As a human, Morrigan believed that she could never come to hate any gathering where lots of food was involved. Especially if the food was good. And the one made by Demon Castle chefs was most certainly top quality both in terms of presentation and in terms of taste. Even something with an unappetizing name, like Salamander liver patée on volcano-baked bread turned out to be a delicious treat. ...
2024-10-30 05:13:00 +0000 UTC View Post"More and more humans came to the Underworld, killing one Underworld creature after another in hopes that one of them would bring them the same riches the first human warrior got from the landwyrm. When they got only one or maybe two stones per monster, their greed only grew and they began slaughtering any beast they found," the narrator said, as the actors on the stage recreated the scene, mag...
2024-10-29 05:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostAfter the break, everyone eagerly returned to watch the conclusion of the competition. Some people never bothered to leave, worrying that they would miss something. Morrigan was on pins and needles the whole time, doing math in her head and wondering if there was any chance for her or Deziara to win. Part of her just wanted to win, another part wanted Deziara to succeed and there was a little b...
2024-10-27 05:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe moment Galandir began singing, the crowd went completely quiet, surprised by what they heard. A voice so pure, melodious and beautiful that it contrasted with everything that the Underworld was. Light warm sunshine after a long winter. Morrigan couldn't understand the words he was singing as they were in the elven language. However, the emotion and the meaning behind them were clear.
...
2024-10-25 05:45:34 +0000 UTC View PostThe fifth day of the Festival came with a new wave of excitement as it was the last and most important day. Morrigan donned a new beautiful kimono-style dress. Its black color made a stark contrast to Morrigan's ashen skin while the lava flower motif complemented her red hair.
She sat on a special podium made specifically for the last remaining contestants, Deziara sitting on her right wh...
2024-10-24 05:53:41 +0000 UTC View PostIt turned out that Annabell was not the shy girl Morrigan initially thought her to be. Once she became entranced in conversation, she kept going. And going. And going. Initially, the fallen girl was raining praise at Morrigan, then the topic switched to the competition in general, and later Annabell was explaining the difference between her pet arachnoids – a sort of spider monster.
... 2024-10-23 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View Post"Is that the gem?" Morrigan said, looking at the gem sitting on the pedestal. But she didn't dare to rush towards it as the surrounding empty space around it looked like a prime place to put out traps.
"Without a doubt. We should approach it cautiously," Galandir said and conjured a small ball of ice in his palm, rolling it across towards the pedestal. Much to their relief, nothing happen...
2024-10-22 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe riddles of the sphinx left a lot of participants stumped, as they muttered among themselves trying to figure out the answer.
"What could be a tree with no roots?" Larissa mused.
"Most likely it isn't a tree at all," Morrigan said.
"Something plant-like perhaps? Or maybe something made from a tree," Galandir added.
"Alright, so let's assume that is something mad...
2024-10-20 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View Post"Are you insane? I don't want your demon father to come and murder me!" Galandir protested.
"I am going to agree with the boy. It is not the best move a princess could make, not to mention that it could leave you exhausted for the trials still hidden in the maze," Larissa objected.
"Oh, hush. It's a little bit of mana to help him recover. Just create that mist for us real quick," Mo...
2024-10-18 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostOr to be honest, I've remade the Beta Reader tier into a new tier which is now called Admirer. This tier will be slightly different from others. Instead of offering a certain amount of chapters ahead of public release like the other tier, this tier will have an increased upload schedule. Instead of normal 4 chapters a week, Admirer tier will offer 5 chapters&nb...
2024-10-17 14:36:38 +0000 UTC View Post"Well, that's not… ideal," Larissa muttered, having clearly heard the threatening growl.
"No! This is perfect!" Morrigan cheered and called out again. "We are here! Where are you?"
"Your Highness, I understand that you are confident in your magical abilities but calling out to a monster like that is dangerous," the vampire woman objected. A louder growl reverberated through ...
2024-10-17 14:26:06 +0000 UTC View Post"Welcome dear audience to the third and probably the most awaited day of the Nachtstern Festival Competition. As most of you probably know, the theme of the third day is magic. But what you don't know is the exact details of today's task. Most of you are probably curious, why are we gathered in the Demon Castle gardens today?" Azrael announced from his place in the podiums, which were erected a...
2024-10-17 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe audience watched with horror as the buildings collapsed in on the raging construct and Morrigan. Lady Lily had gone deadly pale as she watched the projection at the screen from the podium. She turned towards the King to call to him for help, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Now, dear audience, before you panic, let me assure you that our dearest Crown Princess is alright," Azrael spoke...
2024-10-15 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostMorrigan looked at the two crystalline eyes from the magical construct in horror. They were honed right on her, ready to capture her the moment she made any movement. Sweat began pooling on her forehead as she tried to think of how to escape from the beast.
The urge to just hide in the safety of shadows was unbearable. As a shadow, the monster would not be able to touch her or even see he...
2024-10-13 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostIt was the second day of the competition and the third day of the Nachtstern Festival, however, the cheerful atmosphere didn't reach Morrigan. She was still meekly sitting in her room with her eyes downcast as Gunna did her best to get her ready for the second task.
"What is weighing you down so heavily so early in the morning?" the nanny asked as she tied Morrigan's hair into a ponytail....
2024-10-11 04:23:40 +0000 UTC View Post"You didn't know? Well, of course you wouldn't. Surely the little cockroach would guard her nasty secret as well as she could," Asdeus cackled.
"Shut up!" Morrigan snarled, trying to break free of the invisible bonds.
"No, I don't think I will. Deziara is your sister, isn't she? She should have the right to know who you truly are," Asdeus walked up to Deziara and then with a flick o...
2024-10-10 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View Post"Look at all these foods," Deziara, disguised in simpler clothes and with a blonde wig, strode through Linberor Market Square. Delicious smells, both savory and sweet, were mixing up in the air, attracting new hungry mouths from far beyond the square borders.
"I'm still not fond of this idea," Morrigan noted, transformed into a white-skinned blonde version of Azrael. The four demon guards...
2024-10-08 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostSpeeding over the craggy track, Morrigan could see the last obstacle in front of her. She was among the fastest runners while both of her sisters only just had gotten over the giant mountain obstacle.
I wonder what is the last obstacle—hopefully, something where I can remain in my shadow form.
"And here our dear contestants are finally approaching the last hurdle! C...
2024-10-07 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View Post"Welcome all contestants and our wonderful audience to the Nachtstern Festival Competition!" Azrael announced in a magically amplified voice that echoed through the whole Underworld. "Each time we have an astounding number of competitors, but this year you all have beaten the record – 1387 people have decided to participate. No doubt spurred on by the chance to see our lovely princesses close...
2024-10-06 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View Post"Father, please! I want to go. You promised me that I would be able to go," Morrigan held onto Alphegor's sleeve while he did his best to avoid her gaze.
"Morrigan, you know that we cannot take a stroll through the Festival. Our presence alone carries a lot of weight," he objected, gently trying to free his sleeve from her grasp. But Morrigan wrapped her hands around his waist and l...
2024-10-04 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe crowd filled with demons, drow, duergar and other Underworld races cheered as Alphephor raised his hand towards them in greeting. Morrigan stood a little bit behind him, on his right, while Viana stood on his left. All of her sisters stood on the large stage, each one dressed in similar kimono-styled attire with a dragon motif. However, each one wore a different color.
Viana's r...
2024-10-03 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostThe elven boy got rid of Morrigan's forcefield so swiftly that she didn't even register what he did to destroy it. She whirled around and then seized him with her levitation ability. It was rather tough levitating a moving, resisting person, but it was enough to stop the boy from reaching any further.
"Will you stop that? I am not just going let you waltz into my room!" she grumbled, swea...
2024-10-01 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostIn the evening, when Morrigan was finally freed from the dinner table, she turned into a shadow and sneaked through the busy castle hallways. They were brimming with demons, drow and duergar as well as other races. Not wanting to be escorted by Azrael and her two guards through the whole castle, she excused herself and went for the easy approach – sliding through the shadows.
Morr...
2024-09-29 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostAs Alphegor descended downstairs to greet the Fallen Delegation, Morrigan couldn't help but stare at their wings.
What wouldn't I give up for the ability to fly? Why couldn't demons have wings? All we have are these scrawny, useless tails.
"Don't stare at them so much," Azrael whispered in her ear, and Morrigan blinked.
"But they have wings! Nobody told me...
2024-09-27 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostMorrigan rose from her bed a bit after seven, which was more than an hour earlier than usual. Her heart was beating fast and she felt nervous jitters all over her body. Like little pinpricks, they didn't allow her to remain still and forced her out of the comforts of the bed. It was the day when the foreign delegations would arrive.
The preparation time for the Festival flew by in what fe...
2024-09-26 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostMorrigan held her back straight and her head high, taking careful, measured steps across the ballroom. There was a heavy stack of books on her head, threatening to topple over at the smallest mistake. Her teeth were clenched and every muscle felt like a tight wire, stiff and unwilling to move the way she wanted.
"Princess Morrigan, please relax. You look like you are made out of stone," L...
2024-09-24 05:21:18 +0000 UTC View PostWith heavy steps Morrigan slumbered towards her room, each next step on the staircase seeming more difficult than the last. After the whole fiasco with Viana, Deziara was doubly eager to teach Morrigan all the names of the nobles. She even tried using portraits, going from one image to the next, calling each of them and describing their houses a bit.
Deziara's efforts certainly had helped...
2024-09-22 04:13:00 +0000 UTC View Post"Princess, I think this might be too much," Azrael grumbled as he heaved another five portraits into the ballroom. It was one of the smaller rooms meant for minor occasions and parties hosted by concubines, but still large enough to fit about fifty people inside. Currently, the room was lined with portraits that were stacked on top of each other like some construction materials.
"I ...
2024-09-20 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostIs the shadow under the bowl a bit too light? I think I need to make it a bit darker for contrast. And what about the light reflecting from the table's surface? I think I need to make it more prominent on the bottom of the vase.
Morrigan stared intently at the still-life composition in front of her, doing her best to recreate it as faithfully as possible. She took a dark blue pai...
2024-09-19 04:13:03 +0000 UTC View PostHaku's mouth opened wider and fire streamed out of it in a steady current… above his head. Morrigan watched as the fire turned into little motes of flame that gently flowed down and then dissipated in the air. Before she could realize what was going on, Haku leapt up to her and licked her face enthusiastically. His tongue was a bit rough, but not as rough as a cat's tongue. It forked a little...
2024-09-17 04:13:01 +0000 UTC View Post