Chapter 27 - Submit

Adelaide's POV

It's been a month since my trip to the desert kingdom and tomorrow, finally, the empire will be able to sign the alliance agreement with the demon realm. There were a huge number of nobles who think that this alliance will lead the empire to our demise but-

"Your majesty, the demon king and his entourage has arrived." I got up from the armchair and went to the balcony to see how the people of the Empire received my guests.

"The countess- where is she?"

"The countess went back to the North using the gate. She will be back by tonight. That's what the butler told me." She went back to the North without telling me?

"Did something happen while we were in the desert kingdom?" Sarah cleared her throat.

"It seems the monsters are making their move while the countess was away. She said she wants to examine how severe the situation is with her own eyes." I see- it's been a few days since I last saw her. At least she's using the gate.

"Your majesty, I'm not sure if you notice this yourself but don't you look a bit pale?" Pale? I look at myself in the mirror and Sarah is right- I do look a little paler than usual

"It's probably the stress of work. I'm planning to spend a lot of time recuperating at rhetorical North after this is all done." Sarah nodded.

"I think that's for the best." I was about to walk back into the room when I saw Victor barged inside.

"Was knocking just a thought for you? What are you doing here? You should be greeting our guests." Victor seems flustered for some reason.

"What is wrong with you?! Why would you invite those demons into the palace?! My parents are not happy, Adelaide! You knew what those demons did to them- so why? Why would you do this?" Victor got on his knees, continuing to ask if I'm sane or not.

"Victor, wake up! I did this for the empire. Our technology is way behind them and it made me angry! They are demons, we are humans! Why can't we do better than them?" I asked, waiting for his response.

"The demons are developing new ways for the comfort of their people and what are we doing at the time being? Wars! Killing other races and conquering nations! For whose gain, Victor? For who? For your selfish parents!" Victor flinched when I raised my voice.

Even our daughter went inside to see what was going on.

"Mother, father- is everything okay?" I smiled again Alexandra.

"Everything is fine. And Victor, if you continue to be this way, the empire will fall. Stop listening to your parents orders and be the emperor! You have more power than they are! The empire is dying, Victor. Have you seen how your mother spends the treasury? Have you seen how your father lavishly buys things for his consorts? If this continues, the empire will suffer! Our people will die from starvation and we will both BE EXECUTE! LISTEN TO WHAT I'M SAYING HERE, VICTOR!"

I have finally lost my composure.

"Father, I think it's best for you to go back for now. I will talk to my mother." Alexandra led her father toward the door before asking Sarah to leave us.

"Mom, explain." Alexandra sat on the arm chief before crossing her legs. Looking at this girl, she is exactly like me. I really hope she didn't inherit my temper. I took a seat on the armchair next to hers and sigh

I explained to my daughter what I did and all I got from her was a long and heavy sigh.

"What kind of future do you expect from this alliance?" Alexandra asked.

"A future where humans and demons could co-exist. Where we could exchange knowledge and technology with each other. I wish for the empire to grow. But if this continues, the demons will surely three step forward than us. Are we even equipped to go against the demons if we go to war? No- we will fall immediately." Alexandra hummed.

"I hate to admit it but the people who could go against the demons right now are the North's. Our knights have no chance, whatsoever and they are the one who had to protect us." Even my daughter could see how dire the situation is.

"I heard from my links that the former emperor and empress are gathering old noble factions to go against this alliance. Mom, you need to be careful. Your life is at stake here. And the countess doesn't seem to be around- where is she?"

I was about to reply to my daughter's question when I heard someone knock on the door.

"The countess has arrived, your majesty."

The next day,

"Are you sure you're alright?" I asked Astoria one more time as the servants are putting the last piece of jewelry on me.

"I'm fine. The healer did an amazing job. See, my arms are reattached." I sighed as I turned to face Astoria.

"Do you have any idea how surprised I was when I saw you carrying that arm of yours with your other hand while smiling at me? Please don't be such a reckless knight!" Astoria smiled.

"I didn't know there was another ogre hiding. I was so sure that I could kill them. It's my fault so I'm sorry. But even if I lost an arm, the demon king said he could use his magic to regenerate them." I didn't know that Astoria are on close terms with the demon king.

"When did you and the demon king become friends?" Astoria chuckled.

"After I told regent queen Seraphim about the demon king's interest in her." I can't believe this- this woman actually being wingman for my sister.

Astoria offered her hand for me to take before she led me to a seat. Astoria kneels on one knee before asking the servant to bring her my footwear.

"I have prepared something for you. All you have to do is follow what the demon king is doing." Astoria smiled.

"What do you mean?" Astoria went up before she gave me a kiss on the forehead.

"It's for your safety. Once the alliance agreement is signed, you'll know exactly what I've prepared." Astoria takes a step back before she bow to me.

"Your majesty, let me escort you to the hall." I took Astoria's hand and made our way to the hall. The eyes and hatred I received from the nobles are visible enough to make me realize how angry they are. I'm glad to see my parents but they seem worried.

I gave them a small smile to assure them that I know what I'm doing.

"Such an intense group of people." Astoria sighs as she escort me down the hall, up the stairs towards my throne. Victor seems restless and so does my in-laws.

"Victor- did you get an earful?" The emperor sighs.

"Just let's get this over with." I chuckled before looking forward to what Astoria had prepared for me.

The demon king and his entourage finally enters the hall. The nobles who came to witness this historical moment were shocked to see how much they look just like a normal human. I couldn't even see the king's horns at all. And the demons behind him- they are all his bed mates. But- they do hold important roles in the demon realm.

It was a simple procedure really. Despite the stares and comments made by the nobles, they have no power against my words. This is the only time I feel like I am above them. The moment I took the challenge and became the empress, I suffered quite a bit of pain and suffering, mentally and physically. But does my husband notice this? No.

What is there to notice? For him, all he cares about is himself. And to survive, he had to follow his parents orders. To marry me was one of them. But I'm sure they didn't expect me to be a hindrance for their plans.

"You seem rather happy, your majesty," the demon king smiled after he signed the alliance agreement.

"Of course I am. Who wouldn't?" Moloch smiled. I was surprised to see his entourage suddenly kneel on one knee and show their heads.

Wait- is this what Astoria-

"Your majesty-" Moloch, the proud demon king slowly but surely knee on one knee before offering his hand for me to take.

"I, Moloch, ruler of the Demon Realm hereby recognised her majesty, Adelaide Tempest as my ruler."

Moloch brought my hand close to his lips and gave it a peck as a sign of submission. What is going on? How did Astoria convince this proud demon to be ruled by a human? And to think the entourage too would do the same.

What-

What is happening?