“All races of Demonkin are different when it comes to raising children. While Mindreavers prefer to marry young, they will stay childless until a late point in their lives. Firebearers, on the other hand, will have children regardless of their age or marital status, many nobles having a multitude of partners during their lives. Shadowlings do not marry or have children at all, simply being made from the mana-abundant areas called Spawns.”
̶ Races of our World, multiple authors, edition second, 700 AS
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Being shown around the castle took quite a bit more time than expected, considering we had to stop and have my husband feed the Grappler, since he ‘hasn’t done it in a hundred years’ apparently, whatever that meant.
Apparently, the adults do it rather simply.
First, you have to take a plant Imp in your hand, which is not that hard considering the plant Imp is only about two feet tall, and even I could’ve carried it easily. It took quite a while to find the said Imp though, the critters understandably unwilling to jump into his arms. Some running around the gardens was also present.
You then approach the Grappler with the Imp in your hand.
And at last, you toss it.
The Imp somersaulted midair, to the delight of my husband, before the Grappler apparently noticed the creature flying at him. Two of the vines immediately latched it by its legs and pulled it into the hole in the ground, a small screech escaping from it before the sounds died out. The plant shuddered a bit, shifting its vines around; then stopped moving, content with its meal.
My Imp was visibly shaken by the scene, shuddering and babbling incomprehensibly all the while. I had to pet the poor thing for it to stop.
By the time the tour of the grounds was finished, the time for dinner has come, the maid guiding us to the dining room.
We sat at the table like we did for breakfast, the table between my husband and me. The dinner was appetizing, the meats having the same taste I was used to at home. The two-headed hound was once again at the table, my husband now urging me to try and feed him. The beast immediately devoured the pieces of meat I gave him, possessing almost none of that terrorizing presence that I have felt when it first appeared. I still wouldn’t want those spikes near me, though.
My husband retreated to his office afterwards, I assume to finish the paperwork that the two Demons from this morning brought. Having nothing to do, I dismissed my maiden asking if I need anything and tried to find the comfort room; a foolish endeavor to undertake all by myself.
I got lost after three corridors.
I did have a guard with me that followed me in my steps. I decided to ask him, maybe he actually knows where to go. Which is when the trouble started.
I turned towards the armored Demon, one head higher than I was, two white horns on his head, face covered by a helmet, red eyes glowing from it. He is wearing some iron armor, coupled with a sword on his hip, a spear in his hands, and a shield on his back.
“How do I get to the comfort room?”
Silence.
“I said: tell me how to get to the comfort room.” Is he deaf or something? The Demon stood silent for a bit, then noticing my stare, silently uttered something.
“I’m sorry milady, I do not understand.” Then he started to bow, as if expecting punishment.
What? And then I remembered I had the necklace around me. I took it off.
“What’s your name?”
Absolute gibberish came out of his mouth, repeating it fast did not help.
Damnit.
Ok, what words do I know? ‘Demos’ means Home, that means nothing here. ‘har nos’ means ‘we ride’ possibly, but that doesn’t help me at all. Ok, ok slow down. There is a way to get out of this.
“KOZZOK!”
The Shadow Demon appeared next to me, as if expecting the call.
“Mistress, you called?”
Oh thank the Heavens; that actually worked.
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“Can you tell me where the comfort room please? The guard doesn’t understand me.”
Kozzok turns to the guard, who was still bowing deeply.
“Escort the Mistress to the comfort room, then report to the Master.” He then turns to me “I’ll fetch Tiana to assist you momentarily.”
“What is to happen to the guard?”
“He didn’t obey orders; a punishment is in order of course. But considering the matter is trivial, Master may overlook it.”
“Don’t tell my husband about this, please?” I didn’t know their language, and who knows what is going to happen to this innocent guard because of that.
The Shadow Demon has a small glint in his eyes. “Of course, Mistress.”
The guard leads me to the comfort room in mere minutes, then leaves, fear evident in his eyes.
I stand in the room alone, contemplating the events that transpired these couple of days, finally having a moment to myself.
I got married to a Demon that took me away from home and brought me to a foreign land. I don’t know their culture, I don’t know their customs, I don’t even know their language, yet he still tried his best to be calm and gentle about it, never rushing me, even keeping me from harm. Have we been wrong about Demons all these years? Are they really that different from us?
Can I rise over the differences that we have, and maybe have a pleasant life here.
I think of my family, the looks in their eyes as they silently gave me away to this life. I think of my home, trying to remember every single detail as if I’m going to lose my memories of it. Then I think of the moment I saw the Demon at the Altar, standing tall, the blackness of his eyes absorbing all light around me.
I fall asleep in the comfort room, a trail of tears down my cheeks.
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“Master, this guard has disobeyed an order.”
Every day something has to happen.
“What now?”
“He didn’t obey the Mistress’ commands.”
I turn towards the bowing guard.
“What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I didn’t understand the Mistress' words Master, this servant begs for mercy.”
Of course, that’s the problem. Well, having her learn the language is going to be a must I guess.
“Very well, you can go. No punishment is to be received, a simple misunderstanding.”
“Thank you, Master.” The guard turns around and leaves, visibly relieved.
I look Kozzok in the eyes. There is some shame in there.
“Did my wife tell you to not report this?”
His eyes are sullen now. He knows he can’t escape me, I’ve known him his entire life. “Yes.”
So he still doesn’t trust her. Well, I’d say the feeling is reciprocated, but I have not Peered since the time of the Dance.
“And where is my dear wife now, if I may ask?”
“She has asked to be escorted to the comfort room.”
“Fine, the day is over anyway, I’ll go and fetch her to go to bed.”
It takes some time for me to find the comfort room, still adjusting to the changes. I am starting to miss my old place.
She is sleeping on the small bed, the light of the night sky shining upon her pale cheeks. She has been crying.
Does she feel that repulsed by us still? Will I ever be able to make her happy?
I pick her up, she is incredibly light, and carry her to her room. The guards hesitate before letting me in, it is officially her room, but I am still the Master of the house.
I put her down into her bed, wiping away the remains of tears from her cheeks. Her sleeping face is really beautiful. I pull the sheets over her body, letting her get some rest.
“Good night, Sophia.”
I then retire to my room for the night, the day has been so long.
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I sense someone carrying me somewhere, my mind between dream and reality; my senses dull.
I can faintly hear the sound of steps, and a silent creaking.
It feels so good to be carried, the warmth spreading around my body.
Then I am put into a bed again, a lonely warm finger running across my cheek.
I can hear a faint voice.
“Good night, Sophia.” The voice feels so strong and familiar.
The person then leaves.
I fall back to sleep again.