Looking around a bit, Derek opened the double closet again and pulled out a scarlet dress, more like a long tunic, matching the tone of the princess's lipstick. Derek looked at the dress with a scrutinizing eye and concluded that Kaldwind girls never wore dresses of this style, but Derek was curious to see his future consort in it. He was quite aware that his warriors would most likely mentally lick the red-eyed wench from head to toe, but he didn't care about her or her comfort. "Who cares how that minx feels? I'm sure she enjoys catching hungry male gazes. Oh, and she's probably spread her snow-white legs in front of other demons more than once. But, devil, I'm no worse than these monsters… I want to see the princess's bare ankles too! Decent women hide them under the hemline, but this one flaunts them!" – King Kaldwind thought to himself.

– Bergil! – Derek called out to his friend.

– I'm here. Has something happened? Or have you finally decided to have some fun with the fiery priestesses of love? – His companion's lustful smile was not long in coming. He sipped from a large golden goblet and smacked his lips at the sight of the dress.

– No, and that is the last time I hear that question. Take this outfit and take it to my bride and let her change. Then take her to the throne room to show off my new acquisition to the warriors. – Handing the dress to Bergil and taking the goblet from him, the king spoke.

– All right, all right. I'll be quiet. – Bergil headed for the door, but suddenly stopped abruptly and turned to his king with a laugh.

– Your fiancée? No, I heard what you said to that Rossi, but, Derek, are you really going to make that girl your wife and bring her to Caldwynd? – he exclaimed in amazement.

– Exactly," he said shortly.

– Are you out of your mind? What will your people think? The king is marrying a demoness, the spawn of Satan!

– It's my decision, and I'm not going to discuss it, not even with you, Bergil. Go.

Bergil cursed quietly under his breath, but still left, figuring that Derek knew what he was doing and would probably explain to him later this monstrous decision of his, which he, Bergil, thought was fundamentally wrong.

"Bergil is right: I will be anathematized, and my family and my heirs will be considered demons… So be it. Let my people think I'm crazy, anything is better than a war with Flammehav. Besides, the Church already hates me, though it tries to hide this hatred behind prayers for my health and my victory. I'm sure the holy fathers would be glad to see me dead so they could put Hedda on the throne. Fortunately, Hedda herself will never disobey her late father's will and defy me," the king thought to himself as he stepped back to the window.

Derek sank down again on the edge of the wide bed covered with a red blanket, took a sip from the golden goblet of wine and, twirling it a little in his hands, set the vessel back on the bedside table. Next to it he found a small stamped envelope that had not even been printed. It was signed "Court Healer's Report". It interested Derek, as he had previously thought that demons did not get sick and did not need such services, so he decided to take the letter with him and read it later. After taking off his armor and taking a nap after a hard fight, the king of men went out of his chambers in search of the throne room, which he managed with difficulty, because everywhere wandered his warriors who were cheerful from the wine, but the demons in the palace as if they did not exist. Carefully examining his surroundings, the king still managed to find the throne room, which unpleasantly struck him with the abundance of vulgar luxury, gold and scarlet color.