The Incubus Boy

During the time, as Libertas and the others searched for the key, the incubus boy had approached him. The incubus boy asked him, no, accused him, but he couldn't do anything, as everything he said was true. It began with the words, "Aren't you a royalty from this Kingdom?"

"Yeah, I am. Is something wrong with that?"

"Yes, a big one. A very, very big problem."

Seeing that Libertas was stunned, the boy continued, "You aren't fit for that!"

After the boy noticed that Libertas ignored him, he disregarded the fact that he was ignored and spoke on, "Your citizens are kidnapped, enslaved, and what were you doing all the time? Don't come with an answer like you don't have any power to change anything. As the Crown Prince-"

"Ex. The ex Crown Prince."

"In the time, as you were the Crown Prince, couldn't you have changed anything for your subjects? Surely, a lot would love to ingratiate themselves to the future-King, don't you agree?"

Libertas shrugged, "Do you believe a kid like myself could have seen the darkness this early?"

"Didn't you just saw it?"

"Maybe…"

"Have you never ever seen in your capital a Beggar? An Orphan? Or a Slave?"

"..."

"I bet you have seen a lot of them! Why didn't you do anything? Was it because you thought it was normal?"

"… Let's not talk about the past. I am different now."

"Well, if you say it like this, I should have believed you, but I won't. If you have changed, why didn't you do anything, even now? Don't you think they are in panic now? After all, a lot of things has happened suddenly. I don't see any difference, what is now different between you and the past?"

"… If you already know that they may now be in a panic, why didn't you do anything?"

"Sigh, are you now pushing your problems to me? You are their Prince, not me. Besides that, I have already spoken to them. So, what do you plan after finding the key? Do you plan to set them free, and then let their fate decide their life? Aren't you a brave one to trust destiny?"

Libertas shook his head, "I don't believe in destiny, and I don't wish to wordlessly resign myself to fate."

"You don't trust destiny. You don't wish to resign yourself to fate. Truly grand words, but didn't you resigned yourself to destiny? You fled with your tail between your legs, you gave everything you had up but for what? To life a bit longer. You don't have any longer the power to change anything except to resign yourself to fate while hoping it grants you a new chance."

"…"

The incubus boy stopped searching for the keys. He turned to Libertas, his little face serious, and his voice stern, "Tell me, for what did you escape? You had the power to help, why didn't you do it? Was it to keep your puny life? You are now worthless, a piece of shit who resigned himself to the fate he once hated so much. I won't kill you, see for yourself what a mess you left behind."

"..."

Seeing that His Highness, didn't respond, the incubus snorted. He stood up, walked away from Libertas. Just as he reached the door sill, did Libertas respond, "Wait!"

"What now? Ready to answer?"

"I-"

Suddenly Igor shouted out from another room, "Everyone, I found the keys!"

The boy glanced at Libertas before he sighed, then yawned, "Ah, I am dead tired. I will go to sleep, in the meantime do what you need to. Show me, what changed."

Libertas gazed at the small departing back. He had fallen terrible now, even needing the advice of a little child. After a low sigh, he shouted, "Igor, free everyone. I will just quickly take a breath of fresh air outside."

Now Libertas stood in front of a crowd with all their eyes focused at him. He was ready, his eyes wide opened.

"Hello, I am the former crown prince of this Kingdom. Many of you may be feeling anger and resentment against me, and I understand. I truly deserve all the hatreds and grudges. I left many down, I realize this, but let me tell you, there is nobody more disappointed in me than myself. There shall be no more excuses. I will take on all the responsibility."

Libertas bowed down, "I want to tell each one of you, simply, and directly,"

He fell to his knees, "I am sorry."

It was completely silent. No one spoke, even the boy's snoring ceased. There was visibly shock on al their faces. In their entire life had they never seen the nobility apologize to someone of their standing, or even heard from it. Now, here, the former crown prince was kneeling in front of them.

Usually, it was hard for someone to lower their back to another they see as of the lower standing. If they weren't forced to do it, they would never do it. Even if they were on the same social standing, they wouldn't kneel or bow. It would be humiliating.

One aged man stepped forward. He had a white beard and a wrinkled face. Slowly he bent his old back and kneeled to help His Highness rise, "Your Highness, please stand up. We aren't worth for Your Highness to kneel. We acknowledge and are thankful for you-"

"Enough!"

"Enough!"

Suddenly two beast-men simultaneous yelled. They had thick blood-like fur, a protruding jaw, and a long tail. Though similar to a monkey, no ordinary monkey had a blood-like fur. On their face was a frown, and a low growl escaped from their mouths.

"Don't you have enough food that we can eat until we bursts? Let's try it out!"

"A child shouldn't be concerned about this! Grow up first! We are all hungry, show us where the food is!"

"Yeah, yeah, he is right!"

"But first let me tell you that you have done something gre-"

At this moment, Mallory rushed in, "Your Highness,-"

He froze and anger appeared on his face. His magnificent Highness was kneeling in front of a bunch lowly peasant and worthless demi-humans. They stared down at him, they dared to frown upon him, and even growled out of their filthy mouth!

"You filthy peasant, how dare you all to commit a capital sin? You all deserve-"

Mallory's eyes rolled up, stars befell him, and he collapsed onto the floor. Igor sighed behind the collapsed Mallory, "Annoying." Then he helped Libertas up, "Your Highness, this isn't your fault, you have already done your best. The subjects are hungry, we should go out to eat. Or do want us to starve?"

Immediately the two men from the beast-folk pulled Libertas up, and shouted while they dragged him outside, "Food!"

The old man turned back to the crowd, "Let us hurry outside too, or else there won't be anything left for us."

Promptly everyone started to mumble under themselves, as they slowly walked to the outside. The stars shined brightly, proudly without the moon in the dark night sky. A fire softly crackled under a hot pot which spread a mild aromatic smell. Near the pot was a stone table, on top of it laid bowls and spoons.

Igor walked to the pot, and held up the ladle inside, "Please line up, or we won't be able to distribute!"

The crowd lined orderly up, in silence. In front of the line was a little girl, behind her were the two monkey-men. She had a long fiery red feather tail, her red hair was loosely bonded together to a ponytail, and blood smeared the pale skin. A mole was under the left side of her mouth. Under her knees were smooth scales, covered until they reached hawk-like claws, instead of human-like feet.

After they received their bowls, they walked away from the crowd, separating themselves. The next in line was Petro, in his hand was the incubus boy held. Although he was sleeping, he instantly woke up as he smelled the fragrance of the meal. Swiftly he stretched both hands out and requested for two portions.

Naturally, Igor rejected and even gave just a half a portion, while stating that he could get a second serving later. As such, after he gobbled his portion down, he could only stare with puppy eyes at Petro's bowl. Petro glanced at the puppy eyes, then at his full bowl, and to the last his growling stomach. He sniffed before he pushed the bowl to the incubus boy. With a sigh, he lined up again.

The crowd chuckled at the sight. They started to murmur, and with every bowl served, the atmosphere grew livelier. Finally, after getting the second serving, the incubus boy approached Libertas with two bowls in his hand. A bit teary-eyed, he looked away from one bowl before he shoved the bowl to Libertas.

"Take it before I change my mind!"

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

"No need for thanks." The incubus boy shook his head before he scratched his nose, "I should be saying sorry. I said some pretty harsh stuff back then."

"No, I was truly pathetic. I have decided to change, but for that, I need help. Do you want to accompany me, helping me to change?"

The incubus was stunned, his mouth wide agape, then he grinned, "As long as you remain this fascinating. Now tell me, how did it feel to kneel?"

The incubus laughed, after seeing that Libertas' expression soured, "Come on, don't be angry. We are now friends!"

"Humph! Igor, serve another round to everyone except him!"

After Igor glanced at the duo strangely, replied, "Yes, Your Highness!" Then he shouted to the crowd, "Please line up if you want a second serving!"

At this sight, the incubus boy despaired, "How can you do this? Don't you know that Food sacred is? How can you threaten me with food? Why are such a monster?"

"Yes, yes, I understand. Besides that, what is your name?"

"Give me a bowl, and I will tell you!"

"Take it yourself!"

The incubus' eyes shined eagerly, "It's a deal." And he is away, ran to get food before he told his name.

When he finally came back, Petro was following behind him. Both of them had one bowl in each hand, altogether four. Then once again, a bowl was shoved to Libertas.

"Eh, sorry. Take it as my apologies."

Libertas glanced at the bowl. Did everyone think he was a pig? He can't eat that much! With a sigh, he rejected the bowl, "No thanks, I am already full."

The incubus was elated before he smiled awkwardly at Libertas, "Could you help me then?"

Libertas looked up from the two bowls, "With what should-, ah."

He gazed down at the two bowls again and sighed. He was definitely the pig and not me! Silently, he took a bowl, before he inquired once more, "Yes. Can you tell me your name now?"

After putting a spoon in the mouth, the incubus boy answered with his mouth full, "Yeah, why not?"

Then proudly, with the spoon directed at himself, and the nose pointed high up against the sky, the incubus boy declared, "I am Judas!"

A light breeze fluttered through his glossy black hair.