The Ruby Empire

Albion the Lich

Male Monster x Female Reader

I have never attempted to hide my disdain for humans. In fact, it used to be something I would relish in. I was young once, although that may seem impossible for something like me. I was once bloodthirsty. I was vengeful and cruel. I fought in countless wars that were carried out in several different names. Sometimes it was the same war just in a different era. Now that I look back, I actually can't tell them apart anymore. As I grow older and wiser I can see that, no matter what banner I fought under, war is the same dance.

I retired from bloodshed. I dropped my sword and took up the dagger of solitude. I built walls around me, protecting my kingdom and people from man. Because, even though I had promised to never raise my sword in battle again, they still came for me. I am sure, all monsters at one point or another witness such disdain. I'm am certain other humans do it.

After a while, the humans left me alone. My castle's walls continued to grow and my people were finally safe and at peace. Although, it became a rite of passage for haughty young knights to come to my castle and try to challenge me to a fight. They would break down the doors and burst in, armor brand new and shiny, their voice over-confidant. Their sword as new as a virgin.

I did promise to never raise my sword again, but sometimes, these children are just too much fun to toy with. I did not become a lich by accident. Magic is how i came to be. Magic is often my weapon of choice these days. I enjoy making the little toy soldiers dance and seeing the looks on their faces when I appear to them. I always try to take a different form, that way the stories will grow. I go so enjoy hearing the stories about me. Call me vain but it is one of the few things in life that gives me joy.

I have made friends in my time, man and monster alike. I have even taken apprentices who have become powerful witches and wizards in their time. I even have kings and royalty alike who come to me for advice. The Rakshasa king, Amit, is one of the people I call a true friend. His letters always bring some joy into my life. Lately, his new wife has been writing me too. It is her letters, he descriptions of children and married life, that have begun to make me think. I have never been one for companionship. Given my immortality, it seemed pointless to seek it out just to watch it die in a few years.

Every once in awhile I take one a form more palatable to humans. The village near mine is bright and lively. They hold festivals quite often and I enjoy going to watch the dances and listen to the music. I have such a weak heart for music. This time when I go, there is something strange taking place. Rather than the usual dances and music, the town seems somber and quiet. There is a crowd gathered in the center of town, but it is full of people that seem strange and foreign to this village I have become fond of. As i move through the crowd, I see men I recognize by reputation alone. There are dukes and warlords here, men of ill stature. Not the kind of men who usually visit here. As I come closer to the front, I see something that makes my guts churn.

It is an auction, but human lives are what's for sale. I have seen such things before during many of the wars I fought in. Villages that had been taken over and ravaged were then sold for parts. The once peaceful inhabitants no more than cattle to their warlords.

This auction is nearing its end. There are but a handful of people left. The auctioneer brings up a girl who does not look up from the ground. The auctioneer describes her as not being a good listener. Almost immediately a man raises his hand and shouts out his bid. I know this man. The sound of his voice causes me great anger. He had once tried to build an alliance with me and coerce me back onto the battlefields. He used fear and pain to control his people. I had nearly ripped him to shreds once, I wouldn't mind doing it here for nothing.

I look up at this girl who doesn't even flinch when the auctioneer shouts out. She lifts her head enough that I see her face. Her eyes. I cannot tell you what happened in that moment. I raised my hand and shouted out a bid much higher than any that had been uttered in this auction. She was sold and given to me. And as I took her chains in my hands I realized I had no idea what to do with her.