The Devil’s Deal

The room was dimly lit, with only the soft glow of firelight casting shadows along the stone walls. King Eldrick stood before Damon, his mouth set in a thin line as he accepted the reality of what he was about to agree to. Eldrick’s voice was steady, but there was no hiding the tension in his eyes.

“If you promise to protect my kingdom, then I’ll give you my daughter’s hand in marriage,” he declared, though the words tasted bitter on his tongue.

Damon’s expression was unreadable, his cold, calculating gaze fixed on Eldrick. After a tense moment, a slow smirk curled at the corners of Damon’s mouth. “I accept,” he replied smoothly. His tone was measured, almost amused, as though he already knew how the entire deal would unfold. “But be warned, Eldrick. A deal with the devil rarely ends as expected.”

---

Meanwhile, back in her chambers, Hazel paced, her mind a whirlwind of disbelief. The news of her impending marriage to a man known as “the Devil King” had spread faster than wildfire. Her closest companion, Evelyn, stood by the door, her arms crossed and an amused smile quirking her lips.

“So,” Evelyn said, tilting her head with a smirk. “How does it feel to be betrothed to the most fearsome man in the kingdom?”

Hazel shot her a glare, though a laugh escaped her lips despite herself. “Fearsome is an understatement, Evelyn. They say he’s ruthless and heartless. Do you know what they call him? The Devil King!”

“Oh, it sounds terribly exciting,” Evelyn teased, her eyes alight with mischief. “I’m sure you two will get along splendidly.”

Hazel rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t shake the hint of unease lingering in her chest. “Father won’t even listen to me. He’s convinced this is for the kingdom’s safety. But what about my safety?” she muttered.

Evelyn shrugged, clearly trying to lighten the mood. “Who knows? Perhaps beneath that terrifying exterior, Lord Damon hides the heart of a poet.”

Hazel snorted. “I doubt that very much.”

Evelyn leaned closer, lowering her voice with a grin. “If he’s truly a devil, you’ll just have to charm the horns off him.”

Hazel couldn’t help but laugh, though her smile faded as a knock echoed through her chambers. She composed herself, ready to give her father an earful if it was him.

But when she opened the door, she was taken aback. Standing there, in all his dark, imposing glory, was Damon himself.

---

Hazel’s heart leapt to her throat, but she kept her expression cool. Damon’s gaze slid over her with an intensity that was both unnerving and strangely intriguing. He stepped into the room with a confidence that seemed to fill the entire space, his dark cloak billowing behind him.

“Princess Hazel,” he greeted her, his voice smooth as velvet. “I believe we were bound to meet.”

Hazel lifted her chin, determined not to be intimidated. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon, Lord Damon,” she replied, doing her best to sound unaffected.

His smirk deepened, and Hazel’s cheeks flushed despite herself. “Forgive my eagerness,” he said, his tone laced with amusement. “I merely thought it wise to get to know my future bride.”

Hazel felt Evelyn’s eyes practically boring into her from the corner, trying to suppress a grin. “Well, you could start by apologizing for nearly knocking me over in the market,” Hazel shot back, crossing her arms in an attempt to maintain her composure.

Damon chuckled, the sound rich and low. “I suppose I owe you that much. Though, in my defense, I never imagined a princess would be roaming the market alone.” He tilted his head, studying her. “Not a very… typical activity for royalty.”

“Perhaps not,” she replied, bristling at his tone. “But I’m not a very typical princess.”

Damon’s eyes sparkled with interest, and his voice softened. “I’ll keep that in mind.” His words were simple, yet they left Hazel’s heart racing in a way she couldn’t understand.

At that moment, Lady Seraphina entered, her presence calm and wise, her gaze assessing Damon with a mixture of wariness and respect. “Lord Damon, I trust you’ll understand that the princess’s safety is of utmost importance to us.”

“Of course, Lady Seraphina,” Damon replied, his tone polite but unyielding. “You have my word.”

Seraphina gave a slight nod, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before turning to Hazel. “Remember what I told you, Princess,” she said in a low voice. “Not everything is as it appears.”

As Seraphina left, Hazel felt a chill run down her spine. It was as if Seraphina knew something more about Damon than she was letting on.

---

Later that night, Hazel sat on the edge of her bed, deep in thought. Evelyn, sensing her friend’s unease, sat beside her and nudged her playfully.

“He’s not so bad, is he?” Evelyn teased. “Maybe he’s got a heart under all that dark mystery.”

Hazel rolled her eyes. “You weren’t the one being stared down by him. It was like he could see right through me.”

Evelyn laughed, nudging her again. “Maybe that’s a good thing. Besides, he seems… charming, in a devilish sort of way.”

“Charming?” Hazel snorted. “More like aggravating. He acts like he already knows me better than I know myself.”

“Well,” Evelyn said, raising an eyebrow. “If he’s as powerful as they say, maybe he does.”

Hazel shuddered, though she couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re hopeless, Evelyn.”

“Just think,” Evelyn whispered, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “One day you might actually be in love with him.”

The thought made Hazel’s heart skip a beat, and she quickly pushed it aside. But even as she tried to distract herself, Damon’s intense gaze lingered in her mind, and she felt a strange, thrilling unease settle over her.

For the first time, she wondered if she was truly prepared to face what lay ahead.

---