The Riddle Of Magic

Chapter 48: Conviction & Temptation

Alastor was reading when Charlie came into the managers' office, shutting the door quietly behind her. Unsurprisingly, she was dressed as if for work, the upper half of her golden hair twisted up in a tidy bun, tucked under the iron and ruby clip he'd gifted her, while the rest trailed elegantly down her back.

Her pink hotel jacket was paired with darker pants today, and a tiny part of him wished she'd worn a skirt instead, though the deer demon quickly pushed the thought aside. He'd already ruined the last dress she'd worn - he'd have to make sure he repaired the garment later, along with the rest of the clothes he'd destroyed.

And, more importantly, there was something worried in the princess' posture, he could tell despite her trying to hold herself steady. "What's the matter, my darling?" he asked.

"Oh... hey, Al," Charlie smiled, but there wasn't much mirth. "It's fine! I'm okay." She crossed over to their desk, pausing in front of it. A shadow passed through her sky-red gaze as she looked at it, though she tried to blink it away.

"Are you, indeed? I'm hardly one to suggest that I know your thoughts better than yourself, but it seems there's a certain energy that's lacking, considering we're back in the office!"

"It's not that important," the proprietress shook her head, heading around the desk to her chair. "This matters more - we need to find a way to counterspell Valentino's ritual!"

As she reached for her chair, a subtle rune pushed it out of reach; and she tried to grab it again, only for it to slide further away. "Al," Charlie complained as her chair rolled past him, as though it had a will of its own.

He held up his hands innocently. "It won't do to try to sort this mystery out while your mind is elsewhere, dear!"

"I-" the princess swallowed, her composure wavering, but she tried to hold herself steady. "I don't want to bother you with it."

The blonde demoness went past him to retrieve her chair, but he caught her wrist, pulling her down to him, and she fell into his lap with a squeak of surprise.

"You know I'm only bothering with this whole affair because it's the focus of your attention, and I know it will please you to help your people!"

The princess's eyes widened in surprise. "Al, I-?"

"Now, don't misunderstand!" He squeezed her waist, holding her in place as she tried to squirm away. "I'm not going soft by any means - I can see this turning into some troublesome mess, and I've no care for melodrama, dear!" He was here for entertainment, and though he enjoyed the princess' struggles, it was her spirit that drew him, not her sadness.

Her hands were on his shoulders as she tried to keep her upward balance and not sink too far into his lap. "C-come on, Al! Let go, we have work to do!"

"My work is for the betterment of this Hotel, and the protection of those within," he replied and she stilled. "That includes you. If this mess with Valentino is going to hurt you, it can rot in the void as far as I'm concerned."

"But I have to help them," Charlie insisted. "I'm their princess-"

"You're mine," he cut back, and the blonde demoness' sky-red eyes flashed in shock. An angry heat built there, but Alastor put a finger to her lips to cut her protests. "Just as I'm yours. Your grief is mine, as well as your joy. Just as mine belongs to you. If we hold onto our burdens on our own, what good is our partnership?"

Charlie's eyes softened at that. "Oh, I just-" she sighed, her head bowing as she hunched, trying to hold back the weight of her emotions. "I'm sorry."

His hand went to her cheek, pushing her face back up slightly. "I don't want your apology, my sweet, I want your relief. What's wrong?"