As the Order's meeting continued, Vivia took Eurus for a pleasant stroll through the royal garden.
"Isn't this a beautiful garden, Eurus?" She clapped her hands in delight.
It was a late realization, but it eventually occurred to Vivia how neither she nor Zerath remembered to ask his name amidst all the chaos. It had been a long battle against his silence, but she eventually emerged victorious.
Eurus peered into her cheerful gaze and nodded once. The royal garden was truly a magnificent sight to behold. After leisurely making a full round, enjoying the vibrant flowers, playful birds and delicate butterflies, they settled down at an ivory pavilion for tea.
While they waited for Azarael to bring the tea and cake, her thoughts raced toward the council's meeting. She trusted Zerath that he wouldn't let any harm come to Eurus, but a faint tremor of worry still echoed deep within her.
Why am I not able to calm down?
Just then, she noticed a familiar figure passing by, and Vivia immediately jumped to her feet. "Sir Lucian!"
Lucian stopped in his tracks and took a look. He entered the pavilion and glanced between Eurus and Vivia before he addressed her.
"Yes, Princess. How may I help you?"
The purple hue of his eyes that studied her deeply in silence sparked a restlessness in her chest. Compared to how easygoing Zerath was, Lucian's temperament felt a little difficult to judge for her.
"You look slightly pale, Princess," Lucian said. "Is it too hot outside?"
"Oh no, it's actually pleasant here…" she patted her forehead to find it a little moist. "Maybe I'm still feeling tired after yesterday's trip, haha."
He paused, then took out a handkerchief from his pocket. "You can use this. Worry not, I haven't used it myself."
"I…" Vivia hesitated at first but took on his offer anyway. "Thank you."
She then noticed a beautiful embroidery of a star stitched at the corner of the handkerchief, and beamed. "It's so pretty!"
Lucian simply glanced at it. "Indeed."
"Did you do it?"
He stared at her. "...It's a gift. Does it look like I might know how to do needle work?"
Vivia coughed. "Apologies."
"Although if my lord ever needs it, I'd learn embroidery too," he said seriously.
She smiled, her gaze warm. "You adore and respect the Crown Prince a lot, don't you?"
Lucian took a moment to answer. "He is like that lotus that can bloom in a muddy swamp. There is filth all around him, but he doesn't let it sully him. He will be a good king."
Zerath is surely popular among everybody, she thought with a smile.
He noticed the empty table and said, "I'll ask Azarael to bring some snacks for you."
"That's okay. Azarael is already on her way."
"Wonderful," he replied expressionlessly.
Vivia felt a little uncomfortable with his indecipherable gaze and tensely asked, "If I may ask, how is the council meeting going?"
"Unfortunately, I'm not a part of the meeting today. Sir Balam's son, young lord Astaroth, is due to return from his journey. I've to make arrangements for his welcome."
"Zer-" she coughed, "I mean Crown Prince Zerath's cousin."
"Indeed."
Vivia sensed an invisible pressure building in the air.
"Will it be a joyful reception or…?"
Lucian said acutely, "Complications are bound to arise is all I can say."
She felt a pang of sadness for Zerath. Not only was he fighting for Eurus's defense, he would have to fight for his own as well.
She looked back at Lucian and asked, "Why does Sir Balam think that his son could become the Demon Realm's King?"
Lucian stared at her.
"What I mean to say is yes, Crown Prince Zerath is adopted, but that doesn't change anything. He is still the Demon Realm King's son, even if not blood bound."
"Lineage is only one of the reasons, Princess. There are more which makes young lord Astaroth more appealing to be a candidate for the King's crown."
Vivia blinked twice. "What are they?"
Lucian's gaze briefly flickered to Eurus, who was diligently following a butterfly's path from afar, utterly mesmerized by its colorful wings.
Returning his attention to Vivia, he said, "Young lord Astaroth is a flame demon. He can use the power of the elemental fire like how this child can use the power of ice."
"Oh," her eyes slightly widened.
"Naturally, demons who harness the elements of nature are considered more powerful. Sir Balam is very proud of this fact. Then his wife, Madam Xeraphine, is Her Majesty's sister, which gives young lord Astaroth kind of an indirect connection with the royal family."
Vivia tilted her head thoughtfully. "So the Queen is his Aunt, and he is a flame demon. What is the other reason?"
Lucian blinked twice. "The princess knows that he is the Demon Realm's blessed, right?"
It took all the strength in the world for Vivia to not react to that exploding piece of information.
Astaroth is the blessed!? I didn't remember it at all! Ugh, not being able to remember Clairette's memories is so frustrating!
But Vivia now did understand the source behind Balam's confidence. Astaroth simply had too many cards on his side.
She tried to laugh it off. "Of course, I knew about it. It's just that the recent attack on me has affected me quite a bit…"
"I see. I understand," he didn't dwell on it and went on, "Even so, the possibility of young lord Astaroth becoming the next king is very slim. The Great Three Families and the royal family are separate. If the blessed become the king or tied by a direct marriage, then this will create an imbalance between the noble families. One family would become too influential and powerful."
She nodded slowly and thoughtfully.
She then said after some contemplation. "Sir Astaroth might be closely connected to the Queen or be a flame demon or the blessed, but…"
Her brows faintly knitted together as she took a defensive stance.
"Crown Prince Zerath is equally deserving to become the King. He is patient, wise, respectful and kind. There're a lot more qualities that go into becoming a King than simply being a nephew and an elemental demon. I'm not criticizing Sir Astaroth. It's not his fault to be born with these blessings. But Crown Prince Zerath…"
Reminiscing the time they spent together until now, she said, "It's unfair to negate the Crown Prince's efforts and love for his citizens only based on these notions."
"Who is this imbecile talking about unfairness?"
A deep, threatening voice malevolently sliced through the air with a suffocating pressure. It descended so quickly that Vivia couldn't wrap her head around the suddenness of a stranger demon barging into the pavilion and grabbing Eurus by his neck.
"Eurus!" She exclaimed in horror.
The demon clenched Eurus's neck, digging his fingers into his skin. Eurus gasped with dizziness, and his hands flailed desperately for freedom.
"Young lord Astaroth, please release the child," Lucian swiftly tried to mediate.
Vivia was aghast.
He is Zerath's cousin?
Balam's son and the flame demon, Astaroth, looked akin to the embodiment of cruelty. His towering figure loomed like a living pyre, eyes burning like twin infernos. Even the very air around him grew heavy with such oppressive heat that recoiled the beautiful butterflies far away from his presence. His lips curved into a sneer as he dangled Eurus in the air.
"So he is the criminal behind Nethermoor's eternal winter. Who would ever think that a mere child could be responsible for this monstrosity?"
Eurus coughed, tears welling in his eyes.
"Tell me Lucian. How is my cousin allowing a despicable criminal like him to roam in the royal garden as if he is the last person to bear any responsibility?"
"Young lord Astaroth, I request-"
Astaroth's wrist, which was tightly clenched around Eurus'neck, was suddenly seized by a delicate hand. His gaze followed the slender fingers up to Vivia, whose icy eyes mirrored the chill of the eternal winter.
"Release Eurus," She coldly commanded.
Astaroth raised his brow, amused.
"Ah. Are you the human princess I keep hearing about?"