Chapter 29

I stared at the painting and let out a sigh.

“I… think I know what it is.”

“I knew it.”

Alex grinned, smug and satisfied like a cat with a trapped mouse.

I wasn’t trying to prove anything, but some panicked part of me blurted it out anyway.
If this ever gets me in trouble—future me, remember I tried to cooperate.

“It’s a portrait. Of the Demon King’s wife. He painted it himself.”

Alex blinked. “His wife’s portrait?”

He raised a brow. “Romantic, huh.”

Well, it is a romantic fantasy world.

Honestly, this whole place feels like a dating sim on hard mode. Even the “regretful villain” types end up romantic eventually. Probably written into the code.

You too, Alex. You’re doomed to fall in love and angst about it.

I chuckled at the thought.

“…Why are you laughing?”

“Just… because.”

“‘Just because’?”

“Do I need a reason now?”

Even I could hear the sass in my voice. But I was tired. And surrounded by emotionally unstable male leads. I was doing my best.

Then the system’s voice chimed in, gentle and way too chipper:

[Would you like to interpret the Demon King’s message encoded in the painting?]

“…There’s a message?”

[The dots and lines are a letter to his deceased wife. Say the word and I’ll translate.]

Holy—he drew a love letter into a painting?

Was the Demon King a tortured artist on top of being, you know, a literal demon king?

“Yes, show me.”

A soft glow shimmered over the artwork. Words surfaced, line by line:

“It’s been over a decade since you left… yet I’m still frozen in that moment.”
“Every time I wake, I hope you’re there. And every time, you’re not.”
“Now I can’t even remember your face. So I can’t draw you anymore.”

Oh.

…Oh no.

I bit my lip. My chest tightened.

It was beautiful. And devastating.

A sudden voice broke through my trance.

“Hey. I just asked a question—why are you crying?”

I blinked, startled. Alex’s reflection stared at me from the glass case, clearly flustered.

I wiped my eyes. “It’s the letter. It’s just… really sad.”

“Letter?”

“Yeah. Those dots and lines—it’s demon script. The Demon King wrote it. It looks like abstract art, but it’s a confession. It hurts.”

Before I could say more, the text changed.

More words flowed in:

“I can’t forgive the humans who took you from me.
I wanted to live with you… but I was never truly human.
This was instinct. My nature.”

“If we meet again, don’t blame me too harshly.
If it’s greed, I’ll accept it.
Let me live beside you, even if all you feel is rage.”

The ache in my chest returned—but this time, it was tinged with dread.

It was heartfelt… but unhinged.

I took a shaky step back.

Alex’s voice was suddenly too close. “What does it say?”

I turned—startled to find him way too close—and shoved him back.

“Your Highness, boundaries!”

He grinned like he wasn’t just violating my personal space five seconds ago.

“You remind me of Chase.”

“…Who?”

“My aide. The blond guy from earlier.”

Oh. That guy. The one who looked like he was two insults away from quitting.

“He’s bathing. Be back in an hour.”

Um. Okay? Why the TMI?

“If you see him, you’ll understand how I feel,” Alex murmured, almost to himself.

Doubt it.

I was still recovering from the Demon King’s heartbreak when Alex shifted the topic again.

“So? What’s the message say?”

I hesitated, then gave him the cliff-notes:

“He misses her. Says he can’t even remember her face anymore. He’s furious at the humans who killed her. Wants revenge. And if she meets him again—even as a monster—he hopes she won’t leave.”

Alex let out a dry laugh.

“Revenge? But he’s the one who started the war.”

Oh wow. Even Alex thinks the Demon King’s logic is twisted. That’s saying something.

He looked around, expression unreadable.

“All these texts here… they’re from the demon clan. Read through them whenever you have time. Though, half of them were already transcribed by you. So I’m guessing you’ve read them before.”

He said it so breezily. Like he hadn’t just implied I was the demon scholar of the century.

Before I could respond, Alex strolled out into the adjacent room.

I followed, only to stop short at the sight waiting inside.

A round table.

And at it, two figures.

One, of course, was Allen. Composed and cool as ever.

The other—

A woman in white robes, a soft veil framing lavender hair.

She was bathed in pale winter light, glowing like a spirit.
Eyes the color of early dusk.
Skin like porcelain.
She was the very definition of a Saint.

No—the Saint.

Isis.

I remembered her messages. The cheerful prophecies. Her warmth.
She’d said we’d get along.

And now, looking at her—

Yeah.

She was right.

I have a gift for bonding with beautiful older sisters.

My fingers twitched. I wanted to message her right now—something heartfelt!

But I remembered: limited message slots. Ten per location. I’d already embarrassed myself once with Princess Larisa. Never again.

I looked up.

Isis met my gaze—and smiled.

She didn’t say anything, but the way she dipped her head felt like a silent hello. A recognition.

Even without proof, I felt it.

“Lady, your seat is over here.”

Alex’s voice broke the moment.

I blinked. He was pointing… not to the round table. But to a small desk, off to the side.

“…Why?”

Why was I being benched?

Nobles, clergy, royalty—they were at the table.
I was being placed with the stationery.

Alex only smiled.

“You’re the best writer here. The most knowledgeable. I’d like you to act as our scribe.”

“Wait, what?”

“You’re a famous calligrapher. Of course, I’m the only one who knows it’s you.”

He must’ve seen my handwriting somewhere.

So that’s what this was.

He was keeping me close… but not too close.

Gatekeeping the intel. Classic Alex.

Still, I didn’t argue. Honestly? I’d rather scribe than sit next to these living powerhouses.

At least I didn’t have to talk.

I plopped into the chair.

It was comfortable. The pen even had a perfect grip.

Wow. They really take care of their team.

I frowned at myself for thinking “their team” like I was part of it.

“Let’s begin once everyone’s here,” Alex announced.

The room fell into an awkward silence.

People stared at the table. Or the air. I stared at Isis.

She was… beautiful.

I couldn’t help it. I reached for my AI.

“Send a message to the Saint.”

[AI Assistant ready. Synchronizing.]

“Let’s go.”

I kept my voice steady and sent my greeting.

[Princess Isis, nice to meet you. This is our first time meeting in person.]

Isis flinched slightly.

Then her gaze shifted, and she smiled.

[Aisys: I was going to message you later! Thanks for reaching out first :)]
[Aisys: Have you eaten? Want to grab a bite after the meeting?]

Korean etiquette: always open with food.

[I already ate… but I can eat again! Let’s go later!]

[Aisys: Yay. Diana Young-ae just left too. She’ll be here soon, so let’s finish this meeting fast and have dinner.]

Diana!

I was finally going to meet the Emperor Young-ae!

Another message popped in:

[Aisys: Oh, Young-ae, did you hear?]

[Aisys: I asked Diana if she could send you a few guards for support.
Wanna guess what she said?]

[Aisys: Guessss~ 💕]

Before I could guess, the room trembled.

The heavy door creaked open.

Sunlight poured through like a divine spotlight.

Wind blasted through the room.

Papers flew. Isis’s veil fluttered.

And then—footsteps.

A figure in a crimson robe entered, backlit like a warrior saint.

Black hair, half-pulled into a golden topknot.

Eyes sharp as a sword edge.

Every step screamed: I command this space.

Even the way her robe trailed behind her looked choreographed.

She took the seat between Alex and Allen—like it had always belonged to her.

The robe slid off her shoulders.

And she turned… her gaze landing squarely on me.

I froze.

The pressure hit me like a ton of bricks.

I looked away instinctively.

But Isis’s voice whispered into my ear:

[Isis: Did you hear? Her Majesty’s personally escorting you.]

Wait. What?

I peeked up.

Diana was still looking at me.

Her lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.

Then came the message—direct, confident, and unmistakably imperial.

[Diana: Hello, new princess.]

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CH3. Exploration Team at the Demon King’s Hibernation Site