Chapter 4
Unknown POV, Three days since the dinner
″This is bad, really really bad...″ The man muttered to the woman, bringing his nails to his mouth. He’s always bitten his nails since he was a small boy, it was a bad habit of his.
″Get ahold of yourself! We have been alive for centuries, we have gotten through plenty of problems together, a silly marriage with the boy won’t ruin anything!″ She said to him, taking him by the shoulders. He looked up at her in fear, his lip quivering.
″We were sent here by his father to watch over him, make sure nothing bad happens to him... including a marriage.″ He whispered to her. Her eyes widened, lowering her hands.
″Why would a marriage ruin anything?″
″You do remember why his father wants him in the first place, right? A marriage will bind him to the kingdom... not only that, he’s going to end up hurting someone...″ He said to her.
I pulled myself out of the corner of the hallway, the sound of my boots making a satisfying click against the floor. They stopped talking suddenly, their eyes widening in fear.
I threw the wooden stake at the woman with full force, it connecting with her chest. She looked back at the man in fear, letting out an ear piercing scream before she disintegrated before him. He looked back at me, his fangs bearing.
″Who the hell are you?″ He asked me, backing into the wall behind him. I couldn’t help but smirk at his fear. ″How did you get in the castle?″
″I should be asking you the same thing.″
He let out a low growl, a hiss leaving his lips. I watched as his eyes turned a blood red, his fists clenching in anger.
″Your kind isn’t allowed into the kingdom, nonetheless the castle... you’re breaking rules,″ I said, approaching him slowly.
″You think I’m stupid? I can smell your demon blood from here...″ He said softly. I felt the smirk linger on my lips, cracking my knuckles. I watched as he waited in anticipation for my next move.
″My, I forgot you could smell the blood of a being from a mile away... disgusting creatures...″ I replied, bringing my hand down to the wooden stake in my pocket.
″What could you possibly need?″ He said, his voice lingering with uncertainty.
″You know exactly why I’m here, you’re here for the same purpose.″ I snapped. His pale skin shined a bright pink, crossing his arms.
″My Lord sent me here eighteen years ago to watch him, it’s not time-″
″My brothers and I have waited long enough, our prince must COME HOME.″
He bared his teeth, a loud drawn out hissing sound came from his lips. His blood red eyes grew deeper as he approached me.
Within a blink of an eye, he wrapped his hand around my neck, his fangs bared. Before he could sink his fangs into my neck, I pulled the wooden stake from my waistband, wrapping my fingers around the wooden stake.
I pushed it back forcefully into his leg, a scream of pain coming from his throat. He fell onto the ground, the wooden stake still deep in his leg.
″I don’t understand why you’re doing this...″ He whimpered, looking down at the stake lodged in his leg. I felt a smirk at my lips, kneeling down next to him.
″I’m sick of the way things are. The Lord treats us as pets, and we only get an escape when some warlock summons us. I’m sick of being tortured and being told when our Prince comes, something will change.″ I hissed, ripping the stake out of his leg. He screamed out in pain, his blood red eyes begging me to stop.
″You’re always going to be lower class...″
I sunk the wooden stake into his heart, making him let out an ear piercing scream. He disintegrated before me.
I stood up, feeling the smirk on my lips. He’s right, I’m always going to be lower class. I’m not one of the greater demons or one of the Lord’s servants.
But I can always play dress up...
I pulled the glamor onto me, feeling as my body went through a change. My human form slowly fell away, being replaced with his pale skin.
″Oh Valentin Amyot... Thank you for your service.″
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Seth’s POV
″We wanted you to get a girlfriend... but not like this.″ Estelle murmured, pulling her long curly hair back into a bun. We were getting ready for the ball tonight together, I invited Jules to join us but he said he was busy...
″Maybe this is what I need,″ I replied, fixing my sleeves. I wore an all black suit, my shoes were polished to perfection. My somewhat curly hair laid at my head messily, but it still looked nice.
″Seth, you know you don’t want this. You can’t let your mother tell you how to live your life...″ She said to me, bringing my direction to her dark brown eyes. She wore bright colored eyeshadow, sparkly gold color to match her dress. She wore pink lipstick, brightening her look up even more.
″Estelle, you already managed to push back the ball three days somehow...″ I said to her. She smiled brightly, pulling strains hair out of her bun.
″I know you, Seth. We have been best friends since we were little kids. You don’t want this...″
I looked down at the ground, wanting nothing more than to break her gaze from me. I knew Estelle was disappointed in me; I’ve always been strong, and haven’t listened to anyone. But when it comes to my mother, I’d do anything for her... even if it’s my worst nightmare. She’s been there for me like nobody else has.
″Sometimes in life, we have to swallow our pride for the ones we love, Estelle.″ I said to her. I watched as a frown spread across her lips, bringing her attention back to the mirror in front of her without another word.
I looked back at my mirror, my reflection staring back at me. I took my crown in my hands, the red rubies glistening.
I placed the crown onto my head, breathing in deeply. Tonight, I will find the woman I must marry. Even though I don’t want to... I have to do it for my mom. She deserves it, after everything she has done for me.
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The chatter of women and men filled my ears, and the sound of various instruments rang in my ears. The ballroom was full of various maidens and men, the maidens dresses consisting of colors such as blue, red, or even pink.
″Seth, you’re here...″ My mother said, approaching me. I flashed her a smile, pulling her in an embrace.
″I wanted to thank you again for doing this for me... You’re finally going to be King.″
I wanted to tell her that I would be just fine without a wife. If I’m being honest, ever since I was little I was afraid I would end up in an arranged marriage. It’s common for a prince or princess to be married to someone who would benefit them. Maybe this is my fate.
″You’re welcome, mother.″
The sound of a trumpet being blown interrupted my thoughts, our attention being brought to the large staircase that lead up to the doorway of the ball. There stood one of our servants, it was his job to introduce the princesses.
″Sofia Schneider, being escorted by her mother, Princess of the Ewamore Empire in Germany!″ He exclaimed, the sound of clapping filled the ballroom. She had long blonde curly hair, a pale complexion. She wore a big blue dress, the sleeves seeming to be lace. She waved to all of us, a light blush coming to her cheeks.
″Anastasiya Ivanov, being escorted by her brother, princess of the Shuven Kingdom in Russia!″ He exclaimed. Everyone clapped for her, and a smirk formed on her lips. She had straight dark brown hair, and a tan complexion. I saw the fierce golden color in her eyes from where I stood. She wore a grey, tight lacy dress.
″Valeria Alatorre, being escorted by her father, princess of the Pravalon Empire in Hispanola!″ He yelled, and I couldn’t help but smile.
She was absolutely beautiful, no doubt about it. Her brown hair was pulled up in a messy bun, various curly strands hanging down. She had a beautiful tan to her skin, her complexion giving off a soft glow. She wore a large red dress, the sleeves silk.
We made eye contact, and I watched as her face gave off a deep blush. She waved softly, making her way down the stairs.
″You like Valeria?″ My mother said to me, making me laugh. I looked back at her, and a soft smile was on her lips.
″She’s beautiful, but I shouldn’t just go by the appearance.″
″At times like this, you might have to Seth.″
The smile left my lips, my eyebrows furrowing. She reminded me that the person I pick tonight, I must marry.
″I will speak to you later, my Queen.″ I said to her, turning my back to her. I made my way onto the ballroom floor, the maidens stood at one side of the room, the men on the other. Everyone gave me warm smiles, waiting in anticipation for me to pick a maiden to dance with.
My gaze landed on Valeria, and I inspected her appearance more. She had freckles spread across her face, her eyes were a soft hazel color.
I walked up to the crowd of maidens, them laughing in anticipation. I reached my hand out to Valeria, smiling.
″May I have this dance?″ I asked her. She nodded her head shyly, and I took her smaller hand in mine.
I pulled her out of the crowd of women, and onto the dance floor. I placed my hand onto her waist, and felt as she placed her hand on my shoulder.
The sound of music began to play, and the maidens and men joined arms. We all began to dance, the sound of laughter filling my ears.
″Why, when I heard about you I was told you were extremely handsome... I think that was an understatement.″ She said to me, her voice was as soft as honey. She had a heavy Spanish accent, it sounded beautiful on her.
″Why, your voice is beautiful too... Is there any flaws about you?″ I asked her, quickening the pace of our dance. She smiled brightly, the dimples on her face coming clear to me.
″We all have our own flaws... but you don’t seem to have any, not one blemish on your face... maybe you’re not human, and you don’t even know...″ She said, making me laugh.
I spun her in a circle, her dress flowing with us easily. She fell back into my arms, a smile lingering on her lips.
I broke my gaze from her eyes, looking back into the ground. In the crowd, there stood Jaxon. His arms were crossed, and an angry expression laid on his lips. He motioned for me to come to him. I watched as he turned around, walking to the ballroom doors.
″Valeria, I will return. Forgive me, darling.″ I said to her, bringing her hand up to my lips. I kissed it gently, watching the smile form on her lips.
″Don’t leave me waiting too long, Prince...″
I let go off her hand, walking off into the crowd. Various people smiled at me, congratulating me on the successful ball. My mind was focused on Jaxon, what possibly could he need? Why was he in human territory?
I made my way up the stairs, out of the large ballroom doors. There stood Jaxon, leaning up against the wall.
″Not that I’m angry to see you, but what are you doing here?″ I asked him. He smiled at me, the dimples appearing on his face.
″You have demons wandering around your party, Seth.″ He said to me, his deep voice flooding my ears. I raised an eyebrow, watching as he took the bow and arrow from his back.
″Do you know who they are?″ I asked him.
″Those princesses from Russia and Hispanola.″
My eyes widened, and I couldn’t help but frown. Valeria seemed really sweet and kind... but why would two demons intrude on my ball? What would they want with me?
″I’m sorry about ‘Valeria’... It seems Hispanic girls are your type.″ He said to me, making his way to the doors. I raised an eyebrow, looking at him.
″No, she’s just very pretty and seemed sweet...″ I muttered. He smiled softly, looking back in my direction.
″Alright, what is your type?″ He asked me. I shrugged my shoulders. I don’t really know what my type would be, I never really thought about it.
″We have much more important matters to attend to, there are two demons loose in my kingdom,″ I said sternly. I watched as the frown fell from his lips, looking at me with uncertainty.
″What, are there more?″
He didn’t answer me, walking into the ballroom once more. My eyes widened, grabbing his shirt.
″Wait, they will be able to tell you’re a warlock-″
″Don’t worry, they can’t see me.″ He said softly, breaking my grip on his shirt. He walked into the ballroom, making his way towards Valeria and Anastasiya. I don’t know if I should be worried... I never dealt with a demon. But this makes me think... what if there are demons or warlocks wandering among us right now? Demons can glamor themselves to look differently... and warlocks could hide with magic. Is my kingdom safe?
Before I can ponder more on the safety of my kingdom, I heard a long, drawn-out scream from Jules.
″EVERYONE, I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING!″ He screamed out, his eyes flooded with tears. He had deep bags under his eyes, and his clothing was the same as four days ago...
Everyone went silent, looking over to him. Jaxon stopped in his tracks, looking up to him. Jules looked over to me, pointing harshly in my direction.
″SETH LENIOR IS NOT HUMAN, HE IS A DEMON! EVERYONE, BELIEVE ME! HE IS A DEMON! HE IS THE SON OF LUCIFER HIMSELF!″
I looked over at Jaxon, his eyes widening in fear...
What?