Chapter 14

As the friends reached the gates of Elysium they were in a much better mood. While the teasing was embarrassing it did help release some of the tension that had invaded the group since they had made it to the river.

As they entered the courtyard to the castle all three were surprised to see a certain being standing there in all his glory.

Azael could not believe his eyes, "What us my father doing here?" he wondered out loud. It was a shocking sight as everyone knew that Lord Yazakiel never left his home. Seeing him away from his castle and land was an unexpected occurrence that was as improbable as pigs flying.

Emilia who halted at the sight of this lord of darkness could not help but render a face of bewilderment, with her mouth wide open she was sure to invite a fly or two to enter her mouth. However, her shock was not for the same reason as Azael's, she was not shocked to see Lord Yazakiel here, she was simply shocked and amazed by his whole majestic beauty. There was no other way to put it. He was a handsome being. Azael was a striking creature, but without a doubt his father put him to shame. His broad shoulders and lean body were an almost replica of Azael, but there was something about him, an air of authority that demanded respect and attention. Emilia could not stop herself from staring and even drool. His dark beauty was mesmerizingly out of this world.

Emilia just like many other before her and even more after her was render speechless, until she was brough back to earth by the teasing voice of her friends who noticed her shameful attitude.

The first to break her trance was Azael, "Stop staring, he is my father, and it is making me uncomfortable."

For her part Clementine could not help but giggle, "You are drooling Emilia. Close your mouth before you catch a fly."

Out of reflex Emilia brought her hand to her mouth just to confirmed that yes there was drool there. "How embarrassing," Emilia told herself while cleaning up the area quickly and looking around hoping no one else had noticed her shameful attitude.

Clementine noticed the obvious discomfort her friend was in, and her giggle turned into a loud laughter.

Yazakiel who was lost in thought, had been oblivious of the arriving friends, but the sound of that familiar laughter broke thru the gates of his mind, and he could not help but look up with a smile on his face.

Azael was dismounting his horse when he saw his father had noticed their presence. He was going to help Clementine come down but decided to greet his father first. He took steps towards him and in a simple vowed greeted him, however, he got no responses from the man in front of him. In fact, he felt a fast wind pass next to him and he knew what was happening. Azael had the urge to face slap himself because this attitude his father always had when Clementine was around was starting to irritate him to the bone. As he turned around, he confirmed what he already suspected, and his insides boiled.

Yazakiel made his way to Clementine and reached up to offer his hands as help to bring her down.

"Daughter," Yazakiel greeted her in the sweetest of all tones. His imposing, daunting persona was gone, and, in its place, his sweet, tender alter ego had arrived. This was the effect that Clementine had on him, and he made no effort to hide it. Aside from his precious wife, Penelope, there was only one other woman who could make him, smile and that was his dear daughter-in-law, Clementine. Yazakiel was aware that legally she was still not part of his family, but he knew that it was just a matter of time. His son was not dumb enough to lose this precious jewel.

Clementine reached out and took Yazakiel's hand and in an ever-sweet tone she greeted him back, "Greetings, father." Her smile could not hide the happiness she felt knowing that Lord Yazakiel had accepted her as part of his family.

As she remembers, when she first met him, she was frighten to her cord. She was aware of his serious, and angry reputation, but to her surprise since day one he never presented that personality to her. He always treated her in kind and warmth. The same was with his wife, Penelope. To her they were the sweetest of couples who loved her with an unconditional love that any parent had for their child.

Azael, of course was not having it. He cleared his throat and without caring if he sounded immature or not, he almost shouted, "May I remind you that I am your son! Your family! Your blood!" He hands turned into fists as he stomped on the floor with his feet. It was the sight of a tantrum that only a child or Azael could throw. However, as much as he was loud and angry his words of complain landed on def ears. Neither Clementine nor Yazakiel paid any attention to him.

Clementine, with Yazakiel's help climbed down from the horse and started walking towards Emilia who was already by the main entrance to the castle. They literally walked pass Azael and completely ignored him as if he was not even there making a scandal.

"How have you been, father?" Clementine enquired.

"Good, good, and you, my daughter? I hope my son is behaving and not causing you any trouble." Yazakiel replied genuinely worried that his son could ruin the beautiful relationship that he had with Clementine.

"Of course not. He is a perfect gentleman just like you," Clementine omitted all that sassiness Azael was constantly exhibiting.

Azael was not happy with this turn of events. He hated how when his father was around, he became nothing but invisible air to Clementine and even to him, his own father.

When Yazakiel and Clementine finally reached Emilia, Emilia could not help but have a teasing smile while she adverted her vision between the frozen Azael who had been completely ignored and the duo who had reached her.

"Father, this is lady Emilia. I don't believe you have been properly introduced." Clementine said with a bright smile on her face.

"No, I don't believe I have," Yazakiel turned his attention to Emilia and without being able to control it, he gave her a pained smile. Emilia could not quite decipher the look that he was giving her. There was warmth in his eyes, and maybe even care, but that was surpass by the feeling of pity and sadness. Emilia could not understand his look. This was the first time she had officially met him, but it was as if he knew something about her that even she did not know.

Clementine noticed this awkward moment and she herself could not understand what was going on. His eyes were so focused as if he was watching a movie that only his eyes could see. She reached her hand and tab his shoulder hoping to bring him back to their reality.

"Father," Clementine whispered not knowing exactly how she should proceed. She had never seen him get lost like this.

Yazakiel felt the warm hand on his shoulder, and this jolted him back to the present.

While he cleared his throat he vowed down, "It's nice to finally meet you lady Emilia. I've heard many good things about you from my son and daughter."

Emilia knew that there was something hidden in his heart, but she did not have the luxury of asking she decided to let it go, at least for now.

With a smile on her face, she greeted him back, "Nice to meet you, Lord Yazakiel. It is an honor having you here at Elysium."

Their moment, however, was cut short due to the shouting of a very angry young man who could still not get over the fact that he had been completely ignored.

Azael stopped his feet louder than before and as if he to make his presence know he jumped up in down in front of his father, "Father, it's me your son Azael."

Yazakiel focuses on the jumping figured in front of him and in his ever to serious tone asked, "Why are you jumping up and down. Behave properly. Also, where were you, Clementine needed help getting down from her horse and you were nowhere to be seen. That is no way to treat a young lady."

"You have to be kidding me," Yazakiel slapped his forehead in frustration. His father had not noticed him at all.

"Kidding? About what? You know I never kid." Yazakiel was simply unaware of all that had transpired while his attention was completely on Clementine.

Emilia and Clementine could not help but giggle. It looked like Azael had met his match. His match was unaware of what he was doing, but it was still too funny.

Azael who was in no mood to laugh or see the funny side of things threw them a deadly glared that rendered them quiet. He knew that there was no used in arguing or making his father see that he had been there all this time and so he decided to just let it go.

"Never mind, that is not important now. More importantly what are you doing here?"

At his question Yazakiel straighten his back. Everyone could see and feel that the air around him had changed.

"Your brother and I had some important business to discuss with Lord Michael,"

"Brother?" Emilia could not stop herself from blurting out loud. As soon as that word left her mouth she regretted and did not understand why the thought of Ezequiel brought her uneasiness and tension to her heart. He was no one to her. In fact, he was even something lesser than no one if that was even possible. All their school life and even after that he had done nothing but ignored her or treat her with contempt, but even with all that there was something that she could not understand. The thought of him frightened her, but not for the reasons that she hoped. In fact, she liked this feeling of fright, she thrived from it and that scared her more. And just like the thoughts of Ezequiel invaded her mind a tall figured emerged from inside the castle.