The Prince of Demons

I stood there, watching the two of them walk away as Magus Supreme Praecan lectured Ryker about his challenge to me. Now that I wasn't actively fighting, my body was screaming at me from the exertion. Ryker was much more of an opponent than I thought he'd be. He hid his strength and abilities quite well. As soon as the two of them were out of sight I sprawled out on the ground just panting; that was enough exertion for the day for me; from here I was going to take it easy for the rest of the day. As I lay recovering on the ground, I heard some light clapping. What? I shot up, seeing Dad was applauding me.

"Well done, Nil." Dad praised me. I collapsed back onto the ground.

"Thanks Dad." I replied as I panted.

"I will admit, I did not expect her ward to be that strong. That was a surprise." Dad added on as he walked over next to me.

"How long were you watching?" I checked. The ground is nice and cool today.

"Since you were launching yourself across the castle despite the dampening <Magic>." Dad informed me. So, he saw the entire thing.

"I have no idea what I did to make Ryker dislike me so much." I confessed as I kept recovering.

"I could not say, but sometimes you just have to accept that not everyone will like you. This may be one such instance." Dad lectured. Fair enough point.

"I understand." I conceded as my breathing was slowly stabilizing.

"Come on, let us go visit your sister. I think Riva would love it." Dad told me.

"Can I have a few more minutes? I am quite sore, and I need a little longer to recover." I requested while I began recovering the <Mana> that I exhausted.

"No rush." Dad stated to my delight.

I panted on the ground for several more minutes before extending out my hand; Dad helped me to my feet. I am definitely going to be sore later. We began walking into the main section of the castle while Dad began telling me about how my ideas were going and how different factions were reacting to them. Apparently some thought it was nonsense to prepare for an event like a plague whereas some argued such methods would do little against a disease plaguing the land. On the other hand, several were for improving the standard of living of Speranza across the board. From how Dad was talking, we clearly had the money to invest in such endeavors, people just didn't want to see it go to pockets other than theirs. Sad to see some things don't change. I liked hearing the hygiene and cleanliness ideas were gaining traction, but I was dreading having to interact with these people myself. It was something I couldn't put off forever. After walking for about ten minutes we reached where Riva was getting lessons from Duthane; she was shifting in her chair like she was being tortured. I feel you on that front, Riva. Dad opened the door and was given a polite bow by Duthane.

"Daddy! Big brother!" Riva cried excitedly, rushing over to Dad to be picked up.

Riva was almost a perfect carbon copy of our mother now that she was a bit older. The slightly curly, black hair, amber eyes, and her skin was much fairer than Ein or mine. The only difference between Riva and our mom was her horns resembled Mama's spiraled horns (I think the animal they were close to was called a kudu). She inherited Dad's <Space Magic> was about the largest difference between Riva and Mom. Dad scooped her up, lifting her so their heads were even. Riva looked ecstatic to be seeing the two of us while freeing her from Duthane's lessons.

"What are we doing, Daddy?!" Riva probed excitedly.

"Did someone want teatime?" Dad checked. Riva looked ready to leap out of her skin.

"Yes! Please! Please! Please!" Riva pleaded. I am shocked that she wants to do that.

"You can have the rest of the afternoon off, Lady Duthane." Dad told her.

"Thank you Emperor Azzeck. Enjoy your teatime." Duthane replied with a polite bow.

Riva was excitedly chanting for teatime as Dad carried her to her tearoom while I followed behind. Now that I think about it, how many tea rooms are in the castle? I had one I shared with Luna, Ein technically had one, Riva's we were walking to, my uncles had one, my parents each had one, and I think each set of my grandparents had one. I wonder how many more there are. The castle still had quite a bit of empty and free spaces as well. Why was it built to be so large? I understood part of it was to symbolize the wealth of our family, but the castle was honestly kind of excessive. We began climbing stares as Riva excitedly began telling Dad about her favorite spoons for teatime, insisting the long thin spoons with twirly handles were needed. What spoons were in my tearoom? Would it be closer to a coffee room because Luna and I both dislike tea? Dad was nodding along, agreeing the twisty spoons were vital to teatime operation.

We arrived at the tearoom, which was painted a bright orange for Riva. It was filled with large, fluffy stuffed animals, an excessively ornate table with matching chairs, a poofy couch with a lounging chair, and numerous light stones dangling from the ceiling to look like mini stars. Dad set Riva down who hurried to her table, sat down, and rang the tea bell three times. Dad and I both sat at the table as well. My eyes wandered to her tea set which was decorated with the Tenebrae equivalent of otters. I forget what they're actually called, but they're basically otters. We each had little saucers, cups, a side plate, and most importantly her long handled spoons with twirled handles. Riva grabbed Lady Wigglewoo, her favorite otter stuffie, and put her in the fourth seat.

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"I'm glad Lady Wigglewoo can make it, she's so busy normally." I chimed. Riva lit up to be able to talk about Lady Wigglewoo.

"Lady Wigglewoo took time from fighting the dragons in the north to rest! She was battling in the high seas! She's earned her break!" Riva exclaimed. I nodded along.

"I'm glad she keeps us safe." Dad added on.

"Lady Wigglewoo is the bestest knight in the Speranza! She is strong and brave and kind and nice and likes tea!" Riva informed us.

At this point, one of the staff arrived with a tea tray, respectfully setting it in the center of the table before leaving. I used <Domination> to lift the tea kettle, gently pouring each of us a cup of tea. Riva clapped happily at the fancy <Magic> augmenting teatime, asking how I was pouring the tea. All Riva does is confirm just how abnormal of a kid I was; if <Blessings> were not a thing I would've been in massive trouble. She took several sugar cubes and put them into her tea and daintily used one of her spoons to elegantly stir them in before giving the cup to Lady WIgglewoo. I added a little lemon to my tea while Dad drank it as is. Riva made an even sweeter version of the tea for herself to drink. I made sure to exaggerate my smile as I drank the tea.

"Can you show me how to do the fancy pour?" Riva requested, looking between Dad and me. Dad summoned a small ball for her.

"If you can hold and move that ball around without throwing it I can." Dad told her.

Riva immediately began trying to float the ball around the table, or more accurately launched the ball full force at my face by accident; I used my <Magic> to catch the ball before it collided before gently returning the ball back to Riva. Riva attempted to mimic what I did, but the ball nearly launched into Lady Wigglewoo's teacup. I used a string of <Mana> to launch it back to myself and stabilize it in front of me. I engaged my <Imprint>, before launching the ball full speed at Riva. I used <Temporal Erasure> and <Shift> to return it in an instant to back in front of me. She leapt in shock before going wide eyed in wonder that the ball somehow vanished in an instant. I gently tossed the ball back to Riva who caught it with her hands.

"How did you do that?" Riva asked, looked shocked at how easily I moved the ball around.

"Practice and eating my vegetables." I told her. Dad gave me some side-eye at that.

"Even salad?" Riva checked with a face of terror.

"Especially salad, or as it should be called, Spatial Augmentation Lord Assisting Dish; it boosts your <Space Magic>." I lied. Dad's face cracked a little while Riva looked crushed.

Do not tease your sister on that. Dad lectured. Riva looked horrified at the revelation.

"I'll eat my salads then." Riva sighed, clearly wanting to be able to mimic me.

See, I got her to eat her salads now. I pointed out to Dad.

By lying to her. Do not tease your siblings like that; it is not a good habit to have. Dad stated with a stern stare.

And if I ask Uncle Nox you two were angels to each other? I probed. Dad had an unamused expression.

Neither of us had as massive of an advantage over the other like you have on your siblings. Light teasing is fine and all but do be careful as they lack your ability and advantages. I would like you all to get along and not resent each other. Dad explained. I mean, I guess that was fair.

So, what's wrong with the salad teasing? I asked, not sure what was wrong with the teasing.

Because you are tricking her into doing something she doesn't like knowing fully it will not help her catch up to what you can do. Do not underestimate your sibling's desires to be able to catch up to you, no matter how small or simple they may seem right now. Dad clarified for me.

The issue is it is lying about something they may struggle with more than I did. I checked. Dad nodded.

I would just recommend being cautious and stick to teasing them on different fronts. Dad added on as he caught Riva's latest attempt to control the ball.

"This is tricky." Riva pouted as she got the ball back.

"It took me a while to learn it." I informed her. I'm pretty sure they gave me a much harder to manipulate ball to slow me down a bit but that part is irrelevant.

"No one starts good Riva." Dad assured Riva.

"Except Lady Wigglewoo, she was always the best." I informed Riva. Riva smiled brightly at that.

"Because she is the greatest knight! Lady Wigglewoo has saved Tenebrae on her adventures!" Riva told me while nodding her head.

Our teatime continued with Riva telling us the grand saga of Lady Wigglewoo between attempts of controlling the ball. Being honest, there may be a need to erect a statue of Lady Wigglewoo for her heroic contributions to Speranza. Riva kept launching the ball in random directions as her control was not that great, but I felt she'd get it with time. As we listened for a while Papa entered and motioned that he needed me.

"I need to go. I'll see you later Riva, make sure to stay near Lady Wigglewoo so you're safe. Talk to you later Dad." I stated as I went to see what Papa wanted. Something about him looked a bit off; he looked a bit concerned actually.

"What is wrong?" I probed while making sure I didn't use a contraction.

"Do you know where Krahinn is?" Papa checked. I activated the tattoo, feeling nothing.

"He is in a different Realm. I can check Ygdazi; I should be able to cast the <Spell> to get there and back." I offered. Papa grimaced as he clearly did not like that answer.

"Hold off on that, as that is what he said over three hours ago and has yet to return. There might be something keeping him from leaving like he wants; he is a King after all." Papa sighed, sounding disappointed at the news.

"He is King of the Exiles is the other title; Krahinn should not be dragged into anything. It will be fast to check if you want." I informed Papa.

"If he does not turn up by dinner you should go check to see if Krahinn is in Ygdazi. I would like to believe that he did not blow me off, and something important is keeping him preoccupied." Papa told me. I nodded.

"Okay. I will check after dinner if Krahinn is not back." I assured Papa. That was odd. Krahinn may have liked to dip back and forth, but he was pretty good about keeping his word. Krahinn also was fairly friendly with Papa, so I doubted he would blow him off. I wonder what came up that's keeping him?