The Princess Doesn't Want A Harem

Kira's face flushed with embarrassment. He must have done this on purpose! She felt so mortified that she wished the ground would swallow her up. Seeing the complicated expression on the King's face, she couldn't begin to guess what thoughts were racing through his mind.

"Your Majesty," Star was the first to react, offering the King a graceful salute. There wasn't a trace of shame on his face—if anything, he looked smug.

Kira's legs itched to kick him! Just when she had been willing to reconsider sending him out of the palace, he went ahead and pulled this stunt! Clearly, he had no respect for her or her authority.

"Go out first," King Edge finally spoke, his gaze shifting from the shapeshifter, who was still in his likeness, to his daughter, who stood frozen in place.

Did she… think of him in that way? The King's thoughts grew uneasy. Is that why she's been so distant lately?

Star gave Kira one last glance, his eyes narrowed flirtatiously before turning and leaving the room. The silence that followed was so thick it made Kira's skin crawl with discomfort.

Summoning her courage, Kira stammered, "That... That wasn't what you think! I swear, he... he was just messing around."

Even to her own ears, her words sounded weak. Star was one of her own people, and he would only dare to impersonate the King under her command. Who would believe she had no part in it?

Ah! This is humiliating!

"It... doesn't matter. Take a seat." The King's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. He settled down on a low seat, and after a brief hesitation, Kira took the one farthest from him, a move that didn't go unnoticed.

"I came to apologize for how cold I was the other day. I should've handled things better."

"Does that mean you'll reject the proposal outright?" Kira asked, hopeful.

"No. The Demon King is on his way. But I want you to know that your happiness matters to me more than anything else. In this situation, though, I am powerless. As King, I have a duty to secure peace for the kingdom."

"I get it," Kira sighed, already resigned to her fate. She had long realized there wasn't much she could do. She only hoped she'd be back in her real world before ever meeting this Demon Prince. "You don't need to worry. I'll do as you ask."

"That's my girl." The King smiled. He had raised Kira to understand her responsibilities, and though she sometimes acted spoiled, she had a kind heart and a sense of duty.

Still, she had grown up far too quickly for his liking. The thought of her being around other men always bothered him. He had placed his own people in her palace to ensure things never got out of hand. They were mere playthings to her, in his eyes—nothing more.

The earlier scene flashed in his mind, and his smile faded. "That person from before..."

"It's nothing!" Kira cut him off before he could ask more questions. "If there's nothing else, I'd like to rest."

The King looked like he had more to say but held back, not wanting to embarrass his daughter further. If she harbored those kinds of thoughts about him, perhaps it was best not to address them. Maybe it was just a phase.

"Then rest. I'll take my leave."

Kira saw him out, quickly slamming the door shut behind him, terrified Star might still be lurking nearby. Leaning against the door, she buried her face in her hands. When am I going home?

---

The next morning, Kira woke up with a sinking feeling. As she had feared, she was still stuck here with no way home. Frustrated, she locked herself in her chambers and refused to come out. She even sent away the maids who brought her food.

Rumors spread that her mood was due to the marriage proposal, and people shook their heads in sympathy for the princess.

When her friends Evelyn and Bloom heard, they rushed to the palace. With them at her door, Kira had no choice but to let them in.

"It's so unfair! How could the King even consider such a thing?" Evelyn exclaimed. Everyone in the Seven Realms had heard of Demon Prince Lu Sin. He was notorious for causing trouble—taking what he found interesting and destroying what he disliked, with no one able to stop him.

"Lu Sin isn't just powerful; he's already at the Nascent stage of cultivation, and he has a rare single-root fire aptitude," Bloom added. "No one can stand up to him. And don't forget, his father is the Demon Venerable—one of only three immortals in the entire realm!"

A kingdom like Fayette, though not insignificant, couldn't possibly compare to the Northern Realm ruled by the Demon Lord. So, despite his misgivings, King Edge had to give face to the Demon Realm.

"The stories about him are terrifying!" Evelyn continued. "I heard he's a complete playboy with a harem of women, and he snatches up any beautiful woman he sees!"

"Not to mention his cruelty," Bloom added. "He's said to hurt people for no reason—even women! And he doesn't care who it is; he'll turn anyone to dust if they annoy him!"

"He's been with hundreds of women!" Evelyn gasped.

"No, a thousand!" Bloom exaggerated.

"Enough!" Kira snapped, glaring at her friends. They both lowered their heads, guilty for getting carried away.

"Sorry, Kira," Evelyn said quickly. "Don't take us seriously. They might just be rumors."

"Yeah, maybe he's not that bad," Bloom agreed, trying to sound hopeful.

Kira sighed. "I don't care if he's a good person or not. Even if he's a saint, I won't marry him." Her voice was resolute. "It's just a proposal. I still have the right to say no."

Evelyn and Bloom nodded vigorously in agreement.

Their conversation was cut short by a maid rushing into the room, her face pale with panic. "Princess! There's trouble in the harem! You need to come quickly!"

Kira groaned internally. Not those guys again!