The Emperor and the Butterfly (Emperor Belos x Reader)

Grom Fright and feelings

*A thousand apologies for my absence but school has been hectic as I have been preparing for college in order to persue an education in becoming a teacher 😊. I haven't abandoned this story but updates might be a little slower but not as long as this past absence. Forgive me!*

King was watching videos on Luz's phone while I was grading homework and Luz was trying to get her new glyph to work. "Come on! Work this time." I looked to see as she drew plant glyph with her training wand. "Luz be careful with plant magic." She looked at me confused. "Unlike light or ice, plants are alive and do you not recall the incident in the garden." She went pale as she remembered. "I'll be careful. Promise." She tapped the glyph with her wand and a flower bloomed in front of her. She gasped and started laughing. "YES! Check it out, my glyph skills are blossoming!" I quirked a brow at her, amused. "Oh really?" A quick twitch of my finger and the flower puffed pollen into her face. Luz coughed and gave me a deadpanned stare. "Not funny, Kaia." I chuckled and continued reading over school reports.

"You think that's impressive? Check this out! Two warriors battling to the death!" King held Luz's phone, watching two cats. One pounced on the other but fell on its back. "Ah I see we're getting enough Wi-fi through the portal for cat videos." Luz stated. "Senseless violence. Yes, attack! DEATH IS YOUR GOD!" I shook my head. "Luz, I regret you teaching Grim about the internet." I said while looking down at the papers. "I agree."

Luz took her phone from Grim and it started to vibrate. She went pale as she looked at her phone. "Luz? Is everything alright?" I was concerned. Luz shook her head. "It's my mom." I quirked a brow. "Your mother?" "Yes. She thinks I'm at some summer camp, learning how to be a boring adult. She doesn't know I'm in the demon realm learning to be a witch! She. Will. End. Me." Luz had explained to me that her mother didn't like that Luz had such a vivid imagination. I personally thought that creativity should be nurtured and giving room to grow. Parent's expectation of their children could be really harsh and spirit breaking.

The door opened and Hooty appeared in the doorway. "Hoot hoot, Luz! Time to fill up that darling little head of yours with..." He regurgitated a stack of her school books. "Mm-hmm, delicious knowledge!" Willow and Gus poked their heads in from the doorway. "Please hurry!" Gus said a little uncomfortable. "The more I look at him, the more uncomfortable I get." Willow added disturbed. "HOOT HOOT!" I chuckled. "Luz before you leave, remember that we have to go out later." She nodded. "You still not going to tell me where we're going?" I smiled secretively. "It's a surprise. Now off you go. I'll see you after school."

Later at the school gym.

I stood next to Principal Bump overseeing the decorations being set up by several students. There was snaggleback hanging from the ceiling by a rope. "Very good. Lower the streamers, fill the punch bowl, an how's my disco ball?" Bump asked. "Nauseous." The snaggleback replied. "Great. Just keep it up for 36 more hours. Lykaia, I trust that you can oversee the rest?" I nodded. "Wonderful." And he left the gym just as Luz came running in.

"Lykaia, why didn't you tell me that there was going to be a school dance?" She pouted at me. "Sorry Luz. I have been busy and besides it's not just a dance." I said. "My first school dance experience on the Boiling Isles. I can't wait to get overdressed, take awkward photos, push all the buttons- wait, what?" Luz noticed a red button on a black and red pedestal with insect legs. I grabbed her hand to stop her. "Those are not for decoration, Luz." I said. "Aww." She whined. "Miss Lykaia is right." Amity's voice came from the top of the bleachers. "Ah Amity, I heard you were this year's Grom queen. That's huge responsibility but I'm sure you can handle it." Amity blushed and looked down. "Thank you, miss Lykaia." She turned to look at Luz. "The arena's where I'll make my debut as Grom Queen." Luz looked confused. "You don't seem excited." I gripped Luz's shoulder mentioned towards the arena. "That's because it isn't just a dance, Luz." I cast a spell showing an image from the past. "Grometheus, the fear-bringer. It lives under the school and tries to escape every year. It is the duty of the grom queen to defeat and quell it for another year. Principle Bump is optimistic and thinks hosting a dance will help. It's become a tradition." I ended the spell and Amity nodded agreeing with me. "The worst thing is that Grom can read minds and shape shift into your worst fear. And mine...is very embarrassing." I chuckled. "Don't worry Amity. I went through this when I was your age. It isn't so bad." Both girls looked at me with wide eyes. "You were Grom Queen??" I nodded. "Yes. A long time ago." Luz gripped my hand. "What were you afraid off then?" I quirked a brow. "Fear is subjective, Luz." "Huh?" I sighed. "What I was afraid back then, is not what I am afraid of now. As we grow, we learn to overcome our fears and new ones take their place. The key is to realize it is okay to be afraid." Luz and Amity made aweing sounds. "Now come Luz, we still have to get a dress for you." For some reason Luz looked a little scared at that.