CHAPTER#10:Risk

The air in the office grew tense. Erebus rested his arms on the wooden desk. The letter placed on the table in front of him was not just any letter. The black and gold seal belonged to the imperial family. The very core of the demon's realm. According to the rumors, no creature came back unscathed.

"That crazy prince won't let go of our tail anytime soon." He sighed leaning back on his chair.

"Considering the failure of this mission he'll pull the leash he'd tied around us any moment."

Jafar stared at the letter and then at his master who looked sullen by just recalling the trap they set foot into.

-"What could have caused a rift between these two in particular?"

Jafar pondered over how a noble prince and a mere former commoner come at odds with each other despite having nothing in common.

He groaned in frustration and gave up on thinking about a solution.

"Maybe I should slaughter the rotten core. Bring me my blade, Jafar."

He banged his calloused hands on the table.

"Calm down master. You'll destroy the poor table."

"I won't be at rest until I do so. I swear it in the name of hell."

"You really need to calm down."

Tired of the person who lacked brains he heard a sweet melodious voice that filled the night sky.

-"Who could be singing at this late hour?"

He opened the door and looked in the candlelit hallway. There was not a soul to be seen.

"The voice..."Stygian looked around as his ears perked up to the melody.

"Do hear it, Master?"

"I ain't deaf." He scoffed and opened the window.

"Well, well, well..." he grinned as his gaze fell upon hair illuminated under the bright full moon fluttering in the cool breeze. Before Jafar could say anything he looked at Erebus who was leaning back at the wall and stared down at the princess who barely recovered from the shock she received.

-"To think a woman could gain his attention. This war-crazed hound." his aide was at a loss for words.

She was distracted by Leo who suddenly entered the terrace and circled her to get her attention.

"So she can smile too."

"Of course, she can master. She's not a doll."

He could see how intently his gaze was fixated on that smiling face that could make the moon shy.

He smirked and proposed an idea that he wouldn't think of even if he was executed by the imperial family.

"Get Married!?" he roared at the top of his lungs.

"Lower your voice master."Jafar covered his ears while he could feel them throbbing with pain.

"Getting married to that... creature?"

"Please avoid using vulgar words master. Also, I'd rather if you treated your 'Future wife' with respect."

"You've finally gone insane!"

Erebus shot poison-coated knives at him but was a fruitless attempt as Jafar alighted to the upper floor where all the ancient records were preserved.

"Unfortunately I am in full possession of my mental faculties. Which has allowed me to view your recent actions through an objective lens master."

"You're testing my patience aren't you?" Erebus shot another bunch but finally gave up.

"Think about it... She is the key to your success."

"Stop picking up riddles with me. And how'll she benefit me?"

"Revenge my lord." he smiled menacingly.

It was what Erebus had lived his life for. To get the leash off him. To live the life of freedom he desired.

Everyone of those who served under him had the same motive.

"You're beginning to sound suspicious." he coldly stared at his aide who descended the flight of steps and knelt in front of him.

"I've always been by your side. Ever since you saved me and my sisters from that hellhole. And I shall never betray you for my selfish desires."

He looked into his eyes. They started the truth.

"You could've just said that you want revenge." He turned away as his ears turned red.

-"You've always been like my brother my lord. I could never leave your side even if you forced me to."

"There is one more problem." Erebus scratched his scar near his lip and hesitantly looked at the letter.

"Will she accept it?"

"If you bargain with a contract that consists of favorable conditions you could win her trust in you."

"What about that bastard?" he picked up the letter and looked back at Jafar.

"Leave them to me."

"But it's too risky!" He pressed him to find other ways instead.

"I thought you liked to take risks." Erebus did not say any further. Doing something reckless could not only cost his life but as well as Luciana and his entire domain.

"We owe our lives to you. So let us be of use to you."

"On one condition."

"What would that be master?" He raised a brow and looked at him.

"Promise me to escape to safety with the others if something were to happen."

Jafar did not expect it to its accuracy. Erebus Stygian did look like a person who would slaughter every being without hesitation. He did not spare one of his own in the name of justice. Just hearing him say this was new to his ears.

"It's the easiest task you've given me so far." He grinned

-"It's impossible." He sighed and closed his eyes.

"Then why don't we make a deal with your 'guest'?" he made him recall the breakfast incident that embarrassed him.

"You must want to die early?"

"I regret to inform you that I'm not the only one in this." He shrugged and escorted them back to his room where Luciana resided.

"I shall prepare for the marriage then."

"No need to make it extravagant."

"But my lord it's your once-in-a-lifetime marriage. Or are you perhaps-"

"Cut the nonsense, Jafar. We're to execute this plan before those imperial demons prey upon us."

"Understood my lord~"