It took every last bit of Vivia's acting skills to not move even a muscle of her poker, unconscious expression. She managed to reel her emotions on the outside, but the inside was pandemonium.
Hm? Hm? Hm? Crown Prince? Did I hear it right?
Her usually sharp intelligence had dialed down to the level of finding the basic definition of the term.
So the Crown Prince is a person who eventually becomes the King.
A King is the most important figure and he belongs to the royal family.
One plus one equals two therefore…
A cold sweat broke across her brow.
I was talking so casually to the future King all this time?
I hit the future King's jaw three times straight?
I comfortably took a nap against the future King's chest as if it was a pillow?
I called the future Demon King a Grim Reaper!?
Vivia didn't know which of the above blasphemies accounted for the most treasonous crimes against the Crown Prince. Whether it be one or all four, she was now sure that she was heading straight towards her fate of capital punishment.
Zerath fooled me! If he takes me in right now, I'm going to be hanged, right? Vivia silently swallowed a gulp.
But…if I juuuust jump down from this stallion and run for my life then perhaps-
Sensing her fugitive intentions, Zerath slightly tightened his hold on her waist. He glanced at her side and whispered, "You understand Xul?"
She couldn't break her unconscious act but did express her answer with a thorough frowning of her brows. All this time, they were talking in Vael, a neutral language through which humans and demons conversed and understood each other.
"I see. Since you're in the Princess's body now, it's natural for you to understand our language. Royalty have to learn the other race's language for diplomatic exchanges."
Hm? I don't know about Clairette, but I always knew how to talk in Xul, Vivia thought. But that's besides the point!
"Apologies for keeping it from you," Zerath whispered in her ear, barely moving his lips, "Rest assured. You're not going to be hanged."
Aha! You admit your wrongdoing! She snorted inwardly.
"Punishments can have different forms other than capital punishment too, you know?" He added.
Her blood ran colder than the Realm of Harmony's gusty winds.
Metal clattered at once as the soldiers dropped their swords in unison. Zerath arched his brow.
"What's the matter?"
The border patrol soldiers gaped, having witnessed something unprecedented.
Was I dreaming or did I really see the Crown Prince smile for a moment? And it wasn't a normal smile but an evil smile!
"Rise for the Crown Prince Zerath!" They exclaimed emotionally.
Our Crown Prince is finally showing his true demonic nature!
Yes, he should show more of his evil side and reign the realm with terror!
The captain of the border patrol unit, Vorxath, stepped forward in attention. "Rise for the Crown Prince Zerath. We hope your trip was fruitful."
"Yes, I found what I was looking for and…" he glanced down at her, "also picked up someone along the way."
Vorxath tried to take a look at the new visitor but couldn't get a clear view. "She is…"
"A human."
He blinked in puzzlement and asked his soldiers. "Was there a permit for a human to visit the Demon Realm today?"
The soldiers shook their heads. The border patrol was always the first unit to be informed about any such authorized visit.
Zerath calmly said, "No, I brought her without a permit. I found her heavily wounded near the border of the Human Realm and the Realm of Harmony."
His mouth formed an O in shock. "B-But that's…"
Vorxath swiftly kneeled and lowered his head deeply. "Please cut my head off for this impertinance, my lord, but h-how can we allow her entry? It's a serious offense to allow a human into our realm without a permit."
"There will be no rolling off the heads, Captain. You're doing your job just fine so stand with pride."
"Thank you for your gracious words, my lord," Vorxath stood upright, but his gaze still held tension.
"I understand the rules, but I couldn't leave an injured and defenseless woman alone. It's against my code of honor. Wild beasts would have made her their meal. Besides…"
Zerath took a pause and said, "She is not an ordinary human. She is Princess Clairette Emberlain of the Emberlain royal family."
Vorxath was getting back to back shocks today while gasps rippled through the soldiers at this revelation as well.
"Princess Clairette…"
Zerath slowly nodded. "So you understand that she is a person of status. Her carriage underwent a horrible accident. She needs Sir Doloros's help as soon as possible."
Vorxath, smart as he was, immediately understood Zerath's predicament. He couldn't go to the Human Realm without a permit with a wounded princess with him. It could have caused a whole lot of political uproar. But equally bringing her to the Demon Realm was…
Zerath smiled. "You need not worry, Captain Vorxath. I take full responsibility. I'll promptly inform the Emberlain King of this mishap and the reasoning behind my actions. I believe the King will be wise to understand my position."
Vorxath released a sigh. He still held suspicions towards Clairette and the carriage accident story. He didn't doubt Zerath for even a moment, but he didn't trust humans. To him, it could be very well an act of deception and as a form of spying through Clairette Emberlain.
"I see you're not satisfied," Zerath wasn't offended.
"It's our history with the humans, my lord…"
"I know. That's why she is my responsibility. No one, not you or your soldiers will be punished. This is my word." he smiled. "But if it still uneases you, please decline my entry by all means."
Vivia was inwardly taken aback.
Vorxath cried. "I implore upon my lord to not ask for this humble servant's permission!"
"Naturally, I've to. You're the border patrol captain. It's your job to protect our realm from outside hostile forces, but I'm asking you to make an exception for me. I won't blame you if you refuse my entry in your capacity as the captain. Laws are equal for everybody, and it binds the commoners and royals alike."
My lord Zerath…
Tears, even though unbecoming of demons, welled in the soldiers' eyes.
"Rise for Crown Prince Zerath!" They exclaimed through choked sobs.
Vorxath helplessly shook his head with a smile.
"Indeed, my reservations remain about the human even though she might be Princess Clairette. But I also trust your judgment, my lord. Please enter."