The Demon Lord’s Unspoken Affection

The Demon Realm was notoriously cold; this was a truth known to all its inhabitants.

This snowfall was even heavier than the last. Given Su Xiaoxiao’s delicate health, and the Demon Realm’s harsh climate being ill-suited for her recovery and pregnancy, she had grown increasingly sensitive to the cold. Even with several braziers burning in her bedchamber, she remained heavily swaddled.

While Xiyue attended to her duties, Su Xiaoxiao was compelled to remain by her side, bundled thickly and restless in her seat.

Every so often, Su Xiaoxiao would subtly rub her aching lower back. At other times, finding her position unbearable, she would rise and pace a few quiet steps, her brow furrowed in evident displeasure.

Xiyue observed all these small gestures, missing nothing.

Yet, Xiyue uttered not a single word. It was only on the following day, when Su Xiaoxiao was summoned to “serve,” that the chair designated for her was found cushioned with a thick mat and a soft pillow placed against its backrest.

Day after day passed. On Su Xiaoxiao’s small designated area, the table would be adorned with entertaining storybooks brought from the mortal realm, fresh fruits rarely seen in the Demon Realm, and an assortment of small, sweet pastries.

Even the small teapot, once solitary, now had a companion. One held clear, sweet water, while the other offered a slightly sweetened brew infused with flower nectar.

Su Xiaoxiao did not fail to notice these changes. ‘It must be Gu Yan’s doing,’ she thought to herself, ‘it’s truly admirable how much effort she puts in for me.’

The new chair, in particular, proved spacious and comfortable. Sometimes, clutching a storybook, Su Xiaoxiao would drift off to sleep while reading. Xiyue would either approach to cover her with a soft, velvet blanket or gently lift her, settling her onto the daybed in the inner chamber for rest.

Su Xiaoxiao remained perpetually drowsy. Sometimes, she would awaken to find night had already fallen, sitting up with a dazed, sleepy expression. Her mind would be a blank, her awareness only slowly returning after a long while.

Occasionally, Xiyue would even climb onto the daybed, embracing her for a shared nap, closing her eyes to meditate.

The first time Su Xiaoxiao awoke, she discovered a pair of long, supple arms wrapped around her waist, her own face nestled against a soft, expansive chest.

Opening her eyes in a drowsy haze, she lifted her head slightly, only to see Xiyue’s face. The shock sent her scrambling, nearly tumbling off the daybed in her panic.

Xiyue had awakened during her struggle, and naturally, a fresh round of sarcastic remarks followed, leaving Su Xiaoxiao thoroughly exasperated.

However, as these occurrences became more frequent, Su Xiaoxiao gradually grew accustomed to Xiyue’s irritating visage.

Su Xiaoxiao remained bewildered as to what Xiyue expected her to “serve.” Her instances of bringing tea or water were few and far between, and she certainly didn’t assist with Xiyue’s affairs. On occasion, even attempting to grind ink at the side would result in a messy disaster due to her unfamiliarity.

In the first few instances, Xiyue had assigned her tasks. Afterwards, however, she would summon Su Xiaoxiao only to give her no instructions, as if she hadn’t even noticed her presence.

Su Xiaoxiao thus found ways to occupy herself: reading storybooks, enjoying a sweet pastry or a piece of fruit, and then, once exhaustion set in, curling up in her chair and falling asleep.

She was perpetually fond of sleep. Upon waking to darkness, she would hastily push away Xiyue’s hand from her waist. The disturbed Xiyue would merely frown in displeasure, then state in a deep voice, “You’re awake, so get up. It’s time for supper.”

“Oh, alright,” Su Xiaoxiao replied, then rose to eat.

These days consisted primarily of eating and sleeping. Moreover, Gu Yan meticulously ensured she drank her medicine and administered acupuncture once every seven days, though Su Xiaoxiao still flinched and trembled during the procedure.

****

Three months passed in a flash.

By the time Su Xiaoxiao was four months pregnant, she no longer appeared as gaunt and fragile as before, almost wasted away.

A little flesh had finally returned to her face and body, making her seem considerably more attractive, though she remained slender. Her abdomen, too, had begun to subtly swell.

Outsiders could easily discern that Xiyue’s treatment of Su Xiaoxiao was far from ordinary.

Even if Xiyue uttered countless cruel words, even if she verbally branded Su Xiaoxiao a s*ave, a captive, a plaything, declaring that Su Xiaoxiao was to serve as a lowly attendant by her side, always on call, and so forth…

In reality, any discerning demon could perceive that Xiyue was the Demon Lord, possessing immense power, formidable cultivation, and a violent temperament.

She had ruled with absolute tyranny for years, her methods ruthless, earning the grudging respect of all in the Demon Realm.

So what reason could such a Xiyue have for repeatedly tolerating Su Xiaoxiao, this weak, powerless little mermaid with meager cultivation?

Remaining in the Demon Realm, never allowed to leave, whether through arguments or physical altercations, this little mermaid had still not met her demise or had her soul scattered to the winds.

Indeed, this little mermaid had even been impregnated by the Demon Lord.

On the surface, Xiyue and Su Xiaoxiao certainly appeared to detest each other, constantly at odds.

In truth, however, the demon soldiers and servants who had attended them for a long time knew the score.

Many demon soldiers, upon seeing Su Xiaoxiao, would already bow to her, politely addressing her as, “Esteemed Queen.”

Su Xiaoxiao, however, had never noticed. Her spirits were low, her mood melancholic; every moment spent with Xiyue felt like torment and agony. Naturally, she had no mental capacity to concern herself with anything else.

Su Xiaoxiao was unwilling to speak with Xiyue, yet, ironically, the more she resisted, the more Xiyue insisted she speak.

When Su Xiaoxiao remained silent, Xiyue would remark in a chilling tone, “Being foolish is one thing, but have you gone mute as well?”

Su Xiaoxiao was furious. Ever since Xiyue had forced her to declare, “I don’t want to return to the South Sea,” in front of her clan, Su Xiaoxiao had ceased initiating conversations with Xiyue.

She harbored a deep resentment, and coupled with her pregnancy, her temper had undergone a noticeable change. When provoked, she would even glare angrily at Xiyue. Being unskilled at insults, she would only resort to calling Xiyue a despicable villain when truly pushed.

Xiyue, however, was not angered. Instead, she found it rather amusing, retorting, “The true villain has yet to be born, still residing within your belly.”

“You….” Su Xiaoxiao turned her face away, not wanting to spare Xiyue even a glance.

“See? You are speaking to me now, aren’t you?” Xiyue teased, observing Su Xiaoxiao’s exasperated yet inarticulate fury.

Su Xiaoxiao flushed crimson with anger, regretting only her inability to curse, for she would have undoubtedly cursed Xiyue to death otherwise.

Because Gu Yan had advised that Su Xiaoxiao shouldn’t always remain indoors, suggesting occasional walks would aid her recovery and improve her mood.

Xiyue thus ceased her teasing. She took Su Xiaoxiao’s hand and, without venturing far, led her out of the Demon Palace before the snow began to fall again.

The world was cloaked in silver, a vast expanse of white. Although the Demon Realm truly lacked any notable mountains, rivers, or seas, Xiyue could still sense that Su Xiaoxiao, now outside the palace, appeared a little more lively than before.

Though her expression remained unchanged, the clear, beautiful light-blue eyes now shone several shades brighter than they had within the Demon Palace.

Xiyue escorted her, followed by a large retinue of attendants, a grand procession as she showed Su Xiaoxiao around various parts of the Demon Realm.

This naturally drew considerable attention, and rumors began to spread. They spoke of Xiyue’s favoritism towards the little mermaid, and of the Merman Clan’s impending alliance with the Demon Clan, with Su Xiaoxiao being the supposed catalyst.