The Princess

Chapter Eleven – April’s POV

The First Fracture

Ayato found me in the east hallway before I even realized I wasn’t alone.

Of course he did.

He always did.

“Oi, Chichinashi,” he drawled, stepping into my path like he owned the floor beneath my feet. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

I stiffened. “I wasn’t avoiding you. I just needed space.”

He smirked, leaning in until I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. “Space? From Yours Truly? That’s cute.”

“Ayato, I’m serious.” I moved to step around him, but he placed a hand on the wall beside my head, blocking me in with infuriating ease.

“Don’t do that,” I snapped.

“Do what?” His emerald eyes gleamed with mischief and something sharper. “Get close? Touch you? Make sure you’re not wanderin’ off to one of the others?”

“That’s exactly the problem!” My voice cracked, louder than I meant it to be. “You don’t respect boundaries. You never have.”

Ayato blinked, as if the concept itself was foreign. “Boundaries? We grew up together. I’ve always been all over you.”

“Yes. When I was a child.” I pushed his arm off the wall, anger burning hotter than I expected. “I’m not a child anymore, Ayato. And I don’t belong to you.”

The smirk vanished.

His posture changed—subtle but unmistakable. Something territorial flickered through his expression, something dangerous and possessive.

“What’d you just say?” His voice dipped lower, quieter, far more lethal than his usual playful arrogance.

“I said I don’t belong to you.”

Ayato moved before I could react, grabbing my wrist—not painfully, but firmly enough to make my pulse leap.

“April,” he murmured, leaning in close, eyes darkening. “Don’t mess with me. You know damn well you’re mine.”

“Let go.”

“No.”

Heat shot up my spine, anger searing through me so sharply it felt alive under my skin. The world buzzed in my ears, the hallway warping at the edges. My heartbeat thundered—not entirely human.

“Ayato,” I warned, my voice trembling, “I’m done. I need space. Real space. You can’t just touch me whenever you want. You can’t crowd me every second—”

“Why not?” His breath ghosted over my lips. “You’ve never complained before.”

“BECAUSE I’M NOT YOUR PROPERTY!”

My shout cracked like lightning through the hallway.

Ayato froze.

For the first time in years… he looked startled.

Not afraid—Ayato never felt fear—but genuinely, completely taken aback.

“April…” His brows knit together. “Your… eyes…”

My breath hitched. The air felt heavy, thick, as if the mansion itself was holding it.

“What about my eyes?” I whispered.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he lifted a shaking hand and pointed to my forehead.

I reached up—

And felt them.

Two sharp, curved ridges pushing beneath my skin, warm and aching as they grew. Not fully broken through, but unmistakable.

Horns.

My horns.

“Ayato…” My voice came out small, almost childlike, trembling. “What’s happening to me?”

His eyes—usually bright with arrogance—went dark and wolf-like, fixated on me as if seeing me for the first time.

“Your demon blood,” he breathed. “It’s waking up.”

“Demon blood?... but I'm human!?” My knees buckled, panic clawing up my throat. “I dont want this.”

Ayato caught me before I hit the floor, arms tightening around my waist.

But this time… he didn’t smirk. He didn’t tease.

He held me like I was something fragile, something precious, something he didn’t know how to protect.

“April,” he whispered into my hair, “don’t cry.”

I push Ayato off of me and take off running, I'm scared, what am I? I was told i was human not a damn demon.

" April wait!." I hear Ayato yell but I dont stop running until I'm in my room panting heavily, slamming my door behind me.

" What the hell am I!?" I question myself before walk up to my mirror and seeing my reflecting. I gasp as I see the horns and my eyes dark, the I jump as my bedroom door flys open and I see Reiji looking at me with wide eyes.

" April... Dont be scared, I'm here." He said as he walked towards me but I back away. " Don't touch me please." I whimper as my back hits the wall. Reiji reaches out to me but not in a harsh way but in a gentle way.

" I wont hurt you... I never will, you are not human, never were. and I'm sorry we kept it hidden from you. please forgive me." His hand cups my cheek, cold, but gently. I feel tears roll down my cheeks at his touch and I feel my heart rate slow and calm down." Reiji... what's happening to me... I'm scared." my voice broken and shaky. Reiji sighs and whips my tears away." You are something special to us... you are still my, our little sister... it doesn't matter by blood... we watch you grow up into a kind, gentle, beautiful woman and I am proud of you... but you were never a human April... you are a demon... You are the devil's child." my eyes widened slowly at his words and my breath comes out shaky." Devils... child..." I repeat softly while staring into those magenta eyes of his.