"Good afternoon."
What greeted Hadrian when he first opened his eyes was the figure of Rheannon. His wife smiled crookedly at him.
"I thought you wouldn't wake up until tomorrow morning," Rheannon continued. "Looks like Axelle has done a good job."
Axelle? Oh yes. Prince Axelle is here, Hadrian thought. "What is Prince Axelle doing?"
"Purify this estate. You must never have done that, right?"
"I… never thought of doing it," admitted Hadrian.
Rheannon snorted in amusement. "I should have known you were not a religious person," she said. "This way, the demons that influenced you should have left."
"I still feel dizzy."
"Your mind is just adjusting." Rheannon ran a hand through Hadrian's hair. "Later, when your energy has recovered, you will be able to think clearly again."
If forced, Hadrian could start thinking about things now. There are many things that must be taken care of. But he knew clearly that Ichabod and Calore would prevent him from working.
[The important thing is that you recover first.]
Hadrian let out a long breath. "Even though you can speak normally," he said.
"Sometimes words are best left unsaid," says Rheannon. "I will ask the maid to bring your dinner here."
"What? No, we have guests–"
Rheannon pressed a finger to Hadrian's lips, asking him to comply. Then without another word, Rheannon went out to get the maid.
I need to get well soon, Hadrian thought.
***
It wasn't until the following day that Melchoir and his family had time to see Axelle. That morning breakfast together.
Am I the only one who feels awkward? Hadrian thought as he looked at Rheannon and Axelle in turn. In front of him right now were his wife and the person he once loved. Seeing them get along was strange.
"Why aren't you eating? Is Father still not feeling well?" scolds Desmond.
"No," Hadrian replied. He caught Rheannon's face, who was trying to hold back her laughter.
"You don't have to force yourself to attend breakfast this time, Your Grace," said Axelle. "I still have enough time."
"But it would be better if we talk soon, right?" Hadrian moved his cutlery again. "After breakfast, let's talk."
Hadrian then took Axelle to his study. Rheannon went too, but Desmond didn't. This is adult talk. Hadrian didn't want his son to know bad things now.
"I've been waiting to say this. But a while ago, I summoned a demon who claimed to have two masters," Axelle told him.
Hadrian turned to Rheannon. "Is that possible?" he asked.
"Hmmm, what did that demon say?" Rheannon asked to make sure.
"That demon said he is still more loyal to his previous master. As for his current master, he just does what he's told," Axelle answered. "That demon's job… seems to be to watch over me."
"Oh, that must be a messenger demon," said Rheannon. "There is one thing to remember: demons are not holy beings. He can betray his master, lie for example. So, it's only natural that he would dare to appear to the target his master requested."
"If that really is a messenger demon in charge of watching over Prince Axelle, it means that his master is His Majesty the King or Priest Meical," concluded Hadrian. "But the real master..." He glanced at Rheannon hesitantly.
"Not me," Rheannon argued she was silent for a moment. "Definitely, Desmond. I once said there is one demon I cannot summon, right? Maybe the demon has made Desmond it's master."
"I don't know much about demons, but… is that even possible?" asked Axelle.
"Can be. I mean, even demon controllers still have to make a lot of guesswork about what demons really want," said Rheannon. He drummed his fingers on the arm of the couch. "This Demon Messenger irritates me too," he muttered.
It was the first time Hadrian had seen Rheannon's angry expression. "Is he a dangerous demon?"
"There are 3 great demons inhabiting Rexton; Summer Demon, Winter Demon, and Messenger Demon. The stronger the demons, the fewer of them there will be. Hence the three of them would usually be directly controlled by the head of the family. The rest, numerous minor demons such as the Nightmare Demon, will be controlled by the residents of Whitley," explained Rheannon. "You can imagine how annoying that demon would be if the head of the family directly handled it."
"But Desmond… Would he be okay if forced to carry a demon like that around?"
"Since the demon seems to be obedient to its old master, it seems to be fine. But we don't know how long the demon will stay loyal to Desmond. I mean, the demon is now in a contract with someone else. He must have done it without food, seeing as Desmond didn't offer him anything."
"I've heard... that a demon who rebels against his master can take things without his master's permission," said Axelle. He looked at Hadrian worriedly. "Even though Desmond has great divine ability, he is still a child."
"Yes. Actually, that's what I'm afraid of too," said Rheannon. "Actually, there is a way for the demon Desmond holds to transfer to me…."
Hearing the hesitation in his wife's tone, Hadrian ventured to ask, "How?"
"Hmmm," Rheannon muttered for a long time. "Prince Axelle must know, right, that demon control ceremonies and transfer are always a secret?"
"Uh, yes. As far as I know, no book has ever explained it," answered Axelle. "Some books even seem afraid to mention the ceremony."
Hadrian felt bad. Somehow, the ceremony sounded like something terrible.
"The process is not complicated, but it takes a lot of strength and courage," said Rheannon. "Just summon the demon, then each demon controller and demons drink their blood."
Hadrian frowned at that. Even in his darkest days during the coup, he never had to drink the blood of his enemies when he was thirsty. He couldn't let his son do that.
"I knew you would react that way," said Rheannon amused. "But back in Whitley, the children of the demon controllers were used to seeing his open ceremonies, so no one was disgusted."
"I didn't mean to be rude," Axelle said hastily. "It's just… I was shocked."
"Is there no other way?" he asked.
"No, precisely the method I mentioned only applies to low-level devils. Because this demon we're talking about is a high-level devil—well, his way is even more terrifying. I bet you won't let Desmond do it. But don't worry, there is a shortcut."
"I'm not sure I want to hear it…."
Rheannon laughed softly at that. "Really, even if it hurts Desmond a bit," he said. "He only needs to offer his blood once a week so that the demon entrusted by his late mother will obey a little. Later when my strength is fully recovered, I will try to take it from Desmond."
"Trying to take it?" repeated Axelle, unsure. "I've never heard anything like it before."
"Don't worry, I've never seen anyone do it myself. But I think I can, really." Rheannon turned her head, seeking Hadrian's approval. "How? This Demon Messenger must be overcome if you don't want to cause a bigger disaster."
Hadrian thought for a moment. Words can indeed be more dangerous than even the sharpest sword. A single word from the Demon Messenger could indeed bring about terrible slander. If it's not addressed, especially in a situation like now...
Desmond will be hurt a little. It's okay. He's a strong kid.
Come on, try to have a little faith in your children and wife, thought Hadrian.
"Okay. I'll talk to Desmond about it."