chapter twenty-nine

Azura's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the colorful array of ice cream flavors before her. She had never tasted ice cream before, but the sweet aroma and the excited chatter of the children around her made her mouth water.

With a sly smile, Azura raised her hand, and a strange, pulsating glow emanated from her fingers. The shopkeeper and the customers around her suddenly became entranced, their eyes glazing over as they succumbed to Azura's bewitching spell.

"Give me a cone," Azura commanded, her voice husky and confident.

The shopkeeper, still under Azura's spell, mechanically handed her a cone piled high with her favorite flavors. Azura's eyes gleamed with excitement as she raised the cone to her lips.

Just as she was about to take a lick, a strong hand grasped her wrist, pulling her away from the crowd. Azura's eyes widened as she stumbled backward, the ice cream cone wavering precariously in her hand.

She looked up to see Lord Zamiel's stern face glaring down at her. "What are you doing here?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Azura's eyes flashed with defiance, but she knew better than to cross Lord Samuel. She lowered her gaze, trying to appear contrite. "I...came In search of you" she stammered.

Zamiel's grip on her wrist tightened. "You know you can't just wander around human city."

Zamiel's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Azura. "Look, I don't know what you're doing here, but whatever it is, it's not safe. What's your reason for being here?"

Azura scratched her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. "My Lord, I just want to be with you. It's been long since you left Hell, and you haven't returned."

Zamiel expression turned stern. " go back."

Azura's face fell, but she quickly regained her composure. "I won't go back."

Zamiel's voice took on a commanding tone. "As the Prince of Hell, I command you to go back."

Azura shook her head, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Never. I am also a princess, and I won't be ordered around. Why are you toying with my feelings? Why?"

The air was charged with tension as Azura's words hung in the air, challenging Zamiel's authority and questioning his intentions. Zamiel's eyes seemed to bore into Azura's soul, as if searching for a answer to her bold query.

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As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city, Zamiel finally relented, deciding to take Azura to his house. "This is where I stay," he said, opening the door to a grand, luxurious mysterious mansion.

Azura's eyes widened as she stepped inside, taking in the opulent decor and lavish furnishings. She flopped down onto the plush couch, letting out a contented sigh. "Please, I can stay comfortable here."

Elena, who had been watching from the sidelines, quickly rushed over, bowing her head. "Is there anything you need, my lady?" she asked, not knowing who Azura was, but sensing that she was a visitor of importance.

Azura looked up at Elina, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Who is this?" she asked Zamiel.

Zamiel gestured to Elina. "She's just a servant. Don't mind her."

Azura's gaze lingered on Elena for a moment before she turned back to Zamiel. Then Zamiel spoke up "Look, I brought you here because I couldn't stand you parading the whole city," Zamiel said, his voice firm but controlled. "I don't know, maybe you should go back to hell"

Azura stood up, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I told Mother and Father that I would bring you along with me, and if possible, we would go with a baby."

Zamiel's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Azura took a step closer to Zamiel, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm a princess, for crying out loud! I'm the princess of the neighboring kingdom, close to your kingdom. Look, Zamiel, I'm in love with you. Don't you know that?"

Azura tried to touch Zamiel's face, but he moved away, his expression unyielding. "Zamiel, you're really playing with my feelings, and it's hurting me."

Elena watched the exchange, her eyes wide with wonder. She had never seen Zamiel so flustered before. She thought to herself, "A female devil came to claim her boyfriend? They really fit each other."

Azura's voice cracked as she spoke, tears welling up in her eyes. "Look, don't do this to me, please. You're hurting me."

Zamiel's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "Azura, the truth is, I don't love you at all."

The words hung in the air, a palpable tension between Zamiel and Azura. Elena held her breath, wondering what would happen next.

Azura's face contorted in rage, her eyes turning a deep, fiery red. Her fangs elongated, and her voice took on a menacing tone. "My lord, I won't give up at all," she snarled. "I know that if you search the earth, search Hell, you can never find anyone as good as me. I can assure you that."

The air seemed to vibrate with Azura's anger, and Elena, who had been watching in awe, sneaked away to hide. She couldn't imagine being accidentally torn apart by Azura's sharp nails or bitten by her razor-sharp fangs.

As suddenly as it had begun, Azura's tantrum ended. Her eyes returned to their normal color, and her fangs retracted. She took a deep breath, composing herself.

At the end of the day, Azura's expression turned haughty. "I am sorry, where is your servant? Let her take me to my room. I'm sure you have plenty of rooms here."

Zamiel's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Don't worry, I'll take you to your room myself."

Azura's eyebrows rose in surprise, but she said nothing, following Zamiel as he led her through the winding corridors of his mansion. Elena, still hiding, watched them go, wondering what would happen next in the drama unfolding before her eyes.