at the moment he was again completely out of control, unable to restrain his animal instincts, but he behaved almost like a beast sitting in his chambers the flames burned around him

A soft and gentle knocking was heard at the outer door that had not been used in a very long time. Shert's ears perked up, sensing that someone or something might be there. His instincts seemed to scream for him to investigate, but he fought against it, trying to maintain control over himself. He wondered who could possibly be knocking on his door at this hour...

The demon lord growled lowly, a rumbling sound coming from deep within his chest as he struggled with the urge to rip the door open and confront whatever was standing outside. But instead, he forced himself to remain seated upon his throne, claws digging into the armrests as he glared at the closed doors leading to his study.

His senses were heightened, every sound seeming louder and more distinct than usual. He could feel the heat of the flames surrounding him, their energy dancing

Shert's body tensed as he waited for whoever was outside to make their presence known again. His golden eyes narrowed slightly, focusing intently on the doors leading to his study, waiting for any sign of movement or sound that might betray the identity of the person knocking at his door.

It had been so long since anyone had dared approach him, and even longer still since anyone had knocked upon these particular doors. He could feel a mix of curiosity and apprehension welling up inside him as he wondered who would be foolish enough - or brave enough - to disturb his self-imposed isolation.

Without warning, the demon lord felt something else: hope. The small ember of it flared briefly in his chest before being doused by doubt and suspicion. But even for just that moment, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of something like... anticipation?

Shert's ears twitched slightly at the sound of another knock on his door. He fought against the instinctual urge to growl in frustration, remaining silent as he considered his next move. The person outside was clearly unsure of themselves and their presence only served to fuel his curiosity further. His powerful body tensed as he tried to control the energy surging through him, desperate not to lose control again and endanger whoever was on the other side of the door.

The demon lord took a deep breath, slowly releasing it before speaking in a calm yet commanding voice, "Who is it that dares disturb my rest?" The words were laced with magic, carrying an undeniable authority that seemed to fill the room despite their quiet volume.

The demon lord's ears twitched again as he heard the person on the other side of the door stumble backward in surprise at his commanding voice. A small, satisfied smile curved his lips for a moment before he banished it once more, determined to remain aloof and unreadable. He would give them time to compose themselves before deciding whether or not they were worth granting an audience.

Without another word, Shert turned his attention back to the fire blazing nearby, studying the intricate patterns formed by the flames as they danced and twisted in the air. His thoughts drifted briefly toward what had brought this person here... And what it was that they hoped to achieve by disturbing him now.

The demon lord raised an eyebrow at the hesitant voice on the other side of the door. Interesting... The person spoke of having no choice, and being sent to him. He wondered what or who would compel someone to willingly approach him in such a state. Curiosity and suspicion once more warred within him as he considered their words carefully.

"Speak your piece," Shert growled at last, his voice still laced with magic and command. "But know this: any lies or falsehoods spoken here will be met with severe consequences." His golden eyes narrowed slightly, daring the person on the other side of the door to lie or deceive him.

"Very well," the demon lord replied warily, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "But first, you must prove that you have indeed been sent by someone other than yourself." He paused for a moment before continuing, "And you must do so without using magic or relying on any tricks or illusions."

The demon lord's voice held an unmistakable note of challenge in it. Whether the person outside of his study would be able to meet this demand remained to be seen. For now, Shert would simply have to wait and see what they had to say...and how they went about proving their legitimacy.

The demon lord raised an eyebrow in interest as the person outside of his study mentioned a letter. Curiosity burned bright within him now, almost threatening to consume what little control he still maintained over himself. He fought against it, clenching his jaw and focusing on the flames dancing around him once more. "Very well," he growled through gritted teeth. "I will accept the letter as proof of your intentions. Now, speak quickly, and do not waste my time with useless prevarication."

The demon lord tensed slightly, preparing himself for whatever it was that this visitor had to say. His golden eyes remained fixed on the doors leading to his study, waiting impatiently for them to swing open and reveal what lay beyond.

The demon lord's golden eyes narrowed as he saw the letter being slipped through the tiny opening beneath the door. His curiosity and suspicion only grew at this move, wondering why it was that the person couldn't simply come into his presence to deliver such a missive. Something was definitely amiss here...

Shert forced himself to remain calm, waiting for the visitor to continue speaking. His control over his magic and instincts slipped fractionally as tension rose within him; he struggled to keep from reacting violently to this unexpected turn of events. The flames surrounding him flickered in response to his inner turmoil, casting strange shadows across the room.

The demon lord resisted the urge to snatch the letter from its tiny crevice beneath his door and instead waited patiently for it to be pulled back. As soon as it was in his possession, he carefully unfolded it, studying each word and phrase intently. His expression remained impassive as he took in whatever information had been written there, though the energy within him began to rise uncontrollably with each passing moment.

The demon lord's expression didn't change as he finished reading the letter, but his control over himself was slipping further and further with every passing moment. The lies and flattery written within only served to fuel his anger and frustration, making it all the more difficult for him to maintain any sense of calm or reason. He felt a burning desire welling up inside him; not just the need to take revenge on the false Lord Carrak, but also an overwhelming urge to claim this girl as his own... whether she wished it or not.

Taking a deep breath, Shert forced himself to steady his thoughts and emotions before he could say or do something that would irreparably damage what little control he still had left. With effort, he managed to get the words out without betraying any of the rage boiling beneath their surface: "You may enter."

His voice echoed through the chamber, loud

The demon lord continued to study the girl as she slowly approached him, her expression a mix of fear and resignation. He could see the evidence of hardship in her eyes, as well as a defiance that belied her fragile appearance. The metal collar around her neck sparked his interest; it looked sturdy enough to withstand even his strength if he chose to test it.

Shert resisted the urge to reach out and touch her immediately, wanting first to gauge her reaction. Would she submit willingly, or would she put up a fight? The tension in the room grew as they regarded one another across the distance, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The air crackled with unspoken intentions and potential consequences.

The demon lord studied the chain and collar with interest before glancing back up at her. There was no mistaking the defiance in her eyes, even as she tentatively offered them to him. He felt a surge of power course through his veins, fueling his anger and desire. For a moment, he considered forcing her to submit; to make her his completely and utterly. But there was something about this girl that made him hesitate... Perhaps it was the fact that she had been sent as a peace offering, or perhaps it was simply her resilience in the face of such a daunting situation.

Instead of immediately rejecting her offering or accepting it outright, Shert allowed himself a moment's indulgence. He leaned forward slightly, studying her more closely, his golden eyes never leaving hers. "Why do you submit to this?" he asked softly. "And what makes you think I will spare your life?" His

The demon lord's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke. "It is not my right to kill you," he said softly, his voice still laced with magic and command. "But it is my right to decide your fate. You will tell me why you think I should spare your life... And then we shall see."

His words carried the weight of a challenge, daring her to answer honestly and convincingly enough to sway his decision. But even as he waited for her reply, Shert couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over him. Perhaps this girl truly was meant as a peace offering... Or perhaps there was something more at play here that he had yet to comprehend.

Shert studied the girl before him and felt his control slipping further still. Her words and submission only fueled his desire to have her, claiming her as his own no matter what it cost or who she had been sent by. It was then that he realized with a start that perhaps this girl truly had been sent as some sort of peace offering... Or perhaps she was meant to be his undoing. The tension in the room grew unbearably thick as they stared at one another, each waiting for the other to make their next move.

But then, something within Shert snapped. He could feel the last vestiges of his self-control slipping away, giving way to a primal urge that had lain dormant for too long. With a growl, he surged forward, taking her roughly by the throat and forcing her down onto the floor at his feet. "I will decide your fate," he sn