Our demons will now discover what it's like to live with a human. Culture shock incoming.
Enjoy ^^
The following morning, Morgan went to the kitchen in order to prepare the breakfast. On the way, she met Zeldoris. The princess just glanced at him, and barely said good morning. Zeldoris stopped and looked at her. He'll definitely have to do something about her attitude. His older brother recommended to not harm her, but surely there was other ways to impose oneself. One hour later, everyone was reunited around a huge table to eat. If Estarossa ate like an ogre, Cusack barely touched his meal. Morgan then asked him if he wasn't hungry. The demon looked at her with disdain.
" Well, anyone would like some more ?" she asked.
Estarossa tended his plate first, then Peronia, Chandler and even Zeldoris. Cusack decided to leave.
" How come this lowly human can do a better cooking than me ? To think that master Zeldoris forbade me to cook, and that he prefers her food !" he thought.
What the world has become. But he knew that Zeldoris didn't really appreciate the girl. This situation won't last.
" Oi human ! Why aren't you in your cell ?" asked Zeldoris, a bit later in the morning.
Morgan ignored him. She was in the castle's library, sat on sofa with a book. The Demon King representative took a breath and came in, walking in a dangerous way.
" I asked you a question." he said, with a cutting tone.
" I heard it." replied Morgan, trying to not let her fear take control of her body.
" Then answer."
She looked at him, an are-you-serious expression tapped on her face.
" You know, I would drop the attitude if I was you. You're only getting on my nerves and just to you know, it's not healthy." warned Zeldoris, arms crossed.
Morgan felt her rebellious temper awaking. Demon or not, this child got nerves as well. Lightening crossed her eyes, she closed her book then stood up dominating him with all her height.
" Then begin by calling me by my name, kid." she hissed.
A deadly aura emerged from Zeldoris.
" Kid ?! I'm 3000 years old you lowly human !" he retorted.
Morgan raised briefly eyebrows, then looked at him from top to bottom. Seriously ?! 3000 years old and still looking like a kid ? Not cool. Zeldoris understood what she was thinking. How dare she ?!
" Do not harm her, do not harm her, do not harm her, do not harm her …" he thought quickly, trying to calm down.
She was a hostage, thus she needed to be maintained in one piece.
"Anyway, me not being locked up anymore was the condition for me to cook. Your brother agreed on that, if you're not happy then go talk to him." said Morgan, walking next to him.
Zeldoris let a heavy sigh when she passed the door. He didn't remember that humans could be so irritating. Better to avoid her from now, or else he'll really end up killing her. So he went to see if his underlings have any information about who was killing them for two weeks.
" Estarossa, I'll need some food. Our is getting scarce." announced Morgan.
" Oh. That's a problem indeed. Well, make a list I'll send someone to collect it."
" Fine, thank you."
She quickly wrote what she needed then gave it to him. Then she went for a bath. Honestly, that kind of life wasn't so bad, she thought while undressing. As a princess, she was very busy. Always learning this or studying that, always complied to act in a specific way, not able to do what she pleases … meanwhile she was left alone here. She just has to cook. Feels like holidays.
" Still no clue about our raider. I think it's about time we use our hostage. Where is she ?" said Zeldoris.
" No idea master, sorry." responded Cusack.
" Hmph ! Then go look for her. I'll warn Estarossa."
On the way, Zeldoris thought it'd be nice to use the girl himself. That sure would calm her. That's how he found himself searching for the princess as well. He arrived near to her door. Perfect, time to make her understand who was in charge here. That's how he committed his first mistake. The demon opened the door without knocking. So much for being a prince and educated as such. He heard she was in the bathroom, and entered there unannounced as well. Morgan has finished her bath and just got out. So there she was, wiping herself with a washing. Zeldoris stopped. Oh crap. Morgan was petrified, eyes rounded. Then, needless to say she yelled like hell.
Like hell indeed. Her voice was piercing. Did her parents got drill blood in their veins or what ? Even for a demon it was unbearable. Zeldoris went to stop her, when he met an unexpected enemy. A vicious one, that could bring down anyone : king like commoner, demon like human. A weapon that should be use more often. The soooaaaaap on the floor. Yes, a simple but efficient weapon, cheap, easy to manufacture. The second mistake. He put a foot on it. Zeldoris tried to regain his balance, agitating his arms. He went near Morgan, who hit him a brush used to wash the back. The demon managed to slip way, only to walk in water she dropped when she got out her bath.
Slipping even more, especially with an even more wet soap, the poor one got back next to the princess, who hit him again. In total, she hit Zeldoris three times before he finally fell on the floor. Just like this game when you hit moles heads with a hammer.
"What the hell is that ruckus ?" exclaimed Estarossa, arriving alerted by her shout and accompanied of Cusack.
" Get that pervert away from here !" yelled Morgan, showing Zeldoris.
This one was straightening.
" Zely ! Would puberty have finally reached you or something ?" made Estarossa, his hand on his hips.
" I can't believe it !" added Cusack.
" What the fuck you two ?!" exclaimed Zeldoris, up at last.
" Why else would you force a girl's door, especially when she's on her bath ? Though you could also look by the lock." replied Estarossa.
" I didn't know she was in her bath !" shouted Zeldoris, blushing in embarrassment.
" Yeah right." smiled Estarossa.
"Hey you lot ! Would mind getting out ? There's a girl who'd really like to dress !" intervened Morgan.
"Yes yes. Come on Zely, I think it's time we have the discussion, man to man." said Estarossa, catching his brother by the collar.
" HUH ?!"
They closed the door as they got out. Morgana sighed. Well, better hurry to dress before someone else land in here. The walls began to shake. It stopped, and started again.
" Looks like the discussion isn't going so well."
Further, Zeldoris was standing before his brother, who was looking tired.
" Is that it ? Are you calmer now ?" asked Estarossa.
" Resume your talking and I'll crash you."
"Come oooon ! It's a common thing to know. It's more than about time you learn the things of life."
" What the hell happened to your brain ?" questioned Zeldoris.
The thing was, Estarossa discovered that teasing his little brother was one of the funniest things he got to test. Of course, he was well aware that Zeldoris wasn't interested in women. Quite a waste, according to him.
"Anyway, it's about time we use her." resumed Zeldoris.
Estarossa became serious. So the demon sent Cusack to fetch the princess. This time, she was dressed. She gave Zeldoris a dark look. This one rolled his eyes. A red demon caught Morgan on Zeldoris' order. They went outside, to the market place. People looked at them as they approached. The red demon brandished the princess. Zeldoris addressed himself to the raider, proclaiming that if he didn't surrender, Morgan would be killed. Saying that, he glanced at her. Apart from a bit of anger, nothing else was present on her face.
"This is bad." thought someone in the crowd.
Zeldoris looked carefully the human crowd, who slowly went back to its occupation. No one in particular seemed alerted by what happened. But he could tell the information would spread. He ordered the return. Once in the castle, the demon sent Morgan rolling on the floor.
" So much for being a prince. No manners at all." she thought.
Zeldoris jumped from the demon's shoulder. Morgan was arranging her clothes. At this moment, a grey demon arrived, carrying baskets full of food.
" What the … are you taking us for your minions ?" exclaimed Zeldoris.
Morgan didn't even bother to answer, indicating to the demon to bring everything to the kitchen.
" Bring it yourself !" made Zeldoris.
" That's too heavy for me."
" Oooh you poor thing ! Humans are so weak it's a wonder you survived for so long."
" Said the one who's been sealed for 3000 years." retorted Morgan.
Estarossa hold back his brother by the shoulders.
"Let me use my commandment on her ! At least she'll be obedient !" exclaimed Zeldoris.
" But it would be way less fun." thought Estarossa.
Morgan was already walking away. Meanwhile, one of Arthur's knights left the market place right after the demons. He was attentive that no one followed nor looked where he was going. After thousands of precautions he arrived at the underground HQ. The guard let him pass after he checked his identity.
" Oh Bors, you're back." noticed Arthur, sat at a table.
"My king. Yes I am, but I'm bringing a bad new." replied Bors.
" Such as ?"
" Your sister, lady Morgan."
Arthur stopped reading reports. He raised a worry look to his knight. The latter then told what he's been witness of. Arthur hissed a sworn. The he got up and began to walk on line.
"I know she insisted on staying there to gather informations but … I can't let her risk her life. I just can't." he said sadly.
" Lady Morgan is trying to help you. She already told us how many demons were roaming in the castle." resumed Bors.
" And that's all she should do ! I'll go free her using the secret passages." exclaimed Arthur.
" But your highness !"
" No buts !"
Arthur was already leaving. Cath, that ball-like cat tried once again to dissuade him. In vain. The young king allowed him to accompany him, but that was all.
"If you could get a hand on Excalibur you could free her." suggested the animal.
" I know. But … I want her to be safe first."
Arthur arrived in front of his castle.
" Hang on sis. I'll get you out of here."
On her side, Morgan went to check on Excalibur. She planned to advise his brother about it. Normally, no one in here should be able to pick it. She arrived where it was supposed to be stick on the ground. Zeldoris was there, trying to pull it off.
"Phew ! He can't do it."
She left without waiting. The princess didn't use the secret passages. No need to let them know about them. Plus, she knew she was under watch more than before. So there she was when she suddenly caught sight of ginger hair. Morgan froze.
" Don't tell me …"
She ran to the corridor in front of her. Arthur was here, walking carefully. She arrived straight behind him.
" What the hell are you doing here ?!" she shouted.
Arthur startled.
" Morgan ! Are you nuts I almost had a heart attack !" retorted Arthur.
" Well too bad you didn't ! Get out immediately before they caught you !"
" Not without you. I came here to rescue you, so let's go." replied Arthur.
Morgan glanced to her left.
" Not now ! Hurry, leave !"
She opened a secret passage and threw her brother inside. Zeldoris arrived just after the passage closed. Just in time.
" You again. Were you talking to someone ?"
"You again too. Humans do talk to themselves from time to time." she answered.
" Hmph ! I'm pretty sure I heard two voices." he insisted, with a suspicious look.
Arthur could hear him from the other side. The voices were choked. Oh no, did he put her in danger ?
" Oh don't worry, hearing stop working fine at some point in a life." made Morgan.
" WHAT ?!"
" Good. I got all his attention focused on me."
"That's just life, or oldness. No big deal you'll see."
"I'm so gonna kill you one of these days !"
Morgan now began to walk away.
" I'm really amazed by your sense of hospitality you know. So reassuring, welcoming … I'm going to shed a tear."
" MGRRRR !"
Zeldoris left the corridor with a furious step. Perfect, thought Morgan. He completely forgot about what brought him here in the first place. Morgan looked at where Arthur was, and decided to leave hoping he'd do the same. Arthur sighed. He failed. He has nothing more to do here.
" The good new is they won't laugh every day with her. If it weren't for her I would have been caught. I need more strength to get her back, along with my castle and kingdom."
Arthur resigned to get back to his hideout. He couldn't get his hand on the holy sword, nor could he free his sister. Well, she prevented him to do that. Camelot's knights were relieved to seem him back unharmed, but sad when they understood that he was alone.
" So your majesty, what should we do for lady Morgan ?" asked one of them.
" First, we're going to keep quiet. No more raid for a while. She's their hostage and they're using her against us. If they ever think she's of no use they'll kill her. Plus, I need more strength to get her back as well as the rest. I need the Seven Deadly Sins with me." declared Arthur.
Now, that decided they needed to prepare his journey to find them. And they were constantly moving, that wasn't going to be easy.
After dinner, Morgan went to her window. She began a new song still in that ancient language that she and her brother could understand. Only the most high-ranked nobles were taught that language. Arthur was here. He wanted to be sure she was alright. Morgan made him understand that the holy sword was still unsheathed. A good new at last. A fake bird noise put an end to this conversation. However, Morgan still singed a minute so no one would suspect anything. Arthur gave order so that a knight who could come here every evening to collect information.
Meanwhile inside, Peronia was floating weirdly. In zigzag to be more precise. She didn't look so good as well. That's in that state that the others found her.
" What's wrong Peronia ? You seem … ill." asked Estarossa.
A weird situation. Last time they checked demons weren't supposed to be ill. But Peronia did look ill.
" I don't know … I feel bad."
" But how did that happen ?" asked Zeldoris.
" I was … checking on the hostage …"
" I KNEW that woman would be nothing but trouble ! She visibly found a way to poison us !" cut Zeldoris.
He leaded to Morgan's room, followed by everyone.
" I told you we shouldn't trust her. Let me get rid of her for you master." intervened Cusack.
" For once I agree with him. Women are nothing but trouble-makers. Look what one of them did to my precious master." added Chandler.
Estarossa for his part, was sceptical. But if they were right, he would kill her himself. As they arrived near her door, that one opened brutally. Zeldoris who was the closest made a jump to dodge it. He put a hand on his sword.
" Who the hell stole my clay mask ?" exclaimed Morgan, tending an empty bowl.
" Your what ?" asked Estarossa.
"My clay mask !"
" Don't play dumb with us. You tried to poison one of us, and this is as far as you go." warned Zeldoris.
" What are you talking about ? I thought you couldn't be poisoned." responded Morgan.
"What is the use for a clay mask exactly ?" resumed Estarossa, beginning to understand what happened here.
" It's a care for the face. I prepare and put one every evening." explained the young woman.
Everyone blinked while Estarossa just smiled. Then all heads turned to Peronia. That one just gave back the clay mask the dirty way.
" Blaaaargh !"
Those close to her just had time to step aside.
" Wait. Did she … eat it ?" asked Morgan, pointing the small demon.
" Looks like." said Estarossa.
" Peronia ! Care explaining why in heavens did you eat that ?!" exclaimed the princess, dumbfounded.
" I thought … it was cake paste." she revealed.
" In my room ? I would never bake a cake in my bedroom ! Had you asked me I would have told you it wasn't edible !"
Of course, something to purify was of no good for a demon. Morgan lifted her arms to the sky.
" Seriously ! You demons really need to learn more about the current world. Now I have to start it all over. Thanks for nothing."
She went back inside and closed her door. Zeldoris slapped his forehead. Human women were just impossible. Cusack asked if it was all. Were they going to let the human alone ? Estarossa replied that yes, since everything was clear. Peronia was the first to leave the place, still looking pale. Then all of them left.
" She had a point tough. We don't know this era."
" What do you mean this time ?" asked Zeldoris.
" I mean what if humans invented new weapons or else that can harm us." precised Estarossa.
" If that was the case, they would already have used them." objected his brother.
"Maybe not, we got them by surprise and your commandment prevent them from counterattacking. Plus, we still don't know about the ones who kill our brethren. What about them ?"
" Hmmm I guess you're right. Fine then, I saw a library somewhere, we'll start gathering information." agreed Zeldoris.
The following morning, the demons reunited in the library. They chose some books and chose another place to read.
" Hm ? What is that noise ?" wondered Zeldoris.
Following what he was hearing, he arrived in a vast place. Certainly the ball room. Turning his head, he discovered Morgan, playing the harp. He looked for an instant, then decided to leave.
" Oh ? Well our princess is a musician. Quite a beautiful sound I must admit." made Estarossa.
He entered the place. Then he went to her, took one of the chair intended for musicians, and just sat. Zeldoris sighed : how could his brother stand that human. The only positive thing about her was her cooking. Zeldoris read some books until the end of the forenoon. Nothing really interesting actually. Was it even a good idea in the first place ?
" Oh wait. Why not asking the human ? And if she doesn't want to answer, then I'll deal with her." he thought.
Now that was smarter ! Zeldoris left, and went to find her. But she wasn't in the ball room anymore. So he went to her room, and this time, knocked. No one here as well. He realized it was lunch time and led to the kitchen. Still not here ! Where did that damn human go again ?!
"ZELDORIS !" called Estarossa, making the castle shook.
"WHAT ?"
" TIME TO EAT !"
"STOP YELLING YOU TWO WE'RE NOT SAVAGES !" made an even more piercing voice.
The castle sure has to be solid. Zeldoris arrived, casting a dark look to Morgan who ignored him. Lunch was peaceful. When it was all over, Zeldoris realized he forgot about interrogating the princess. Naturally, she was nowhere to be found again. With an increasing wrath, he looked for her. It took him two hours to tour the whole building. Finally he spotted her. The princess was outside, on a terrace busy painting. She installed a tiny easel and was sitting on the floor, a flowery hat on her head.
" There you are ! Can't you stay put in one place devildamnit !" he shouted next to her.
" Oh so good !" she exclaimed.
He stood confused. What did she mean with that so good ? Since when being yelled at was even good ?
" It's so hot in here and your cold aura is so refreshing !" she said, smiling to him.
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"You know, you'd do great in a retirement home." she added, continuing drawing.
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" I have more than enough with your attitude ! I have some questions for you and you'd better answer me if you don't want to be hurt !" he exclaimed, catching her by her forearm.
Morgan winced. His grasp was strong and hurting her. That didn't keep her from giving him a dark look.
" Now answer me. Did your kind developed a weapon that could threaten us ?"
Morgan had an ironic smile.
" Ooooh ! Are the might and powerful demons afraid of us little humans ?" she said with a smooth voice.
" No way your kind will ever scare us." replied Zeldoris.
" Then why asking ?"
He released her in an abrupt move. Indeed, nothing this weak specie would create could overwhelm his. However, their magic could be a problem. One never knows, but this human here didn't seem to know anything in that domain. A waste of time. Again.
"If you're not useful, then we don't need to keep you." reminded Zeldoris.
"You're the one asking things I can't possibly know. This is warrior stuff, I'm just a princess." she replied.
Point taken. Thinking he had nothing more to ask, she went back to her painting. That made Zeldoris wonder who let the doors opened. And … why didn't she try to escape ? Instead she decided to stay here and paint. Anyone would've try to flee. That just puzzled him, and his anger started to vanish.
"Why are you still here ?" he muttered.
Morgan didn't answer. But she put her paintbrush, stood up and went back inside. Zeldoris lifted his head and looked at the sky. White clouds were passing. He would never have dreamed that humans were so annoying. Or weird. Hearing footsteps, he leaned his head a bit to see Morgan coming back with a bandage around her forearm. True … her specie was so weak. He could break her so easily. Every prisoner they made in the past tempted to flee. They would have grasped this opportunity to leave. Zeldoris looked at her. That one never really showed terror like everyone. He stayed a while trying to understand what was wrong with this one. Morgan turned her head to him.
" You look confused." she said.
" Yes I am indeed. You're kinda strange in reality. Even when I caught you, you seemed angrier that scared." he said, crossing his arms.
"Well of course you're infuriating me."
" But why aren't you afraid ? Most of your brethren, if not all, is terrified by us." he continued.
" Are you kidding me ? Red and grey demons sure are frightening, but as far as I'm concerned you're a different story. Your presence is suffocating, but if you allow me to be honest …" she developed.
" Go on."
" You asked for it. Estarossa looks bored permanently. When I saw him first I thought he was going to sell me a pillow. Chandler keeps whining about his master from dawn til dusk, you're grumbling all day as well, Cusack is playing tapestry and Peronia is locked up in her laboratory. Talk about scary people here."
Ooookaaaay. Maybe he shouldn't have asked. However, he tried to remind her she should be scared of them. He let his darkness spread and elevate making a form. He added a roar to impress. But the princess was more or less aware of his move, judging by his expression just before. So she simply watched him, wondering what the heck was happening again.
" Why … do you feel the need to yell ? " said Morgan.
Zeldoris simply responded by a frustrated sound.
"By the way, can I ask you something as well ?"
" Like what ?" sighed Zeldoris.
" About that master Chandler talks about."
Zeldoris' face became serious.
" He said his name was Meliodas. Could he be … could he be the same Meliodas of the Seven Deadly Sins ?" interrogated Morgan.
" And what if he is ?" wanted to know Zeldoris.
" I don't know. It seems hard to believe."
" But that's the truth. Meliodas is my older brother, our eldest to be precise. He betrayed us 3000 years ago because of a woman he loved."
Morgan rounded eyes. So Meliodas was a demon ? When Arthur will hear about that … The princess asked for more details. Zeldoris glanced at her, then deciding there was no point in hiding it he told everything he knew.
" Oh. Must've been hard." said Morgan at the end of the story.
Her face looked friendlier. Zeldoris raised an eyebrow.
" I really don't get you at all." he said before leaving.
Later when she came back, Estarossa noticed her injure and questioned her while she was serving tea. Morgan told the truth.
" And why did you do that Zely ?"
" You mean apart from getting on my nerves again ? Because she took me for a ventilator."
Estarossa blinked. Morgan poured tea and gave it to Zeldoris.
" Oh ? That's delicious. She would make an acceptable servant if she wasn't such a pain in the neck." he thought.
Estarossa didn't ask more about this ventilator story. Living with a human woman was something, it seemed.
