Eurus stood all neat and bathed before Vivia. Fresh clothes replaced the dirty rags he had worn before, and his once tangled silver hair was now combed into shape, falling softly to his shoulders.
"You're so adorable!"
Vivia knelt and pulled him into her warm hug, squealing with the overload of his cuteness.
"Look at those bubbly cheeks! You're the cutest demon I've ever seen. Your eyes are so pretty…They look like twinkling snowflakes," she looked mesmerized by his ice-silver eyes.
Zephyra took pride in her work. "He looks decent now. Andras's old clothes fit him perfectly."
Belphegor peeked his head out of the kitchen. "The only thing he lacks are good muscles. That bony body is too revolting to look at."
Zephyra glared. "Well then, come out with the food already. You're taking forever!"
"Cooking food is an art!"
They gathered at the modest dining table where Eurus's plate brimmed with all kinds of dishes he had never seen before. He stared at it, untouched and wide-eyed.
Belphegor sternly said, "Don't let the food get cold."
Eurus slowly raised his hand to grab a mouthful of rice when Belphegor stopped him once again.
"Use the spoon and fork beside your plate. Don't eat with your hands."
He glanced between the shiny utensils and Belphegor, puzzled. He picked up the spoon and held it upside down.
"It's like this…" Vivia gently corrected his grip. "Then you scoop the food like this and bring it to your mouth~ Easy, right?"
It took him a few clumsy tries, but he eventually got the hang of it.
"You're such a quick learner!" Vivia clapped her hands joyfully.
As the warm soup slid down his throat, Eurus's eyes sparkled. It melted on his tongue unlike the cold, hard scraps he used to chew and swallow. The new tastes unleashed all kinds of new senses he hadn't felt before. The more he ate, the hungrier he became.
Zephyra nodded in approval. "That's how a growing demon should eat like. Demons should eat a lot to grow tall and strong."
Belphegor glanced at Zerath, who was calmly watching Vivia and Eurus enjoying their food together.
"My lord."
"Yes?"
"Where will you take the child after this?"
Vivia's ears perked with that question.
"To the palace," he replied, unhurried.
"What will happen at the palace?"
"I foresee a demand regarding the child's interrogation and maybe…"
The plausibility of his punishment, he added mentally.
But he left it unsaid in Eurus's presence. Nevertheless, Belphegor understood.
He smiled. "But I won't let things come to that. Rest assured."
—
The carriage was prepared for the journey back to the palace.
"My lord. As you have instructed, two knights are stationed here to monitor Nethermoor's weather and situation. They'll inform us of any changes."
"Good."
Zerath looked down at Eurus, smiling. "It's a very big carriage, right?"
Eurus stared at the majestic carriage's marvel with curious eyes.
Vivia chirped. "It's very fun to ride it!"
Eurus turned his head toward the lake forest, hesitation clouding his gaze. The promise he had made to his mother still weighed heavily on him.
"The knights will keep an eye on the lake forest," Zerath reminded him with a pat on his head.
Coaxed by their reassurances, Eurus finally stepped into the carriage.
"Wait!"
Zephyra and Belphegor hurriedly approached them. Zephyra handed Vivia a big but a neatly wrapped box.
"These are some of Andras's favorite dishes. Can you..give it to him? He wouldn't admit it, but he misses my food," she harrumphed, averting her gaze.
Vivia's lips parted slightly, stunned. She remembered her welcome in Nethermoor was a harsh 'get-out' screamed at her face in every step of the way, but a demon couple had now come to her side speaking amicably to her. Though they still held faint reservations, she felt a remarkable change in their overall demeanor.
Zephyra could have handed the food box to either Zerath or Lucian, but she chose to hand it over to Clairette - a human. A light, feathery feeling warmed her heart.
Vivia almost shed joyous tears but stopped herself. She merrily agreed, her eyes sparkling. "Yes. Chef Andras will be so happy!"
Belphegor crossed his arms, eyeing her sharply before softening by just half of half a degree.
"Tell that brat to bring the woman he is interested in the next time he comes here. Until then, he better not do anything stupid to lose her."
Once again, Belphegor could have given the message to Zerath or Lucian, but he directly addressed her, bringing her very close to crying all out.
"Why are you crying? Crying is distasteful!" He glared.
"Y-Yes!" She jolted, quickly wiping her eyes. "I'll convey your message to Chef Andras."
She sweated.
Does it have to be me to give that message? Wouldn't it expose the fact that I leaked it out?
Zerath smiled at her guilty countenance. He then bowed.
"Thank you for the lovely meal. We'll take our leave now."
From the corner of his eye, he noticed shadows lurking behind the windows, furtively peeking out at them from their homes, especially at Vivia.
On one hand, the bliss of the eternal winter's end held no bounds for them.
But it was still laborious to accept the fact that it all happened because of a human.
Zerath watched Vivia, who was happily showing Eurus the carriage's interior.
It's not enough to displace the hatred yet…but it's surely a small step forward, he thought with a smile.
—
Halfway through the return journey, Eurus fell asleep. He had stuck his face against the carriage's window the entire time, marvelling at the beautiful forest's view. The only view ingrained in him until now was of the dark, cold cave, devoid of any warmth or sunlight. But now, surrounded by so many new sights, sounds and sensations, he felt an insatiable urge to absorb everything about this new world before him.
Vivia adjusted his position on her lap as he dozed off.
"You should rest too, Lady Vivia," Zerath said. "You must be especially tired after the dance."
"Oh, no. I'm fine. I still have a lot of energy to spare!" She grinned.
Not long after her bold declaration, Vivia's head bumped against the carriage's window, her eyelids drowsy with heaviness.
Clairette's body is not used to my dance it seems. Ah, I feel so tired…
Her head dropped the next moment, but Zerath swiftly supported it in his palm. He softly arched his brow and with a slow, gentle movement, placed her head on his lap. He then noiselessly shifted Eurus over to his side.
With careful fingers, he gingerly lifted a lock of her hair from her cheeks to tuck it behind her ear. He bent and moved his smiling lips closer to her ear, whispering in it with his breathy voice.
"You worked very hard today. Have a good rest, Lady Vivia."
—
As the carriage came to a stop, Vivia stirred and lazily let out a yawn. She noticed the carriage's view greeting her at an odd angle, and her vision then slowly focused on the curve of a man's knee. She took a moment to contemplate and broke into a cold sweat.
These are surely not Zerath's knees, right?
"Did you have a good sleep, Lady Vivia?"
She jolted upright with a gasp, her head butting against Zerath's jaw with a force of its own.
"Did I really fall asleep on your thighs!?" She gasped in shock.
Zerath slightly winced with a strained smile. "Your head is a brutal weapon, are you aware of that Lady Vivia?"
"..."
"The Crown Prince shouldn't approach a lady so carelessly," she kept her ground.
"I was simply enquiring about your sleep. Is that a crime?" He blinked.
Instead of answering, she asked instead, "How did I end up…sleeping like that?"
How could I shamelessly throw myself at him like that? Have some dignity, Vivia!
He said smoothly. "The glazed pane didn't look as comfortable to you as my thighs."
So I indeed threw myself at him!? She gasped in horror.
"I didn't have the heart to disturb your pleasant sleep."
She struggled to maintain her composure, embarrassment filling every nook and cranny of her heart. She peeked at Zerath to gauge if he looked annoyed, but his playful gaze betrayed no displeasure. The immense embarrassment made her roll back and forth mentally, but she was determined to be headstrong.
"I'm gracious for your generosity. Your thighs are indeed worthy of praise. I enjoyed a very delightful nap," she smirked.
Zerath arched his brow. "I feel honored, Lady Vivia. You're welcome to claim them if that's what your heart desires."
She choked. "W-Who said anything about claiming your thighs!?"
The carriage door opened at that exact moment. Lucian stood there, blinking.
"Princess Clairette wishes to claim my lord's thighs…?"
A long silence fell that felt more deafening to Vivia than the loudest thunderstorm that would tear someone's ears apart.
Zerath chuckled. "Indeed, Lucian. Princess finds my thighs worthy of praise."
"I didn't say it in that twisted manner!"
This sly demon! You're ruining my reputation!
The conversation stirred Eurus, who rubbed his sleepy eyes. He gave a momentary confused look to all three.
Vivia found her salvation and escape route in him. "Did you have a good sleep?"
He paused. Compared to the cave's hard, stony surface, the warmth and softness of Zerath's lap pillow was an extremely pleasant experience.
Zerath smiled. "I'm honored to see you finding my thighs worthy of praise too."
Vivia sent him a glare.
As they stepped out, Lucian said, standing closer to his side.
"I advise caution, my lord. There is unrest in the palace regarding the miracle. Young lord Astaroth is expected to come tomorrow."
Zerath glanced at him, a smile forming on his lips. "Cousin Astaroth, huh. I look forward to it."