Demon King's Gardener

As planned, Braelin and Jurao went to the King’s office after the midday meal. They were both settled - Jurao at his desk and Braelin at the table before the hearth with Petal curled in the chair next to him - before Braelin brought up Feyl.

“Why doesn’t Feyl like people knowing he’s a blacksmith?” the gardener asked.

Jurao hummed, “His family wouldn’t approve - he mentioned his cousins and siblings are all valets, I believe.”

“I remember that,” Braelin nodded.

“From what I have gathered from Feyl and Exka,” the King said, “Their family measures success in their ability to form connections with higher-ranking nobles - they’re Lesser nobility, the rank below yours. While blacksmiths are highly respected, being one does not usually build the kind of connections his family values.”

“But being a valet does?” his partner surmised.

“It is,” Jurao considered before continuing, “His family is highly devoted to Maenscul specifically. Most of them have Maenscul as a patron, and they have maintained their coloration to be as close to Maenscul’s as possible. Ah,” he recalled, “I still need to visit their temple in the city.”

Braelin smiled, “You could go on the day Malson and I decide on for shopping - I think sometime next week will work best.”

“Yes, good,” the King nodded, then returned to what he was explaining before, “In any case - their devotion to Maenscul includes trying to embody the deity’s domains. Valets are often sought to be sexual partners, so it is a career that allows for both social advancement and those kinds of relations.”

“Well,” his partner frowned, “There were those types of nobles in Jost, too - the ones that only cared about status. Feyl’s not really like that, but trying to live up to your family’s expectations can be hard.”

“It certainly can,” Jurao agreed, “But I don’t think Feyl hates being a valet.”

“I don’t think so either,” Braelin agreed, “It just seems… sad that he feels he needs to hide the other things he likes to do. Oh - the smithing spirit?”

“Feyl,” Jurao chuckled, “He usually does his work late at night and gives it out anonymously. Though most believe the moniker refers to my aunt.”

“Even Minaz?” his partner frowned again, “But she’s been to his quarters - she stopped by during a few of the etiquette lessons.”

“I could not say why, but yes, she also believes the works are my aunt’s, and Feyl stores them on her behalf,” the King said, “I simply respect Feyl’s choice to keep his skills to himself.”

“I understand,” Braelin also sighed, then added, “Maybe you should hire more valets?”

“I should,” Jurao asked.

“In case he ever decides to switch careers,” his partner said, “So he doesn’t feel like he’d be abandoning you to do so.”

“Ah,” the King nodded, “Yes, I see. I’ll discuss it with him - when we spoke of it before, he said I just needn’t bother since he could handle the work himself. But that’s a good point.”

They worked mostly in silence after that - comfortably, though. Oddly, Jurao found it easier to focus on his work when Braelin was in the room doing the same - his mind felt clearer somehow. He felt this new arrangement might suit them both if his partner felt the same.

After the evening meal, Braelin returned to the gardens while Jurao went back to his office - surprised to find Forvi there in addition to Feyl.

“A human petty prince,” Forvi chuckled, “Well, at least I have something new to tell Dad and Zaza.”

“And rather than being taken advantage of,” Feyl sighed, “It seems more like Malson’s managed to wrap Goyl around his little finger… and news of your sparring match has spread, so I’m sure he’ll be facing a few duels soon.”

“Goyl and Malson did appear… comfortable with each other,” the King settled on, taking his seat at his desk.

“A bit of good news,” Forvi snorted, “Your determination not to allow the progressive faction to overly politicize your relationship has cooled some of the tempers among the conservatives.”

“It was not my intention,” Jurao sighed, exhausted by the reminder.

“It is what it is,” Feyl shrugged, “You’re King - no matter how ordinary your relationship actually is, its impact on demon society is political. The best you can do is try to temper the framework as you’ve already done.”

The King hummed - but he did understand. While unfortunate, as a public figure, it was the reality that his relationships of all stripes had broader implications. Then he sighed, “Feyl, I wanted to discuss something with you.”

“Oh?” his best friend asked.

Jurao nodded, then carefully said, “Braelin suggested I should hire more valets - so that if another opportunity arose that appealed to you more, you did not feel as though you had to remain my valet.”

Feyl didn’t reply right away.

“It’s a good measure in any case,” Forvi added, “You’ve been doing the job of at least three people - talented as you are, even you can’t maintain that forever, Fae.”

Feyl sucked in a breath through his teeth, tail twitching as he said, “Forvi knows.”

“Ah,” Jurao nodded, “The suggestion was specifically in relation to blacksmithing, but it still could apply to other opportunities.”

“At least one person,” Forvi sighed, “So you can actually sleep,” then he paused, “Like me.”

“You’re certainly one of the few I’d trust in the position,” Feyl sighed, then looked over, “Wait, was that an actual offer?”

“I don’t see why not,” the prince shrugged, “I’m not doing anything else particularly useful at the moment, and I’ve been enjoying playing the court again.”

“I would be amenable,” Jurao nodded - Forvi was a few centuries their senior, had the necessary skills and experience, and got along with both the King and his current valet. It seemed like a perfectly sound suggestion.

Feyl considered, then laughed, “A prince as a valet? Why not? What in Jurao’s rule has been typical, anyway?”

Forvi also chuckled, “I can even win some conservative favor.”

“But if you do this,” Feyl paused, then snorted, “Imena will probably come running to do the same.”

Imena was another princelin - a century or two younger than Jurao and Feyl, who tended to copy faer older brother when he did something new.

“Oh, fae probably will,” Forvi agreed, “But, fae could make a good interim until we vet a proper third or fourth.”

“That’s true,” Feyl said, “As long as Jurao allows.”

“I would not mind,” Jurao said. He got along well with all the princelins in one way or another.

“So then,” Forvi said, “I’ll handle morning duties so you can get some proper sleep before getting up to do all this,” he reached out to card a hand through Feyl’s hair, “And I’ll leave evenings to you since you’re there anyway as a friend.”

“Best friend,” Jurao corrected.

Forvi snorted, “Sorry, as a best friend.”

Feyl smiled - a real one - before saying, “I knew you would be ridiculous about that.”

“I’ll have to ask for the rest of my things I left in Gaevoyga,” Forvi mused, “But I heard you and your partner would be planning a trip to the city soon, so I’ll just buy some supplements in the meantime.”

“Braelin and his brother were going to look for a sheathe for the dagger Feyl gave him,” Jurao nodded, “And I am overdue to speak with Maenscul.”

“You don’t think they’ll be upset, do you?” Feyl chuckled nervously.

“I don’t think so,” Jurao replied.

“Nor I,” Forvi assured, “Dad was late sometimes, but said Maenscul knew they weren’t always a top priority because it was just a check-in. Considering recent events, I’m sure they’ll be understanding.”

“Well, that’s reassuring, at least,” Feyl snorted, “A pissed-off deity would be the last thing we needed in all the current chaos…”

“There has been a lot happening in the past few months,” Jurao agreed.

“By the way,” his best friend smiled, “Did you ever figure out if you were interested in having sex with Braelin?”

Forvi’s brows rose significantly.

“Ah,” Jurao’s tail swished, “I had forgotten about that.”

“Please, someone enlighten me,” the prince chuckled.

“After a conversation about demon relationships,” Feyl replied, “Braelin asked Jurao if he was interested since he’d felt sexual attraction towards him. They were interrupted before Jurao could reply.”

“Oh dear,” Forvi snorted, “Well, Feyl or I could help on the purely physical side - you’d have to ask Minaz for romantic advice regarding sex.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Jurao nodded, then added, “Ah - apologies, Feyl, when I asked how you pursue a romantic interest-”

Feyl waved him off, “I knew you meant partner in general, and many of the early stages can overlap; don’t worry about it.”

Jurao nodded again. After all, while his best friend and Prince Forvi enjoyed sexual relationships, neither held an interest for romantic ones.

There was a knock at the office door, which turned out to be Gavven as the King called for em to enter.

“Good evening, my lord,” e giggled, then added, “Your highness; Feyl.”

“Is something wrong,” Jurao asked.

“No, no!” e said, pulling out a folder and setting it on his desk, “I just finished setting up events for you and Braelin to attend, and thought to bring you the schedule!”

“Thank you, Gavven,” the King sighed, opening the folder to review the itinerary.

Gavven giggled, apparently not put off by the lack of enthusiasm, “I included the book club Lord Goyl is in since he’s courting Lord Malson - they’re usually pretty exclusive otherwise. Oh, but you’ll have to be discrete about who’s in it!”

“There’s an entire club?” Feyl - now sitting up properly with his best presentation smile, “My, whoever else could be in it?”

“Morvvan, when we were still living here,” Forvi snorted, “One of the few things she was very hush-hush about.”

“Now I’m more intrigued,” Feyl chuckled.

“Ah, by the way, I’m coming on board as one of Jurao’s valets,” Forvi said.

Gavven clapped all four hands in delight, tail wagging excitedly as e said, “How wonderful! You’ve really been working far too hard, Feyl!”

“Who’s working?” Feyl replied flippantly, getting up to read the schedule over the King’s shoulder.

Forvi shook his head and said, “I’ve heard the humans say it’s not work if you’re doing what you like.”

“Or who,” Feyl added with a grin, pulling the schedule over as Jurao finished with it.

“I tried to keep them mostly to the afternoons and evenings,” Gavven said, rolling eir eyes good-naturedly, “Some are even in the gardens!”

“Thank you for your hard work,” Jurao said, “I do appreciate it.”

“I just love bringing people together!” Gavven grinned, then added, “I’ve noticed Braelin doesn’t seem to have many… friends, so I do hope he can meet some people he gets along with.”

“I as well,” the King said, putting a hand on Feyl’s shoulder, “It’s good to have friends. Especially best friends.”

“You’re so ridiculous,” Feyl said softly - but there was warmth there.

“I agree!” Gavven’s grin grew even more dazzling, “Gnori is my very best friend, so I know exactly what you mean!”

Forvi laughed, “You both say that so easily - I’m a little jealous.”

“Some people think it’s childish,” Gavven nodded, “But friends are important, and more people should acknowledge it!”

“You’re right,” Forvi laughed again, “Though, I don’t know if I have a best friend at this point…”

“I can help you look for one!” Gavven said eagerly, tail wagging away.

Jurao smiled, happy to listen to his Head of Staff regale the prince with ideas for places he could find a potential new best friend until it was time to retire to his suite.