The week went by fast, and hours before midnight when most lights were already out, Rozaria burst into Raizel's room. She had a lantern in hand to stave away the darkness and stood over the bed where he slept.

"Lord Raizel, wake up. We must go."

Raizel woke up, rubbing his eyes, "Is it time already?" He asked.

"Yes, everything is waiting for you, just get changed." Ideally this would be happening tomorrow in broad daylight after the official ceremony. It wasn't possible though. "I'll be waiting for you outside the door."

"Alright," Raizel got up quickly and changed. A few minutes later he met Rozaria outside his door. "I'm ready, please lead the way."

She took off at a brisk pace, heading to the stables. They made the journey in silence, and two horses awaited them, with a tall man holding their reins.

Curtsying, she greeted him, "Your Majesty."

Raizel bowed, "It's good to see you, Your Majesty."

With a difficult smile, Ashoka waved his hand dismissively. Rozaria took the reins from him and stood to the side, back straight. "Your family will be here tomorrow, are you completely sure about this?"

Raizel nodded. "Yes, I'm certain. Someone has to go, and I did volunteer."

"Right." He was more worried about himself and what he was supposed to tell them. It wasn't like Raizel would die. "Everything you need is packed, and Rozaria will be taking you to the outskirts of our kingdom to the south. Listen to her."

"Thank you for everything." He smiled before following Rozaria. He'd be sure to listen to her instructions.

Ashoka spoke fretfully behind him. "You do know how to ride a horse right? Should I prepare a carriage?"

It made Rozaria roll her eyes. Really, this was just how he acted with her highness.

Raizel shook his head, "I'll be fine, please don't worry so much."

Ashoka looked conflicted but didn't say anything. He just stepped forward to wrap his cousin in a hug.

Raizel returned the hug. He'd miss the king; he was always so kind. A few moments passed, "I should get going, I need to leave before my family arrive."

"Yes just, make sure you eat properly okay?" He let go, still worried. "If the monster doesn't treat you properly just return. No need to risk too much."

Raizel nodded, "I will, thank you." Getting on the horse, he followed Rozaria to the monster's castle.

The next day, his majesty sat on his throne properly. Back straight, benevolent smile, ceremonial clothes. The men and women danced as they feasted but Edian simply stood by his side.

"Your majesty, are you feeling fine?"

The king was sick to his stomach, how was he going to explain this to Raizel's family? He smiled at Edian's question, "Yes, of course." He had to make it seem like he had things under control.

"The Marchioness will be arriving soon." So would Lord Draconis and she was eager for his company. He was a dear friend. "Have you thought of an excuse to explain Lord Raizel's absence?"

"Not at the moment, I don't suppose you've come up with anything?" He was terrible at coming up with excuses, and an even worse liar.

"...We could say he got lost and never arrived."

"That would be believable, but then we'd have to send out search parties. I wouldn't want to cause them worry if we don't find him. They'd have to find out the truth eventually, I just dread what will happen when they do."

"He won't die so that should at least calm them." Even if Draconis and his mother were overprotective, they were rational people. "Maybe if they go after Lord Raizel the monster will be vanquished sooner."

"You make a good point," Ashoka considered this for a moment, "Alright, I'll tell them he got lost. If they find out he sought shelter in the home of the monster they won't think I had anything to do with it."

"Then what about the ceremony? If we aren't announcing that we sent him, are we going to pretend to break the tradition?"

Ashoka let out a sigh, "Yes, you're right. We have to tell them about it. Why does this have to be so hard?" He whined.

Edian kept herself from smiling. What a childish king but, he was a good one who maintained his affairs without interfering in politics. "So, we announce that this year's sacrifice has been sent ahead of time and that it is the Lord?"

Ashoka nodded, "Yes, we'll make the announcement when everyone is present." He hoped that he'd be alive afterwards.

Edian bowed. "I will leave to make the last preparations then your majesty."

"Very well. I shall await the arrival of the guests."

Edian left to speak to Krasis first. Time went by quickly, at least for her, and then there was the loud announcement that made her still in her steps.

"The Marchioness of Suldala, Lady Xuvunue, and her son Lord Draconis."

An intimidating woman with an eyepatch, and a man resembling her were at the entrance. Their clothes in typical Suldala fashion were designed with the motifs of spiders.

Ashoka stood to greet them, "Welcome, welcome. It's good to see you again, have you been well?"

Xuvunue snorted, amusement obvious as she approached the king with her son and knelt. "We have been well your majesty." Draconis flashed a smile at Edian who had come to stand beside Ashoka again.

"That's great," Ashoka replied, "Why don't you make yourselves comfortable."

Hmm. She nodded. Standing, her eyes roamed the room but, it was too full. "Your majesty, do you know where Raizel is?"

"Ah, well, the thing with that is..." Ashoka forgot everything he was going to say. Should he just come out with the truth now?

Edian stepped in with a smile. "Lord Raizel is temporarily out. Please enjoy yourself first my lady." Draconis watched her, amused.

Thank the lady of the heavens, Lady Edian stepped in to save him. "Yes, please enjoy yourselves." He smiled.

Xuvunue nodded, bowed, and left. Though it was in search of Raizel rather than that. Draconis took Edian's arm and led her away. "So, what are you keeping from us? We're seeing each other after so long and the first thing you say is a lie Edi?"

"You'll find out later, it's not my place to say." She smiled.

"Is he even here?" Raizel wasn't the best at taking care of himself.

"You know I'd tell you if I could." She replied, it wasn't her place to say. It was for the king to inform them.

He laughed. So she wasn't going to let slip. Same old, same old. "Then how have you been these days? Fun? Or have you been getting the urge to revolt and murder his majesty?" he teased.

She chuckled at that, "I've been well. His majesty is a great ruler, even if he is a little bit childish at times."

"He's kept to regulating only magic like he's supposed to. The prime minister is pleased with him." And it was always good for that to be the case. He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "I've also heard that the people like betting on who his spouse is. Do you know?"

Edian smiled, "No, I've never met anyone apart from his majesty and his daughter. Who do the people say?" She asked, curious, if anyone knew.

"Countless," he murmured, still holding her close so that nobody heard them. "There's a theory for every single person you can point at, especially if they hold some position of nobility or power. The biggest bets though? Your colleague, Knight Mergas, because of her hair, and the Prime Minister, Lunark."

"That's a lot of potential partners, who do you think it is?"

Draconis shrugged. "I do not know. The only romance I know of my cousin is the crush he had when we were ten. It was on one of the nagas or gorgons or something similar of the kingdom to the south of ours."

"That makes me wonder what he was like as a child." She smiled, wondering who his partner could be, he'd never spoken of anyone, nor did he seem to be courting. As curious as she was though, it wasn't her place to ask.

"Not too different from now. More eager to please maybe, he's mellowed out." It was very much possible that Ashoka's spouse was not human, but he didn't say that.

"I like how he is now, it's definitely entertaining." She giggled slightly. He was definitely fun to be around.

Resting his head on her shoulder, he observed the people. There were plenty of non-humans, and plenty who could potentially be his cousin's spouse. "It's also possible that his spouse and the mother of her highness are two completely different people. In which case I'd say that Knight Mergas, or at least someone from her family, is her mother."

"That's definitely possible," Edian placed a hand on the back of Draconis' head. "I wonder if he'd tell us, if we were to ask him?"

"Perhaps, or-" and he looked at the princess, who turned away the moment he did. How adorable. Her stare had been boring holes in him mere moments before but now she was pretending she had no interest in them- "we could ask her highness."

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea." The princess was far more approachable than his majesty.

"Stay here for a bit then, 'kay Edi?" Kissing her cheek, something they both knew was just friendly affection, he headed towards Raskreia. "Your highness-" he bowed- "it's been a while."

Raskreia looked at him coldly, "Yes, it has." She said pleasantly. Even if she didn't like him being close to her mentor, she had to remain courteous.

He kept himself from laughing. Oh, she was adorable! Did she have some sort of protective urge for Edian? Did something happen for her to act this way? The thought made him smile as his blood thirst grew. "I've heard from Lady Edian that you're her student. How is it being under such harsh training your highness?"

"It's not that harsh, it's actually rather enjoyable." She looked over at Edian, blushing slightly.

"Being up from dawn is enjoyable?" Blushing like that, how interesting. Was she harbouring feelings for Edi? Puppy love or the genuine deal? Or was he jumping to conclusions? He'd wait and see.

"Yes, dawn is the best time for training. It's quiet since there are less people around." She smiled; she'd get up even earlier if it meant being able to spend more time with Lady Edian.

Perhaps his little cousin's daughter was just a masochist. "Well, his majesty asked me to get the official lineage records of the royal line but, I am sure you're aware only direct heirs can get it yes? So he asked me to bring you too."

"Really? I'm sure my father would've mentioned something to me beforehand," she replied, wondering why he didn't ask her to get them instead.

He smiled. "He instructed Edian to guide me, but it seems he has forgotten she isn't of your blood."

"Alright. Will she be accompanying us? If my father asked her to go, she should come as well, don't you think?" Raskreia asked, hoping Lady Edian would join them.

"Of course." Back to Edian then. It was easy navigating through the crowd and he looped his arm with hers once they were together. "Come, her highness will help us follow his majesty's order and bring the book of lineage."

Edian thought it would be best to agree under the circumstances, "Yes, of course." She smiled as the three of them headed to where the records were kept.

The library was beautiful, extravagant, and larger than the eye could see. Rumours had it that one could walk for days and never reach one end or the other, or that people had gotten lost inside, never to be seen again. Those were stories of the past. Now there was a teleporter every few hundred metres, so nobody would have any trouble.

Slowly, with a relaxed gait that didn't suit his lies, he walked towards one. "You will have to activate this I'm afraid. The librarian seems to have switched them off to mitigate any crime while at the ceremony."

"Why does my father want the book of lineage?" She wanted to know the reason before activating the teleporter.

"To change up the ceremony. He says that it's too boring keeping it the same."

Edian smiled at Raskreia, feeling nervous. Considering what they both knew, the princess would most likely pass it off as her father trying to distract Draconis from Lord Raizel's disappearance but it was still worrying.

"Alright." Raskreia activated the teleporter.

The flash of light annoyed him. There was always some sort of drawback to these things. Others made you dizzy or took too long to transport you. Still, it brought them in front of the vault, and he retreated a few steps with Edian, bowing. "I will leave this to you, it wouldn't be proper of us to enter."

Raskreia nodded as she opened the door to the vault, she could go on alone and bring the book back. It was her father who'd demanded it after all.

"Now that wasn't hard was it Edi? Her highness is a very trusting woman."

"She won't be happy if, and when, she finds out you've tricked her." Edian replied. She was curious, but she didn't want to betray the trust of one of her students.

"I'll go take the book to his majesty so she doesn't feel betrayed. I'm sure he won't mind changing things up." Though he would need to also tell Ashoka to teach his daughter some things.

Edian nodded, "Alright, as long as she doesn't get hurt in this."

"Finding out her other parent won't hurt her. Not when we have no intention to reveal it." Gently, he tucked her hair behind her ear. "Don't worry."

Raskreia returned minutes later with the book. "This is the book of lineage. Let's take this to my father," she said, holding onto it for safe keeping.

"Of course, your highness." Though Ashoka would be surprised, the man knew better than to reveal his schemes.

The three of them headed back to the throne room, through the main library. She looked around for her father.

"His majesty is with Duke Tradio's daughter." Draconis observed the girl, she was a nymph of the same age as Raskreia. She and her father weren't of this kingdom, rather, a forest to the east.

"I'll wait until he's done," Raskreia didn't want to disturb him, even though she knew she could if she wished.

"That would be best." Ashoka couldn't leave his throne for long anyway. He would return there soon so- "We can wait for him by the throne."

"Yes, that's a good idea."

Draconis watched the interaction carefully. Ashoka was acting strange, almost overprotective of her as if she was Raskreia. As he pet her head and made his way back, Draconis chuckled, leaning in to whisper into Edian's ear. "I think I can fathom a guess to who his spouse is."

Edian looked at him, "Who?" If he had an idea then she would like to know as well, either way, they'd find out soon enough.

"Duke Tradio."

She stared at him, wide eyed, "Really? What makes you think that?"

"The way he treated his daughter is the same way he treats Raskreia." An oddity that had never occurred before.

"Hmm... that is strange. I wonder whether he's just being kind because they're from so far away." It certainly was a possibility.

"Edi don't be dense. You're with his majesty more than I am, since when does kindness equate to treating a grown woman as his child for him?"

"You have a point, but then again, he treats your brother like his son." She smiled, remembering her moments training Raizel.

He snorted. Raizel? That idiot brother of his needed to be watched to make sure he didn't accidentally kill himself, of course he was treated like a child. He bowed as his cousin returned, sitting on his throne. "Your majesty."

"Ah, what are you three doing here? Do you wish to see me about something?"

Raskreia frowned, confused. Had her father forgotten already? "Didn't you ask for this?" She offered the book.

"You wanted it to spice up the ceremony you said, no?" Draconis smiled, threatening. Ashoka better not ruin this.

Ashoka took the book, since he'd sent Raizel off it would be better to go along with whatever Draconis was up to, for now at least. "Yes, thank you Raskreia."

Hesitating, Raskreia decided to leave. It wasn't her business what her father was going to mess up this time.

"So, your majesty, do you think you could check one little thing in that book for me?"

"What do you want to check?" He was sure his cousin was planning something, but wasn't quite sure what.

"How about-" he gave a gentle smile- "whether that spouse of yours is Duke Tradio? Or maybe that Claudia Tradio is your daughter?"

Ashoka laughed, "Why would you want to know that?"

"Think about it as payment for sending my brother off to be this year's sacrifice."

"How do you know about that?" Nobody was supposed to know until, the announcement later.

He snorted, unimpressed. "Do you take me for an idiot? If my brother was here than we would already have seen him by now. The only reason you could have called him before us is this too."

He laughed nervously, "Is that so? Have you told anyone else yet?"

"Do you think you would be sitting in peace if I had?"

"You do have a point." He laughed nervously.

"So. Am I right?" He wasn't as curious as one would think about this. Only the fact that Duke Tradio was friendly with Suldala interested him.

Ashoka let out a huff, "Yes, he is."

Draconis smiled, satisfied. "I never would have thought he was your type. Even if he's handsome with that braid of his."

"And who would you consider to be my type?" He asked, curious now.

"Last I checked? Snakes." He did actually remember the naga Ashoka had crushed on. She was a strange one. "Is it the vines? They're wriggly like them."

"That's none of your business," Ashoka told him, blushing slightly. His reasons were his own, he didn't owe anyone an explanation.

He laughed, amused. "Love then? Not bad." Or it really was the vines. Probably not though. "Well that's that. Do get on with the ceremony soon, I'm bored."

"Very well." There didn't seem to be any reason to drag things out any longer.