Chapitre 7: You will be mine

I had to go to the demon training center, a place I both despised and found necessary. Pulling on my black shirt and pants, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The black fabric hugged my frame perfectly, a testament to the tailor's skill.

The shirt was simple yet elegant, with subtle silver embroidery at the cuffs, and the pants were tailored to fit without a wrinkle.

Leaving my room, I headed to the garage where my car awaited. I slipped inside, the leather seats cool and firm. The engine purred to life with a touch of a button, and I drove off, the roads blurring past me.

Thirty minutes later, I arrived at the training center. It was a grand structure, imposing and luxurious. Tall marble pillars lined the entrance, and the walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting legendary battles and great demon warriors.

The vast courtyard was paved with polished black stone, gleaming in the sunlight, and fountains of dark water added a touch of elegance.

I walked through the entrance, passing guards who bowed deeply as I went by. Their armor was pristine, polished to a mirror-like shine. I made my way to the captain's room, my steps echoing in the grand hallways. Reaching the door, I didn't bother to knock and pushed it open.

Inside, Captain Lilith looked up from her desk. She was an imposing figure with white hair that fell in soft waves to her shoulders, red eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone who dared meet her gaze, and white horns that curved gracefully from her forehead. Despite her age, which seemed to be in her forties, she exuded strength and authority.

"So petty for a future queen," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I ignored the jab. "Why did you call me here?"

Lilith sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You have to supervise today's training and see your soldiers."

I turned on my heel without another word and headed to the sword training ground, the only area in use today. The training grounds were expansive, with sand-covered floors to absorb the impact of falls. Tall torches lined the perimeter, their flames flickering in the daylight. Weapon racks stood along the edges, filled with an array of swords, spears, and other weapons.

As I entered, I saw demons sparring, their movements precise and deadly. But what caught my eye was Aurelia, the sub-commander.

She had short black hair that framed her face, striking red eyes, and horns that were a mix of black and white. Her muscular body moved with grace and power, clearly skilled. But today, she looked frustrated and maybe even sad.

I didn't announce my presence, but it didn't take long for them to notice me. The soldiers stopped their training and bowed respectfully. "Welcome to our training center, your majesty," they said in unison.

"No need for such formality," I responded curtly.

They nodded and resumed their training. I watched closely, correcting their stances and techniques where needed. My gaze kept drifting back to Aurelia, though. Her movements were off, her focus scattered.

I walked over to her, my tone cold. "You look depressed. Stop being like that. I do not wish to have someone like that with my soldiers. You are the one who broke up with Princess Lydia, and now you're sad. Pathetic."

Aurelia's gaze snapped up to meet mine, anger flashing in her red eyes. "You're annoying and so cold. What can you know of other people's feelings?"

Her words struck a nerve. My anger flared, and I grabbed a sword from the nearest rack. "Since you want to defy me, let's have a duel."

Aurelia smirked, her eyes narrowing with challenge. "Yes," she said, her voice dripping with defiance.

We faced each other, the tension between us palpable. The other soldiers gathered around, forming a circle. This was no longer a training session; it was a test of strength and will.

I gripped the sword tightly, feeling its weight and balance. Aurelia mirrored my stance, her eyes locked onto mine. The air was thick with anticipation as we prepared to clash.

"Ready?" I asked, my voice steady.

Aurelia nodded, her expression resolute. "Always."

We moved at the same time, our swords clashing with a sharp ring. The force of the impact sent vibrations up my arm, but I held firm. Aurelia was strong, her attacks swift and powerful. But I matched her, parrying each strike with precision.

"Is this all you've got?" I taunted, my voice cold and mocking.

Aurelia's eyes flashed with determination. "You'll see."

She lunged forward, her movements a blur of speed and strength. I dodged to the side, countering with a swift slash that she barely blocked. We were evenly matched, each of us pushing the other to our limits.

The soldiers watched in silence, their eyes wide with awe. This was more than just a duel; it was a battle of wills, a test of who would break first.

Aurelia's attacks grew more desperate, her frustration evident. "You think you're so much better than everyone else," she spat, her voice filled with anger.

I blocked her strike, our swords locking together. "I am," I said, my tone icy.

With a powerful shove, I pushed her back, breaking our lock. She stumbled but quickly regained her footing, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Prove it," she challenged, her voice a low growl.

I didn't respond. Instead, I launched into a series of rapid attacks, each strike aimed to test her defenses. She met each one with skill, but I could see her growing tired. Her movements were slower, her breath coming in heavy pants.

"Had enough?" I asked, my voice dripping with disdain.

Aurelia's eyes blazed with defiance. "Never."

With a final, desperate surge, she lunged at me. I sidestepped her attack and swung my sword in a powerful arc. She barely had time to react, her eyes widening in shock as my blade stopped inches from her neck.

"Yield," I commanded, my voice cold and unyielding.

Aurelia's eyes met mine, her breath coming in ragged gasps. For a moment, I thought she might refuse. But then she lowered her sword, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I yield," she said quietly, her voice filled with resignation.

I lowered my sword, stepping back. "Good," I said, my tone still cold. "Remember this the next time you think to challenge me."

Aurelia nodded, her expression sullen. The soldiers around us broke into murmurs, their admiration for Aurelia's skill evident. But they knew better than to voice it aloud.

"Resume training," I ordered, my voice cutting through the chatter.

The soldiers quickly dispersed, returning to their exercises. I watched them for a moment longer, ensuring they were focused, before turning my attention back to Aurelia.

"Learn from this," I said, my voice softer but still firm. "You have potential, but your emotions cloud your judgment."

Aurelia looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and something else—respect, perhaps. "I will," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now get back to training."

As she turned to rejoin the others, I felt a flicker of something—sympathy, maybe. But I quickly pushed it aside. There was no room for weakness in my position. I had to be strong, unyielding.

Leaving the training ground, I walked back to my car, my mind racing. The encounter with Aurelia had stirred something in me, a reminder of my own struggles and the weight of my responsibilities. But I couldn't afford to dwell on it. There was still much to do, and I had to remain focused.

I drove back to the castle, the familiar hum of the engine a soothing constant. As I parked and made my way inside, I couldn't help but think about the future. The challenges ahead were daunting, but I was ready to face them.

Returning to my room, I sank into the chair by the window, gazing out at the sprawling landscape below. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the kingdom. It was beautiful, but it was also a reminder of the burden I carried.

I thought about Riley, about the complexities of our relationship and the role she would play in the future. It was a tangled web, and I wasn't sure how it would all unfold. But one thing was certain: I wouldn't let anyone stand in my way. Not Aurelia, not Riley, not anyone.

With a sigh, I leaned back, closing my eyes for a moment. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new battles to fight. But for now, I allowed myself a moment of peace, a brief respite before the storm.

"Riley," I whispered to myself, the name a promise and a curse. "You will be mine. No matter what."

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