Volume 2 Chapter 40 – Rat in the House (Patreon)

Alphegor strode through the hallway with heavy steps, his piercing gaze cursing seemingly everyone who dared to cross his path. Lucius followed after him, holding Morrigan's hand, and they in turn had the dozen best demon warriors following after them, fully equipped and ready for combat. She didn't fully understand why their reaction was so grim. 

Of course, the fallen trying to break into the Royal Treasury using her blood wasn't anything to be happy about. But she expected her father to be just angry. Instead, it appeared like he would have to face something he had no power over. And if her father felt powerless then what was she supposed to do?

Morrigan also couldn't understand why the fallen had summoned Alphegor. Or rather she didn't understand how they had the nerve to request an audience with him when they had just attacked her in her own home. What she understood even less was why was he even willing to hear them out. Not like she supported wanton murder, but this seemed like the case where the King would just slaughter anyone who stood in his way.

At least the matter with Galandir was settled. He'll live along with the other servants and slowly work off his debt. It's not an ideal scenario and it'll certainly take him a long time to be free again. But at least he'll be doing honest work and won't be beaten for it.

Or at least so she told herself. Morrigan knew that members of other races weren't treated particularly well in the Demon Castle. But she's never seen a demon actually harming slaves. Then again, such matters probably would be done out of her sight. Who'd deliberately beat up slaves in front of the Crown Princess?

Soon they reached one of the main audience chambers where another dozen demon warriors stood by armed to the teeth. Across from them stood half a dozen warriors from the Fallen Kingdom as indicated by the dark blue coat of arms on their armor which portrayed two crossed wings.

The guards parted, two of them opening the door for Alphegor. Behind him, Morrigan saw the whole Heinspiel family sitting comfortably on the guest sofa, smiling pleasantly and chattering among themselves. Among them also stood the fallen man who attacked her, his eyes instantly honing in on her. Morrigan clutched onto Lucius' arm, trying to suppress her wish to just hide behind her father.

"Your Majesty, how wonderful of you to answer our request on such short notice," the Prime Minister said pleasantly, not bothering to get up. The fact that he didn't show due reverence to Alphegor did not go unnoticed and the demon guards tensed, their hands inching towards the swords at their hip.

"Last time I checked I am the King in this castle. You will show me due respect," the King's voice turned the air heavy, making it hard to breathe. It seemed to affect the fallen the most as they clutched at their chest and gasped for breath. Annabell grabbed onto her mother in fear, and only the attacker from before managed to keep a somewhat straight face.

"We apologize. We did not want to antagonize Your Majesty," the fallen man said with the slightest of bows, even managing to force out a smile. The Minister and his wife also got up and bowed slightly. Alphegor lifted the pressure off the room and strode towards the sofa opposite of the fallen, sitting down with a flourish. Morrigan quickly followed him, sticking close to his side while nervously eyeing the attacker.

"So tell me a good reason why I should not raise an army and wipe the Fallen Kingdom off the map of the Underworld right this instant," Alphegor said in an icy cold voice and wrapped his hand protectively around Morrigan. Prime Minister Heinspiel seemed to lose his nerve completely, sweat profusely pouring from his forehead while his little daughter was barely holding back tears.

"Now, now, there is no need for rash action. We only want what is best for our people," the attacker spoke up instead, his voice pleasantly sweet.

"Who are you again?" the King asked, examining the man like a disgusting roach that had managed to sneak into their home.

"I apologize. Where are my manners? I am Theobold Heinspiel, the next Prime Minister of the Fallen Kingdom," the fallen said with a polite smile while looking straight at Morrigan.

"So tell me, young Heinspiel, why should I let any of you leave this room alive? You had the impudence to attack my daughter and then demand an audience with me," Alphegor snarled, and the air in the room grew colder and the magic lights grew dimmer. Demon warriors drew out of the swords and pointed them towards the fallen, ready to strike. The fallen warriors also drew their swords, prepared to defend their lieges.

"I did what I had to protect my country. It was rather obvious after the Festival that no peace would come between our countries unless given the right push," Theobold said and pulled a small vial out of his pocket. At the very bottom of it sat a small red droplet.

"You dare to threaten my daughter within my home?" Alphegor stood up, his red eyes burning with anger, and guards took a step closer to the fallen. Annabell was bawling on top of her lungs, while her mother was desperately trying to calm her down.

"I do dare. For there is no reasoning with you demons any other way. But feel free to attack me if you do not care for your daughter's life," the fallen taunted, swishing the droplet of Morrigan's blood within the flask. Alphegor gritted his teeth, then raised his hand, signaling the warriors to stand down. Reluctantly, they put their swords back in their sheaths.

"Name your terms," Alphegor said, and sat down on the sofa, pulling Morrigan close to him. Theobold sat down as well, a satisfied smile spreading across his lips.

"I knew you'd understand. But I'm afraid I do not have the authority to do the negotiations. I'd like to request that you meet with His Majesty in a neutral location. Then you can negotiate for this," Theobold waved the flask again, and Morrigan felt how Alphegor's grip on her tightened. 

"Very well. I'll meet your King in the border city of Tamrin. But if anything happens to Morrigan, consider your country erased from existence," Alphegor said and stood up, pulling Morrigan along with him.  

"I wouldn't dare to think otherwise," the fallen called as they left, and she watched how he followed them with a satisfied smile on his face.

As soon as they were out of the audience chamber, Morrigan tugged on her father's arm.

"I don't understand. Why do you give in to their demands just because they have a drop of my blood?" she asked, although she had a nasty suspicion in her mind already.

"It's a bit difficult to explain, but essentially the fallen can…" Lucius began, but the King glared at him, cutting the older demon off.

"I'll explain it to her. For now, secure the castle. Triple the amount of guards for each concubine and princess. Monitor fallen's every movement. I want to know everything that they do," Alphegor commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the warriors responded. Before Morrigan could ask anything further, she felt herself being dragged into darkness and then realized that her father had teleported them back to their room.

"Father, what exactly…" she looked up at him, but felt herself being pulled into a hug.

"It'll be alright, Morrigan. I'll protect you," he whispered, and she felt his hands tremble.

Is he afraid? Because he's worried about me? But what can the fallen do with my blood that would make Father this afraid? It's as if they have complete control over me. But it's not like I feel different than before.

"Of course, Father," she said and wrapped her tiny arms around the King, gently stroking his back in a calming motion.

"Look at me! Soothed by my own child. It seems that I have grown old," Alphegor said with a bitter smile and let go of Morrigan.

"Father, what is it exactly that the fallen can do with my blood?" she asked, although she already had a sneaking suspicion that she knew the answer.

The King sighed, then said, "It has to do with the way fallen were born. You see the fallen are a counterpart to a race called angels."

There are angels in this world? Overworld races are still such a mystery to me. Nobody really talks about them much, and the books that have any mention of humans have been removed from the library.

"The angels are a race that has the innate ability to cure those whose blood they possess. With just a single drop they'd be able to determine what ails the person and would be able to heal them even from the deadliest of diseases. People would willingly give their blood to the angels and angels in turn would cure them. Humans, who are especially prone to illnesses, began worshiping them like gods." 

"However, not every angel was satisfied with that. Some became greedy and demanded more and more payment from people. When the demands became too high and people refused to pay them, they became resentful. They began experimenting with the blood they received, trying to find a way to use it for their own gain," the King said, then put a hand on Morrigan's shoulder. It felt heavy and tired, and she could feel the seriousness behind his words.

"These resentful angels succeeded in twisting their magical gift into something completely different. Instead of curing ailments, they learned how to inflict them. Their feathers changed to reflect that and their angel brethren, enraged and embarrassed, banished them to the Underworld. These angels became known as the fallen and over the millennium, the ability that required diligent refinement and study, became their innate ability. Now any pureblooded fallen may bring death upon anyone whose blood they possess."

Morrigan felt a shiver go through her body as the heavy realization hit her mind.

"They can kill me with just that one drop of blood?" Morrigan asked, and the King nodded, clutching onto her shoulder.

"But I shall retrieve your blood. They shall not harm you – no matter the cost!"

Alphegor straightened and looked outside the window with determination. Then he called for Azrael, who appeared within a minute, his expression serious.

"Your Majesty, there has been no activity in the dungeons," he informed the King.

"It was just a ruse. They never intended to open the Treasury. They wanted Morrigan's blood to control her," the King explained.

"So that's why the oath has been clawing at me so insistently this whole time. I couldn't understand it since she's supposed to be safe," Azrael said, clutching at his chest, over the place where the oath had been placed. Alphegor nodded.

"You have to try and retrieve her blood from the fallen," the King commanded.

"I will do my best," Azrael said, but there wasn't much confidence in his voice.

"Maybe I can help somehow?" Morrigan asked, feeling utterly helpless and useless in the situation. 

"Absolutely out of the question!" Alphegor said.

"You'll only get in the way," Azrael exclaimed at the same time.

"But all of this is happening because of me…" she muttered, feeling the guilt gnawing at her chest. The whole Demon Kingdom is at the mercy of their demands just because they got a hold of her blood. 

"Morrigan,"–Alphegor knelt down in front of her and looked her straight in the eyes– "this is not your fault. Nobody could have predicted this. Do not blame yourself just because you were targeted. It could have just as easily been one of your sisters."

The thought that Deziara or even Viana could have had their blood taken by the fallen made Morrigan feel sick to her stomach.

No, it's better that I am their target and not my sisters. Since I am the Crown Princess they'll be more hesitant to kill me. Perhaps, it wouldn't be so with them since in the eyes of the fallen other princesses might be expendable.

She nodded at her father, who gently caressed her hair. He then got up again and looked at Azrael.

"Go now. I wish I could go with you, but I must remain by Morrigan's side. You're the only one I can trust with this task," Alphegor said and put his hand on Azrael's shoulder. The white-haired demon looked almost touched by the trust the King gave him. He nodded firmly and then disappeared into the shadows.

Please, Azrael. Please retrieve my blood.

Morrigan prayed, but she had a heavy suspicion that the issue would not be resolved so easily.

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