One week later.
A vast midsummer night; July had not yet drawn to a close.
Across the sprawling domain of the Demon Realm lay its capital, known as the Demon King's Castle—Naicalis.
Adjacent to an inland strait, the city was cradled by winding rocky mountain ranges like a natural fortress.
Upon the central landmass of Naica Island loomed a colossal palace crafted from obsidian and deep-blue magic crystal stone, its spires piercing the clouds beside the bay.
Opposite it lay the outer Lis Island, an equally bustling and prosperous quarter.
The streets of Naicalis twisted and turned like a labyrinth, with narrow alleys giving way to sprawling plazas. Along these avenues, all manner of Demon Realm creatures could be seen—some towering and fierce, some sly and diminutive, along with numerous non-humanoid demons. They traded, conversed, slaughtered, and were subsequently arrested by the Demon Realm's enforcers.
At this moment, within the royal palace of the Demon Realm, the ground floor's main chamber was a massive circular regency hall. In its center stood a magnificent black throne, enveloped by a halo of flickering, flame-like light.
The upper levels were reserved exclusively for royalty, furnished with study rooms, bedchambers, council halls, and all the appointments expected of a grand estate.
Save for Caliera the Fall Lord and demons granted her permission, none were permitted onto the palace's higher floors.
Inside a spacious second-floor bedchamber, the purplish-crimson sunset filtered through sheer curtains, spilling across a soft rug.
"...Lysandra, you can finish up for the day."
Hyperion sat quietly on a cushion by a large window, looking out over the palace gardens and the distant barrier.
Her gaze seemed to pierce the translucent barrier, gazing far toward the capital's inland bay.
"It is not yet time. I cannot leave early. If I am disturbing Your Highness, I can wait outside the door."
Not far from Hyperion, a young demon girl clad in the attire of a Demon Realm court master of ceremonies spoke softly with her.
"No, no, you might as well stay by my side then."
Hyperion set down her book and addressed the demon named Lysandra.
Gazing at Lysandra, who stood stiffly like an attendant, Hyperion considered for a moment and patted a wide open space on the cushion beside her, gesturing for her to sit.
"Very well, Your Highness."
Lysandra nodded and stepped forward obediently, taking a seat at a polite, measured distance from Hyperion.
Her full name was Lysandra Puckley. Her ancestors had been orthodox great demons, but by her generation, the house had fallen into decline.
The Puckley family was considered an illustrious clan in the Demon Realm, descendants of the ancient great demon Duke Puckley... though the founding ancestor was technically her great-grandfather's elder brother.
Fortunately, Lysandra had managed to scrape a passing graduation from a harsh Demon Realm school, and combined with her family's modest acquaintance with the Fall Lord, she had been arranged a post here in the Demon King's Castle after graduating.
Perhaps the Fall Lord feared the princess would languish from boredom alone in the palace; so long as the princess's requests did not breach her principles, the Fall Lord did her best to grant them, delegating the concrete chores to Lysandra.
And Lysandra had only one duty: ensure the princess did not fall into depression.
If she failed, the Fall Lord would replace her.
Or perhaps even dispose of her.
Thus, whenever Lysandra brought things to the princess, she had a little time to converse with her.
To her surprise, the princess possessed a remarkably gentle temperament for a demon.
She lacked any of the haughty airs one would expect of royalty.
Perhaps this was because she possessed half-human blood and had lived in the human realm for a time.
"Thank you, Lysandra. If not for the books you brought, these days would have felt unbearable."
Hyperion spent most of her time reading magic tomes from the palace.
The demons she was allowed to interact with in the court were severely limited; Caliera of the Fall guarded her exceptionally well.
"It's just my job..."
Lysandra said helplessly.
Everything was arranged by the Fall Lord.
The reason she had been assigned was twofold: on one hand, she was well-versed in aristocratic etiquette; on the other, she was timid and physically weak, posing no pressure to the princess.
Of course, it was also possible because she had majored in the arts and earned top marks in art appreciation, leading the Fall Lord to think she might share common topics with the princess.
In truth, after spending these days with the princess, Lysandra felt she had virtually no interest in paintings.
Whenever she initiated art-related topics, the conversation fizzled out quickly; the princess would merely hum noncommittal responses before drifting back to gaze out the window.
It was during such moments that Lysandra felt a twinge of pity for the princess.
She envied the princess's exalted station.
Yet the princess envied her freedom.
She did not seem as strong as the great demons imagined—it was just stubborn bravado and putting on a front.
"I brought these pastries from outside."
Lysandra thought for a moment, then retrieved a box sealed by a magic apparatus containing Demon Realm pear-caramel pastries and handed it to Hyperion.
Prying open the lid revealed a cake centered around fragrant, sweet pear ice cream, garnished with crispy vanilla shortbread and shavings of Naicalis dark chocolate. The crisp tartness of snow pear intertwined with the rich sweetness of caramel, while the shortbread and chocolate shavings lent it even greater depth.
Pear-caramel ice cream was wildly popular throughout the Demon King's Castle, so she had bought a portion to bring into the palace.
It had already undergone testing by court magic to ensure it would not poison the princess.
If the princess were poisoned, her own head would roll.
Hyperion took the black box in a daze. Looking at the ice cream inside, she scooped a small spoonful into her mouth, then remained motionless for a long time.
"Does it not taste good?"
Lysandra asked.
"..."
Hyperion shook her head.
Looking at such a distinctive Demon Realm delicacy, she wished she could share it with Tata.
Eating alone, the more delicious something was, the less enjoyable it felt than imagined.
"Did it make you think of someone?"
Lysandra seemed to read Hyperion's expression; such visible emotion was not hard to decipher.
"A demon who is like a mother and an older sister to me,"
Hyperion set down the little black box and answered.
"Is she... gone?"
Lysandra asked with some concern.
"She's still around! She's still around!"
Hyperion snapped back to reality and clarified.
Although Tata had very few appearances, Hyperion always felt her presence everywhere—especially in Lanqi's heart.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Lysandra hurriedly nodded and apologized.
A brief silence settled between the two demon girls.
Hyperion thought it over, then resumed savoring the sweet treat Lysandra had specifically brought her.
"Lysandra, have any new great demons arrived in the Demon King's Castle, Naicalis, recently? If there are, just hold out for two seconds without blinking."
Putting down the small spoon for a moment, Hyperion leaned a little closer to Lysandra and whispered her question.
"...I cannot speak of such things. Lady Caliera warned me."
Lysandra lowered her head and mumbled.
Chapter 563