The Shadows Within

There were roses everywhere as it was their yearly harvest festival. The entrance to the village known as Floria was decorated with various floral arrangements of varying colors—some I had never seen before.

Walking into the small village, an older man stopped us by the entrance.

"Well, well, I didn't expect to have a lord and his lady attending this humble festival. Should we prepare an inn for you?" he asked, judging us by our appearance.

Ah... Do they think we're nobles?

I glanced over to Finn, who was coldly staring at the man. The king was wearing his fur cloak, though instead of his usual comfier clothes, he wore a fancy white blouse with black pants. His shoes were made from black leather.

Well, you're a lord, but I'm not.

Compared to the dirt on the older man's clothes, I guess I was royalty, too, which didn't make me comfortable. I used to look like him not too long ago.

"No, we won't be staying the night." Finn sighed, reaching for his pocket with his free hand.

He wouldn't let me go, no matter what, as his right hand was tightly entwined around mine, yet his hold was gentle.

"Ah, just here for the festivities, but the trek here was long? Even if you came by vortex, the lady will tire by night's end. It's a shame to leave so fast after such a travel." The older man hooted, shifting his eyes toward me.

"Though, I'm sad to say there's a fee to enter, my lord." He continued.

This old man was no fool; he knew we hadn't vortexed. After all, according to Rizak, all human settlements had alarms when people would teleport in. However, only humans holding runes could vortex from Fathal.

The barrier prevented the demons from doing so. Well, without forcing their way in and alerting everyone of their arrival.

"Nothing magic can't fix. Here for your troubles." The demon king pulled out ten gold coins, opening the old man's jaw.

The older man picked up the coins and pocketed them before moving out of the way.

"Yes, my lord, please enjoy the festivities!" he bowed, letting us through.

Once inside, Finn sighed, shaking his head. Though he gazed back at me to make sure I was keeping up. A second later, I was in awe. There were wooden stalls everywhere, filled with merchandise out of this world.

Others had set up mini-games for anyone to try. TikTok lamps and other festive decorations made everything so colorful. I could tell why Nyla told me to wear shoes instead of sandals. All the roads were made of dirt, unlike the castle, which was made of stone.

Even so, it reminded me of festivals back home. I never went to them, but my sister always brought home stuffed animals when she went with her boyfriends.

Wait... is that what Finn and I are?! Boyfriend and girlfriend?!

My brain couldn't adjust fast enough when I smelled a delicious scent that allured me. I hadn't eaten dinner at the king's request.

"Hungry?" The demon king asked, watching my eyes travel to the stall with food.

I turned to him, nodding as a soft chuckle left him before leading me towards it. There were so many tasty treats to try, but I settled to eat a weird bun I had never seen before. It melted in my mouth and was stuffed with a custard of some sort.

Watching me eat it happily made him tell the clerk to pack up twenty to take home. I told him it was too much, but he insisted it wasn't. Dropping five gold coins into the seller's hand, I saw her pack much more than he requested.

Not that Finn minded. With a swipe of his hand, he made it disappear.

"A simple storage spell." He called it.

I stared at him, unimpressed.

There's no doubt you're overpaying for everything.

I couldn't help when the sellers probably needed it. It reminded me of the tips I got back home, though I doubted that was why he was doing it. Sometimes, that extra cash would be why I ate or didn't.

However, something from behind him caught my attention. Eating the second bun, I ran towards the merchant selling pretty accessories. I never had anything like it.

I'm used to window shopping whenever I go home, but this is so cute!

"Want one?" Finn suddenly whispered close to me, startling me.

A soft squeal left me, triggering him to laugh. The merchant joined in, too. My cheeks turned redder than before, especially with the better lighting, which allowed me to see the kiss mark I had left on him.

So embarrassing! How can you show it off and not heal it?!

Shifting my eyes away, I landed back on the stall.

"N-no, it'll be a waste on me. I'm not pretty or girly enough for them." I assured him, moving away.

He clicked his tongue, turning his attention to the merchant.

"Which one was she looking at?" he asked, tone cold as ice.

It caused the seller to stiffen up.

"O-oh, t-this one." The poor man stuttered out.

It caused me to gaze back at Finn, who picked it up—a pin with a crescent moon and sun. Dropping six coins, he fixed it in my hair, picking up the bangs that usually covered my face.

"I'll take all the ones you think will be beautiful on her," Finn announced, shocking me to my core.

"No, you don't have to do that!" I huffed, shaking my head.

A soft smile rose on his lips. "I have nothing else to waste my fortune on but you, sweetheart."

In an instant, I was defeated.

Arg... what can I say to that?!

"Don't spoil me, stupid!" I hugged him, trying to hide my flustered appearance.

His money or power were things I didn't want. None of that mattered to me.

"Oh, please spoil the lady. They love it when you do. It's one way into their hearts." The merchant declared.

Finn was already overpaying for everything, which made me glare at him. Though, a slight red aura came from the king I was embracing. It caused me to shift my glance up to his face to see his lips curl downward as his eyes twitched.

"My girl isn't like that. Don't put her at the same level as your whore, worm." He snapped, triggering the merchant to quickly pack trinkets in a box before handing them to him.

I sighed, snuggling into him and prompting his gaze to come back to me.

"It's okay; don't get angry because of something so silly as that, though I'll still complain. I'm not used to getting any gifts." I informed, not letting go.

His hand wrapped around my waist, tugging me closer.

"I know, sweets. I don't mind you. The only one I don't." He smiled.

His aura dissipated.

I hummed, giggling. "Does that mean I get a free pass for most things?"

"We'll see." He chuckled, disappearing the box the merchant handed him.

Behind him, I spotted an excellent little game to try.

"Want to play something with me?" I smiled.

He cocked his head. "What?" he mumbled.

Tugging away from him, I pointed towards a stand with pots we had to knock with rubber balls.

"That. One thing, though. No magic or superpowers, okay?" I declared, walking to it.

It was the only place he couldn't buy anything that caught my attention.

"Oi, you think I can't aim?" Finn huffed, following me.

I giggled, almost skipping in my steps. There had never been a time when I had felt this fulfilled.

I've never had anyone to do this with. If there were a Ferris wheel, this date would have the perfect ending!

"We'll see..." I trailed off, not being able to call him my usual nickname.

Little king... isn't appropriate to use in the human lands.

I didn't want him to catch unwanted attention, though, with his spending, we were already. Every merchant around wanted us to stop by.

"Oh? Challenge accepted." He chuckled.

Paying the fee, I went to throw with my left hand, only to miss right away. I wasn't used to using this hand for anything.

A soft sigh came from me. "I guess I'm not as good at handling things with this one as my right."

"That was your dominant?" Finn asked, tossing one, only to miss too.

His failure caused me to giggle.

"Hah, see, no magic, and you can't aim!" I snickered, ignoring his question.

I didn't mean for him to feel bad when I said that.

It kind of slipped. So, just let it go.

"Oi, answer." He huffed, crossing his arms.

Crap... why not take my bait?

I shrugged, "It isn't a big deal. I'll have to get better at using my left."

Seeing a frown growing on his lips, I cackled again, shaking my head.

Such a silly demon.

"Plus, I'm sure I can still kick your ass in this. Probably." I smirked at him, hurling another, only to fail.

My eyes twitched.

I thought this was easier than this.

A soft sigh came from him, "What's the prize you want?" throwing another one, finally knocking all the pots down.

Ah... you were feeling sorry for me earlier.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes.

"I already won my prize. It's playing a game with you. Somethings you can't buy." I simpered, triggering his cheeks to flush pink.

"By the gods, what will I do with you?" Finn smiled.

My heart throbbed, feeling something I knew I wouldn't never have returned. It wanted to pour out of me, no matter how hard I tried. Gazing away from him, I gripped my chest as he picked a prize—a rose kit with perfumes, soaps, and other lovely things made from the flower.

"Love me?" I mumbled to myself.

How I wish you would look at me like you did, Lillia. But I know that's—

The next moment, I found my hand in his.

"Sylvia, come." He sighed, leading me away from the stall.

Oh... did you hear me? I didn't...

Before I knew it, he led me away from the festivities and towards what appeared like a garden. There was a person outside, sitting at a table with a jar.

"Farmer, are all your flowers in bloom?" Finn asked, startling the woman.

It appeared she was about to close for the day. Even the night sky shone bright enough for her harvest to be enjoyed, but everyone else was focused on the festivities.

"Y-yes... they are." She stumbled, unable to shake off the sudden appearance.

Dropping a bag of gold onto her table prompted her to jump again. I couldn't see his expression, but the woman appeared jittery because of it.

"Let me borrow them for tonight and ensure no one comes in." The demon lord declared.

Holding the bag in her hands, she nodded.

"Oh, yes, my lord. Please take as long as you want. I'm closing for the night either way." She bowed, opening the gate.

He tugged me inside, surrounded by rose bushes—all the flowers were blue. It was the most beautiful field I had ever seen—and the first one I had ever seen. Leading me to the middle, he picked up a blue rose from the bush, disarming its thorns before offering it to me.

I gazed at him, hopeful, not knowing why I was there. Grabbing onto the rose, I brought it up to my chest while he had a gentle smile on his lips. I didn't know what would be said, but I hoped things would go my way.

If at least once in my life, I could have something...

Anything...

The only thing I wanted was this demon's heart—the one thing I couldn't have unless he gave it to me freely.