8_The maid can come.

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I successfully made it out of that Godforsaken ball and out of the castle building, there were guards plastered everywhere and I knew that at the sight of me, they would flip and inform King Shadrach.

I crept and hid behind a gargoyle statue which went on till the end of the castle building, I followed it, careful not to make a sound, I did that until I finally found a free space, also free of guards.

I took to my heels, running in the garden until I came upon a wall. It was high but thanks to the lines that had grown on it, I think I might have a chance.

I packed my hair in a ponytail and lifted my layers upon layers of gown, my heels were going to make it impossible so I took them off, holding them in my hand, and with a deep breath, I began my climbing.

After almost thirty minutes, I exhaled, 'Please tell me I have reached somewhere?' I looked down and I was nowhere near the top, just how tall was this fucking wall?!

"I wouldn't put my leg there if I were y..."

"...whoa," I landed on the hard floor with a loud thump, my ass ached and so did my back, I looked at the person whose voice I had previously heard and it was...

"King--King Hades," I stuttered, gulping down the lump in my throat.

"Oh please, carry on, don't make me distract you," He smirked, his hands still clasped behind his back.

I stood up wiping the dust on my gown, unable to meet his gaze, I had just been caught red-handed trying to escape, by my demon husband.

"I won't go to Hellfire Citadel with you," I declared.

"Okay,"

"I won't allow myself to be degraded,"

"Okay,"

"I won't become a baby-making machine for you and your demon goons,"

"Ah, I see, you were the one eavesdropping on your father and my conversation," He declared rather than asking a question.

"But the question is why didn't I notice it at first?" He took a step closer while I took a step back.

"That's not important, rather than being a baby-making machine for demons, is it?" I asked, raising a brow on why he would be interested in that after I told him, I won't be going to hell with him.

"I guess not," He replied, still walking towards me until he finally closed the space between us, staring at me intently with his blood-red eyes as if imprinting my features in his memory.

"What makes you think you will be turned into a baby-making machine if you come with me, is it because of what your father or sisters said?" He asked.

"No, it's because, I heard demons hardly reproduce to the extent that it's almost impossible, so they have to...mate with the human race to reproduce, biologically,"

"Biologically?" He raised a brow, and I sighed, knowing this world would be such a pain because they weren't familiar with fancy words.

"Like... like having sex with a human to bore half-demon children and increase your damn population," I scolded in frustration but he looked unfazed.

"Is that what you think?" He asked, creasing his brows, I finally got an expression from him but it flew as quickly as it came.

"That I would share you with my elite men to make you bore children?" He asked, a snicker, following his words.

I remained silent, and looked away, still feeling his intense gaze on me.

"I am a king, a king with pride and dignity, you are now my bride, the queen of Hellfire Citadel, there's no way in hell I would share my bride with anyone," He said with a serious gaze that made me feel inferior to him.

I gulped down the lump in my throat, I didn't know why but his words made something in my stomach flutter, and a blush crept to my face.

"If you do not believe me, then be my guest, I will not stop you from escaping, and if you successfully escape, I will not come to look for you, come to Hellfire Citadel with me and be my bride or escape into the wilderness and become beast food, the choice is yours...Princess Hazel," He bowed slightly, like a gentleman, and then walked away.

His words kept echoing In my ears, and I was confused at this point, what if he was lying, but he didn't strike me as someone who could lie? What the fuck was I going to do?

The carriage waited outside, the prince stood outside with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes, gazing into nothingness, like he was lost in thought.

The King and queen arrived and he didn't notice them, "King Hades?!" Shadrach called, causing Hades to shift his gaze to them.

"Yes?" He strictly answered.

"Hazel's things have been loaded in the carriage, but I don't see her anywhere?" King Shedrach asked as he tried to take a peep inside the carriage, he was having a bad feeling, he couldn't afford to be on the Demon's bad side, if Hazel had done something stupid it will but both he and his kingdom in danger.

"I'm right here, Your Majesty," My voice echoed from behind and then I bowed slightly upon receiving their attention.

"I'm sorry for the delay, I went to powder my nose," I smiled.

"Powder your nose?" The Queen asked while raising a brow in confusion, but received no response from me.

"You asked me what I wanted to bring with me on my journey...Hubby,"

"Hubby?" They all asked in unison as they gazed at me like someone who had lost it.

"Ahh, that's a pet name for my husband," I smiled and then placed my hand on the Demon King's chest while smiling at my so-called family.

"A pet name?"

"This is a sign of disrespect, isn't it?"

"Not if she's his bride, but how would she call her husband and the King of the demon clan a pet?"

The murmurs from the esteemed guests present outside the castle building who also wanted to see us off echoed in the vast space.

'Could Underworlders be even more daft?' I inwardly facepalmed myself.

"I would like for Miriam to come with me," I said and pointed to Miriam who stood with some maids at the gate that was opened. She looked genuinely confused as his brows stretched.

"Your human maid?" Hades whispered.

"And my best friend, I am going to the Demon Kingdom, the least you could do is give me a human companion, don't you think?" I whispered back while raising a brow.

"It is going be dangerous for your maid in Hellfire Citadel, I can protect you, but I'm not sure if I can protect her too,"

"You are the King and..."

"...And my responsibility is to you alone, I will not get my hands full!" He stated firmly. The King cleared his throat, probably to know what Hade's conclusion might be.

"So you want me to be all alone in a kingdom filled with demons, what a way to process my freedom...Hubby," I glared at him.

"King Hades," King Shadrach called.

"The maid can come along," Hades sighed and a grin formed on my lips. I lifted my dress and ran to where Miriam was, embracing her. Earning gasps from maids and guests alike.

"You can come with me, I'm so excited," I uttered with a grin, squeezing like a fan girl.

"My lady, a princess is not supposed to embrace anyone, especially a lowlife like me," Miriam declared, looking around her, finding the gazes on her uncomfortable.

"Come on, That's a bull rule!" I exclaimed, making sure they could all hear me. I grabbed her hand and walked back to Hades.

"Miriam and I will ride in the carriage behind, you can have this one to yourself Your Imperial Majesty," I bowed slightly. Earning yet another gasp from everyone present.

"Nightmare child stop with this embarrassment this instant," The Queen whispered, but I paid no heed.

"My lady, it is tradition for the bride to ride with the groom back to his Kingdom, I could stay in the other carriage with your baggage," Miriam uttered.

"Ah, is it?" I asked and she nodded.

"Ok then, as long as you're coming with me," I replied and Miriam smiled.

"Shall we?" Hades asked extending his hand to help me in, an amused smirk lingering on his lips. I took it and went in and then he followed.

"You are daring, yet another amusing thing about you," Hades said, his smirk still lingering on his lips.

I leaned into him, closing the distance between us, he turned to me and our faces were just inches apart, and our noses almost brushed up against each other.

"I can be even more daring when pushed. Hazel got a makeover, meet Ariana," I whispered in his ear.