Lila's POV
As I stirred from my slumber, I cast a bewildered gaze around, attempting to discern my surroundings. Then, like a bolt of realization, it struck me—the memory of the carriage from the previous day and the auction. To my left sat the old man who had purchased me, his incessant muttering about a mysterious "boss" ringing in my ears. The enigmatic identity of this boss remained an elusive puzzle.
Suddenly, remember that I was an obedient slave, my head immediately darted towards the ground.
"You know you can look at me," my master gruffed, his voice laced with boredom.
"H-huh?" I questioned, "I-I-I just meant in my lessons, we were taught not to look up at our superior.s"
"Do I appear to care?" the man sneered, his disdain for me evident. "Though you are undeniably a worthless piece of trash, the boss instructed me to treat you with some semblance of decency," he added with a mocking tone, the last part a bitter concession.
"Ok," I thought, "Forget about me praising how he's the best master in the world. He is still an odious man with no morals."
Abruptly, I heard a growling noise that made me startled as a sense of fear gnawed at the pit of my stomach.
"Never malign "supernaturals" in my presence," he snarled, baring his white teeth that was ready to suck out my..... soul.
"Demon," I exclaimed in a panicked jump, as if every move he made might lead me closer to my demise.
"Finally, you got that right. And here I was, thinking you would never guess my true nature, considering how you thought I was a warlock," he responded with a sardonic grin.
"W-W-Why a-a-aren't y-y-you killing me?" I stammered, my mouth trying to find the words.
"Like I said," he scowled, "Boss insists on me returning you in reasonable condition. If not for Boss, you'd likely be deceased by now."
With this newfound knowledge, my heart filled with sincere gratitude, sending silent prayers to this mysterious "Boss" for safeguarding my life.
"You should be," a chilling voice hissed inside my head.
I broke into a sudden, clammy sweat from the fear that coursed through me.
"Don't fear me. Instead, look out of the window and savor the view," it commanded with an eerie insistence.
I swiveled my head so that I could peer over the window pane. The view was frightening. It was practically a desolate wasteland - a barren expanse of jagged rocks and roiling pitch-black clouds that seemed to be on the verge of a storm. The air was thick with an oppressive, sulfurous stench, and eerie, otherworldly creatures roamed the desolation, surrounding the palace. It was a mix of eerie beauty and terror, with tall obsidian spires that reached for the night sky, their sharp edges outlined by a blood-red moon. Sinister gargoyles adorned the building, casting chilling shadows and a crimson glow under the moonlight.
"We're here," my master exclaimed as his body radiated pure darkness that can never be cured.
Upon entering the palace, fear coiled around my thoughts like a relentless serpent, its venomous presence poisoning every ounce of my courage and resolve. The idea of losing my soul on my first day at the palace was terrifying. Despite its grandeur, the palace's strict "No creature other than demons allowed on the premises" rule filled me with unease, raising doubts about what awaited within.
As I took a single step towards the magnificent place, every single one of the soldiers gave me an icy glare.
"What are you doing here?" a demon soldier snarled, his eyes devoid of emotion
"I-I-I-" I stuttered, not sure how to reply to that question.
"My master lives here. Is that enough?" my mind sneered.
"Aren't you a curious thing? Having the guts to talk back to your elders?" a soldier scorned, his pitch black eyes glinting with vindictive purpose - probably looking forward to annihilate me right here.
My lack of memory regarding the demons' ability to read minds was a grave mistake as it will undoubtedly lead me to my death.
"I-I T-The D-Demon P-Prince orders the g-girl to be taken to his headquarters," my master stammered, his fear palpable in front of the guards.
The guard's thoughts abruptly went blank as he processed my master's words, likely initiating a mind-link with the Demon Prince. After receiving approval, he swiftly turned back to meet my defiant gaze.
"Send her to the Demon Prince's chamber. Make sure she is to be supervised at all times," the guard declared to the rest of the soldiers.
I found myself utterly at sea, struggling to comprehend the gravity of the guard's proclamation - that I, a lowly servant in the service of my master, was to visit the headquarters of royalty.
"I-I What?" I exclaimed in utter disbelief, "Master, are you sure about this?"
"Very," he nodded gravely, "Go on."
The soldiers surrounding me swiftly grasped my shoulders with a firm grip and lifted me up, their heavy steps resonating loudly as they echoed across the marbled floor.
Dang! The interior was a haunting blend of opulence and malevolence, with dark, ornate furnishings adorning chambers illuminated by ominous crimson and violet hues. Sinister tapestries lined against the walls, depicting scenes of conquest and torment, creating an atmosphere of foreboding grandeur. Nevertheless, It was an astonishing spectacle to behold.
The soldiers forcefully escorted me through labyrinthine staircases, grand halls, and numerous opulent chambers before finally reaching the fifth floor.
"This is the prince's headquarters," one of the soldiers declared, "He has ordered that you are to reside here."
"Now, I have no inkling as to why the prince has shown any interest in a lowly servant like yourself, but he has made it abundantly clear that you are to remain within his headquarters until his arrival," another guard hissed with a sneer. "Given your role as a maid, you will receive no food unless you demonstrate your value, and your first task is to clean his chambers immediately."
I nodded in response, not daring to peep at him understanding that there would be consequences.
"Now, get inside and find a way to be of service, or I might just consider claiming your soul," the soldier growled with a menacing tone.
With determination fueling me, I darted through the "prince's headquarters," eventually locating his bedroom.
"Despite the head guard's orders for us to keep a watchful eye on you, we've decided you'll be quite comfortable here, and there's no need for you to try and escape, right?" one of the menacing, burly guards sneered, his grin dripping with venom.
"Y-Y-Yes, guard," I stammered, feeling as small as a mouse facing a lion poised to pounce.
"Now go in," the guard commanded.
I tiptoed into the prince's private chambers, feeling like a worthless creature in the presence of "supernaturals". Their powers were so intense that I couldn't find the right words to describe the feeling of being utterly overwhelmed by them.
The prince's private chamber was luxuriously appointed with rich crimson and black furnishings, featuring a grand canopy bed and ornate tapestries depicting mythical scenes, radiating an air of regal opulence. It was meticulously neat and well-organized and I have no clue where to begin the tidying. Suddenly, at the corner of my eye, I notice something flashing. Bolting my head towards that direction, I discovered a note. The note was covered in clear and elegantly flowing words from inch to toe. It read:
Dear Lila,
I hope this message finds you well. I apologize for my prolonged absence, but urgent matters required my attention. Nevertheless, I wish to make your acquaintance face to face so I am not going to explain much. Here are the tasks I would appreciate your help with as my maid:
Spend some time reading in the library.
Organize my clothes from the laundry.
Set up your sleeping area next to my bedroom.
Feel free to explore and familiarize yourself with the headquarters.
One important note: Please avoid entering the door at the end of the hallway. It's marked with a sign that reads, "DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION."
Upon reading this letter, a sign of confusion engulfed me. Why was I being treated so decently compared to other *cough* slaves *cough*? Why had I been chosen to reside with the Demon Prince instead of remaining in my master's service? And what was responsible for the peculiar title of "maid" addressed to me by the Demon Prince when, in reality, I was the old man's maid? Questions like these swirled in my mind and I was determined to figure them out. However, I was to await the demon prince's arrival to uncover the answer.
In the meantime, I diligently made my way to the laundry area and promptly commenced the task of folding clothes. His clothing showcased luxurious tastes and his distinctive style. He had finely tailored suits and luxurious robes made from rich materials like velvet and silk, often adorned with intricate patterns and jewels, all reflecting his royal status and refined taste.
"Dang!" I wondered, "What would I do to buy these clothes?"
The temptation was undeniable as I carefully folded and organized each garment, and after 30 minutes of meticulous effort, my hand was tired.
"Right," I talked to no-one in particular, "Since I can barely lift up any finger due to slavery, I should indulge myself into the world of ...books!"
Technically, I was not breaking any rules as it stated in my letter I have permission to venture into the library. However, the fear of drawing the attention of any of the demons loomed ominously, and I had no desire to provide explanations to any of them. After all, there was a reason why demons were the most feared creatures.
"Right, Lila," I attempted to calm myself down, "The Demon Prince gave you permission. It's fine."
With my now new plucked up courage, I slunk into the library and pulled out the first book my eyes laid on. Guess what it is called? Just my luck, the title read Your Number One Guide To Demons.
"Wait a moment," I considered, "Perhaps it's fortunate I took this out. This way, I can study more about demons."
I flicked my finger through the book before it landed on the page called: The Demon Prince
The Demon Prince, renowned as one of the most terrifying creatures to ever tread the earth, had earned his infamous reputation through his unparalleled powers. Beginning his rule at the tender age of 12, he had wielded his authority with cruelty and inflicted torment upon those who dared to defy him. Those unfortunate souls who provoked his wrath would mysteriously vanish from the face of the Earth. His reign had been ruthlessly successful, elevating the demons from the lowest rungs of existence to the very pinnacle of the food chain.
His Powers:
Can wield fire that can burn upon contact.
Possesses the ability to heal injuries with a touch.
Can manipulate and control others' movements.
Can silence individuals at will.
Possesses the power of flight through demonic wings.
Can inflict excruciating pain upon his victims in the most horrifying ways.
As I read through the list of his powers, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, the Demon Prince is incredibly powerful."
Instantly, a wave of apprehension washed over me. Given that I was to become the Demon Prince's roommate, what if he decided to end my existence?
"Come on, Lila," I whispered to myself, attempting to calm my nerves. "Maybe he's a genuine person with a past that shaped him into who he is today. Perhaps he isn't as cruel as his reputation suggests."
My fingers continued to flick over the pages, absorbing more about the Demon Prince's impact on society.
What the Demon Prince Has Achieved for Society:
Reformed the demon government.
Elevated demons from slavery to the most powerful beings.
Reconstructed every demon town from the ashes.
"Attention, palace members! Everyone, make your way to the front gates, and I mean everyone," the speaker's booming voice echoed through the palace, jolting me from my thoughts.
Immediately, I leaped to my feet and started rushing toward the front gates. However, I quickly became disoriented in the sprawling palace, constantly getting lost amidst numerous identical doors. It felt like I retraced my steps a thousand times in a futile attempt to find my way.
"Excuse me," I called out to a maid(probably a human), "Do you know that way out of the castle?"
"Of course," the maid replied, "I was going there myself. Come on, we don't want to get punished for being late."
The maid grasped my arm firmly and dragged me towards the gates.
"Well, well, well," a guard snickered," Look what we have here. Two human beings lost in their way."
That was when I made the biggest mistake of my pathetic existence. I peered up to meet the gaze of the Demon Prince.
He stood before me - a commanding presence with obsidian eyes that pierced into my very soul, framed by a flood of unruly, wavy jet-black hair. His stance was an enigmatic blend of power and mystery, a living symbol of the terror and allure that surrounded him. Other than his demonic eyes, he was in a sense - human. His bicep was an art of a gods and his face was symmetrical - not a bit blemished. With his soft hearted lips and intriguing eyes - no wonder every lady is obsessed with him.
And guess what? The prince returned my gaze.