Chapter 1:-The Unwanted Daughter

Main Characters

Seraphina Ashwood (FL)

19 years old

Gentle, intelligent, and lonely

Treated as a burden by her family

Doesn't know she was promised to the Devil before birth

Lucien Noctis (ML)

The Devil King

Ancient and feared by all realms

Ruthless toward everyone except Seraphina

Has loved her soul for centuries

Possessive, protective, and obsessed with her

The rain had been falling since dawn.

Cold droplets struck the ancient windows of Ashwood Manor, creating a mournful melody that echoed through the silent halls. The servants hurried from room to room, avoiding the eastern wing of the mansion as though it carried a plague.

In the smallest room of that forgotten wing sat a girl.

Seraphina Ashwood rested beside the window, a worn book in her lap and a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The room was simple—far too simple for the daughter of one of the wealthiest noble families in the kingdom.

The wallpaper peeled from the walls.

The fireplace rarely worked.

The furniture was old and damaged.

Yet Seraphina never complained.

She had learned long ago that complaints only brought punishment.

At nineteen years old, she possessed an ethereal beauty that could have enchanted an entire kingdom. Long silver-blonde hair flowed past her waist, while her violet eyes seemed to glow whenever sunlight touched them.

Many people would have called her beautiful.

Her family never did.

To them, she was merely a burden.

A mistake.

A curse.

A daughter they wished had never been born.

A sharp knock interrupted her reading.

The door opened before she could answer.

A maid entered carrying a tray.

The older woman placed the food on the table without meeting Seraphina's eyes.

Breakfast consisted of stale bread and cold tea.

Again.

Seraphina smiled gently anyway.

"Thank you."

The maid flinched.

Almost as if kindness frightened her.

Without a word, she hurried from the room.

The door slammed shut.

Silence returned.

Seraphina stared at the tray.

Then she laughed softly.

Not because anything was funny.

But because if she didn't laugh, she might cry.

Downstairs, the dining hall would be filled with fresh pastries, roasted meats, fruits, and imported tea.

Her father, mother, brother, and younger sister would be enjoying a lavish meal together.

As always.

Without her.

She had not shared a meal with her family in years.

A familiar ache settled in her chest.

No matter how many times it happened, it still hurt.

Just a little.

"Perhaps today will be different," she whispered.

The lie tasted bitter.

She knew better.

Nothing ever changed.

Later that afternoon, Seraphina was summoned.

That alone was unusual.

Her family rarely called for her unless they needed someone to blame.

She smoothed her plain dress and walked through the enormous halls.

Portraits of Ashwood ancestors lined the walls.

Powerful nobles.

Generals.

Kings.

Queens.

People whose names would be remembered forever.

Then there was her.

The daughter nobody wanted.

When she entered the drawing room, every member of her family was already present.

Lord Ashwood sat near the fireplace.

His cold gray eyes fixed upon her immediately.

Lady Ashwood looked away as though merely seeing Seraphina ruined her day.

Her younger sister, Rosalie, wore a smug smile.

Her older brother, Theodore, didn't even acknowledge her existence.

The atmosphere felt strange.

Tense.

Like everyone was waiting for something.

Seraphina lowered her gaze respectfully.

"You called for me, Father?"

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Lord Ashwood nodded.

"There will be guests attending the Blood Moon Festival next month."

Seraphina blinked.

"I see."

"You will behave properly."

She hesitated.

"Of course."

Rosalie suddenly laughed.

A cruel sound.

"Oh, don't worry, Father. Sister is very good at pretending she belongs here."

Seraphina remained silent.

Experience had taught her silence was safer than defending herself.

Unfortunately, Rosalie wasn't finished.

"Honestly, it's embarrassing. Every noble family asks why we keep her hidden."

Lady Ashwood sighed dramatically.

"As though we have a choice."

The words struck harder than they should have.

Still, Seraphina forced herself to remain calm.

Her father stood.

His towering figure cast a shadow across the room.

"Enough."

Instantly everyone fell silent.

For a brief moment, Seraphina felt relief.

Then Lord Ashwood spoke again.

"Leave."

She froze.

"...Father?"

"I have said everything necessary."

The relief vanished.

Of course.

He wasn't defending her.

He simply wanted her gone.

Seraphina bowed.

"Yes, Father."

As she turned to leave, she heard Rosalie's voice.

Soft.

Mocking.

Cruel.

"The sacrifice should at least look presentable."

The room fell silent.

Seraphina paused.

Sacrifice?

Before she could ask what that meant, her father's harsh voice echoed through the room.

"Enough."

The door closed behind her.

She stood in the hallway.

Alone.

Confused.

A strange chill crept down her spine.

Sacrifice.

Why had Rosalie used that word?

The thought lingered in her mind long after she returned to her room.

Unknown to Seraphina, behind the closed doors of the drawing room, her family continued their discussion.

And none of them spoke of her as a daughter.

They spoke of her as an offering.

A promise.

A bride.

One that had been pledged long before her birth.

Far beyond the mortal world, beneath endless skies of darkness and crimson stars, a pair of glowing golden eyes slowly opened.

Ancient.

Powerful.

Terrifying.

The ruler of monsters.

The king of demons.

The Devil himself.

He looked toward the human realm.

Toward a single soul.

A gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"My little bride..."

The shadows around him trembled.

"After all these years..."

His voice softened.

"I can finally bring you home."

To be continued...

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