Demon King: Awakening

Chapter 9

Kobel sat peering at the pile for a moment before deciding it was better to at least go through the pile to make sure he didn't reject something of importance. Shifting through the documents, he began sorting them. Trying to find the ones that he could reject along with the ones that could be approved. Slowly the pile dwindled and as it did he chuckled to himself once more as he thought of Areana. Since she had arrived, it crossed his mind again what humans must think happens within the demon palace. A demon king at his desk doing paperwork was surely not one of the thoughts humans had. He finished the paperwork and leaned back in his chair, stretching.

He slid his chair back and stood, pacing the room a few steps, feeling restless, but not understanding why. Suddenly, there came a knock at his office door. “You may enter.” He beckoned.

The door squeaked open and the same medium-sized red fox demon, from before, appeared in the doorway. “What is it, Battaleon?” he asked.

“Now you say my name.” He smirked as he strode in.

Kobel rolled his eyes, “What is it? Tell me or leave. I am very busy,” he said with a sigh.

“We will finish gathering those leading the revolt soon. We are struggling to find a few.” He huffed as he took a seat on the nice couch across the room from Kobel's desk and kicked his feet up on the coffee table, relaxing.

“What are you doing? This is not your home or office.” He grouched, but he did enjoy Battaleon's presence. “You are lucky that you are more useful alive than dead.” He said with a sigh as he took a seat on the chair off to the side of the couch.

“Your majesty, I am glad you think so highly of me.” He chuckled.

Kobel rolled his eyes, Battaleon was indeed right. He was highly thought of. Battaleon was one of his personal guards, while also being an informant for everything going on in his own kingdom. He would inform him of anyone that would say or do unthinkable things behind his back. “Is there another reason that you have come or was that all?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah, yes. It turns out that many are not happy that you have brought a human into the palace. I could care less, but others do care.” He spoke nonchalantly.

“What are the thoughts of Leonard, the guard currently watching over her?” He inquired, worrying slightly for her safety.

“It appears that he has some fondness for her. I believe it has to do with how you have shown her favor and so he wishes to earn your favor by watching over her and keeping her safe.” He informed Kobel.

Kobel sighed, finally some relieving news. “I am glad then, that she will be safe with or without my presence. However, I believe that there was at least one moment in which she was left alone and it left her open for an attempt on her life.” He looked pointedly at him.

“It was not his fault, he was up against, you know who. Therefore, he stood little chance of warding her off.” Battaleon stated, as though it were a known fact.

“Then how would you suggest we stop that from happening again? I wouldn't put it past her to try once more.” He said with a small amount of distress.

Battaleon thought for a moment before speaking, “I believe that I can help you look after her. I will make sure to visit often to check on her. Please make sure to inform Doctor Rataloan. I tried to check on her earlier today, but I am not on the list and they would not admit me.” He smiled.

“And why would you offer this? What's in it for you?” Kobel quickly questioned with a raised eyebrow, not believing he would offer if he couldn't gain something from the offer.

“I would like to see what is so intriguing about this human that even our king has taken a liking to. She must be special.” He mused.

“Of course, you are curious.” Kobel chuckled, amused by his words.

“Watching her would also be my pleasure, since I would like to remain on your good side. You are the most powerful king who has reigned in many years.” He complimented, trying to butter him up.

Kobel shook his head at the obviousness of the meaning behind his words. “Thank you.” He muttered, knowing full well that Battaleon could hear him, but would act as though he had not.

“I better get going again, lots to do, lots to see, and, of course, one very beautiful human to go and watch over.” He smiled at Kobel as he started to saunter off to the door.

“Looking is all you better be doing,” Kobel responded with a low growl.

“But of course, your majesty,” he said with a comedic bow, and then exited the office.

* * *

“Miss, how are you feeling this evening?” The nurse questioned as she checked Areana's vitals.

Areana cleared her throat while trying to compile her thoughts from the fog the shot had pushed into her mind, thinking about how she was really feeling. “My stomach hurts, but I'm probably just hungry.” She replied, continuing to try and clear her mind.

“Is that so? I will see what the doctor has recommended for you to eat.” She said before scurrying out of the room, leaving Leonard to watch over her.

The room remained quiet until the nurse came back into the room with a tray of food. “This has been approved by the doctor. Although he said that you need to stick to a mostly liquid diet, he did say there were a few soft foods that you could have as well. I hope you enjoy the meal.” She explained as she set the food down on the table next to the bed before turning to Leonard, “could you help me sit her up in bed so she can eat?”

He went over to the bedside without a word. Going around to the opposite side of the bed, he gently placed his arm under her back, and carefully pulled her into a sitting position while the nurse rearranged the pillows to allow for her to lean back comfortably. Then the nurse slowly brought the liquid up to Areana's lips. Leonard went back over to the door and stood back at attention while the nurse continued to feed Areana. Sometime later, she had finished most of the liquid and some of the soft food, before Leonard helped to lower her back down to rest more easily.

“Are there any other problems?” The nurse inquired.

“I'm in a little pain, but I think I'll be fine. Thank you for helping me eat.” She tried to give her a faint smile.

“I see, glad to hear it miss. It has been a rough few days for you, but your vitals look good and you seem to be in good humor, which is good.” Her words sounded kind and caring, but she knew better now. The nurse was merely being formal.

Areana looked up at the ceiling, trying to wrap her mind around everything that had been happening, along with the realization that she should be completely healed soon. Something inside her ached at the thought of leaving. “Miss, is everything alright?” Asked the cat-like nurse.

She looked over at her confused, as the nurse leaned over and wiped away tears that she had shed without realizing it. “I'm fine, it might just be the stress of being here and wounded.” She quickly spat out the words, confused, herself, as to why she was crying.

“I see, maybe it would be best if I brought the doctor in.” She spoke nervously, not wanting anything to be wrong. Areana knew that it had to do with what Kobel had told them, not because they truly wanted to help.

She watched as the nurse dashed out the door. She then turned to look back up at the ceiling. She allowed her mind to wander, thinking of her father and how he had always been there for her. Now, on her first attempt at being an adult, leaving the castle grounds, she got caught up in all of this mess. In a few days, she had found out that the prince had wanted to kill all demons by framing them and tricking the other rulers into forming an army to start a war against demons. All this to call himself a ruler. He was... he is willing to risk thousands of lives just to be a false hero. He, indeed was not worthy of being a prince, let alone the future king.

She felt tears slide down her cheeks. She had failed the people and the royal family. Her duty was simple, she only had to serve and protect, yet she had let the prince escape to execute his terrible plan. She reached up to wipe away her tears, but the motion of letting the tears escape and the heavy breaths that followed caused her chest to rise and, in turn, caused her more pain. A sharp pain surged up her side. She groaned in pain, alerting Leonard.

“Miss. Areana, what's the matter?” He was quickly at her side, a look of concern creasing his brows and invading his gaze.

She shuddered from the pain, causing more pain. She pushed down the agony before speaking, “I am fine.”

For a moment, he looked down at her, disbelief written all over his face, but he didn't push the matter. Instead, he raised a hanky and wiped away her tears for her, and then went over to her side to check on her wound. He grunted disapprovingly. “What's wrong?” She quickly questioned, worried.

“Stay calm.” He said simply, with no further explanation.

“If you don't tell me what you are grunting about, I'm going to panic, which will inevitably make whatever it is worse.” She started to breathe more heavily, feeling panic rise.

“You seem to have torn a few stitches. You are bleeding, but the nurse should be back with the doctor in a short moment.” He informed her.

“Thank you,” she mumbled.

“For what?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“For being honest with me.” she forced herself to smile in hopes of making him feel less worried. If it was really worried that he was feeling.

He didn't respond, simply gave her a slight nod before going back to his post. She smiled at him, he may be a demon, but he showed more concern or possibly less disdain for her than other demons had. She tried to calm herself, but her mind wandered back to the prince and his actions. She had to do something to stop him. She was the only one who knew about his dastardly plan. Her poor father would go to war, a pointless war that would probably get him killed. He should have retired when she told him to. Why hadn't he just listened? Why was he so stubborn? As thoughts of her father swirled around her mind, tears began to fall once more, but more freely this time. She couldn't calm herself. The more she cried, the more pain she felt. She could feel the stitching pulling.

“Miss. Areana, there must be something wrong. The more you cry, the more damage you will do to your wounds.” Leonard practically teleported to her side, worry lacing his voice.

“I know, but I can't stop.” She cried, failing to stop.

“Please try.” He bagged her, but when she didn't cease her crying, he raced to the door and spoke to someone outside before returning a moment later.

She looked over at him curiously as he strode back to her side. Still heaving, with tears streaming down her cheeks. He didn't say another word, simply sat in the chair near her bed, clearly hoping that his presence would help to calm her even a little. It began to work. Her curiosity as to who he had spoken to, had gotten her attention more than the stress of what was to come.