The Prince of Demons

Mom and I, mostly Mom, finished the formal law proposal. It wasn't as bad as I initially thought it was going to be in all honesty. I think Mom was right about me being more open with everyone after I told them the truth about myself. Maybe I should tell Julius and his family. Helga's reaction made me nervous as she may not react favorably to the news when she learned my mental age; maybe tell just Helga by herself to contain that particular fire. That might not be the worst idea thinking about. It would help Nautilus out as well. Currently, I was in Mom's office as she was tidying up and reviewing the material to make sure it was all correct. I probed for Luna, seeing if she was nearby.

What do you need, Nil? Luna inquired, sounding a bit perplexed as to why I was probing her in the middle of the day.

I'm thinking we should tell Helga about our actual mental ages. I informed her. I could feel Luna mull it over for a few moments.

That's fine. It would make things easier for Nautilus as well. Luna agreed. Lunch was our next meal, and it was soon which would be ideal.

Should we tell her at lunch? I probed. Luna went silent for about a minute.

Sure. Now, as this is your idea, I think it is only fair that you're the one to tell her. Luna teased me. Of course she would want that.

How generous of you. I shot back, which made Luna chuckle.

You're welcome. Luna told me. I could imagine she was smirking at me.

And another thing, I want to go the Festival of Renewals with you tomorrow. I informed Luna. Luna went silent for several minutes. Why did she go silent?

DORK! Don't just tell me things like that! Luna snapped at me.

Ask you to a festival? I probed as I was not following.

You are so dense sometimes! Do you know what that means? Luna asked in a squeaky tone.

I asked my mom, and she was okay with it. What does it mean? I informed her. I saw my mom perk up before laughing hysterically.

"So, you asked Luna to the Festival of Renewals?" Mom checked between fits of laughter. She had tears falling out of her eyes she was laughing so hard.

"Why did she talk to you?" I checked as Mom nearly fell out of her chair from how hard she was laughing.

"Because it can have a second meaning you aren't using!" Mom explained as I felt myself turn crimson.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" I cried at her. Mom was wiping tears from her eyes.

"It is a totally innocent trip to a festival with your girlfriend. It also is a popular place and time to propose for nobles, so asking someone officially to it can be construed as a proposal." Mom explained as my face felt so hot I was shocked it didn't melt off.

"That's not it!" I squeaked. Mom was still laughing.

"I know, it's fine Nil." Mom assured me. Her smile was so wide as she looked so pleased with herself.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" I demanded again, trying not to feel too embarrassed.

"Because it was an innocent request, and you were looking to spend time with your girlfriend. It is a romantic activity, it just can imply more than you meant." Mom clarified while looking like she was having a blast.

"You could have warned me!" I pointed out. Mom 's breathing was finally stabilizing from her immense laughter.

"I am sorry dear; I should have warned you." Mom apologized, sounding sincere despite how hard she was just laughing.

"What if Luna took it the wrong way?" I checked, still feeling like my face was about to melt off.

"I knew she wouldn't because she knows you." Mom answered. What was that supposed to mean?

"Are you insulting me?" I probed as I was struggling to tell.

"No Nil. You just tend to not realize some implications as you want to make her happy rather than some subtle meanings. I'd also like to point out you used tubots to cheer your girlfriend up; someone prefers to be quite unconventional." Mom explained. I guess she had a point.

Has she explained it to you yet? Luna asked, still sounding flustered.

"You're right." I conceded as Mom went back to working on the proposal.

She did. I informed Luna.

And? Luna pressed, even her mental voice was still barely controlled.

I still want to go with you, just as a plain date. I told Luna. Luna was silent for a few moments.

Okay. I'd love to go. Luna agreed. I felt myself smiling.

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I'm assuming you have Nautilus nearby? I verified. That would make grabbing Helga quite convenient.

Yes. I'll bring Helga to lunch. Remember, you take the lead. Luna taunted me, her voice almost sounding normal.

She is going to yell at me. I sighed to Luna.

The consequences of your own actions. Luna teased me. Absolutely preposterous.

It is a totally unjustified personal attack that I did nothing to contribute to. I defended myself. I could feel Luna's doubt through our mental conversation.

I dare you to say that to her face. I'll do anything you want if you do. Luna offered jokingly. I was going to take her up on that offer.

Remember you said that. I shot back. Luna chuckled a bit at that.

I am so worried about that happening. Luna replied. I smiled as I was so going to do that; Helga was going to go ballistic at me once I said that.

"Lunch is going to be entertaining." I informed Mom, who raised a curious eyebrow at me.

"Oh? Why is that?" Mom inquired. Her face was so amused as she clearly wanted to know the answer.

"Luna and I are going to tell Helga the truth, and then I'm going to mess with Luna a bit." I answered. Mom was smiling widely at me still.

"Not Julius, Cesar, or Cleo?" Mom checked. Her tone made it obvious she knew the answer as to why.

"Just Helga because her reaction may not be good. She also is dating Nautilus who has been a monstrous amount of help." I explained. Mom nodded like that was what she was expecting.

It was seventeen minutes until lunch. We walked to the dining room, where Mom was humming and smiling the entire time we walked as she was clearly anticipating what was about to happen. We filed in, where Papa, Mama, Dad, Uncle Nox, Uncle Nez, Duke Dawnsfield, Luna, Nautilus, and Helga were all present. It was still tense between my uncles, but they both clocked my mom's massive smile as she giddily sat down; Papa, Mama, Dad, and my uncles were clearly confused by her obvious joy. Her eyes shot around as she informed them what was about to transpire, and all of them began smiling at Luna and me. The looks I was getting as Helga seemed confused by everyone's sudden good mood and rising anticipation of what I was about to say. They all seemed to act like I was about to test a bear trap.

"Helga, first, I want to say, that you are an amazing caretaker and I greatly appreciate you and your assistance." I began. Helga's eyes instantly narrowed as she glared at me. I looked at Luna who was giving me two small thumbs up.

"Everyone's joy and that phrasing let's me know there is a massive but coming, Crown Prince Nil." Helga told me politely. Her face was clearly waiting for the punchline.

"Lady Helga, feel free to speak freely here in a moment as I know maintaining proper decorum will be way too difficult." Mom informed her. Helga's stare toward me got more disapproving.

"What are you about to say? I do not see what you could possibly say that would garner this reaction." Helga inquired, side eyeing Nautilus a bit. Nautilus was smiling just as wide as Mom while giving her a thumbs up.

"I am mentally in my thirties; I am a Reincarnator with memories of a previous life." I informed her. Helga's face went through a wide range of emotions. Her eyes went to me, and then to Luna as she instantly connected the dots.

"What about you?" Helga asked Luna directly.

"I am a Regressor, as I can remember my previous life where my consciousness was sent back to a younger version of me." Luna answered. She was clearly doing some mental math as several events were playing back through her head before her skin took on a much redder hue of anger.

"You!" Helga snarled at me, as she was trying to figure out how to articulate her thoughts.

"Yes?" I asked innocently. Helga's eyes were twitching as she fought the various emotions rampaging to the surface.

"Remember, you can say whatever you want. We are all okay with it." Mama reminded her.

"WHY?! WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU?! YOU AND YOUR ENDLESS CRAP!" Helga roared at me.

"I was testing my <Magic>." I defended myself. Helga looked even angrier.

"You made my job harder because you were bored?! You knew better the entire time! Nearly everything you ever did you knew was the wrong thing to do! Why?! Why did you enjoy messing with me so much?! Why was I always your target?! Why did you act in such a horrible manner?!" Helga erupted as she was barely containing herself.

"This feels like a totally unjustified personal attack that I did nothing to contribute to." I told her calmly. You could have heard a pin drop as Helga looked ready to absolutely lose it as everyone's jaws dropped. Luna turned crimson as I smirked at her.

"ARE YOU FORLING SERIOUS?! NOTHING?! YOU DID NOTHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO IT?!" Helga challenged, as her face was contorting in sheer fury.

"No, I do apologize for my actions on second thought." I apologized to Helga. Her head shot to Luna.

"That wager with Dha, that's how you knew what to say to Nautilus. Wait, you two full on attacked me knowing how dangerous it was!" Helga snapped as she put more pieces together.

"There's a nonzero chance." I deflected, feeling a bit guilty.

"Then why you say you can't explain sometimes, it's because you knew that Luna was mentally older and had more of a reason than you could let on." Helga checked with Nautilus.

"Ya." Nautilus confirmed for her. Helga's gaze shot back to me.

"You… you… Nil." Helga snarled as she was debating what to say.

"Deep b'eaths love. Ya ain' sayin' words." Nautilus comforted her as she pat her back.

"So many things are making sense! I thought he was just a natural troublemaker! But noooooooo! He was just bored and thought I was an easy target! That I would struggle to punish or stop him from testing his <Magic>! As well as the crap he and Lux like to pull with me being the one to try and wrangle them while they disobeyed! Lux I imagine is an actual child, but you knew better Crown Prince Nil!" Helga ranted at me. I shifted awkwardly as I knew Helga had a lot left to go.

"I did cover for you once in a while." I defended myself. Helga's stare in return could have frozen a lake.

"Those two or three times are dwarfed by all the other things you did when you were testing your <Magic>." Helga informed me with an incensed stare.

"I'm sorry." I apologized again.

Helga may have heard my apology, but it did little to sway her as she finally found how to articulate her displeasure. She ranted at me for a solid twenty minutes without pausing for even a moment to catch her breath. I deserve this; Helga has been quite patient with me over the years. Getting a highlight reel of my pranks and <Magic> test from Helga was making me feel quite guilty, as it was a bit more than I realized. Did I really act out that much? There was a common trend of those I told I was a Reincarnator and individuals that said I needed to act more like a Crown Prince and my behavior needed improvement. I know I want to be better, but I didn't think I enjoyed making this much mischief. I guess my love of pursuing and testing <Magic> I justified some less than stellar behavior, which Helga dealt with the brunt of. Helga finally reached the end of her lecture, taking a few calming breaths.

"I do apologize for the trouble I put you through as I've grown up." I apologized to Helga. Helga took one more deep breath.

"You were not that bad, but you knowingly acted in ways that you should not have at times, and you know it." Helga lectured, sounding a lot calmer than before.

"I'm working on being better." I informed her sheepishly.

"I appreciate it Nil, and you have been more regal, especially after you and Luna returned with Nautilus." Helga told me as she smiled at her girlfriend.

"Thank you." I told her as lunch finally drew to a close.