Demons & Dynasty

Chapter 14

A/N - first off a MASSIVE thanks for over 600 reads in 2 weeks! Secondly, I'm sorry this chapter took so long, I rewrote it about 3 times because I really wasn't feeling it. ~@christina_1603 /kkbods
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Asmodeus and I stood outside the castle holding hands. It still brought back such painful memories, Diavolo gave me my family and not a day would go by when we didn't miss him or I didn't thank him for giving me the life I love so much. I looked up at Asmodeus' soft features, I smiled sadly, my emotions were overrunning me all the time at the moment, I was overwhelmed by how much I had to learn, confused about who to marry and upset that in the end, I had to choose. Asmodeus was looking down at me, his sad smile meeting mine. "Are you alright Y/N?" He spoke softly, each syllable making the tears grow closer to release. Of course, I shook them off, how could I show emotion? I'm supposed to be strong, the queen, and moreover, how could I be a burden? How could I make the brothers carry my feelings? Deal with my pain when it wasn't theirs to bear? It'd push them away, and I don't know what I'd do if that happened. He ran his thumb along my cheek, it felt smooth and just the little touch sent sparks of warmth through my body. There was love in his touch, the same as all the brothers.

"I'm fine," I replied, sounding as positive and happy as I could, "let's do this thing!" I pushed open the door with my free hand as Asmodeus and I entered the castle. Soon to be my castle. We were greeted by Barbatos who looked as dapper as ever. He would always make me laugh, he always seems so outwardly calm, collected and polished and I seemed to be the only one who could see through his facade to a totally normal, pretty chill demon. It made me laugh how different he was on the outside to how he actually is on the inside.

"M'lady Y/N," he began, smiling up at me, "and Asmodeus, I'm so glad you could make it! I will be leading your session today with m'lady Chalkie coming down from the Celestial realm to lead some of your later sessions." I could see Barbatos' face practically light up at the aspect of seeing Michael's maid Chalkie again, those two were head over heels, everyone could tell. "Today," he continued, "we will be practicing the basics, how to hold, present and move yourself, and if we have the time, the correct dinner etiquette for when you are attending meals with your council."

Asmodeus and I followed Barbatos into a large hall - at one end there was a dining room type set up and at the other end was a living room set up. Barbatos led us over to the living room area and requested we sit on the sofas. I sat down as I normally would at the House of Lamentation, curled up against the armrest, making myself comfortable. "and this is lesson one m' lady. Queens do not slouch, you can when you're alone or with friends, but let's say that you're having tea with some officials, even Michael, you cannot be seen cuddling the armrest. So, sit up straight, arms by your sides, hand clasped together in your lap, one leg over the other or both legs together, perpendicular to your body." I looked at Barbatos, kinda stunned before following his actions, straightening my back, moving my arms, and neatening my legs. "Perfect!" he smiled, "now there's plenty more where that came from."

Time skip!

I looked at Asmodeus who was sitting next to me. Barbatos had left us for a few moments in order to prepare something for the next activity. I had just undergone an hour and a half of walking with books on my head to perfect my posture, learning how to sit properly on sofas and dining chairs, and how to walk in the presence of Devildom officials. It was rather tedious but at the same time I thoroughly enjoyed it, I began to feel like I truly was a princess. I don't know how I could have done it without Asmodeus as my support though, my rock. He had held my hand and made me laugh at how ridiculous I looked all throughout the lesson, acting like my prince. His kind face and soft features would not be making my job of choosing a husband any easier. I stared at him with love in my eyes, I longed to tell him all my worries and have him hold me tight. At that moment Barbatos entered the room again and I was torn away from Asmodeus' gorgeous face and my own thoughts.

"M' lady, if you and Asmodeus would join me over by the dining table please." Barbatos' voice rang out in the hall, echoing off the walls. I knew this entire day was a test so, walking as Barbatos had just taught me, I made my way over to the table. "So this will be a relatively short lesson Y/N as it is mainly going to consist of studying on your part." Barbatos handed me a piece of paper with several images of plates and cutlery, each piece labeled with its proper name and when you'd use it along with some sort of secret cutlery morse code.

"I would show you in practice how and when you would use these and give you a practice test to see how much you are aware of already but we are unfortunately out of time for today, I hope you enjoyed our little lesson and I will see you next week, I bid you farewell, M' lady, Asmodeus."

Barbatos parted ways with Asmodeus and I and we headed back out into the evening. The sky was always dark in the devildom yet there were clear times of day. Asmodeus held my hand again as I stared up at the dark sky, tinged with pink orange and red. We made our way over to a bench at the edge of the castle gardens, hand in hand, hearts beating as one. As we sat Asmodeus cupped my face with his smooth hand, he looked deep into my eyes as I raised my hand to hold against his. "Please tell me what's hurting you Y/N? I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."
There they were again. Those tears stinging the back of my eyes, clawing for release. As I looked back up at Asmodeus I couldn't hold them back and they started pouring down my cheeks, as surely as rain. He pulled me close and I took in his scent of honeysuckle and roses, the smell was soothing and helped calm my sobs. "Shh, don't worry, Y/N, I'm here for you." He rubbed his hand on my back, the anxiety dissipating throughout my body.
"I-I'm j-just so s-stressed Asmo" I managed to get out between my sobs, "I h-have s-so much to learn a-and if I fail I'll l-let everyone d-down." He carried on rubbing my back as I snuggled into his neck.
"Oh Y/N... don't you get it yet? Yes these things are important but we're all here for you, and you are so much more important to us just as you are. We'll all support you, and if you haven't got it by the time you become queen, then you keep learning, and we'll keep helping you, remember the one's of us you don't marry, we'll always be like brothers to you, if that's what you want."
Asmo slowly moved away from me, taking my hand in his "now c'mon, we're going to take a bath, I'm gonna braid your hair and you're gonna tell me what you and Gemma were chatting about back at Majolish." And, with that, the two of us headed back to the House of Lamentation, hand in hand, hearts beating as one.