I descended the stairs down to the castle dining room. As I did all the servants I passed by stopped what they were doing to stare at me. I felt shameful but I kept walking anyways.

I opened the doors to the dining room. when I entered everyone just stared at me.

Me: “Good Morning…”

I was cut off suddenly by the laughter of by my youngest sister.

Moleoria:“Hahahahahh… what the heck is this this is just too funny. Ow,ow,- my stomach hurts.”

My younger brother Joloure not so subtly kicked my younger sister and gave her a glare.

Joloure:“Moleoria get up we’re leaving.”

The rest of my siblings promptly got up from the dining table and made their way for the door.

As they were leaving my twin; who had his class up ceremony just before mine walked into the dining room.

Charlore:“Good morning everyone, wait don’t tell me your done breakfast already…I-”

He stopped mid sentence as he came across my appearance.

Charlore:“Aleam what, that can’t be.... did you miss your class up. no wait after I finished mine you went right after, how?”

I looked up dejectedly and before I could respond to to him my eldest sister Ollorria interrupted me.

Ollorria:“Charlore there’s no need to associate with this low life trash. If you’re hungry order the kitchen to send it to your room, leave this thing alone.”

My twin stared wide eyed at my elder sister before making eye contact with the rest of my siblings. All of them with stone like faces, save Moleoria who was still giggling to herself.

Charlore:“But-”

Finally my eldest brother Edmore interrupted my twin before he could voice his complaint.

Edmore:“You know the rules Charlore, a demon’s appearance represents his power. Although he is of the royal family a demon must be treated with the amount of power he has. Aleam’s appearance does not befit that of a demon lord successor candidate, so we must treat him accordingly.”

Charlore had his mouth hanging open while I stood still in shock. Finally, Charlore decided to straighten up and tuned towards me. He looked me straight in the eyes and with a pained face started to speak.

Charlore:“You are no brother of mine, you sham of a prince. You unjustifiably claiming to be the son of the demon lord, go and die!”

I was in shock Charlore, has never said anything like that to me. Out of all my siblings we get along the best because we we’re twins.

My other siblings started to depart from the dining room.

Before leaving my twin gave my twin gave me a sad arduous gaze before speaking

Charlore:“I’m sorry”

My twin brother turned on his heel and left.

I was alone. For the entirety of our lives were together and treated each other like best friends, but for the first moment in my life he treated me like trash, dirt, like something stuck on his shoe.

I wanted to cry. But I had to get back to my room, even as a pitiful demon I had to uphold my image. I left the dining room.

On my way back to my room I saw some of the palace maids cleaning the floors. I kept moving forward when I was splashed by the bucket of water in a maids hands.

Maid:“Oooops, I’m sorry your highness, my hand slipped”

I stared at her with my mouth open but before I could say anything I was splashed again with the dirty floor water from behind. I turned around to see another maid holding a similar bucket to the first.

Maid 2:“I’m sorry your majesty look at what I've done you’re covered in the dirty floor water”.

The first maid snickered under her breath.

That’s it! I was going to blow my top when a maid-knight came up to us.

I felt relieved, maid-knight’s were a higher level of maid and were in charge of the regular palace maids. Maid-knight are like regular maids, who are in charge of cooking and cleaning, but they also hold the responsibility of guarding their employers. The maid-knight were both knights and maids, holding a court title of lady.

Maid-knight: “What are you are you doing to the prince. Your highness, please forgive these lowly palace maids. I will dry you off immediately.”

The maid-knight  started to release some of her demonic power and fire formed in the air. I started to back away from the flames when the maid-knight  started to smile.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Maid-knight:“Your majesty just hold still we don’t want to get hurt do we. Lady's please help our prince to stay still while I dry him off.”

Before I could make sense of what was happening the two other maids held me down from both sides. The maid-knight continued to speak.

Maid-knight:“Gag him I don’t want people hearing this pathetic loser prince cry out.”

She then started to run the fire over me. The water started to evaporate as the maid-knight continued to increase the temperature. After a minute or so the fire started to burn my skin giving it a brutal feeling.

Maidknight: “Well now little prince you’re all dry now. Come lady’s let’s get out of here”

As the maidknight and her subordinates walked away I could hear their laughter.

I looked down at my body to see my skin blacken. I picked myself up off the floor and and headed to my chamber.

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I was sitting in the tub running cold water over my wounds when I heard a knock at the door.I dragged myself out of the tub and put some clothes on.

Me:“You may enter.”

An imp like servant came into my room. sneering under his breath he spoke.

Imp: “Prince Aleam Arch Diabolous, his eminence the demon lord is calling for you. Please head to his private study at once.”

I nodded to the imp, he left my room muttering under his breath again.

Imp: “Why did I have to get stuck with delivering a message to the stupid prince.”

As he left I made my way to my father’s private study. On my way I made sure that I wouldn't meet any of the servants backtracking twice. After a few minutes I made it to my father’s private study and walked in.

The first thing I noticed was that my siblings have gathered in the room. The only one’s not present were my second youngest sister Emean and youngest Moleoria. As I looked around I noticed that my father was seated at his desk with a tired look.

Me: “Dad whats going on is this? Where are Emean and Moleoria?”

My father sighed.

Demon lord: “Sigh your sister’s are too young for this conversations. Anyways, let’s get started. Kids explain the situation if you please.”

Edmore: “We hate to do this but we don’t have much choice I’m sorry Aleam.”

Ollorria: “Brother you are banished to outer rings of capital where the ancient demon lord's tomb is located”

Joloure: “With the failure of an class up ceremony known to the public, we’re in danger of a rebellion. We’re relocating you for your own safety.”

Charlore:“I’m sorry for earlier Aleam forgive me. But you have to leave the palace now, I’m afraid that you’ll be killed. I’ve already heard the servants are started plotting to hurt you. I would come with you but I have to help do damage control.”

Demon lord: “I think I know what went wrong at your class up. But some else will have to answer your questions.”

Ollorria: “Bother I’m sorry we acted the way we did but nothing can be helped, we have to keep up appearance at the very least.”

I nodded towards them.

Me: “Was it really all a lie?”

They all nodded.I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, at least my family didn't turn on me.

Me: “Ok so when do I have to leave?”

My father smiled evilly.

Demon lord: “Well right now.”

Me: “What?”

As I looked around the room I noticed a teleportation circle on the grown.

Me: “You can’t be serious right!”

My family started to wave at me; all of them wearing the same nasty grin as my father.

Family: “Have a nice trip.”

Then the teleportation circle activated...

To be continued...

Chapter 1 Chapter 3

Alex Jieam ©