The princess approached Luzbel until they were face to face, and trying to intimidate her, said:
—Well then... will you tell me why you look so nervous? And where are you going with him?
The princess spoke, glancing briefly at Morgan before turning her gaze back to meet Luzbel's eyes directly.
—Princess, I was just—
Satana tried to speak quickly, but she barely got those words out before she was struck in the face by the jester with the large fangs, who, in a mocking and ironic tone, said:
—Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... but I believe I heard you're not allowed to address Her Majesty, isn't that right?
( The jester smiled menacingly, her voice turning colder )
The blow made Satana's face swell slightly, and a thin trickle of blood ran down her nose. Luzbel turned her head to try to answer for her, but the princess, with strength and a hint of aggression, grabbed her chin and forced her face back, making her look straight into her eyes.
—I asked you a question.
( Said the princess, her tone serious and firm )
But the moment Luzbel was forced to meet her gaze, her eyes widened; her skin turned pale, and she began trembling slightly.
—What's wrong?... You look as if you've seen a ghost.
( The princess mocked her, smiling arrogantly )
Suddenly, a commanding voice was heard behind the princess. That voice—familiar and imposing—froze both her and Luzbel in place, their eyes wide open.
—What do you think you're doing, Aioria?
Behind Princess Aioria stood a woman with blonde hair and black armor.
—When... when did she appear behind Lady Aioria...? I didn't even hear the sound of her armor...
( Thought Luzbel, terrified )
—Ah... sister, what a pleasure to see you. What brings you here...?
Aioria quickly turned and bowed her head before her sister. The other two girls clumsily followed her example.
—I believe the answer to that question is rather obvious, don't you think, Aioria? So tell me... what's the meaning of this commotion?
( Said the woman in the black armor, her voice heavy and irritated )
—It's... it's nothing, Sister Amon...
Suddenly, Amon slapped Aioria hard across the face.
—Who do you think you are, you foolish girl?! You are not allowed to call me by my name. Do you think we're equals?!
( Amon shouted furiously )
The blow was so strong that it knocked Aioria to the ground. She lowered her gaze, touching her reddened cheek with a trembling hand, and replied in a soft, broken tone:
—No... forgive my offense, Your Majesty... it won't happen again...
Amon sighed, and with a passive-aggressive tone, said:
—I hope not.
Then she turned her gaze toward the two young women accompanying Princess Aioria, and in an icy tone asked:
—And you two...? Do you have something to say? Lady Adriel...?
( Said Amon, turning her gaze to the girl with black eyes )
—No, Your Majesty... nothing to say...
( Adriel replied, visibly trembling )
—And you, Lady Velatrix...?
( Amon said, now fixing her eyes on the jester )
—N-no... n-not at all, Your Majesty... really, nothing...
( Velatrix said nervously, with a shaky laugh and distant eyes )
—Then... get out of my sight. You're wasting my time.
—Yes!
The three replied in unison, hastily rising and leaving the place.
Once Amon saw that they were completely gone, she continued walking. As she passed right beside Luzbel, she stopped for an instant to look at Morgan. Luzbel didn't dare to meet her eyes; she simply bowed her head and stayed motionless, barely breathing. Without another word, Amon resumed her path, her presence fading into the distance.
Luzbel and Satana stood frozen, tense, until they were certain Amon had left. Then Luzbel exhaled deeply, as though she had been holding her breath all that time; her forehead was drenched in sweat.
—T-that... that was way too close...
( Said Luzbel, her voice weak and trembling )
—Are you all right...?
( Luzbel asked softly, touching Satana's face with care )
—Yes... I'm fine... it's nothing... we must keep going.
( Satana replied, standing up )
Satana rose and nodded. Luzbel understood the signal, and both resumed their path.
After a while, they arrived at Luzbel's chamber. She opened the door, revealing a simple, somewhat dim room. The walls bore the marks of time, and the wooden floor creaked beneath their feet. A small desk with a few books, a burnt-down candle, and an old chair stood near a large window through which a cold, faint light filtered. The rest of the room was nearly empty, except for a wooden bed and a worn-out chest of drawers. Everything felt still, heavy... as if no one had lived there for a long time.
—Lay him on the bed.
( Said Luzbel as she handed Morgan to Satana )
Satana stepped inside, glancing around the room with a touch of sadness. Luzbel stood by the door, making sure no one had followed them. Satana laid Morgan on the bed, while Luzbel closed the door and slid down against it, sitting on the floor with her head between her knees, exhausted.
—Is this... really your room, Miss Luzbel...?
( Satana asked, incredulous )
—Yes... why? It's kind of sad, isn't it? Hahaha...
( Luzbel said with a sarcastic laugh, trying to hide her fatigue )
—No, no... I wouldn't call it sad... I'd say it's... modest, for an academy master.
( Satana replied respectfully )
—Yes... I suppose it is...
Luzbel lifted her head, leaning it against the door, staring up at the ceiling.
—I still don't understand... why she's so interested in this... in him...
( Luzbel said, glancing toward Morgan )
Luzbel stood and sat beside the bed, at Morgan's level. She rested her head on the mattress and gazed at him in silence.
—Perhaps... what drives my lady's interest is curiosity.
( Said Satana, bringing her fingers to her lips, thoughtful )
—Curiosity...? How absurd... She has no idea what this child is worth... or what he could mean for the future of our world.
( Luzbel said, gently brushing Morgan's hair )
—I want to see it... one more time...
( Luzbel whispered softly )
Luzbel closed her eyes and tried once more to enter Morgan's mind. But just as the boy's memories began to surface, two enormous blue eyes—deep and spectral—appeared before her, stopping her cold.
The shock was so intense that Luzbel stumbled back several steps, her face pale and her heart racing.
Satana noticed her terror and rushed toward her, alarmed.
—What's wrong, Miss Luzbel? Are you all right? What happened...?
Luzbel began breathing heavily; her chest rose and fell rapidly.
—W-what... what was that...?
( Luzbel said, her trembling voice filled with fear )
End of Chapter.
Next Chapter: Animal Instinct.