The Butterfly Effect [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 1.05 ー Genuine

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Tᴏᴍᴏᴇ

With a sigh of trepidation, I observed Haruka as she crept through the door, asking that loathed devil if he was ready to depart with no concern whatsoever for Sora's wellbeing. It was a move I would make, really. Now that I put thought into it, I guess I really should worry about Sora. I'd have to take revenge on someone if she were to perish. Sora's dad is the most unforgiving person I know, and for her to die at our wedding is a repugnant addition to the history books, when they write of King Tomoe of Tekonn. That is, if I will be King. This expedition will probably go straight past the date of my coronation, but the rewards are too invaluable to even weigh to the standards of a moronic crowning.

As I stood behind Haruka, I intersected my arms and scoffed. I heard Sora's singsong voice respond, "We'll be out in a minute," as soon as Haruka had opened the door. What in purgatory was that half-witted fiend of an emperor doing with her? Sora's flute-like voice was too innocent compared to the evil that shone off the demon. The evil, that led me to believe he had some sort of corrupt meaning for taking such an interest in her.

Enough about Sora and her remorseless, shrewd father. I'll describe the favorable time Haruka and I spent together instead. The time I spent with Haru. I've devised that delightful nickname for her, and Sora would surely describe it as 'cutesy'. I have no time for such informal words, despite of how fitting the vocabulary was.

To begin with, as I left the room to stay at the mercy of "Hibiki's" witchcraft, I continued to my secluded chambers, with my assassin by my side. She had the stride of a warrior, the expression of a soldier. I was in awe at her cold-blooded virtue, but I pondered why she followed me nonetheless. No words were exchanged as we waltzed through the desolate corridors of my kingdom. The sound of footsteps, echoing with every step. The glass windows, giving off such a shadow that would be seen in a fairy tale. The draped flags every few meters, plastered on every suit of armor, every rug, every throne and penny.

It was my everlasting, solitary place of residence that I had planned to call home for the rest of my life. It was different, even worthy of defining as abnormal, with the state it was in that day after what had occurred after the wedding. It was seized, stark, and in ruins. Every servant who had slaved away for the royal family, at my father's will, had fled. Most likely to the capital, where my incompetent relatives could assess the situation and take charge of the castle. To hell with them, as soon as I'm back from my voyage, I'll take back what rightfully belongs to me. My only fear for my kingdom is that Ryuk and that valet of mine will forsake me. That valet, who almost means as much to me as Sora, but I'd never be able to call him a friend due to the circumstances. As long as I have Ryuk and the valet on my side, reclaiming my throne will be no big deal. Unless, perhaps–No. It was too risky to depend on.

The walk to my room was puzzlingly prolonged with all the ideas flickering in my head. Admiring my genius was too dull for my tastes as I lacked the presence of someone doing it for me. When we reached my bedchamber, I promptly scrapped the suit and changed into my casual attire. I wore a silky white dress shirt, with a jade-green cravat to match the color. A plainly grey tailcoat, made from the finest fabric, was layered on top, with sleeves traditionally extending to my wrists. The family crest was sewn onto a pocket on my side that could carry more than the bargained for–I'll have to explain what the insignia looks like another time. My pants were ebony black, a small gold chain attached to a pocket as a form of décor. Altogether, the garb made me look like a true gentlemen. Hopefully, blood washes out of silk easily.

Although it was definitely my preferred fashion, I had learned much on style after my mother countlessly had me trying on frilly outfits, so I knew it would be identified as much too formal in the eyes of many. It was an undesirable period of my life, the time where (as Sora says), I could patently suffice for a girl. We were more youthful then, I've undeniably, drastically changed since then.

And quaint, simple Haru. She stood outside my door the entire time, resembling whenever Ryuk deemed it necessary for a guard to escort me. Hah, I suppose that's exactly what she did, accompanying me and all.

Lastly, there was one last thing I was able to do in the short amount of time I had. In a scruffy drawer, in that room of mine, I had a single satin ribbon that was preserved pricelessly, despite the manner in which I had stored it away. My initial plan was to burn it, but it seemed that the android desperately needed something other than that rugged hair clip. The ribbon was a hue of a vivid crimson-red that complimented her ash-blue eyes. I tucked it away in my pocket.

That surely concluded all that had happened.

I'll bite back my words this once. I suppose, the few minutes Haruka and I spent together was...worthwhile, significant. Haru was the most hushed person I had ever met.

While I was absentminded, I hadn't noticed Sora and that demon entering the hall. Sora hadn't ridded herself of the wedding garment, which I deemed as odd. It was then I noticed that Akki Shadou had. . horns?

Without a second thought, I spat, "Oi, demon! Are those horns real?"

"Genuine," he flatly responded, with a valid glare of irritation flashed at me. This would not go ignored.

"If that's so simply elucidated, explain your piddling fixation with the color black then," I exclaimed, with a tarnishing vain touch to my voice.

He gave a wide, murderous grin that could bring a corporal to their knees, as he said, "I wear black to remind you not to mess with me, for I am already dressed for your funeral." With that remark, my eyes widened, and I had to take a breath in to retain my composure. I was mortified, how dare anyone speak like that to me? My lungs faltered as I stiffened with chagrin. Akki Shadou was solemnly the most impudent person I had ever met.

Curiously, I swiftly glanced up to meet Sora's gaze, worried that Haruka would be glaring at me with a disgraceful tint in her eyes. Sora's face burned with fragility, it was obvious she was trying to decide what to say next. Haru then spoke up, to my advantage.

"We should withdraw from this location before aristocratic soldiers begin marching into the palace. After careful study of the time that has already passed, it is estimated that heat signals will arrive within one hour," she paused, and then shifted her stare to the demon lord. Sora persisted in being silent, and it seemed that everyone waited for what this, 'Hibiki', had to say. Tch, they're all demented. If nothing else, at least Haru had taken the attention away from me, to the situation at hand.

"I agree, although," He paused, seemingly making sure everyone was conscious of what he had to say. "As compensation for the damages caused, I will cast a barrier to prevent thievery against your kingdom," It took me a second to fathom that the demon was speaking to me.

"Yes, that would be most appropriate," I forced out, hoping the remains of my embarrassment ceased in their thoughts. He then raised his hand, which seemed to shift into talons, or claws of some sort, with the slight flick of the wrist. A shiver ran down my spine, but nothing else was felt that resembled sorcery. It took me years to adapt to magic and train myself to memorize what the feeling of a spell-casting was like, physically. Nevertheless, 'Demonic witchcraft' was not my companion. Sora, on the other hand, was awestruck by whatever his illusions displayed as he cast a 'barrier' on the castle. Imbecile, she should know better then to become impressed by such measly images.

"Before we go, I'll need a change of clothes. ." she trailed off, appearing muddled. "I-If it isn't too much trouble." Finally, she noticed her ill-fitted gown. I could not bare seeing her in something that would remind me of our involuntary wedding. There was no part of me that wanted to be wed at the age of sixteen. What am I, a character out of a fairytale? Tch, it was all preposterous.

Hibiki rolled his eyes and hastily turned around, walking towards a stairway at the end of the hall, which ultimately led to the Castle's exit. "Do what you must, tenacious fox." There he went again, with the 'fox' name. I assumed it was some kind of name relating to debauchery in that deviant head of his. I expect no less of a demon.

Sora then made her way to a 'guest' bedroom, or rather, 'that room where she always enjoyed staying in whenever she was to visit'. I assumed she had left something common to wear there, that I would doubtlessly critique later on.

Haru tugged at my sleeve. "What shall we do now?"

I gave off a dashing smile, and said, "We'll follow Akki Shadou, and see if he'll truly give us what has been promised, in the results of all this."