Chapter 24 - Mammon

Adelaide's POV

It has been almost a week since the demons  attacked the Desert kingdom. Since Astoria left, she haven't been able to reply to any of my messages. I am worried but then realised my worries has no significant. This woman has been going to war with monsters since she was young.

But then again, she is still human and she could get hurt. I just hope she's alright.

"It's like I could hear the trumpet of angels while watching the borders from my balcony. I even go as far as to buy a binocular for this. Do you think the knights be able to stop those demons from attacking the capital?" Seraphina said while sipping her tea.

I almost forgot that I'm actually with my sister.

"I'm sure Astoria and the knights will be able to handle them. She promised." Seraphina smiled.

"It seems your trust for your lover exceeds the emperor." Compare to the emperor, Astoria has more merit. The only good things about Victor is that he manage to get me pregnant. The love I had for him dissapear the moment he acted like a loser who crave women's attention.

Victor is far from being an ideal ruler. He is destroying the empire as we speak. It doesn't matter how many times I tried to advice him, he would just do whatever he wants. I'm beginning to feel tired of taking care of his mess.

"Sister, what exactly are you planning to do with the empire?" I shrugged my shoulder.

"I have greater things to do for the empire before the newer generation takes over the throne. I will do my best to prepare everything before my reign is over." Seraphina hummed.

"But I heard that Alexandra is busy looking for a suitable replacement since she doesn't want to be the crown princess." I find it amusing since my daugther has been telling her father's consorts to give birth to a proper heir.

"She has been telling Victor's consorts to give birth to a better heir. But I don't think no one is more suitable to be the next ruler than she is. Alexandra is naturally a great leader and she is well respected even though she is young." Seraphina smiled.

"She's a Hawthorne alright. No one can deny it when it comes to our bloodline. Most emperors and empresses came from our family after all. The greatest of them all is currently sitting in front of me." I laughed.

Is my sister trying to praise me?!

"You took father's challenge head on, sister. And look at you now- you manage to put the emperor on the leash! Unlike me who got used by my husband. I had to ask my sister for help to reel the king in. I'm such a useless Hawthorne." Seraphina sigh.

Speaking of that- this kingdom needs someone to take care of.

"Seraphina, are you going to leave the Desert people and go back to the Hawthorne dukedom? Why not be the queen regent until your son or anyone you choose is old enough to rule? I can appoint you as one." Seraphina seems to be in deep thoughts.

"Will I be able to? Even though we received the same education, will I be able to be just like you, sister?" I smiled at Seraphina.

"Yes you can. And why do you need to be just like me? You were born as a Hawthorne. You were raised as a Hawthorne and you were trained as a Hawthorne. Don't look down on yourself, Seraphina. You're way suitable to be the Desert queen." Seraphina placed her cup of tea down before nodding her head.

"I shall rule this land in fairness, your majesty."

A few days later,

I made my way out of the Desert Palace and waited for Astoria and the rest of the knights. This morning I received a message that Astoria and her knights emerged as victor. Not only that, they manage to capture the demon commander.

My heart leap for joy when I heard the sound of horses galloping from afar. I took a few step forward as the knights emerged. I smiled when I saw Astoria. Even though she seems badly hurt, she still as beautiful as she always been. When Astoria and the knights arrived, they got off their horses before greeting me.

I congratulated the knights and expressed my appreciation and gratitude for their contribution.

"Tomorrow night we shall have a celebration!" The knights roar in unison as I approached Astoria.

"I'm back." Astoria said as she smiled.

"Welcome back." I was about to touch her hands when she take a step back.

"I havent had proper bath since I went to deal with the demons. There's no way I let the empress touch such a dirty-" I don't know why I lean forward and gave Astoria a deep kiss but I needed it. The loneliness I felt immediately went away as our lips met.

The knights started teasing Astoria when we pulled away from the kiss.

"Let's head inside." I smiled before grabbing her hand and pulled her into the palace.

"Adelaide, where are we going? I have to deal with the demon commander-"

"No. We need to take care of you first." We both went into my chamber and told her to sit in the bed. Astoria was reluctant but I ordered her to sit. I had prepared all the things needed to take care of her beforehand.

"Take off your armor." Astoria nodded. I watched as she takes off piece by piece of the armor she wore. I couldn't keep my eyes off. For a woman, she has such broad shoulder and those muscles-

Snapped out of it, Adelaide! You're caring for the injured now.

"I can change the bandage myself." I glare at Astoria when she was about to take the bandages from my hands.

"Sit down and just let me do it! And take everything off. I will help you take a bath." Astoria shake her head no.

"How could I-" I placed a finger on her lips.

"Will you be able to avoid the wound on your back as you bath? That's a deep gash wound and it's bleeding through the bandages. How did it happened?" Astoria flinched even I started removing the bandages.

"The commander was a great swordsman and I was careless. Is it that bad? Will it leave a scar?" I nodded.

"It definitely will." I wish I could do something for her.

"Adelaide, I smell really bad. Dont say I didn't warn you." I smiled.

"You jest. If anything, I could smell the medicine used for the wound. It's not that bad. I had my fair share in the battlefront. It's part of my family's education. To know exactly what is happening in war, my father would sent his children to join the army." I grabbed a hold of Astoria hand and lead her towards the bath.

Carefully, I started rinsing her body with warm water. I could heard Astoria sigh in relief as water hits her body. I started scrubbing all the dirt off before carefully going around my way to avoid her would directly.

"You don't have to be that careful. I can take the pain." This woman.

"I don't. When you're in pain, I'm in pain too. Stop talking and just relax."

Later that night,

I made my way down to the dungeon and met the commander of the demon army. I sighed deeply since I thought I could have Astoria all to myself but—

"You must be the empress of the human realm. Greetings, my name is Mammon, one of the seven princes of Hell." I raised both of my eyebrows. At first I thought he would have a grotesque appearance but I was wrong. The commander looks like a human.

"I am Adelaide Tempest. I was told that you hurt my lover. That deep gash wound on her back, it was your doing, correct?" Mammon nodded his head.

"I apologise. When I saw that knight continue to kill my bethren, I couldn't just sit still. But in the end, I got capture by her. I have to say I am embarrassed. After thousands of years being undefeated, a female human came along and overpowered me." I smiled as this demon praised my Astoria.

Wait- my Astoria? Seriously?

"Anyway, to what do I owe this pleasure to meet the leader of humans?" Mammon asked as he sat with his legs crossed.

"Is there a way for me to meet your king, mammon?" My question seems to surprised him. What? Is it weird of me to ask?

"My king? You wish to meet the demon king? For what reason? Normally others would avoid meeting the demon king. But you, empress— you were raised different." I smiled.

"I was raised to always strike for the gold. And it seems the demon territory has abundance resources that is crucial for humans to survive. And your weapons and magical prowess are way advance that the humans. As a ruler, I wish for my people's survival."

Mammon hummed.

"It must be your lucky day because the king is on his way."

Huh?