SIX

I followed him into the house and into a room by the side filled with potted plants. The room was filled with plants of different kind, shapes, sizes and colors. The room was clean and had a nice aroma. I saw the purple plant I was looking for among the plants. I watched as the stranger walked towards it with a piece of cloth, he plucked some of the flowers, wrapped it with the cloth put it inside a small pouch and handed it to me.

Thank you I told him.

You can stay in one of the rooms tonight, I will take you to your group tomorrow if that is okay.

That would be great thank you. Can I talk to you though?

Walking to one of the benches inside the room I sat down and waited for him.

Is there a problem he asked while sitting down at a distance from me.

Do you live alone?

Yes

Where are your parents, your family?

I don't have any, I live here alone.

Where is this place exactly are we still in ataraxia? I don't think i've seen such a house in ataraxia.

We are still in ataraxia. And this house is not known to everyone only few know of this place. And I would want it to remain so.

Not to worry your secret is safe with me. Plus you saved me today i'm really grateful. What would have happened to me if I had picked up the plant with my hands I asked.

You would have fallen into a deep sleep and it will take just the right spell to wake you up if not you will remain like that.

What sort of plant is that?

Colocasia with the right spell put whoever it is targeted into a sleep-like state for a long period of time and only the caster can undo it.

What would Frances want with such a plant?

Is that all?

What's your name?

I'm ionia, what's yours?

Lucien, he said after what felt like an eternity.

Lucien are you from ataraxia?

Yes.

This place is really beautiful do you have friends that come visit you?

I don't have friends. Like I said this place is out of bound.

Well you have one now. I am your friend and I will make sure I drop by sometime.

You won't be able to find it unless I bring you here myself.

Really?

Wait you have insane abilities why are you not in the palace. I'm confused or are you the one the king put in charge of the demon?

Is he here in one of the rooms, is this his house?

For someone looking for a demon you don't seem scared.

That's because I'm not. I did not trespass or offend the demon plus I'm not his enemy I don't think the demon would harm me giving the fact I mean no harm.

But he is a demon like you said, a beast. Do you think rational thinking is something he is capable of?

If what everyone is saying is true. Then the demon communicates with the king. He knows how to attack the enemies of our kingdom and protect the people of ataraxia. Plus he has magic I'm sure he knows an enemy when he sees one. And I am clearly not an enemy.

You are a strange girl.

I could say the same thing about you. The way you speak, it's as if you are not used to it. Have you been here all these while by yourself taking care of the demon?

There is no demon.

What do you mean there is no demon? I used to doubt as well, but the king and counsel of elders can't possibly be lying about it. Plus soldiers from other kingdoms are witnesses to his brutality in the battlefield.

What I mean is there is no demon inside, because he is talking to you.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! You are so funny. You want me to believe that the terrifying demon is you? I mean it is weird you are putting on a mask but you are no different from any other male. The demon however is supposed to have a large mouth big eyes gigantic hands and so forth.

If you are trying to protect him. Believe me I get it but I really do mean no harm. I don't even have friends except celeste. She is a chatterbox but harmless. As for my family, my dad disowned me and my mother is dead. I'm just like you in the sense that we both have no family. So you see there is no one to gossip to. Everyone hates me. I was sent to pick a poisonous plant at night with nothing to defend myself with. Are you not getting the picture?

You are too calm for someone going through all that.

I always tell myself that they are people going through worse things, besides look who is talking. At least I'm not the one taking care of a terrifying demon.

Lucien stood up and came to sit closer to me.

Hold my hand he said and do not let go. I promise no harm will come to you.

I held one of his hand and suddenly instead of his face what I was seeing was a hideous monster. I used my other hand to cover my mouth so as to muffle my scream. I was terrified to death of what I'm seeing. After the initial panic I discovered that the hands I am seeing happen to be stone like with long ugly fingers looking more like talons. However the hand holding mine felt the same way, warm, gentle and soft.

I don't understand, what's going on? Your hands still feel the same but what I'm seeing is so different.

Suddenly everything returned to normal and he let go of my hand.

You are braver than I expected. I am indeed the demon of ataraxia however the monster people claim to see happens to be what I want them to see. I can project my thoughts and let people see what I want them to see.

What! You are for real? But that's impossible, I mean you can't do that with edrasos and thelsia.

I was born this way so I'm guessing it's a gift from the gods.

But only members of the royal family are known to possess Alevia and even at that I don't think they can be able to do what you just did.

Who are you exactly?

I'm Lucien and I like my peace. I've shown you something I've never shown anyone before. You are the first person I've spoken to for as long as I can remember. I've been by myself, taking care of myself and minding my business. I admit that it is nice to have company and I trust you will not betray me.

Your secret is safe with me. You are different yes but in a good way. And I don't mind being your friend. So if I can't come see you, will you come visit me then?

I haven't been to the kingdom before I've only seen it from afar.

Really?

Are you restricted from entering?

Not exactly but they've been no reason for me to. I'm a monster you see.

What are you talking about? You are like every other male out there despite the mask you have on you are still better looking than majority of them. You look fine to me there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. So will you come visit me? I will take you around. Ataraxia is very beautiful you need to see it.

Let me make something clear to you ionia, just because I don't look like a demon that does not mean i am not one. You have no idea what i'm capable of. I'm not a nice guy, i need you to understand that there is a reason why i'm out here alone with no friends or family. I admire your courage and bravery but you must not be this reckless again. I will try to come see you.

I will be careful henceforth and I'm not stupid okay. A while ago I was truly terrified. Just because you can do all those things does not make you a demon in my book. Beside bad people I understand. It is those who do good but in reality are beasts that I'm weary of. Wait how do you get past the guards?

The same way I brought you here.

Oh right! you can teleport. Your abilities are incredible.

But how do we know when to meet?

Reaching into his pocket he gave me a rainbow moonstone bracelet.

It's beautiful I said.

Whenever you want to talk to me or see me just say my name and I will come to you.

Is it not important to you?

It is okay you can have it. It's late, you have to join the others tomorrow I will leave you to rest.

Taking me to my room big and fancy enough to be fit for a princess, he left me alone.

Feeling so weak and tired I fell on the soft bed. The sheets were cool, soft and nice smelling. I drifted off to sleep not long after.