’s not about the riches, — I nod in understanding. — Do you perhaps intend to exchange me for some of your people that are being kept prisoner in our human kingdom?
— No, I don’t think you have any demons imprisoned…
— Am I a so-called bargaining chip you will use in negotiations?
— Actually, that… no, it might be difficult…
I don’t really understand what’s your goal, then. If you don’t plan to gain anything from kidnapping me, what value do I hold as a hostage? I don’t have any, right? There’s no use the demons have for me, right? Unless…
— Don’t tell me… — I pull back and eye the king with suspicion. — You aren’t going to subject me to humiliation for your amusement, are you?
— Subject you to what?! — the king sputters, looking flustered. — What do you take us demons for? We’re not gonna do that!
— So am I going to be a sacrifice in some dark, forbidden ritual?
— The last one was done long before my father’s time! And no, we aren’t doing another one!
— Then, forced labor…
— That’s slavery! We don’t do that, neither!
— Then…
— No! No one is going to do anything to you! You’re just going to sit in this cell quietly and wait for someone to come and rescue you!
— Oh, I see, — I nod. — You want another war, then.
My, it really is surprising how quickly everybody falls silent. Are they cursed after all? Does a "Skip A Turn After Princess Speaks" curse exists?
— Er... no, a war is a little… — the king mumbles.
— You don’t? — honestly, the more I hear, the less I understand. — But you have captured, or rather, kidnapped the one and only princess of Goodereste. Surely you don’t expect my kingdom to do nothing about it? The tension between our kingdoms might have lessened, but it’s not like either side accepted ceasefire, much less a truce. You should be prepared for war, wouldn’t you say?
The king’s entourage looks restless and worried, murmuring among themselves.
But why do all of you look so shocked? I realize the demons are different from humans, but surely you can follow simple logic? The kingdom of Goodereste is peaceful, but we do have an army, and a quite powerful one at that, and we certainly know how to fight efficiently. So if anyone was to kidnap the one and only princess without any good reason, it’s just common sense that a war will break out, you know?
The demon king tries to get the attention of his subjects, but to no avail.
— Silence! — he yells at last, and everyone complies. He points at me. — Princess, be a good captive and wait for the hero to rescue you! You lot! — he turns to his entourage. — I expect everyone to follow the orders I gave you!
— Yes, my liege! — the demons reply in chorus.
— That’s everything I have to say! Disperse!
And with a dramatic swish of his cape, the demon king and his entourage leaves. Not even a single guard remains to stand outside my cell.
Well. Isn’t this a curious turn of events.
I don’t really understand what is the purpose of me being kept here at the demon castle. It sounds like the demon king expects a hero to come for me… Now that I think of it, there was someone like that at our kingdom, wasn’t it?.. I have an excellent memory, and a princess like myself ought to have been introduced to a national hero, but I simply can’t recall that person very well. Goodereste is a peaceful kingdom, after all, so there has been little use for a hero.
Oh well, if it’s not the hero, then I’m sure someone from the Royal Knights Order will come. The Adventurers’ Guild has many capable people as well, doesn’t it? The Circle of Mages is full of eccentrics who prefer to stay indoors all day, but it might dispatch someone as well. I can say in all modesty that I’m a princess everybody in the kingdom likes, so there should be no shortage of people wanting to come pick me up.
I might be in the heart of the enemy territory, but it doesn’t sound like the demons plan to do anything with me. Doesn’t that mean that I’m free to simply relax and do nothing? Isn’t that an extended day off? No, there’s another word for a long period of time that isn’t occupied with work, isn’t there?..
Alright, I’ve decided.
If I’m to be the captive princess, then I’m going to thoroughly enjoy my vacation at the demon castle!