Chapter Fifteen
The Wet Rose
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Over the next few weeks, a lot stayed the same. Life was relatively normal; I didn't experience anything unusual or gain new powers. However, I felt my connection to the Underworld growing stronger. With Kurai and Enoxon's help, I slowly got more comfortable here. I rarely left the house except when we needed to visit or check in with Lord Mundus—who, surprisingly, hadn't questioned me much about the Spirit Walkers. I hadn't seen them since that day either. It was strange how so much had happened in just a couple of days, only for things to suddenly become quiet.
My regular healing sessions with Kurai continued; it was like free massage therapy, except it involved trying to expel demon poison from my body.
Speaking of which, Kurai told me that some of the poison still lingered in my system, and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to remove it all. This worried me, especially considering what Yushin had said about the type of demon I had brought into their world—even though they were all demons, right? It was disheartening to think I might have caused this, yet no one could answer my questions. If I could see Yushin or Yuna again, I might understand more. But they hadn't revealed themselves to me recently. I prayed that the demon marking me hadn't gotten to them. I'd feel so guilty if anything happened to them.
Knowing they were some kind of "Spirit Walkers" only added to the confusion, as no one had fully explained what that meant. The name suggested they were beings who walked with spirits. I recalled the event with Yuna—how she had told the demon to leave me alone, saying it wasn't my time. Per Enoxon and Kurai, have the Spirit Walkers been missing for about 20 years?
My body shifted in the bed as I gazed out the window at the dark forest beyond. I was tired of the perpetual darkness and longed for the sun, but the Underworld didn't have a sun. The only light came from the bright red moon, which cast an eerie glow over the forest and surrounding areas. With a sigh, I turned away from the depressing scene, pulling the blanket over my head just as a knock sounded at the door.
"Go away," I groaned. "I'm sleeping."
"My Lady, it is not good to sleep all day," a familiar voice called from the other side of the door.
I peered towards the door, confused. Was that... Astaroth? I hadn't seen him since the party but didn't want to move. Calling out to him, I invited him into the room.
Astaroth shuffled in, quietly closing the door behind him. He greeted me with a warm smile. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but Enoxon informed me that you haven't left your room much. Is that true?" He settled into the single chair in my room, sitting correctly as if he planned to stay for a while.
The atmosphere felt tense, though it might have just been me. Astaroth manipulated me and made me tell him what happened. But he apologized, and I felt bad for not forgiving him. He was such a kind spirit. At least now, I know with the glowing purple, he’s doing something.
"Ah, I brought some tea," he said bluntly. With a quick snap of his fingers, a cup of tea appeared in front of him, a little blue cup bubbling gently. "This is a different type. I call it Nimble Starlight." He pushed the cup in my direction. "It's my twist on the Human World's Genmaicha."
I couldn't refuse a cup of tea from the Duke, especially knowing how delicious his last creation was. The aroma of the tea wafted towards me, making me feel at ease. I took in the firm, soothing scent that coaxed me into slowly sitting in bed. My ragged hair fell onto my back, reminding me I needed to wash it.
"Thank you, Astaroth," I said.
Astaroth nodded, his warm smile never faltering as he watched me take the cup. I wrapped my hands around it, savoring the warmth that seeped into my fingers. The tea's aroma was comforting, a mixture of earthy and slightly sweet scents that made me feel more grounded.
"I know things have been difficult," Astaroth began softly, his gaze steady and reassuring. "But taking small steps forward is important, even if it’s just enjoying a simple cup of tea."
I took a cautious sip of the tea, letting the unique flavors dance on my tongue. It was different from the usual blends, with a hint of something ethereal that I couldn't quite place but found oddly familiar and calming.
"It's... delicious," I admitted, feeling more relaxed. "Thank you for bringing this to me."
“Of course, I try to accompany all beings regarding tea. When Casielle and Zarall are here, I make them a tea similar to what they would drink in The Celestial World - it’s the least I could do. With Enoxon and Kurai, I typically make them a tea that reminds them of their hometowns.” Astaroth gently clapped his hands against each other as if to get some kind of dust off them.
“Hometowns, hm?” I repeated, staring at the cup of tea and letting the warmth steam my face. “I’m sure their hometowns have wonderful tea as well. But what brings you here, Astaroth?”
A soft sigh escaped him as he leaned back in his chair. “To tell you the truth, I think I needed a break from Lord Mundus,” He jokingly stated with a soft chuckle. “Mostly because Kurai and Enoxon were worried about you, and Lord Mundus was worried.”
“Him? Worried about me? Yeah, ok,” I spat and shook my head.
"Casielle and Zarall haven’t been able to check in with you either because Enoxon usually throws them out." His smile was incredibly comforting, exuding warmth and friendliness. How could a demon appear so... unlike a demon? As I studied his features, I noticed that he seemed genuinely worried. I couldn’t sense his emotions, but the expression on his face made me question who was truly concerned.
"I'm actually grateful for the peace I’ve had since the incidents a couple of weeks ago. I don’t enjoy idling all day, but I usually spend my time training with Kurai or reading with Enoxon—nothing serious," I explained to the concerned demon. "It’s been nice to relax. Being a human in the underworld is exhausting."
"You know, Enoxon has done some pretty interesting work while you've been keeping a low profile," Astaroth explained, crossing his legs and resting his gloved hands on his pants very regally. His voice deepened with concern as he continued, "Lady Snow, I am worried about the demon who attacked you. It’s highly unusual."
"What?" I questioned, immediately tightening my grip on the cup in my hands.
"I don't want to press you," Astaroth said, frowning. "But if you’d allow me, I’d be more than happy to assist you."
I stared into those deep, purple, abyss-like eyes and immediately knew he was serious. Shocked, my lips quivered, and I turned away from him. Why did I feel I needed to tell him something, yet couldn't find the heart? Perhaps I should? He was the Duke to the Crimson Lord, but I didn’t think he intended to hurt me. I wasn’t sure how to respond, but I needed to say something. Was he manipulating me again?
His eyes looked normal—they weren’t glowing, and that was the only time I could tell he was up to something. Kurai’s eyes did the same thing when they glowed; it meant business. I think Astaroth was just being genuine—the way I read it.
I shook my head. “I told you what I knew, Astaroth. Remember? You kind of forced it out of me.”
“I... know,” he sighed with disappointment as he looked away from me. But as one of the oldest demons in the Underworld, I can assist you.”
“Why do you want to help so much?” I questioned him.
Astaroth's eyes softened as he met my gaze again. "Lady Snow, you may not believe it, but my intentions are sincere. The Underworld is a harsh place, and despite my position, I have seen more than enough suffering. I don’t want you to endure unnecessary pain. I am here to make the passing of souls smoother and live in a simple place. We are in the Underworld."
I felt a pang of confusion and a warmth from his words. His concern seemed genuine, but my experiences had taught me to be cautious. "But why me? You have so many other responsibilities."
He sighed again, a hint of sadness in his voice. "You remind me of someone I once knew—a human caught in the crossfire of our world’s chaos. Helping you is the least I can do to make amends for the past."
This piqued my curiosity. Who was this human that he once knew? Perhaps someone I knew or maybe a distant relative? I studied his face, searching for any signs of deceit, but there were none. His expression was a mix of regret and determination. "Alright, Astaroth. I’ll trust you for now. But if I sense anything off, I won’t hesitate to protect myself."
“Astaroth? Leave her alone before I burn you to a crisp,” Kurai's loud voice echoed through the door.
I perked up when I saw the nogitsune walk in, instantly sensing his agitation.
“Enoxon and I have told you what we know. You don’t need to keep pressuring her for more,” Kurai said, gently motioning for Astaroth to leave the room.
Astaroth’s gaze turned sad and cold at Kurai's interruption. This demon knew something he wasn’t willing to share, just as I wasn’t willing to reveal what I learned about the Spirit Walkers. He gently patted the top of my hands and nodded. “I do sincerely apologize, Lady Snow. If you have any questions, please feel free to approach me; I will be more than happy to help you navigate the mysteries of the Underworld.” His tone shifted to that of a friendly attendant, ensuring his people were alright. He stood and bowed to me with one last smile and pat on my hands. “See you soon, Snow,” he waved goodbye and disappeared from the room within a second.
“Are you okay?” Kurai asked, concern evident in his voice.
I nodded to him and replied, “I’m okay. He brought me tea. A very calming tea, in fact.” I took a sip of the tea left with me and smiled at the black-haired demon before me.
Kurai didn’t reply immediately. He shifted his weight from one side to the other, his hands in his pockets as he coughed. “Well, anyway. Enoxon and I are going to town. Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, can we visit some of the shops?!” I exclaimed excitedly.
“We’re going on a business trip,” he retorted.
Saddened by that, I lowered my gaze back to my tea. “Oh.”
“Business?” Enoxon’s voice came from behind Kurai. “No time for business, just for a fun day out!” he cheerfully exclaimed.
My spirits lifted instantly. “Really? That sounds wonderful!”
Kurai shot Enoxon a look but didn’t argue. “Fine. But we’re not going to spend all day shopping.”
Enoxon grinned. “Deal. Let’s head out then, Lady Snow. It’s a beautiful day in the Underworld, and we shouldn’t waste it.”
“Can the Underworld be beautiful?” I questioned Enoxon, watching as he shuffled in behind Kurai.
“Of course!” He replied, happy as ever.
“Oh, so we can stop at the shops!” I rejoiced, tilting my head slightly to the side. “It’ll be fun!” I giggled.
“Yay…” Kurai muttered, rolling his eyes and heaving a sigh. “Well, get dressed and let’s go.” He turned away and shoved past Enoxon, who stopped and smiled at me.
“I want to show you a couple of nice places when we’re in town, Snow!” he boasted. “Maybe we can find something you’ll like. If you do find something, I’ll buy it for you!” His tone was so positive and upbeat that it made the atmosphere full of happiness and light—different from the usual Asturdorm demon atmosphere.
“That would be nice, but I don’t need anything. I just enjoy looking. Besides, I don’t really have… money? I’m not sure you all accept human world money,” I grinned awkwardly.
“Mm, I guess you’re right. They won’t accept human world money, but they may make a trade—it really depends on the bargains you can find. Come on, let’s go!”
I nodded quickly and shooed him out of my room while I dressed. Entering the closet again, I chose something simple but cute. I found a beige-colored turtleneck and a black jacket that zipped up the front. I pulled on simple black pants and beige boots matching the turtleneck. After doing a quick twirl in the mirror, I ran out of the room to join the others, excited about the day we were about to experience. It should be a simple shopping spree. Maybe I could even try some of Asturdorm’s food. It was going to be a great day!
We gathered at the town's entrance, where Kurai and Enoxon were waiting. Kurai looked slightly impatient, but Enoxon’s smile was infectious, lifting my spirits even more.
“Ready?” Enoxon asked with enthusiasm.
“Absolutely!” I replied, feeling a surge of excitement.
We set off towards the town, the path winding through the various landscapes of the Underworld. The air was filled with strange scents and the distant sounds of creatures I couldn't identify. Despite the eerie surroundings, I felt safe with Kurai and Enoxon.
As we entered the town, I was taken aback by the vibrant marketplace. Stalls lined the streets, filled with various items—some familiar, others completely foreign. The air buzzed with the chatter of merchants and shoppers alike.
As I caught up with Kurai and Enoxon, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling within me. The thought of exploring the town, even briefly, was thrilling.
We made our way through the winding corridors of the village, buildings adorned with ancient tapestries and dimly lit by flickering torches. Enoxon kept the conversation light and cheerful, sharing amusing anecdotes about his previous visits to the town.
“Did I ever tell you about when I almost traded my boots for a magical trinket? Turned out to be a total scam!” Enoxon laughed heartily, his infectious good mood lifting my spirits further.
Kurai, walking slightly ahead, maintained his usual stoic demeanor. However, I noticed the occasional softening of his expression whenever Enoxon’s stories got hilarious.
Enoxon turned to me with a wide grin. “Alright, Snow, where do you want to start? Food stalls, trinkets, clothes? You name it!”
I looked around, barely able to contain my excitement. “How about we start with the food stalls? I’m curious to try some Underworld delicacies.”
“Great choice!” Enoxon exclaimed, leading the way.
As we walked through the market, we passed by various stalls. One stall had glowing fruits that looked like they were plucked from a fairytale. In contrast, another had a collection of intricately carved wooden charms. Finally, we reached the food stalls, and the array of displayed dishes was astounding.
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“Try this,” Enoxon said, handing me a small pastry. “It’s called a Flareberry Tart. It’s sweet with a little bit of a spicy kick.”
I took a bite, and the burst of flavors was unlike anything I’d ever tasted. The sweetness of the berries was perfectly balanced with a hint of spice that warmed my mouth. “This is amazing!” I said, savoring the taste.
Kurai, who had been watching with a bemused expression, finally chimed in. “Just don’t overeat at once. Some of the food here can be… intense for a first-timer.”
I nodded, appreciating the advice. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
We continued to explore the market, trying different foods and admiring the various goods on display. Enoxon’s enthusiasm was infectious, and even Kurai seemed to relax a bit as the day went on.
Eventually, we found ourselves in front of a store selling beautiful, hand-crafted figurines. There were simple ones, such as a brown and white cat, a yellow-painted dog with orange flowers, and even a couple of birds. Then, some creatures looked like an eagle with four legs, like a griffin. I noticed a chimera as well and a few other mythical creatures. There was also the figure of the infamous Cerberus. This underworld dog was supposed to be the guardian of the gates of Hell. But, ultimately, my eyes fell back to the simple little cat figurine.
Enoxon noticed my interest and picked up the cat figurine. “What do you think, Snow? It’s cute, isn’t it?”
“It’s lovely,” I admitted, though I felt shy about accepting such a gift.
“Consider it a souvenir from your first trip to the market,” Enoxon insisted with a warm smile.
Outside, we rejoined Kurai, and I immediately showed him, “Look, Kurai! It’s a cat! Aren’t cats just amazing?!” I squealed.
“A cat?” He muttered, obviously not impressed.
“It’s cute!” I huffed, trying to show him the figurine more closely.
Kurai sighed and turned away, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “It’s a cat,” he murmured as he did so.
“Should’ve gotten the dog,” Enoxon chuckled, ducking out of the store.
“Thank you, Enoxon!” I said once more, feeling a rush of gratitude.
I dipped my head quickly to him, coming back up with a small smile as I gently put the little figurine wrapped around me into my bag, right next to the dagger inside. Can't leave without it. Tucking it away nicely, I returned to the surrounding shops, visiting a few different ones with Enoxon. He was such a relaxed soul. It was hard to believe he was so old deep down. If you're practically immortal, you get away with that—but he definitely had a heart of gold. He could see the good in everyone, so he was here in the Underworld. My mind paused momentarily as I wondered why Enoxon was in the Underworld. Why wouldn't he want to be in the human world?
"Oh, Snow! Look over here!" Enoxon called out, breaking my train of thought.
I stepped over next to Enoxon as he stopped by a shop with many different paintings. Paintings that one would find in the human world and the Underworld. Something for everyone. The artist had a lot of landscape photos. The main one that caught my eye was the second largest one—which looked almost like Asturdorm and its village, but without snow. It was still dark, but there wasn’t an ounce of snow anywhere. I scanned the painting really hard when the salesperson came up to us. His hair was nice and groomed, with horns coming out of his head, and he began to speak to me.
"Ah, I see the interest that has sparked inside you, Human-girl. I can sense you are not very old—in fact, you have probably not been around long enough to see Asturdorm before this wretched snow fell on us. Tell me, are you new to the Underworld, Human?"
I blinked as he called me "Human." Was this demon able to recognize that I was a human? My eyes flickered over to him as I felt Kurai’s presence looming behind me, listening to the conversation.
“Oh, do not worry, young one,” the demon said softly. “I am but a mere lesser demon and have no interest in you. Your blood is not sweet like most humans.”
I frowned, and Enoxon quickly chimed in. “We don’t have much time, but thank you for your input!”
“Dear Sorcerer, do you not wish to purchase from me? These paintings have caught your friend's eyes, amusing her to the point where she is interested,” the demon softly spoke to us, shifting his body and turning sideways. “Perhaps something that reminds you of home?” He spun around with a more miniature painting of what looked like a cabin in the woods, surrounded by green leaves and cherry blossoms. “This is a magical piece—it shows viewers a different picture, something they desire the most. By the looks of it, human, this place seems to show that of a home—perhaps one you used to stay at?”
I gently reached out for the painting and stared at it. It definitely looked like my home back in the Human Realm. Speechless, I gently grabbed the painting from him and looked it over. I was amazed by this painting.
“How. Much. Is. It?” Kurai demanded, cutting him off immediately.
The two of them began to discuss the painting's price, and I could tell Kurai was getting agitated with the demon he was bargaining with. I was too absorbed in the painting to be concerned about them. A hand gently laid on my shoulder, steering me away from the cart while I still stared at the painting. Returning to my senses, I quickly raised my head and looked at Enoxon and Kurai, who walked beside me.
“This is pretty neat!” I smiled up at them. I asked Enoxon, “So, is it true? Do you see something different from what I see?”
Enoxon shook his head. “I do not.”
Confused, I turned to ask Kurai the same question. He shrugged. “You were conned,” he simply stated. “That’s what demons will do, and for some reason, he was able to see you as a Human rather than a Demon—which means we really ought to figure something out about that.” His gaze trailed above my head to Enoxon, who nodded in agreement.
“That’s weird, though,” I murmured. “Lord Mundus called me a demon in front of everyone at the party that one night,” I stated to them. “No one questioned me.”
“Well, you were also in his domain,” Enoxon replied, shrugging some. “And he’s also a King - so he has some kind of magic pull when it comes to you. Perhaps his magic fell off. But that’s ok. I know someone who can help us,” He grinned wickedly. “Besides my magic, this one can help us a little more.”
“Do not say we’re going there,” Kurai groaned. “I really don’t want to - I absolutely refuse.”
“Suit yourself,” Enoxon shrugged as he pulled me off in another direction.
“Hey, no!” Kurai growled, chasing after us.
We ended up heading to a tavern after our shopping spree. Inside, we heard several different groups talking, reminding me of the bar back home. The bar gave off an eerie vibe, but it was indeed fitting for an underworld establishment. It was large, with two different bar areas to order from, each lined with barstools and numerous tables scattered throughout. Shelves and counters of the wooden bars were lined with all kinds of alcohol, and innumerable patrons were enjoying their drinks. I wondered what kind of drinks the underworld had to offer. We took a seat at one of the bars.
Almost immediately, we were greeted by a young woman with fiery red hair pulled up and off her back, exposing a tattoo on the back of her neck. She wore a simple black vest over a long white undershirt that covered her arms, neatly wrapped around her neck, and buttoned up nicely. She had a bright red pattern on the back of her black vest, and she wore little red heart earrings. Her eyes were as red as her hair, and she had horns on her head. She greeted us with a smile, leaning on the counter.
“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing here? Running around with these trouble-makers?” she said with a flirty smile in my direction, running her well-manicured demon nails under my chin, causing me to look up at her captivating eyes.
Instantly, I felt utterly embarrassed and just watched her. If I ever tried something like that at the bar I came from, I’d probably get slapped in the face or fired. But she did it so casually that I couldn’t help but be speechless.
“You oughta get away from these stinky men. Come join a woman for a night,” she teased, noticing my complete speechlessness and embarrassment.
“Same ole’ Jenieva, aren’t ya?” Enoxon questioned her.
She straightened her posture and looked him up and down smugly. “You annoy me, Enoxon,” she stated bluntly. “Let me have my fun. I don’t get a lot of pretty girls here,” she whispered as she leaned back toward me, “especially a human woman, delicious.” She licked her lips and winked at me, forcing me to melt into my chair.
Enoxon chuckled. “Snow, meet Jenieva. She’s not just a bartender; she’s a succubus who runs this fantastic bar. She’s tough. She’ll throw someone out of the bar without a second thought. But there’s more to her than meets the eye. Jenieva is also an accomplished alchemist, always concocting potions and unique drinks.”
Jenieva smirked and gave Enoxon a playful shove. “Stop giving away my secrets, Enoxon. Let the girl discover some things on her own.” Another wink in my direction.
“The usual, please,” Enoxon said, dismissing her and shooing her away from the melting, well, me.
“And for the lady?” she asked, pulling back and mixing some drinks.
“I… uh, um,” I stammered, still wholly speechless from the sudden greeting.
“Mmm, she likes sweet drinks. Give her an Angelic Parody,” Enoxon suggested, relaxing in his barstool and folding his hands.
I was confused. She knew I was human? Now, not only was I entirely embarrassed by her teasing, but I also wondered how she knew. Did I just… look human? Was there a big bubble above my head that said, “HUMAN!!!!!”? My feet shifted uncomfortably on the barstool.
Kurai sat on one side of me and Enoxon on the other. Being with them made me feel at ease, but I still felt uncomfortable at the same time. It was a mutual feeling. I only got tense when someone called me a human or when someone stared at me. It was weird.
Jenieva placed a pretty orange and blue, almost lavender-colored drink before me. Recognizing it, it looked similar to a Royal Hawaiian Cocktail, a rather popular drink from our bar. However, I was sure it would taste different here in the Underworld. I picked it up, smelled it, and took a slight sip. It tasted very sweet, distinct from the Royal Hawaiian, but lovely.
“Do you always smell your drinks, darlin’?” Jenieva asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Is that something your kind usually does?”
“I, um, used to work in a bar, actually. I don’t trust a lot of people around me when I am working,” I told her quietly, avoiding her gaze.
She smiled smugly as she placed two frozen blue drinks in front of Kurai and Enoxon, garnished with what looked like a blood orange. “So, little Miss Bartender had a bad experience before, huh? Did someone buy you a shot or two, and it didn’t end well?” she questioned, cleaning a bar glass with her towel.
“We had many bad travelers come into our bar,” I explained. A lot of regulars would try to lace drinks. Unfortunately, with the travelers, it wasn’t fun to kick them out, but we had to do what we could to ensure people were safe. I will always smell my drink first and examine it.”
“Good for you. Someone could easily take advantage of you. You’re just a sweetheart, looking like someone who couldn’t say no to a good night,” she teased, her voice dripping with playful flirtation.
I nearly choked on my drink, my face bright red with embarrassment as I wiped my face immediately with a napkin. My lavender eyes widened at her words, and I couldn’t find any words to respond.
Enoxon laughed heartily at my reaction. “You’re talking about Miss Goody-Goody Two-Shoes over here, Jenieva,” he commented.
“Oh, so you haven’t had a good night!” she gasped, feigning shock as she leaned in, tucking a strand of white hair behind my ear and tracing the side of my face with her demon claws.
Kurai, who had been quiet until now, shifted uncomfortably, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Jenieva, maybe you should ease up a bit. Not everyone is used to your... charm.”
Jenieva glanced at Kurai, her eyes twinkling even more. “Oh, is someone getting jealous? Don’t worry, Kurai. I won’t steal her away... entirely.”
Jenieva's teasing seemed to increase as she noticed Kurai's jealous demeanor. She leaned closer to me, her voice dropping to a soft murmur. “You know, darling, you should be careful. Not everyone here is as friendly as me,” she said, her fingers lightly grazing my cheek.
Kurai's eyes darkened, and he leaned in. “Jenieva, that's enough. She’s new here and doesn’t need your kind of trouble.”
Jenieva chuckled and straightened up, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, Kurai. There's no need to get your feathers ruffled. I’m just having a bit of fun.” She winked at me before moving back behind the bar.
Enoxon, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, finally spoke up. “You know, Jenieva, you really shouldn’t tease the new arrivals too much. They might get the wrong impression of our hospitality,” he said, his tone light but with a hint of warning.
Jenieva shrugged, her playful smile never fading. “Oh, come on, Enoxon. You know, as well as I do, that a little teasing never hurts anyone. Besides, she seems like she can handle it.”
I looked down at my drink, feeling embarrassed and grateful for Kurai’s protective stance. “Thanks, Kurai,” I murmured, giving him a small smile.
“Anyway, what have you been up to since returning to Asturdorm?” Jenieva asked them, her eyes darting between Kurai and Enoxon.
“Just doing some research lately. What kind of things have you heard?” Enoxon replied, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Mmm, it’s going to cost ya,” she said nonchalantly.
Enoxon groaned, leaning back and letting his head drop slightly. “What do you want?”
“I want the girl, obviously,” the red-headed demon stated simply, her eyes locking onto mine with a mischievous glint.
“Jenieva,” Kurai growled, his hand slamming onto the bar top with enough force to shake my drink. “Enough.”
“Okay, okay, down, boy!” Jenieva laughed, leaning on the counter towards Kurai and me, her chest now exposed. “That’s a good boy,” she added with a playful wink, clearly enjoying the reaction she provoked.
Kurai's eyes darkened further, his jaw tightening as he tried to contain his frustration. “Jenieva, you’re pushing it.”
She simply smirked, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. “Oh, relax, Kurai. I’m just having a bit of fun. No harm done.”
I shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to react to their tension. Enoxon, sensing the growing unease, decided to step in. “Alright, Jenieva, enough with the games. We’re here for information, not entertainment.”
Kurai got up and walked away from the bar, heading to a table by himself. I felt terrible for him; he seemed a bit fed up with today. I understood, though—it was kind of embarrassing for this demon to talk to me as if I were just her toy. No other female had ever flirted with me before, even at a bar. This was new territory. Perhaps if I ever get back to the bar, I can use her tips to earn money—once I read the customer first.
“Well, I haven’t really heard much, honestly,” Jenieva stated, leaning over the bar towards Enoxon. “A few small details here and there. The entire town knows there’s a new demon following around the Magical Human Sorcerer and the Fox-Demon. Some rumors have the locals thinking she’s human because she’s with you. But then again, when The Crimson Lord brought her to the party and announced her as a demon, that’s where three-quarters of the rumors have been. But that one-quarter of demons who believe she’s human will have them wondering. I can’t imagine they’ll be after her, though. Her scent is nearly amazing for the highest-ranking demons,” she said, eyeing me. “Not my type, but if you’d like, just give me a call. We can change things for you,” she added with a tongue click and a wink, causing me to blush again.
“I, uh, thank you! I’m going to check on Kurai,” I said awkwardly, pointing to the nogitsune sitting at the back of the restaurant near another bar top with a different bartender.
“Good luck with the hothead, sweetheart. Call me if you need help with him. I enjoy handling a rough demon,” she laughed, returning to Enoxon.
I immediately got up and scurried over to Kurai, awkwardly standing at the side of the table. “May I?” I asked him.
He didn’t reply; he just took a sip of his drink. He didn’t say no, but he didn’t say yes either. He just kind of... ignored me? I decided to sit down with him, holding my orange and blue drink that had now mixed into a swirl of colors from waiting so long and from me stirring it up. It was a nice little drink that wasn’t very strong, which was exactly what I needed. I didn’t try to speak to Kurai; I simply enjoyed his company and admired the gorgeous bar.
A few feet away, a group was chatting at another table. The three demons kept their voices down as they spoke. It was something to listen to, not that I needed to be a part of their conversation, but... why not?
“Did you hear? They found more traces of Lord Zonoth and Lady Serelia,” the first demon muttered behind me.
“I heard they found the blood of Lady Serelia deep within the underground caverns,” the second demon stated quietly.
“I’m not sure. That sounds a bit sketchy. How long has she been missing?” the third demon questioned skeptically.
“They say nearly 20 years; it could have been longer though.”
“I wonder what happened to her; perhaps something happened at the new prince's birth?”
“Nah, they say the prince was born, but something happened to him alongside the mother.”
“Maybe they’ll release that information when The Crimson Lord is officially the King.”
I listened to their gossip about the previous rulers of the Underworld. I didn’t know much about them except what Kurai had told me. He said the king and queen had no child, and Lord Mundus was a close family friend. So, who was correct, and who was lying? I guess, as commoners, they didn’t know the true story... or maybe their story was true. I didn’t realize I was staring at them until Kurai spoke.
“See? Not even low-life demons know exactly what happened to Lord Zonoth and Lady Serelia,” He muttered to me as he sipped his drink.
“Their story seems to be different than yours,” I replied.
He didn’t reply, just fell silent. Thinking about what could have happened, I began to try and piece things together. If the commoners said they had been missing and Kurai mentioned their disappearance, perhaps something deadly happened to them? Then again, maybe they just ran off because they didn’t want to be in charge anymore. I’m sure ruling an entire kingdom could get tiresome, even with demons and war monsters to help out.
But what happened to the prince that these commoners mentioned? Indeed, it wasn’t just a rumor that they had a child—someone from the castle would know if they did. Why wouldn’t they want their child to take over? There were so many unanswered questions.
“A drink for the lady from the gentleman at the bar,” I heard Jenieva’s voice behind me.
Jumping at the sudden sound, my heart raced in fear. I was deep in thought, and she just appeared out of nowhere.
“Specifically for the lady with the white hair,” she mocked in a deep voice, rolling her eyes. “Men are stupid.”
“Eno?” I asked.
“Nah, some other guys,” she huffed. “I'm kind of jealous. Maybe I’ll leave early and join you for a drink. Would you like that?”
“Beat it, Jenieva,” Kurai muttered.
Her lips pursed into a frown. “Kurai, you never let me have fun.”
“Your fun always pushes it to the limits.”
“It does not. I just like my women in certain ways, and Snow has everything~” Her voice turned sing-song, dripping with over-the-top excitement.
“Maybe we can hang out one day,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck and grinning awkwardly. “I noticed your nails were done. They’re very pretty. I’d love to know where you go.”
“Don’t give her hope,” Kurai warned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Ooh, I’ll show you! That would be a fun date,” she said, blowing a kiss my way and winking before chuckling and walking away. “See you soon, Snowy~”
Snowy? Well, at least I could trust this demon. Hopefully? Jenieva was definitely a friendly person, or she just had a charm that people fell for. Either way, besides Casielle, it’d be nice to have a friend to do things with outside of running from evil spirits.
Nevertheless, I inspected the drink that was given to me. It was different from my previous one, and I could smell a more vital hint of alcohol. I glanced over my shoulder to see two guys sitting at the other end of the bar. They caught my eye, giving me flirty grins and raising their glasses in a toast to mine. As usual, I smelled the drink before casually taking a sip.
“You’re just going to accept a drink from a couple of demons?” Kurai questioned, raising an eyebrow as I took a sip.
I gave him a small smile and nodded. “If there was an issue with the drink, I’m sure your nose would have picked it up.” I reached over and bopped him on the nose, giggling as I did so.
Bewildered, he stared at me with an almost disgusted look.
I twirled a piece of my hair and shrugged. “You’ll be okay. Come on, let’s go back over to Eno and join him. It’s not fair to make him drink alone.”
“You go on. I’m not much of a social drinker,” he said, dismissing me as I got up.
I frowned and let out a soft sigh, gazing at him disappointedly. But I smiled gently. “You don’t have to be so alone, you know.” With that, I twirled away from him, carrying my drink over to the two at the bar, and we chatted up a storm.