Bride of the Demon Prince chapter 2

Chapter 2

Hinata rarely travelled at night, even during peacetime. The darkness was considered too perilous, and during the recent war it had been unthinkable. Yet here she was, journeying through the night, the moonlight filtering through the thick canopy of trees that lined the road. The forest cloaked much of her view, but the stars above were visible, twinkling in the clear sky. They offered a small comfort, a reminder of the beauty that still existed in the world despite the turmoil that had engulfed it for so long.

Hinata shifted slightly in her seat, her gaze drawn to the figure riding beside the carriage.

 The Captain, astride his majestic fox steed, moved with an effortless grace that seemed to come as naturally to him as breathing. The fox beneath him was as silent as the night, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its sleek fur as it kept pace with the carriage. The scene was almost surreal, and Hinata couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease mingling with her curiosity.

Unable to contain her thoughts any longer, she leaned out of the carriage window slightly, her voice soft as she addressed the Captain. “May I ask... why are we travelling at night?”

The Captain turned his head slightly, his ever present mask obscuring his features, but his voice was clear and calm when he replied. “Due to the war, Princess. Despite being over, it is safer for us to travel under the cover of darkness, to keep out of sight.”

She was confused. “But it is over, so why would it be safer?” The princess questions, finding his reason odd.

“Over for our lands, perhaps.” he says. “But the wounds are still fresh, and many seek your king to resume the war. And some… well… we’re demons, and demons are hated…”

Hinata nodded slowly, understanding the reasoning he gave. A demon fox coach passing through their land during the day would likely provoke anger and resentment among the people, still reeling from the scars of the war. The thought of those who had lost loved ones in the conflict weighed heavily on her heart, and she found herself lost in sorrowful reflection.

The Captain seemed to notice her change in demeanour, his tone softening as he offered words of comfort. “I know the past years have been difficult, Princess. But things will get better. With this marriage, we have a chance to bridge the gap between our peoples, to heal the wounds on both sides.”

Hinata looked at him in surprise. The Captain’s voice was gentle, filled with a sincerity that she hadn’t expected. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “Are you… happy that we’re at peace? I’ve always heard that demons love to fight.”

The Captain chuckled, the sound warm and without malice. “It’s true that many of us have a primal nature, a certain... aggressiveness. But that doesn’t mean we seek war. We have outlets for our instincts that don’t involve grand conflicts. Personally, I never liked the war, though I fulfilled my duty.” 

His admission caught Hinata off guard. There was no deception in his words, no hidden agenda, though it held a tone of guilt for some reason. The way he spoke, without hesitation gave her a sense of his honesty and kindness, making her wonder if she had misunderstood the demon race entirely.

As if sensing her thoughts, the Captain looked up at the sky, his voice thoughtful. “It’s a beautiful night tonight.” he began, “The air is clear and fresh, the world silent for nature. When I look to the sky, it reminds me of how life is. I even sometimes think the world should be like the sky.”

Hinata followed his gaze, staring up at the vast expanse of stars. “Like the sky?!” she echoed, confused by his words.

He nodded, though he kept his eyes on the stars. “We should always enjoy the light when we have it. Times of peace, happiness... the brightness of life should be blinding at times. And when the darkness comes...”

“The darkness?” Hinata whispered, feeling a shiver run down her spine.

The Captain turned slightly in his saddle, his voice soft and almost poetic. “When the darkness comes, when shadows fall on the land, you look for the stars. Those small lights in the darkness; the moments; your loved ones; the memories that bring warmth and hope. Sometimes, when the night is cloudy, finding that one star can be difficult, but when you find it, it will bring you a light of comfort and peace in your heart, even if it’s just for a fleeting moment.”

The way he spoke was rather romanticised his vision, sounded so full of gentle wisdom, that Hinata felt her cheeks flush. 

She wasn’t used to hearing such silver-tongued words, especially not from someone who spoke them with such innocence and honesty. It was almost as if he believed every word with his whole heart, and that sincerity touched her in a way she hadn’t expected.

The Captain must have noticed her reaction, for he chuckled again, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Forgive me, Princess. I’m speaking too openly, and perhaps foolishly.” he apologizes. “I’ve been told I say some unusual things sometimes.”

Hinata shook her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “No, it is fine. I... I enjoyed your words.”

The Captain’s tone was embarrassed as he replied, “I’m glad, Princess. Though I fear I may have spoken too much.”

Hinata couldn’t see his face, hidden as it was behind his helmets face mask, but she found herself wondering what expression he wore beneath the demonic display. 

Was he blushing perhaps?
The thought made her cheeks heat up even more, realising with a start that she was curious about what he looked like.
Was he more fox-like, or did he have more human features?

Was he... handsome?

Her heart fluttered at the thought of hoping he was, a sensation she quickly tried to suppress. 

It wasn’t right to think this way.

She had a fiancé now, a prince of demons, a monster on the battlefield, they said.

Hinata tried to picture Prince Naruto, imagining him as some seven-foot-tall muscle-bound hulking beast with demonic features, a terrifying force of nature. The thought of him, so fearsome and imposing, made her uneasy, but she forced herself to focus on the reality she was facing.

“Princess?” the Captain’s voice interrupted her spiralling thoughts. “Are you all right?”

Hinata quickly shook off her flustered state, regaining her composure. “Yes, I’m fine. I should probably rest now.”

The Captain inclined his head slightly. “Of course. I wish you and your companions a good rest, Princess.” With that, he urged his fox steed forward, moving ahead of the carriage to give them some privacy.

As Hinata settled back into her seat, she noticed the other three girls watching her with curious expressions. She didn’t say a word, but she could feel the weight of their unspoken questions. They were her closest friends, and they knew her well enough to sense when something was on her mind.

As the carriage rocked gently along the darkened path, the air inside was thick with unspoken tension. Hinata's friends, who had remained silent after the Captain’s departure, finally exchanged glances, their unease evident. 

Ino was the first to speak, her voice low and cautious.

“Princess…” she began, her blue eyes narrowing slightly, “It isn't wise to get too friendly with the Captain. We’re still not sure what to make of these demon guards. It’s better to stay cautious.”

Sakura nodded in agreement, her cleric's sash shifting slightly as she leaned forward. “We don’t know their true intentions.” she said, with suspicion. “Peace may be a driving force, but I hear demons can be tricky.” but not wanting to scare Hinata, she adds,  “This is all so new and… strange. We just want you to be safe.”

Tenten, ever the pragmatic one, crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze sharp and alert. “We’ll soon be in unfamiliar territory. Trust is something we can’t afford to give freely right now. We need to be careful, especially with demons.”

Hinata looked at each of them in turn, feeling the weight of their concerns. She understood their wariness, but there was a part of her that was driven by curiosity—a curiosity that had been growing ever since she had learned about her impending marriage and the new life awaiting her in the Foxlands.

“I understand,” Hinata said softly, lowering her gaze. “But… I can’t help being curious. There’s so much I don’t know about the Foxlands, about my new life.” she confessed “if I am to be a royal of that land, should I not enquire about whatever is on my mind?” Hinata calmly explained her mindset. “I have never been there before, and thus only heard hearsay and read vague descriptions in books, all I know for sure, is that it’s a heavily forested area, filled with danger, and the demon fox clan rules it; so I don’t really know what to expect.”

Sakura’s expression softened, and she nodded slightly. “You’re right about the forest. The Foxlands are covered in dense, dark woods. The deeper you go, the darker it gets, they say. There’s only one road that leads through, winding like a serpent through the trees.”

Ino added, “I heard the fox city is the only real city there, but there are clan villages scattered throughout the forest. The monsters that live there… they’re numerous and dangerous. It’s a place where even the bravest warriors tread carefully.”

Hinata absorbed this information, her mind painting a vivid picture of the mysterious land she would soon call home. Her thoughts drifted to Queen Kurama, the nine-tailed demon fox who ruled over the Foxlands, and she hesitated before voicing her next question.

“What about the Queen?” Hinata asked. “What is she like?”

Tenten’s eyes darkened slightly as she spoke, her voice laced with a mixture of awe and caution. “There are tales about Queen Kurama’s fox form, the devastation she can cause when she’s angered. They say she’s a force of nature, capable of levelling entire armies with her power. But in her human form… she’s just as dangerous in a different way.”

“Dangerous?” Hinata echoed, intrigued.

“Incredibly beautiful,” Tenten clarified. “She’s said to have seduced generals, even kings and queens. Her allure isn’t just physical—she’s cunning, manipulative. She uses her beauty to gain the upper hand, to twist people’s desires to her advantage.”

The thought of Queen Kurama seducing another woman left Hinata shocked. Her cheeks flushed with heat as the implications of Tenten’s words settled in. It wasn’t unheard of for women to be in romantic entanglements, but the idea of the Fox Queen being a seductress was… unexpected. Hinata had always imagined royalty to be stoic, controlled, their desires secondary to their duties; her father a set example amongst many nobles. Yet, here was a queen who wielded her beauty and charm as feminine weapons just as effectively as she did her power.

As if sensing Hinata’s discomfort, Ino quickly changed the subject. “Speaking of demons… what have you heard of… your future husband?”

The name, though unspoken, hung in the air for a moment, heavy with unspoken fears. Hinata realised that she had deliberately avoided asking much about her future husband, too apprehensive to know more. Now, with the conversation turning to him, she felt a nervous flutter in her chest.

“I… I’m a little nervous about him,” Hinata admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve heard so little… I don’t know what to expect.”

Her friends exchanged uneasy glances, each of them reluctant to speak. Finally, Sakura took a deep breath and began. “We’ll look after you, Hinata, no matter what. But… there’s something you should know. It’s about one of the battles from last year.”

“The battle that changed the tide of this war…” Tenten added.

The carriage grew still, the air thickening with the weight of the story about to be told.

“It was during a battle that our side had won,” Sakura continued, her voice hushed. “The Hyuuga army was victorious, but then… something happened. A man appeared on the battlefield, walking through the blood-soaked dirt like it was nothing. His eyes were glowing red, and he wore no armour, just simple clothes. His hair… it was bright yellow, so different from the red of the demon foxes. The soldiers hesitated because of it, curious and uncertain.”

Ino took over, her voice grim. “But in an instant, more of him appeared in flashes of magical smoke, all the same man, a wave of yellow, and burnt orange, some said it was like fire.” She paused for a moment, letting the image settle in “In the aftermath he was described as the ‘One-Man Army.’ He moved like a whirlwind, and every time they struck one of him down, it vanished into sulphuric hellish smoke, only to be replaced by another. He slaughtered the army without mercy. It wasn’t until later that they realised who he was—Prince Naruto. Whispers through court said that that battle was a turning point in the war. Wherever he fought, rivers of blood followed.”

As the story unfolded, Hinata felt the blood drain from her face at the thought of the man she was to marry had rivers of blood on his hands, a vicious and unrelenting monster. Her skin turned pale, her heart pounding in her chest. 

An image of the gentle, kind Captain who had spoken of peace and light, a person she was beginning to see as an example of the fox demon race, was being replaced by a vision of a monstrous figure, drenched in the blood of her people.
She shuddered, the terror gripping her heart as she tried to reconcile these two versions of what she saw the fox race to be.

Her friends quickly realised they had said too much, their expressions filled with regret as they moved closer to comfort her. They offered reassurances, trying to calm her fears, but the damage was done. The story had etched itself into her mind, and no amount of comforting words could erase the dread that now filled her.

Outside, the Captain had heard every word, his shoulders slumping beneath the weight of their conversation. His posture, once confident, now bore the sadness of a man burdened by his past. He rode on, his heart heavy.