NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74: Fine Dining
It took a brief moment, but Alexander eventually found his voice. "D-dinner?" He stammered, "With you, a-and Mimi?" His tone was a mixture of disbelief and confusion.
The demon chief slowly nodded, "yes, have I not made myself clear?" He asked amusedly, his six eyes gleaming.
Alexander gulped, "I... I see."
The demon chief gave Alexander a curious glance, "If you can see, then surely you can answer." He replied, his grin unwavering.
Alexander clenched his fists while his mind went spiraling.
Dinner, I doubt this is just a simple invitation… But, what could he gain?
Shaking his head subtly, Alexander continued to rack his brain, yet failed to read the demon chief's motives.
Realizing he was awkwardly standing in silence with two demons staring at him, Alexander answered. "I… I accept." Alexander finally responded, looking up to meet the demon chief's gaze.
Zara gave Alexander a concerned look, before turning her attention towards the demon chief.
The demon chief grinned as he spread his arms wide, "excellent choice!" He exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Then let us return to my humble abode and feast like kings!"
With his grand exclamation, the demon chief turned on his heel and began to walk down the hill, followed by his two elder guards.
Alexander hesitated briefly, watching with eyes narrowed and filled with skepticism.
It wasn't Until Alexander felt something wrapping around his waist, that he tore his gaze from the demon chief.
Looking down, he saw Zara's tail tightening around him, holding him in an embrace filled with concern and care.
Oh…
"Are you… okay?" Zara asked softly.
Alexander looked up, expressing a relieved expression as he watched Zara grow closer. "I'm okay," AlexAlexander said softly, "we
should probably get going though."
Zara nodded. "Yes, but Alexander… be careful." She warned, her voice low and urgent.
Alexander gave Zara a faint smile. "Of course." He replied, his tone reassuring, yet his mind was anything but.
The duo followed the demon chief and his guards down the hill, surrounded by the gentle breeze that circled them and swayed the grass.
It wasn't long before the group returned to the village, walking through its busy paths. The group was met with gazes of awe as they navigated through the village, villagers whispering amongst themselves.
The demon chief greeted the villagers with smiles and small waves, greeting his people like a natural-born leader.
Alexander watched how the villagers responded, all of them happily waving back as they whispered amongst themselves.
It was interesting to see how differently the demon chief was treated amongst the community versus how he was seen back in the Fallen Kingdom.
Joy versus envy…
Zara watched Alexander worriedly, seeing his face so deep in thought, made her mind race as well.
Upon finally reaching the demon chief's castle, Alexander and the others gathered at the gate.
"Now…" the demon chief said as he clapped his hands together, turning around to face Alexander and Zara. "Before we enter my castle and dine upon the finest foods my cooks can prepare, how do you feel about… blood?"
"Blood?" Alexander asked in curious confusion, "What do you mean?"
The demon chief grinned as he placed his hands on his hips. "Oh you know, meat, cooked with just a touch of a sizzle, to create a crispy texture on the outside, but the meat left bloody and juicy on the inside."
Sounds like a steak… but there's no way the demon chief and his people know how to cook that, right?
Alexander shifted uncomfortably, not sure of how to respond. He could feel both Zara's and the demon chief's gaze bearing down on him.
The demon chief's grin widened as he watched Alexander squirm uncomfortably. He leaned forward slightly, his tail gently smacking against the group, stirring to the dirt.
Alexander met the demon chief's gaze with caution, "I suppose… if it won't kill me, I'll try it."
The demon nodded with satisfaction, "Rest assured, you'll be fine if you dine like a demon, a man who embraces the ways of his host, is a man worthy of respect." He explained, before turning towards his castle, "Now then, a feast awaits us boy!"
Alexander felt his chest tighten as he moved to follow the demon chief. His mind spins with thoughts of curiosity and anticipation. As he walked, Zara stayed close behind him, her tail tight around his waist. She was silent yet her presence was more than enough for Alexander.
Stepping inside the demon chief's castle, Alexander was first met with the usual sight of the demon chief's throne room. It was empty, save for a few demon women cleaning, dressed in simple dresses and armed with feather dusters.
Maids look nothing like the ones back home, but I guess that's to be expected…
Stepping past the throne room, the group continued to walk down the hall past curtain-blocked rooms and dim candlelights.
As the group grew closer to the dining room, the scent of cooked meat and fresh fruits filled the air. Alexander felt his stomach grumble as the smell tickled his nose.
"Ah, now that's the scent of good times to come." The demon chief said with a chuckle, before stopping in front of curtain blocked room.
He moved to push the curtains aside, revealing a room occupied with a table filled with plates of meat, fruits, and green vegetables. The table was just a foot or two high, with five mats on the floor surrounding it.
Two people sat on their knees at the table, Mimi and her mother Exulla. They were dressed in simple dresses, hands in laps while chatting quietly.
The demon chief paused briefly, watching them quietly converse.
This caused Alexander to look up at him curiously, eyebrows raised.
The demon chief noticed Alexander's gaze and turned to look at him with a gentle smile, "Women, such beautiful creatures are that not?" He's asked, his tone soft and genuine.
Alexander was taken aback by the demon chief's sudden change in attitude and tone.
"I-I guess." Alexander stammered, "They're just people though, right?" He whispered back.
The demon chief shook his head, "not just people," he replied, "they're something else, something entirely different from us mere men."
"What?" Alexander replied.
The demon chief chuckled softly, "They're the heart of society, the empathy and love of a people, the soul even." He explained, "But.." the demon chief looked down at his large worn hand, "…they're also fragile, innocent."
The demon chief then turned his gaze onto Alexander, "unlike me, and someday… you."
Alexander was silent for a moment, pondering over what the demon chief had just said. He had always thought women were a means to an end in his previous life, just for sex and ogling from time to time.
To a certain extent, he still felt that way, though his time as Alexander has called into question several of his beliefs. Ava, Marcia, his mothers, Elise, and recently Zara, all women who have Had a large impact on his short life.
But the last thing the demon chief said, was that supposed to be a threat or a compliment?
"Y-you think I'll be like you?" Alexander finally asked in response, his tone softer and quiet.
The demon chief smirked, "After tomorrow, certainly." He answered, before turning his attention back towards Exulla and Mimi, who had stopped talking and were now staring back at him. "For now… let us dine."