Lord of Deception

The grand hall of the Demon Court was an architectural marvel—black marble pillars rose into infinity, carved with ancient runes that pulsed with ominous energy. Ethereal flames danced in midair, casting flickering shadows over the vast assembly of demons, warlords, and aristocrats who had gathered for the occasion. The scent of exotic wines and roasted meats filled the air, but beneath the luxury and grandeur lay an undercurrent of tension.

Kael stepped forward, his black ceremonial attire embroidered with gold accents, a mark of his newly granted title—Duke of the Abyssal Dominion. His crimson eyes swept across the room, taking in the political predators that circled like vultures. Each face told a different story—some intrigued, some wary, and others filled with malice.

At the head of the banquet table, seated upon a throne of obsidian, was Selene Nightshade, the Demon Empress, a vision of ethereal beauty with raven-black hair and violet eyes that shimmered with unspoken power. As the most powerful woman in the empire, her mere presence demanded reverence. Despite her delicate features, there was an aura of absolute authority around her—one that made even the war-hardened generals bow their heads in submission.

But Kael's attention was drawn to another presence—one that eclipsed even the empress in sheer dominance.

At the far end of the banquet hall, draped in a flowing crimson dress that shimmered like liquid fire, sat Nyx Velrath, the Demon Matriarch. Kael's mother.

Her beauty was nothing short of divine—porcelain skin, sharp crimson eyes that burned like twin suns, and an aura that made the strongest demons hesitate before meeting her gaze. Her expression was calm, yet behind those eyes was a possessiveness that only he could recognize.

When their eyes met, she smiled.

It was not a smile of mere affection, nor one of pride—it was something deeper, more consuming. The way she looked at him, as though he were the most precious existence in the world, sent a quiet shudder through the assembly.

Nyx Velrath was feared, not just because of her power, but because of her unyielding love for her son. There was an old rumor in the Demon Court—that she would burn entire civilizations to ashes if Kael so much as bled.

Tonight, the banquet was not merely a feast. It was a battlefield of words, alliances, and betrayals.

As Kael took his seat among the high-ranking nobles, a toast was raised in his honor. The nobles congratulated him, but their words were laced with hidden daggers. The Grand Duke of the Infernal Expanse, an ancient demon whose horns were adorned with gold, leaned forward with a smirk.

"Duke Kael, your rise has been meteoric. But tell me, do you believe the empire is ready for someone of your... caliber?"

Kael met his gaze, unfazed. "Only those afraid of progress would doubt it."

A few chuckled, while others shifted uncomfortably. Nyx, watching the exchange, tilted her head slightly, an amused gleam in her eyes.

Selene, the Empress, tapped a single nail against her goblet. "Kael, you have proven yourself. But power in the Demon Empire is not granted—it is seized. You sit among us now, but what are your ambitions?"

A lesser man might have faltered under the scrutiny of both the Empress and the Matriarch. But Kael only smiled.

"My ambitions?" His voice was calm, but it carried an undeniable weight. "I seek absolute control over my destiny. Nothing more. Nothing less."

The hall fell silent.

Then, Nyx chuckled softly. "Spoken like my son."

There was no greater stamp of authority than those words.

But just as the tension seemed to settle, the doors of the banquet hall slammed open. A messenger, drenched in blood, stumbled in.

"Your Majesty! An attack—Lucian's forces have crossed the border!"

Kael's smirk widened slightly. Right on schedule.

The banquet was over. The real game had just begun.

To be continued....