The Damned Demon

Rebecca had a look of disbelief upon hearing this brat come out and say that he was okay with the test happening now.

She couldn't believe things were happening this easily, and this was the first time she genuinely felt like thanking him for being a fool.

Seron felt that something seemed off. He didn't know if he was putting up an act but he could feel that Asher was filled with some kind of confidence for him to come up and say this. He wondered if this had anything to do with Rowena staying in his room for so long. Who knows what happened between them?

Still, he shot a glance at Rebecca, warning her to just keep her mouth shut until this was over. But all he got was a cutting glare from her, making him let out a subtle frustrated sigh.

Rowena immediately walked towards him and asked in a low voice, "Asher, are you sure about this? The results can make things…problematic for you…for us."

Asher softly smiled and said, "It's fine. We can't dodge this anyway. So it's better we get it over with and deal with the results later…no matter what it is going to be," Asher seemed like he was calm about this whole thing. Still, inwardly he was only partially worried about the result due to him not being the same race as Rowena. The only reason he didn't want to show his worry was to not make himself appear vulnerable before his enemies. It was best to keep them on the edge.

However, he had faith in his Immortal Bloodline, and having a superior bloodline had to compensate for some things, right? He had already read some information on bloodline mixing, and even if he didn't read anything he wanted to see, he read that those with a superior bloodline and of a different race had a higher chance of fathering healthy children even if the chances were low.

But he read nothing about a superior bloodline being able to form a perfect union with a person from a different race, no matter the conditions. This was the only thing that worried him, but considering how his relationship with Rowena had taken a huge step forward, he felt he could deal with whatever result was coming his way.

He knew any married couple from any decent background in the demon realm would conduct a bloodline union test before they tried to copulate. However, seeing how the delegates had arrived even when Rowena didn't tell them to and with Rebecca standing right here, he could guess that she wanted this test to happen as soon as possible. The reason was too obvious.

He knew she and her family would continue employing dirty tactics to pressure Rowena and make this test happen right away. So it was better to get ahead of it.

Rowena firmly pressed her lips together, not knowing what to do now that Asher was okay with taking the test. She also knew he was right. They had to do this test anyway, and there was no way around it.

"It seems my consort is healthy enough to take the test. You can start with the preparations," Rowena ordered with a brief turn of her head, making Seron give a brief bow and say, "I will summon the Royal Examiner, Your Majesty."

"And I shall direct the delegates to the testing hall," Rebecca said with a light bow, though inwardly she was grinning side to side.

All these delegates represented every powerful House in the kingdom, especially House Thorne and House Valentine. Since they will be standing witness, the moment the test was over, every single people in the kingdom will come to know that the blood of this alien will never mix with their noble bloodline.

Most of the maids and servants in the castle rushed towards the Testing Hall to make preparations to hold the test and make sure everything was proper.

This test was a very important event for the entire kingdom, and they couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

People were already anxious and excited that the test was going to happen today itself. They were already a lot of gossip and speculations about the rumors though most of them were bummed knowing that the test results won't be favorable for the royal consort.

It was common sense that two different bloodlines could never be a perfect match. And so they were wondering what their queen would do once she found out she couldn't have a child with him. Even if the test shows they can, it wouldn't matter if a perfect union doesn't happen.

Some of them were already preparing a list of possible suitors the queen might pick to marry again. They were already placing bets on who it could be.

In Asher's room, Merina was meticulously helping her Master dress up in his best black robes with dark golden embroidery.

Her movements were a mix of nervousness and determination. She carefully and expertly brushed his long silver hair, making sure it was neat and presentable. Her fings shook slightly as she fastened his tunic, but she kept her face neutral, not wanting to reveal her inner turmoil to her master.

With each button she fastened, her mind raced with worries and doubts, but she pushed them aside, not wanting to offend him with her thoughts.

However, Asher noticed the subtle hints of worry etched on her face.

"What's on your mind, Merina?" He asked, his tone deep and his gaze fixed.

Merina hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up as she timidly raised her head to look at him, "Master, I hope I don't offend you…but I am just worried for you because of the test."

Asher subtly smirked as he said, "There's no need to fret. The result of the test won't change who I am or what I can become."

Merina nodded with a small smile, "You are right, Master. I apologize for thinking otherwise. I only wish the best outcome for you," Merina realized that it was wrong of her to think her master didn't know how to deal with these kinds of things. Nevertheless, she decided to pray for him till it was over.

…

The Testing Hall was grand and magnificent, with tall pillars and chandeliers that cast a warm yet dark golden light on the grand audience.

The delegates from all the powerful houses were seated on either side of the room, their faces a mixture of curiosity, skepticism, and excitement. In the center of the room was a raised platform with a large table, on which rested a small black bowl.

At the head of the platform stood the Royal Examiner, a highly regarded figure in the kingdom known for his impartiality and wisdom. He was a tall man with a short white beard and piercing eyes that commanded respect. He raised his hand, calling for the room to fall into silence, making the delegates immediately seal their lips out of respect.

Rebecca and Seron were also inside the hall, seated at the front. Seron had a neutral look on his face while Rebecca had an expectant light in his eyes, her arms crossed and her fingers tapping against her elbow, eager to witness the result.

She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when all this gets done and over.

*CLAK*

The sound of the large doors of the hall opening echoed through the hall as the people took a deep breath upon sensing a strong, majestic presence settling in the hall.

As Rowena got closer to the platform, her regal presence commanded the attention of all those in the room. She was dressed in a flowing gown of black, her hair styled in a crown of braids that glimmered in the soft light. She walked with grace and poise that was unmatched, her eyes fixed firmly on the platform ahead.

Asher followed close behind, his tall, muscular frame radiating an air of confidence. He was dressed in formal attire, his silver hair styled in a sleek ponytail that hung down his back. His eyes roamed over the audience, taking in the delegates and their reactions.

The atmosphere in the hall became electric with anticipation once the main characters for the test had arrived.

But they all knew what the result was going to be and was anticipating what was going to happen afterward. Some of them sighed, thinking it was a pity the royal consort wasn't of the same race. Otherwise, things could have become really great for their kingdom.

"Please," The Royal Examiner bowed deeply as the queen and her consort stepped onto the platform and gestured for them to stand on the opposite side of the table while he stood in between.

Rowena's expression was reserved, but inwardly she couldn't calm her heart. She silently glanced at Asher to see what he was thinking, but all she could see was the usual subtle smile on his face that made it seem like nothing could faze him.

The Royal Examiner was one of the main keepers of the ancient knowledge that had been passed down through the generations. Only someone like him was qualified to conduct such a delicate and important test that would reveal any problems in the union of two people.

He slowly clasped his hands together with his eyes closed, which also signified the test had started and the entire hall was plunged into complete silence.

The Royal Examiner began to chant the incantation that would bring forth the truth. The air shimmered and shifted as the spell took hold, and the examiner reached out to draw a drop of blood from the queen and her consort.

Asher saw the Royal Examiner simply gently tapping a silver needle on his palm, and a drop of dark red blood escaped from his skin and floated outwards.

With deliberate care, the Royal Examiner mixed the two drops of blood and let it settle down inside the black stone bowl which he was holding.

The delegates held their collective breath as the test went on while the Royal Examiner's expression was unreadable.

Rebecca was stroking her skin with her nails in anticipation while inwardly smiling in confidence about the outcome.

With a look of reverence, the Royal Examiner placed the black bowl on the table, and the next moment a sudden burst of dark light shot out from the bowl.

*SHZZZ!*

Everyone gasped as they saw the dark light form a massive image of an eerie skeletal dragon, its bony frame towering over the Testing Hall like an ominous beast from the netherworld.

Its hollow eyes, glowing with crimson blood, seemed to gaze into the very souls of those gathered, striking fear into the hearts of the delegates, including even Rebecca, who couldn't even move a finger.

Its bony wings, composed of a fiery glow, stretched out into the abyss, creating a truly intimidating sight. One sight that made it stand out from a ordinary dragon's skeleton was the sharp and curved fangs illuminated by the crimson glow of its fiery breath. It was a sight that sent shivers down the spine of even the bravest experts present in the hall.

The dragon's body was engulfed in crimson flames, each flickering tendril a testament to the raw power it seemed to possess. It seemed as if the dragon had been born from the very flames of hell, its skeletal form serving as a symbol of death and destruction.

Its presence filled the hall with a sense of unease, making those gathered acutely aware of their own mortality.

"Praise the Devils…" The Royal Examiner mumbled, his eyes wide with awe and a hint of fear. He slowly kneeled on the platform while gazing upon the eerie, almost otherworldly sight of this dragon.

Asher and Rowena had their eyes frozen and fixed at this magnificent yet terrifying sight.

Rowena's eyes brows raised in awe as her eyes became transfixed on it, while Asher had a look of disbelief, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

Almost everyone in the hall was struck with a mixture of shock and awe, for this was the first time in centuries that a union between two different bloodlines had produced such a powerful result.

Rowena stepped forward, her hand outstretched towards the dragon. She seemed to be in a daze, reaching out to touch the flames, to bask in its light.

However, the moment she barely touched it, the dragon flew upwards and spread out its huge wings before opening its maw wide as raging flames escaped from within,

*ROARRRRR!!!*

The delegates sat frozen in their seats, watching as the dragon let out a thunderous roar that shook their very souls, a sound that echoed throughout the hall and sent chills down the spines of all who heard it. They had witnessed a number of bloodline union tests in their lives, but none of them were as shocking and unnerving as this.

The Royal Examiner's nerves shook in reverence and fear as he slowly stood up and declared loudly, "Behold, a union born of fire and darkness, of passion and fortitude, has come to pass. A union of unparalleled power and strength that shall be remembered for generations to come!" The examiner's words hung in the air like a prophecy, and the next moment the blazing skeleton dragon turned into a dark light before shooting into the black bowl.

An unnatural silence descended in the hall as the black bowl stopped glowing, and all that remained inside was a mixture of two drops of blood while a strange tension filled the air in the hall.