The King

Chapter 4

Upon Sullivan's arrival, Clara and Asmodeus were greeted by an anxious Opera.

- What happened to the young master?

- That's what we have to find out. Opera, be a dear and make tea for our guests.

- Very well, Mr. Sullivan.

- Isn't Iruma in his room now?

- Yes. The young master is asleep.

- That's good. Let him rest. In the meantime...

Sullivan thought deeply. Clara plucked him out of his thoughts.

- Mr. Director, Iruma-chi is going to be fine, right?

- Yes, of course he is.

The demon stroked the girl's head and went to Iruma's room. Once inside he found his grandson sitting on the bed. The blue-haired man had his arms around his knees and was swaying from side to side.

- Grandson, is everything all right?

- Grandpa? Honestly, not really.

- I see. Can you tell me what happened between you and that group of students?

Iruma stared blankly in front of him for a few seconds, trying to understand what he was talking about.

- I was on my way home... but on my way I ran into those scumbags.

Sullivan was very surprised. It was the first time he had ever heard his grandson openly insulted.

- They started making fun of me and mocking me.

- And what happened next?

- They insulted Amelie. They said it would be better if she disappeared for good and never came back.

- And what happened next?

- I don't remember. It's like a haze.

- That's how it is. I get it. Listen, Iruma, can I see the ring?

- Huh? Sure.

The blue-haired boy held out his hand in detachment. Sullivan looked at the accessory with interest.

- Strange. Why there was no magic in it. Could it have spent it all in the transformation. But why was the essence of the ring calm? Is it possible...

- Listen, grandson, can I borrow your ring for a while? I need to check something.

- Yeah.

The kid casually took the ring off his finger and handed it to his grandfather. Sullivan sat with a surprised face for a few seconds after he took the ring. Only now did he realize exactly what was wrong with the ring. It felt absolutely empty inside the ring. It was just like an ordinary ring now. There was no magic inside Sullivan, no essence of the ring itself. Sullivan looked at his huddled grandson. He could feel the ring's essence rippling inside him. It was barely perceptible. If Sullivan didn't have the powers he had now, he probably wouldn't have even seen it.

- Listen, grandson, do you mind if I borrow the ring for a few days?

- Huh? Yeah, take it.

- I'll go. You get some rest.

- Uh-huh.

Iruma laid down on the bed and wrapped himself up in a blanket. Sullivan left the room and thought seriously. Something had to be done, or there would be serious problems.

***

Everyone in Azazel's house was on their ears. The red-haired girl was running through the closet trying to find the right outfit. There were the occasional disgruntled cries from the girl's room that this didn't fit her, that didn't look right, that he wouldn't like it.

- Oh, crap. How hard is it to find an outfit he likes?

There was a knock on the door.

- Honey, are you all right?

- Daddy? Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... - trying to get to the door in a hurry, Amelie got tangled up in a pile of clothes on the floor, and fell on her heel trying to keep her balance.

- Ouch. Oh, boy. That hurt.

The door opened and Henri stepped inside.

- Honey, are you sure you're okay?

- I said I'm fine. You're back already?

- Yes. Just recently. As far as I know, you haven't been to school in days.

- Oh... yeah... you know... here's the thing - Amelie started tapping her claws in embarrassment.

- What's the matter?

- Well... well...

- Well?

- I can not come to school in the old because I want to like Iruma, but I do not know what to wear! - It seemed like the disciplined, resistant demoness was going to cry a little more.

- Shh, shh, shh. So you didn't go to school because you have nothing to wear?

- I did.

It was amusing to watch the grown-up, stern and cold head of the student council, sitting on the floor in a pile of clothes and almost crying. Henri looked at his daughter and fond memories of his wife came to mind. Her character was exactly the same. In public she was all stern and disciplined. She never let anyone get away. But when she was alone with Henri, another side of her character was revealed. Gentle, sweet, quiet. And the way she smiled with her teeth. And her eyes the color of an evening sunset, mixed with the fire of the home could warm Azazel even the coldest evening. Nostalgia beat a stingy tear out of the man.

- Daddy, are you crying?

- No, I'm not. I just remembered something.

- You remembered?

- Yeah. But that's not the point. Even though I don't know anything about women's issues, I suggest you solve it soon.

- А?

- There's someone who's worried sick about your absence.

- What?" Amelie blushed.

Henri winked and smiled. As he left the room, the first thing he decided to do was to tell Sullivan that everything was fine and Amelie was fine. Once out in the main hall Azazel was about to call Sullivan as there was a knock on the door. The maid opened the door and escorted the unexpected guests to the master of the house.

- Henri Azazel?

- Yes, it's me. To what do I owe the pleasure?

- Dismantling the borders of the demon world, a special department. We have a few questions for you.