Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Chapter 59

Dulce had wiped down most of the blood and dirt he could get to, the intricately carved silver bowl full of murky water. "Moira, you’re back. Thank you for the food." He said kindly, about to take the bowl to the bathroom.

Moira hastily took the bowl from him, "It is all the Queen’s generosity. And there’s no reason to do these menial tasks yourself, there is a whole castle of servants at your beck and call."

"It is no trouble," He demurred, going to take the platter of food from the shivering servant in the doorway.

Caedos was simply unaware that he could or should alter other creatures’ perception of him. So the servant could plainly see a monstrous man with beastly ears sitting on the bed.

The Hellhound didn’t even notice the adverse reaction he elicited, his gaze fixed on the plate of food, drooling from hunger. He polished off the plate as soon as Dulce placed it on the bed, licking his lips expectantly, looking up for more.

Dulce glanced down at the platter of roast duck that had been completely decimated, bones and all. The only thing left behind were the decorative berries, used to flavor the dish. He stared at the platter intently, Caedos would go through his farm in a few days, he needed to sort out how he would go about the Hellhound’s feeding before they left the castle.

He wandered to the door with the empty platter when a knock pulled him out of his thoughts, taking the trays from the servants who had made an appearance.

Moira stepped out of the bath in time to see this, a faint frown on her face. She could see it that Dulce wouldn’t stay - the Vampire was an enigma to her, most turned humans were sinister, soulless. It wasn’t a conscious decison, it was a requirement for immortality.

But the Vampire seemed to retain his soul in a strange way she could quite make sense of...

She was soon dragged out of her thoughts by Dulce, guiding her to sit and handing her a platter of food. Moira looked around in time to see that, not just her but everyone had been seated with platters of food, Dulce watching over them with a pleased expression.

She was so startled by the unexpected kindness that she stared blankly for a bit, seated on a rocking chair with an entire platter of venison on her lap, at a loss.

The only person eating without a care was Caedos, congratulating himself for finding such a generous savior. With such surplus, he would grow his strength in no time and return to save his kind.

The other Demons stared down at their platters with odd expressions, they had been scowling at Dulce for completely devoting himself to his Hellhound, but now that the Vampire had given them some attention as well, it wasn’t quite right.

But Dulce was wearing such a self-satisfied smile, content to take the continuous supply of food from the servants to offer it to everyone but himself, that they grudgingly picked at the food.

"Are meat dishes not satisfying enough?" Dulce asked when he noticed that the rest of the room was not as enthusiastic about the meal. "I could ask the kitchen to provide a variety..."

A knock interrupted him, and he walked over, expecting another servant. He opened the door with the intention of requesting more variety, even though he hadn’t gotten a response to his question.

The sight of the Queen on the other side of his door made him take several steps back, blinking self-consciously although his eyes rarely darkened to red against his wish unless he was in dire straits.

"Your Majesty," He bowed, backing away even further.

Aylin swept a cool gaze across the room, her veil back over her face. The room was rowdy, the scent of savory meat heavy in the air. Her cold gaze swept over the witch, who nervously dropped her fork and straightened her back.

"How lively," She said with a smile, lingering at the doorway because she had something important to hide. "I’m hurt I wasn’t invited." She said lightly.

Dulce didn’t stop to think that the Queen was merely teasing him, forcing out his next words. "Would Your Majesty like to join us?" He grudgingly invited. As wary as her presence made him, they were enjoying her generosity.

Aylin’s red painted lips stretched into a smile underneath her veil, "Really? I’m afraid I would be a nuisance."

Dulce shifted his weight anxiously from one leg to the other, "O-Of course not, Your Majesty. We would be honored by your presence."

Aylin swept her gaze across the room again, not sharing the sentiment. She however accepted the invite, carefully picking up her dress to step over the doorway, beaming wide enough to be seen under the veil when Dulce guided her to a chair.

Asael quietly dug into the platter Dulce had given him, never one to turn away food. For a Shadow Demon, there was no telling when they would have the chance to have their next meal. He had gone several days without the privilege of eating on missions enough times to take advantage of eating whenever he could.

He was completely unbothered by the Vampire Queen, whatever her plans were would fall apart as soon as Dulce found out what she really was. He also had a faint niggling feeling that Dulce didn’t quite know how to feel love, the Vampire completely lacked the selfishness love required.

Kath’tan didn’t even glance in the Queen’s direction, his attention completely taken up by the Hellhound. It was the first time he was seeing one in their human form, it caused a strange disconnection. He had never ridden a Hellhound because his father didn’t think he was worth one, but now he never could.

All he had to do was imagine he was climbing the shoulders of a Demon to be completely put off by the idea.

Ruoxi was the only one focused on the Queen, reaching over the arm of his chair to take a handful of the berries on Kath’tan’s plate. The Fiend glared at his intruding hand but made no attempt to stop him. He didn’t dare fiddle with the Shadow Demon’s food, uninterested in losing a hand.