Introspection

"What a wonderful place," Aina praised without hesitation.

The Elven Queen's bedchamber was quite luxurious, and the space was exceptionally vast. What lay before them was not just a simple room, but a seamlessly integrated structure. Rows of neat stone pillars divided the space into independent areas.

There were no lamps or candles on the domed ceiling above or on the walls on either side, yet the room remained brightly lit. The translucent crystals decorating the dome absorbed sunlight during the day and emitted a soft, glowing light at night.

The first thing to catch the eye was a verdant spiritual spring, looking like a massive, warm piece of jade. To the left of the spring was a giant bed carved from the stump of an ancient tree, with draped veils supported by unknown branches. On the other side of the spring was a delicate miniature botanical garden, with exquisite flowers arranged on ancient vine trellises.

A gleaming, spotless white marble path connected the three areas. Even if Aina walked barefoot through any of these places, her feet would return pristine enough to eat off of.

Deeper within the miniature botanical garden grew several fruit trees, bearing enticing, bright red fruits.

Further to the left of the large bed was an area displaying bookshelves, neatly lined with many ancient books and scrolls, a number of which featured slightly scratched metal corners or worn gemstones.

The bookshelves formed a semi-circle around a long wooden table in the center. The table displayed the natural grain of the wood, giving the area a highly atmospheric feel.

Even though these areas served completely different functions, their strange division by the stone pillars and simultaneous integration into a single space did not feel odd or out of place at all.

"I am glad it meets your satisfaction, Lady Aina. If you have any other needs, please ring the bell on the table... Usually, no one else passes by here," Sletta said, seemingly emphasizing that last point.

Sletta swept her gaze around the hall once more, pulled the door shut, and left.

Aina spread her arms and, with the uninhibited abandon of a young girl, fell onto the large round bed and rolled around.

"Xia Lun, let's begin," Aina said, licking her lips.

Direct and to the point, utterly uninhibited.

There was none of the shyness of young lovers, only the open and candid ease of a married couple.

"Aina, are we starting? Right now, right here?" Xia Lun's gaze turned a bit peculiar.

"That's right, Xia Lun. I am the Demon King, and you are the Hero!" For some reason, Aina suddenly felt the urge to declare their identities. "We possess the strongest power, and this world rightfully belongs to us. No matter what we do, it is justice..."

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean, don't dawdle." Aina wrapped her arms around Xia Lun's neck, pulling him down to lie beside her, sinking into the soft mattress. "We need to properly enjoy life."

"An unchanging life is a bit too boring, Aina," Xia Lun gently shook his head. "I mean, we should have some pursuits."

"Pursuits?"

"Like this and that, and that and this," Xia Lun whispered into Aina's ear.

Aina patted the spot next to her, and Xia Lun lay down.

Aina shook her head and sighed, "My lovely Xia Lun, what are we going to do if this keeps up... You are simply a mindless beast..."

Xia Lun: ...

Was she introducing herself?

Who knows who actually brought it up first.

"It can't be helped. As your wife, I will properly accept you." Aina's long silver hair draped over Xia Lun's face.

Flames instantly enveloped the two of them, burning away their clothes.

The Demon King's abyssal desire ignited in an instant, swallowing Xia Lun whole like a raging inferno.

...