Alphegor strode through the hallway with heavy steps, his piercing gaze cursing seemingly everyone who dared to cross his path. Lucius followed after him, holding Morrigan's hand, and they in turn had the dozen best demon warriors following after them, fully equipped and ready for combat. She didn't fully understand why their reaction was so grim.

After all, the intruder has been captured and was probably being 'interrogated' for any information by the spymaster. It was only a matter of time before they found out exactly what the fallen wanted to accomplish with that stunt. And yet simply because of a possibility that the fallen might have somehow given her blood to his allies, Alphegor acted so… nervously.

Morrigan also couldn't understand why Alphegor had decided to talk with the fallen Prime Minister. Not like she supported wanton murder, but this seemed like the case where the King would just slaughter the enemies. And yet, he was being overly cautious.

But Morrigan was relieved that Galandir was fine at the very least and won't be forced to work in the dungeons. He'll live along with the other servants and slowly work off his debt. It's not an ideal scenario and it'll certainly take him a long time to be free again. But at least he'll be doing honest work and won't be beaten for it.

Or at least so she told herself. Morrigan knew that members of other races weren't treated particularly well in the Demon Castle. But she's never seen a demon actually harming slaves. Then again, such matters probably would be done out of her sight. Who'd deliberately beat up slaves in front of the Crown Princess?

Soon they reached one of the main audience chambers where another dozen demon warriors stood by, armed to the teeth. Across from them stood half a dozen warriors from the Fallen Kingdom as indicated by the dark blue coat of arms on their armor which portrayed two crossed wings.

The guards parted, two of them opening the door for Alphegor. Behind him, Morrigan saw the Heinspiel family sitting nervously on the guest sofa. Annabell was clutching onto her mother whose eyes were darting from one demon guard to the next. Clearly they had no idea as to what was going on. The Prime Minister also looked nervous, however it was clear from his gaze that he knew exactly why the situation was the way it was.

I feel sorry for Annabell. She has no idea what is going on. She is just suffering on account of what her father likely had plotted. If the worst comes to worst, I should beg Father to spare her and her mother. Although I am not sure if he'll listen this time.

"Your Majesty, for what purpose have you summoned us here?" the Prime Minister said nervously, trying to appear oblivious. However, in his haste he had completely forgotten good manners. This fact did not go unnoticed and the demon guards tensed, their hands inching towards the swords at their hip.

"Last time I checked I am the King in this castle. You will show me due respect before asking me questions," the King's voice turned the air heavy, making it hard to breathe. It seemed to affect the fallen the most as they clutched at their chest and gasped for breath. Annabell grabbed onto her mother in fear.

"We apologize. We did not want to antagonize Your Majesty," Prime Minister said with a deep bow, even managing to force out a smile. His wife also got up, pulling Annabell along with her and bowing before the Demon King. Alphegor lifted the pressure off the room and strode towards the sofa opposite of the fallen, sitting down with a flourish. Morrigan quickly followed him, sticking close to his side.

"So tell me a good reason why I should not raise an army and wipe the Fallen Kingdom off the map of the Underworld right this instant," Alphegor said in an icy cold voice and wrapped his hand protectively around Morrigan. Prime Minister Heinspiel emitted a sort of hiccuped squeak, sweat profusely pouring from his forehead while his little daughter was barely holding back tears.

"There is no need to resort to such actions. I am sure we can come to a peaceful agreement," Heinspiel said in a trembling voice. Alphegor glared at him and then snapped his fingers. A dark shadow appeared in the middle of the room and out of it rose the dark tendrils that were firmly holding Morrigan's attacker.

Mrs. Heinspiel gasped while Annabell outstretched her arm towards the captured fallen, "Big brother!"

"So he is your son?" Alphegor growled, his eyes turning red from anger. The Prime Minister flinched back. It is likely that he wanted to keep that detail hidden, but there was no hiding it now. Although in Morrigan's opinion their son resembled his parents so much that there was no doubt about who he was. Heinspiel's eyes darted from Alphegor to his son and then he bowed deeply before the King.

"He is my son, Theobold Heinspiel, the next Prime Minister of the Fallen Kingdom," the fallen said, keeping his head low. "Please, spare his life."

"Spare his life," Mrs. Heinspiel bowed even lower and so did Annabell, although it was clear that the girl had no understanding as to why her big brother was bound like that. The sight must be horrifying for her, and Morrigan felt sorry for the girl.

"He had the impudence to attack my daughter and injure her in my own home," Alphegor snarled. The air in the room grew colder and the magic lights grew dimmer. Demon warriors drew their swords and pointed them towards the fallen, ready to strike. The fallen warriors also drew their swords, prepared to defend their lieges even when the odds were not in their favor.

"I did what I had to protect my country. It was rather obvious after the Festival that no peace would come between our countries unless given the right push," Theobold snarled through his restraints.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Silence, you impudent worm!" Alphegor growled and the dark tendrils wrapped around Theobold's mouth, preventing him from speaking.

"Please, be merciful," Mrs. Heinspiel was bowing so low that her forehead was touching the ground. Meanwhile Annabell was crying and trembling, her little eyes darting from Alphegor to her captured brother.

"Call your King here if you wish this worm to survive," Alphegor said with menacing glare.

"If we could arrange for a neutral meeting place, I am sure His Majesty would–" Heinspiel began, but Alphegor cut him off.

"We will negotiate here or you will receive your son in pieces," he growled mercilessly and stood up, pulling Morrigan along with him. She looked back and saw how the dark tendrils with Theobold in tow sank back into the darkness while Annabell cried on the top of her lungs.

As soon as they were out of the audience chamber, Morrigan tugged on her father's arm.

"I don't understand. Why do you want to negotiate with their King? Can't Melanos get the information from Theobold?" she asked, although she had a nasty suspicion in her mind already.

"It's a bit difficult to explain, but essentially the fallen can…" Lucius began, but the King glared at him, cutting the older demon off.

"I'll explain it to her. For now, secure the castle. Triple the amount of guards for each concubine and princess. Monitor fallen's every movement. I want to know everything that they do," Alphegor commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the warriors responded. Before Morrigan could ask anything further, she felt herself being dragged into darkness and then realized that her father had teleported them back to their room.

"Father, what exactly–" she looked up at him, but felt herself being pulled into a hug.

"It'll be alright, Morrigan. I'll protect you," he whispered, and she felt his hands tremble.

Protect me? But I am not in danger? Is it because Father believes that they have my blood that he's so worried? But what can the fallen do with my blood that would make Father this afraid?

"Of course, Father," she said and wrapped her tiny arms around the King, gently stroking his back in a calming motion.

"Look at me! Soothed by my own child. It seems that I have grown old," Alphegor said with a bitter smile and let go of Morrigan.

"Father, what is it exactly that the fallen can do with my blood? That's what you're worried about isn't it?" she asked.

The King sighed, then said, "It has to do with the way fallen were born. You see the fallen are a counterpart to a race called angels."

There are angels in this world? Overworld races are still a mystery to me. Nobody really talks about them much, and the books that have any mention of humans have been removed from the library.

"The angels are a race that has the innate ability to cure those whose blood they possess. With just a single drop they'd be able to determine what ails the person and would be able to heal them even from the deadliest of diseases. People would willingly give their blood to the angels and angels in turn would cure them. Humans, who are especially prone to illnesses, began worshiping them like gods."

"However, not every angel was satisfied with that. Some became greedy and demanded more and more payment from people. When the demands became too high and people refused to pay them, they became resentful. They began experimenting with the blood they received, trying to find a way to use it for their own gain," the King said, then put a hand on Morrigan's shoulder. It felt heavy and tired, and she could feel the seriousness behind his words.

"These resentful angels succeeded in twisting their magical gift into something completely different. Instead of curing ailments, they learned how to inflict them. Their feathers changed to reflect that and their angel brethren, enraged and embarrassed, banished them to the Underworld. These angels became known as the fallen and over the millennium, the ability that required diligent refinement and study, became their innate ability. Now any pureblooded fallen may bring death upon anyone whose blood they possess."

Morrigan felt a shiver go through her body as the heavy realization hit her mind.

"They can kill me with just that one drop of blood?" Morrigan asked, and the King nodded, clutching onto her shoulder.

"But if they have taken your blood, I shall retrieve it. We also have a bargaining chip on our side. Their King will not be able to just throw away the life of the Prime Minister's son."

Alphegor straightened and looked outside the window with determination. Then he called for Azrael, who appeared within a minute, his expression serious.

"Your Majesty, the dragon is fine, merely weakened from magic attacks," he informed the King.

"Good. Prepare yourself for a possible battle. It is possible the fallen have gotten their hands on Morrigan's blood," the King explained.

"So that's why the oath has been clawing at me so insistently this whole time. I couldn't understand it since she's supposed to be safe," Azrael said, clutching at his chest, over the place where the oath had been placed. Alphegor nodded.

"You have to try and find out whether they truly have acquired Morrigan's blood," the King commanded. "Although the fact that the oath is acting up is a bad sign."

"I will do my best," Azrael said without hesitation.

"Maybe I can help somehow?" Morrigan asked, feeling utterly helpless and useless in the situation.

"Absolutely out of the question!" Alphegor said.

"You'll only get in the way," Azrael exclaimed at the same time.

"But–" she muttered, feeling fear gnawing at her chest. If somebody could kill her with just a drop of her blood, then she had to get it back.

"Morrigan,"–Alphegor knelt down in front of her and looked her straight in the eyes– "this is not something you are able to do. Please, trust us to resolve this. I promise that nothing bad will happen to you."

She nodded at her father, who gently caressed her hair. It was comforting to know that Alphegor would protect her no matter what. The King got up on his feet and looked at Azrael.

"Go now. I wish I could go with you, but I must remain by Morrigan's side. You're the only one I can trust with this task," Alphegor said and put his hand on Azrael's shoulder. The white-haired demon looked almost touched by the trust the King gave him. He nodded firmly and then disappeared into the shadows.