The Prince of Demons

Nil

I woke up, feeling Luna snuggled into me while Lux was by our feet nestled in a little ball. It felt so good being back in the castle; I didn’t want to leave my bed at all. Luna yawned before nestling more into me. Was my bed always this comfortable? The aroma of fresh baked bread permeated into my room. Oh yes. I gently nudged Luna while I kicked Lux off the bed. Luna began stretching before Lux glared at me; how I missed being able to pick a fight with Lux. I shot to my feet, as Lux immediately launched an attack. She was so much slower than Nautilus it wasn’t even a contest. I could see her path, which I immediately shot her to the end of as I pivoted into a kick to where she was about to be. Even Lux at full speed couldn’t dodge an attack like this. I punted her into the wall which she kicked off, rotating into trying to kick me across my head. I pushed her back with as I launched at her. Lux augmented herself with her to accelerate faster, trying to barrel me down. I used to make her appear on the other side of me; I spun around, kicking Lux into the ground. Lux glared furiously at me, summoning several . I summoned my sword to parry her attacks, before slamming my head into hers. Lux was writhing on the ground with her paws on her head.

“I won.” I taunted her. Lux glared daggers at me from the ground.

“Lucky.” Lux pouted at me.

“That makes you, the loser.” I continued with a smirk.

Lux immediately began our rematch. I used to knock her off balance before slamming the hilt of my sword into her ribs. Lux keeled over, coughing violently on the ground. Nautilus’s torture trip was totally worth it! I could defeat Lux! I was smiling over her as she looked infuriated at me. I could probably win faster, but I’d definitely break bones at minimum. I should probably give her a break, as she was probably worried sick about me. Not that this was something I wouldn’t lord over her for a bit. Luna was looking at the two of us, completely unamused. Today was off to a great start though as Lux picked herself off the ground.

“Why would you two wake up and choose violence?” Luna inquired, rubbing her eyes a little more.

“He started it.” Lux grumbled. I could tell by her entire demeanor Lux was going to try again.

“Old habits die hard.” I defended myself. I really couldn't help myself; it’s great to be back.

“First day back and you pick a fight with your ?” Luna checked. It was our morning routine.

“I wanted some semblance of normality.” I grumbled back. Luna looked a bit deflated at that.

“I’ll win.” Lux insisted. Not a chance you gluttonous fluffball.

“Sure you will.” I teased Lux. Lux gave me some major stink-eye as I said that.

I was smiling ear to ear as I used to bring us all to the dining room. It was just my family waiting in the dining room. Riva was jumping up and down on my dad’s knee. Ein excitedly ran up to greet me. The three of us sat down at the table with Lux pouting about her back-to-back losses this morning. Wait, I think that’s the first time either of us managed that. Now that I thought about it a little more, they might try to get Luna out of the castle. I wanted to avoid that for now. But for now, there was hot, steaming food to eat. Food not cooked on a campfire with questionable seasoning! Luna and I were both nearly in tears we were so happy. Actual food on actual plates, with cutlery, and chairs to sit on. I’ve missed this!

“Nil, we understand that you want Luna to be safe, but you can’t keep her in the castle.” Mom began. That took zero time to be brought up.

“I would like to ask some legal counsel on my options.” I replied politely.

“You are not getting Lilas to be some form of lawyer for you.” Mom shot back in an unamused tone.

“Where is Lilas?” I deflected. I didn’t want to risk Luna being away.

“Apparently, you offered for him to perform some sort of audit with Cesar who gallantly volunteered to make the dream come true, being oh so thrilled you set up his sister with a pirate queen.” Dad retorted, clearly trying hard not to laugh.

“She is my Naval Admiral; a high-ranking officer that serves me. It’s a prestigious position.” I defended myself. Not my proudest or best moment, but we needed to keep Nautilus around.

“Back to the main topic, while I understand you want to keep Luna safe, she does need to go home. Her father missed her and wants her home.” Mom continued. I looked at Luna, seeing what she wanted.

I miss my dad, but what if he tries again? Luna checked as she moved closer to me.

I’m scared of that too. We can try stalling. I told her. We needed to do something.

“What if he stays in the castle?” I countered. My parents sighed while my four grandparents looked among each other.

“Nil, come here for a second.” Grandma Poam requested. Was she trying to get a gap between us?

“Why?” I inquired, looking around at them.

“Because you started leaking to defend you two. I was loathe to use this , but I feel we need to see what scared you.” Grandma Poam explained in a soothing way. Luna and I walked over, and Grandma put her hand on my head.

“Just remember the incident.” Grandma instructed. I recalled the red-haired man’s assault.

Nearby, the red-haired man’s assault in the spa began playing. His ability to conjure easily twenty weapons and coat them all with as he proceeded to decimate the elves was chilling. Paired with his ability to manipulate them to block attacks as well as not get touched by a single elf, it was an extremely discomforting sight. His time running out as he was about to blast Luna’s head off and the sheer force behind his attack launching her across the room and cracking the walls was the last part before Grandma ended the . The adults were looking at each other with grim expressions. Grandpa Nil let out a deep sigh to break the silence.

“I think Luna should stay here.” Granda Nil stated while rubbing his nose a bit.

“Why?” Mom checked as she looked quite upset. Her eyes were focused on the red-haired man's final moment of his assault.

“Until we know who that is and what they are after, we should not take unnecessary risks. Someone willing to do that is not going to give up. Seeing their clear ability, it is not a stretch to say they made the trap. Not a guarantee, but a possibility. I will talk it over with Duke Dawnsfield about how to proceed.” Grandpa explained which made Luna and I relax.

“You’re the best Papa!” I cheered, giving him a big hug. Luna followed me immediately and joined in the hug.

“Thank you!” Luna added as we both hugged him.

“Papa?” Grandpa Nil inquired as he ruffled our hair.

“Well, I have two sets of grandparents, so I figured you two could be Papa and Mama.” I explained. Grandpa Surdel sighed a little, before scowling at Grisbane.

“What?” Grisbane inquired, not grasping the stare.

“We’ll talk later.” Grandpa Surdel sighed. Mama and Papa looked happy being called that regardless.

“So, what do you two want to do today?” Mom asked. We stopped hugging Papa and looked at each other.

You need dance lessons. Definitely need to practice. Luna teased me with a smirk.

We just got back. I whined to her.

And you’re already fighting Lux. Clearly you have the energy. Luna taunted; she was clearly enjoying herself.

We can pick a different activity. Something we can all do. I tried. Luna’s smile only got wider.

Someone owes my feet an apology; they hurt from all the walking and dancing with you. Luna continued as she smiled more victoriously.

So why more dancing? Your feet will not survive such an adventure. I pointed out. Luna chuckled at that.

That’s what the lessons are for. Luna laughed. I needed a change of tactics. Wait, there was an easy solution.

“Luna wanted me to play the piano for everyone again.” I informed my mom. Luna glared at me as I smiled back.

“Her smile suddenly vanishing leads me to believe you.” Nox taunted. Mom glared at him, as did I; Nez looked at him like he was an idiot.

“We’re dancing.” Luna insisted, sounding unamused.

“I like the piano plan.” I retorted. My solution was great.

Can we please dance Nil? I promise you can play the piano after and I'll listen as long as you want. Luna begged me with a stare I didn't fully recognize.

Why dancing? I whined back, getting ready to concede the point.

Because I want to dance with you; I want to spend time with you. We can be close to each other as we dance and I want that right now. Luna grumbled. I guess it’d make her happy, and I'd like to spend time with her.

“We can dance.” I conceded as Luna happily hugged me. The adults were giving each other odd glances.

You’re the best Nil. Luna told me, nestling close; I felt this odd fuzziness as she did that. I put my arms around her, and she smiled at me. I noticed the adults were really giving each other side eye now.

I took her hand and began walking towards the dance hall. Lux hopped onto my shoulder, clearly still bitter about her losses this morning; Nautilus’s torture had been totally worth it. Luna’s hand was entwined with mine as we made our way through the castle. I missed the earthy smell of the bricks, the powered lights, and the nice breeze that lightly went through the halls. Being back in the castle was so comforting. We reached the hall, seeing Helga on Nautilus’s lap looking utterly crimson as Nautilus clearly flirted shamelessly with her. My mom cleared her throat, which made Helga launch to her feet and bow much to Nautilus’s dismay. Mom and Dad both had complicated expressions as they looked at Nautilus who stood up and did a quick bow.

Now that I’m not trying to sell Nautilus on staying, she can be faithful and not sleep around, right? I’m already feeling a bit guilty about using Helga as a selling point. I asked Luna.

Nautilus can be extremely faithful when she’s dating, so there is no need to worry about that. Helga and her family not being happy with us on the other hand, definitely a possibility for a while. Luna explained. Yea, I imagined Cesar was not going to be ultra content with me after today.

“Told ya th’ grublins would dance.” Nautilus teased Helga in a tone I hadn’t heard her use before.

“You were right.” Helga conceded. My parents looked between them and me a few times, clearly debating what to say. Everyone was kind of awkwardly standing as my parents mulled over something.

“Naval Admiral Nautilus, did you bring Helga here so she could make sure she was not needed to watch Crown Prince Nil today?” Papa checked, breaking the silence.

“Tha’s righ’.” Nautilus confirmed for Papa. She fished a ring out of her pocket, and handed it to Luna.

“You two may go. I will watch my grandson if need be.” Papa informed them. Nautilus vanished with Helga in an instant while my parents glared at him.

“Why did you do that?” Dad asked him.

“Because your son found an incredible talent, and those two are both consenting adults. Will how he and Luna sold the position require a lecture once we are done celebrating their return, yes. Am I going to help encourage that relationship, also yes. You two should try being as open minded as your son; who cares she was a pirate?” Papa lectured my parents with a stern voice. My parents both let out deep sighs as they knew arguing with Papa would be fruitless.

“I will need a bit of time accepting the former pirate Nautilus as not only the one who helped bring Nil and Luna home, but also someone I will be seeing in a professional and casual context. I do appreciate having Nil home safe and sound though.” Mom replied after a few seconds.

With that we all began moving more into the hall. Luna looked around, sat on a bench, and switched from the shoes she was wearing to a pair of boots. What were the boots for? Uncle Nez immediately began chuckling when he saw them. Luna excitedly ran back to me, looking ready to dance. She was looking at me with an expression I didn’t fully recognize. Was I supposed to compliment the boots? Uncle Nez was barely containing himself he found something so amusing about the situation. A few of the other adults were looking at him, not understanding what the joke was. I think the move was to compliment and then ask to dance.

“Those boots are nice. Would you like to dance?” I tried, not entirely sure what the proper move was as I did the proper form like Duthane showed me.

“I would love to.” Luna consented while taking my hand. Uncle Nez was still laughing.

“Do you know why he’s laughing?” I asked Luna, trying to understand the chuckling.

“Because these boots have metal toes.” Luna answered with a giant shiza-eating grin. I immediately felt crimson as now all the adults were laughing. Lux fell off my shoulder she was cackling so hard.

“After I was nice enough to say dancing.” I retorted, trying not to feel too red.

“And last time we danced someone had immense hatred for my feet, so I came prepared.” Luna explained with a smirk.

“Again, I’m sorry. It’ll be better not on a ship.” I snapped back. Luna poked my cheek.

“I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. Come on, let’s dance!” Luna directed, trying to bring me to the dance floor.

“Are the boots staying on?” I checked while planting my feet.

“Not a chance I’m taking these off until I get proof.” Luna stated immediately.

“Fine.” I sighed while following to the dance floor. I definitely did not, under any circumstance, justify the existence of those metal toed boots. Absolutely, utterly, one hundred percent impossible, as we celebrated our return some more no matter what Lux insisted. How was she dancing better than me while wearing such thoroughly reinforced boots?