The Damned Demon

Oberon went back to his seat, though his expression was looking far different from his initial proud and confident expression.

All the enthusiasm he showed when presenting the gift was deflated like a balloon. All because of a cripple. How humiliating!

Most of them standing there couldn't help but feel the same. It seemed like the Crippled Consort wouldn't be sleeping in the shadows anymore. Based on how bold he seemed to be, they felt like things were going to be different here.

Still, they weren't expecting anything big since the royal consort was still a powerless cripple in the end, whose protection was guaranteed by their queen. Without her, he was as good as dead.

Ceti couldn't believe a cripple managed to talk down a well-decorated prince of the house. How could someone so weak be able to do such things? Even if he depended on the queen's protection, it was not like the queen could watch over him constantly. There were ways Prince Oberon could make things tough for him. Was he just ignorant about it, or did he truly have the guts to do so?

Kookus couldn't help but bite his teeth, unable to believe he watched a nerve-racking showdown between the prodigal prince of the house and the crippled consort. Who would have ever thought the royal consort would win in the end?

He would have showered praises already if not for his sister and the queen being so close.

Asher still had a lingering worry if Rowena would check on the memories, but so far, based on what he knew about her, she didn't seem like the kind to lie, especially since she seemed quite determined when she said she won't make use of the 'gift'.

Even though he was almost sure, he decided to somehow destroy that head later when the right opportunity came by.

At least nobody else would get their hands on it till then. But he knew that he pissed off a powerful bastard, though he did it despite knowing it. He couldn't just let him get away with that too.

The only way to let the culprits make mistakes was to rile them up. Otherwise, if he remained passive like before and let them peacefully plan out things, he would be the one getting fucked. The fact that an assassin almost killed him was proof enough that his life was already in danger. His memories from this body and what Merina told him was also proof enough that his existence itself made a few powerful enemies who would try to get rid of him the first chance they get.

However, he knew he was taking a big gamble here, though he had never shied away from taking huge risks to get what he wanted. Only by taking huge risks was he able to become the strongest hunter in his past life. People even called him a 'daredevil' because of that.

His only option was to level up as quickly as possible using any means. But thanks to his memories, he had a plan and briefly glanced at Ceti with a subtle smile who felt his gaze and unconsciously looked at his eyes.

Just as she was about to wonder what this pervert was planning, suddenly she grimaced as she shut her eyes close, making Asher wonder why this snobbish woman was acting weird.

Rebecca's eyes melted upon seeing her son, Oberon, returning with a dark look. Right after he sat down, she immediately grabbed his hand and said with flared nostrils, "Son, don't worry. Mother will make that crippled trash pay ten times the humiliation you endured today. Your father will also talk to the queen about this and make sure he gets his place shown. Isn't that right, Seron?" She turned her head towards Seron with a glowering look.

Seron nodded with tightness in his eyes, "Of course. I will talk to the queen and let her know how that cripple needs to know his place. But I don't think she will do anything. We all know why. Things aren't really the same now that he woke up and considering his behavior...don't do anything rash for now."

Oberon heard the two as he stayed silent, but the next moment, he briefly raised his hand and said with a high chin, "No need. I don't need any help from you two to deal with that trash. I will deal with him myself as I always do," His lips curled as he added in a seething tone, "I never expected that cripple to gain such a tongue after getting a soul. He also must have no idea who I am or how weak and pathetic he is. Ignorance is his only tool. But that is good news for me. When the right time comes, he will regret gaining his senses," Oberon finished with a cold smile.

Rebecca nodded with a look of approval as she caressed the back of his head, "That's my son. I knew you wouldn't be bothered by the words of a pathetic cripple. I couldn't be more proud of you."

Silvan Drake, who was sitting beside his father, briefly glanced at Asher with a subtle squint. And when his gaze accidentally fell on Ceti, who was standing behind the queen, his gaze softened.

After everyone was done handing over their "gifts", the Hall Elder announced with a light smile, "Now let's celebrate this fine day with a number of events we have scheduled. First, let us all partake in the grand feast the House of Dragons has prepared for the people. Everyone should take part and celebrate our path ahead!"

Asher's eyes glowed upon seeing long tables neatly laid out with all kinds of food and wine. Just the smell was enough to even tempt him.

However, he saw most men and women forming pairs, taking the center and starting to dance by holding hands and moving slowly.

'What a boring dance…' Asher thought and said to Rowena, "I am going to eat some food. You can join me if you want."

Rowena simply shook her head, just as Asher expected. He could see that she was disinterested in all these things, though unlike her, he was curious to try out the food demons eat and learn more about them.

At least their way of conducting a feast seemed similar, but humans can never match the grandeur.

There were also storytellers setting up shop to amuse the guests and entertain them with the grand feats and illustrious feats carried out by the royal members of House Drake, going back to the birth of the kingdom itself.

Who would have ever thought that he would be experiencing the biggest celebration he had ever witnessed as a demon?

It also seemed like most of them were eagerly awaiting a celebration after not holding any events or celebrations for a year due to the Demon King's death.

Even without Rowena's order, none of them would have held any public celebration so as to not disrespect the passing of the demon king.

He noticed how everyone around him was giving him strange glances as he walked towards the large tables where the food and drinks were kept.

Their faces seemed as if they had things to say or ask but didn't. It seemed as if his previous scene of rebuking Oberon made some kind of unexpected impact on these people.

Asher ignored them as his gaze finally fell on the fresh food that gave off a mouthwatering scent. He still didn't dare to trust just his sense of smell and took a closer eye to see what kind of food these demons prepared.

He didn't know whether to feel surprised or not to see that most of it was meat and there were even chalices filled with blood. He didn't have to guess to know that most of the vampires would be drinking the blood in these chalices like they would drink wine.

He could only wonder where they were getting this blood from. Could it be from the Hunters they captured or killed?

He decided to take a leap of faith and try one of the most appetizing-looking dishes near him. He expected the worst, but the moment he chewed on it, he couldn't help but feel his taste buds tingling in excitement.

'How could something taste this good?' The food tasted so delicious he felt his stomach growl in anticipation for more.

'Fuck, I don't care what this is. I just need more,' Asher thought to himself as he began to gobble up the food. He skipped breakfast and hasn't had a single morsel since yesterday. Only now he realized how famished he was.

The others looked on with strange expressions. Who would have expected the royal consort to have so much appetite despite doing nothing all day?

"Is the food that delicious?" A woman's sweet, melodious voice sounded from behind as Asher turned around with one of his brows raised.