The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 44: Two Demon Lords

Chapter 44: Two Demon Lords

The Crown

The Northern Territory of the demon realm is originally known for water demons. Which is very unnatural. Because as it is the north. There should be less water lands and more mountains. And as this territory is the southeast of the demon, there would be a lot of water lands but well, there is nothing. All mountain. At least this is what the geography of the human realm says.

I don’t get how it is possible. Is there something wrong with my knowledge about it being the southern territory? I don’t think so. compass doesn’t lie. Or did these two territories just switch the elements of their domain? In any case, this is the demon realm. It mirrors the human realm. So maybe it is also possible that they mirror the land’s pattern as well. Who knows.

Typhon is the overlord of the northern territory of the demon lord. He wields water magic. His beautiful appearance—piercing blue eyes, long hair, and sharp facial features—can deceive everyone. He is known for his, "sweet smile, poisonous attitude". He may seem kind and all, but actually, he isn’t. He is almost as cruel as Vermilion. While Vermilion is dominant and commanding, this fellow is manipulative.

He will get all coy and cozy with his heartwarming smile but actually, he is just trying to get his job done by you. When he starts to manipulate you, you have no other choice but to do what he wants you to. You are particularly dancing on the palm of his hand and no matter how much you try to escape, it’s futile. He is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing while lord Vermilion is in and out a dragon.

Just what kind of situation I have gotten myself into?

But the biggest question is why lord Vermilion is shoving us into this predator’s hand. The situation is almost like the dragon is sharing his food with his underlines. It’s a dangerous kind of situation and also one of those I would definitely want to get into. But here I am... I am sure, this trade deal is gonna get me fucked.

"My Lord, may I request you to elaborate on the details?" I ask, my voice is not loud but it’s clear and audible.

"Let me explain all this to you, Your Highness." Typhon chimes into our ’staring’ competition, I can almost see those puppy ears and tail swinging behind him—if I didn’t know better. The wise choice is to stay as far as I can stay away from him. "Actually, Your Highness, there have been many core sealing cases happening in my domain. Someone is stealing my subject’s magical core and disappearing overnight. No one knows who or what is causing this. So I asked for help from Ver."—everyone, including me gasp in horror as Vermilion’s expression darkens. Honestly, I wouldn’t even wish my worst enemy to get that look from Vermilion. It is just intimidating the shits out of me—"And he said that he has some servants he can spare for a week. So I came to pick all of you up."

"Typhon, the next time you call me by your weird nicknames, I will slit your throat and give you head on your hands." Vermilion’s voice is dripping with something so dark that makes me want to turn on my heel and run the fuck away from here.

I visibly shudder and Typhon smothers a nervous smile, "Now, now, Vermilion, you don’t want to kill your only friend right?"

"This is so bold of you that you assume that you are my friend but anything." There is a hint of annoyance underlying his cold words.

So there is someone after all who can annoy even lord Vermilion.

"Aww, I am hurt." Typhon pouts as he dramatically puts his hand over his chest, feigning offense.

This motion makes Phillip scrunch his nose in disdain, Edward frowns in scrutinization lastly Erick and I let out a snort that reverberates through the crystal walls of the throne room. Vermilion’s eyes narrow on me and I quickly put on my ’straight face mask’ as I clear my throat.

"Typhon, keep behaving like this and I will throw you out of my palace let alone lend you any of my servants for help." Vermilion states stone-facedly.

"Hey, hey, wait!" Typhon seems a bit troubled now but I doubt if he actually is. "Keith has gotten himself targeted and has lost all his magic power. I cannot just wander about my territory looking for clues with him in this state."

"Then get on your knees and beg." A primal glint dances in Vermilion’s ruby-like eyes as he orders.

"Why must you be so cruel?" Typhon pouts, not looking happy about it.

"Do as I say or forget it." Vermilion attempts to get on his feet but Typhon actually drops to his knee in front of him.

"Dear Lord Vermilion, spare me some of your servants." Typhon sounds so smile... as if he is just used to begging Vermilion like this, "This little friend of yours is begging for help from you."

"Very well." I somehow can decipher that Vermilion is more than happy at this though his expression remains unchanging, "You can take these three with you." He points at us. "And Your Highness, I am expecting the best from you. Failure is not an option here. If you may fail, I must toss you into a pond filled with Pirhanas." A wave of dread crawls down my spine.

And here I thought that something might have changed... but seems like I couldn’t be more wrong about it.

My stupid heart started to believe that maybe just... maybe he started to care for me. Turns out I am wrong. It takes all of me to bite my lip and suppress the hurt that attempts to flash across my face. It’s not his fault, I shouldn’t get my hopes up. After all, he is my master, I should fear him... not... well. There is no point in thinking about all this.

"And also, Phillip inform Seraphina." Vermilion continues, "She is going to accompany Lush."

Oh no...

***

"I’d dearly want to know why I am tagging along with you guys." Seraphina groans proving that she is just as happy as I am about this mission—or rather each other’s presence.

"This is something the Lord Vermilion decided." Edward pushes his glasses over the bridge of his nose, "We cannot disobey his words. Unless you want to oppose him, miss Seraphina" Edward side-eyes her.

"Don’t you think, you have started to talk way too much, Edward?" Seraphina hisses at him.

"Now, now guys." Ercik slips between them and splays his hands before them, in motion to stop them, "We are comrades, even if it’s for only this time. Be calm and try to cooperate."

"Yes please, because we have limited time and too much work to do." Typhon finishes drawing the teleportation circle and claps off the dirt from his hands as he stands up, "I don’t have time to put up with your tantrums, kids." He offers a charming smile making me cringe internally.

"Let us get going now, Your Highness." Typhon just has to mention me.

"Yes, My Lord." I return him with a smile, loathing him calling "My Lord" even if it is for courtesy.

He smiles back. Our smile is strained, not reaching our eyes. We are smiling like nobody does. I sparks are radiating from us and clashing against each other.

"I think, you should tell them what you did to us just a moment ago." Seraphina whispers to Erick audiblely, "They are more of a kid than us."

"We can hear you." Typhon and I say sumptuously, not breaking our staring competition and smiling competition.

"Your Highness, we should get going," Edward remarks pointedly.

"Right." I sigh and break the eye contact.

We are currently standing in the teleportation room in Vermilion’s palace, which is huge. No wonder. Everything about this place is extraordinary. Even the owner... no, no, no, I have decided not to think about Vermilion. It will only gonna make it worse. Whatever it is in my heart, I need to keep it to myself and overcome it. I can’t let it get the best of me.

Think with your head Lush, not your heart.

I glance over the room with undeniable hurt in my eyes. But still... he could come...to see us off...

Phillip went to Syx just a moment ago to collect the weekly report for Vermilion, so he can’t come to see us off. But he is not the one I want... but someone else...

I shake my head violently, trying to get the snow-haired man out of my head in a futile attempt. I must have gone crazy to think about all this.

"Lush, you alright?" Erick whispers into my ear, "You don’t look too well."

I nod and smile, "I am fine. You don’t have to worry about it."

Erick doesn’t press the matter further and nods. Typhone has already fuled his magic power into it. A dark portal appears before us and we take turns to step into it. Typhon is first and I am last. I glance over the room last time before entering.

He never came...