The next day, the Forest Demon was fitted out with a leash and collar, the wounds he had received from his capture were cleaned and dressed, and the tattered trousers that were his only protection against impropriety were replaced. In Lady Amanda's spacious living quarters an enclosure maintaining a higher level of quality and comfort than those of the Menagerie had been constructed.
As the day reached lunchtime, Amanda took her pet to be fed, quizzing it over its diet on the way. The fact that it seemed to eat nothing more fascinating than normal food and lots of it did not alleviate her constant state of boredom at all.
"A demon eats flesh and entrails, as every person knows, what trick do you seek to execute by telling me otherwise?"
"Haven't I told you yet? I suppose I didn't give myself a chance. You see, that's just it; I'm not a demon. I'm completely human."
He turned to see the princess staring at him, her look taking in every aspect of him in a studious manner. The mocking sneer that spread over her face foretold the futility of trying to prove to her that he was truly human. He tried anyway.
"My mother was Mystique the Blue Seer. It's common knowledge that the children of seers always look different. I am merely the extreme of how different they can get."
That was when the laughing started. There was a little disbelieving gossip among the servants, while Amanda herself just laughed off his solemn confession.
The Forest Demon's sorrow at being spurned was soon replaced by joy. They had reached the Royal Dining Hall, and the vast expanse of food laid over the long tables in a buffet fashion was the finest sight he'd had for a fortnight. He was so still, taking it all in, that Amanda got impatient, fast.
"Why are you not eating? If I am to believe that you were not as hungry as you'd said, and were lying, I might take all the food away." She told him, in a deceptively sweet tone. The demon visibly paled beneath the fur, but still managed to joke: "I was planning my method of attack! It would be a good idea to take off the leash," he added.
"Don't even bother asking demon, I am not nearly fool enough to let a monster off a leash. Remember that, I am not given to repeating myself."
"Don't say I didn't warn you," he grinned, and bounded through the huge double doors towards the victuals, dragging a stumbling royal along behind him by the lead, and with an undignified squawk from the latter, hit the tables. The occupants of the room, of various ranks, all scattered before the terror that was a hungry demon.
In record timing the Forest Demon polished off a pheasant, three chicken drumsticks, half a tureen of tomato soup, a plateful of carrots and a potato salad. He then picked up the platter that had held the pheasant, and heaped it with a selection of everything in sight. The Lady Amanda used this lull in his rapid intake to detach the lead from its matching collar and retreat to a safe distance, out of range of the small bits of stray food that were flying through the air. He didn't bolt the food again, but settled into a steady rhythm of chewing and swallowing. The terrifying thing was that he looked as if he could carry on for hours
It was a long time before he stopped. The cooking staff had barricaded the kitchens, refusing to give out any more food 'til the furry famine- survivor had left. Princess Amanda was the only one served, the Demon had only ventured near her plate once, and the threats that followed cured him of ever attempting it again.
"Mmm, Danke schon!" He exclaimed, in a heartfelt tone. "Many compliments to the chefs, that was the best meal this eating connoisseur ever tasted." Seeing the barricade, and guessing the reason behind it, he chuckled. "Don't worry, wonder-chefs!" called the blue eating machine. "I will never eat so much again, it was only because I haven't eaten in two days." The kitchen serf that appeared calmed his worries, saying that the head chef didn't mind feeding Her Highness Lady Amanda's pets at all.
Verdammt. thought the Demon, shocked he had forgotten. I'm gonna get hell for eating so much, and even if I don't I'll get it for ignoring her for so long. Ah, es ist nicht gut. He turned forlornly to his- how he hated the word- owner and feared her wrath.
She only half-smiled, bringing low gasps to the lips of her entourage. Her temper was famed, and all had expected a royal thrashing at the very least. "Watching you terrify half the castle staff is certainly more interesting that embroidery, I say." She frowned slightly; embroidery was the bane of her life.
"You are not angry mein Dame?" double-checked the Demon, surprised.
"Woe betide anyone in your way when you're hungry." She said, eyebrow raised; adding, "What is the translation of 'mein Dame'?"
"My Lady," said the Demon, a fanged grin flashing in his indigo face.