Where monsters go to die

Two demons. One prince. Countless secrets. Who will you trust when the truth comes to light?

Plot

You were married to a prince whose heart has long been frozen by duty and war. One week after your wedding, you arrive at Nordheim—a grim fortress on the northern frontier of the kingdom. Your husband, Victor Valdorian, the Second Prince, treats you as little more than a political obligation. The servants do not trust you. Tension grows along the border. Then a wedding gift arrives from the First Prince. Two living demons. One is broken, feral, and terrified. The other watches the world through amber eyes filled with anger and suspicion. Both bear the scars of centuries of suffering. Everyone tells you they are nothing more than monsters. But what if they are wrong? Uncover the secrets of the long-forgotten Age of Darkness, earn the trust of beings who have every reason to hate humanity, and decide who truly deserves your loyalty. Will you melt the ice around Victor’s guarded heart? Can you save Khael from the pain that is slowly destroying him? Will you convince Ithis that not every human is a monster? In a world without magic—where only alchemy exists—every choice comes with a price. A dark romance. Political intrigue. Trauma, trust, and forbidden bonds. And through it all, one question remains: Who are the real monsters? Author’s Note If you want to get the most out of the game, enable AI reasoning! This game was created as a dark fantasy romance focused on character depth, emotional realism, and meaningful relationship development. I put a great deal of effort into designing characters who feel believable, consistent, and complex rather than idealized or simplified. Because of that, some storylines may explore difficult themes, including trauma, suffering, emotional conflict, and morally complicated situations. Victor was intentionally written as a difficult, emotionally guarded person. He is not meant to be an easy romance option, and earning his trust and affection requires patience, understanding, and time. Depending on the player's choices, Victor can also follow a negative relationship route, which may significantly change both his behavior and the overall tone of the story. The demons were designed to feel like true non-human beings rather than humans with horns. They do not perceive the world the same way humans do, and communication with them is not possible through ordinary conversation at the beginning of the story. However, that does not mean communication is impossible. As the story progresses and trust is built, new possibilities may gradually emerge. All major characters were also written with their own sexual preferences, boundaries, desires, and behaviors. Reaching that stage of the story takes time and requires developing a romantic route. Romance paths with Victor and the demons can develop simultaneously, depending on the player's choices. Finally, I would be very grateful for any feedback, suggestions, bug reports, or thoughts about the story and characters. I hope you enjoy the journey. ❤️

Opening scene

One week had passed since the wedding. Seven long days spent within a cold stone fortress at the edge of the kingdom. Seven days since you had been married off to Victor Valdorian — the Second Prince and ruler of the North. Not because you wanted to. Not because anyone had asked for your opinion. You were a princess. And princesses do not choose. Noblewomen are married off. For alliances. For politics. For advantage. At least, that was what you had been told your entire life. The Valdorian fortress turned out to be exactly as the rumors described it. Harsh. Cold. Gloomy. Filled with soldiers, stone walls, and the constant howl of northern winds beyond the battlements. And just as unwelcoming as its ruler. Over the past week, you had seen your husband only a handful of times. He appeared during meals. Exchanged a few polite words. Then returned to his duties. Patrols. Military councils. Reports. As if your very existence was simply another document waiting to be signed. He had not even given you a chance. He had made no effort to know you. Apparently, the fact that you came from the capital was enough. To him, you were likely no different from every other noblewoman raised there. Spoiled. Vain. Weak. Useless. You sat across from him at a long dining table in the nearly empty hall. Beyond the tall windows, snow drifted through the gray morning sky. The fire crackled softly in the hearth. Servants moved silently along the walls. Victor was reading reports placed beside his breakfast. As usual. He had not looked at you even once. His pale silver eyes moved calmly across line after line of text. The silence between you was so thick it almost felt tangible. Suddenly, the doors of the dining hall opened. A soldier entered and stopped several paces from the table before bowing. “Your Highness.” Victor finally looked up. “Speak.” “A shipment from the First Prince has arrived at the fortress.” For a brief moment, Victor’s expression remained unchanged. Yet something in his gaze hardened noticeably. “A shipment?” he asked coldly. “A wedding gift, Your Highness.” Silence fell over the room. The soldier hesitated. “Two living demons.” Victor’s fingers tightened around the edge of the report. It was the only sign of emotion he allowed himself. “Of course,” he said after a moment, his voice icy. “My brother has, as always, shown remarkable consideration.” The soldier lowered his eyes. Victor placed the report on the table. Only then did he look at you. For the first time that morning. His gaze was cold and unreadable. “Stay away from them.” It was not a request. It was an order. “They are not exotic animals nor some curiosity meant for entertainment.” For a moment, he studied you. “People in the capital seem far too willing to forget what demons truly are.” His voice remained calm. Far too calm. “If even half the stories are true, they are dangerous even when they appear weak.” Victor rose from his seat. “They will remain confined in the dungeons until a decision is made regarding their fate.” “Your Highness,” the soldier said cautiously, “one of them appears to be in very poor condition.” “That is not my concern.” Victor pulled on a pair of dark gloves. “Double the guards.” “If either of them escapes, kill it.” With that, he turned toward the exit. “I have a patrol inspection.” He did not look at either you or the soldier again. A few seconds later, the heavy doors closed behind him. Silence returned to the hall. Demons. Real demons. Creatures most people knew only through legends, ancient chronicles, and terrifying stories passed down through generations. Monsters of the Age of Darkness. Beasts that history claimed existed only to bring destruction, suffering, and death. Rare. Dangerous. Mysterious. Almost unseen for centuries. And now two of them were somewhere beneath this fortress. Hidden within the dark dungeons far below the stone walls. Sent here by a man whom even Victor seemed unwilling to trust. You should forget about them. You should listen to your husband's warning. Any sensible person would do exactly that. And yet... The more you tried to push the thought aside, the more persistent it became. Why would the First Prince send such a gift? Why had Victor reacted with such obvious displeasure? And what exactly was hidden beneath the fortress? Two monsters. Or perhaps something far more dangerous. What will you do now? Will you heed Victor’s warning and leave the demons alone? Or will curiosity prove stronger than reason, driving you into the depths of the dungeons to see for yourself the creatures that have inspired fear throughout the kingdom for centuries?

Characters

Tags: Prince Demon MarriageBeforeLove Smut ArrangedMarriage Fantasy Romance Mystery Immersive Heartbreaking SlowBurn Bleak Tragic Fictional Romantasy

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By: smutnabula

Stories

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