The Prince of Demons

We continued to celebrate the return of Nil and Luna after everyone stopped chuckling at the mental image of Nil acting like a dog. The two of them stayed together for the most part despite everything, which was kind of odd. Lux was happily on Nil’s shoulder, and Ein was clearly ecstatic to have his brother back. They were talking to Julius, who looked a bit annoyed that the two used Helga as a selling point. Nautilus was ruthlessly flirting with Helga, who was quite crimson. I grabbed Nox to go save Helga from Nautilus.

“So, Nautilus, what all did you teach those two?” I interjected as Nautilus was trying to arrange dinner with Helga. Nautilus looked over, eyes narrowing.

“Why?” Nautilus inquired before her eyes kept drifting back over to Helga.

“Just curious.” I lied as I was giving Helga the this is your chance to bail stare.

“Uh huh. I taught th' royal grublin t’ his and some combat lessons. Luna I showed and how t’ fight.” Nautilus answered. What? You could an ? How did she know that? It clicked that Nil was no longer radiating that odd aura either. How?

“Did the Fleet Admiral know something about you didn’t?” Nox teased immediately. How? I spent a year looking for any information on . She had one; that was the only logical conclusion.

“She has one and figured out the method for.” I deflected. Nautilus smirked.

“Are ya his teacher?” Nautilus probed with an evil grin.

“Yes.” I confirmed. To my surprise, Helga hadn’t taken the opportunity to flee.

“Ya did a good job teachin’ th' grublin. His ability t’ innovate is annoyin’.” Nautilus praised. It felt odd hearing her praise me like this.

“I was amazed at how much Nil improved.” I conceded. His growth was staggering. He always had moments of explosive growth, but he grew by leaps and bounds this time.

“Well, havin’ somethin’ like that try t’ kill ya would motivate someone. Not sayin’ he slacked b’fore, but knowin’ somethin’ like that was after ‘im gave the grublin a shove. The lass is no slouch eithe’.” Nautilus explained. Just from what I’ve gleaned so far, that thing must have been utterly terrifying.

I noticed Luna dragging Nil towards the piano kept in this hall out of the corner of my eye. Part of me wanted to check out what that was about, but I was still going to try to make sure Helga could get away from the persistent Nautilus. Nox was standing there, kind of just smiling. Why did I think he’d be useful here? Did he not catch what I was trying to do? I should have explained it to him in advance.

“C’mon lovely, I need t’ collect from Nil righ' fast before we go eat.” Nautilus stated, giving Helga her arm. Oh, she didn’t need saving.

“Okay.” Helga agreed, taking her arm.

Nautilus was smiling victoriously as she walked over to Nil. Cesar and Cleo looked a bit stunned as Helga was walking with Nautilus. Nil summoned something out of storage. Wait. That’s what he bribed her with; Nil gave her an Imperial Insignia. His parents glared at him for that move, but before they could say something Emperor Father Nil materialized next to them. He swiped the insignia, flipped it over, used on it, and then handed it to Nautilus. She smiled as she accepted the insignia. The former pirates sighed as they realized their captain intended on staying for sure now. Before the two could leave, several notes began filling the hall. It soon turned into a full-blown sonata. The notes were heavy, echoing throughout the hall. Everyone sort of fell silent as the beautiful music filled the air. My eyes shot to the piano; when did Nil learn to play the piano? He was barely getting started while he began hitting his stride as he amplified the sound using . It boomed throughout the hall as Nil continued the song; i noticed he didn’t have a sheet he was reading from. Nil just continued to weave the notes as he kept playing as we all slowly realized Nil somehow knew how to play the piano. Nox was oddly quiet as we watched Nil play.

“How?” I muttered. I knew when Nil snuck out that he usually studied . I’d never seen him touch a piano. Or a book on music. So, how? How did he know how to play?

“Stop trying to predict the next way he’ll surprise you.” Nox chuckled. I laughed. Nox was undeniably right.

“So, what has you so quiet today?” I inquired as I leaned against him.

“I was thinking it’d be nice to have a kid of our own. I’d like to be surprised and in awe from our own child.” Nox answered as we looked at Nil playing the piano.

“We could start looking into adopting a kid. Do we want a boy or a girl?” I agreed as I set my head on him.

“I didn’t have a preference, did you?” Nox admitted while putting his arms around me. Nil finished the song and began playing a different one.

“I don’t either; I’d have to think it over. We definitely should have a good idea, so we don’t waste time. I’d like a family of our own.” I told him. I enjoyed having Nox hugging me into him.

“Would we want a child with talent? Or one more leaning towards talent?” Nox probed. We definitely had to discuss and talk about what we wanted.

“We’ll need to think it over for sure.” I told him, listening to the new song Nil was playing.

It was like Nil had cast a with his music, as we all wanted to hear him play. His playing had this great emotion to it that was captivating; Nautilus began dancing with Helga. It was a great idea, as several of us began dancing as well. Luna was sitting on the piano bench next to Nil looking ecstatic that he was playing for her. Julius saw his aunt dancing with Nautilus before giving Nil some side eye. Lux was curled around his neck, seeming to enjoy the songs as well. Nil played five long songs before he stopped, letting out a massive yawn as the exhaustion was clearly hitting him. Luna, Lux, and him vanished as he used . Nautilus left with Helga at this point. The pirates were filtering out, following guards to some sleeping arrangements that Cesar quickly made. Duke Dawnsfield looked over to Azzeck and Senna, clearly wanting to leave with his daughter. Nox teleported the two of us to quickly fetch her.

They’re kids. They’re kids. It’s innocent. I chanted to myself as I saw them.

Luna and Nil were snuggling on his bed under the covers. Lux was curled in a ball in the corner as the two of them were tightly curled into each other on their sides. Both of them were already asleep; it had been maybe a minute since Nil brought them here; they must have been exhausted. Nox and I looked at each other.

Do we wake them and bring her back? I asked Nox. We were instantly back in the hall.

“Where is Luna?” Duke Dawnsfield inquired, clearly irritated we didn't bring his daughter back.

“I think Nez is willing to explain.” Nox stated immediately. I looked at him as he gave me a thumbs up and a smile.

“Um. She fell asleep.” I answered. I wasn’t going to be the one to tell Senna or Duke Dawnsfield.

“I’d really rather her be home. Where is she?” Duke Dawnsfield retorted. Nox and I looked at each other.

“Let’s show you.” Nox suggested, motioning for Senna and Azzeck to follow. Ailla and Lilas were chuckling.

“What’s so amusing, Matriarch Apparent Ailla?” Senna inquired while looking at the elves laughing.

“I have a good guess where she is, Empress Senna.” Ailla taunted. How long have those two been that close? That’s what she was asking.

“Really?” Azzeck asked, not catching on.

“I am willing to wager the two are sleeping together.” Lilas informed the others; Senna made a complicated expression in response. Definitely not the first time this happened then judging how the two of them were acting.

“Sleeping together?” Senna checked as her face made it clear she did not like Lilas’s phrasing.

“Luna snuggling into Nil. The two have been sharing a bed since at least entering Themys.” Ailla clarified. Azzeck, Senna, and Duke Dawnsfield all had expressions making their feelings of the news apparent.

“They’re seven.” Nox pointed out, trying to assuage the anger. Senna’s glare lowered the temperature in the room easily thirty degrees.

“I imagine they’ve been using each other for emotional support and comfort.” I added, trying to keep them calm.

It didn’t matter; they all stormed to Nil’s room. Nox brought us along to see the fallout. Sure enough, Luna was still snuggling into Nil. Lux was curled up on the corner of the mattress. It was almost picturesque with how they all looked together. Didn’t matter as their parents looked ready to rip them out of the bed. Nil was protectively holding Luna with his head nestled between her horns. Azzeck thankfully moved first, loudly clearing his throat. The two kids remained asleep as Lux looked up to see the adults. Lux cackled upon realizing why they were there. Lux hopped off the bed and moved to the nearby reading chair so she wasn’t in the way. Such a supportive .

“WAKE UP!” Senna barked at the two of them.

“What?” Nil asked groggily, barely opening his eyes.

“What do you think you were doing?” Senna inquired. I had to avoid pre-laughing because I knew Nil was not going to catch on.

“Sleeping.” Nil retorted with a yawn. He set his head back on Luna’s, trying to sleep more.

“Do you think there is something wrong with how you’re sleeping?” Azzeck probed trying to get his son to realize that maybe Luna didn’t belong in the bed with him.

“But Luna is safe here.” Nil shot back. You could have heard a cotton ball drop as Nil protectively put his arms around Luna.

“Nil, Luna is safe at her home.” Azzeck tried to convince Nil.

“No, she’s not. What if they try again? It took Nautilus to stop them last time. At least here there are all of you.” Nil replied, staring at Duke Dawnsfield. Duke Dawnsfield looked furious at what Nil was implying.

“I can protect my daughter.” Duke Dawnsfield spat at Nil.

“No, you can’t. Fight Nautilus for real if you want to change my mind.” Nil stated matter-of-factually.

“Excuse me?” Duke Dawnsfield inquired as Nil scowled back.

“The that attacked us defeated over twenty-five soldiers in about a minute without being touched. I was going to say Grandpa Nil, or a different family member of mine, but I figured Fleet Admiral Nautilus would be less complicated for you to challenge.” Nil added. His parents went a little wide eyed.

“Nil, you can’t make such an unreasonable demand. Just because you want something doesn’t mean you can force your will.” Senna lectured softly.

“But I want to stay here.” Luna interjected, leaning against Nil.

“Crown Prince Nil, reconsider.” Duke Dawnsfield told him through grit teeth.

“I made my stance clear; Luna wants to stay here as well. If you want us to change our minds, prove you can.” Nil replied, keeping his gaze level.

“Nil, you can’t make that request.” Azzeck told his son. In an instant, Ailla and Lilas were in the room, with Lilas looking quite red as Ailla was holding him.

“WHAT?!” Ailla snarled, glowering at Nil. Since when did he know how to do that?

“I needed Lilas. Lilas, is there a Speranza law that forbids a Prince from requesting proof that someone can protect their child?” Nil asked Lilas. Lilas thought it over for a second.

“Why did you grab your guests?” Senna inquired, looking annoyed that he brought the elves into this.

“I needed someone with legal knowledge to represent me in this matter.” Nil deflected with a pleased smirk.

“No. The closest law states that the Imperial Family can only make proof of ability to defend territory and personnel in the face of a reasonable threat. If the threat in question is the owner of that , I don’t see how that doesn’t qualify as a reasonable threat.” Lilas answered a few moments later.

“There. If you’d like to disprove Lilas, I’d recommend getting Cesar.” Nil retorted. A lot of us were slack jaw while Duke Dawnsfield looked apoplectic.

“I understand you are guests of the Crown Prince, but please do not concern yourselves with our personal matters.” Duke Dawnsfield said with a surprisingly level voice.

“I think we should discuss this more tomorrow.” Senna ordered, motioning for everyone to leave. Azzeck used to move us all back to the hall.

“Could you please explain why?” Duke Dawnsfield requested in a barely contained tone.

“They’re scared. They got back today, and I think we’ve all been tense. We can address this more tomorrow once they’ve had time to relax more. Matriarch Apparent Ailla, I apologize my son roped you two into this.” Senna explained with a bit of a sigh.

“It’s not an issue Empress Senna. To be honest, I am amazed those two remained as composed as they did throughout it all; I don’t think I saw either of them cry or even complain as they worked towards getting home. Those two are remarkable tough and odd for kids.” Ailla informed us.

“I appreciate the compliment, but you don’t need to try and act like they weren’t kids.” Duke Dawnsfield sighed. Ailla and Lilas looked at him like he had a second head.

“What do you mean? Those two were incredibly tenacious to the extent that this is the first time we’ve seen them act like actual kids.” Ailla clarified as Lilas nodded in agreement.

“Could you elaborate?” Azzeck requested. Ailla mulled it over for a second.

“Nautilus was incredibly strict and harsh with her lessons, and while they might have groaned a little, they endured them the entire time. Nil is also quite protective of Luna. Additionally, they always seemed to have a plan, a way forward, or knew when they needed to defer to us. The solidarity of those two was a bit unsettling. If you told me those two were in their thirties and shrunk to kids, I’d believe you. I could keep going, but I think you all understand what I’m saying.” Ailla elaborated. She wasn’t wrong. The two were odd, but that oddness let them get back. It was nothing short of impressive that they managed it, even if they found people willing to help them.

“Good to know not even being across the world makes Nil less odd.” Azzeck chuckled as we all departed for the night.