Chapter 25

Niris turned and walked quickly into the palace, with Inja on his heels. His eyebrows furrowed, and he thought about what to do next. He had to stay on track.

-Inja, can you lead me to Eviris?"

The guard didn't answer right away, looking at the prince warily. She knew he was up to something and she didn't like it.

-I can do that, yes," she replied coyly. "But why do you want to talk to him?"

-I have some questions to ask him about the Regent's Chamberlain," he said briefly as he trotted down the stairs.

He wanted to find a place out of sight to continue this conversation.

-The chamberlain?" wondered Inja, who wasn't quite following the prince's reasoning. "What is it about the chamberlain that intrigues you?"

The angel crept down a small hallway that must have led to the tool rooms of the palace airport. After glancing to the right and then to the left, he answered his guard in a voice low enough that she would be the only one to hear him if they were being listened to.

-He's not a demon."

-Huh?" the guard struggled to hold back her surprise. "But how...did you get access to this information?"

She looked at him with round eyes. It was the most absurd information she had ever heard.

-I don't know, I just know. I met his gaze earlier as I left the courtroom, and I was certain he wasn't a demon, I don't know why. It just came to me," he explained quickly. "And there's a second thing I know, which is that he's extremely dangerous."

The guard fluttered his eyelids before resuming with a stammer.

-But... Your Highness, this is not something you can feel... It's impossible to tell if an individual is a species apart from their physical characteristics, and the chamberlain is a perfect match for the demons in that respect... unless he has different origins in his DNA, but that's something you'd only be able to know if you had access to his genetic tracing, which allows you to identify the prevalence of one species over another in an individual's gene pool... but you don't have access to that information, so how...can you just know that?"

She looked at him with her eyes confused by the prince's sudden revelation. Niris bit his lips. They didn't have time, and he was a little excited because he didn't have the answer to the guard's questions either.

-As I told you, I had a feeling in my heart that he was not a demon, but he looks like a demon. I can't tell you more, that's all I know!"

He hesitated for a moment before continuing.

-And then the stone my father gave me suddenly began to emit heat at the same time. I don't know what it means, but I have a feeling it's related.

-the stone?" Inja wondered, finding this situation quite strange as well.

The prince nodded. Not quite convinced, the guard scanned him with her piercing eyes. She knew he wasn't lying, but she found it hard to believe. It seemed too big to swallow. And above all, if it was true, then it was rather worrying and potentially very dangerous. But they didn't need any more danger in this already very risky situation...

-Let's say you're right, what would a non-demon do as chamberlain to the regent of Ornikarn? It doesn't make sense!"

-That's why I want to talk to Eviris as soon as possible! Take me to him, we'll continue our discussion on the way. Time is short, we have no more time to lose."

Still confused, the guard finally turned to lead the way when Niris grabbed her by the sleeve.

-And if you could lose the one following us too, that would be good." he added with a look behind his back.

The guard nodded and resumed his walk. Quickly, they left the narrow corridor to join the main one. Slipping stealthily between passersby, they quickly moved into another network of corridors used mainly by palace staff. This was the best way to move quickly without being noticed and to lose an unwanted stalker.

As they did so, Niris quickly tapped on his dematerialized chip. Within seconds, he opened his mailbox with Seiran and sent her a short message, "Meet me as soon as possible." He added his live geolocation to help the demon find him quickly.

-So what you're saying is that you want to confront Eviris with this information and hope that he will explain this situation to you?" said Inja, who was still trying to follow the thought process of her protégé. "Why don't you ask Seiran directly, wouldn't it be easier?"

-Seiran certainly won't answer me," continued the prince who had finished sending his message. "He has helped me a lot with the slaves, but he refuses to tell me about his plan against his mother. I have tried several times to get him to tell me more about it, but he refuses to tell me anything."

the guard glanced behind his shoulder. Even though the prince hadn't wanted to give anything away, she knew he was concerned about the demon's silence on such an important matter.

-Maybe he's afraid to involve you too much in a subject that doesn't concern you directly," she tried to soothe him.

But he turned his head away, hurt. Desire of protection or will to keep him away from his family stories, in both cases, the angel could not help feeling it as a lack of confidence on behalf of the demon.

-In any case, I'm sure he won't tell me anything. That's why I want to talk to Eviris about it."

Inja turned right and descended a small iron staircase cluttered with employees climbing it four by four, their arms laden with sheets and other clean, neatly folded linens. The two angels wove their way between the latter who looked at them with intrigued glances but finally ignored them, too busy with the task they had on their hands.

-I understand your reasoning, but what makes you think that Eviris knows anything about it? And above all, how can you be sure that he will agree to talk to you?" she questioned him without stopping.

-I don't see how people so close to the regent couldn't know the identity of their chamberlain," Niris explained. "If Seiran knows, then Eviris knows too. And given that Seiran is plotting against his mother and her government, I don't see how he couldn't know."

He paused for a moment, having to wait for two demons carrying a huge rug to pass by, barring the rug, separating him from his guard for a moment, and then he resumed.

-When to know if he will accept to speak to me about it... Eviris is a very rational person. If he sees that I already know, he will understand that there is no reason to hide what he knows from me."

The guard didn't answer anything. Finally, after wandering for many minutes through the palace's valves among the servants, they came to a wide central corridor of the palace. Closing a hidden door behind them, the two angels resumed their journey at a more normal pace.

-We are no longer being followed by the demoness," Inja said.

Niris nodded. With a nod, the guard took the lead again, directing the prince to where the head of Prince Seiran's personal guard was standing. They walked in silence for a few moments, then Inja broke the calm that had settled between them.

-I understand your motives, but be careful your highness. I know you trust Prince Seiran, but be careful with Eviris. I have made inquiries about this sentient, and the Yagards are loyal servants of the Imperial family. While Seiran seems to have blind trust in his captain, I have reservations about this demon's true intentions."

Niris added nothing. He too had done his research, and he too had suspicions, however minute. That's why the sudden revelation of the chamberlain's identity was an opportunity for him to test the captain. Nothing cost anything to make sure of the loyalty of Seiran's relatives. But the demon had such blind trust in his guard that it was impossible for him to suspect him. That's why it was his job, his companion, to do it for him.

Looking determined, he walked forward to the same level as Inja.

-Don't worry, I'm well aware of this."

The guard said nothing. She observed the angel. She knew that look. It was that of the merciless diplomat. The one who stalked his prey without giving them the slightest chance of salvation. Just knowing that he was in that state of mind eliminated any doubts she had in her. For a while now, he had a plan in mind.

She finally stopped in front of a half-open door. With a knowing look, the two angels pushed the door open. Eviris was leaning against a wall and seemed to be waiting for them.

-----

The regent's apartments, just after the end of the trial

Clattering sounded in the large, high-ceilinged room. Unable to hold back her growing annoyance, Yusmail took her revenge on the tiles of the richly decorated ceremonial room.

Behind her, Seiran and her mother walked in silence. The vampire's wrath was infuriating the demon to the core. Just as he was about to turn around and head for his chambers, eager to escape from this highly charged place, Yusmail turned around angrily to face the two demons.

-I refuse to enforce this judgment! This is intolerable! Who does this peacemaker think she is to sentence me? And how did that runt get his hands on the recording of the battle room? I'm sure I destroyed it!"

Disgusted by the vampire's smugness, Seiran gave her a disdainful look that only increased her anger. With her lips turned up on her sharp canines protruding from her jaw, she let her anger flow without any restraint.

-Why didn't you defend me? Why did you let him humiliate me like that?"

-Yousmaïl, it is you who caused this situation and no one else...."

-Did you give him the recording?" the vampire inveighed, ignoring the regent.

-If I say yes, what exactly are you going to do about it?" the demon replied with a smirk.

He had nothing to do with this story, but the idea of being able to exasperate the vampire a little more delighted him. Crazy with rage, the beautiful red-haired woman clenched her fists, making her knuckles turn pale.

-You are only cowards, here is what you are! I would never have believed the demons capable of such a stoop! You have become pathetic servants of the organization! Your hatred of angels is just a facade, you are too cowardly to do anything in reality!"

-YOUSMAÏL! That's enough now! I don't allow you to talk to us like that! What happened today is the result of your actions and your own mistakes, nothing more! You provoked someone who turned out to be more cunning than you, learn from it instead of taking it out on the one who graciously welcomes you into her home!"

The demoness' tone had become scathing. Seiran's eyes widened. Even he was surprised by his mother's behavior. She adored the vampire and usually let her do whatever she wanted even if it meant causing a diplomatic incident. This was the first time he had seen her raise her voice at her in this way. He rejoiced inwardly. Maybe this was his chance to play his cards...

-I remind you that you are not at home here, and until proven otherwise, I decide how to behave on my own territory! I told you from the start that committing yourself to this was a mistake and I will not support you in this!"

The vampire let out a laugh of frustration. Seeing her lose it in front of her mother, Seiran decided to take a chance.

-To think that we are your closest allies...and you dare to oppose me like that? Aren't you afraid of the consequences?"

Yousmaïl was about to add something when Seiran suddenly interrupted him.

-Mother, I am very disappointed in the behavior of the one who is supposed to become my fiancée in a few days," he turned to his mother. "I am concerned about what will happen if she becomes involved in our political life. I think it would be wise to reconsider your choice and choose someone more respectful and emotionally capable. Such a personality would only be a source of instability for us and would cause damage to our image with our allies."

He had said these last words while throwing a provocative glance at the vampire. This one looked at him, the mouth opened in amazement in front of the toupet of the demon. She, who was already close to the breaking point, felt her last ramparts explode by seeing the regent frowning while thinking about the suggestion of her son.

-Don't you dare question our marriage agreement!" she threatened.

-As far as I know, no formal agreement has been formed," Meolhe replied to her son's surprise.

Seiran couldn't believe that his mother had used her own arguments to convince her to prevent his marriage to the vampire against the vampire herself. It was a totally unexpected turn of events. He rubbed his hands together inwardly, almost gloating to see Yusmail's discomfited face at his mother's words.

-How did this..." she stammered in surprise.

-We have leverage too, young lady. I was very happy to consider you as my future son-in-law, but I regret to inform you that if you do not change your behavior, I will be forced to reconsider our engagement."

Seiran bit his cheek. This wasn't over yet. If his mother agreed to reconsider the commitment, it just meant that she would use it as leverage on the vampire to force her to hold back. Deep down, he knew she still hoped to enter into an alliance with Amadeus. After all, marriage was the strongest bond one could create between two families with no other relationship between them.

-I'll leave you to come to your senses, I hope to find you on better terms tonight," the demoness said as she turned away solemnly.

A little disappointed that he didn't get what he wanted, Seiran followed suit and glared at the one he hated the most to date. He knew that changing his mother's mind would not be that easy, but he had hoped that the situation would be disastrous enough to decide his mother. If only the vampire could have lost a little more control...

Just as he was thinking that he felt a threatening presence behind him. Dangerous. But it was too late for him to react. Frozen with fear, he could do nothing more than hope for a miracle as he felt death was ready to snatch him up any second.

-If I can't have him, no one else will!" came an icy voice close to his ear.

As he felt the touch of the vampire's cold finger against his skin after piercing his clothes and ready to penetrate his flesh to his heart to pierce him, his mother reacted in a flash and unleashed her natural energy on the vampire in an extremely powerful attack that stopped her at the fateful moment when she was about to sink into the muscle of Seiran's back.

The vampire was hit hard by the surging energy from Meolhe and crashed into the wall like a rag doll. She had obviously not expected such a quick and powerful counterattack. Rushing to her son, the regent made sure he was okay and wrapped her protective arms around him before turning to the vampire who was standing up, a little dazed. Seiran was panting, his heart beating wildly. He had felt death brush him, and the experience was traumatic.

-Nobody touches my son! Nobody, you hear me?" she said through clenched teeth.

Her eyes glowed with such rage that even the vampire knew better than to play anything. She couldn't believe she had failed! Not for a moment would she have believed that this small, well-dressed woman was hiding such power! The blow had blown her away, it was something she had rarely experienced. Only seasoned fighters of the highest levels could inflict such damage.

-I knew you were obsessed with my son, but I never thought...You're completely crazy!" the regent said as she hugged her son.

Crazy with a dull rage that expressed her deep love for her son and the unbearable thought of losing him, her entire body shook as she restrained herself from throwing herself at the vampire to strangle her. Sensing the demoness' murderous intent, Yusmail stumbled back, then quickly regaining her senses, she threw herself at the window and plunged through it into the air.

-GUARDS! SEIZE HER" shouted Meolhe who could not bear the idea of seeing the young woman run away cowardly.

With a general wobble of combat, the imperial guards set off after the vampire, by air, and by land. But Yousmaïl was fast and managed to get past the palace walls before they caught up with her.

In an azure blue sky without a single cloud to dull it, the chase began, turning the palace into a bustling beehive. Panicked by the sudden commotion, curious guests tried to find out why the palace was on alert, and overworked servants had to divert the attention of onlookers so as not to add to the confusion of the palace occupants.

In the midst of all this, Seiran was panting, still in shock. Gradually coming to his senses, he tried to realize what had just happened, and suddenly an urge took him. He absolutely wanted to see Niris. He wanted to throw himself into his arms and cut himself off from the world around them to forget the horror of a second he had just lived. He was afraid to die.