Chapter 23

Julian sat on his own royal stool right beside his father. He watched the whole merriment and feasting. He watched the female dancers showcase their own self and the male dancers take the advantage. He watched his father steal glances at him. That was what he expected though. He left this world as a boy and now he's back as a man. He watched the ladies glare and even wink at him. He's handsome no doubt but his father should be more. Who dares wink at the king? He watched everything quietly, he heard his father's plan of giving him a wife and crowning him immediately so he won't go back again. If only they understood why he was here. He is Joel not Julian anymore and he would not do things with demons ever again. He was just baffled. He has not seen any of the girls he came with. He hasn't seen Katrienair or Emiliar yet. And he needs to find them as soon as possible. They are the reason why he is back in this territory and he's here to fight against his own people. He just couldn't wait for the damn feast to end. After some time, he saw almost naked ladies dancing in front of him. He noticed he would be given a mistress for the night, well, he's not here for this anyway. 

"father, I'm very stressed up now. Can I go take some rest in my chamber? " he told his father. 

His father smiled at him. "These people are here to entertain you why leave just like that? "

Joel was quiet.

" By the way, there's going to be a council meeting right after this feast. Now that you are around you need to be crowned immediately so our territory will be more sanctified. "

Joel winced. He hated his father, though he was born here but he developed this hatred for him and his kingdom when he killed his mother. He saw his father slice off her neck with his fingernail. How evil can demons be? What could she have done to him? He knew he was never going to forgive him for that. That's why he left to join humans and now that he's back. He's back for revenge. He's here to break the ring that secures demons in this territory, to give humans a better life. He's here to take the key, he might not be the chosen one but he will do everything to help the chosen one.

" Can't that wait father? Consider the fact that I've been gone for so long. I need more rest."

Roger shook his head. "No my son, you will be crown heir today. They are many people here who don't want you to be here. They want to reign also. I'm glad you are back and with the look of things you are never going back. You will do my wish. " He grinned.

Joel hated to argue with him. He knows how far his father can go to get whatever he wants. And his father's demon is one of a kind, it ignites at the slightest provocation.

"Fine, I should take a walk around here before the meeting starts. I'll join you when it begins. " He left without waiting for an answer.

He walked around the corridors from one metal door to another. No one was in their room, of course they're at the feast. Demons loves feasts. He got to his father's chamber and opened the door. He saw the maidservants who curtsized as they saw him. He waved to them and walked into the other rooms. He needed to know something about this territory he doesn't know of. When he got to the third room, the bedroom. He said a figure of a bound lady. He was annoyed that his father still do these things, caging the gifted. He walked closer to her.

Emiliar blinked continually. She thought she had just seen a ghost.

"Joel? "She muttered.

Joel moved closer happy that had seen one of his own but raging within at his father's act.

"Shh... Emiliar" he whispered warning her to keep quiet.

"Joel, please help me out. " she pleaded. Joel slashed the chain with a dagger and lifted her up. He was at least grateful that he kept his mother's warning to always have a dagger in his dress. He covered her mouth to prevent her from saying a word. He took her to his chamber and locked her up.

He walked back his father's chamber and wiped off the memories of the maidservants. He left feeling a bit fulfilled and joined his father at the feast. When the feast was completed , his father and the council men assembled at the meeting room. he sat on the chair right beside his father, the one claimed has been reserved for him ever since he left. Joel stared at the familiar faces in the council. He saw his uncle, Ramos, sat on the other side of the royal stood . His father had always told him to stay away from him because he has intentions of gaining the throne, He sat there grinning at him.

His father began the talking and no one dares interrupt when the leader is talking. Julian's mind wasn't in this meeting, all his thoughts were occupied with the whereabouts of Katrienair. Where is she now? Is she alive or not? He can do nothing without her presence , will he have to accept his fate and become the crown prince of this evil Kingdom? His kingdom though. He hates everything about demons, he hates himself for being one of them. He hates his demon who never crave for anything right. He has tried thousands of times to disobey it but it always gets over him.If only he could kill that demon in him, he hates to be a demon but he loves the gifts hehas courtesy of being a demon. Emiliar, there in his room isn't inviible, how long is she gonna be there? He needs to find Katrienair fast.

He was still lost in thought when he saw one of the council memeber stood in front if him. He was carrying a crown on one hand and a small pot on the other. He just stared at him lost. The man bowed."eat this my prince"

He took the pot and ate whatever was in it. In this territory there are somethings you just can't avoid, this is one of them. wheW he was done the man casted some spells. Julian could feel fire coming out of his mouth and nose, he's been made to eat he kings concoctions and anyone who eats it get as much power as a dragon and even more. He felt might, he felt his reflexes sharpened. He felt like he was the mightest in the world. Soon a crown of fire was placed on his head. He heard shoutings and clappings but in the midst of it he heard.

"From today you are pronounced the ruler over us. You carry not only fire but power"