"I don't understand. Desmond is a demon controller? How could that be?" There was a demand in Hadrian's question.
Rheannon excused herself to sit in the common room closest to Desmond's room. He allowed himself to take a deep breath before starting his explanation.
"At first, I wasn't even sure. The first to notice was Duke Colton. Then I asked Axelle for help… do cases like this exist. It turns out that the Popes have such power," explained Rheannon.
Hadrian looked confused. He was pacing back and forth in the room in a huff. Rheannon even had to pull his hand so he would sit and calm down.
"Listen, Hadrian. I also still want to make sure first. This is a rare occurrence and… far too dangerous in the kingdom's current state," said Rheannon.
"No, no. Please tell me how you can be sure if Desmond is a demon controller," Hadrian said.
So Rheannon began to tell him about Duke Colton's suspicions.
Since Rheannon's escapes, it has only been the Palace that has continued to move and act. Beulah Temple was quiet and calm, as if Rheannon's appearance was no big deal. From there, Duke Colton began his investigation.
Duke Colton also discovers that High Priest Meical has recently been working with Tavish.
"Actually, we can't be sure if Desmond has both abilities. " If even High Priest Meical targets Desmond, that means he really has great holy abilities," said Rheannon. "Chas also said… that Desmond was afraid to approach you because there was a dark aura surrounding you. I guess it's because of his divine ability. But Tavish is after something from Desmond, right? It seems like…"
"His mother was a demon handler," Hadrian continued. He let out a long breath.
"Yeah, you said you never saw Desmond's mother, right?" said Rheannon. "Besides, during the time I was locked up, there was one demon that didn't come, no matter how much I contacted it. It seems that the demon is under Desmond's mother's control. Then a few months ago, the demon came to me. He said he was sent by someone."
"Then the demon is now in your control? Can't we—you know—ask him what happened?"
"Can't. I released him."
"What?"
"He had a promise to his master to look after his child. So I don't have any rights over that demon." Rheannon looked at Hadrian slowly. "Maybe... the demon actually passed down to Desmond."
"You mean… Desmond is controlling the demon?"
Rheannon nodded. "You could say that. Demons only obey one master, one demon controller. This demon could be out there now–contracting contracts, for example. But no matter what happens, he will not break his promise with his master," he explained. "I can't figure out what kind of promise the demon made, but I'm sure this demon hasn't appeared to Desmond yet."
"That means we can only ask Desmond directly."
"Or on Tavish."
Hadrian leaned back against the sofa. His head seemed to look up, staring at the ceiling of a dark room without a lit chandelier.
Rheannon remained seated beside him. This time she had no interest in reading her husband's thoughts. She felt… afraid to read Hadrian's mind.
***
Hadrian said his goodbyes to go to the detention room in his residence. He said nothing to Rheannon; he didn't tell her to rest immediately or simply offer whether she wanted to come or not. Hadrian just said goodbye as if he didn't want to see Rheannon again.
Rheannon let it go and stayed where it was.
"The survivors are still being treated," said Chas, who suddenly entered. He was standing right behind Rheannon. "None of them are up for questioning."
"Hadrian would do anything to keep them ready for questioning," said Rheannon.
"Considering his status and work so far, it seems this is true," said Chas. Rheannon could feel Chas' hand on her hair. "But you sound sure. Has he ever done the same to you?"
"I've seen him interrogate the Pyrs who attacked us," Rheannon told him.
Chas muttered incoherently. It sounded like he was busy with something in Rheannon's hair. "I will never forgive him if he interrogates you like that," he said later.
Soon Rheannon could feel her hair flowing freely. It turned out that Chas had been trying to get rid of his ornaments and hair bun. Her head felt lighter now.
Chas handed over the hairpin Rheannon had gotten from Hadrian for his birthday.
"I didn't get much time while I was here. Even meeting you is difficult," Chas muttered as he hugged Rheannon from behind.
Rheannon rubbed Chas' head. "What else can we do? Many eyes are watching. Tavish and his men could do something if they get too close," he said.
"And now this problem appears."
"Who would have thought that Desmond was actually a demon controller?"
"I miss you."
Rheannon's hand stopped stroking Chas' head.
They both have an eye lock. And in the twinkling of an eye, they had pulled each other and kissed.
The room was dark, and the atmosphere was quiet, making even the slightest sound echo clearly. The sound of the cloth rubbing against each other, the squeak of the couch they were sitting on, and their breathing…
But they didn't hear it at all.
"Chas…"
"Have you done it with him?"
"No… not yet…"
No fear, no guilt. For once, they decided to put other things aside.
It doesn't matter if in one room there is a small child who is crying.
It didn't matter if a man in that room was taking pains not to hit anyone in tonight's incident.
Just this once, Rheannon wanted to let it all out.