Zora's Pov
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I woke up this morning a bit more tired than usual. I had a long day yesterday but It wasn't all bad, since birth I had always been a sheltered child. It felt good to go outside for once. Most kids would get plenty of freedom outside home but I hadn't gone to a school like most children, my father deemed it unnecessary.
"We have all the resources for an extensive education here, there is no need for you to go to some low budget school. You are above that."
Is what he said to me. I hated how he thought he was above other people all the time. Since then I've been put on a strict schedule, leaving me no room for a social life. But yesterday I just couldn't take it anymore and decided to sneak out. I wanted to experience some form of freedom if any at all, but I guess I got carried away and strayed too far. That's when Shin saved me from that silverskin.
I was shocked when I saw him. I was fully expecting to die there, but Shin saved me. Despite being my age he wasn't scared at all. He challenged it without a second thought knowing that he could die. I was glad, not only that I was alive but also that I had met someone else outside of the old maids and retainers at home. Having a friend to chat with and relate to felt like a pipe dream before. So I was overjoyed when Shin said he would be friends with me.
I changed out of my pajamas into my usual clothing, A black button-up shirt, and a long white skirt. I fixed my hair before heading out to see Shin. I had told Kirin that I wanted to show Shin around today, so we could hold off on lessons until later. Leaving my room I skipped happily to the infirmary.
I knocked on the doors of the infirmary.
"Hey, Shin it's me Zora! Can I come in?" I shouted at the door, giving it another few knocks.
'Could he still be asleep? Ooops.... maybe I shouldn't have been so loud.' I thought. Suddenly the door swung open and I saw Shin standing there. His rugged clothes from before were gone and replaced with a casual outfit a demon boy would wear. He wore A long black shirt with the symbols of the demon clan on the back and black shorts to match. Unlike yesterday, the dirt and grime was completely gone revealing his clear white skin.
"Morning Zora! How do I look? I think I look quite dashing if I say so myself." He said elbowing my arm lightly.
"I-it um... looks good on you." I mumbled.
"Hehe, thanks. Did you come to show me around?"
"Yeah I did, are you ready yet?"
"Yep lead the way."
Shin followed close behind me as we explored various parts of the castle. I knew the place well, so we explored a little more than half the castle within an hour. Shin couldn't help but leave a shocked look on his face for most of our tour.
'Has he never seen a castle before?' I thought observing him. We made our way through various rooms including the Kitchen, Library, Training fields, Wine cellars, and many others. We decided to take a break inside the kitchen before we continued to the rest.
"This place is amazing Zora! I can't believe you live here."
"Huehue... my family is a highly respected noble family in the land of demons. It's only natural that we'd live this way." I responded matter of factly.
"Land of Demons? You mean to tell me that you guys aren't the only demons here." Shin looked at me in disbelief.
"Yup! And the capital is the best tho! So much delicious food and fun things to do, I'm sure you'd love it there."
Shin thought to himself for a moment before speaking.
"What other places are nearby to this Land? Yesterday Kirin said I didn't look like a giant or elf. Are there other places like this?"
I had forgotten Shin knew nothing about this world given he has no memories of his past. I sighed before giving him the quickest explanation I could.
"Currently we are In Bulgeria the Land of Demons on the northern part of the Panthera continent. The demon country's capital Enshissia is located near the center of the country. We are currently near the border separating the Land of Demons from the Elf Kingdom. In Panthera, there are three main powers. The elves, demons, and giants. Although Each power rules over many different sub-races. You can think of our location relative to the other powers like a triangle, with the Bulgeria at the top of the triangle. The Land of Elves being the bottom left corner, and Shistok the land of giants being at the bottom right. I'll show you a map later."
I went on in more detail explaining numerous the location of numerous smaller cities and minute details, however, Shin seemed to be taking it all in really well.
"Why do the demons rule over other races?" He asked.
"hehe, I'm glad you asked my student. 300 years ago all our lands were under on Kingdom. However, greed clouded the minds of the people wanting more for themselves. The kingdom broke out in civil war eventually breaking the power of the continent to the three strongest races. The various sub-races rallied under the stronger races for protection against the other. The civil war lasted ten years, with many lives lost and resources spent. The leaders of each race decided on a treaty to end the war, resulting in our current position today. Things have been rather peaceful for us since then. However, we believe it won't last long. Recently we've been having conflict with our neighboring powers on a different continent. Although I don't know the details."
Shin seemed to take a big interest in our country's history. I had a feeling of happiness knowing he was listening to everything I told him.
"I see, I think I have a general grasp of what's going on and where I am now. Thank you Zora." He gave me a playful smiled his eyes innocently gazing at me.
"Ah it's nothing, no need to thank me. After all, I did say I was going to teach you hehe. That reminds me tho Shin, I have to visit my father later about letting you stay here and taking lessons. Could come with me?" I asked anxiously.
"You'd do that for me? Zora your the best of course I'll come!"
"What are y-?"
Shin leaned over the small table embracing the upper half of my body. He smelled of pine reminding me of the forest. I was flustered by his sudden embrace causing me to push him off me. Shin fell back into his chair taken back.
"Sorry, I didn't know you guys didn't do that stuff. I'll be more aware next time." He said looking down at the table. It wasn't that It was something demons didn't do. It was common to embrace your loved ones in almost any culture. But at the time I was too embarrassed to admit it.
"Just don't do it again." I mumbled also looking down.
'That was such a dumb lie. Now Shin is gonna be afraid to touch me, Arrgggh! what's wrong with me! I bet he doesn't wanna be friends now.' I thought.
"Let's get going ok." I suggested in the most lighthearted voice I could muster.
"O-ok."
The rest of the tour went smoothly as we explored the rest of the castle. Shin was a bit more neutral in his reactions but sill surprised nonetheless. We rounded our way back to the infirmary where he was temporarily staying. Before we went inside he turned to tell me something.
"Hey thanks for today, I know you're probably annoyed having to baby me so much haha." He whispered giving me a nervous chuckle.
"No not at all, after all we're friends right?" I asked tugging on his shirt.
"Y-yeah of course,"
It was slightly unconvincing. But I figured over time we could get closer. After all, today was ruined because of me.
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