Misunderstandings

There were reddish and purplish teeth marks strewn all over Lareina's neck, even reaching under her dress to spots that were not visible.

Lareina touched her neck. So it was not a dream, ''Who changed my clothes?" Judging by Rosie's reaction, it could not be her.

Rosie shook her head, ''You arrived here in this nightgown, wrapped up in a new cloak,'' she pointed in the direction where the cloak was hung.

''You can leave.''

The maidservant had just turned to leave when Lareina spoke up again, ''Wait. Come with me instead.''

Lareina pushed herself out of bed, turning down Rosie who came to support her. Wrapping the cloak around herself, she walked out of the room.

When she reached Azrael's room, she was blocked by a duo of new demons who guarded at the door, their faces unfriendly.

Lareina did not say a word as she stepped back.

Rosie, who was standing a few steps back, stepped forward and extended her hand. On her hand glowed the token that Azrael had personally given her, ''My Lady wants to talk to His Highness.''

The guards exchanged a look and their faces transformed significantly. This time when they looked at Lareina, their gazes were not as hostile but still, they did not seem to show any signs of giving way to her.

"My Lady, it's not that we don't want to let you in,'' one of the guards spoke up, ''But it is His Highness' command that nobody should enter his room.''

"Lady Lareina, what are you doing here?"

The slow seductive voice had Lareina turned to Moira who was walking up to her with a smile.

The woman smiled most of the time but it lacked any sincerity.

''Are you here to see His Highness?" Moira gasped, ''Did he not let you in again?"

Lareina stepped past her to leave but the woman turned around and blocked her path a little distance from Azrael's room.

''My Lady, did I not tell you that you should take the clue by now? His Highness feels repulsed by you and your theatrics. I know you are desperate at this juncture as you need to hug someone's golden thigh to survive in the demon realm but you should not push yourself too far…''

Rosie fumed but without Lareina's orders, she could only glare at Moira grievously.

Moira's was still speaking in her honeyed voice but the words she uttered were poisonous, ''I should not say this but as a woman, I empathize with you so I feel like it is my duty to lead you in the right direction.''

Moira approached Lareina and lowered her voice to a whisper, ''There are three more princes in the demon realm. Why don't you try your luck with one of them? Especially the youngest one, he is still a child and he is favored by the King. If you play your womanly cards right, you might make him devoted to you. The Lord would probably fulfill all his whims. His Highness, the Second Prince is far from wanting you yet you show up at his door, invited. So shameless!"

Her words had just dropped when the sound of a crisp slap reverberated in the air.

The sheer force had Moira stagger a bit as she was caught off guard. She looked up at Lareina in disbelief, one hand clasped over her face.

The guards were also startled by the events that transpired at a little distance.

''You…''

'Pak'

Moira had just opened her mouth when another crisp slap landed on the other side of her face.

''Two slaps for your last two words,'' Lareina stretched her hand towards Rosie who immediately pulled out a silk handkerchief and wiped it clear, ''You can try me again.''

''You puny human…'' The mask of nonchalance on Moira's face slipped a bit as she clenched her fists, her eyes flaring.

''I am rather weak compared to you. I don't have any powers nor do I have the strength that you possess. You can kill me…'' Lareina paused and retracted her palm after Rosie cleaned each finger immaculately with a satisfied smile on her face, ''But can you face the consequences?"

The woman's nose flared as she gritted her teeth, ''You think you are important? You are delusional…''

''Most don't like me here but am I still not alive?'' Lareina spoke softly, ''Moreover, every dog must obey their master. If you want to kill me, shouldn't you ask for the Prince's permission first. I doubt he would let you harm me.'' Because he seems more inclined to do the job himself.

''You called me a dog… You…''

Lareina did not wait for Moira's response as she strode away but Moira raised her voice a little.

''I will see if you are still this arrogant tomorrow.'' The woman no longer seemed angry suddenly for some reason and the sudden change made Lareina feel a little unsettled.

At a little distance, she heard the sound of the door opening and smiled bitterly. So, when the guards said that it was Azrael's command that nobody should enter the room, it did not include Moira.

The door to Azrael's room opened and Moira strode.

The man was sitting at a distance with a book in his hand.

Sensing another presence, he placed the book down, flipping it around so the cover was on the table surface.

But Moira had caught sight of the cover, ''Your Highness, what are you investigating about the human realm? Maybe you can ask me and I'd tell you about it?"

''Nothing much,'' Azrael said calmly, ''What brings you here?"

''I have been feeling a little better today. It's all thanks to you. I came here to thank you but…''

At her silence, Azrael looked up at her, only to find her standing there with her palm pressed to one side of her face. The other side of her face was swollen.

''It's Lady Lareina… I don't know…'' Moira spoke when he raised a brow questioningly as tears rolled down her cheeks, ''I met her on my way here. I thought she was on her way to see you…''

Azrael's gaze shifted to the door and he moved to get up.

''But she got angry when I mentioned that,'' Moira spoke amidst her sobs, ''When I urged her to meet you, she seemed offended and she…'' the demoness trailed off, shoulders shaking as she clutched her swollen cheeks.

Azrael's fingers curled into a fist, the vision of that small figure hunched over on the edge of the bed, vomiting her guts out was imprinted into his soul.

His jaws ticked.

''Your Highness…''

''You can go have some rest,'' he cut her off, his face frosty.

''Yes,'' Moira retreated after curtseying to the man.

At a little distance from Azrael's room, Lareina sat near the window in her room, her gaze listless.

''That vixen had it coming…'' Rosie scoffed, ''Acting so cocky all the time… '' she trailed, ''My Lady, you dealt with her so well. Why do you still look so bothered?"

Lareina opened her mouth but then she shook her head.

Rosie did not push it further. Instead, she kept the room lit with candles and burnt a few incense before leaving the room.

Lareina retreated to her bed but she could not fall asleep right away.

What is happening tomorrow? Moira mentioned it in the garden first and now, again… Something about Moira's gaze made her uneasy.

The next morning, Lareina realized the reason behind her apprehension after witnessing something that made her entire body cold.