Claimed By The Monster King

Seraph’s POV

The wind howled through the village, tugging at my cloak like it knew I was leaving. I tightened it around my shoulders anyway. The cold wasn’t the problem. The problem was today.

Today, I was the offering.

Every century, the legend says, a daughter with royal blood is offered to the Monster King, a sacrifice to keep the village safe from his endless hunger. It is said that if he were to hunt, no one would survive; every living thing in his path would be obliterated.

I am that daughter, raised to save the village at eighteen by being offered to a devilish monster with an unquenchable thirst for blood.

My jaw clenched at the hopefulness in the eyes of the high priests. I could almost hear his inner thoughts whispering…

Go on, child. Buy us another hundred years of freedom from this hellish creature.

I glared at the chief with the long white beard. He almost wore a smile of pleasure, or pride, rather.

I sighed deeply. The Monster King’s palace could be sighted even from here.

I’ll go. I’ll die. Everyone will be happy. End of story. My story.

“How come your wife isn't here yet?” I said to the town chief, who just sighed at my tone.

“You know your mother isn't in support, Seraph,”

“I wonder why.” I rolled my eyes as two tall men I recognized as my father’s personal guards put chains around my wrists.

“Don’t be like that, child. You’re fulfilling destiny, you should be honored,” he said in a voice he truly believed was inspiring. You see, my father is one of those idiots who has been brainwashed all their lives, just like the priests and practically everyone in this town.

If it is written or spoken as a prophecy — no matter how gruesome the fate is, then you must be honored to face it.

Maybe I'm the weird one, because for some reason, I don't like my fate. I’m going to face it, yes, mostly because if I don’t… Well, there’s no other option. I’ll die in these forests from the spell they cast if I try to stray from my path.

The square was quiet, but the eyes on me said everything. Mothers clutching their children, old men spitting into the dirt, everyone staring like I was already dead.

“You’ll be fine,” the village elder said behind me. His voice was brittle, like dry twigs. I turned sharply.

“May the gods watch over you.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, not looking at him. Gods wouldn’t save me here.

So I turned back to my father. “Are these chains necessary? What if I get attacked, how do I fend for myself?”

He gave me a deadpanned look.

“Nevermind,” I sighed.

The carriage waited for me, black and ornate, etched with ancient carvings.

“Get in,” one of the men commanded.

I stepped inside, brushing my silver hair back, annoyed at how difficult something so simple was with these chains.

“If I’m going to die, can I make one final request?”

My father eyed me suspiciously, but the balding elder nodded with a small smile.

“Yes, child.” He already knew exactly what I wanted.

“Tell Riko—”

“Raphy,” a familiar voice cut through the air, making my heart ache for the first time that evening.

Riko pushed through the crowd, his long brown hair swaying in the wind.

“Let’s go,” I said to the driver.

He hesitated—obviously hearing Riko calling—but I nodded. He flicked the reins and the carriage began to move.

“Stop! Raphy, wait!” Riko shouted. “You can’t leave without saying goodbye!”

I looked away from the window and sat still, not strong enough to see the look in his eyes.

“Goodbye,” I heard myself whisper as my heart broke in my chest.

I was leaving everyone and everything I knew behind. The people I loved. Not fair.

The carriage rolled forward. Past hills, past trees. Familiar things faded behind me. Soon, everything I knew would be gone.

Beyond the border awaited the Monster King.

I pressed my hands to my chest. I won’t scream. I won’t beg. I’ll face him like I face everything.

By the time we stopped, the sun had disappeared completely. Ahead, a fortress rose from the darkness, black stone curling like shadows into the sky. Even from here, I felt the power lurking in every corner of that ancient structure.

The guard opened the door. “This way.”

I stepped onto the cold stone, boots echoing on the empty path. Every instinct screamed at me to run. But I didn’t. I squared my shoulders and walked toward the fortress.

The gates opened, revealing a courtyard bathed in pale moonlight. Figures moved along the walls, faces hidden beneath veils and masks. I froze.

He’s not alone.

These creatures were monsters like him.

Cursed creatures.

The escort stepped forward.

When I looked up at him, he struck me across the face and everything went black.

My eyes slowly opened to the vast darkness of what seemed like a cave.

I groaned as I tried to get up, but my entire body ached and the chains around my wrists made movement difficult.

The memories of the day came back in bits.

“That deep shit… how dare he knock me out?” I hissed.

This was not a cave.

Slowly, my eyes adjusted. Dark statues and carved ornaments rose around me in the dimly lit space.

I rolled onto my back and sighed. A subtle movement on the ceiling made me rub my eyes. But no—there it was again. The shadows were warping.

“Who’s there?” I asked, then rolled my eyes at myself. Stupid question.

I got to my feet.

“So?” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Are you going to kill me? Or… what? Glare at me to death?”

Silence.

I narrowed my eyes. “If you’re waiting for me to beg… I won’t.”

The shadows shifted. I stumbled back.

Suddenly, an overwhelming presence pressed against my back. So strong that my knees almost buckled.

“Another offering,” a deep voice said. A shiver ran through my spine.

I spun around.

A towering figure stood before me. But instead of the feral eyes of a starving monster… I met the eyes of a man.

There was a fraction of restraint in his gaze, a hesitation that didn’t belong to a creature like him, as if he struggled with what he wanted to do… or perhaps what he shouldn’t.

I almost let my guard down, until I remembered the legends. The Monster King could take on any form to lure prey.

“How does this go?” I asked. “Can you please make it quick, sir Monster King? I promise I won’t look very delicious if I’m tortured.”

A low chuckle came from him, dark and malicious.

He stepped out of the shadows fully and I'm faced with piercing blue eyes, framed by thick dark lashes and long, black hair.

And he was half naked. With a pant hanging low, framing his lean waist.

“Umm…” I looked around, searching for the source of the monstrous aura… but it was him. All of it was him.

“Forgive my boldness… but are you by chance the Demon King?”

He looked me over slowly, saying nothing. Just watching me like I was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen.

“Mine,” he said.

The chains around my wrists broke and dissolved into dust.

I barely had time to gasp before he grabbed my hand.

He led me down the hall wordlessly while I struggled.

He shoved me into a room and shut the door.

“Let me out! Let me out!” I kicked the door. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. For the first time today, I felt truly scared for my life.