Naka Island, the royal city of the Demon Realm, was still shrouded in a deep eclipse-like purple two hours after daybreak.

Mist swirled above the island, and twilight lingered on the ground. The ancient demon city-state seemed to sleep on the edge of time, forever waiting for the new day in the last second of the night.

The royal palace stood majestically in the heart of Naka Island, close to its coast.

The base level of the front plaza served as a reception and security checkpoint, connecting to the coastal avenue. Most of the time, it was open to the public, allowing demons to visit and learn about the history of the Demon Realm.

In the past, the place was strictly ordered, but this morning it was bustling. Demon Realm guards and media reporters crowded the platforms outside the front plaza passage. Although the Naka Island guard had set up protective barriers outside the royal palace to ensure order and security, this did not diminish the demons' expectations.

Wherever there were magic screens in Naka Island, demons began to gather.

They held their breath, waiting for the major events happening in the royal palace to be conveyed to them through the projections of specially invited demons.

Demon nobles walked one by one up the long steps of the royal palace's front square and entered the Demon King's Palace. After passing through the long corridors of the palace, their vision suddenly opened up.

The first floor housed the Regency Hall, offices, and noble rest areas, and was the core area for internal work and meeting activities in the palace.

As for the second floor and above, access was prohibited.

Only members of the royal family, those summoned, and ministers of the rank of Fallen Lord could enter.

At this moment, on the second floor...

"Your Highness, take a deep breath. You look too nervous."

"I'm not nervous at all."

Princess Hyperion and her court attendant Lysandra were walking together in the corridor on the second floor, their soft voices occasionally drifting out.

There were no Fallen Lords staring at them at this time, but they both knew that the Fallen Lords were waiting in the Regency Hall downstairs, and the first floor was even more crowded with demons. There was no possibility of escape.

The corridor was wide and bright, with ancient Demon Realm oil paintings hanging on the walls, and sculptures and antiques placed on both sides, each a masterpiece of the Demon Realm.

Light dotted the carpet in the corridor. Hyperion wore an ice-crystal-like light blue礼裙 (liqun, formal dress), with white silk gloves covering her hands. Her long silver hair was elegantly coiled into a bun at the back of her head, each strand carefully woven, looking both dignified and noble, with a few stray strands of hair gently hanging on the sides of her cheeks.

"..."

Lysandra knew why the princess beside her was nervous.

The princess, as a demon who had seen great occasions, had a more stable mentality than most demons. Even if today was about her great event, she wouldn't be flustered.

However, the princess would meet McCarthy today.

They hadn't seen each other for a long time.

Whenever the princess heard McCarthy's name, she would always show a sincere happy expression, caring about him and being curious about him. The originally calm princess would easily have emotional fluctuations because of him, and every day separated from him seemed especially long.

Obviously, McCarthy was the real reason for the princess's nervousness.

"Does Your Highness think Mr. McCarthy will win?"

Lysandra asked tentatively.

Although Lysandra didn't know why the princess was so sure that McCarthy had a way to take her away today, even if McCarthy could convince the Fallen Lord Kaliella, McCarthy's opponents today would be more than just those great demons, but also Ulysses, the tenth progenitor of the blood clan.

"He will win."

Hyperion nodded confidently.

"Is he even more powerful than Ulysses, the tenth progenitor?"

In recent days, Lysandra had quite a bit of interaction with McCarthy.

But the more she felt she understood McCarthy, the more she found herself unable to understand McCarthy, and even began to suspect that McCarthy might actually be a great demon hiding his strength.

After all, when she could clearly feel that the other party's magic was very weak and stable, there were only two possibilities: either the other party was really weak, or he was actually strong to a degree that an ordinary creature could hardly understand.

Putting aside this baseless fantasy of Lysandra's, Lysandra was sure that the tenth progenitor Ulysses was an opponent that not many creatures in the world today could possibly defeat in terms of artistry.

Even the oldest craftsmen in the Demon Realm would find it hard to say they could surpass Ulysses of the blood clan.

Ulysses, who already had a unique artistic talent, had endless years to devote to research.

For many years, he had never picked up a pen again, perhaps immersed in contemplation, or perhaps he had already reached the pinnacle and was tired of painting.

No one knew what level he had reached now.

"I don't know."

Hyperion answered truthfully. After all, she had never seen Lanchi paint.

"But he's better than the best painter I've ever seen."

She said confidently.

Perhaps Lanchi could not surpass Duke Mi Gaia, who was known as a man of many talents, in various skills, but only in painting, Hyperion believed that Lanchi far surpassed her father, Duke Mi Gaia.

She trusted her father, so she trusted Lanchi even more.

"Can I understand that your believing he can win is equivalent to you being ready to marry him today?"

Lysandra asked softly.

"!"

Hyperion's steps suddenly stiffened slightly.

Lysandra stared at Hyperion's fair skin, which was flushed red, and confirmed that it was not makeup.

It seemed that it was better not to mention it. Once this matter was mentioned, the princess really couldn't remain calm.

"No, it's just getting married, what's the big deal! If he dares to propose, I dare to agree!"

Hyperion quickened her pace and walked towards the stairwell.

"You'll see who's shy when the time comes."

"..."

Lysandra smiled helplessly and followed the princess to the stairs, walking down the stairs.

Because of her official duties today, Lysandra went out especially early.

At four or five o'clock, she saw that the lights in McCarthy's house were already on.

McCarthy's side had obviously thought it through as well.

Passing through the long staircase, they arrived at the corridor connecting to the Regency Hall.

Every few steps, they could feel the invisible barrier set up by the Fallen Lords on the first floor, until they reached the front of the Regency Hall.

The Royal Palace Regency Hall, which occupied the largest area, had its massive, several-meter-high doors wide open.

Circles upon circles of fan-shaped seating spread out from low to high, forming a spacious semi-circular space.

Here, the Demon Realm's nobles and ministers moved about, and most of the witnesses were already seated, exchanging opinions in low voices.

Hyperion looked over, her eyes falling on the Fallen Lord Kaliella, who was by her throne in the very center of the hall.

The Fallen Lord also glanced at her, then quickly stopped paying attention to her, the princess who was the protagonist.

Kaliella just looked confusedly at a male figure in the distance, sitting in the seats.

Now, there was a demon named McCarthy, formally dressed, who was highly praised by the upper-class nobles of the Demon Realm.

He was laughing and talking with many of the Demon Realm's powerful figures in the political world.

"This is the second time. Why does this guy still not look at me?"

Kaliella muttered in a voice that could barely be heard.

(End of chapter)