"Tetiyusu-sama."

The winged demon nodded to his underling as he passed by, emotions churningunder his cold exterior.

Why wouldn't Laures-sama listen to him?

Ever since the destruction of the titan, Teti had been ruling the kingdomin Laures's stead, waiting for him to return, believing in him, as he hadbeen told. When he had heard that Laures was alive, he had rushedto his king's side, only to find a Laures unlike the demon he had swornhis life too.


"Teti... Ima, watashi ga ningen desu. Majin janai. [Now, I'm human.Not a demon.]"


It was a miracle, Laures had said. Hilda's soul had come and rescuedhim from the darkness of his damnation with her love, and her purity, alongwith the energy from Azel's sword, had transformed him back to his originalstate. He and Hilda had married and she was already with child.


"Ima... watashi ga oo ja nai, Teti... [Now... I am not king] Anataga. [You are]"

"Iya desu! Sou de wa arimasen! [No! That isn't what is it!]" Teti protested. "Laures-sama, oneiga... kaerimasu kudasai... [Please return]"

Laures shook his head. "This is what I have wanted, to live with mylove. I'm not returning."

Teti had stared uncomprehendingly as Laures had told him, completelyin shock. "Uso desu.... [a lie]"

"Iya. Uso ja nai. [No. It's not a lie]"


Teti reached the room, breezing past the guards. He no longer askedif there was any change in the condition of the room's occupant, knowingthere was none. After making sure the door was securely shut behindhim, he sat down at the chair next to the bed, posture changing to showhis mental exhaustion and emotions.

"Why won't Laures-sama listen to me?" he asked, not even looking atthe form that he was only half addressing. "Why won't he return tohis rightful place here... as king...? Doesn't it matter to him?" He was quiet a moment before adding in a near whisper: "Don't ~I~matter to him?"

There was no answer but the slow and steady breaths of the unconsciousdemon in the bed.

"He's starting to age," Teti finally continued, unburdening his worries."I could see it in him..." His fist clenched. "Why won't he listen?I can't stand it! Why won't he ever listen to what is best for him?Why does that woman always mean more to him then anything else? Why wouldhe throw away everything, just to be human with her?"

He looked over at the still form, expression mixed a moment. Heclosed his eyes, gathering ki, then slowly fed it to the other demon.

When he was done, he looked at the form, not sure what he hoped for.

After a long while he gave a sigh and rose again. "I suppose it is justas well," he said softly. "To start the process all over... it would onlyfail again, wouldn't it? We have both changed too much for anything tobe the same... and after everything that has happened... you would neverfollow my wishes." He was quiet again. "You never did to start. Eventhough I thought you my puppet to command, it was always you who movedmy strings." Teti raised an unconscious hand to his chest, whereZaadi's seal had been implanted. "So foolish...." he said in a soft whisper.

After a long moment, he walked to the door, the cool mask falling backover his features once more before he left.