Demon King's Gardener

"Malson and Gnori are similar in temperament," Jurao agreed. He considered a moment, then asked, "Would you care to dance, Lord Goyl."

"… dance, Your Highness?" Goyl asked.

"Yes," Jurao replied. He thought the lord was a fair enough first choice to show he was open to dancing with people besides his partner during the feast.

Goyl considered before his mouth curled into a smile, and he said, "Ah–yes, of course. I would be honored, Your Highness."

Goyl was a very competent dancer, at least, the King thought he was. Jurao was asked to dance by three of Goyl's friends before he took a break to eat, checking in with his partner again. As Maenscul had stolen the majority of the attention, Braelin's nerves were much improved, though Petal remained in his lap.

"We didn't make our announcement," Braelin said.

"Oh, no, we did not," Jurao agreed. They had intended to announce their wedding after the opening dance, but it seemed they had all forgotten with the surprise appearance of the deity. He considered and said, "We will announce it before releasing everyone to the orgies."

"That is the best time during the feast," Hujur said, approaching the King. He hesitated and asked, "Do you think Maenscul would… are they… able to consume food, as they are?"

"I don't know," Jurao said, turning to look at the deity behind him.

It was now Malson seated in Maenscul's lap – and chairs had been brought for Losse and Gnori. The Grand Priestis appeared amused, now that the shock had worn off, while his guard captain was relaying a story Jurao could not hear from his seat. From small parts he had caught while dancing, he believed it was the story of when Gnori had saved the Jiesoedis goniarch – Gavven's cessaes, which had led to the pair's friendship.

"Someone could take food over for the mortals with Maenscul," Forvi, also approaching, suggested.

"Yes, of course," Hujur said, rubbing at his forehead, "Eir Grace is no doubt hungry and has not left the dais due to Maenscul's appearance."

"I don't think anyone would blame you for being a bit out of sorts, Hujur," Forvi said with a chuckle. He set a small metal plate beside the King, and said, "Your dance card, Your Highness."

"Ah," Jurao said, reading down the list of names. It was… a lot of names, though there were two more breaks planned between dances.

"Feyl, Imena, and I kept it as short as we could," Forvi said apologetically, "but your dances with Goyl and his friends had many coming to us to ask to be added."

"I understand," the King said with a soft sigh. He tried his mead – it was alright, but a bit too sweet for his preferences.

"Are you not going to dance, Lord Braelin?" Petty Princess Hane of Mavasnier asked, raising her voice for human hearing despite sitting at the same table.

"No, I only learned demon dances in preparation for the feast," the human gardener replied, "So I am afraid I am not practiced enough with the difference in height between myself and my partners to do so confidently."

Jurao felt his tail sway in surprise. Braelin had also raised his voice – a natural inclination, perhaps – and the increase in volume felt like it had made his partner's voice richer in tone. While he enjoyed Braelin's soft spokenness, he found he also enjoyed his partner's louder voice. In the same way, he liked Braelin's smile both when he had and did not have facial hair.

"I would not mind helping you practice," Hane offered, tilting her head to bat her lashes at the human man – then she added, "Privately, of course, after the feast."

"If my schedule allows, Hane," Braelin replied. Feyl had suspected people might make similar offers, and had suggested Braelin use that line as a gentle way to turn them down. Though Braelin left off Hane's title due to her own insistence that he do so.

"I don't know why you're still trying!" Petty Prince Saerma said, "Lord Braelin isn't interested in more relationships!"

"By all accounts, he was not interested in his first relationship, either," Hane replied with a bright smile, "So unless I am making him uncomfortable, I do not see the harm in suggesting the possibility."

Braelin frowned, looking to Forvi.

"Petty Princess Hane is flirting with you, Braelin," the prince replied.

"Oh," the human gardener said – then shrugged, "She is not wrong. I am not seeking more relationships, but so long as no one goes beyond showing interest, it does not bother me."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Hane appeared pleased by this, bright smile remaining.

"So he didn't even know you were flirting," Saerma said with a snort, "Guess you aren't being a pain about it, then."

Hane did not appear as pleased by that, as her smile no longer showed her teeth.

Jurao found himself looking to Petty Prince Voyvok. While he usually ignored the way the young man would scoff at anyone showing an interest in a human, the King did note its absence after so much time.

Voyvok's eyes were on Maenscul – his tail flicking in irritation.

Petty Princelin Doys followed the King's gaze – and asked, "Are you still confused by attraction to humans, Voyvok?"

Voyvok started and turned his attention back to the table. He opened his mouth, appearing about to make one of his usual clipped remarks – but instead closed his mouth again with an audible click of his teeth. Rather than reply, he shrugged.

"Petty Prince Malson and Guard Captain Gnori are very alike in their personalities," Petty Prince Sculaes said with a slight smile, "Perhaps Maenscul is one who is more attracted to that than physical appearance."

"Or… both?" Voysh suggested.

"Also possible," Sculaes agreed.

Jurao was sure that some of them wished to ask why Maenscul had chosen to attend, as he had. But they could no more ask publicly than the King could have – questioning a deity giving support to one they had Blessed would be considered a challenge. Jurao would be obligated to answer it with a duel to affirm his authority.

The King was soon dancing again, finding most of his partners tolerable, even if he still preferred not to dance with strangers. His valets and department heads had also been worked into the roster – giving him a break between groups of strangers.

"Losse says Maenscul intends to host their own orgy here in the Grand Hall," Minaz said, when it was her turn to dance with Jurao.

"That makes sense," Jurao replied.

Minaz snorted, "A private one – very exclusive guest list so far."

"Oh," the King asked.

"Prince Ergirri and Lordis Vallen, eir Grace, Malson, Gnori, Goyl and his friends," his Right Hand listed, "Lord Halvern and Ierge, as well."

"That is a small number," the King agreed, "Though likely they do not wish to upset current guest lists."

His eyes found the last pair – Lord Halvern was dancing with his husband; Ierge was using a more advanced siren-engineered prosthetic on his smaller leg for the occasion. He found it too light and springy for blacksmithing, and felt no need when his crutches worked well enough for walking, but Jurao could understand how the springs were helpful in the jumps involved in dancing.

"Yes," Minaz agreed, smiling wryly, "While also managing to pick people close enough to you to be seen as additional support, even if they aren't your direct supporters themselves. By name."

"I have told them many stories," Jurao said.

Minaz chuckled and said, "The older generation Sculis keep trying to approach them."

"Maenscul has dismissed them," the King asked.

His Right Hand shook her head, "They can't even get close – Maenscul puts up some kind of barrier that stops them. Most people find that to be the case – not Hujur when he went with the food, or other staff bringing more drinks and food, but in general."

"You believe it will be an issue," Jurao asked.

"No, actually, for all Maenscul is showing their favor, their choice to speak with few directly makes it clear they are favoring you, and not others. Even by implication. It should keep the court reaction after the feast… more moderate than if they favored too many with their attention."

"Ah, yes," the King said, "They are a king as well."

"The stories don't really cover their political acumen," Minaz said, "but yes, I should have expected it."

Jurao danced twice more before he had another break to eat – but paused as he noticed Gnene, Feyl's next oldest sibling, approaching Maenscul. They paused uncertainly – the King assumed at the point which had stopped their fathers and uwieze – before cautiously stepping forward. Meeting no resistance, they stopped at the lip of the dais and bowed in greeting.

Ah, Jurao thought, resuming his walk to his seat, they likely wish to thank Maenscul for their glasses.

Feyl had told him the story – that he had asked the deity to make their first decade gift to Gnene glasses, so that Mascu would have no issue with them wearing the aid. While there was nothing overtly divine about the pair, they were apparently indestructible and had grown to continue to fit Gnene's face, so quite a handy gift indeed.

As Maenscul was aware of the gifts they gave, perhaps they had guessed the same – and as the King sat, he looked back again to see his best friend's sibling handing their glasses to Maenscul, confirming his suspicions.

"Something wrong?" Braelin asked.

"No," Jurao replied – about to look away before noticing Wogar making her way across the floor. As he watched her progress, he added, "Minaz said that Maenscul has been blocking others from approaching the dais."

Braelin also turned to watch. Like Gnene, it appeared Wogar did not meet any resistance in approaching the deity – and she slung an arm over her sibling's shoulders as she spoke and pointed to a golden hairpin she was using – another first decade gift from Maenscul. They returned Gnene's glasses as she spoke, and Jurao noted that their smile was the gentler one he was accustomed to seeing when he spoke of his friends and family to them.

"Maenscul told me," Kloy said, coming to stand behind Braelin's seat, "that they do enjoy when their gifts are kept and appreciated."

"And you didn't even know it was from them," Ergirri added with a snort, joining them.

"I think most people enjoy when their gifts are appreciated," Braelin said warmly.

Kloy nodded, and his smile turned more sly as he said, "Though, of course, that does not explain why they would prevent the older Sculis from approaching."

Jurao was not surprised that Kaenaz also decided to test if he could approach, with two of his siblings speaking with the deity. He, too, met no resistance – greeting Maenscul with a bow. His gift from the deity was the golden sun earring he wore, which he also showed to Maenscul.

"Perhaps the older Sculis didn't bring their gifts with them," Braelin replied.

"Something tells me you don't actually believe that," Ergirri said.

"You should play Ascension with Braelin sometime," Kloy suggested, "Perhaps you'll be the first one to beat him at it."

Ergirri's brows rose as his smile widened, and he said, "I'll have to do that."