I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 321: Family walk

It was not every day that the Demon Queen herself walked the streets of the village, much less with her human wife at her side and their daughter barely a year old balanced atop her hip, her little fist clutching a piece of sweet bread like it was the royal scepter.

Malvoria had half-expected her council to object, had braced for a storm of worried advisors and logistical nightmares about royal security, or at least a lecture from Veylira about "discretion" and "the fragility of peace."

But this morning she’d only found herself swept up by Elysia’s enthusiasm, Kaelith’s clamoring cries for "walk!" and her own secret desire to see the world she ruled through her daughter’s eyes.

So here they were, cloakless, crownless, only a handful of discreet bodyguards trailing a polite distance behind.

The sun was just climbing above the rooftops, painting the rough stone streets of the village with streaks of gold and dusty blue.

Market stalls spilled out across the main square, colorful awnings fluttering in the early breeze.

Demonfolk bustled everywhere—bakers hawking fresh loaves, blacksmiths hauling new wares, children darting beneath carts in wild games.

Malvoria adjusted Kaelith on her hip, feeling the warm, squirming weight of her daughter, and tried not to smile too openly when Elysia brushed her hand against hers.

They walked together, three among hundreds, and yet not quite anonymous. Not even close.

At first, there was a hush just a momentary ripple, like the wind passing over a field. A few villagers looked up, recognition dawning in their eyes.

Some bowed, others whispered among themselves, a reverence born more of surprise than fear.

But Malvoria smiled at them gently, not the regal, intimidating grin that had graced so many court occasions, but something warmer, more honest.

She wanted them to see: she was not just their queen today. She was a mother, a partner, and most dangerous of all a woman on holiday.

Elysia squeezed her hand, sharing a conspiratorial grin. "It’s almost peaceful," she murmured. "I thought we’d get more of a fuss."

Malvoria’s smile flickered with mischief. "Give Kaelith five minutes."

Kaelith, as if on cue, twisted to peer at a stall brimming with candied fruits. Her eyes grew round as marbles. "Eat!" she declared, jabbing a chubby finger toward the display.

"We just started," Elysia said with a laugh, but Malvoria could feel her daughter’s determination radiating like a physical force.

Malvoria lowered Kaelith to the cobblestones. The child immediately toddled over to the stall, Elysia swooping in to catch her before she upended a basket of honeyed figs. freewёbnoνel.com

The vendor—a middle-aged demon woman with coral-colored horns dropped into a curtsy so deep her apron nearly hit the ground.

"Your Majesty, Lady Elysia! And young Princess Kaelith—what a joy!" The woman’s eyes sparkled as Kaelith reached for a fig, sticky fingers barely contained by Elysia’s gentle hand.

"Please, let her have one," Malvoria said softly, reaching for a coin.

"No charge, never for you," the vendor said, pressing the plump fruit into Kaelith’s hand. Kaelith immediately stuffed the fig in her mouth, cheeks bulging, purple magic sparking with satisfaction.

Elysia grinned, scooping Kaelith back into her arms before she could grab another. "Thank you. She’s...enthusiastic."

"We all are, ma’am. Long as she doesn’t burn down the stall, take as many as you wish."

Kaelith grinned, cheeks sticky and content. She was oddly calm, for her. The sight of so many new faces, the rhythm of the bustling village, seemed to enchant her into a kind of golden quiet.

For once, she didn’t try to set anything on fire—she was too busy staring, absorbing, as if her world had doubled in size.

They walked on. The cobbled street wound past tailors’ shops, butchers with colorful signs, apothecaries where dried herbs hung in fragrant bunches above the door. Everywhere they went, people paused, bowed, and murmured blessings.

A young demon with silver eyes presented Kaelith with a daisy chain for her hair. She accepted it gravely, then tried to eat it. Elysia laughed so hard she nearly dropped her.

At the baker’s, Kaelith pointed at the sweet rolls, then at the hearth, and Malvoria had to remind her twice that "not everything hot is for magic." The baker, unbothered, offered a warm roll anyway, and Kaelith devoured it in two bites.

The butcher’s son ran up with a stick of jerky and held it out, eyes wide and reverent. Kaelith accepted with the air of a queen, only to discover it was much harder to chew than expected.

She gummed it stubbornly, refusing to relinquish her prize, even when Elysia offered a soft biscuit in exchange.

Malvoria trailed just behind, content to let Elysia lead their little trio. She watched as the villagers greeted her wife with the same warmth and respect they gave her a testament to Elysia’s gentle power, her kindness.

No one seemed afraid, not really. There was still the old deference, the wariness that never quite faded from demonfolk, but there was gratitude, too. Hope.

Her people had not always loved her. Fear, yes Malvoria knew the shape of it in every nervous bow, every averted gaze. But now, there was something else.

Something she’d never expected to see in their eyes as she strolled past, not a queen on a dais, but a mother, with her daughter wobbling beside her and her wife at her side.

She was proud. And a little terrified.

Because Kaelith wanted to eat everything.

"More!" Kaelith insisted as they passed a cart laden with deep-fried sweetroots. Malvoria surrendered, buying a bag and watching as Kaelith and Elysia sampled the crispy treats, crumbs tumbling down their clothes.

"She’s going to roll home at this rate," Malvoria said, smirking.

Elysia grinned, brushing a sweetroot crumb from Kaelith’s chin. "That’s your fault, you know. You let her think she can have anything she wants."

Malvoria gave a little shrug. "She’s a queen. It’s tradition."

Kaelith, bored with food for the moment, scampered to a fountain in the square, splashing her hands in the water with a delighted squeal.

A gaggle of demon children paused, staring at her—then, encouraged by her lack of horns and her boisterous laugh, they splashed right back.

Within moments, Kaelith was the center of a watery brawl, giggling as the other children—some with tails, some with wings, some with skin the color of moonstone—tried to keep up with her magic.

Malvoria’s heart swelled, watching her daughter play, watching the village children welcome her as one of their own. Elysia caught her hand, squeezing tight.

"She’s happy," Elysia said softly, her voice rich with awe.

"She’s safe," Malvoria replied, but the words trembled with meaning. Here, in this moment, it felt true.

A bell rang from the watchtower, marking the noon hour. The market’s scent grew richer—roasted meat, caramelized nuts, sour wine from the tavern on the corner.

Kaelith’s nose twitched and she immediately barreled back to her mothers, eyes wide with the possibility of a new feast.

"Eat!" she demanded, tugging at Elysia’s sleeve.

Malvoria laughed. "I think it’s time to sit down, or she’ll explode."

"Let’s try the new place by the square," Elysia suggested, nodding toward a small restaurant shaded by flowering vines and filled with the murmur of contented voices.

Malvoria agreed, and they made their way to the restaurant’s entrance. As they approached, the innkeeper—a squat demon with golden horns—stepped outside, bowing so low his nose nearly touched his knees.

"Your Majesty, Lady Elysia, Princess Kaelith—what an honor! Please, come in, we have a table just for you."

The room beyond was cool and filled with the scent of wood smoke, sweet wine, and roasting spices.

Malvoria caught Kaelith up in her arms, steadying her as the little girl reached greedily for the bowl of nuts on a nearby table. Elysia plucked the bowl away with practiced ease, grinning.

They were seated at a corner table beside a wide window, the sunlight slanting in through green leaves.

Kaelith bounced on the bench between them, gazing wide-eyed at the plates of steaming food being carried past.

Her little legs kicked, her fingers drummed, and she looked so radiantly happy that Malvoria thought her heart might burst.

"Can we get... everything?" Elysia asked with a smile, and the innkeeper beamed.

"For you, my queen, of course. And something special for the little princess, yes?"

Kaelith, now deeply invested, pounded her hands on the table, chanting, "Eat! Eat! Eat!" as if summoning a spell.

Malvoria laughed, glancing at Elysia. "This might be the best idea we’ve ever had."

Elysia’s eyes danced with warmth. "Even if we have to roll her home."