"Are you satisfied enough, sir?"
Hearing her voice, Azel let go of the hug and took a few steps back. Meanwhile, Elena was observing the young man who had become her Master. Messy black hair and a face that was slightly pale from exhaustion couldn't hide his handsomeness. Those two irises of different colors always made Elena feel helpless.
'Emmm... my heart... why is my heart beating so fast?'
"Sorry Elena, I'm just feeling too happy. The insecticide... the insecticide I made was successful," Azel said while looking away, feeling a bit awkward.
'Insecticide? The insect poison was resolved so quickly?'
Elena was shocked in her heart. But on the outside she still looks very calm and indifferent. Although shocked, the woman had long since forgotten how to express it. she once again observed Azel.
'Choosing Prince Azazel as my master doesn't seem wrong at all. Being able to create such a formula quickly. What a genius!'
Thinking about how the potion would affect farming, Elena felt excited. The poor people will definitely not starve anymore!
In addition, Azel, who has lowered taxes, has become a figure admired by the people who live in his territory. Only, that was still partly because the eight territories that the former noble managed were still unknown to the young man.
Speaking of territory, Elena remembered something.
"Isn't it ten days later that 'those guys' will be visiting for dinner?" she asked.
Azel who felt a bit awkward was surprised when Elena brought up another topic. The young man tilted his head as he replied, "Indeed. The acquisition of territory should be completed soon. After all, it's been three weeks since I've been in charge of this territory."
'It's been three weeks? Don't you mean just three weeks, Sir?'
That question crossed Elena's mind but she just nodded in response to Azel.
The young man continued, "In the first month, I have to solve the acquisition problem. In the next month, I will try to stabilize the territory. Only then start overhauling the system. There is still a lot to do."
Hearing Azel's plan, Elena's eyes flashed a mysterious glint. The woman was surprised by the schedule made by her Master. Normally, it would take a lot of time just to spread the name of a territory owner. But the Master is different, the young man plans to do many things in one season.
'master is truly amazing!'
If Azel knew what was going through Elena's head, the young man would be embarrassed. He himself has the right schedule for the first three months he gets the area, which is to stabilize and then run it slowly. The reason is simple...
'dammit! I hope everything can be finished before summer. Ah! Summer in the demon continent really makes me lazy to go out of the house. Like it or not I have to finish it!'
'cold wine in a cup! Fresh fruits... laying back relaxed. Summer, here I come!'
Azel thought as he closed his eyes, looking like a person in deep thought.
***
Ten days later.
In the morning, Azel seemed a little rushed. He checked every part of Black Lily Castle which was now thoroughly cleaned and decorated as well.
Apart from a thorough cleaning, Ciel also made sure the banquet hall was neatly arranged. Even if it's just having dinner with six people, it also concerns the future of his territory. He didn't really care about the former nobles. Only, he didn't dare to go around and lose face.
At first Azel wanted to welcome them with a casual party and then talk directly. However, noble etiquette did not allow that. His mother always taught him the importance of noble etiquette. He didn't care about the former nobles. But if he is arbitrary and the news reaches his mother's ears.
Gulp!
Azel swallowed his saliva before muttering, "Oh God... don't let that big boss go berserk. I can't bear it."
'Wait? Why do I pray in such a way? Is my prayer heard? Do I look weird? A demon praying seems to be… um, quite unique and rare.'
While Azel was lost in thought, Camellia approached him.
"Everything is ready, sir."
Looking at Camellia who bowed politely, Azel smiled gently. "Good job. you can rest now."
"Um... Master?" Camellia looked at Azel with a doubtful expression.
"What's wrong, Camellia?"
"Is… is it okay for me to stand beside you at such an important moment?"
Camellia felt uncomfortable. In Azel's arrangement, the girl would continue to follow him as an assistant and greet the former nobles. Even if they were only former nobles, those people's disgust with mixed race would be obvious.
"No need to worry. I will be by your side if they try to humiliate you."
"That's not it, sir!" cried Camellia with a pained expression. "I just don't want your name to be tarnished for choosing a half-blood assistant like me."
Azel smiled while stroking Camellia's head. "What is defamation? Aren't I already known as the worthless Prince?"
"Master..."
"Get some rest first. You must be tired after doing so much."
"As per your order, sir."
Seeing Camellia moving away, a gentle smile still appeared on Azel's face. Only, his eyes flashed a strange glint, looking cold and mysterious.
Around eight in the evening, Azel was sitting by the window of his study. He saw clearly that the sixth carriage had arrived. That meant one thing, the invited guests had arrived.
Standing up from his seat, Azel slightly smoothed his collar. Now he was wearing a black noble dress with gold lines and ornaments. It looks elegant and so noble. It's just that the young man felt a bit uncomfortable in that kind of attire.
"I better get down soon," Azel muttered.
In etiquette, a higher level demon lord is not allowed to wait in person for guests. He simply had the butler wait for the arrival of the guests. Like he's doing now.
'Becoming a member of the Imperial family is really complicated. Yes... I also don't hate it because it has many advantages in itself.'
Coming down through the stairs, Azel saw six middle-aged men who had been waiting for him. With a polite smile on his face, the young man began to greet them.
"Excuse my delay, gentlemen. Thank you for coming to my little event."
"Prince Azazel is too polite. We didn't wait long at all," said the tall middle-aged man. He has blue irises, blond hair slicked back, and a thin mustache. There are two fairly long gray pointed horns, similar to those of an antelope. Looks polite and quite cunning at the same time.
"Hehehe...then I'll thank you, Mr. Lawrence." Azel who had just come down the stairs looked at the middle-aged man.
"It is an honor for me, Prince Azazel."
Hector Lawrence, the head of the Lawrence Family and former Count under the previous Marquis. Although a little cunning, the man is known to be neutral and calculating. he looks like a decent tactician too.
Azel then turned his gaze to another person. Armand Foster, a well-built man with brown skin and black hair. He looks strong but ordinary. Renowned for his loyalty to the Empire, he is the head of the Foster Family and a former Viscount.
Besides that, there was a middle aged man who was rather short and slightly stocky. His face was so polite, he clearly looked like a flatterer. His name is Rocco Carter, head of the Carter Family and former Viscount. Even though he looked a bit dubious, he was also quite a famous merchant.
There's also Matteo Oxley and Willy Palmer, both of whom seem relatively modest with their ordinary looks and brown hair. The difference is, Matteo is slightly darker than Willy. The two of them were also former Viscounts, but did not have good military strength. It's just that the two areas they manage are places with very large agricultural land.
Finally, David Nixon. A burly middle-aged man with thick black hair and beard. He was the most powerful among the six people there. It's just that that person is notorious. That man ruled over the westernmost place of the territory that Azel owned. It was quite a chaotic place, but had more knight troops. Like Lawrence, he is also a former Count.
Looking at the six people, Azel's eyes flashed a cold glint. The young man grinned.
"Then... let's start the banquet."
****