A string of saliva connected their mouths, a tear streamed down her cheeks.

“Stop it Sequencee.. stop trying to change my mind..” she pleaded softly.

“Reese is right. Why the hell do you let them decide your life?”

“It’s not that Sequencee.. it really just isn’t..” she grabbed his shoulder and pulled herself close to him.

‘You don’t know anything..’

“I’m not going to let you go,” he tightened his arms around her.

“You will be engaged to the princess.. that is already an inevitable truth. I don’t foresee the royal family revoking this perfect opportunity..” a cloudy mix of disillusionment and facts. “And then we’ll live a life of unhappiness forever. I don’t want that Sequencee.. I don’t want to make you suffer..”

If things were as simple as adding another wife to the equation..

Dara-dara.

The skies darkened above, the forest roads grew dark. The air was chilly, and the sense of solitude felt more apparent than ever.

She lived a dream. For the past half a year, experiencing life in the human empire, life by Sequencee’s side. It was a refreshing break, one she would’ve liked to continue living if such an opportunity existed.

Dara-dara.

The sounds of the suspension squeaking, the wheels rocking up and down. Schwii had one hand supporting her chin, eyes fixed towards the scenery of the unending forest of trees. Her horns pressed against the window glass, her devil’s tail curled up on the empty cushioned seat.

Iona sat opposite of Schwii, her eyes closed with senses sharpened to the peak.

Norcto’s forest was a place full of mysteries and danger. Some even say that the place is itself a dungeon of its own. And to travel like this at night, it wasn’t normally conceivable for anyone by any means.

The carriage halted all of a sudden.

“Iona, will Sequencee be safe?” Schwii asked.

“Your Highness, don’t say such things. He will be alright,” Iona alighted from the carriage. Iona helped Schwii out of the carriage.

“Your Highness,” the archdemon Eunox gave a magnanimous bow. Standing beside him was Ingus, along with a few other demon entourages who seemed to have come to receive Schwii. “You have made an excellent decision.”

“Un,” Schwii nodded with a blank expression. “Where is the gate?”

“We will let the true vampire Ingus guide us.”

The pride Eunox took in each word rubbed Schwii the wrong way. It didn’t matter that he was intelligent, persuasive or powerful, she hated everything about him. Yet, he was one of the three fiances her mother had chosen for her. If he weren’t some high demon with an aristocratic status, he would’ve been burnt black by her hell flames.

“It’s good that you remember this place,” Ingus’ deep voice contained a hint of helplessness. Clearly, the intent was directed at Iona; recalling how Ingus dropped her into the water when he used his [Unique Skill: Group Warp], she frowned a little.

“Her Highness has luggage to return,” Iona opened the bonet and took out the bags one by one. There were at least four.

Iona holding two of Schwii’s luggage, Schwii holding the other two. Both of them, refusing to allow the other demons to assist them, made their way upstream. The sounds of sloshing water, the crunching of rocks at each step below. The boundless skies were open, stars illuminating. Orange flames lit the path forward, the night winds made Schwii a little uncomfortable, especially when she was wearing such a thin dress. Truthfully, she hadn’t expected that they’d have her walk so far.

The thundering sound of gushing water became evident, Schwii found herself standing at the top of some humongous waterfall.

“This way to the hidden warp gate.”

‘So they actually built a new one here. No wonder so many demons were able to come in and out of Rika Nation.’

The demons entered an opening in between two slices of rock one by one. Schwii glanced at Ingus then at the luggage in her hand.

“Please do not worry, Your Highness, I will teleport you directly to the gate. Let them handle the procedures before we enter. How about you have our porters help you with your items?”

Schwii glanced at Iona. Dropping the luggages on the ground, she heaved a deep sigh, “Suit yourself. Just don’t pull them through the portal yet, I want one last check.

“Yes, with pleasure.”

Eunox called the demons and had them pull the baggage into the cave.

“Your Highness, why have you decided to abandon him?” Ingus asked.

“...I wanted to see my mother. I heard that she has been released,” Schwii exhaled.

“Is that all there is?” Eunox found her response a little dismissive.

Schwii went silent.

Eunox, seeing her response, lips curled into a smile. It seems his provocation had some unintended effect. That ‘half’ demon lord wasn’t able to accept Schwii’s mother being the one who took everything from him; Schwii wasn’t able to bear the guilt of staying with him after learning this truth.

A burst of blue light in the crevice caught their attention.

“I will commence teleportation. Please hold onto my hand.”

Iona held onto Schwii, acting as the intermediary, not allowing her to have direct contact with any of them.

A light engulfed their vision, the sounds of the air current echoed in the space of the cavern. Before them was a portal, hex magic circle drawn into the skeletal structure of the frame, flickering.

The black-red sky covered the expanse of the ashen ground distance. Demonic beasts in armor lined the path, reaching all the way to the demon city– to the demon castle. A grand welcome to usher in the succubus princess after her long absence.

Iona turned to Schwii and found her looking longingly into the distance.

“Your Highness?”

“Is this for the best..?” Schwii’s voice tapered off. “..I miss her.”

“...”

“No?” Schwii raised her head, biting her lips.

“Nothing is certain, Your Highness.”

Dilemma, regret. It was a mix of these feelings.

“Does Your Highness want to return?”

“...”

She could stay back and discuss with Evelyn over how to divide their share of Sequencee, or to serve as the wedge between the two, hoping to annual the engagement. Or, she could step through this gate and leave his side forever. After all, she was no longer his official fiance.

Was it rational or idiotic to make a decision expecting a disastrous future that may not occur? What are the chances of Schwii sparking a war because of the human princess? What are the chances that she would be unhappy forever? How would she affect him with her presence?

“I don’t know why I..”

“There are things that just can’t be put into words. What may seem to be a good decision could turn out bad, a bad decision may turn out good. As Iona had said, the future is much too uncertain,” Ingus preached.

It jogged certain thoughts from her mind.

She hated the feeling of not being in control.

To stand by Sequencee’s side when there was someone who had more power than her– that she would be a sheltered demon to the royal family.

Maybe she wanted strength and security? The ability to sustain herself? The freedom and resources to fight? Or maybe she really wasn’t keen on being part of Sequencee’s harem?

These unusual trains of thoughts were very clearly the early signs of conflict amongst the same lover. The lack of trust, the need for security, self-sustenance, resources– Schwii’s fear of having to fight for his love–

‘I don’t trust him enough? Or maybe I’m simply too strict..’

Schwii smiled to herself.

“Maybe.. the reason why.. it’s because I’m scared of myself.”

Were these emotions chosen at the spur of the moment? Or her obstinacy? Even though she hated these sorts of dramas brought about by love.. here she was, executing these same things she abhorred.

‘I’m sorry Sequencee..’

“Can I be the one to step through it last..? I want to relish this place just a few seconds longer.. the memories I made here, in the human empire,” Schwii requested.

Eunox frowned, he gestured Ingus for a response. He pondered before speaking.

“If that’s what Her Highness wishes, we shall pass through first.”

They walked through the gates, every last one of them except Iona and Schwii who stood before the bright portal with their hands interlocked tightly between one another. Eunox and Ingus stood stationary on both sides of the black carriage a short distance away.

“Iona,”

“Yes Your Highness.”

“Let’s go home.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She took off her pendant and broke it.

‘Goodbye.’