Slowly, Finn turned away from me and towards Astred, who was scowling at me.
"Are you going to stay there all day? Or are you going to be useful?" he questioned, making the succubi stand up instantly.
She stood up with her tail tugged between her legs, reminding me of a dog I once saw back in my world.
Thinking about it, that's probably close to what you are to Finn.
I gazed up at the demon king to see his eyes were emotionless.
If… you gazed at me that way. I wouldn't… How could she lay with you like that?
At least when he was with me, there was a hint of gentleness in them, and while under him, he treated me with the utmost care.
Perhaps that's why. You aren't like that with your conquest, are you? Well, unlike them, you need me for something, and unlike Astred, I'm breakable.
More doubts than what I had before were swelling within me.
Ah…. Why do I… Spot it, Sylvia! This isn't helping it!
"But m'lord—" she quickly stopped when he glared at her.
It was a mistake if she thought he was giving her an option to stay. She swiftly gazed away from him, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Yes, m'lord. I'll go help Levaira." She vanished.
There was a pain in her voice, but I couldn't care enough about it. She was my rival when it came to Finn.
That's if you can be called that. Unlike you, he needed me. That's the only difference. But… Am I… any better? No… I'm not. No, you just want to woo me, and I'm falling already.
Glancing over to Solas, I went to reach for his fur when Finn suddenly tugged me onto him. I was on the demon lord's lap before I knew it. It caught me by surprise since he had been a bit distant. Well, until I claimed him as mine.
"Ah, I never thought she would leave." He sighed, holding me close.
Eh?! What?!
I tried to draw away from him to gaze at the demons behind us, but I couldn't. His grip on me was too firm, which caused my eyes to glue onto my captor. The moment they landed on him, he leaned to kiss me.
My eyes widened, especially when I felt his tail coil around my waist. We weren't alone there, but it didn't appear like he cared anymore. No, he was marking his territory much as I had. However, this way was more embarrassing than my declaration and hug.
Yet I didn't have the strength to move away when I felt his tongue dance along with mine. Something I would never admit, and my pride would make me say otherwise, too. Instinctively, I pushed his face away, feeling like my cheeks would melt if I didn't.
"What are you doing?!" I squealed.
A soft chuckle came from him before he licked my palm, sending shivers down my spine.
"I can't show you affection while Astred's around, or else she becomes a bit more annoying than a fly, but she's gone now," Finn answered.
Huh? Isn't she like Gael? Or does she feed on this?
"What?" I mumbled, tugging my hand away from his lips.
"Not that I would allow anyone else to feed off you, Sparky. No, you're mine alone." He smirked, glaring at Vorex.
Oh… you really are making your territory.
From how he gazed at the other males in the room, I could tell the earlier events had made him uncomfortable. The vampire's sudden declaration of love for me was a tipping point for this demon king, especially when he knew how much I wanted to be loved.
Oh… Silly little king, I'm not a fool. Vorex's words were empty and meant nothing. There isn't any need to feel protective over me, but I can't help but feel fulfilled when you seem like you care.
Finn's need for me was more geared toward love than the desire the others possessed. After all, they didn't know a thing about me, while this demon knew everything. The vampire behind me was probably trembling where he was.
Even though the demon who held me was terrifying, to me, he was anything but that. Smothering myself in his chest, I hummed, finding comfort in this monster's hands. Not for a moment was I delusional to think he was anything but that.
Even so, he was the one who took me and gave me a home when no one else did.
Yes… for you, I'd do anything.
"I see, I'm all yours. You already know that." I mumbled, feeling flutters in my belly.
As long as I'm helpful, you won't throw me away, right? I… have to stay that way. But how?
I was useless in the eyes of the generals, which made my footing crack.
At any moment, fissures can form on the floor I stand on, making me tumble into the unknown.
That goddess warned me that some were looking to get rid of Finn. With this simple interaction, I couldn't tell which one wanted it the most, but it wasn't like the demon king didn't know they were after his crown.
By how he treated them, it was evident that he saw them all as necessary pawns—probably how he had seen everyone except those he knew before Fathal fell.
So, why would you think any differently of me?
There was no reason for it. I stayed close to him while the other three gave their reports. According to Sebastian, the barrier could collapse at any given moment. The barrier was formed by sacrificing the life of a saint to create a crystal in the catacombs of Traeden's castle.
This was done before Finn ever got his humanity back, and the miasma was gaining territory. Luckily for my sister, it was a one-time ritual, which would cost them too many resources to do again. Much to her duty, she strengthened the barrier, but it did nothing to repair the cracks it had suffered.
Evelyn had holy power, but not the repairing or healing type, yet she could kill everyone on this side of the barrier if she ever mastered her magic. Though, if it would be before the cracks finally gave away, there was no way to know.
It seems my sister is also struggling to grasp this world's rules.
"If you're set to save us and the humans, you'll have to break the curse before that happens. You know that, right?" Sebastian took a jab at me.
It was like a knife had sliced into me. Much like the goddess had informed me, the barrier was decaying, and Finn's intervention to get us out appeared to destabilize it even more. I didn't want to hear this as it placed more pressure on me.
Me… the girl who doesn't know how to cast a spell right. Damn it! The only things I know I do too well are sigils and that little lighting spell that a toddler can do!
However, this time, it appeared both sides had incompetent saints. Though, unlike me, my sister could put up a fight. I probably couldn't harm a fucking fly on the wall, and it irritated me.
"I have little doubt Sparky here will save us all. Won't you?" Finn put me in the spotlight, which made me want to strangle him.
However, it was apparent that he did it on purpose by how his lips curled into a smirk.
"I…" I trailed off, shaking my head.
Of course, I know! But… but can I?! I can't even control my magic!
My sister wasn't doing any better either, which made me wonder why Finn hadn't said anything to me. All of it made me flip. I didn't want to be responsible, even if I wanted to help them.
"Why do I have to save you all from the hole you dug yourself in?!" I snapped, feeling too much pressure.
I had said I would help them, but like this, it felt like the world was on my shoulders, and it was. Sebastian wasn't wrong. I was the only one who wanted to lift the miasma instead of destroying it.
Even lifting it could affect them in ways we didn't know, yet having all the humans turn into beasts wasn't the best option either. Vorex and Vabaru were two generals who didn't want that to happen. Of course, it wasn't because of how much they loved humanity.
In their case, it's self-preservation. Without us, they can't live if the miasma wins out at the end. Arg! I just don't know!
Going to feast in the human lands wasn't feasible for any demon in Fathal. Every time they went into Traedan, their power would drain, thanks to the saint's buffs to the barrier. Of course, that didn't stop them from wanting to go.
It only weakened Finn to that extent because he hadn't fed. He was going the day after our date when Gael returned from the human lands. The barrier was normal until that day, too. He said it felt off the moment he went through it.
Then he had to use his magic to keep a disguise up, which made me wonder if, when he was holding me, he was feeling the struggle to feed on me.
"Oh, sweety. I didn't mean it like that." Finn chuckled, petting my head like I was a pet.
That was probably what I am to you, yet why is your touch so gentle?
It soothed me and my worries while minor grumbles left me.
I just can't win, can I?
"Well, it's a good thing the humans have an incompetent Saint, too." Sebastian sighed, triggering my eyes to twitch.
Sadly, I couldn't argue with him.
You're right. I'm inept at this task.
"Sorry for not being born in this world," I growled, prompting Finn to tug me into his chest.
"Don't fight with him, dear. He feeds off it, and not in the literal sense." The demon king huffed as his body shimmered that red aura I had gotten accustomed to.
Though the fog was thin compared to the other times, it had erupted out of him.
"Now, if berating one of my precious jewels is all you'll do. How about you three become useful and study the barrier? It'll be nice to know when it'll fall instead of being caught by surprise." Finn scowled, holding me close.
"That's impossible to know, m'lord." Vabaru sighed, shaking his head.
"Then turn your studies to the human reactions. We need to know every one of their moves. I don't want to be retaken by surprise. Fool me once; shame on you. Fool me twice; shame on me. The third time, I'll kill every single one of them." The demon king sighed, rolling his eyes.
Stupid fool, you can't, but how can I stop you from killing yourself?
Solas rested beside us, placing his head on the arm of the chair. He knew I was safe in Finn's lap, but he always wanted me in his sight. Reaching to him, I pet his fluffy head, prompting his tail to wag rapidly.
"Yes, m'lord." The chimera soon disappeared after those words.
His eyes landed instantly on Vorex, who appeared like a fish out of water.
"Vorex, make yourself useful, too. I'm sure your army needs tending." Sebastian commented on the side, triggering the vampire to smirk.
"Nah, I'm going to bug our girls." The vampire soon disappeared before Finn could say anything to him.
A soft sigh erupted from him, shaking his head. "And you?"
"I'll go tend to my farms. Excuse me, m'lord. I'll let you know if anything comes up. Unlike the others, I always get results." Sebastian announced, glancing over to me.
"It was nice to meet you, m'lady." He bowed.
"Yes, then do that." Finn huffed.
It was obvious he was done with them. A second later, the orc was gone too. A heavy sigh left the demon king when Brielle chuckled on the side.
"I didn't even have to draw my sword. That went better than I thought." She cackled.
"Huh?" I mumbled, unable to switch gears fast enough.
"Well, they behaved better than usual. I guess my future wife has her ways with our kin." He smiled, leaning into me.
"I have no such gifts." I huffed, getting off his lap before he could kiss me.
"I agree. I don't know what they see in you. You're nothing but a human meat bag." Brielle took a jab at me.
It caused my eyes to twitch.
Oi! You don't need to be insufferable, too!
"Excuse me? I don't think I asked for your opinion." I crossed my arms, staring at her.
All the earlier emotions were still surging within me, too. At that moment, I saw her flick her sword attached to her belt. I saw the steel within it momentarily, and it attracted me. With a couple of steps, I was before the wolf, staring at the sheathed weapon.
"Wait, what's that blade made from, and where can I get one?" my eyes glistened, remembering my dream of having a sword.
Of course, back in my world, I only wanted it for decorative purposes. Even though I used to practice Kendo, it didn't mean I wanted to use a steel one on someone. It probably was why I was studying to be a medical student back when I was in college.
"It's my fang, and you can't. Blades like these are only for knights." The she-wolf drew the blade away from me.
"What? Is my luck so crappy to find another demon with morals?" I frowned.
"You want a sword, sweets?" Finn suddenly asked, making me squeak before my gaze landed on him.
"Oh… Oh! Yes, of course I do. I used to practice Kendo in my world. Uh, wait, you don't know what that is." I couldn't take my eyes off Brie's sheathed blade.
"Hm… Is that when you practiced that weird sport?"
"Ah, right, you saw all my memories. So you probably know everything." I sighed, shaking my head.
"Silly girl, just because I saw doesn't mean I understand it. Why don't you tell me more?" he continued.
"Well, it's Japanese-style martial arts. Oh wait, you know nothing about that." I bit my lip as the demon lord tilted his head.
It was hard to assimilate into this world, especially when I forgot they knew nothing of mine.
"Is that like a different culture?" Finn wrapped his tail around my waist again.
"Mhm, it is. I lived in a place where they all melted together. I used to be pretty good with the Shinai, the bamboo sword we use for it." I simpered, remembering those moments fondly.
They were the only times when I was free from anything else. It was the only time my bruises meant something more than surviving.
"Why did you stop?" Brielle suddenly questioned, prompting me to shift my sight onto her.
It should've been an easy question, yet all it did for me was resurface the moments when my dad sent me into debt. Even though I was so close to a scholarship for college because of my practice, I had to drop everything and put more hours into the restaurant.
After all, my academic grades were already covering my tuition, so I couldn't afford to lose them even if I was close to going competitive.
"Well, that doesn't matter," I mumbled, clenching my hands into fists.
"So snotty, I bet you quit because it got too hard." the she-wolf huffed, crossing her arms.
"Oi…" Finn growled, triggering me to shake my head.
"Anyway, can I see your sword?" I rolled my eyes, trying to change the subject.
If I wanted to befriend her, I had to be less hostile, yet the thought of my stepfather soured everything. I hadn't thought of him in weeks. For a moment, it looked like she wouldn't give it to me.
However, when she looked at Finn, her expression changed.
"Uh… sure," she struggled to come to terms with that choice but quickly drew her blade.
It was different from the Katana that the Shanai was modeled after. If anything, it was a long sword, yet it was the most beautiful blade I had ever seen.
Not that I've seen many in person.
There was a sword fanatic who had many in the Kendo team. I had only seen pictures, but the real thing was something else.
"It's lighter than the ones I'm used to. So, I thought metal would be heavier." I gripped it tightly before raising it to the ceiling.
"How was it?" Brielle asked, watching me.
I wondered if she thought I would injure myself with it.
"Slender and thinner than this one. In my world, it's called a shinai, but it's only a representation of the real thing, a Katana, yet it's heavier than this one, which surprises me. I thought it'd make me drop it." I giggled, bringing the blade down.
"Well, it's enchanted to be like that." She answered. "We use animal parts to make them easier to wield."
Of course, it is. Is there anything in this world that doesn't exist to make it easier?
"It isn't like that in my world." I reminded, shrugging.
Holding it in my hands made me want to swing it, but that would've been irresponsible.
"So, you know your way around a blade?" Brielle huffed, impressed by the way I was holding it.
"Yeah, but nothing like you, I bet." I shrugged, relaxing my stance.
There was no point in trying to swing when it could harm someone, yet I...
"You never stop surprising me, Sparky." Finn chuckled, still curling his tail on me.
"Hey, is there any more open where I can swing?" I asked, unable to hold the desire.
"No, you might kill someone with it. Who knows how your magic might react to it." She growled.
Another heavy sigh left me.
I never realized how much I miss practicing these things, but it isn't mine to play with.
"Shame," I mumbled, going to hand it back to her.
However, before I did, a light shone on the blade, repelling her and Finn away from me. The only one who wasn't repelled was Solas, who stood by me as energy waves erupted from the weapon in my hands, and I didn't know how to stop it.