novelraw Chapter 91 : You Are a Princess, That's Fine
Chapter 91 : You Are a Princess, That's Fine
"I didn't expect to meet you here, Your Highness Latifa."Chapter
Tiana chuckled softly, like an old friend from bygone days, gracefully curtsying with the full etiquette of a noble meeting a princess.Chapter
"Good day. You remain as beautiful and captivating as ever."Chapter
Tiana raised her eyes, and Patunasankus noticed the lingering upturn at the corners of her mouth—the aftermath of a smile. Yet this subtly sinister, knife-hidden-in-smile greasiness always made the evil dragon uncomfortable, especially now surrounded by the sulfurous stench of hell, which only heightened her irritation.Chapter
When humans get irritated, they unconsciously become rough in their actions. When an evil dragon gets irritated, she can't help but burn something.Chapter
Unfortunately, she wasn't currently in her Black Death form.Chapter
Otherwise, she could have burned to her heart's content.Chapter
"Have we met before?" Patunasankus searched through her memories of conversations with Latifa but couldn't recognize the other party.Chapter
And judging by her words, was this person here for Serina?Chapter
With this hellish sulfur smell in the air, it wasn't hard to guess she was a passing devil.Chapter
But what did she mean by that "free-riding princess" comment?Chapter
Patunasankus was somewhat confused.Chapter
"In a way yes, in a way no," Tiana smiled.Chapter
It was an exquisitely crafted smile, different from others' smiles. Whether you called it the weight of blood or the steadiness of life, it completely lacked any sense of substance.Chapter
You could say it was as light as a blank sheet of paper, yet still smiling.Chapter
It gave off an unmistakably artificial feeling, like a belly full of malicious schemes.Chapter
Patunasankus frowned. This detestable riddler vibe was already making her calculate how to eliminate this person without anyone noticing.Chapter
She absolutely despised riddlers.Chapter
Just mentioning in passing—most riddlers Patunasankus had encountered so far had ended up dead. Not that she meant anything by it, just mentioning it in passing.Chapter
"From the front row seats of the stage, I've watched you quietly on multiple occasions," Tiana said, touching near the corner of her mouth as if caressing it. "I might know you better than you know yourself—every inch, crystal clear. And that's enough."Chapter
Tiana said.Chapter
"Don't worry, I won't take your life. I'm not interested in my father's dealings in this city. He wants you dead, but I don't care."Chapter
"Sounds like a peeping tom," Patunasankus raised an eyebrow, immediately drawing her conclusion.Chapter
"Pe-peeping tom?" Tiana stiffened momentarily.Chapter
"And a perverted stalker too," Patunasankus said without holding back. "Coming up and saying I have the scent of a little girl on me."Chapter
"...Little girl, hehe, so you do know her. And you also think she's a little girl. Right? Right!"Chapter
Tiana got angry just thinking about it, seeming to have flames coming out of her head.Chapter
"If I catch which hell senator drafted that underage protection refund policy, I'll definitely seize them and banish them to some corner undetectable by any divination magic, to be brutally tormented by succubi for ten thousand years," she couldn't help saying.Chapter
"No, must be elegant, must be elegant."Chapter
Tiana lifted her head, took a deep breath, and then slowly began breathing exercises.Chapter
First time, second time.ChapterChapterAfter spreading her hands and adjusting her breathing, she spoke again: "My apologies for my earlier lack of composure."Chapter
"A more formal setting would be better," Tiana snapped her fingers. "This isn't the kind of place I'm accustomed to conducting business."Chapter
With the snap, crimson light appeared alongside an intensified sulfurous odor. In an instant, their surroundings transformed completely.Chapter
They now stood in a spacious reception hall adorned with grotesque portraits of horned devils. A scarlet dome arched overhead, while walls and floors flowed with opulent hues straddling the spectrum between fresh blood and blooming roses.Chapter
An eerie silence permeated the space, occasionally broken by distant, agonized screams.Chapter
The restless hellfire winds stirred ceaselessly in the distance.Chapter
Patunasankus stood at the center of the reception hall.Chapter
"Welcome." The casual greeting carried the demeanor of a true superior—precise yet cordial.Chapter
As Patunasankus slowly turned, she saw a crimson door along the corridor swing open. Tiana emerged with hands tucked in her pockets, humming some self-composed melody as she crossed the official residence's red-carpeted pathway.Chapter
"Welcome to the Nine Abyss, and welcome to my official residence."Chapter
Tiana seated herself at the table, gesturing for Patunasankus to make herself comfortable.Chapter
"You brought me to the Nine Abyss?" Patunasankus raised an eyebrow.Chapter
"Obviously. You might die soon, or you might not. Regardless, your remaining days are numbered. Why not enjoy what could be your final lavish meal now?" Tiana said. "Then, we can discuss... where is the Serina I'm looking for?"Chapter
"So we're no longer in the mortal realm... In that case," Patunasankus murmured, "I see no need to maintain pretenses..."Chapter
The Black Death's heart began to warm, the evil dragon's claws subtly extending. Though Patunasankus kept her eyes lowered, she carried herself like a queen presiding over this very residence.Chapter
Having restrained herself for so long that it nearly drove her mad, she could finally burn to her heart's content. This thought delighted her immensely.Chapter
"Guh!" Someone whimpered behind her.Chapter
"I no longer intend to..." Patunasankus deliberately ignored the sound and continued.Chapter
"Wuu wuu!" More whimpers came from behind.Chapter
"Intend to..."Chapter
"Uguh!"Chapter
"..."Chapter
The frequent interruptions finally made Patunasankus turn her head in annoyance, only to discover Hedica—missing for so long—bound to a chair at the central dining table with cloth stuffed in her mouth, blinking desperately while continuing to whimper.Chapter
"...Hello," Patunasankus addressed Hedica.Chapter
"Mmff! Mmmffff!"Chapter
"Well, I'm happy to see you too," Patunasankus approached and grasped Hedica's hand in consolation. "How have you been recently?"Chapter
"Mmfff!"Chapter
"Knowing you're doing well puts my mind at ease."Chapter
Patunasankus had originally intended to immediately confront Tiana, but Hedica's unexpected presence complicated matters.Chapter
She couldn't very well tear a devil apart right in front of her.Chapter
...Perhaps she should find a way to let Hedica die first?ChapterChapter"My name is Tiana, daughter of the Archdevil Metoran," Tiana transformed, now appearing in her devil form with horns and bat-like wings, "Princess of Hell."Chapter
"You claim to be a princess?" Patunasankus instinctively thought of the renowned princess collector Liulan, "Oh, I hope you never have the chance to meet someone I know."Chapter
"Who? What would happen if I did?"Chapter
"Well, I don't think you'd want to witness such a scene," Patunasankus said.Chapter
"Let's get back on topic without interruptions. Tell me where the freeloading princess is—don't lie. Her scent is all over you, strong and impossible to hide," Tiana threatened, "Or, I could just read your memory and find out myself."Chapter
"Mmmpf!" Hedica nearby shook her chair excitedly.Chapter
Patunasankus glanced dismissively at her. With an acquaintance present, it wasn't ideal to start a fight outright.Chapter
Though she could simply roast Hedica, having previously decided to help her retrieve her guard, burning them both seemed unjustifiable.Chapter
She needed to get this one out of the way.Chapter
"Release her, and I'll tell you," Patunasankus pointed at Hedica, feigning concern.Chapter
"Are you bargaining with me? Do you know the fate of those who make deals with devils in legends?"Chapter
"Fate?" Patunasankus thought to herself, how would she know? Probably devils just enjoy playing the villain boss in heroes' tales, engaging in shady deals only to get exploited and then struck down by a righteous holy knight.Chapter
"Aren't you devils fond of contracts and deals? Of course, it should be fair," Patunasankus said, "You don't like being cheated. Neither do I. We're quite alike in that."Chapter
"You're more interesting than I thought," Tiana smirked mischievously, clearly plotting something, "But you're just a stubborn oathbreaker knight. Letting her go is fine."Chapter
She snapped her fingers, and an impossibly long contract materialized in front of Patunasankus.Chapter
"Sign it, or you can spend ten thousand years reading every clause. Additionally, according to clause 3,512, you are prohibited from seeking assistance from a hell lawyer during the signing."Chapter
Patunasankus couldn't be bothered to glance at the lengthy toilet paper, ignoring the increasingly agitated Hedica, and signed directly.Chapter
At first, she hesitated about using her real name, but scribbling "Latifa" strangely passed without issue, which puzzled Patunasankus.Chapter
"Then, the deal is sealed," Tiana snapped her fingers again, and Hedica vanished from the spot, "Don't worry, she'll wake up soon in some corner of the mortal world."Chapter
"Now, it's your turn to fulfill your part," Tiana grinned wickedly. The contract, which could keep a thousand scholars busy for decades, was undoubtedly filled with countless treacherous clauses.Chapter
"Well, theoretically, I could do that."Chapter
"?"Chapter
"But why should I?" Patunasankus stared at the contract in Tiana's hand. A shallow piece of paper, fragile and easily torn with a mere touch.Chapter
The evil dragon said leisurely, "Why can't I have it all?"ChapterChapter"What do you mean?"Chapter
"I mean, it would be fine if you were the Princess too."Chapter
Patunasankus gave a light laugh.Chapter
An utterly innocent and adorable, yet exceptionally wicked smile.Chapter
For some reason, Tiana felt a chill run down her spine.