Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 9 - Heartache

The next day...

The Demon Lord sat motionless on her throne, her gaze lost in the distance. Throughout the day, the castle staff, so accustomed to Van's daily disruptions, felt a large void in his absence. The halls, usually echoing with his energetic proclamations and the resulting commotions, now lay silent, amplifying a haunting emptiness that seemed to grip the very air.

As dusk cast long shadows through the ornate windows of the throne room, Varlog reentered, his footsteps resonating softly against the stone floor. He paused briefly, his eyes lingering on Van's bouquet and ring placed ceremoniously beside the royal chair.

"My lord," he began, his voice heavy laden with a mix of respect and sorrow, echoing slightly in the vast room.

"Well done, Varlog," she replied mechanically, her fingers tapping nervously on the armrest of her throne, betraying her composed facade.

"I apologize... What may you be referring to, my lord?" Varlog asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. His concern deepened as he noted her anxiousness.

"Heh... Thanks to your efforts in fortifying our defenses, he couldn't find a way to breach our walls today! You've proven your worth once more," she declared, her voice carrying a tone of forced confidence and a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Varlog, observing quietly, reflected a deep sorrow in his gaze.

"He WILL try again tomorrow... Perhaps we should lower our defenses? Heh, maybe he's lost his edge," she mused, her laughter ringing hollow in the vast throne room.
Varlog merely nodded, his expression solemn.

"I advise you to go and rest now, my lord. You haven't slept since yesterday, have you?" he offered, his voice tinged with melancholy.

"What are you on about, VARLOG!!? WHAT IF HE BUSTS IN HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!? HE DID IT BEFORE, AFTER ALL... Aha... I got it! That bastard tries to catch me off guard when I'm asleep!! THAT'S why he didn't come today!! I won't sleep... I'll stay awake tonight! You are relieved of your duties for today!!" she responded heartily, though Varlog could see the layers of denial in her forced cheerfulness.

"As you wish, my lord..."

The next day, whispers filled the castle.

"I miss Van... He really livened up the place," one maid remarked to another.
"He was so kind..."
Their voices lingered in the air as the Demon Lord, stationed in the throne room, ordered her trusted advisor.

"Varlog! It seems our hero's companion has indeed grown dull as a bat! Lower the castle's defenses! It seems I have to whip him back into shape when he gets here tomorrow!! I'll acknowledge it was thanks to him the quality of my servants had risen!" She then spent another day waiting, her eyes occasionally flickering to the door, half-expecting an interruption that never came.

THE DAY AFTER THAT...

"Hey, Dad, is big brother Van here today?" a young demonic child asked his father, a castle guard.

The guard sighed deeply. "No, son, I don't think he's coming back."

"Why not?" the child's voice wavered, a mix of curiosity and sadness.

"Does he dislike playing War with me?"

The guard crouched down, gently ruffling his son's hair. "It's not your fault, kiddo."

"But why isn't he coming back?"

Inside the throne room, the Demon Lord murmured to herself, gazing at the ring and bouquet she'd ordered preserved.