coming out

The demoness, Tidalia Aquari, materialized in front of the building where Arnin resided. Her arrival was marked by the crackling of energy in the air as she folded her arms, her gaze intense and focused.

"My lord, the state governor has announced that either Essed will obey King Vexar, or they will be perished by the fake fox," she said, her voice filled with contempt.

She scoffed, her lips curling in disdain. "I can't believe a demon is helping a mortal king and even using your name. When did demons start to bow to mortals? That demon deserves death and the draining of his power. His sins are too numerous. My lord, I trust you will deliver a just judgment." With a final glare, she transformed into a swirling cloud of smoky tendrils and vanished into the night.

Inside the dimly lit building, Arnin sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor. A ball of red essence enveloped him, pulsating with a menacing glow. His fingers were interlocked in front of him as he struggled to contain the powerful essence within. His veins bulged with the effort, and he took a deep, steadying breath before drawing the essence back into himself.

As he raised his head, his long hair fell back, revealing the veins throbbing in his neck. His eyes glinted with an otherworldly aura, a mesmerizing blend of red, silver, and gold. A guttural groan escaped his lips, resonating through the building and echoing into the night.

He glanced down at his hands, watching as the energy coursed through his veins like liquid fire. Clenching his fists against the searing pain, he groaned once more, the sound raw and primal.

Tidalia, who had been heading towards Lady Meiyer's residence where Prince Khane resided, felt the shift in energy and instinctively turned back. She reappeared at the base of the stairs, her eyes fixed on the doors with anticipation.

Suddenly, the doors burst open with a thunderous crash. Tidalia immediately dropped to her knees, crossing her hands over her chest in reverence.

"I feel it," Tidalia muttered with a smile, her eyes locked on the doorway, waiting for Arnin to emerge. The air around them crackled with energy, the tension palpable as the dawn began to break, casting a faint glow over the scene.

As she saw his legs she immediately looked down,"Congratulations my lord!" She yelled and raised her head back up.

The doors closed by itself behind Arnin and he walked on the air to the ground were Tidalia knelt.

"What are you doing in broad daylight,won't you make the bypassers wonder?stand"he said as he walked passed her.

She stood up and walked to meet him and walked beside him with a wide smile.

"My lord,I thought you will shape shift back to your usual handsome self,you were one of the most handsome and charming demon in the demon realm"She said.

" Is this face not handsome,aquari?"he said as he looked at her as they walked and focused back on the road.

She made a weird face and lowered her voice," My lord forgive me,but people take you seriously with your old face whereas this...you look like you can be easily bullied."she said.

Arnin stopped walking and shot hera. glare," So that's why you've lost respects "he said and continued walking.

" My lord,I'll respect you till i die" she said and started scrunching her nose,"But my lord.....you need to bath".

"Tidalia" Arnin yelled as he stopped walking and by the time he looked at Tidalia,she had already disappeared.

***********************************

Ningtin reached the state governor residence and noticed that the plaques on the left were significantly higher than the ones on the right. After announcing his identity, he entered the premises and immediately dismounted from his horse upon seeing her still kneeling.

"She's crazy!" Ningtin muttered, running towards her. He crouched down, placing a firm hand on her shoulder, and looked into her face.

Kneeling for hours, he had never expected her to endure such a thing.

She was visibly shaking, her eyes struggling to stay open.

"Did you come to laugh at me?" she asked, her voice laced with exhaustion.

"Let's go back home," he said, attempting to help her stand by holding her arm. But she flinched and pulled away.

"Leave me alone, go back to where you are coming from!" she demanded, shooting him a glare. Her eyes were wide open, and her body was visibly shaking.

Ningtin's frustration and annoyance grew. "It's no use kneeling here! The identity plaques by the left are higher! The people... they just want to live," he yelled, but his voice softened at the end.

"Do you think they will just let them live even though they agree? They will make us suffer first! Either way, we will suffer! We have soldiers, great martial artists! We have been holding back, so why now?" she yelled back, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Then if you cripple yourself this way, will it solve anything?" Ningtin asked, his tone edged with irritation.

"Don't ask like you care! Go back to your brothel," she snapped, looking at him with a mix of anger and weariness.

Ningtin didn't say anything. He just looked at her, wondering why she was being so stubborn.

"I have gotten the divorce papers and signed them. Check on my study table, you'll see them there. You're now free from Lady Meiyer. Live your life as you want. There shall be no relationship between us. Go far away," she motioned, turning her glance away from him.

Finally, Ningtin got what he wanted, but somehow, he didn't feel satisfied.

"I'm grateful, Lady Meiyer. I can be with any woman I want and move freely without your men watching me," he said as he started to walk away.

But then he stopped, a feeling of unease nagging at him. He turned back and walked to Lady Meiyer. Without a word, he grabbed her arm and tried to drag her up.

"Leave me alone!" she yelled, her voice filled with desperation and anger. But Ningtin was determined not to listen.

He scooped her up into his arms, despite her protests, and carried her towards his horse. Her body was weak and trembling, but she continued to struggle.

Ningtin tightened his grip. As he reached his horse, he carefully placed her in the saddle and mounted behind her, securing her in place.

"Whether you like it or not, you're coming with me," he said, his voice firm. He urged the horse forward, and they rode away from the state residence.