Chapter 112

Chapter 112: Chapter 112

"Lord Kath’tan," A Fiend soldier called to him, swinging around a polearm. "You promised me a spar today," He reminded, approaching.

They were on the outdoor training grounds today, the suns yet to get to their full strength, other soldiers training around them.

Kath’tan had barely spent a week in Ashford, yet the occupants of the castle had quickly grown accustomed to his presence. Even without his mother by his side, they treated him the same, clamoring to spar with him as they couldn’t do so with the High Lady Valrena.

His mother had to accompany Grand Duke Yamra on a diplomatic visit, it was the only reason he had stayed this long, he couldn’t leave before she returned.

It was already the third day, and she would be back sometime that day, yet he still hadn’t adjusted to the soldiers treating him like one of them despite the color of his skin.

It wasn’t just the soldiers at the training grounds, somehow, the news of High Lady Valrena being his mother had spread like wildfire throughout the castle. Even the servants going about their tasks stopped to bow to him, it was surreal.

"Go easy on me," He said lightly, "I’m still in training."

Someone snorted to the side, "You’ve won every spar you have been in."

"He’s the son of Lady Valrena, there’s little surprise there," Another chimed in, the soldiers gradually leaving their stations to watch the commencing spar.

Kath’tan’s movements had grown more fluid in the short time he had spent in Ashford, his mother’s guidance instantly reflected in his movements. When the brief spar came to an end, he didn’t even realize he was grinning, cheers and applause coming from the sidelines, right before a handful of soldiers were clamoring to practice with him next.

The experience was priceless, but even more than that, he was included for the first time. The jokes were no longer at his expense, they now included him.

He didn’t notice the time go by until his mother came seeking him. She had come right from her carriage, not even bothering to wash off the dust of her travels, her cloak swirling as she hastily closed the distance.

"Lady Valrena!" The soldiers called out enthusiastically, catching sight of her from a distance.

Kath’tan turned around to see her approaching, walking away from the training grounds to meet her half-way. "You’re back." He noted quietly.

Valrena beamed, pleased that he had come to welcome her. "I am. Did you spend the entire time on the training grounds?" She scolded lightly, taking out an embroidered napkin to wipe the sweat off his face.

"I was waiting for you," He excused, leaning down slightly.

Valrena paused and then took her hand away, "You have to leave." She stated the inevitable.

"I’ll return whenever you need me." He promised.

"Don’t tempt me," She said then sighed, "You’re always welcome back home..." She trailed off, hesitation in her eyes like there was something more she had to say but thought the better of it.

"Will you at least stay another night?" She asked hopefully, walking with him towards the castle.

Kath’tan looked to the castle, he had already stayed far longer than he should. "I won’t," He said decisively. It was time to return, as much as he wanted to remain in Ashford with Dulce, by his mother’s side.

Valrena didn’t push any further, "Alright. You need me to create a portal to Earth, don’t you?"

"Yes," Kath’tan answered, he had already explained most of the circumstances around his summoning to his mother, she even knew that Dulce was neither a human nor a mage.

"Come to my room when you’re ready." Valrena said, stepping through the open doors.

Kath’tan watched her hunched shoulders disappear into her room, turning away to return to his. Perhaps it was because he had gone his entire life without the expectation of a mother, so his only emotional connection to her was in the present. He would not fully understand what she had gone through apart from him, but it soothed some of the hurt he had always carried around.

That he had a parent who cared whether he lived or die, and who willingly let themselves be imprisoned to keep him alive.

He stepped into his room, expecting to find Dulce on the balcony. Instead, the Vampire was seated in his room with a book. Although free to go anywhere in the castle, the Vampire preferred to remain in his room.

It was almost like he was trying to stay out of the way so that Kath’tan could properly reunite with his mother and grow accustomed to his new home.

Dulce placed down the book he had been reading, looking up expectantly. "Is Lady Valrena back?"

"She is," Kath’tan answered, reluctantly placing his hammer down on its stand. In the few days he had stayed in Ashford, she had already commissioned several more hammers to be made for him.

But he couldn’t take any of them with him, they were barely needed on Earth, and it would be more trouble than it was worth traveling around with them.

"I’m ready to leave," He tagged on, walking off to wash the day of training off him.

Dulce rose to his feet to pack up his trunk, Lady Valrena had offered to have clothes made for him but he had turned her down. All he did was sit in Kath’tan’s room and bask in the sun, he had also explored the castle and gone down to the gardens, startling every Chaos faction Demon he came across.

It was a pleasant stay but he couldn’t help but be worried about the other Demons in his desert palace. What if Asael returned to have his contract undone and couldn’t find him? Did Caedos get enough to eat? Was Ruoxi starting to get hungry?

When Kath’tan returned, he was fully dressed, complete with a crown and a cloak around his broad shoulders.

Dulce had learned a lot of things, about how Lady Valrena was the heir to the throne of Ashford, making Kath’tan direct in line for the throne. He held his trunk of clothes and walked towards the Fiend, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about his well-being when the contract was undone.