A Crown of Lilies and Regrets (MxM)

Chapter 4

Sunlight streamed through the windows, signaling it was early in the morning. Mikael rustled in the comfortable bed before opening his eyes slightly. He found himself pressed into Nikolson's side, cuddling into him.

Nikolson was sitting next to him, looking over a stack of papers. The lord paused in his reading and looked at Mikael.

"Good morning," he said in a smooth voice. Mikael blinked sleepily at him, still processing the situation. Finally it hit him and he shot up.

"I deeply apologize, my lord!" He squeaked.

"There is no need for an apology. If I wasn't okay with having you in here then I would have woken you up or had one of the guards remove you." Nikolson assured him.

"U-understood, my lord." He lifted his head and saw the deep purple eyes piercing into him. He flinched, but didn't turn away from Nikolson's gaze. This surprised the young lord.

Typically he would've shrunk away from me. This is good. Nikolson thought to himself.

"Mikael,"

"Yes?" The young demon instantly answered. This amused Nikolson. He liked how ready and attentive Mikael was of him.

"You said you were in debt, correct?" Nikolson asked.

"Debt?" Mikael was unfamiliar with the phrase.

"You owe someone money." Nikolson clarified. Mikael looked upset but nodded. "Then how about you work for me? As my employee, all debts would be relieved and you would be given free education, healthcare, and housing."

Mikael didn't know what all of that really meant, but he guessed they were good things. Plus, Nikolson is the only person Mikael can be around without breaking down or throwing up.

"What would I be doing?" Mikael asked quietly.

"You would mostly be cleaning, but you would also help with anything the head staff tells you to." Mikael perked up at the sound of cleaning.

"I can do that, I can clean."

"All right, I'll discuss it with my head staff and assign you a position. To pay off your debt I need to know the name of your debtor. Can you tell me his name?" Mikael sat there for a second, trying to think.

'A-alluin Luqen (Al•loo•ween Loo•ken)" Nikolson though about the name for a second before nodding.

"Alright, I'll send someone to Mr. Luqen to get your debt sorted out." He informed the demon who stared at him thoughtfully.

"Does this mean the man won't come looking for me anymore?" Mikael asked curiously.

"Yes, he won't ever bother you again." A small smile bloomed on Mikael's face and Nikolson felt a throb in his chest. The sensation filled him with confusion, but that confusion was quickly forgotten with the joy of seeing Mikael's smile for the first time. The lord cleared his throat and shuffled through the papers in his hands. "I will talk to my head staff and you can start tomorrow." Nikolson stated and Mikael nodded his head.

Nikolson finished approving a document about distributing leftover food stock to the poor when he heard a knock on the door to his office.

"You may enter." He announced. The door creaked open and Aaron Unger stepped into the space.

"You summoned me, Lord Vallery?"

"I want Mikael to start as a staff member here by tomorrow. Make the necessary preparations. Make sure to send someone to visit Alluin Luqen to pay off the boy's debt." Nikolson commanded. Mr. Unger bowed,