The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 42: The Worst Kind Of Surprise

Chapter 42: The Worst Kind Of Surprise

The Crown

The last thing that I remember clearly is, Vermilion coming between me and whatever the creature it might be. Everything after that was hazy and blurred out. I barely remember anything of what happened last night. And to my greatest surprise—up until now in the demon realm—as I open my eyes this morning, I am greeted by the high crystal-clear celling of Vermilion’s palace and the bitting cold atmosphere. Morning light—which is blocked by the dense cloud hovering in the sky—filters through the curtains.

I jump up to a sitting position and look around ’my’ bedroom, my eyes wide with a good kind of shock. I rub my eyes as if to make sure that I am not dreaming and still sleeping in the small shady tent in that field.

"H-How...?" I blurt out, my head struggling to keep up with the thoughts that are racing in it.

Where is Erick? And Edward?

I jump off the bed and stride toward the locked door of the bedroom, but before I can open it, it swings open by itself, making me jump out of my skin, "What the fuck!"

"Your Highness, please mind your language, you are the crown prince of Blade Empire," Phillip says stoically from the other side of the door, his expression is as usual: Bland.

"Oh, it’s just you." I rub my chest as if I am hurt there, "You almost gave me a jump scare."

"I apologize for that, Your Highness." Though there is no apology in there, "I am here to inform you that the Lord awaits your presence in the throne room after breakfast, though this is already past launch time. You lack manners for a crown prince, Your Highness."

"Phillip, I think you are getting rubbed off by Edward." I wrinkle my nose, "You two are terrifyingly alike. Where is he by the way?"

"I will take it as a complement, Your Highness. And Edward is fine, he is waiting for you in the throne room as well" Phillip’s expression remains the same, "In any case, I have put some suitable clothes for you in your wardrobe. Please dress up and come out. I shall wait for you outside your door."

I raise an eyebrow at the first part of his statement, my gut is telling me something will happen to me if I go to the throne room, but I nod my head and get dressed anyway. I am not really picky about my clothes usually but something is different today. I pick the most eye-catching one from the wardrobe.

Lunch refuses to go down my throat as my brain analyzes over every kind of possibility of what might happen in there but, still, I can’t put down the knotting anxiety. And Phillip’s curt answers aren’t helping through any of this at all. If not, it’s making me even more nauseous. He wouldn’t even tell me, why and how I am here. He just stands there, by my side, and oversees every movement I make. I feel like Edward has switched his job with Phillip. Both of them are the ’mind your manners, Your Highness’ type.

Ugh, so frustrating.

At last, we arrive at the throne room. I spot Edward standing by the throne at the end of the room, where the supremacy of the domain is sitting. Vermilion’s elbow is propped on the handrest of the throne and his palm is supporting his chin as he leisurely plays with the latter—at least this is what it seems like from here—there is a bored look in his cold eyes. The preasure and tension are palpable in the room, the temperature is chiller than the other part of the palace as well but, this is at least a hundred times better than Syx. Where I was fighting to save my ass like I was breathing.

There is a flicker relief as well as a tint of jealousy in my chest as I spot the sight.

Why Edward is standing there by Vermilion’s side?

I subconsciously pout a little as Edward and I approach the throne. We both bow and Edward ascends to his lord’s side.

"My Lord." I acknowledge.

"I know you have many things to ask." Vermilion tosses aside the latter—now I am sure it is one—which Phillip catches readily, "But let me tell you one thing, just know that you have accomplished your mission. So there is no need for you to be in Syx anymore."

This is not how it works, My Lord!

But I don’t scream it out. Vermilion’s eyes narrow as if he can just read through what I am thinking, there is a ghost of a smile playing in the corner of my lips. And I find my eyes stuck over there.

"Now then, let me introduce you to your new attendant." Just as Vermilion says these words, Erick walks in with a huge grin on his face, "He will accompany you from now on for as long you will be staying as my servant."

My jaw drops to the ground, but I pick it up as quickly. "W-What?"

There is a mixed feeling in my chest as I see Erick, I am happy to see him and a bit annoyed as well. This guy is a fun guy to have around. But a bit dirty as well.

"Lush!" He greets me enthusiastically.

Guess the brightest person in this room as well.

"And also there will be someone else to stay here as well." Vermilion continues. "Seraphina."

My face dries as I spot Serphina reluctantly walking in, her boots making click-clack nosies against the polished floor, "I want to return to Syx, brother." There is a hint of whining in sher tone as he doesn’t acknowledge anyone in the room.

"You have proven yourself to be there anymore." Vermilion’s eyes narrow, "As a punishment, you are returning here."

"Ugh." Seraphina looks at me with displeasure in her eyes and then stalks off toward the exit.

This is the worst kind of surprise I’ve ever had in my entire life. Now I will have to wear armor when I sleep unless I want to wake up the next morning and find myself dead.

Gods...! Why?!