The Demon and the Healer - Chapter 20- A small price...
[Helios’ POV:]
It has been two days since the incident in the courtroom which I got to know about a little later and when I heard, my feet were already on a run toward the main palace.
The First prince was dead.
I have heard everything from the Prime Minister at the time when the funeral was transpiring. Gail and Grace also arrived yesterday to share their condolence and so did some of the delegates from foreign lands. The whole Empire was shrouded in darkness the past two days, and all because of that single thorn that has been biting in the way for some time now.
I had a private conversation with Gail, Grace, and the Prime minister. The latter one was a neutral party that thinks unbiasedly and was the link between the hero party and the Emperor. All the things we were given orders of, the Prime Minister informed insider facts of it. If something involved the Emperor’s personal interest we were told by Minister Rowell.
(A/N: – I can’t find the Prime Minister’s name. Comment if you remember.)
As I thought my two comrades had similar thoughts that if Prince Adam really abused Lilli as Charlotte accused him of, then there was nothing to feel offended about since Lilli was our responsibility to look after Gellion’s death. But the Prime Minister’s words offered something else…
“I fear that Lady Charlotte is being manipulated by that creature that was why they escaped the very right instance when the Church was mentioned.”
Is that what he said, and considering how observant and level-headed Rowell is, we knew he wouldn’t be lying about something like this just because he was emotionally unstable because of Adam’s death. Being someone around the royal family since the Emperor himself was a teenager, surely made Prime Minster a lot sentimental upon losing someone important like his own child.
Now the matter remains complicated since it was uncertain to what degree we could trust Rowell’s judgment. Sure he’s a trusted ally but the person in question is the receiver of the Goddess’s blessing and also the highest-tier healer of humankind. For Charlotte to get manipulated by some dark magic…but that was not a total impossibility as well.
Considering how versatile and decisive Demon has proven to be, it wouldn’t be too surprising at this point to acknowledge that he might be able to somehow slip through Charlotte’s defenses, and recalling the whole day they spent together in that chamber…the possibility seems to get somewhat certain.
My heart beats erratically and my body grows tense at the thought of what that filthy demon has done to my innocent Charlotte but considering the words I was told by Supreme One, Goddess Eririth, I need to be patient for now.
“We need to deploy our best spies to find out where that varmint has taken your Highness and then after bring this crisis to an end.”
This was the first formal meeting organized after Demon Lord’s annihilation where all the council members along with my comrades were present before the Emperor, who wore a stoic and unchanging expression, rendering anyone to read what’s going on in his head.
Most of those who were present in the room, nodded their head, in agreement with what the hot-headed Commander General Pillwick said, showcasing their willingness to remove the Demon from existence through direct and forceful methods.
Whether Adam was guilty or not, it was a given fact that every last of the Demon needs to be exterminated, but was this the time?
‘Though what I want… ‘Despite trying to contain it inside, I probably hold the most urgency to cleave that shithead bastard and claim Charlotte for myself. But from what the Goddess and my friend Glain have explained to me, it would be ideal to take things thoroughly to save ourselves from any massive loss.
“It would be better if we bring an end to that Demon now, my lord when the Demon army is still scattered, since once he takes the reign, we might have to face another war.”
The Chief Adviser voiced out his thoughts, and true to his words, the remaining demons who might pose a threat to humanity once again, are still lurking in the shadows and since this Demon General seemed to strongest of them, the Jungle Rule would automatically enable him to become the new Lord.
“How can you offer such a suggestion, Chief Adviser Adveil? I mean if we were to follow your words then a major force from the royal army along with Yout Highness Charlotte would be sacrificed in the least under the label of consequences. What would follow along with it…surely you must have thought about it as well, right?”
Glain was blunt as ever. His poisonous and impolite manner of talking made several faces scrutinize in complaint and anger but no one raised any retaliation, since what Glain said was true.
If Charlotte indeed is in control of that Demon, then once we launch an attack, the first person who would be harmed is none other than the Holy Saint herself. And since that Demon could retain his power on this side of the veil as well, it would be suicidal to send troops, since even I could not hold a candle in a fight against him.
‘Still, he could have said it nicely… ‘I elbowed him but Glain put a blindfold to my protest before he stood up from his seat.
“If you allow my lord, then I will like to put my suggestion forth and let the council decide whether it is more sensible and advantageous or not.”
“You may speak, hero.”
Emperor William spoke up for the first time in today’s meeting and considering that, Glain’s confidence rose exponentially as he began to narrate his plan with his chest heaved high.
“In my opinion first we should let them…”
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[Charlotte’s POV:]
It has been two and a half days since that incident and I realized things that might be bitter but necessary for me to acknowledge.
The one whom I thought of as the most righteous and strong-willed, was actually a power-abusing noble who wanted to save the criminal who tried to take the lives of two innocent people. How despicable.
It was thanks to Ray who let me hear all those vile thoughts Emperor William possessed which let me know the true reality behind the facade he wore all those times. All those things of being kind-natured and always following the path of morality were nothing but shallow words on which Emperor William himself could not walk.
In just so little time, many things have changed thanks to Ray.
I do not blame him, rather I feel gratified for him letting me know what I was unaware of. The kind of life I was living, and the people I trusted were nothing but a congregation of lies.
Ray took me, Ellie, and Lilli, to a deserted place in the far east of the Empire which was a post-war zone, where the hero party once fought against demons. Ray built a house and provided all the necessities with his magic which continued to mystify me with its unending range.
Food and other things were something available all around the time since there was a jungle nearby from where some times me and sometimes Ray hunted wild beasts. He insists on me to remain at home but I take charge as an independent and courageous woman once in a while.
Well, I have only gone only once in the woods until now, and even at that time I somehow landed in Chimera’s shelter, and in the end, Ray had to teleport me back to the mansion, which let me know how he always keeps an eye on me.
I should’ve been feeling insecure about my privacy but somehow, what has been happening since the day I met him, has flipped something inside me which allows me to depend on him without feeling any wariness anymore.
‘They look cute together… ‘Gazing out of the window, I was watching the student and teacher duo currently practicing water magic.
Since Ellie had the potential to become an Elemental mage, I requested Ray to teach her. It was tough to convince him and the price I paid for that still makes my face heat up…in anger…yes, in anger! I will never blush for a mere kiss on the cheek!
Holding my thoughts for now, I was about to call for the two when suddenly my eyes widened upon hearing the rustle behind my back where a single person rested.
“Where…am… I…? ”
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A/N; – Drop a comment if you are liking the story.