Cian was taking a bath inside a bathtub filled with hot water with his head swathed in a towel. When he came out of the bath, his spirit seemed to have completely changed.
At this time, the old palace maid appointed by the Empress herself to do his make-up had already arrived at Heaven Fall Courtyard Manor. Cian sat in front of the mirror and let the old palace maid do his face.
Being a prince wasn’t as easy as you imagined.
Being a woman wasn’t the only one who will be put on makeup just to go inside the Throne Hall and see the ruler—also princes. He wasn’t an exception.
Although Cian wanted to refuse, the old palace maid appointed by the Empress herself was extremely stubborn. Although Cian has the worst reputation among the people, the old palace maid wasn’t afraid because she had been serving the Empress for dozens of years already.
She had the backing of the Empress…!
Truthfully, Cian wanted to refuse as he finds it unnecessary to fix himself up but the stubborn old palace maid forces him to.
“Oh, his highness, prince’ hair is so beautiful!” The Old palace maid, gently combed Cian’s hair. Her hands were extremely flexible. She then applied a strange pomade, causing Cian’s hair to become smooth and shiny and was then combed in a hairstyle that he had never done before.
‘Just apply shampoo on the hair and rinse it then dry it using a towel.’
To Cian who prefers a pragmatic way of life, this was an unfamiliar experience to him.
Combing through his forelocks, his hair was then parted in a 7 to 3 ratio.
Cian was very embarrassed as he looked through the mirror and awkwardly made a request.
“Wouldn’t it be ok to just let down my hair like normal?”
“Oh, would you like to have it done in the usual style, your highness?”
“Yeah,” Cian smiled bitterly. He raised his hand and ruffled the neatly combed shiny hair.
“Your Highness, you can’t do that!”
“Haaiz, auntie, I’m more comfortable in this style that those strict formal styles…”
“But your highness,”
“No buts!” Cian gnashed his teeth in frustration. After arguing with the old-fashioned old lady, Cian’s hair was finally done. Though, calling it finally done was actually not correct as Cian’s ashy-grey colored hair seemed to have not been touched at all, as it remained wavy and a bit wild compared to 7-3 ratio.
In any case, Cian’s hair was left to his own accord.
*** ***
The Demon Empire’s Palace wasn’t just one big and terrifying castle like those commonly found in novels and RPGs.
There were several small castles and palaces surrounded by walls, as well as comfortable living spaces arranged among well-kept roads that were like towns and cities. One of them was [ Heaven Fall Courtyard Palace ], and that is the Second Demon Prince main residence!
As for the main palace of the Demon Empire, it appeared luxurious and was the biggest and tallest palace among the rest. It was extremely majestic!
Steel and more steel as far as one could see.... the entire castle, without any exception, were a large number of grandly standing steel pillars. The entire castle was almost made of steel, with emerald colored rocks and banner made from expensive looking carpets—bearing on it was the royal symbol of the Stormfury Royal Family; a trident with the three spikes look like horns of a demon and two long serpents coiled around it, facing from opposite sides.
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If one looks at it for the very first time, they would surely thought—A steel Fortress—as the first impression of it,
People likes to call it—The Demon’s Lair—
The entrance to the Palace was impressive: high iron-studded gates set between tall pillars of cut stone surmounted by heraldic griffins. The Palace itself, its walls glittering after a summer shower, stood on a high terrace surrounded by smooth velvety lawns.
“What is mother thinking of me…?” But a small nagging worry spoiled Cian’s pleasure I the sight of the fairy-tale castle that prove his circumstances that he was already in a different world than Earth…
Cian raised his head and stared at the castle that looks like a steel fortress, eyes flashing n confusion and suspicion. “…In any case, this would be my first real step into this world…!”
Within this Majestic Palace…
“His Royal Highness; Second Prince; Aanuel Heretarium Vorn Stormfury had arrived!”
A thin and long voice went through the layers of the palace and spread into the Throne Hall.
After hearing that the second prince had arrived, the people inside Throne Hall unconsciously looked to one side, wanting to see the infamous Brutal Demon Prince, who hadn’t appeared for a long time.
As if to validate the notification, a handsome youth wearing black with golden embroidered gown appeared at the doorway of the front Throne Hall. The flowers being used as a decoration at each side of the door was blooming vibrantly, but under that walking figure, they suddenly lost all of their color. The hem of his clothes brushed past the red-carpeted pathway. It was like a burst of cool breeze, dispelling all the noise and dusty smoke in the room.
Seeing him, all the people present, man or woman was stunned rooted in their position as they stared at the figure of the Second Prince.
Usually, this devilish demon only wears white and some flashy colors. Because of his own original charming and enchanting appearance that was above normal Demons, the white color could play down his devilish beautifully appearance and let him get the feeling of being a celestial—that’s what the Second Prince arrogantly declared last time he was asked.
But today, this gloomy black set off Prince Aanuel’s devilish beautifully face uniquely like it’s one of his kind. Especially those long and narrow bright eyes which were full of sparkles. People couldn’t help but be drunk in them when their gaze touches.
Ruka silently followed behind Cian who was walking towards the Throne where the infamous Demon Empress was sitting and looking at them quietly.
No one fidgeted in the hall, it was quiet enough to hear the sound of breathing. The only noise was from the Cian, now the Second Demon Prince——Aanuel, and his servant; Ruka’s footsteps, as well as the sound of the sliding black Gown hitting the ground.
The people present, especially the women within the hall, couldn’t really understand how but, with each and every step he took, he continuously exuded attractiveness. He looks like an aloof immortal, cold and indifferent.
The most handsome and yet brutal prince of the Demon Empire—as expected the rumor wasn’t exaggerated at all, in fact, it seems to be underrated. It’s just that, the second prince’s character is too devious that it downsize his popularity.
It wasn't because Aanuel was increasingly becoming more and more handsome.
He was already good-looking from the beginning. It was because the more closely they got to look at his face, the more beauty they saw in him.
Eyes, nose, eyebrows, forehead, chin, and lips.
There was no way to totaled up his features.
While wondering how dreadfully beautiful something was, a new attraction came into play whenever they took a look. He had the presence and can imprint in people's mind of a good man who loves life.
No matter how long they stared at his face, they could not get tired from the sight. With each and every sight to admire, they had no choice but to look!
That was the infamous second prince of the Demon Empire—Aanuel Heretarium Vorn Stormfury!
Looks of the weary and envy shot at him, but Cian stood firm as if he didn’t notice at all. He walked slowly and gracefully towards the throne where his mother was watching him with a smile.
However, unlike from before, the second prince didn’t show any kind of reaction nor he was acting exceedingly proudful and full of disdain. At this moment, court men and women, surprisingly noticed that his expression and aura was like spring, neither hot nor cold, pleasant yet somehow hiding a deadly feeling.
There’s neither vulgarity nor excessive arrogance in his actions and expression.
How is this possible…?
Why did they felt as if Second Prince Aanuel had changed?
Unbeknownst to them, it might not be noticeable but sometimes, a person’s demeanor and presence can make people changed completely. This is what they call—Charm…!
Whispering voices instantly appeared as they constantly throw surprised gazes at Cian. Not everyone was welcoming him. There were some who were looking at Cian with discomfort and anxiety, probably due to his abrupt change. However, not one dared to show it openly—after all, at this very moment, in front of them was none other than—The Demon Empress.
Who didn’t know about the unfairness of the Demon Empress?
If they showed their discomfort openly, although they might not lose their lives but they will surely be punished severely!
The infamous Brutal Second Demon Prince seemed to have transformed into a new person.
Their suspicions became certain.
Some were happy while others felt discomfort.
However, all of them understood intuitively. No one dared show any disdain or displeasure towards him.
“I’ve come, mother,"