The man who had just entered wore long flowing black and gold robes. He had long black hair and two horns with gold bands wrapped around them. The handsome red-skinned man was Gorro Hydra. (I swear, every time I see him, he gets more attractive. ) I thought, looking him in his yellow eyes. He starred at me keenly.
"Did you see him, Juko. My king should be proud of his son." The goblin leader was the first to speak. My father agreed but didn't take his eyes off me. I should feel happy that he was taking notice of me, but I could feel the burning gazes of envy on me. My siblings were eyeing me hard now. As my father made his way to me.
"My dear Gora, werent you suupposed to be seated next to me, in fact arent you all suppose to be at the top? "My father said, pointing at the ceiling. The room was speechless. The awkward looks on their faces spoke volumes. The higher nobles weren't so nice to us. We were looked at as lesser races. Me more so, being half-human.
The demon ruler bent down so that he was at eye level. He smelled like perfume, meaning he was probably coming from a brothel. (I wish I could spend all my time in gambling houses and brothels.) I thought as I looked back at my father. He looked me up and down, examining me with intensity. He finally stopped after a few moments of noticing my confusion.
"You've gotten so big! I missed you!" My father exclaimed as he wrapped me in his arms. I felt awkward for a moment but returned his gesture. I wasn't accustomed to receiving fatherly love or any love for that matter. He started to twirl me around, kissing me on my cheek profusely. To my brothers, The demon king was the calm and strict father, but to me. He was the doting father to me.
"I missed you to father." I mumble. It was hard to speak with him squeezing me so tight. My statement caused him to embrace me even tighter. (Let me go, you bastard.) I thought as the hug had been going on for far too long.
"Enough Gorro, your going to mess up her dress." Mog said, scolding my dad like a child and coming to my rescue. If it had been anyone else, they would've been killed on the spot for disrespecting the king. My father just laughed her off as he put me back down. Once I was on solid ground, he offered me his hand, and I took it without pause. The king then turned and said hello to his sons. They all bowed low and said their greetings.
After that, the boys hurled question after question at our father. About his travels and, most importantly, what his big announcement was. He waved them all off, telling us he would address it soon. Once the questions stopped, he invited us all to the higher balcony. Everyone agreed without hesitation. Everyone except me was reluctant to leave, not out of fear of seeing the high nobles again. I was worried about Drak. He still hadn't come back. (where is that idiot with my snacks.) I thought, rubbing my belly. (I'm sure he'll come to find us.) I thought as we all departed for the other room.
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A few minutes later, we were back in the royal's box. I was now seated in my father's lap with Mog seated right next to us. The whole room was in scowling at me now. I ignored them, still busy waiting for Drak. I was starting to worry about myself. It was my first time being a little girl, but I didn't think they needed to eat this much. I shook away the thoughts when the door opened, and the blue Troll walked in. Drak had finally shown back up. As he walked our way, he got dirty looks from the trolls in the room. Just like before, he walked past them without a care in the world. I decided to take the two trolls down a peg.
"Thank you, Drak, you're the best." I said in Troll loud enough for everyone to hear. The Leader of the Troll's eyes almost popped out of his head. The others were also surprised. My father more so than everyone else. He looked at me with his jaw hitting the floor. I Was hoping for this type of reaction. I had learned Troll and the other demon languages because I was bored. Mog was the only one not surprised.
"Gora, you can speak the language of the trolls? My father asked. Everyone present waited patiently for my answer. I don't know why he was so surprised the troll language wasn't complex. There were only ten characters in the troll alphabet. Compared to the 47 characters in the devil's tongue, it was a cakewalk.
"Yup, I learned it with Drak's help. He's the best teacher. I think he deserves a reward." I said to my father in the cutest voice I could muster. My father looks to me, then to Drak. My bodyguard was about to deny my claims, but I looked and told him he shouldn't. Drak apparently read my face right because he shut his mouth.
"Grock, I say your man has been a big help to my daughter. I agree with my her and I charge you with getting a good gift for him." My father said to the troll leader. Grock grumbled that he would come up with something. I swear the troll leader was about to explode in anger. The site was so funny I had to stop myself from laughing. I thanked my father and fought the urge to stick out my tongue at Grom. (service you right.) I thought as I got my food from a pleased-looking Drak.
After getting revenge for my bodyguard, the room went back to normal. The demon generals bugged my father about political issues. Each one using careful words to not reveal their hidden agendas. Simple, noble talk. My brother all bragged about their recent accomplishment, trying to get my father's attention. My father gave them all simple answers, not going into detail about anything. Directing them all to his advisor, who wrote everything down diligently. I admired the man's dedication to his work, but it caused me to pause a moment. (Does my father have a spell on this man?) I thought as I examined Motus for signs of enchantment. The king's advisor carried out his duties with the same emotion that we paladins would have. Which is to say no emotion at all.
He noticed me starring at him and began to stare back. He neither smiled nor scaled. Motus just looked back at me while his hands continued to write. (There is definitely something wrong with this fellow.) I thought after looking away from him. I decided I'd keep my eyes on him from now on. I
t was my secret goal to look for spells that dealt with mind control. I was going to learn all about them and how to avoid them all. I hadn't been able to learn about the magic of this new world yet. Even if I didn't know them, I wouldn't be able to use any. Kids don't awaken their Ki until age ten. I was turning ten this year, so it was almost time for my own awakening.
"Husband, wouldn't you be more comfortable if the princess. Sat in Mog's lap." Mira said. I didn't know what game she was playing, but I didn't care. I wanted to be in Mogs lap anyways. Rogar was right. It was the best seat in the house.
I know I just missed her so much ill have her sit here just a bit longer. My father said, giving me a hug. I started to reject, but then I remembered how rude Mira was earlier. I just sat back, put another grape in my mouth, and smiled. I could tell that Mira was angry at my father, but she didn't say anything.
"If the princess does want her seat ill take it. Crassus was the one to speak. His words made Mira soft and Rogar laugh. My father also had a smile on his pervy face. Mog, on the other hand, did not smile. She simply ignoring all of them. I was surprised she didn't say anything but thought it was for the best. We didn't need a repeat of what happened last time.
The rest of the day was uneventful. We were finally at the last match between a devil and a troll. The devil won, ending the entrance exam without much fanfare. In the end, sir Ducan congratulated the new members of the academy then handed it over to Motus. They had disappeared from the balcony and reappear to the center of the arena. He now stood in front of the entire coliseum the minute he came into view. The crowd went still.
Everyone knew what his appearance meant. If Motus was there, then it was a good chance the king was nearby. I'm minutes, the stadium was abuzz with chatter. People looked at the balcony to see if their king was there. The demons of Esha loved their king. He was far kinder than the last king. He also made life easier for the lower races. They no longer face harsh treatment of the past. Although it wasn't a significant improvement, it was an improvement nonetheless.
"Silence, please! I have something to say." The people hushed upon hearing Motus speak. Motus spoke for the king, meaning his words were essentially the king's words.
"Thank you. Our king would like to congratulate these warriors personally and leave you all with a small message. Motus said, using Ki to make his voice louder. My father stood with me still in his arms. I tried to get down so that he could leave, but he stopped me. Holding on to me tight, the demon king leaped from the balcony. Fear gripped me for a moment, then it was gone. My father was descending far slower than I thought. We were just floating down like a leaf falling from a tree.
When we touched the ground, the masses exploded in cheers.
"All hail king Gorro!"
"All hail the King!"
The people hailed my father. I could see some of them had actual tears in their eyes. Some women even fainted. (They cant like this prick that much.) I thought, looking up at my dad in confusion. He waved his hand, and the colosseum was mute again. He sat me down, and we walked closer to the combatants.
"I want to congratulate you all and to let you know. That your king is proud. Proud to have such fine young warriors. Especially my son. Prince Juko, know your father is proud of you!" The demon king announced. The new recruits all stuck their chests out in pride. Including my goblin brother, he had a massive smile on his face that showed his sharp teeth. The people again cheered loudly at their king's speech. Then he waved them silent once more.
"Speaking of my children, my daughter princess Gora will be awakening later in the year. I wanted to invite everyone to join us in the capital for a large feast in celebration." My father's sentence caused everyone to halt. (what the hell are you thinking, old man?) I thought, looking as confused as the crowd. They all began to murmur quietly. I could see a few people, mainly from the nobility, just get up and start to leave. I couldn't blame them. My father had gotten them all excited about this announcement. The people already knew about the feast. Every prince had one for their awakening. So the information was that important.
"It is also where I will announce my next heir!" My father's next statement stunned both the crowd and me. Then the cheers came again. I could see the nobles all talking among themselves. I was so shocked at the declaration that I stopped breathing. (This means the whole kingdom going to be at the feast. It's the exact opposite of what I want.) I thought, looking down at my ruby red shoes.
"Now eveyone will be at your party wont it be great?" my dad said as if he had done me a favor. He looked at me with a big smile, his arms wide, waiting for a hug. I stared blankly at him, trying to hold back the urge to sock him in the face.
"Come Gora lets head back to the palace its been a long day. Oh and Gorro don't leave town so fast we need to have a little chat." Mog said, grabbing my hand and walking away.
Grock: The troll race leader.
Devil Tounge: The language of the devils.
Awakening: At age ten, a child unlocks the use of their Ki. A child may also awaken an element like fire or water.