AN: Yeah, i know this is pretty late. to make up for it a bit, I will release two chapters today. They're kinda short, and I did consider simply merging them...but for some reason I just felt like they should be seperate. Ah, and, just to clarify, I will concentrate on more character interactions now. I realize all the info dumps get annoying. Someone commented on that not long ago, and left a review also saying so. That person may not have noticed I acknowledged that in the edit I did on the fiction page. I did that as a...warning, i guess. I do know the info dumps really don't appeal to many people and make the story pretty boring. I get like that during some stories too, so i know what they're talking about. Anyway, yeah, that's my plan.
More character interactions, less info dumps.
Imma do my best on that front.
Ah, I'll edit these two chapter later, but first i need some sleep. Remember to rate, review and comment on whatever you like. If you see any inconsistencies in the story, point them out. The second chapter will be released in a bit, imma read it a bit, do some slight editing for the more obvious mistakes then post it and hit the bed.
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The Delphi, as it was commonly known, was home to a vast city. The last city Roland was in just a while ago was much larger than the one within the Delphi but this one had multiple layers. In essence it was several cities on top of each other, meaning that each level was a different city in and of itself.
But let's not get into that.
Currently Roland led Morrigan, Grace, Saren and James throughout the wide streets that were burstling with life. The little white fox was now laying on Grace's head, curled up in a ball while peeking at the various sights the city had to offer. How it stayed perched on Grace's small head Roland didn't know.
The two girls had already followed their parents moments ago, looking at Roland with a questioning gaze as if asking permission to leave. It was quite strange.
They really didn't have to do that. Still, Roland nodded. He supposed that they, given their situations, thought it was best to check in with him when leaving their little group and going their own way.
Lilith in particular sent him a glance that was a bit hesitant, unsure. It seemed she really wanted to have that talk. Roland knew what she wanted to talk about, or could at least guess why. It wasn't hard to figure out. But he was in no hurry.
As Fenris was literally being dragged off by Mercury the woman looked towards Roland for help. So he knocked Mercury out with a firm strike to the head that, honestly, he was surprised worked on her. Fenris ran off but not before saying she would catch up to Roland later, which he found a bit odd. But then he remembered the way Grace had interacted with her a few seconds after they entered and knew that they had quite a good relationship. So that was probably why.
Loki was nowhere to be seen. Roland looked, but couldn't find him....He was hiding, wasn't he? If Roland found him, then he would absolutely make him keep his word. This would be entirely for Loki's benefit. A man can't go back on their word, right? Again, it would be done only with Loki's best interests at heart, and in no way related to Roland's own personal amusement.
In the back of his mind he also knew that he would have to check and see when they would reach their destination. Loki was probably going to slow the ship down a bit so he could enjoy the entertainment it had to offer.
....Moving on, Aries and Mephisto had disappeared. Roland assumed Aries followed after Abigail and the students. As for the other staff....it seemed like they went their own way. Roland really did have to go and talk to them, get to know them a bit more. The teachers were not numerous though. But still.
As for Mephisto....he was true to his word. Roland saw him slip into a rather small, unremarkable-looking bar some time ago. But Roland knew this ordinary place had some damn fine drinks. During the city's nightlife, it would have some fine women too. But Roland, of course, would not go with Aries and Loki to skirt-chase like the three of them used to.
He was a married man now, a father, even. He was above such things now....is what he told himself. But he had to admit, he would miss fooling around. Well, it would be a fleeting feeling in any case.
How many other women could compare to Morrigan in looks and elegance, or Grace in adorableness and lovability?
Soon they came upon a rather large hotel that overlooked a wide ocean. Yes. The ship had an ocean. A beach too. It truly was like a world of it's own.
The hotel had around ten floors, the building pleasing to the eye with many curves and intricate designs.
The walked into the large lobby, seeing many guests coming and going. Beast-kin, elves, angels, demon-kin, humans, dwarves, ...the Delphi had visitors from nearly every one of the more well-known races. But demon-kin had many sub-races so oland didn't name them all. Same with beast-kin who had differing "tribes". It didn't only encompass dog, cat, fox or other ordinary animals
So Roland just generalized them automatically in his mind.
A young male with two pupils in his eyes sat behind a long desk in the center of the lobby.
As he saw Morrigan his unusual eye lit up in recognition, a cold sweat instantly forming at his back. But he kept his cool and feigned ignorance. Staying professional and simply doing his job, that was the best reaction.
Roland, the leader of the group, spoke to the man. " I'm going to need five rooms."
Himself, Grace, Morrigan, one for each of the two boys....so five altogether.
Morrigan, who still clung to his side with a hand on Grace's shoulder, spoke up. " Nevermind that. Give us two rooms, each with two seperate beds. Then one more with a king-sized bed." She told the young man. Then she turned to her husband. " Grace likes to sleep with me still, though not always. She likes to switch between laying by herself and having me by her side." She shook her head, smiling.
"Alright, but I still need a room..." Roland frowned a bit.
Morrigan looked at him strangely. " You're going to be sleeping with us, you know."
The words were quiet but the young man still heard it, causing him to nearly choke.
Roland paused. " Grace is a bit old to--"
"Does daddy not want to be with me and mommy then?" She looked up at him with her large eyes, appearing hurt.
Roland didn't know what to say to that, really.
Using such an expression....that was simply cheating.
Again the young man, upon hearing the small girl's words, nearly spat out blood. But he recovered instantly. The rule that he had learned upon entering into this job was simple: Don't ask questions!
Saren and James, too, felt a bit uncomfortable.
They sent each other a meaningful glance only they understood.
Roland cleared his throat. "Ahem. Of course that isn't true. Three rooms it is then..." Fenris said she would catch up to them but he knew she could get a room herself and so didn't take her into consideration.
He then remembered something. He did say that he would be a good father and husband from now on. So maybe this was as to be expected, sleeping together like a real family. Is this why Grace seemed so happy currently?
But disregarding that for a bit, his relationship with Morrigan was still sort of ambiguous. It's true that they almost had sex that time before Reina walked in on them. Roland, of course, wouldn't have entirely minded that. As she said, his body remembered her even if his mind didn't.
Morrigan didn't seem to mind having a more intimate relationship, either. But.... If he was honest with himself he was still hesitant to start something like that with her.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
He didn't love her.
No, that wasn't entirely true. He cared for her, that was a given. But that, was it love? She was the mother of his daughter, so of course he thought her an important existence. And when he looked at her, he knew that he had once loved her. He also knew that in that other life his love for her must have been quite fierce, because it seem like even now there was some part of him that was her's alone.
Did he still have that same level of feelings for her hidden somewhere within him? Roland wasn't sure. He only knew that he had loved her at one point in time. He felt that he had. But currently he didn't know exactly what his feelings were toward her other than considering her important.
Which is the crux of the problem he was currently comtemplating.
Is it truly okay for him to be Morrigan's husband, to have an intimate relationship with her, even? When she obviously loved him still but he didn't love her? Didn't that seem a bit too...cruel? He could tell from the way she looked at him that she was happy he was now with her and Grace. He could see her feelings for him, knew that they hadn't changed in the slightest even though he didn't remember their time together.
And so it felt like Roland was decieving or taking advantage of her, of her feelings for him. She deserved more, deserved love. He wasn't sure he could give that to her.
He then shook his head as they recieved the keys to their rooms and walked towards the elevator to the side.
Such thoughts were weak, pathetic. He had already decided to do right by them, did he not?
Even if he couldn't say for certain he truly loved Morrigan right now he could always fall in love with her again in time. Which he didn't have too much of, but still, he would do it. Whatever their relationship was right now, he would let her decide. And whatever she wanted it to be, he would accept. She was the one that had to raise Grace by herself, the one who waited for him up to now.
So he would go along with anything she wanted out of him. He'd be damned if he allowed himself to do any less.
As for Grace, it was needless to say his love for her was unconditional. This little thing, Roland's heart swelled with love and affection every time he looked at her. This daughter of his was first in his heart.
After thinking all this, Roland's mind and body felt much lighter.
The traversed the halls of the building until they found their rooms. Roland handed the boys their key-cards.
" Here, go inside and make yourselves at home. Ah...but the technology within this place is much higher than that of your planet. So come here for a second."
Saren narrowed his eyes suspiciously, not trusting the small smile forming at the man's lips. "Why?"
James felt something was off as well.
Roland shrugged, " Come on, just do it. Don't worry."
As the two made hesitant steps towards him Roland struck out with two fingers and hit them in the center of their foreheads. The two boys felt a massive burst of pain that was gone instantly.
Their bodies stiffened instantly.
"What did you...do?" James choked out through his teeth, his head still ringing. There was a small red more on his forehead where Roland's fingers made contact.
"Just a simple transference of information. Something so that you two won't accidentally destroy something. Or, you know, set the place on fire and kill someone. Most likely yourselves. You're welcome, by the way." Roland was unrepentant upon seeing their pain.
"Information, you say...." James muttered, troubled. That was...pretty vague, wasn't it. Well, he did understand what he meant though, kind of.
"Why does my brain feel fuzzy?" Saren wondered aloud. " Like...a tingling sensation. Shit, it feels like a bunch of ants are crawling around in there..." He shivered.
"I don't feel like that, are you alright?" James looked at his brother with worry.
Roland shrugged once more. " A rare side effect, it'll pass. Don't look so concerned, he'll be fine. Go wait inside your rooms. Forget what I said earlier, I'm going to call some people to show you around." Nodding, the two boys entered their rooms with expectant looks.
Roland smirked a bit to himself. Those two guys, their playtime would have to wait.
"Dear, I'll be in the room with Grace. When you're all done come in and we can go out to explore, alright?" Morrigan opened the door.
"Daddy, hurry, please. So much wasted time, we have to make up for it!" Grace told him firmly, her eyes blazing. The little fox on her head hopped off and ran into the room.
Roland smiled at her. "I'll be quick, just give me a few minutes."
The girl nodded but sighed as well.
Roland reached out a hand, conjuring a crystal tablet.
After a few moments the faces of Mephisto and Aries could be seen on the flat surface of the device. Mephisto with his long, flowing hair and Aries with the scar on his chin.
They looked at Roland curiously.
" Yeah?" Mephisto spoke before taking a long sip of a violet-colored beverage.
"What is it?" Aries asked directly, the sight of Abigail yelling at some random student in the background. She looked pissed off.
"Get your asses over here. " Roland didn't have a shred of respect in his tone. He spoke almost casually when bossing around two people who would kill for less.
" Fuck off. " Mephisto said evenly, not raising his voice or seeming to care much at all over the other man's words.
" Go get bent over a fence by Loki." Aries also replied mildly.
Roland spoke for a few brief moments and their expressions changed into frowns.
Mephisto sighed. " Alright, fine. I'll be over in a bit."
Aries looked as if he ate something unsavory. "Shit, that's seriously a low-blow. Fuck it, I'm coming. But if you ever tell "her" about that, I swear that I'll..." His eyes held dark promise.
"Pleasure doing business with you two. I trust you'll make haste. I do grow impatient in my old age." Roland smiled at them.
" Old my ass. Damn brat." Aries snorted.
"....Ah, have Loki deliver it to my place later." Mephisto said. Then he asked, " I don't suppose you can throw in another bottle though?"
"Ask Loki, he's the one who stole them."
Mephisto cursed. " Figures. This is going to bite me in the ass one day, isn't it?"
" That depends on how well he snuck out. Anyway, hurry it up."
"Fine, fine, whatever. But what're we going to be doing?" Aries rubbed the bridge of his nose. This so-called friend of his, showing such favoritism. Why did Mephisto get the bribe but he, Aries, get the blackmail? He'd remember this. Hmph, two can play at this game....
"I'll let you know once you arrive. " Roland replied airily.
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"That bastard...."
"This is humiliating."
"He's looking down on us."
" Leaving us with these things while he enjoys the day with a flower in each arm. This is simply like a slap to the face."
" When we get to Sol's place, let's all gang up and mess up that pretty face of his."
"Agreed."
Aries and Mephisto, respectively, let out complaints. Then they laughed eerily amongst themselves.
Saren and James looked at them, feeling short of breath.
Those two people....
The brothers knew exactly who they were.
That Roland, it was like he asked two lions to take care of newborn babies. The comparison nearly brought them to tears, but that's all they could think of that matched the situation.