Became a Demon with Pregnancy System-Chapter 52: The Warlike Queen

Demon Capital, Jones Manor

"Big brother, Marissa is back! She’s finally returned," Mason Jones, the burly and bearded uncle of Marissa, announced as he strode into the inner courtyard, his voice brimming with relief.

Morgan Jones, the thin, sharp-featured head of the Jones family, remained seated, his back to Mason. His stern voice carried over. "A girl who only knows how to practice magic all day isn’t worth much. She’s nothing like what a proper young lady should be."

Mason waved off the criticism with a chuckle. "Come on, big brother. At least she’s back. Isn’t that what matters?"

Morgan scoffed, his voice sharp with disdain. "What good is it for her to return? She’s a girl—her duty is to marry and strengthen our family’s alliances, not run around acting like some half-baked mage."

Mason’s expression turned uneasy. He had long grown used to his brother’s attitude toward Marissa, but the timing of her return couldn’t have been worse. Morgan had been particularly irritable these days, frustrated with the family’s slipping influence among the Demon Capital’s elite.

"Where is she? I want to see her now," Morgan demanded, his voice growing harsher.

Mason hesitated. "She’s just arrived at the estate, but she’s likely tired from the journey. Let me go and—"

Before he could finish, Marissa’s crisp voice rang out, bright and cheerful. "Father, Uncle Mason, I’m back! Thank you for worrying about me."

Marissa entered the courtyard, her vibrant presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. She was flanked by Luke Carter and Zoe Miller, her companions from Pearl Academy.

The grand Jones Manor sprawled out behind her. It was a sight to behold: a massive estate nestled in the heart of the Demon Capital, its elegant design exuding wealth and power.

"Wow, Marissa, your family estate is huge!" Zoe exclaimed, her eyes wide with awe. "It’s even bigger than Azure Magic High School."

Luke smirked. "Don’t get too excited, Zoe. Estates like this are born, not earned."

Zoe shot him a defiant look. "You don’t know that. Maybe one day I’ll own something like this."

Marissa smiled, amused by their banter, but before she could respond, Mason walked toward them with open arms.

"Marissa! You’ve finally come home." His hearty laughter filled the courtyard. "You had us worried, you know."

"Uncle Mason, I missed you too," Marissa said warmly. Among her family, Mason was the only one who treated her with genuine affection.

"And these must be your friends from Pearl Academy?" Mason turned to Luke and Zoe, his tone growing more formal. "Special students, I hear. Mid-level mages already? Impressive."

"They’re both incredibly talented," Marissa said. "Luke and Zoe have already proven themselves as some of the best in our academy."

"Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you both," Mason said, his gaze warm and welcoming.

But the warmth in the courtyard evaporated as Morgan emerged from the inner chambers, his face a mask of displeasure.

"Marissa, you bring strangers into our home like this?" Morgan’s voice was cold, his sharp eyes scanning Luke and Zoe as if they were intruders. "Do you think this is some common inn?"

"Father, they’re my classmates from Pearl Academy," Marissa said, her tone calm but firm.

"And what of it?" Morgan snapped. "They’re outsiders. You should be focused on building alliances, not making friends. How is your relationship with the Vadis boy coming along?"

At the mention of Neo Vadis, Marissa’s expression hardened. "I won’t marry him," she said firmly. "I’m going to be a great mage, not some bargaining chip for your political games."

Morgan’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t be ridiculous. You’re just a girl. Even if you become a super-level mage, the Jones family doesn’t need you. Your only value is in the alliances you can bring us."

Marissa’s hands clenched into fists, her anger rising. Before she could respond, Luke’s laughter rang out, breaking the tense silence.

Morgan turned his sharp gaze on Luke. "What’s so funny, boy?"

Luke met his glare without flinching. "It’s amusing how short-sighted you are. No wonder the Jones family is losing its standing among the four great families. You’d rather rely on outdated alliances than cultivate the talent you already have."

Morgan’s face darkened, and the air around him grew cold as the stars of his ice element began to materialize.

High-level Ice Magic—Frozen Coffin.

Before the spell could fully form, vines erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around Morgan’s arms and legs. The stars of his constellation flickered and died.

"Mandala—Vine!" Marissa’s voice was commanding, her crimson hair whipping in the wind as her magic took hold.

Morgan struggled against the vines, his expression one of shock and fury. "Marissa! How dare you?"

Marissa stepped forward, her dark red eyes blazing with defiance. "I will walk the path of a mage. If becoming a super-level mage isn’t enough, then I’ll aim for a Forbidden Spell. My power will speak for itself."

Her aura was overwhelming, a fierce energy radiating from her. For the first time, Morgan saw his daughter not as a rebellious child but as a force to be reckoned with—a thorned queen ready to challenge anyone who stood in her way.

Luke watched with a satisfied smile. "Now this," he thought, "is the warlike queen I fell for."

Morgan, however, was not ready to back down. "You think your magic is enough to defy me? You’re still just a girl playing at power."

Marissa’s vines tightened around him, and her voice was steady. "You may not value me, Father, but you will respect me."

Mason, sensing the danger escalating, stepped between them. "Enough, both of you! This isn’t the time or place for this. Marissa, you’ve made your point. Morgan, let her be."

Marissa released her magic, the vines retreating into the ground. She turned to Luke and Zoe, her expression softening. "Let’s go. We’ve said enough here."

As they left the courtyard, Luke leaned toward her. "You handled that beautifully."

Marissa smiled faintly. "I’m not done handling it yet."

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End of the Chapter!!!

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