Actually everyone is born with the ability to control demons. However, not everyone is born with outstanding abilities. The ability itself will be useless if it is never learned. Unfortunately, only a few people are able and willing to develop these skills.
In Axelle's case, as the second prince, he had no ambitions for power. Since childhood he knew he will support his older brother, the late Prince Hiero, so Axelle later intended to enter the temple academy and support his older brother as High Priest.
Which then never happens. However, due to the kindness of King Rexton V, when he was 15 years old Axelle was sent far away to receive education at another royal temple academy. It was from this education that Axelle developed the talent to purify; something he disguised as "mediocre talent" from everyone.
Well, meanwhile the Whitley blood definitely has great demon control abilities. The descendants of Whitley are said to have been trained since childhood.
Hopefully one of them was Rheannon Whitley.
Or, at least, that was Axelle's hope if it was true that the girl was locked up in the tower at the south of the palace forest.
"But it's better to die altogether than to be locked up with the demon," Axelle muttered to himself as he tried to keep his flame light from the strange night wind.
Right now, Axelle was infiltrating the south of the palace forest. He was going to the tower, looking for Rheannon.
"Ugh…" Axelle fell to his knees.
And this is not an easy infiltration.
If the demon controls a place, surely that place will be filled with disaster. Whether it be sadness, anger, suffering, or simply being filled with insects and wild animals. Axelle is currently starting to be overcome with fear.
His chest was pounding wildly. Cold sweat dripped from his temples. His breath was ragged.
All kinds of bad thoughts overwhelm him.
[What if what I'm looking for isn't there and I'm stuck here instead? What if this is in vain? What if I come back incomplete? What if I get caught—what punishment will I and the castle folk get?]
In one painful breath, Axelle clenched his fists.
"No," he said firmly, then tried to stand. "I'm here to find Rheannon."
Instantly the way opened for him. Just like that, the tower that had been only a shadow all this time appeared in reality in front of him.
Axelle gulped, then closed his eyes. Again he said, "I'm here to find Rheannon Whitley. Show me the way if she's here. Let me go if she's not here." He began to see the shadows of the demons smiling slyly at him. "I have no business with the demons here."
The demons let Axelle pass. Their laughter was still heard even after Axelle entered the tower.
"Rheannon?" Axelle began his search hesitantly.
The tower was exactly as he had imagined it.
Gloomy, pointed roof, small windows. There's nothing nice or comfortable about the tower.
"Rheannon?" called Axelle again, trying to match the laughter of the demons and the creaking of insects. Their voices were even able to muffle the echo of his footsteps.
But no matter how many times I called, no one answered.
There's no one there.
"Rheannon?"
Axelle was sure that by now he had reached the top of the tower. Just like in the other rooms, there was no sign of life there.
"Who is… it?"
However, there she was.
Axelle had only met her a few times before. That was a long time ago. It's just…
Red hair, golden eyes…
They belonged to Rheannon Whitley, of course.
"Lady Rheannon!"
Finally, Axelle finds Rheannon in a very sad state.
***
For the size of a grown girl, Rheannon is too light.
Axelle was half running at this time, leaving the tower which turned out to be not just a shadow, the tower which turned out to be a prison full of demons. His feet moved as fast and as carefully as he could towards his little castle with Rheannon in his arms.
"Your Highness!" One of the knights greeted him with a worried expression. "Where have you been? Elias panicked to find Your Highness wasn't there—who was that?"
"Please call Elias," Axelle interrupted. He and the knight hurriedly entered the castle. The other knights and a few maids greeted him with concern—before their eyes finally fell on someone in Axelle's arms.
"Your Highness," another knight stepped in front of him. "I can replace you carrying her."
"Please be careful," Axelle said as she handed Rheannon. "Just bring her to my room. Maids, please prepare warm water for bathing and comfortable clothes for women."
"Very well, Your Highness."
"Your Highness… This is…" the knight who was now carrying Rheannon stared wide-eyed at who the castle lord had just brought in the middle of the night.
"Rheannon," Axelle replied. Seeing the surprise in the other's eyes, he nodded approvingly, "Whitley."
The small castle became tense and boisterous in an instant. An outcast prince has just taken away a palace prisoner into his private residence. Moreover, the condition of the prisoner who he took to escape…
"Lady Rheannon's body is too small and thin for a 19-year-old woman," reported Elias who had time to check her condition as best he could. "Her appearance is also very unkempt. The maids had to cut her hair because it was too tangled."
"It's okay," Axelle said, then took a deep breath. "Her hair still could be grow longer."
Elias nodded in agreement. "Moreover, we need a doctor to do a thorough check-up. It's not than just Lady Rheannon's weight."
"Yeah, I know that."
Rheannon's complexion was cold and pale. Her eyes were sunken and its surroundings were black. Her lips and fingers were dry, peeling off until they were cut and bleeding. Worst of all, and the one that broke Axelle's heart the most, her body was stiff and she couldn't speak.
"That's something that would happen to a person after being locked up for ten years without sunlight and no one to talk to," said Elias concernedly. "I'm sorry if I say this, but Lady Rheannon still alive now is a miracle."
"Ten years left to be like that." Axelle bit his lip. "How could His Majesty have the heart to do it?"
Elias's face turned stiff. "Your Highness call him by a good name."
Axelle smiled knowingly. "The king has been kind enough to us, Elias," he said uncertainly. He got up and took his place and said goodbye, "I'll go see Lady Rheannon first."
Since the small castle never had any guests, there were never any special rooms prepared for guests. So for now Rheannon will use Axelle's room. And Axelle himself, well, he could use any room and sleep anywhere. All that matters right now is Rheannon's comfort.
"Your Highness," said a servant, "we don't dare to let the Lady directly soak or be exposed to water. So earlier we just wiped her body."
"Yes, thank you."
Axelle walked over to Rheannon who was lying on his bed. She hard to even sit down, he thought sadly. Rheannon's hair was now shoulder-length and her face looked much cleaner and recognizable.
"Lady Rheannon?" Axelle slowly touched the girl's cold, thin hand. "Can you hear me? Just answer with a nod or a shake."
The eyes slowly opened, reflecting a faint golden light. Golden eyes, the identity of a descendant of Colton that Rheannon got from her late mother. Then, the weak nod came.
"Right now the Lady is in one of the small castles in the Palace. I… won't let you go back there again." Axelle's way of speaking was very low, but firm and determined. "Tomorrow morning, I'll call the doctor to check on you. Then somehow I'll call Duke Colton—he's always worried about you. Do you mind?"
Rheannon shook her head.
"Good," Axelle said with a smile. "Now rest comfortably and calmly first. Please have a nice dream, Lady."
Rheannon smiled with difficulty. Axelle stroked the top of her head, thanking and apologizing for many things.
***
Soft mattress, warm and thick blanket, clean room.
Rheannon inhaled and exhaled slowly. The air she hadn't inhaled in a long time.
[Finally!] A voice snorted in her head. [This is freedom! It's time, little girl!]
Rheannon closed his eyes, trying to have a sweet dream like what Axelle had said just now.