Volume 16 Chapter 12: Returning To Vaelthryn

“…” “…” The royal castle of the demon kingdom was enveloped by a deafening silence, so deep and awkward; it hung heavy in the air. There was no change to the location; what was different was the addition of a visitor. Scarlet made the first move as she questioned, “Why did you come here, Carolyn?” Carolyn sat across from her with a dangerous smile running across her lips; it was filled with bloodlust.

“I heard a little thieving kitten was trying to pull strings while I was away.” Carolyn grinned. However, everyone could see red in her gaze: hostile and full of anger. It made sense given the situation. When Carolyn first heard about it, she had to make Julius repeat it again and again. That was when she exploded in rage!

Why was Keith in the demon kingdom?!

Did Keith not return to Vaelthryn?! No one had expected Scarlet to make a move! But the more she thought about it, this notion was possible! Scarlet did not leave after them, and that included Keith as well! If she had asked Keith to go, given his kind nature, he would have followed!

“Thieving? I only asked my friend for his help.”

“Help?” Carolyn’s eyes narrowed, “Don’t you mean bring him home to get engaged?” Engaged? They were engaged? Those words continued to repeat in her mind as she rode the carriage to the demon kingdom. Each time it cycled, her hands sparked, wanting to blow something up.

“That was a by-product of his help.” Scarlet grinned before gently covering her mouth, “Too bad for you, Carolyn. I’ve already gotten my family’s approval to marry Keith. How is that going for you?” First-blood was hers. There were hiccups along the way, but she didn’t have to worry about her family rejecting their engagement in the future!

Smash! The teacup in Carolyn’s hand exploded into oblivion! Not even cracks remained, only dust. Keith brought out a napkin to wipe her hand, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, it was a little exercise.”    

“…” Exercising by blowing up teacups? Keith was left speechless but stayed quiet: the pressure the two released was imposing and deafening, allowing no one to speak. Also, if he had said anything, he would have ended up in their crosshairs. Someone, come and…Why is everyone standing far away?!

Alastair returned to his office to finish his paperwork while Eri set off with the little ones to play in the garden. The rest stood far away from the pergola as they watched! They viewed it from a safe distance! Their eyes said it all; what was going to happen next? They were all dying to find out.

“Carolyn, you cannot be mad at me; it is not my fault you haven’t gained your parents’ acknowledgement of your relationship with Keith.” Scarlet laughed; her words were laced with venom.

That idiot father of mine! Carolyn wanted to scream. This was common knowledge for everyone: Thalia had already accepted Keith. It was a matter of when the two would date, but Julius was another matter. He refused this relationship! He shouted it to the sky and beyond. Her eyes could only twitch violently with defeat, but a smirk soon appeared, “Do you think this is enough?”

“Hmm?” Scarlet raised a brow.

“You still have not gained his parents’ acknowledgement!” There was a flaw in her victory!

“!” That victorious gaze the demon princess had faltered. Yes, her parents agreed to their relationship. But what about Keith’s parents? They probably had no clue this was happening!  

“…” Smash! Now, it was Scarlet’s turn to break a teacup. Keith took a deep sigh while wiping Scarlet’s hands, “So Carolyn, why did you come here?” It was time to change the conversation since it was getting nowhere.  

“To bring you home.”

“Eh?”

“Do you know how much Leon and Laura miss their big brother?”

“Ah,” Keith scratched his head. There were many incidents here that he overlooked a key issue.

Carolyn glanced slightly at Scarlet before grasping Keith’s arm, “I am sure you won’t stop Keith from returning to his brother and sister, would you?”

“I have already spent more than enough time with Keith.” You don’t need to use his siblings to get him back. Scarlet rolled her eyes. She had no intention of being selfish. Having met the two children before, she didn’t want to lose grace with them either.

“Alright, so mind telling me what occurred?” Now that the topic of Keith’s return was out of the way, there was another pressing matter to deal with. Carolyn was out of the loop about what occurred in the demon kingdom!

“...” Keith and Scarlet glanced at one another. Each person signaled the other to explain the matter. In the end, Scarlet was the one who explained everything, being the princess and forcing Keith here.

“…How could so much have happened in such a short time?” Hearing everything made Carolyn’s jaw drop a little. In such a short timeframe, he fought in a tournament, stopped a rebellion, and saved Selk?

“It was a hectic few weeks,” Scarlet grumbled; an entire kingdom could have been destroyed in a matter of moments.

“Now, let’s have a relaxing meal?” Keith clapped his hands to change the subject; they had talked so long that it was time for dinner. The princesses nodded as each one took an arm; they eyed one another as they walked. Entering the dining room, Carolyn gave a curtsy to Alastair, “Greetings, your majesty.”

“Mmhmm.” Keith sat down, and Scarlet and Carolyn took both sides of him. Hey, now, can you not do this in front of so many people?

Elyndra and Lilith looked away, but their shoulders shivered. Tharaziel burst out laughing at the predicament. Keith’s eyes curved. You are lucky I’m here. If it had been any other location, this prince would have been sent flying. I have to tell Valgros to increase his training.

However, this would not be the end of his suffering.