The Damned Demon

Asher was surprised to hear about her condition, where her mind has not only reverted to a point in her childhood, but she also cannot remember anything that happened for more than a day or until she gets knocked out like this.

Asher then ventured a suggestion, albeit tentatively, "You might have already tried, but I am sure some mindforce experts could help heal her mind. Maybe my consort, Isola, can help. She is great at—"

"No," Lakhur interrupted, his voice sharp, a reflection of the inner steel that had weathered countless disappointments.

He met Asher's eyes squarely, fatigue etched in the lines of his face, "I have employed every expert out there, and yet they only managed to make her condition worsen. For some reason, she wouldn't let anyone near her except me and would scream and fight back. That man you saw earlier is her fiance, and she still only acts somewhat familiar with him. Even then, he puts himself through this because he loves her and doesn't want to abandon her despite being told to move on. So I am not going to risk it again, especially not with your kingdom's people. I would rather see my granddaughter's happy smile once in a while rather than lose her forever."

Asher shook his head slowly, frustration mingling with respect for the old king's protective stance.

It was rare, he mused, to see such familial devotion in their harsh world, especially from a demon of Lakhur's stature. Typically, rulers of their sort would have sought to secure their lineage by any means necessary, including replacing an ailing heir.

"How did this happen exactly... if you don't mind telling me," Asher's voice was soft, cautious, as he broached the delicate topic.

Lakhur glanced at the peaceful sleeping face of Kayla, then back at Asher, "Let's go out and take a walk," he suggested as Asher nodded.

As they exited the room, Lakhur paused to instruct the guards stationed outside, "Don't let anyone inside. I want her to rest peacefully until I return," His command was firm, brooking no argument, and the guards bowed deeply in acquiescence.

The two kings then began their slow procession through the vast, echoing halls of the castle.

The rhythmic clack of their boots against the stone floor punctuated the silence that stretched between them.

Finally, Lakhur broke it, his voice low and tinged with a weary curiosity, "What do you know about what happened?" he asked, eyeing Asher carefully.

Asher, his expression solemn, responded to Lakhur's probing with a shake of his head, "I don't really have much of an idea. Not even my wife knows what the quest was about since my predecessor kept it secretive on purpose. And the only survivor claims she somehow can't remember what the quest was about other than fragments of narrowly escaping death. My predecessor also strangely didn't allow any further investigation apparently out of pain from losing his wife."

Lakhur's features tightened, disappointment and anger shadowing his visage, "So you are really in the dark as well," he muttered, the weight of years of frustration evident in his tone, "Another reason that made me detest your kingdom even more was because I didn't even know what quest I was sending my family for. Zane only told me it concerned the survival of our world and asked me to trust him blindly for the sake of our centuries-long alliance and out of respect for our ancestors' good relations. It all happened so suddenly but since he was also sending his wife, I trusted that he knew what he was doing and was confident. But... I realized how much of a fool I was too late... when I lost everything," he finished, a bitter edge sharpening his words as resentment flickered in his eyes.

'Survival of our world?' Asher inwardly scoffed and felt that the old bastard had no qualms in using bullshit reasons to make things happen his way.

"I am sorry," Asher replied, his voice laden with genuine regret, "I also disapprove of certain decisions my predecessor made, no matter how noble his intentions might have been."

"What's the point in apologizing? You are not the one I want to hear it from. Even if I hear it from him, again, it wouldn't change anything, would it?" Lakhur's voice broke slightly, soaked in despair, as Asher let out a low sigh.

Pursing his lips, Asher delved deeper, his brows knitting together in confusion, "But your granddaughter didn't accompany the others for that quest, right? I heard that your son and daughter-in-law stopped her from continuing the journey midway and told her to rest in some town until they returned. How did she then get hurt like this if that quest must have already finished by that time?" he inquired, his doubt palpable.

Shaking his head, Lakhur's voice cracked under the strain of his suppressed emotions, "My granddaughter waited for a long time, as per witnesses, before she set out in search of her parents and brother. But then she didn't return as well, and my people found her stranded in the middle of nowhere, her mind crippled. My royal physician said that it must have been the one who killed the others that did this to het. But even to this day I never found out who's responsible. They covered their tracks perfectly," he murmured, the pain and resentment evident as he struggled to grasp the full extent of the tragedy that had befallen his lineage.

Asher wasbrimming with curiosity, wondering justwhat kind of quest ended up in such a tragedy.

Rebecca probably knew, but frustratingly enough, she took measures to shield her memory even if shereallyknew the details. The only other person who might know was a mentally crippled woman.

"I understand that you want to protect your granddaughter and that you have lost faith in my kingdom. But the man who made you lose trust in us is dead, and I and my wife are not like him.Isn'tit a bit unfair to judgean entire kingdom based on a single man's actions?"Asher inquired, his brows knitting in earnest concern.

Lakhur halted abruptly, turning to face Asher with a gravity that seemed to draw the very light from the air around them, "And this single man was none other than the king of your kingdom. His every action, decision, and word represented the entire kingdom's willas a whole.If he had said he wanted to conquer my kingdom, wouldn't your entire kingdom follow his word no matter what they individually think?So I don't feel it's unfair after everything my kingdom lost."

Asher's lips parted, but no words came. Lakhur's point was irrefutable; he had not considered thefullweight of a king's influence. It dawned on him that he needed to think more like a king and less like an individual to truly understand these royal figures.

"I personally have nothing against you, King Asher.I onlyhold admiration and respect towardsyou for achieving so much at such a young age and standing up for your kingdom, even against thedraconians.You have no bloodline or birth obligations towards your kingdom, yet youhave never abandoned it just because of the danger it is in. So even if you feel offended, forgive this old man, but this is my stance towards your kingdom," Lakhur stated, his voice carrying a sincerity that belied his firm stance.

Asher offered a polite smile, nodding in understanding,"As a king, I did feel offended, but as an individual, I also only hold respect for you, King Lakhur. You could have sided with the draconians by accepting their deals just out of spitetowardsmy kingdom and yet you decided to remain neutral. That made me realize that no matter your sentiments towards my kingdom, you are an honorable king who has no fearto stickto your ideals."

A flicker of appreciation glinted in Lakhur's eyes, "You give too much credit for this old man's decisions. But now that you are already here and have been traveling without rest, why don't you stay for a small feast we have prepared for you and catch your breath?"

"I shall accept your kind offer then," Asherresponded with a smile, hopeful that the additional time could soften the old king's stance and perhaps unravel more of the mystery shrouding the ill-fated quest.

Meanwhile,

Inthe stillness of Kayla's room, where the air hung heavy with the scent of herbs and quiet despair, asmallmiracle fluttered through the open window.

A single rose petal, delicate and vibrant against the dimness, danced on a gentle breeze. It twirled gracefullyin the airbefore landing with poetic softness on Kayla's nose. The touch was feather-light, yet it stirred something deep within her slumbering mind.

"Mhmm... Smells so good..." Kayla murmured, her voice a tender whisper in the quiet room.

Her face, previously marred by the shadows of sleep and confusion, brightened into a serene smile as she inhaled the sweet fragrance of the rose.

Slowly, her eyelids fluttered open, and she sat up, looking around withagentle confusion,"Ou? Did Big Brother wake me up? Where is he? I want to play with him. He can't refuse me twice,"Shemumbled with a pout.

Just as she was adjusting to the light and the lack of her brother's presence, a soft, almost mischievous whistle sliced through the silence, "Pssshhhwww..." It was low, suppressed, yet unmistakably playful.

Startled, Kayla turned her head towards the window, her eyes wide and curious. Her breath caught in her throat as she glimpsed a pair ofruby redeyes peering in from the shadowed frame of the window. The eyes belonged to a face as pretty as it was intriguing, framed by the crimson skies outside.

"Do you want to play with this young lady instead? Silvia can give you pretty flowers," The voice was whispery, almost ethereal, as Silvia asked, her smile as bright and colorful as a blooming rose.