A Crown of Lilies and Regrets (MxM)

Chapter 5

Nikolson walked down the long hallway, intent on seeing Mikael and taking some time to relax. He was exhausted from doing all the paper work that required his attention now that he was home from war. The added confusion on his feelings towards a certain demon didn't help at all.

He continued down the hallway and finally made it to the doors that opens to his rooms. He could've sworn he heard giggling from inside the room.

He opened the door to find Mikael and his little sister sitting together, deep in conversation. Y'nes was sitting on a brown love seat, facing away from the lord, Mikael was sitting on the adjacent couch.

He noticed Mikael perk up at his arrival. Turning to see what Mikael was looking at, Y'nes smiled gleefully when her eyes landed on her older brother.

"Brother! How nice of you to join us! Mikael and I were just having the most splendid conversation!" Y'nes exclaimed with joy. She lept up and jumped into the lord's arms. He caught her with grace and gave her a tight squeeze before setting her in her feet.

Mikael stood to greet Nikolson, he gave him a small bow and Nikolson nodded in acknowledgement. There was a tension between the two that could've been severed with a knife. Y'nes looked between the two and a mischievous grin plastered on her face. She pranced between the two who were in the middle of an intense staring contest.

"Well, I'm scheduled to go have a lesson on etiquette with Aaron. I'll be taking my leave now." She pranced out of the room, leaving the two awkward men alone.

The door shut with an audible click and the two were taken out of their daze. Mikael's eyes then decided that the trees outside the window were so much more fascinating than Nikolson's face. That wasn't entirely true.

Nikolson stared at the boy who was so beautiful, he was almost otherworldly. He smiled to himself when he saw the light coating of red on Mikael's cheeks. Nikolson cleared his throat and Mikael quickly turned his head towards him.

"It is time for lunch. Is there anything you would like to eat?" The lord asked the young demon. Mikael stood there for a moment, deep in thought. Nikolson couldn't help thinking that Mikael's furrowed brows were adorable. He wanted to rub his thumb in that crease and watch Mikael relax.

The demon appeared to come to a decision as he gave the most adorable look if wanting towards Nikolson.

"What would you like to eat?" Mikael hesitated before answering,

"Croquettes. I really wanna try croquettes." Nikolson nodded his head in approval to this request.

"Yes, croquettes sound quite nice." The biggest smile bloomed on Mikael's face and Nikolson was almost in a trance from it. He is so beautiful. How could anyone harm this beautiful person? The lord thought to himself.

Nikolson told Mikael to go sit while he asked a maid for the kitchen staff to whip up a batch of croquettes. Nikolson sat across from Mikael and watched as he kicked his feet, almost like a child.

It would be nice to take him around town. Try food and buy him personalized clothing. Nikolson thought. But remembering how freaked out Mikael was just being in the dining hall and around other strangers, Nikolson decided it would be best to go out when Mikael was more stable. Baby steps. He thought.

There was a knock on the door and two maids entered the room. One had tea and the other a plate of croquettes. The one with the croquettes was the maid who glared at Mikael the previous night.

She set the croquettes on the table, her expression blank. Her and Mikael's eyes met and she quickly averted her's with a hint of fear in her eyes. Mikael blinked in confusion as she and the other maid bowed and left the room.