Mother’s waiting outside in the courtyard. She looks so depressed. That can’t be? Why is she in such a bad mood? I feel that I’m about to be scolded.
“Mother?”
“Oh, you’re here Damian.”
“Did you need something? Lundo called me?”
“Don’t talk to Lundo, he’s dangerous. Who knows who he’ll attack next.”
“What?”
“You’re the king. Lundo had a spasm and attacked your father at a high level. Your dad wasn’t prepared.”
“M-me king? You said you were hiding me?”
“I know. We still need to hide those deformities. Make sure you smile. And, wipe that blood off your face before you leave the restricted zone. People have already started coming to pick up decorations.”
“What should I do afterward?”
“Wear the robe in your room. I’ve set one for you. Then find Mr. Bushé and he’ll have an herb potion for you.”
“What can Mr. Bushé do to help me?”
“That’s a long explanation, just go. We don’t have much time. If the people find out that the king’s seat is open, they’ll definitely want to fight for it. And before you say anything, no you won’t win.” I never thought I would be able to win. Mother always assumes that.
“Yes, mother,” I turn around and head back into the castle.
❊ ❊ ❊
I want to go on a full adventure. These rooms look like they’ll hide mysteries. The ones I pass look lovely. There are windows everywhere. The light from the daylight sun shines everywhere. Though, it’s setting, ruining the room with a pink tint. I stop to put my hand through the light. Gray-freckled skin shines purple, like a normal demon. Times like this make Euothia feel like it should be: a magical paradise. The lavender smell, the perfect tints of the sky. When you just take all the animals out of Euothia, it seems perfect, like it should be…
I don’t actually care about my father. I’ve only seen him every few years. When he takes breaks, letting the kingdom do on its own. Even back then, those years were scarce. I actually feel any anger at Lundo. I guess I still miss father, slightly, but I feel that Lundo shouldn’t be the one to be blamed. These days there are no criminals who dare to attack. I have a feeling, Lundo only needed some blood that wasn’t his own.
“Damian?” Who is that? I’ve never seen a species like that.
“Who are you?” She moves into the pink light. Her eyes are definitely closed. She has a splotch on her right eye and two black markings on her right cheek. I wonder why the girl’s eyes are closed. She looks like what Exotic Species depicted a human as.
“It’s Yehain! Do you not remember me?!”
“Your eyes weren’t open! How am I supposed to tell?”
“I couldn’t open them. What would your mother say if I turned her into a toad?”
“A what? Is that another human word? A tood?”
“A toad. It’s like an Octopian Fanil.”
“Those jumpy brownish-green things?”
“Yea. Though, they aren’t as dangerous.”
“Earth never has anything dangerous compared to Euothia!”
“I know! Wow, your studies have taught you something correctly!”
“Could you quiet down a bit? I need to get back to my room. I’ve already wasted too much time!”
“For what?” Should I tell her? I guess I should. Who knows what she’ll do.
“My coronation. I’m the king now.” The look on her face makes me think that she’ll understand, which is extremely comforting.
“How old are you anyway?” I decide to add.
“Me? I’m 12. You?”
“Oh, 11.”
“11?! You’re not even 13 yet?! How are you king at this age?”
“I was just told to be king. If you want the details, go ask mother.” Ugh, this pain is excruciating. How will I be able to do anything with spontaneous pop-ups like this? I was actually doing well today. I haven’t had any… I guess that's was every other animal goes through… Look, even Yehain bleeds.
“You felt that too, didn’t you?”
“N-no! I didn’t feel anything. Did you?”
“I know you did. You winced right in front of me! You expect me not to notice that? I swear this pain happens for everyone at the same time.”
“You felt that too… Do you think it’s some kind of pattern?” The clock rings six. I need to go.
“You need to go, don’t you? Fine, we’ll talk about this later. Could you by any chance tell me something to do?”
“Let’s see… you could roam around the castle. Yeah… Let's see, right two times and then left. That’s towards the kitchen ''At least I think that’s right. Or was it left four times?
“You definitely have some sort of mind-reading power.” She speeds down the hallway ready to eat. I hope the chefs have already left for the coronation banquet.
Now, I have to find my way back, which shouldn’t be much of a problem.
❊ ❊ ❊
After finding the way back to my room, which I spent no time finding, I catch a blazing red robe that goes down to my feet.
I hate these types of robes. Mother stated they kept everything hidden and safe so I wouldn’t get hurt, but they are just so restricting. Once, my mother made me a short robe with long sleeves so they draped as I walked around. I actually thought that made me feel like an older and wiser demon? An elder is a term made by humans. Other species, mainly demons, made it for the disabled. For, demons are immortal except after they’ve experienced direct contact with the human world or any other world for a matter of a fact. Once demons get disabled they can no longer live forever. That's why the armies are seen as brave. To fight, usually, they come in contact with a different territory. Royals never leave Demon Domain. Due to the fact, most demons don’t fear death, they willingly allow themselves to visit the human world.
Other creatures, like Yehain, could die. Obviously, Yehain would go to the human world and stay there for any amount of time they want, unless they were banished for a specific amount of time by their killer.
Anyways, the robe is perfectly fit for me. Mother must’ve made it especially for me because on the back, attached is a large cape perfect for hiding two non-existent wings.
I reluctantly reach for the scissors atop the drawer. The second I grab them I let go because I don’t bother to cut my hair.
I slip the silk robe on and quietly creep toward the mirror. Every new robe I get I always find a pose that goes with it. At least I think that’s what dad does? Dad’s pictures used his wings to make him look more “elite” and I guess, scarier? So, that rules out dad’s coronation photos.
After a few minutes of “fooling around” I settle on a simple pose. I pull my legs apart and move my arms to my side and look upward. It’s simple but incredible. Though sadly, I didn’t come up with it. For the record, it’s the poster that Mr. Chari got from the human world. Secretly, he told me he had stolen the picture to help me grasp what humanity thought of themselves: powerful.
Pathetic.
ns 15.158.61.48da2
