Chapter-13

The morning sun streamed through the window of Kael's room, its golden rays painting the space with a warmth that felt almost mocking in contrast to the darkness that dwelled within. The air was crisp and pure, carrying with it the faint, sweet scent of damp stones—a peculiar yet oddly comforting aroma that filled the room. Kael stirred as the sunlight brushed across his face, his features softening for a moment before he yawned lazily, stretching his limbs like a cat awakening from a deep slumber.

*Yawwwwwnnn*

*Blink-Blink*

His eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he noticed was Agrisil, the demon, crouched in the darkest corner of the room under a table. The creature's long, black hair cascaded over his hunched form, his legs bent awkwardly as if trying to compress his massive frame into the shadows.

"What the hell are you doing there, Agrisil?" Kael asked, his voice tinged with both amusement and exasperation as he sat up in bed.

"I don't care much for light, Leader," Agrisil replied, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the floorboards. "I prefer the shadows. Besides, I was hoping for some meat—" Before he could finish, a sharp knock echoed through the room.

*Knock-Knock*

Kael's brow furrowed as he glanced toward the door.

'This early in the morning? Only three people would come to knock on the door at such an hour.

Lena was likely occupied with her own duties, and Neil would be busy preparing Robert's meal. That left only one person. If I'm right…' Kael thought, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he swung his legs off the bed and made his way to the door.

*Click*

The door creaked open to reveal Lara, her delicate frame silhouetted against the soft morning light. Her cheeks were flushed, and she held a plate in her hands, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.

"Hello, Lara. How can I help you?" Kael asked, his voice smooth and inviting, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of suspicion.

"H-Hi… I brought you breakfast, my love," Lara replied, her voice sweet and melodic as she extended the plate toward him. On it lay a piece of roasted meat sprinkled with salt, a crisp red apple, and a glass of milk. The presentation was impeccable, but Kael's instincts screamed danger.

'Still pretending to be my girlfriend after poisoning me once? This girl has some nerve...' Kael thought, his smile never wavering as he accepted the plate.

"Thank you, my love. Would you like to come in ?" he asked, his tone dripping with false warmth.

"O-Oh… No, no, no. Sir Robert has given me laundry duties, and I must finish them before he starts shouting. You know how he gets when someone slacks off, right ?" Lara laughed, though the sound was hollow and forced, like a poorly rehearsed performance.

"Yeah, I know. I know very well…" Kael replied, his smile tightening as he watched her turn and hurry away.

"Bye… Love you," Lara called over her shoulder, her voice fading as she disappeared down the hallway.

"Yeah… Fuck you too," Kael muttered under his breath as he closed the door and turned back to the room. He placed the plate on the ground with a soft *thud*, his mind already racing.

"Agrisil… Breakfast time. Come out," Kael called, his voice laced with amusement.

"Hehehe… Thank you, Leader," Agrisil replied, emerging from the shadows with a grin that revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth.

"Here, catch," Kael said, tossing the piece of meat toward Agrisil. The demon caught it mid-air, snapping it up with a single bite.

*Bite*

Agrisil chewed thoughtfully, his expression shifting to one of mild surprise. "Hmm… The meat. It's poisoned. Looks like the one who loves you wants to kill you, Leader," he said, his tone almost gleeful.

"I know… Eat this," Kael replied, tossing the apple next.

*Bite*

*Nom-Nom*

Agrisil devoured the apple in seconds, his face twisting into another grimace. "This one's poisoned too, Leader," he announced, his voice tinged with amusement.

"Well then… Drink this," Kael said, handing over the glass of milk.

"As you command," Agrisil replied, tipping the glass into his gaping maw. He swallowed the milk and the glass in one gulp, letting out a low *burp* before speaking again. "Definitely poisoned… A toxic one at that, Leader."

"Bitch wants me dead for sure," Kael muttered, his lips curling into a cold smile. "Looks like it's time to meet her other love—the one pulling her strings. She doesn't have the guts to poison me on her own. She's dancing to someone else's tune."

"Leader… How about you take me with you? If he refuses to join you, I can just eat him," Agrisil suggested, his tone almost innocent.

"I'm not offering him a contract. I'm going to kill him. Straight-up death," Kael replied, his voice icy. "The guy's tried to poison me twice over a pathetic job. Do you think I want garbage like him in my cult?"

"So… Can I eat him directly?" Agrisil asked, his head tilting to one side like a curious predator.

"I can't take you with me. People will see you too easily. You're too big and—" Kael began, but before he could finish, Agrisil stood and dissolved into Kael's shadow, his form vanishing as if he had never been there.

"Woah…" Kael murmured, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"I can come now, right, Leader?" Agrisil's voice echoed from the shadow at Kael's feet.

"Hehehe… Looks like it was worth making you my familiar," Kael said, his laughter dark and menacing as he stepped out of the room.

...

As Kael descended the stairs, he found Robert and Neil waiting at the bottom, their expressions unreadable. Robert's eyes narrowed as he spotted Kael, his lips curling into a smug smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Kael… Late as always," Robert taunted, his voice dripping with condescension.

'I am so early and yet this fucker calls me late ?' Kael thought as he felt very irritated.

"Is there a particular reason you two are waiting for me here, Sir Robert?" Kael asked, his tone polite but laced with subtle defiance.

"Yes. Mr. Neil has requested you as his assistant in the kitchen. You'll be washing dishes and running errands to the market. Since you've been slacking in your cleaning duties, your responsibilities are being redirected. You'll now wash the utensils I eat from and no more leaves for you," Robert declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. Without another word, he turned and strode away.

"Come with me," Neil said, his voice neutral as he led Kael toward the kitchen.

"Yes… Chef," Kael replied, following without hesitation.

*Click*

The kitchen door closed behind them, and Neil immediately dropped to one knee, his head bowed. "I greet the Leader," he said, his voice low and reverent.

"Good work. You followed the command perfectly," Kael replied, his smile cold and calculating.

'If I were stuck cleaning windows and floors all day, Robert would never take his eyes off me. So, I ordered Neil to make me his assistant in the kitchen, here… I have a slave to do the work for me, and a back door to come and go as I please. Still, I'll need to deal with Robert soon. He's becoming a nuisance.' Kael thought, his expression neutral.

"Anything for the Leader," Neil said, his voice steady.

"Send Lara to the market. Tell her to buy something that's running low for the kitchen," Kael ordered.

"A-As you command, Leader," Neil replied, rising to his feet and hurrying out of the kitchen.

"Hehehe…" Agrisil's laughter bubbled up from the shadows, low and sinister.

"Looks like you've already figured it out," Kael said, his smile widening.

"A moth must be released to find the light, kekekekeke…" Agrisil replied, his laughter echoing eerily.

"Time to follow the moth," Kael said, his eyes glinting with dark anticipation as he exited through the back-door at once.