The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 20: New Companion

Chapter 20: New Companion

The Crown

Erick grits out. His eyes are so red with anger and the way he is glaring at me; it’s clear that he wants nothing but to tear me into shreds but unfortunately, he won’t be able to do that in a million years. I am not letting myself get killed anytime soon.

"Hmm?" I tilt my head slightly and blink, "My birthmark? How did you even see it?"

"You came here to take a bath yesterday and when you were showering, I saw it," Erick answers. "And I think I don’t have to say how I know who you are any more than this."

He really doesn’t have to say any more than this. My birthmark is sacred and three realms know about it more than I myself do. And Lush Von Blade is like the name of a God who wields light in this dark realm. And demon hates God. So of course they hate me.

"But, Erick, how did you even see the mark?" Edward asks, his brows are knitted together, "There was no one beside him in the shower that time and you were with me all the time last night." Then something clicks in his mind, "Wait you said you were going to the bathroom. Did you...?" Edward trails off pointedly and we know the remaining question.

"Why did you spy on me?" I push but I have a feeling that I shouldn’t have asked the question.

At this point, Erick looks a bit...flustered. "I-I thought he was...very pretty, so..." Erick trails off, his glare flattering and his cheeks turning pink.

My stomach rolls as disgust creeps in. "Ew, what the fuck buddy?" I spit as if someone has just poured vinegar into my mouth. "I am a fellow male!"

"Oh my Gods..." Edward’s face twitches in distaste, "Are you serious?"

"Well, he is just too pretty..." Erick glances at me and my skin crawls in disgust.

"Will you shut up please?" I bark, "Is it the reason you came after me?"

"Partly." He answers meekly, "But I was genuinely curious about what you do. Why did you come here?"

"I am the one who is asking questions, so focus on answering them." I take in a deep breath and cool myself down, "Now tell us how did you manage to act like Edward?"

"It’s a family thing. It’s passed down to us that if we consume one’s hair we can imposter them and act like them." He replies, his anger seeming to have subsided.

"And at the last, you were the former president’s roommate, so you do know who is the culprit behind his kidnapping," I remark.

"I was out of the dorm." Erick shakes his head, "With Peter. We were_"

"Stop, stop." I press my palms against my ears, "I don’t wanna hear!"

"You guys were hooking up, weren’t you?" Edward finishes stoically from the sidelines.

"Yes..." Erick turns pink again and I curl my upper lip.

"So you don’t know who is behind all the kidnapping?" I raise an eyebrow. "But I thought you should know as you became the vice president after his disappearance."

"I know that I became the vice president solely because of the badges I have." Erick defends himself, "It was a coincidence that I took his place after his disappearance."

"How can you believe you?" My frown slightly deepens, my heart is telling me that this guy is telling the truth but my mind is telling me that I should justify him before making any move.

"You can ask Peter." Erick says as if he is giving out our lunch, "He was with me that night after all. He is such a pretty little fuck. I really liked the way he responded to me. I would like to sleep with him again if I ever get the chance."

"Will you shut up buddy?" I snap, clearly not liking where the conversation is going, "I am not really interested in your sex life. Can you give us some important information?"

"Like?" Erick tilts his head a little and blinks.

"Like any idea who kidnapped the vice president and the other two victims?" I ask, getting serious once again.

"Nope." Erick grins like he is the sun himself, "I have no idea who is the victim. And I don’t care about them too unless they are pretty and male."

I wrinkle my nose, "You are hopeless and I thought I would get some important information out of you."

"Things don’t always happen the way we want them to, Your Highness." Edward waves a defeated sigh. He is utterly disdained in the current situation.

"I know, but who knew that big bulky demon is as useless as a normal mortal?" I can’t help but feel disappointed at this point.

"Hey, I am sitting in front of you right now, you know." Erick tries to struggle a bit but hisses in pain in the process and settles down once again.

"We know you are." Edward and I snap together, both of us are fed up with Erick’s silliness.

"What should we do now about him, Your Highness?" Edward turns to me, a line of worry creasing his beautiful face.

I shake my head, "I don’t have any goddamned idea."

"Your Highness, language." Edward’s lips are pressed together in a thin line.

"Fuck it, Edward." I spin to Erick, who seems to be boring a hole through me, "What should we do about you?"

Erick flinches but quickly pulls himself together, "Hmm." he presses his lips, seemingly pondering over what he should say, "So, you guys are here to investigate the missing case happening around here, huh?" He asks.

"Does it seem otherwise?" I ask sternly.

"Well, you abducted me, after all." He smiles nervously.

"We were just being cautious that you won’t just lift our masks," I return.

"Well then, let me join you guys." Erick beams with a huge smile, "I want to work with you guys."

My brows jump in surprise and Edward’s reaction is almost the same, we exchange a look. Then Edward says, "Do you have any idea, who we are? Are you even thinking properly or did the kick from His Highness, knock your brain out too?"

"I know what I am talking about." He grins widely, "I want to help you guys since I don’t have anything else to do and the lord Vermilion will reward me for this too." He is literally swinging on gis chair, "lord Vermilion is super beautiful." He hums.

And something inside me flares up. Anger starts to race along my skin as his words each my ears and my eyes narrow. I don’t know why I feel this way but I don’t like the way Erick is calling Vermilion pretty. I don’t like how he admires him. I don’t like Vermilion’s name on his lips. I don’t like it. I don’t know why. I just don’t.

"Are you calling the ice pretty?" Edward asks, Not quite noticing my sudden change of attitude.

"Ice is indeed pretty, you know no matter how cold it is." Erick’s eyes fall on me and his smile dissipates a little, "Your Highness, why are you glaring at me like you want to kill me?"

"No reason." I take in a deep breath, "Just know that from now on you are not allowed to talk about lord Vermilion."

"In front of you?" He blinks.

"In front of nobody and not even in your mind, Did I make myself clear?" My eyes narrow into slits.

"O-Oaky." Erick shivers a little before answering, "So, am I one of you now?"

"No." I answer, my tone simple, "You will have to prove yourself first." I say swinging my forefinger in the air. "Don’t ask any unnecessary questions and do what you are told like an obedient little puppy. You will get your reward timely."

"Will I get to touch you?" Erick’s eyes light up with hope and anticipation.

"If you have a death wish then of course."

"Hah, Your Highness, is very cruel." Erick pouts a little, "Now take off the bindings. They are scorching my skin." He says as he shifts his position a little but winces immediately as the binding digs into his skin.

"Okay." I snap my fingers and the light binding disappears into the thin air.

Erick falls off the chair and rolls to the ground, "At last! I am free again! My whole body hurts..." He whines.

I heave a sigh, regretting my choice to capture him in the first place. "Don’t be like this. Demons are supposed to be prideful beings." I chide.

"Look who is saying what." Edward tries his best not to scoff at this remark.

My head snaps in his direction and I open my mouth to say something but the abrupt knock on the door stops me. My heart stops and my breath catches in my throat. All of my muscles are on high alert now. The three of us exchange a look. I rise from the bed and slowly move to the door. I gulp before opening the door.

"You?!" I exclaim at the individual standing outside the door.