The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 96: Acceptance Or Rejection?

Chapter 96: Acceptance Or Rejection?

Nighttime arrived and as soon as the sun disappeared behind the clouds, Damien’s presence was known.

Rama was in her chamber, while she waited for Damien’s return to attend the unnerving family dinner and convey the announcement of a forbidden union between a demon and a human.

As darkness loomed over the land to remind her of her precarious fate, a knock on the door was heard. She sighed deeply as she opened it to meet Madam Lyla with a black dress gathered in her arms.

"Hello Miss, Lord Damien ordered me to hand the dress to you. It’s what you shall be wearing for the dinner." Madam Lyla said with a smile, as she invited herself in. She placed the black dress neatly on the bed and stepped back, running her hand over her neat chignon.

"Thank you." Rama breathed out as she stared at the black dress, she was undoubtedly going to her funeral ’great choice Damien’ she thought sarcastically. Regardless, It was beautifully made with intricate designs and embroideries on the skirt, while the bodice had obsidian stones embedded on it.

"I’ll help you with your hair, jewelleries and makeup and you can’t refuse, it was lord Damien’s order." Madam Lyla added in with a smile.

Refuse? She was too tired, mentally and physically to refuse anything, she just nodded lazily. Madam Lyla helped her into the dress, although it was surprisingly light, doing the lace was a hassle for Madam Lyla, as she had to lace it perfectly.

Like a stiff doll, she sat in front of the dressing mirror while Madam Lyla styled her hair beautifully in a bun with locks falling at the sides. She applied makeup on her face, a blush on her cheeks, dark eyeshadow and her lips were painted red.

A ruby diamond necklace was worn round her neck, giving her outfit a finishing look. When she looked back at her reflection in the mirror, her overall look was similar to those female vampires she had encountered back in the castle. Was Damien trying to make her blend in? She thought inwardly.

Her cleavage peeked from beneath the dress, as the V-neck line was a bit too low, no amount of pulling it upward could help, so she could only sigh in frustration.

"Thank you, it’s very beautiful." She forced out with a smile.

As usual, Madam Lyla was satisfied with her handwork and her remark only made her more pleased.

"Are you alright love? you don’t look bright." The woman said with concern, observing her countenance with creased brows.

"I’m fine." She replied dryly.

"If ever you need anything, to talk even, I’m always available." The woman said beaming her a sweet smile.

"Thank you." She breathed out.

"Lord Damien is waiting for you in the main hall downstairs." She informed.

"Alright, I’ll be there, give me a minute." Rama said and Madam Lyla nodded before exiting the room with a smile.

She wondered how she could still have a genuine smile graze her lips after she had been captured, but as she reasoned, she wasn’t the Queen who had lead her people to downfall and caused her entire Empire to be wiped out from the face of existence in a day, so she could easily let go of the past and live in the present, the same couldn’t be said for her.

With a deep inhale and exhale, she stepped out of the room as she strode towards Malika’s chambers to inform her that it was time to go, but rather she came across her all prepped up roaming about the stairs leading to the main hall.

She always seemed to be walking around the mansion, but this time it was for a reason yet.

"Malika." She called and the girl stopped to look at her with a glowing face.

Rather than feeling tensed and unnerved in meeting demons who were against the forbidden union of demons and humans, she seemed rather delighted.

Love had undoubtedly bedazzled the poor girl’s mind, she failed to see the dangers in the dark, alluring path she was taking.

"I thought you picked the blue chiffon gown." Rama pointed out as her gaze flickered over her.

She was clad in an off-shouldered peach silky dress with intricate golden embroideries entrenched on the chest and skirt area.

Her curly golden locks cascaded down her shoulders and back, with a golden hairpin pinned on the side of her head, her pink lips were glossy with paint smeared on it and her cheeks had obviously being puffed up with blush over her porcelain skin.

She looked no less than a dainty princess all dolled up to meet her prince charming, but he was no prince charming, he was a cold blooded demon, and it only made Rama wonder how this twisted love story was going to end.

"I changed my mind." Malika said with a small timid voice, a blush creeping over her cheeks which made Rama wonder why she reddened her cheeks when she already had natural blush.

She timidly clutched her fingers on her small purse.

"Well, lets go then, you look ravishing nevertheless." Rama said and the girl’s face reddened even more.

"Thank you, now you look similar to a...night creature?" Malika said with a nervous chuckle, while Rama locked arms with her as she whispered "I know, it’s ridiculous." And they both giggled as they clambered down the stairs to the main hall to meet lord Damien.

He was about to say something when he felt their presence, but then, his lower mouth hung open when his gaze traveled to Rama. He swallowed softly as he regained his composure.

"I’m talking but you make me speechless. You look stunning in that dress." Damien said, a grin reaching his lips as his crimson eyes glinted with a fathom able desire.

"Thank you." She muttered.

"You both look beautiful." He added in as he glanced at Malika.

"Thank you." She whispered timidly.

"She’s coming with us, I mean, can she come along?" Rama asked.

He paused for a short moment with a thoughtful look on his face, before saying "Of course, but why?" He asked.

Rama and Malika exchanged looks, contemplating on what to say, but he beat them to it.

"Never mind, lets go." He said and they all occupied the carriage without another word.

The journey to the castle was silent as each mind harnessed different thoughts, but none were aware of the twisted and enigmatic path their unpredictable future held in store for them.

The carriage halted in the castle grounds as they arrived, the dark familiar air bathed the vicinity as they emerged out of the carriage.

Not a single soul was perceptible to sight, no night creatures, neither were the maids present as they entered the castle. She wondered if it was because of the dinner that would commence with the demons.

The silence and lack of people only made her unnerved even more and her skin crawled with unease, meanwhile, Malika was high on the anticipation of seeing Zamiel.

Only their footsteps echoed as their shoes clinked on the marble floor to the dining hall. They strode into the dining hall were Draco was already seated, sipping on the drink in the golden goblet.

The dining hall was dimly lit with a few candles, adding to the murky air and the enveloping darkness clinging to the vicinity.

His lazy crimson eyes narrowed to them with a dark predatory gaze, his malevolent presence commanding intimidation and pertrifying darkness that made her want to halt, veer around and dash out of the room, but she strengthened her demeanour as they moved to the table.

The girls curtsied to the king, but Draco’s gaze remained fixed on her, something didn’t feel right.

She made sure to sit beside Damien, two seats farther away from Draco, while Malika sat beside her.

"They’ll be here soon. Speak of the devil!" Draco exclaimed as Zamiel strode into the room with that air of arrogance and pride hanging on his stiff shoulders as he took a seat in the table, ignoring every other person in the room as he didn’t care to spare them a glance, not even Malika.

"They’re here." Zamiel said stiffly with a rigid voice, one that commanded attention.

The door shut open to reveal three figures strutting in, a malevolent air clings to the ethereal figures that emerge.

The male demon of envy stood tall, his crimson hair cascading like a river of blood, matching the fiery intensity of his eyes that seethe with a hunger for what he does not possess.

His presence whispered of discontent, and his very gaze seemed to sow seeds of jealousy in the hearts of mortals. As she observed, Damien was an uncanny replica of him, sculpted from his father’s shadows.

Beside him, the female demoness of lust, daughter of Asmodeus exuded an unsettling allure as she catwalked in a sensual way, moving her hips like a slithering snake towards them.

Her obsidian locks tumbled down her form like a waterfall of ink, contrasting against her alabaster skin. Her black gaze as sharp as an eagle’s retained the darkest of desires and pleasure which she embodied.

The garments she wore, though minimal, cloaked her in an aura of seduction that intoxicated the senses as it hugged every part of her body to reveal her alluring curves. Her sultry demeanor beckons to hidden desires, and her every movement drips with an otherworldly sensuality that ensnares even the strongest wills.

Completing this malevolent trio, the male demon of greed, son of Mammon exudes an insatiable avarice. His form shrouded in ethereal darkness, he emanates an aura of material hunger that can almost be tasted in the air.

Eyes like glinting emeralds scanned the realm with a calculating acquisitiveness, his every gesture driven by an unquenchable thirst for wealth and power.

Together, these demons weave a tapestry of envy, lust, and greed, their presence a harbinger of turmoil, but somehow, Draco’s overwhelming presence of darkness and power seemed to shroud every other presence in the room, the air itself pulsated with his dark energy, even as he appeared neutral.

Rama realised Damien’s mother was not present yet, she could recognize a vampire if she saw one, because of their obvious red eyes which none of the demons harboured.

The demons moved with elegance, but it seemed as if every movement held a sinister intent behind it as they took a seat each.

As soon as they were all seated, the door burst open to reveal whom she believed was Damien’s mother, her crimson eyes burning with fury as she approached them.