Demon King's Gardener

“We do,” Jurao nodded, “We will be expanding the back wall of the castle grounds to expand our gardens, thanks to Lord Braelin’s abilities as a Beloved of Iescula.”

There was some murmuring from the crowd at this – as, once again, the common populace might have only heard rumors of Braelin being a Beloved or been entirely unaware. The human was also wearing a wooden amulet bearing Iescula’s sigil of a flower encased in a circular wall at Milve’s insistence – to show his status as a member of the Iesculan faithful. Jurao’s confirmation had also been carefully planned, of course.

“In addition, I have decided upon a Wish for the Hundred Years’ Ball,” Jurao continued.

This caused more murmuring – as the nobles in the balconies had been just as unaware of this as the common folk on the floor below. Messenger birds had been sent out that morning to carry the same news to the other fourteen cities, as Minaz had suggested.

“I will be using my Wish so that all those living in a realm where the average lifespan far exceeds their own will have their lifespan extended to match,” Jurao announced.

There were several glances from the table toward Braelin – and many outright stares from the crowd. While the King’s partner had his own gaze trained on the table, he did manage a small smile as he blushed.

“Thank you for informing us, your highness,” Mayor Mera said, smiling herself, “Was there any other business?”

“No,” Jurao replied, getting to his feet, “I declare this Assembly completed.”

As was typical, Jurao and his Department Heads adjourned to a private meeting room to discuss any relevant topics of the Assembly that needed further attention—though primarily to partake in an early evening meal.

“Mayor Mera may not share her father’s temperament for criminal activity, but she did certainly inherit his cunning,” Hujur sighed.

“The lands she is donating to the public project,” Jurao asked, Braelin now settled in his lap and recovering from all the attention of the Assembly.

“Five beast scales is well below what those two estates are worth,” Hujur shook his head, “But, with her father’s history and their unsuitable location for major merchant ventures, she would have been extremely lucky to find any reputable buyers for them at all – and with the collapse of Vakus’s assets, those two estates were most likely nothing but a drain on Mera’s family accounts. But, since she asked for such a relatively low sum and created a project that would allow Braelin to gain public approval, I allowed it.”

“I see,” Jurao nodded, “I agree with your reasoning.”

“Well, it’s not like there’s a lot of space that far inside the city,” Exka shrugged, “And the Court District is really the best place for that kind of project.”

“My okels asked to oversee the construction if the proposal was accepted,” Kloy mused, “Though cer is already en route to Caslavven with my daughter – ce thought it had been long enough since we’d all visited, in either case.”

“I didn’t know you had a daughter, Kloy,” Jouvi remarked.

“She decided she wanted to be an architect like her ae-ae,” the physician chuckled, “So who better to teach her than Lajaonar’s best?”

“How old… is she?” Braelin managed to ask.

“Twelve hundred thirty four,” Kloy replied, “She’s been staying with Oko since she turned two fifty or so, but I saw them when I last visited about five hundred years ago. Her mother is an officer who went with former General Imeveo to the Champion Gate.”

Minaz hummed, “Wait, is your daughter Klesmi? Vaella’s kid?”

“She is,” Kloy chuckled, “As I recall Vaella saying, she used to follow the older officer kids around. I take it you were among them?”

“Yeah, and if she wasn’t dislocating her hip every five steps, I’m sure she would have would wanted to be an officer, too,” Minaz snorted.

“Honestly, with all the stories I’ve been hearing from Gavven,” Festi snorted, “It’s amazing you only have one kid.”

Kloy shrugged, “I am rather good at remembering contraceptives – though it’s entirely possible one of my past partners simply never told me. Though I used to run in circles where secondary parentage was… often difficult to determine, to be fair-minded.”

“Speaking of similar circles,” Gavven giggled, “I heard Feyl’s been helping in your office lately, Kloy.”

Vajur made a noise of disgust, “If you’re going to start gossiping, I’m leaving.”

“I don’t think there was anything thing else major to discuss from the Assembly,” Hujur remarked, “So unless someone else has something, feel free to depart.”

“Feyl didn’t mention helping in the Healing Wards,” Jurao questioned, tilting his head.

Kloy offered him a bright smile, “Oh, it seems he just took an interest in helping from time to time – I do appreciate his efforts. But really, it’s nothing major.”

“I mean,” Minaz snorted, “You don’t really need to cover with us if you two are fucking.”

Kloy just shrugged with a little hum.

Vajur, who was still seated with no indication of leaving, scoffed.

Jurao hummed – that explanation made the most sense, as Feyl still disliked the castle Medical Wards. His best friend’s usual physician was a military doctor, as the officer Medical Wards had hardly been able to deny a request from Minaz to allow it.

Still, after the meal concluded with more idle talk and he returned to his suite – Braelin deciding to seek out his brother and ask about the duel that had broken his prosthetic – he decided to bring it up with Feyl. He wasn’t surprised that Minaz had asked to join in their nightly game.

“Are you and Kloy having sex,” he asked.

“No,” Feyl sighed, taking the opening move in Ascension, “Though not for lack of trying…”

Minaz snorted, “So that’s why Kloy didn’t just say you were when Gavven brought up you’d been hanging around his office. So? What’s the issue?”

“The issue is that his suite has been a disaster every time we’ve tried, and you two know how I am about a mess,” Feyl sighed again.

“Ah, yeah, guess that’d do it,” Minaz chuckled, “And since you don’t like people in your suite, I guess it is the easiest location, with your schedules and the Wards being nearby.”

“Exactly,” Feyl shrugged.

Jurao hummed, considering his move, “Did this start after the sexual education lesson.”

“… I forgot you told me about that,” Minaz snorted – meaning Feyl, as Jurao did not recall mentioning it.

“That was the start, yes,” Feyl chuckled, “I suppose I was flirting rather obviously.”

“I mean, Kloy is attractive, even being a thousand years older than us,” Minaz shrugged, “I understand the appeal.”

“I’m sure once we’ve finally had some fun, the appeal will fade,” Feyl waved a hand, “I don’t think either of us is looking for more than that, anyway.”

“Did you know he has a daughter?” Minaz snorted, “And her mother is a Captain currently courting mine – kid used to tail me and my friends.”

“Oh?” Feyl asked, “You didn’t like her as a child?”

“Nah, she was just a few centuries younger than all of us and has a condition where her joints dislocate easily,” Minaz shrugged, “When I was a kid, I thought that was why she was in Kloy’s care so often. I didn’t realize she was his.”

“Kloy mentioned she and his okels were coming to Caslavven to oversee the aquatic garden construction,” Jurao added, “Since it was approved.”

“It’s probably best to have someone experienced with that type of architecture anyway,” Minaz added, “Seems like it would be something easy to fuck up if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Probably,” Feyl agreed.

They all looked over as Braelin returned, the human yawning as Petal shuffled to its basin.

“How was Malson,” Jurao asked.

“Apparently,” Braelin sighed, getting on the couch and laying down immediately, cushioning his head on Jurao’s thigh, “He purposefully sacrificed his prosthetic to win the match because of his opponent being the Master of the Fighting Guild – he thought it would be the most impressive victory.”

“Too bad he didn’t save it for the Guildmaster of Gnomesaroy,” Minaz snorted, “But he had the right idea, really.”

Jurao let one of his large hands rest on his partner’s waist, a smaller one carding through the man’s hair, “Are you excited about the public garden.”

“Mm-hm,” Braelin hummed, falling asleep, “Glad… Yheor and Huo’a will be… able…”

“And he’s out,” Feyl snorted, “Though there were a lot of people watching him today…”

“Yes,” Jurao agreed, “I’m sure that’s the main reason.”

“I wonder if the Empire intends to summon more than one Champion this time,” Minaz mused, taking her turn, “Since they didn’t send anyone last century.”

“Exka was so disappointed,” Feyl sighed.

“Vajur hasn’t been able to gain any intelligence on that front,” Jurao hummed, “But it seems like a fair possibility.”

“I mean, after four hundred years of not even being able to defeat the Demon General,” Minaz snorted, “Attempting a new strategy makes sense. But… it is worrisome, too.”

Jurao considered, then nodded, “I believe I will ask Maenscul to make a request of the Entertainer.”

“Oh?” Minaz arched her left brows.

“To invite a representative of the Empire to the Hundred Years Ball,” Jurao explained, “It would not usually be done due to their attempts to cause inter-realm warfare, but it would be the only true neutral ground where we could meet for diplomatic talks. They would never trust us enough to send a representative here, and as I lose my Blessing of Ascension outside of the Demon Realm, I could not safely meet them anywhere else. Since it’s in the spirit of inter-realm peace, I believe The Entertainer may allow for it.”

“Huh,” Minaz considered, then nodded, “I mean… couldn’t hurt. If they’re set to hate you from the outset, nothing you do either way would change their mind. And it would be otherwise impossible.”

“I had already intended to speak with Maenscul tomorrow, so it seems a good time to ask,” Jurao added.

They spoke for a bit longer before they all headed off to bed, Jurao carrying his partner, who did not rouse. He left for the Temple early the next morning, choosing to skip his morning practice to return earlier. He left a note for Forvi to let his Department Heads know he would miss breakfast.

“You have wastehounds now?” Maenscul asked as they materialized on their Temple throne.

“Yes,” Jurao nodded, taking his seat before the deity, “These are Snip and Snap – a gift from the High Priestess of the Wastes.”

“Ah, the other Milve,” Maenscul chuckled, “My coklis is quite fond of her.”

Jurao nodded, “Before we begin, I had a request.”

“Yes?” Maenscul smiled.

“Would you be able to ask the Entertainer to invite a representative of the Empire to the Hundred Years Ball on my behalf,” the King asked.

Maenscul considered, “A moment – Entertainer?”

The deity turned their head, and after a few moments, a fuzzy black ball formed over their shoulder.

It blinked open the single white-ring eye of the Entertainer, and two mouths split from the bottom, singing with five layered voices to ask, “Oh? You’re requesting a private show, darling?”

“My King has a request I thought you would like to hear for yourself,” Maenscul said, waving for Jurao to speak.

He rose to bow respectfully, “Entertainer, would you please invite a representative of the Holy Divine Sacred Empire of Angelic Purification to the Hundred Years Ball.”

The Entertainer hummed, ball representation bouncing in place as it answered in song, “For what end, sweetheart?”

“I wish to attempt diplomacy,” Jurao said, rising, “And can think of nowhere else such talks could be facilitated that ensures both parties’ safety.”

“You believe you can win the Empire over in only ten days?” the Entertainer asked – but it was smiling as it glanced at Maenscul.

“No,” Jurao sighed, “But peace will never come if no one acts.”

The Entertainer laughed, singing, “How very like another Demon King, I recall! Very well, but I will choose the representative myself.”

“Of course,” Jurao bowed again, “Thank you.”

Maenscul had a gentle smile on their face as the Entertainer dissipated, turning back to Jurao and asking, “So then. How did the Assembly go?”