A week later.

Midsummer night, July not yet at its peak.

In the vast territory of the Demon Realm, stands Nicalis, the capital known as the Demon King's City.

This city is close to an inland strait, surrounded by winding rocky mountains, resembling a natural fortress.

At the city's center, on the raised land of Nica Island, a massive palace constructed from obsidian and deep blue magic crystal rock towers, its spires piercing the clouds, close to the bay.

Opposite lies Lis Island, the outer ring, an equally prosperous area.

The streets of Nicalis are intricate and maze-like, with narrow alleys and squares interspersed. On these streets, one can see various Demon Realm creatures, some tall and mighty, others cunning and petite, as well as numerous non-humanoid demons. They trade, converse, or even kill, only to be arrested by the Demon Realm enforcers.

At this moment, inside the Demon Realm Royal Palace, the main hall on the first floor is a vast circular regency hall. A magnificent black throne sits at its center, surrounded by a halo that flickers like flames.

Upstairs are the royal family's private quarters, including a study, bedrooms, and meeting rooms—all the expected amenities of a residence.

Except for the Fallen, Kaliyela, and those demons she permits, no other demons are allowed to enter the higher levels of the Royal Palace.

In a spacious bedroom on the second floor, the crimson sunset spills through the sheer curtains, casting its glow upon the soft carpet.

"...Lysandra, you can go off duty now."

Hyberia sat quietly on a cushion by the large window, overlooking the palace gardens and the distant barrier.

Her gaze seemed to penetrate the semi-transparent barrier, gazing far out at the capital's inland bay.

"It's not time yet. I can't leave early. If I'm disturbing Your Highness, I can wait outside the door."

Not far from Hyberia, a demon girl dressed in Demon Realm court official attire spoke softly to her.

"No, no, you should stay by my side."

Hyberia put down her book and said to the demon named Lysandra.

Hyberia looked at Lysandra, who was standing like a servant, and, after a moment's thought, patted the large empty space on the cushion beside her, signaling her to sit next to her.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lysandra nodded and walked over obediently, sitting down at a position neither too close nor too far from Hyberia.

Her full name was Lysandra Pukri. Her ancestors were orthodox Great Demons, but her generation had fallen into decline.

The Pukri family was considered a prominent family in the Demon Realm, descendants of the ancient Great Demon Duke Pukri... although, in reality, their first ancestor was her great-grandfather's elder brother.

Fortunately, Lysandra barely managed to graduate from the rigorous Demon Realm school, and with her ancestors having some connection to the Fallen, she was assigned to work at the Demon King's City after graduation.

Perhaps the Fallen feared that the princess would be bored alone in the Royal Palace. Any request from the princess that didn't violate the Fallen's principles would be fulfilled as much as possible, with the specific trivial matters being handled by Lysandra.

And her only job was to ensure that the princess didn't become depressed.

If she didn't do well, the Fallen would replace her.

Maybe even eliminate her.

Thus, each time Lysandra brought something to the princess, she had a little time to interact with her.

The princess was surprisingly a demon with a gentle personality.

She had none of the airs one would expect of a princess.

Perhaps it was because she had half-human blood and had lived in a human kingdom for a while.

"Thank you, Lysandra. If it weren't for these books you brought, I think these days would have been unbearable."

Hyberia spent most of her time reading magic books in the Royal Palace.

The number of demons she could interact with in the court was very limited. The Fallen, Kaliyela, protected her exceptionally well.

"It's just my job..."

Lysandra said helplessly.

Everything was arranged by the Fallen.

The reason she was sent was partly because she understood noble etiquette, and partly because she was weak and timid, so she wouldn't put pressure on the princess.

Of course, it was also possible that she majored in art and received the highest score in art appreciation, so the Fallen thought she might have something to talk about with the princess.

In reality, after spending so many days with the princess, Lysandra felt that the princess had no great interest in painting at all.

Every time she tried to bring up topics related to art, she couldn't get a conversation going with the princess. The princess would just nod and hum a few times, and then look out the window again.

It was at this moment that Lysandra felt sorry for the princess.

She envied the princess's high status.

But the princess envied her freedom.

She didn't seem as strong as the Great Demons imagined, merely stubbornly putting on a facade.

"These snacks are from outside."

After thinking for a moment, Lysandra took out a box of Demon Realm Pear Caramel Pastries sealed with magic from her bag and handed it to Hyberia.

After opening the lid, all that could be seen was a cake mainly consisting of sweet pear-flavored ice cream, topped with crispy vanilla wafers and Nicalis dark chocolate shavings. The tartness of the snow pear intertwined with the sweetness of the caramel, and the wafers and chocolate shavings further added to the layers of flavor.

Pear Caramel Ice Cream was very popular in the Demon King's City, so she bought a portion and brought it into the Royal Palace.

It had already been tested by the palace's magic, so it wouldn't poison the princess.

If the princess were poisoned, she would lose her head too.

Hyberia blankly took the black box, stared at the ice cream inside, scooped up a small piece with a spoon and put it in her mouth, then didn't move for a long time.

"Is it not good?"

Lysandra asked.

"..."

Hyberia shook her head.

Looking at such unique Demon Realm cuisine, she wanted to share it with Tata.

Eating alone, no matter how delicious, wasn't as wonderful as she imagined.

"Are you thinking of someone?"

Lysandra probably understood Hyberia's expression. She could read such obvious emotions.

"A demon who is like both a mother and an elder sister to me."

Hyberia put down the small black box and replied.

"She... is she gone?"

Lysandra asked with some concern.

"She's still here! She's still here!"

Hyberia came back to her senses and clarified.

Although Tata had few scenes, Hyberia always felt that she was everywhere, especially in Lanchi's heart.

"Sorry, sorry!"

Lysandra nodded apologetically.

The two demon girls were silent for a moment.

Hyberia thought about it and continued to savor the sweets that Lysandra had specially brought for her.

"Lysandra, have any new Great Demons come to Nicalis, the Demon King's City, recently? If so, try not to blink for two seconds."

Hyberia temporarily put down the small spoon, moved a little closer to Lysandra, and asked in a low voice.

"...I can't talk about such things. Lord Kaliyela warned me."

Lysandra lowered her head and mumbled.

(End of this chapter)