There Is Light

Chapter Seven

__Morning finally came. Mephiles had been up all night, but he wasn't tired. Like how he didn't need to eat or drink, he didn't need to sleep. He was bored, though. He hadn't moved an inch. He didn't hear anything from Elise's room. I don't know what Athena is so worried about. I was the only one who sought for her while she existed. No one else would want her now. He sighed and waited patiently for Elise to wake up in her room.
__Mephiles' ear twitched when he heard fast footsteps coming from Elise's room. He stood up and rolled his shoulders back before Elise had come out of her room.
__Elise looked down at Mephiles and smiled. "Good morning."
__Mephiles could only nod. He waited until Elise started walking and followed after her. They came to the bathroom where two human women waited at the door. Mephiles looked in confusion when Elise looked at him.
__"You'll need to stay out here for this," She informed. She then walked into the bathroom and the two women followed in and shut the door behind them.
__Mephiles just stood there motionless. What is she doing now? He went to the opposite wall and leaned on it. These mortals are abnormal. 
__"Up already?" An old woman had walked up to Mephiles. "I guess the princess wanted to start her day early."
__Mephiles looked up at the old woman. He remembered then that she was Agatha. He wasn't sure what role she played in this castle. It seemed odd to him that an elder would be working for the princess.
__Agatha had stared at Mephiles for a few seconds before she cuffed her hands in front of her. "Right, you can't talk," She looked over at the bathroom door. "What good is a guard if they can't speak?"
__Mephiles stifled a growl and crossed his arms. What good is an old woman who doesn't know who she's talking about? He snorted and looked away from her.
__"Good morning, Agatha!"
__Mephiles saw Athena walking towards them and tried not to look at her.
__"How are you doing?"
__"Quite fine, thank you," Agatha replied. "But I don't think the princess will be fine."
__Mephiles perked his ears.
__"What do you mean?" Athena asked while sounding worried.
__"A certain shop keeper came and demanded that he speak with the princess alone again."
__"Are you serious!?" Athena exclaimed. "Send him away! He mustn't interact with Princess Elise."
__"I know, but that's not up to us and you know that."
__Athena started growling. "I know! But he's dangerous. The princess just doesn't understand who he really is."
__Mephiles looked over when Agatha started walking away. He made his way closer to Athena after he made sure no one was watching. "What's going on?"
__"Nothing I can't handle," Athena responded. She huffed as her tail twitched, fury showing in her eyes. "Make sure nothing happens to Elise while I sort this out." She then walked down the hall after Agatha.
__Mephiles stared after her and growled in anger. How do you expect me to do that if I don't know what's happening!? He slammed himself back onto the wall and stared at the bathroom door.

__After thirty minutes, Elise finally came out of the bathroom. She looked happy and fresh. When she saw Mephiles she frowned. "Something troubling you?"
__Mephiles had been thinking of this shop keeper Athena and Agatha were talking about. He remembered the shop they went to the other day that made Athena lose it. What he really wanted to know was what Elise was trying to do with the shop keeper.
__"I'll take that as no then," Elise fixed the feathers in her hair before she motioned to Mephiles to follow. "Let's head over to the dining area now."
__Mephiles followed, keeping close to her this time. He didn't like how worried Athena was about the situation. She's the one keeping me in this world. I don't want her taking me away from it.
__Two human guards were walking towards their direction in the hall, talking to each other. One of them had accidentally struck Mephiles across the head, knocking him into the princess.
__Mephiles growled and looked at the guards, glaring at them in fury.
__The guard that hit him turned around with this smug look. "Look, man, I'm sorry, but maybe if you weren't so close..."
__The other guard covered the first ones mouth and pulled him back quickly. "Stop! Don't you know who that is!?"
__The guard took another look at Mephiles and his eyes grew wide. "Oh shit!" His words were muffled from the other guards hands.
__Elise had crossed her arms after she regained composer and slightly glared at the guards. "Are you done now? Perhaps you should apologize to my personal guard properly?"
__The two guards straightened and they both bowed their heads.
__"Of course, your majesty!" The first one stammered and looked at Mephiles after clearing his throat. "I apologize for striking you. I hadn't realized how close I was to you."
__Elise smirked and looked down at Mephiles. "Satisfied?"
__Mephiles just snorted and walked again with Elise. There are still people who fear me. He stifled a giggle and shook his head.

__Elise was sitting at the dining table,  but she hadn't touched her food at all. She was staring at the empty chair that had a full plate of food. She sighed and looked around the room. "Where's Athena? She's usually waiting here at this time."
__Mephiles didn't look at Elise. He knew Athena was trying to do something to make the shop keeper leave. But it shouldn't take this long should it? He shifted the weight of his feet and crossed his arms.
__Elise placed her elbow on the table and her head in her hand. "I hope she gets here soon."
__Mephiles didn't pay anymore attention to Elise. He thought about the chao and how sad it looked when he left it behind. How does one even feel like that for someone. Now he wanted to go back to the garden, but he didn't know why. The chao didn't bother him for some reason.
__"I really wish you could talk," Elise spoke aloud, bringing Mephiles' attention. "I don't know why you can't talk now when you could before, but I wouldn't mind an actual conversation with you."
__Mephiles' eyes went wide. He didn't realize that the princess was starting to see him as a comrade. He shrugged his shoulders and bent his right knee. Too bad I'm only going to deceive you in the end again. He thought excitedly.