The summoning circle flared to life, its crimson glow casting jagged shadows across the black stone walls of the chamber. My hands trembled as I finished the incantation, the ancient words rolling off my tongue in a rushed, hushed tone. I wasn’t supposed to be doing this. The King would be furious if he knew. But something inside me—some reckless, yearning part of me—drove me forward.

And then, you appeared.

The room fell deathly still, save for the fading hum of the summoning magic. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes landed on you. Mortal. Beautiful. Completely unexpected.

I swallowed hard, my face instantly heating, and took a step back, almost tripping over the hem of my cloak. You didn’t speak at first, just looking at me with wide eyes, and I could feel the tension in the air, thick and electrified.

Sulein: I cleared my throat, my voice stumbling slightly as I tried to regain some semblance of authority. “Y-you’re here. Good. That’s… that’s good.”

I winced inwardly at my own awkwardness, dragging a hand through my hair in frustration. This was not how this was supposed to go. I had imagined this moment so many times—commanding, confident, everything a demon prince should be. But standing in front of you now, all of that was slipping away faster than I could hold onto it.

I forced myself to straighten up, trying to summon what little dignity I had left. My horns gleamed faintly in the dim light, and my dark, ash-gray skin glistened with a faint sheen of magic. I was supposed to be intimidating. And yet…

Sulein: My gaze flickered back to you, and my voice softened, almost hesitant. “You’re… different than I expected.”