(Writer's narration)
The air at Kemerid is stiff. Not in the town. At the town's forest. The soldiers of Vilwin nobility are moving cautiously at the forest. A tent is set on the middle of the forest. The solider are busy with the recent work at hand.
'The Royal king of the Land of Lareloc, his majesty has arrived!' A knight shouted.
Riding on a simple wooden carriage, Dlak arrived at the place. All the soldiers and knights assembled in a line of two side. Facing each other.
Pan gets off from the carriage first. His usual professional smile is still there. He steps aside from the carriage door. Bows his head. Like him everyone bows too. Dlak steps out from the carriage. The soldiers and knights shouted. 'MAY THE GLORY OF THE DEMON'S BLOOD GLOWS UPON YOUR MAJESTY'.
The words are loud and clear. The man in front of them is just wearing a simple clock. His face is cover with hood. His mask still in his face. He wasn't wearing a crown. He wasn't wearing his dark-golden embroidery clock as his royalty. he was there with simple clothes and carriage. But even like this, for them he is their king. No matter what type of appearance he has. He is their king.
Dlak nodded. Approving their greeting. Pan has the appearance just like him.
In front of the soldiers, stands the head of the Vilwin family's head, the leader of the court of . Raftel Vilwin.
Beside his side is his aide. Azul Fuo. 'May the glory of the demon's blood glows upon your majesty. Thank you for coming at this town'. He spoke with a calm respecting voice.
He nodded. 'Allow me to show you the spot, your majesty'. Raftel said. They walk through the soldier's line.
after Dlak passed the soldier's line, they went to their work again. The four of them stop to a massive rain tree. It was the biggest and oldest tree in this forest. The greenery of it is hollowed. well, the tree in this land is not much alike like human world.
'The tree is not okay like you said in the letter'. Dlak said with a serious tone. 'Yes, as I informed about this unusuality I make no waste of time to write your majesty to a letter'.
'Thank you for informing me, now we shall process'.
Raftel modded. His assistant hand him over some documents. He then gives it to Dlak.
Dlak look at the paper with thoughtlet. 'I see it is pretty serious'. He spoke with stern voice. Pan kneels down and touches the mud of the tree. 'The soil is not in a stable condition either. At the rate it might affect the whole forest'. Pan spoke with serious face.
'Yes, and it seems not like a normal magic imbalance. Even the source is detected'. Raftel explain. Dlak move forward the tree. He looks at the massive old tree that hold thousands of memories in this land. He touched the tree with his one gloved hand.
A sensation runs to his veins and blood. A weird sensation. He pulls out his hand. 'Your Majesty...your hand...'. Pan looks at his hand with a shocking face. Raftel and Azul looks equally shocked.
Something is dripping from his hand. Liquid? Blood? No, far worse.
His hand's flesh is melting. Dlak didn't flinch or shocked. His mask is burying his face. No burying something not only human but also demons can't detect.
The three of them rush towards him. They are concerned. 'This tree...seems like a king's touch'. Dlak whispers. Raftel knows what's the meaning behind it is. He silently looks at him. His brows are frowned. Azul and Pan look at them silent. They are expressionless. They know what is happening.
They went to the tent after that. Pan gives him extra black gloves. He wears them. His flesh is stopped from melting. It is recovered. No scars, no signs, just back to normal.
He and Raftel sit on a wooden chair facing each other. A servant serves them a cup of drink. A cup of blood. Dlak pull his mask a little bit above. not enough space to see his face. Then he took a sip of blood. Raftel also took a sip. 'Your Majesty, is your hand is alright?' He asked.
'It was nothing Vilwin. I was prepared after all'. Dlak spoke with quiet deep voice. Raftel didn't response. He looks at cup. thinking in deep.
Azul and Pan stay silent by their side. They don't say anything. They observed. They are predators just like their master.
'Don't let it be public for now. It will make a hassle if the demon kind happen to know it'. Dlak spoke with a serious voice. Raftel nodded.
'I had doubt it. So, I put my hand on the tree to check it. It is true...'. Dlak spoke.
'I see but we couldn't find the source of this disturbance. though it has a slight sign of ''the great plague of the demon kind''.
'Yes, it does have a similarity of the sign, but it is not the plague come backing sign. We already destroyed the root of it entirely'. Dlak spoke while sipping the blood.
'Yes, even it appears as the magic imbalance, we shall be cautious. I will take necessary steps to keep that tree away from affecting the forest further'. Raftel spoke with a calm voice.
'It seems like a good choice. The royal institution will examine it in due time'. Dlak finished his cup of blood. So is Raftel.
the drop of blood in the cup is not only the proof of their race but there is more to be seen.
Heyeri
'Now, we shall start introduction'. The captain announced. One by one student stands up and spoke a short speech of their self.
'Hello everyone, my name is. I am a huge lover of sports. Though I am not the best but do enjoy playing outdoor games. This competition is a bliss for me because I don't have to study for now!' He spoke while his eyes are sparkling. He seems like a cheerful teenager who just wants to play sports.
I smile. 'Such a joyful boy, I guess it is not bad for him after all'. Rei spoke quietly in my ears. 'Yeah, good for him'. I reply.
After him is a boy with long bangs on his face. He wears glass that hide his eyes. He seems...anxious.
'H-hi everyone. I am.... I-I love to draw and... have a hard time to connect with everyone. I hope...to have a good time with you...all'.
Oh, He seems to be very nervous.
After the introduction we went to the school's grand hall. As soon we enter we see the second year and our class teacher as well. She waves at us cheerfully
There are two more person as well. 'Great! You all came. Now, we shall process with introduction!' She said with a cheerful voice.
The second year however is expressionless. Even looking at their face, I don't know what they are thinking. Two students of the second year came forward.
'It's a pleasure to meet with you all, the first year. I am Felix Kolen. The captain of the second high and she is...'
'Malenda Heydra. The vice-captain. I hope to get along with you all'. The girl with the glass said with a stoic expression.
The captain seems to be friendly, but the vice-captain is opposite.
Our captain and vice-captain also came forward. They introduce themselves as well.
'I hope we can enjoy our time together'. Hadric said. Even his words are kind, but his eyes are like ice. Elise seems to be in guard as well.
I hope everything goes smoothly. though I doubt it.
Writer's Narration
The wooden carriage moves slowly on the local market street of Kemerid.
Demon folks are busy with their own life. A peaceful atmosphere. But in the middle of this peace, to their unknown, their royal king is in the wooden carriage they never imagined.
Dlak is sitting on the seat by the carriage window. He looks at outside the window. He isn't seeing the people. He is thinking.
At his opposite seat, Pan is there. He is looking at Dlak with a stiff expression.
'Your Majesty, do you really think it has something to do with the legend as well?' He asked.
'We don't know for sure Pan. Let's see how the things go'.
'But your majesty, if it really is true that any being exists to diminish the Royal family-'
'We are not sure Pan, if there really is something like that, then it will be interesting'.
Pan looks at me with shock but he quickly reigned his compose. 'I apologize for my rudeness your majesty. I shall be careful with my words'. He said with his head down.
'I understand, Pan. I don't blame you for your worriedness. After all, the main pillar needs to be high and alive'
Dlak spoke as he still looks at outside the window. Pan looks at him. His eyebrows are slightly winch.
The De Rewelot Royal Family is the only family who possessed the many unique magic and ability that no one have. Their ancestor who first started the revolution against the vampires. Emperor Alaric De Rewelot.
He is the first one who take sword in his hands against them. Nobody wasn't brave enough to speak out. From him, the demon kind finally freed. After that this family was assigned as the leader. All the people, commoner, novels everyone respect them. From genuine heart.
From generation, they were invincible. They are the only clan that can rule over the demons. Because they hold extraordinary ability that no one know clearly.
But a legend started at an unmarked time. They said a thing...a creature.... not specific but something mysterious that is thirsty for De Rewelot's flesh and blood. It is said their hunger is so deep that they would become stronger to devour the clan. Especially the king.
In demonkin, legends are born from roots. They are not just stories.
Dlak still look at the town. 'Stop the carriage '. He commands suddenly. The horses stopped just the moment he utters those words. He let his command to hear the driver. The driver didn't waste a second.
Pan was confused. Dlak opened the door and steps out from his seat. He looks unblinking at something. Pan also stepped out from the carriage. He looks at the direction Dlak is looking. A chocolate shop.
The shop is massive with a huge billboard. "Marcony's delicious chocolate store!".
'Your Majesty....'.
'Pan, I shall buy some chocolates for her majesty '.
'Chocolates?'
'Yes, I heard that most humans have a great founding in chocolates. The queen seems to not dislikes sweets when we have breakfast so... having something from human world can make her a little bit happy? I am not sure, but it is worth to give a try. Don't you think too?'
Pan was a bit taken back but he quickly smiles and spoke 'Yes, I think so'. He was taken back because he realized, all the time Dlak invited Heyeri to meal so that he could learn about her food habit.
'My lord, if you really wanted to know of her majesty's food-type, you could had asked her'. He spoke.
'Yes, I know it would have been easier, but I think it will be more convenient to observe the queen rather to ask her. The previous master, King Arnold did the same wise thing. Observing his concubines and selected a talented woman as his queen. I will not be taking any concubines, but I will observe my wife so that she can become a great queen'.
Pan understands why he is very dedicated to becoming a good husband. Because it is one of the duties of a king. In De Rewelot family, the kings are trained to become a great ruler when they were chosen the crown prince. The present king does the tutoring to his son the crown prince. The crown prince is required to study politics, business, science, arts, magic and so one. The management of domestic is also vet important. As kings have many concubines and children, dividing them in classes. But it has changed as in king Arnold who given his concubines the rightful places based on their intellect. Though he faces disagreement by the courts. No one know why he did it?
Pan thought to himself that Dlak take very much from his father. He heard he is a total copy in appearance of the king Arnold. Through Pan never saw his face.
They entered into the shop. Pan looks around the surroundings and conformed it is safe.
'Welcome to my shop! My lords'. A cheerful voice came from the middle of the shop. A man of healthy body with chef uniform standing at the center of the shop. 'How can I help you, gentlemen?'
Dlak step forward and stand in front of the shopkeeper. 'Do you have human's chocolates?'
'Eh? Umm...'. The shopkeeper puzzled by the overwhelming aura of Dlak. He looks scary to him. Pan understands the situation and step forward. ''Hah...as always, his majesty forge that he has to be gentler when talking'. Pan thought to himself. He smiles and spoke, ''We are looking for any chocolates that are from human world'.
'Oh! We do have a lot of collection. Please wait a moment'. The shopkeeper went to the other side of the shop. Pan spoke in a low voice. 'Your Majesty, you need to be spoke normally with the common demon folk. They become uncomfortable by such a powerful nature'.
'Really? But I thought I keep my voice low, so they don't feel scared'.
Pan put his hand on his forehead and sigh softly. He is telling it to Dlak from their childhood. Because Dlak will be the ruler of this land he was viewed by others with uneasy and scariness.
'This is the high-quality chocolates we have! All the demon folks have a great founding on them very much'. The shopkeeper places many chocolates of different type in front of them.
'Hm.... I can't take all of them. It might overwhelm her. I shall take two medium-size boxes. But what type of chocolate shall I choose'. Dlak mumbles. 'Maybe, we can have one box of demon world chocolates and the other one from human world'. Pan suggested.
'Yes, that will be appropriate'. Dlak agreed.
He then takes a box of Heyeri's homeland chocolates and another one with the demon kind's ones.
They settled in the carriage after purchasing. 'The designing paper of the boxes looks really romantic, my king'. Pan chuckles softly. 'You think so, the owner gave me two options for decorating so I choose what is suitable'. Dlak said as he holds out the two boxes.
' I understand but your majesty, are you thinking of giving the present to her by the servant?'
'Yes, is something wrong with it?'
'No, it will be a matter of gracious if his majesty gives her majesty by himself. it will be more appealing as a husband to hand the present over to his wife'.
Dlak think to himself. 'You're right. I shall do it on my own'.
As the carriage runs the dark shadows floating nearby. A shadow that every king shall bear. No matter how hard they try to be different, the shadow will always find their way to consume them. This is... what a king shall bear. Is it a sin? Or a blessing?
The answer is.... unknown.
-TO BE CONTINUE