The Ruby Empire

Ikid the Ifrit

Female Reader x Male Monster

It's your birthday and the whole kingdom seems to be in attendance. Royals have come from all over the land to pay tribute to you. As the heir to one of the most powerful thrones in the entire Ruby Empire, it feels like everyone wants to grovel at your feet. You don't much care for it. You know it's good to have allies amongst the other royals but this just feels like pandering.

You're accepting gifts when a woman comes forward. You don't recognize her but your father seems to hold her in great esteem. She's tall and gorgeous with long pure white hair. The features of her face are sharp and vaguely deer-like and her skin is pale and shimmery. She also bares massive white antlers on her head.

She hands you a small lantern with a flame flowing inside. "Let this lantern ever guide you," she whispers into your ear. "The flame inside will never go out and as long as you keep it you will always have a friend."

The lantern is simple but the flame inside is warm and beautiful. It flickers and dances and you feel comforted by it. "Thank you," you tell the woman.

She smiles at you. "A princess always needs a companion," she replies. "And one as lovely as you deserves one that is extremely special." She touches your cheek and runs her fingers through your hair. She then bows to the king and turns, making her way through the crowd.

That evening you go to your room and find your gifts delivered there. You take the lamp and set it by your window. While you enjoy it you wonder why the woman called it a companion. You touch the glass, feeling the warmth from inside. It's not hot like you'd expect. You wonder what sort of magic it is.

You sigh and decide to go to bed, exhausted from dealing with people all day. You get ready for bed and you look to your lantern. You notice the flame has gone from soft orange to bright red. You pick it up, looking it over.

"How odd," you murmur. "I didn't realize it changed color."

"Put on some clothes and I'll turn back!"

You stare for a moment. "I beg your pardon?"

"As much as your shapely form pleases me, princess, I would ask you to please clothe yourself!" The flame inside snaps.

"You can talk?" You gasp.

"I can do a lot than that. Just get dressed!" He snaps.

You set the lantern down quickly and slip into your dressing gown. You then go back to the lantern and pick it up. "So, you can talk? What are you?"

"I'm a creature of unimaginable power! An ifrit! I rival the Phoenix in life and I make golems shrivel at more might." He then chuckles. "Well, I used to."

"Used to?" You ask.

"The witch who gave me to you," he huffs. "She trapped me here and well now," he scoffs. "I'm a pet to some princess with more ass than she needs."

You glance back at your behind then look back at the flame. "I well...can I let you out?"

"Right now, if you let me out I'll die," he grunts.

You sigh. "I'm so sorry."

"Nothing you can do. You didn't ask for this. I didn't either but no one bothers to ask me nothing." He grunts and he dances inside. "The names Ikid," he says. "At your service, I suppose."

"Hi," you murmur. "It's nice to meet you Ikid. I'm sorry it had to be like this though."

"Hey, nothing is ever perfect. At least I'm in the hands of a beautiful girl now. That's of some comfort to me."