An Old Wolf Stirs in The Tall Grass.

"Ehhhh? Invite me? Why- I think you shouldn't do that, Lord Barbas!" My voice rang out in a bellow to the stunned throne room- I bet they weren't expecting that were they!

I walked forward- my wrists were still tied up by the cuffs, so it was a little uncomfortable, but I managed to not look like a total dork in doing so.

I could feel Levii and Flaur having simultaneous heart attacks from my sudden stunt- the stage is now mine.

Barbas looked at me dead in the eyes- if it weren't for this homunculus body's deadened emotions, I'd likely be ruining my new clean pants at this very instant.

But so- I press on! While the adrenaline lasts that is! Or till my legs give out! Whichever, haha!

(Does this body even produce adrenaline?)

"Oh?" Barbas spoke, the tusks in his mouth made him shoot out some spittle from his fat lips.

"The worm dares?" I guess me speaking up wasn't a part of his genius plan to trip up Flaur- guess I can work with this.

"Yeah, he does."

I adjust my imaginary glasses onto my nose- some of them gave me strange looks as I did so.

What poor timing for an old habit to occur; geh.

"I-I don't think I'm worth that kind of honor you're trying to bestow upon me, Lord Barbas."

"Why, I have nothing of value to offer to you- instead, I believe her Majesty would suffer for it if I were to visit your province."

In Epoch- there's a funny bug in game that would often occur when you would force NPC Nobles into a situation that involves them to account for a variable that has no true net positive or negative.

Me mentioning the probability of my statement- me claiming that bringing me along would be a 'bad idea' should in theory- well, I'll let the results speak for themselves.

"H-Huh?" Barbas looked confused as I brought up the deliberation. I didn't outright say no to him, rather, I'm starting to expand whatever short-term conclusions he had managed to come up with in his mind.

"What do you mean by this? Queen Goetia, explain yourself- what is this fool talking about!?"

Cinch! Muahahahaha, I'm a GENIUS!

I'm honestly kind of surprised I could apply a game logic to these people- well, whatever, I'll mull over it later.

Flaur looked at a loss for words as I turned my head around to her with Barbas' plea.

C'mon Flaur, take the hint- there's only so much I can do for you!

It felt like I was burning a hole into Flaur's forehead with my gaze- I was hoping that she'd rub the only two neurons in her empty head to pick up what I was lying down.

And like a spark in the dark- her eyes lit up with mine, she could see it- her ticket out of this!

"Duke Barbas." She's finally regained her cool- the regal composure in full swing!

"What,.... Er, this prisoner is saying, is true." I'm going to saw off those stupid horns off your massive head later for skipping out on my name Flaur!

"As well, he err--... Ahah!" Why the hell did you just 'ahah!' like that in front of everyone dumbass! Don't make it so obvious you're making this all up on the fly, GAHHH!

"He's... my suitor!"

NOOOOOOOOOO!

GODS DAMN IT!

WHY ARE ALL OF YOU BUYING THIS!?!

Levii... NOT YOU TOO!? WE JUST MET THE QUEEN TODAY!!!

"N-No- No no--" I tried waving off the ridiculous proclamation to the group of Nobles, but it was already too late; the idiocy had already spread too far.

"Ah, I see now." Barbas, please Barbas- you're smarter than this! Don't let the stereotype of a muscle head be true! BREAK THE MOLD BARBAS!

Why the hell would the Queen have me in cuffs in the first place if any of that was even true!?

"It explains the cuffs perfectly-" Barbas looked at me- his sole good eye softened- is that a tinge of sympathy I see!? And what do the cuffs explain exactly?!

"Pfft, no wonder." Et tu Zephyr!? No, no- c'mon fight for her hand or something like a good delinquents would do! I would trade this for a tournament arc just to lose in the final round to you in a heartbeat!

"My deepest apologies for the misunderstanding, young Lord. And please, you're too humble! I would be honored to have you visit at some other time once her Majesty allows it!" Barbas, he's bowing to me now!? I'm not a lord, I'm not a lord!!

This- this is just too much! How the hell did this happen!?

"Mmm, I hope he wrangles her Majesty well enough"

"From what clan does he hail from? I suppose at least the children won't be too 'ugly'."

"Geh, poor bastard."

I can hear all of you!

"Now- if you would, I must confer with my suitor in private for a brief spell- return in half an hour if you would!" Flaur rose her hand out to the Nobles, signaling the time for the break.

They all (some begrudgingly) complied as they began leaving the room- but one Demon lingered for a moment as most of them left satisfied with the sudden turn of events.

This Demon was one of the older ones- one of the few who were standing in the back of the proceedings this entire time.

He was dressed in rather antique looking clothes compared to the other demons- who were likely wearing the newest sense of fashion available to them.

He had gray skin, and circle of five small horns jutting out of his head. He eyed me for a bit as he slowly made his way out along with the others- then disappearing into the faceless crowd of the others.

And just like that- the throne room was empty once more.

...

"WAHAHAHAHAHAHAH- BLUH!" Flaur gave a good hearty laugh just before I struck a "gentle" hand on her head.

"OWWW! You shouldn't be doing that, I'm the Queen! Off with your- BLUH!" And another for good measure.

"Oh- I'm sorry honey, I thought we were close like that." I could feel my eye's twitch with anger as Flaur fidgeted in her chair- NOW she realizes what she's putting me through.

"L-Look Kai, uh, this is a potentially good thing!" She gave me a dopey smile as she tried to convince me.

"Why- aren't you honored you're a potential marriage candidate to me? WAHAHAHAH!"

"NO! I'm NOT you careless idiot!" I'm at the verge of pull my own hair out!

"Do you realize what you're putting me through!? All of my potential love routes! My potential harem! GONE! ALL GONE!"

"I've been locked in the vanilla route by you! I'm not a normie, I always go for the hardest route first in my first playthrough- but, but you're the god damn tutorial!"

"A tew-tory-all? What a noble sounding title- or is that the fabled nickname a lover gives to one another, I am touched Kai! WAHAHAHAHA!"

I'm screwed.

Oh, oh I'm so screwed.

"Ehh, why're you crying for Kai? Mmm, perhaps tears of joy? hehe~"

"Look- look, just tell me- why did they all accept it so easily? Why? I'm in cuffs, and I'm your prisoner- are the standards really that low for you!?"

Flaur rose a surprised eyebrow at what I had just said.

"Mm? Oh yes, I suppose you wouldn't know as you've lost your memories." She adopted a smug know-it-all attitude as she began to explain.

"It's tradition to imprison your suitor in the Goetia royal family."

"It all dates back to when my great-great-great Grandfather, Abigor Goetia, who was an infamously 'homely' man, tried to find a suitable wife for himself-"

"No- no stop, I get the gist." I rubbed the bridge of my nose defeatedly.

"Levii- at least you know that this is all a ruse... right?"

"Errr- well, I don't see it as a negative thing for you to potentially wed with her Majesty, Milord. But I do say- I am very surprised you both have come to terms with this from just meeting as of today! Congratulations!"

I don't think I'll ever recover from this.

Please, Ahriman- kill me right now. Go find another lackey or something- this run is over.

I should just bite my tongue and bleed out- yes, yes that might work.

// Skill [Physical Resistance lvl 9] has Negated Self-Inflicted Damage. //

// Skill [Physical Resistance lvl 9] Cannot Be Toggled Off. //

Useless!

"Look- look, if it bothers you this much- I'll just simply take it back what I said later!"

There's hope just yet! Flaur you really do care after all!

"I'll just claim you're impotent and you cannot sire children- that should convince them, WAHAHAHA!"

"..."

"K-Kai? Why're you walking slowly towards me like that?"

"Hehe, did my charms win you over now? If so- I'll gladly allow you to kiss my hand, only a quick peck however! hehe~"

"Uh, I believe that- YAHH!"

"LET GO OF ME! LET GO OF ME!"

I held Flaur up by her stupid horns, not allowing her feet to touch the floor beneath her.

"Look, look- I'm sorry! I didn't mean to suddenly impose you as my suitor to them! Pwease, pwease lew me gow!!" She began to cry crocodile tears as I shook her head like a melon by her horns as I let all of my anger out with a good shake.

"Milord, please!" Levii begged me to stop, but I can't- this booby brat has gone too damn far! Might as well get away with some 'light' punishment while Carmilla isn't here!

"Bah- I knew it."

I dropped the now dizzy Flaur to the ground as I turned around to the new voice behind me.

I felt my blood(?) run cold- I think we've just been caught.

"The likelihood of you being her Grace's suitor was just too much for this old man to simply accept."

it was the gray demon! He had somehow gotten into the throne room without the three of us noticing his presence- I instinctively stood in front of the dazed Flaur, shielding her with my arms.

"Bah- calm down young man, I'm not here to cause harm or to ruin this amusing ruse... yet."

"Why- instead, I believe I can help you." The old demon began to leisurely step closer to us; I felt a different kind of dread swell up within me than compared to before with Barbas as he approached.

This dread-

"Ah pardon my manners- allow me to introduce myself-"

"I am Belial, Baron of the Western Hills."

It felt like I was being stalked.

...

"Mmm, why if it isn't Uncle Belial." Flaur, now having regained her senses after my well-deserved venting- sat back on her throne as Belial had joined us.

"So- I suppose you understand the situation, I take it.?" Flaur didn't seem all too surprised or worried that he knew.

"And ah- if you're wondering whether Belial is actually my blood-related relative- he is not, I just call him that because he's been a good friend to the Goetia family for centuries." Sometimes I really do wonder if she CAN read my mind; maybe her mind reading comes from her stupidly big chest.

"It as little Flaur says, I've been in service to the Goetia line since even before Zepar, but King Beleth Goetia himself, bahaha!" The elderly baron guffawed.

Also, I'm starting to see a prevalent pattern emerge with how people who're related to Flaur in some way have peculiar laughs.

Faustus' and now Belial.

Was this like a contagious disease that Flaur herself spreads?

KAKAKAKAKA!

Nah, it's not for me- it cramps my style.

"Ahh! My father spoke highly of your endeavors before, Lord Belial!" Levii was now in the conversation as she held a small tray full of sweets that Flaur was picking off of.

Where the hell did she even get that from?

"Ohoh, are you perhaps Chief Vileii's Daughter? The resemblance... forgive me, you appear to be a little different than what he had described you to be then- as he had always boasted about your vivid green hair then; yet instead you sport a breathtaking silvery-white, bahaha!" Belial walked towards where Levii was and gave a refined, gentlemanly bow. He held up her free hand (well however free it could be, we were still in cuffs) and kissed it.

"He told me much about you during our campaigns on improving the trade routes leading to the western provinces then!"

"It is a great honor to see that you've grown into a strong, beautiful lady yourself- the proud Princess of the Steppe Imps!"

But despite Belial's good intentions- I could see he had struck a sore nerve in Levii, her eyes grew a little dewy with him mentioning her being a princess.

"Ah- it is as you say Lord Belial." Her thin smiled hardly hid her real feelings- the Steppe Imp's were no more after all.

"Be that be- I believe I should get to the point I had brought up earlier to erhm, Sir Kai." His mustache stiffened a little as he said my name- I'll give him credit for not outright making fun of my name. Levii slinked back to her tray-holding- glad that she wasn't the main topic of the conversation anymore no doubt.

"I believe I can help you- but, not for free."

The coy old man twirled his mustache as he began his sales pitch.

"Even though I do dearly adore little Flaur, I am first and foremost, a Baron- a Noble with responsibilities." He folded his arms behind his back as he began slowly strutting around the throne room.

"But- as you may or may not know now, the issue of the value of our beloved currency, the Stolg, has been rapidly losing its value." Flaur frowned as Belial mentioned the Stolgs- this was something she's likely been wracking her brain over for who knows how long; with Carmilla or not.

"That along with other pressing matters- the kingdom's descent is occurring at a rapid rate, even after the removal of the previous tyrant."

"My offer is simple- I will use my political pull to help you-" He pointed to Levii and me "- to escape this predicament that you've been unfortunately thrusted upon into by our rambunctious Queen."

Thinking about it now- I still don't know why we were even brought to the throne room in the first place. What purpose is there to do that? Why weren't we just kept in our rooms?

"Still- I do believe that little Flaur tried her best out of the poor hand she had been dealt- especially with how the other old fools already knowing who you two were."

They- they what!?

Belial gave me a confused expression.

"Sir Kai, did little Flaur not tell you?" He shot a wrinkly, raised brow at Flaur- she averted her gaze.

"Eheh, Dear Uncle- please, I was going to tell them when I had the chance!"

Belial was unimpressed with Flaur's excuse.

"And when would this chance have had been? When Sir Kai would've been your duly betrothed, were that not?" The sunken crow's feet apparent on Belial's face were not for show- he's likely been dealing with Flaur's idiotic antics since before she could walk.

"N-No, not at all! WAHaha..." Even her annoying laugh was deflated by the stern older man's chiding look.

"Look." She began to speak, her voice directed to Levii and I.

"The reason why you're here with me is what I had told you earlier- it being for your safety."

"That much is true, that I can attest to." Belial spoke up, interrupting Flaur briefly.

"Y-Yes, as Uncle says- I am not lying." She tugged at her collar.

"What I had failed to mention to you is that the probability of many of the Nobles present today in the Lesser Keys Court already knowing who you two were was... well, a very high probability."

"And me failing to mention that was what had caused that- err, well- uhhh, 'issue' earlier." Flaur closed her eyes.

"The idea that me- the Queen, likely getting more allies- especially with the Steppe Imp Princess in tow."

"Well, that is a dangerous thing, especially for Nobles vying to enter my personal circle."

"They're willing to go as far as to 'remove' the competition- to say the least. Therefore, you had to be with me during the Lesser Keys Court to send a message; your 'imprisonment' an extra layer of insurance." But Flaur was only pointing to Levii, not me.

"For you however, Kai." She formed a tight-lipped frown.

"You're nobody- you have no backing or connections to your name. It wouldn't take long before many of the Nobles would discover your non-existent background; that attributed to your amnesia." Ouch- but she's right. I really am a 'nobody' in context to what Levii is as a princess. It doesn't help either that I don't look like a Steppe Imp; the excuse that I'm her entourage wouldn't stand.

"Even with the clause of imprisonment by me protecting you- I... didn't have any solid solution on hand to fully protect you as my guest to the kingdom."

"Which is why... well- that, that happened; it was the best I could do." She looked genuinely sorry as she told me this.

Maybe- maybe I was too hard on her.

Damn it, now I feel bad.

"Ah, if only Carmilla were with me right now- this would've gone smoothly- she always knows exactly what to say, NNnnngugh!" She grumbled as she shook her fist into the air weakly.

Ah, that reminds me; it slipped from my mind when I was 'punishing' her.

"Where is Carmilla anyway?"

"Mm? Oh, she's currently err-" She quickly glimpsed at Levii.

"Doing 'something' that requires her full, undivided attention." She smiled 'innocently' as she said that.

I didn't buy it one bit, but I could already here the distant chattering of the returning Nobles- our break was almost over; time was running short. I returned my attention back to Belial; his offer was still up in the air. It was time to make my decision.

"What's the catch." I asked Belial, his eyes were a pitch, murky black- like a deep, bottomless pond. And unlike Carmilla's eyes- Her with red slits to focus on as her irises. But Belial had no such thing, it made my skin crawl not having something to focus on with my own eyes.

"The catch? If you mean price, well- I believe it to be something you're more than capable of- especially as to how you had handled little Flaur's failure earlier."

"To save the kingdom- little Flaur must acquire more dependable allies."

"She believes that having Lady Carmilla and I are sufficient- but that is the result of naïveté."

Flaur pouted on the throne as Belial explained.

"I am old and am often too far away from the Capital tending to my own estate to offer much assistance anymore. And for Lady Carmilla, she has been spreading herself far too thin to make up for little Flaur's hubris."

Flaur tried to speak up- but to my surprise, Belial hushed her angrily; I have no doubt now that he really cares for her like a niece.

"We are not enough to save the kingdom of Modos as is." He frowned- a deep sadness apparent in his aged features.

"And neither are those power-hungry youngsters and glory-starved old men." His scrunched his brow angrily just mentioning them.

"That is why- you-" He pointed his black gloved finger at me; his murky obsidian eyes gleaming with newfound vigor.

"-Must become the Demon Queen's next Royal Assistant!"

///