"Dante has arrived. I'll be going now," Bella said as she stepped out of the room, leaving the couple alone.
Dante took a step closer to Zamora, leaning in toward her.
"You look stunning tonight," he whispered in her ear, his hand gently stroking her hair.
Zamora's cheeks flushed with warmth at the compliment. It was the first time Dante had ever said something so sweet. Usually, all he ever did was bark orders or lose his temper. Oh, and let's not forget—kidnapping her in the first place.
"Why didn't you tell me there was an event today?" Zamora asked, her voice tinged with irritation. "Why am I the only one who didn't know?"
Dante slipped his hands into the pockets of his black trousers. "You weren't the only one. Even those in the lower dungeon have no idea this event is happening," he replied with a faint smile.
"Then why did you have Bella dress me up? Wouldn't it have been better if I didn't come at all?"
"This is me granting your request. I'm tired of seeing you trying to sneak out of your room every other day. So tonight, I'm taking you to the party," Dante explained in a calm, even tone.
Zamora felt a flicker of joy. Finally, Dante understood how suffocating it was being locked away day after day. She couldn't help herself—she jumped in excitement, completely forgetting about her pregnancy.
"I'm glad you're happy," Dante said, "but you should be careful. Remember, you're carrying a child."
Zamora froze, his words pulling her back to reality. She looked at his handsome face intently.
"I assume this comes with a price, right?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
Dante smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Of course," he replied.
"What do you want?" she asked, not bothering to hide her annoyance.
"Are you sure you want to ask me that?"
Zamora shot him an exasperated look. "Who else should I ask?"
"I like that you're asking. But I'll tell you after the event."
Zamora tried to guess what kind of demand he might make. Whatever it was, she doubted it would be good.
"Are you sure you don't want to just say it now?" she asked, curious.
"It won't be fun if I tell you now," Dante said flatly.
"It's definitely not going to be anything good," she muttered.
"But I think it's a very reasonable request," he said. "It's just one favor. Unless… you'd rather I make you my wife?"
"Find someone else."
"Tsk, you're too stiff, Miss. How could you reject my proposal?" he chuckled.
Zamora sighed, giving in to Dante's stubborn nature. She knew whatever she said, he would always find a way to counter her argument.
"I'm not interested in you," she muttered, cheeks flushed.
Dante smiled in victory, pleased with her flustered response.
"Let's go. The event has started."
He took Zamora's hand tightly as they entered the grand ballroom. He guided her closely, not letting her stray. Together, they made their way toward an incubus almost as handsome as Dante.
"Congratulations, Miguel, on the birth of your first son," Dante said warmly.
The man—Dante's older brother—was one of the highest-ranking incubi in the castle. Today, they were celebrating the birth of his son, born from a woman he had also kidnapped, just like Zamora.
Miguel nodded and smiled. "Thank you for coming. I hope you'll have a son of your own soon."
Dante glanced briefly at Zamora before turning back to Miguel. "I hope so too. He'll need to be strong and not as stubborn as his mother," he joked.
"Is the mother stubborn? Sounds intriguing. Where is she?" Miguel asked, amused.
"You're looking at her."
Miguel turned to Zamora and beamed at her. He seemed genuinely friendly—so different from Dante, Zamora thought.
"So you're the lucky lady? My, you look beautiful in that dress, Miss. And how's the little one? Has he started kicking? Looks like your belly is showing already," Miguel said with cheerful interest.
"He kicked me yesterday, sir," Zamora replied hesitantly.
"Really?" Miguel said, amazed.
"You're doing well, Zamora," Dante said. "If he's kicking, that means he's growing strong."
"I'm glad to hear that," Miguel said happily. "Soon, our family will grow even bigger."
Zamora just smiled faintly. Deep down, she felt the weight of a responsibility she never asked for. She was being forced to grow up too fast.
"We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Miguel. The woman over there, chatting away, is Brittany—the mother of my newborn. You can befriend her if you ever want to escape Dante," Miguel joked.
"Miguel," Dante said, his voice laced with warning.
"I'm just kidding, Dante. Don't be so serious or that handsome face of yours will disappear," Miguel laughed as he walked away.
Dante and Zamora returned to the center of the ballroom, where a long table stood covered with crimson-colored drinks. Was it blood? Zamora certainly thought so.
Dante picked up two glasses and handed one to her. Zamora took it hesitantly. She couldn't drink anything that wasn't made for humans.
"Relax, it's not blood," Dante said, almost as if reading her mind. "It's raspberry."
Zamora sniffed the drink before taking a sip, just to be sure.
Throughout the ballroom, all eyes seemed to be on them. Succubi were visibly dazzled by Dante's looks, while some Incubi and Succubi sneered when they realized Zamora was human. Rank didn't matter—once a demon, always a predator.
Dante hated seeing his woman become the center of attention. He knew exactly what they were thinking. He stayed close, protective.
"I don't like you being stared at like this. Do you want to go back to the room?" he growled softly.
Elsewhere in the room, two demons gossiped from a distance—the subject of their chatter clearly Zamora.
"She's stunning, isn't she?" Mike said, sipping his wine while staring at Zamora with interest.
Alice rolled her eyes. "You need to get your eyes checked. I'm clearly far more beautiful than that girl."
Mike smirked. "You say that because you're jealous. I bet your heart's burning right now. You probably think you should be the one standing next to Dante, not her. Am I right?"
"Don't make things up! I'm not like that," Alice protested—though deep inside, she was indeed jealous.
"How about we work together?" Mike offered, his tone sly.
"Work together?"
"To separate them. I want Zamora, and you can have Dante."
Alice hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Okay. I'm in."