The Prince of Demons

After totally not justifying Luna’s boots for a few hours, we switched to me playing the piano. Luna was sitting next to me happily humming along to the song I was playing; it was vastly more enjoyable playing the piano with her next to me. Who knew playing piano wasn’t always a miserable experience? Luna next to me gave me this odd happiness as she clearly enjoyed listening to me play while subtly leaning against me as the adults were listening to me play. Lux was wrapped around my neck, content listening to my song. Part of me was worried I’d be a bit rusty, but it didn’t take long for me to get the hang of playing the piano again. I still needed to think of a way to apologize to Helga; hopefully she would be at dinner which would give me the chance to. I continued playing for a while longer, slowly leaning more against Luna. We smiled at each other, just enjoying the moment. Eventually, it was time for dinner, so we all made our way to the dining room. Already there were Cleo and Julius who were looking quite annoyed at Luna and I. Nautilus arrived with Helga a few minutes after us. I wonder if my parents will mind them joining. They are usually okay with Cesar and his family joining us, but my parents definitely need some time to accept Nautilus. I took a deep breath, walking over. Nautilus raised a curious eyebrow while Helga was giving me a complicated expression. I noticed everyone was looking on, clearly curious about what I was about to say. Luna quickly followed me as she deduced what I wanted to do.

“I’d like to apologize. I’m sorry I used you as a selling point of being my Naval Admiral. That was inappropriate and not something I should have done.” I apologized, trying my best to keep eye contact. Helga stared at me a bit, clearly debating how to phrase what she was thinking.

“I’d like at least two months free of your and Lux’s shenanigans.” Helga informed me after mulling it over for a few moments.

“Deal.” I agreed immediately.

“I guess I can forgive you then, Crown Prince Nil.” Helga stated with a smirk.

“Thank you.” I replied feeling a lot better.

“I’d like to apologize as well.” Luna added on, looking sheepish.

“You are going to be more difficult to forgive as I know it was your idea.” Helga retorted, giving Luna a highly unamused stare.

“What?” Luna asked not entirely following.

“We all know i’ wasn’ the royal grublin who thought o’ that.” Nautilus interjected with a smug smile.

“I’m sorry, I was more desperate and not thinking about how it’d make you feel which was wrong of me.” Luna apologized looking quite guilty.

“I understand, but I am going to need time before I am going to be able to forgive you.” Helga informed Luna.

“I understand.” Luna sighed with a defeated nod.

We returned to our seats, and the other adults all had interesting expressions on their faces. I really wish I knew what those faces meant, but before I could clarify Cesar walked in with Lilas and Ailla. Lilas looked over the moon whereas Cesar looked ready to cry. Lilas was excitedly explaining improvements to some of the bureaucracy and the tax laws like the subject was the most interesting thing in the world. Dad’s lips were twitching as he looked at Cesar who gave him the most forlorn stare in existence. He sat down next to Cleo, and Lilas sat down next to him having found a second wind to continue monologuing about how the tax code could be improved further.

I’m sorry. I apologized to Cesar mentally.

While I appreciate the insights of Lilas, letting him perform an audit without even consulting me or your parents was wildly improper. I understand he seems to find joy in the bureaucracy and greatly understands how to improve it, but why did you have to volunteer me to be the overseer? Cesar replied calmly.

I thought it was your job as Chancellor. I answered. Cesar looked at me before taking a deep breath.

Not to get revenge at me for boring you with law talk at dinner numerous times? Cesar inquired, his face giving away what his suspected answer was.

It was multiple things. I thought you were obligated to which might have assisted in the decision making. I deflected as he gave me a knowing stare.

Thank Lilas, show me how boring the talk can be, and help Speranza all in one move? Cesar checked. I immediately looked away.

Uh. Yea. I confessed meekly.

You also used my sister as a bargaining chip. Cesar tacked on still looking at me with quite the disapproving stare.

I apologized to her already. I defended myself. He shot Helga a quick look, and the two had a small mental exchange.

I’ll let that slide for now. Do tread carefully for the foreseeable future. Cesar informed me. I nodded in agreement.

“Done apologizing to everyone, Nil?” Dad checked, looking around the table.

“Yes.” I confirmed.

“So, did you and Luna wish to do anything else?” Mom inquired as Duke Dawnsfield joined us for dinner.

I’d still like to do the Imperial Hunting Festival. Luna told me. I definitely would like to be able to show off the improvements for all the dancing lessons that were in my near future.

“Could we still go to the Imperial Hunting Festival?” I requested. The adults made complicated expression in response.

“We’ll need time to discuss this.” Dad informed me. I nodded as I thought that would be the answer.

“Okay.” I stated, not pressing the matter.

Dinner was served at this point which was magnificent. To be fair, cooked meals were going to be pure luxury to me for a while. If I never drank moltaug again it would be too soon; I shuddered as I remembered the taste. I took a sip of the fruit juice I was given to drown out that thought. So much better than moltaug. Duke Dawnsfield looked a bit deflated as he sat next to Luna; his expression made me feel this odd pit in my heart. Was there something I could do? I wanted Luna safe, but I didn’t want Duke Dawnsfield to utterly hate us as our actions clearly were upsetting him. What should I do? There had to be a solution. Luna was currently talking excitedly with her dad as Papa and Nautilus were swapping war stories. Lilas continued to talk with Cesar about some laws. Think Nil. What could be done? I activated my and began using to get some inspiration. Several events and pieces of information began flowing into my mind; Duke Dawnsfield was in charge of the Drasil territory, the northern border of Speranza. Was there something usable here? Wait, he was in charge of border security. I mean, it was worth a shot.

“Duke Dawnsfield, while we are thinking of how to deal with the man after Luna and me, could you be in charge of night security? You would have to stay in the castle though.” I asked him as everyone was slowly talking more.

“Could you please repeat that Crown Prince Nil?” Duke Dawnsfield requested, blinking a few times.

“Could you be in charge of night security while Papa and Dad think of how to deal with the red-haired man? It would require you to stay in the castle in the meantime.” I repeated. Several of the adults were giving me a bit of a stunned stare as well as Luna.

“I will take that offer. Thank you, Crown Prince Nil.” Duke Dawnsfield accepted with a smile.

“We can discuss logistics after dinner.” Papa told him, looking at me with an expression I couldn’t recognize; hopefully that made things better. Duke Dawnsfield looked substantially happier now at least.

“Lil grublin can su’prise ya.” Nautilus chuckled as some of the shock wore off.

“That is Crown Prince Nil.” Helga corrected her.

“Wha’s wrong wit’ callin’ him lil grublin?” Nautilus cooed, leaning towards Helga a bit.

“Crown Prince Nil is technically your boss and part of the Imperial Family so he should be addressed as such.” Grisbane told her matter-of-factually.

“I ain’ gonna get a le’ture from ya when ya daughte’ is th’ one who married int’ th' Impe’ial Family.” Nautilus shot back immediately.

“Can you two please not argue?” Mom requested with a heavy sigh. Nautilus looked at Helga as she clearly debated continuing the argument.

“Fine.” Nautilus conceded with a sigh.

“Classless pirate.” Grisbane muttered under her breath, which earned a few glares.

“We can duel if ya’d like.” Nautilus offered with a vicious smile.

“What do you mean?” Grisbane checked. Nautilus only began smiling wider.

“Ya jus’ insulted th’ Naval Admi’al of CROWN PRINCE Nil. Clea’ly ya wan’ t’ duel.” Nautilus clarified. I knew I liked Nautilus.

“Did I say something untrue?” Grisbane inquired with a curt snarl.

“I’m no’ a pi’ate anymore; imma Naval Admi’al. Fo’ someone big on ti’les tha’s a big ove’sight. Ya even called m’ classless.” Nautilus explained. Grisbane looked like she sucked a lemon at this point.

“What would you know?” Grisbane retorted. At this point, everyone was paying attention to the bickering while Mom just kind of sighed.

“Soun’s like a cowar’ t’ me; ya insulted m’ honor. Either duel o’ apologize.” Nautilus taunted. When and where did Nautilus learn all of this? Did she always know this?

“I’m sorry.” Grisbane said flatly. Nautilus looked over the moon from such a hollow apology.

“How abou’ soundin’ like ya mean it?” Nautilus pressed, staring at Grisbane.

“Why aren’t the rest of you saying anything?” Grisbane growled. Surdel let out a deep sigh.

“Because Nautilus is in the right, and you act like you are untouchable. Either do the proper thing and duel her for insulting her honor or give her an actual apology.” Papa informed her. Grisbane gave him a scowl in response.

“I am sorry I insulted your honor, Naval Admiral Nautilus. I was out of line.” Grisbane apologized, almost sounding sincere.

“Hmmmmmmmmm.” Nautilus taunted as she acted like she was considering accepting it. Helga shot her a quick look. Nautilus sighed a little.

“Fine, I accep’ ya apology.” Nautilus stated. She resumed to flirting with Helga.

“Now then, what do we wish to discuss?” Cesar asked, clearly trying to escape the tax code conversation.

“I’d like to know if a rotational crop system were implemented how the tax code should reflect it.” I answered immediately. Cesar gave me a stare that could have frozen a lake.

“Rotational crop system?” Lilas inquired, not grasping what I said.

“Growing plants in a four-step cycle to keep the soil right for each plant. I think the order was potato, carrots, beans, and then cabbage. It's supposed to help farms remain productive and keep soil fertile.” I explained. Every adult was staring at me now. Wait; that might not have been known in this world. I should have thought that through.

“Wasn’t that in one of those gardening books?” Luna quickly inquired to help cover me.

“I think it was in a magazine I had laying around from someone’s home garden that won a competition or something.” Ailla answered with a yawn. Oh, thank the Lords.

“Would it work on a large scale, Matriarch Apparent Ailla?” Dad probed clearly curious about how effective it was.

“I have no idea, Emperor Azzeck.” Ailla confessed.

“We could test. It would be worth checking.” Mom suggested. Papa and Mama were both giving me expressions that made me uncomfortable.

“I think we should.” Mama agreed while her eyes stayed on me.

Lilas was clearly thinking about my question way more seriously now as the gears in his head visibly turned. The dinner conversation at this point changed to how to implement such a system and what the proper method for testing its efficacy. Julius and Lux both glared at me as they were bored out of their minds with this new topic. Cesar went from giving me a frosty stare to an amused smirk as my suggestion had an unintended result. I needed to be a little more careful when discussing ideas or giving suggestions. It slipped out before I could think if I read it in Tenebrae somewhere. I needed to get back into the practice of doing that. Weeks of not having to was so nice. It was a habit I needed to get back into for sure. For now, I was just going to enjoy dessert as it was served. How I missed eating cake.