The grim figure of Deveraux appeared marching swiftly in a forbidden direction of the Castle's building.
There, the were no maids or servants busying around like they do on the norms.
Yet the passage maintained it's clean and neat surrounding.
He took a left turn towards the bend before navigating to another route.
From his actions, it could be said that he was heading for some secret hideout, but he acted nonchalant and didn't bother to turn to see if no one had followed him.
He knew they wouldn't dare.
This part of the Castle appeared a lot darker than the main side.
Even the temperature and aura was totally different, it was heavily suffocating.
Deveraux landed a rhythmic knock on the giant double door before it glided open after some silent seconds.
With his expression still stiff, Deveraux made his way inside and the door closed shut behind him with a loud rumble.
"It appears we have a visitor," the expected voice of the resident welcomed him with a scowl gracing the thin lips behind the shadows.
Deveraux took two steps forward, "From how bitter you sound, I think you miss me," he said, the corner of his lip tilting upwards in a smile, "brother,"
A helpless sigh of apathy resonated in the echoing dark chamber they were currently in. "I have told you times without number not to call me that, I'm not your brother." Aziel said with much conviction. The smile in his voice was totally gone, replaced by a hardened expression.
Hearing this, Deveraux, however strode closer to the towering figure cladded in black clothing, and a hood above his ragged hair, his outfit not letting out any skin to sight, except for his exotic looking face.
Deveraux smiled subtly, "Your appearance right now, is not befitting of a King, brother, or should I say…Your Majesty?"
Perceiving the destestment in the low growl Aziel had thrown at him for his lack of obedience, he immediately changed his words of address.
"I can see you're trying very hard to get your tongue rolling out of your mouth. Don't be that desperate," Aziel flung a sarcastic advice at him.
"Why are you here?" he suddenly asked, replacing his tone with an indifferent one.
"I just returned back to the Castle, I heard the Queen had come out from seclusion," he responded.
"You've never cared about that, what changed?" Aziel asked as he turned away from the window, casting light on his dark shadow, he faced Deveraux with a frown on his face that told the latter he was really curious.
"You went ahead with the Witch's idea," Deveraux stated, the playfulness in his tone disappeared as well.
"You didn't seem interested in this matter, why now?" Aziel retorted, staring questioningly at him. His head tilted to the sides as usual.
Deveraux was quiet for a while, before a smirk slowly tore apart his lips as a chuckle followed after, "How can I not, hmm?" he asked.
"This is something serious, and it concerns you,"
Aziel spotted the subtle flash of softness in his eyes before it completely disappeared without a trace of it.
He immediately turned his back to him, facing the window he was looking out at before—the only source of light in the completely dark room. "You don't have to bother about it, I can handle it," he said dismissively.
Hearing this, Deveraux knew pushing it further would be in vain and would yield nothing, he knew his cousin well and he was just like a rock that wouldn't budge.
"Fine…The attack in the woods, does she know?"
"I never denied it," He spat.
Causing an amused smile from Deveraux.
"What if the Queen finds out?"
"The Queen…you mean?"
"Your mother. I know she's just a queen in name, you don't regard her as one," knowing him well, Deveraux said.
"You're quite intrusive, do you know that?" Aziel said, in a low voice that held no emotions.
"I grew up with you, of course I can read you like a book," He spat pridefully.
"If that's what you think…" he paused as he flexed his gloved hands, his red eyes glimmering darker, with a scowl on his face. "then, it's a lie," he said.
Deveraux silently stared at him, pondering on what he had just said, unable to comprehend, he flickered his brow, flickering the thought away too.
"Back to the question, Your Majesty," he restarted. "and if your mother finds out?" he quizzed. "She's the only one who knows that you're capable of controlling the wild beasts in the woods,"
By the mention of his mother, Aziel's gaze shot up with a devious glint. "She has no right to question me,"
Deveraux sighed in resignation, not bothering to make a comment on his statement. It's been years, and no one has been able to sort the conflict going on between the mother and son.
The reason behind it was…very critical, but yet…
"So what are your plans now?" Deveraux inquired, because he was fully aware that the devious King always has a plan.
"I heard there's problem in Dhroghen, why is it so?"
Deveraux frowned, "Since when has other kingdom's crises become your interest?" he just couldn't understand the man sometimes.
"You said you could read me like a book. What now? Aren't you supposed to know that?" Aziel retorted with a mocking smirk on his lips.
Deveraux heaved an exasperated sigh.
'This man…' he thought as he shook his head sideways.
"I don't know whatever that's going on in that wicked brain of yours," he said. "yet," he hurried to add, earning a knowing apathetic glance from Aziel. "but I know, it's not something good," he concluded with a tight expression.
"Why? Are you worried…I'll set the whole town ablaze for no reason?" he uttered with mischief glimmering in his red orbs.
A serious look immediately replaced Deveraux's contemplative expression. "If you do that one more time, mother will not have it well with you." he warned with gritted teeth. "You don't want that, do you?" he questioned with a raised brow and a smile threatening to spread on his lips.
He knew the evil King's weak point and he had just used that on him. He watched in anticipation of the King's reaction, because he knew well, that the King don't like to be threatened.