Falling For a Demon (ML Fanfic)

Chapter 2: Burdens

Adrien arrived at the Demon Castle, the sky above clouded and dark, despite it being the middle of the day. He landed on the perch of his balcony, wanting to avoid talking to anyone. He ruffled his feathers before tucking them in tightly, knowing how much of a pain it was to walk around with them in a enclosed room. Accidents happened quite often.

The castle was coloured a dark burgundy with black accents, it was dull and dark and Adrien hated it. He remembered Marinette telling him the Angel Castle was white with golden rims and edges that gleamed in the sunlight. It was always sunny there and the water was always clear. Even the village was clean, farmers and bakers working together. Adrien wished he could witness it, just once. He had grown up surrounded by death and violence, his kingdom didn't have a village, they had an army and factories that built nothing but weapons. Now he understood why it was always cloudy, the air was full of pollution.

He realized he was staring down at the buildings below them, the factories coughing up more smoke than it could produce. Adrien adverted his gaze, his face contorted in disgust. He walked into his bedroom, closing the doors behind him to block out the smell of ash, before going over to his bed where a small black cat he had named Plagg slept. He didn't understand why they put a bed in here, anyone with wings slept in hammocks to help keep them comfortable. He'd only ever slept in the bed once and when he woke up, his wings were asleep and for the next hour he had to suffer through pins and needles. Better than getting feathers pulled at least.

He walked out of his empty bedroom hoping that, to anyone passing by, it looked like he'd been in there the entire time. He wanted to get to the courtyard— the only place in the kingdom with grass— before his father saw him. But of course, nothing was going the way he wanted it to go today.

"Prince Adrien," Started a demon behind him and Adrien paused, cursing quietly under his breath before turning to look at who spoke. It was his father's assistant, a woman with her hair tied in a bun. Her wings were smaller than most demon's and they were always tucked in tightly, Adrien often wondered if she could even fly.

"Yes Nathalie?" He replied calmly, despite how his feathers trembled. He knew what was coming, it was inevitable at this point.

"Your father— the King— has issued orders to speak with you, he's waiting in the throne room." She explained, confirming his fears. He remained composed and nodded, lips forming a thin line.

"Thank you for informing me, you may resume your duties." He said and she bowed her head slightly before turning and walking off. He let out a sigh he'd been holding in and let his wings droop, the feathers dragging against the cold marble floor. He turned and walked the opposite way, taking the long way to the throne room. To say he was dreading this conversation was an understatement. He was terrified.

He turned and descended the spiral staircase from the fourth floor living quarters— the royal suites— to the uppermost public level. He nodded a stiff hello to the guards surrounding the stairs and a short stroll later was standing between one of many archways surrounding a drop out from floor to empty air. The opening was grand and round, dropping several stories to the lowest level. On every floor surrounding the drop were archways identical to the one he was standing under— ashy black detailed with intricate burgundy designs depicting the history and folklore of demons throughout the centuries.

The Crater.

This was a hubbub of sorts in the Castle as it was the simplest way to travel from one floor to the next. Generals, soldiers, kernels, the odd councilman and a variety of other personnel— exalted and low ranking alike— flew from floor to floor, creating a light din of rustling feathers and voices that carry and blend in the open space. From what Adrien could see through the arch, guards and soldiers stood in rows, ready for whatever attack the Angels had planned.