Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 409: Help Her

Gorging herself the moment an endless stream of servents rushed towards the table, Arkanos, holding no semblance of grace, flooded the exquisite table with carnage. At first, it was pretty cute watching her try to use a fork, missing her every mark of certain foods like sausages, oddly enough.

Unfortunately for us, Arkanos was a beast through, and through caring not who was at the table, she tossed her fork aside and dug in like an animal using her bare hands.

"You should train her, " Complained the disgusted-looking princess pulling away as not to get caught up in the tornado that was Arkanos. "Dragon or beast, we train our pets."

"Does that mean your master accepts our terms?" Said Lilith, softly cutting into a juicy piece of meat. I could not identify bleeding juices that seemed to enchant the very air with their eroma of herbs and spices.

"So it would seem," uttered Aiza without many expressions on her icy mug.

Clapping my hands lovingly, I arose from my seat, "I will not make a devil contract with you. Not yet anyway. I fear I will have to save that for another date as I am sure you, alongside Aeron, will appear again.

Aiza's jaw tightened. She was good, but A prince of Hell was a prince of Hell and that she was not. It's their nature to lie and cheat. Aiza was good, but understanding people was my Mortal Dao, and she was not at Sitri's or Baels's level. Whether I could peer into her heart or not, her actions were all I needed to see to know what type of person she was. Although it begs the question, what is she scheming?

"Yura," I swiftly called in a warning tone, rising from the table filled with food."You forget we have a unique dinner plan this evening before we leave?"

Lowering her fork and knife, She turned to me, grinning with a hint of anticipation but for what I truly wondered. Sending me a sneaking smile Lilith arose from the chair when all of a sudden, a resounding knock echoed within this room filled with water.

Watching an aged butler, gripping a cane appear just from around the doors, Aiza swiftly spoke, "What is the matter? I was quite clear I was having dinner with some guest."

"Forgive me, ma'am, but it would seem several holy knights are here for Mr. Snow." Explained the Elderly butler lowering his back into a deep bow.

"They ask specifically for Mr. Snow?" I particularly asked as I had not told anyone of my last name, not even Yu Jing knew of my name before we arrived. the most they could know was that Lilith had called me Sene.

"Forgive me, but they addressed you as the Young Man with dark smoldering eyes that was currently within our ladies estate. It would seem, Queen, Yu Lan wishes a word with you alone." Expressed the Bulter in a patient tone.

"I am genuinely growing tired of this mother of yours. I wonder if she will end up like your father. What say, you Little Jing. Do you wish to put a blade through your mother's skull?"

Fairly silent, I held my tongue. This was not my concern, and I could not be bothered to care. This simply proved why Yu Jing was so cold. She is a pawn, one who is connected to what these founders have planned.

"Yura, if you would, could you please handle tonight's menu. I wish it to be ready. You can leave Arkanos here. I am sure Yu Jing will love to bond with her." I swiftly uttered, ignoring the fiery princess's rise to attention.

Making my way away, I followed behind the aged butler, who was silent the entire way. Although I did not mind, since Aiza's mansion was very grand, to simply gaze at. It was, in a way, the physical magnification of the Dao of Water. Everywhere one looked, one could see flowing water, whether it was the walls or even the ground that held a dark pigment held an aquatic touch.

"Is this the one you seek?" The Elderly butler inquired, without change, "If so, please be on your way."

"It is. Please inform Lady Aiza of our forgiveness; were it not dire, we would not have interrupted your dinner party." Declared a large bronze knight, covered in runes etched into his armor with a longsword just at his hip.

"What no apology to me?" I jeered slightly, receiving quite the glare from the soldier's around me.

Grabbing my shoulder, all of them lifted off into the air to my surprise, taking me high into the clouds towards the center of the city. Somewhat taken back, knowing they were powerful Gods, I held my words lest I make the situation worse.

I swear this is just my luck. Just after a little tris with Lilith, I end up meeting a founder. Now I am summoned by a queen. Screw my luck!

Speeding through the massive celestial palace glowing with vibrant light, I felt my bloodline shimmer a bit at the holy energy belonging to the Seven Heavens running amok within the area.

Entering a garden filled with thousands of flowers, my gaze fell upon a familiar face that resembled Yu Jing.

Dropping to my feet, I fixed my clothing, sending a smile towards Yu Lan. "You know, if you wanted to talk, a simple dinner meeting was more than acceptable. it true what others say, you know: the close way to a man's heart, aside from their pants, is through their stomach."

Approaching me in a stride, Yu Lan stood a meter apart from me with a stern icy expression, "You know that mouth of yours will be the end of you one day."

"I get that a lot!"

"Leave,' She ordered the knights. "And you, let's take a walk."

Pacing ahead, I remained silent, taking in the majestic garden that stretched so far and wide that. I thought I was in a jungle again.

"What do you think of Aiza?" She suddenly asked to my surprise; a little turned away, I paused.

'Ah. I see. You are fearful for your daughter's fate." I uttered sharply with a grin.

"So what if I am," She grunted, twisting her head back to me. "You have met her, tell me. What does my daughter see in her? She was taken from my arms at the tender age of five and then forced to kill her father. And for what? Speaking back to Aiza. Tell me, what does she see in her?"

"You called me here for that?" I darkly said, shaking my head in annoyance, "Well, if you must insist, there is no reason. You, lady Yu Lan are only Yu Jings mother in blood only. Something that honestly means nothing. So what if you gave birth to her? It was Aiza who raised her. You are but... a stone weighing your daughter down."

Widening her eyes, a cruel smile tugged at my lips, "It's only a matter of time before Yu Jing is forced to kill you. It's quite an interesting dynamic if you ask me, and when you are dead, what do you think will happen to your dear daughter. She will have no one, except the only one who she has always relied on."

"Help her!" Shouted Yu Lan softly, brimming with tears that slid down her cheeks like rain. Whimpering, she turned away with a bit of shame slithering down her cheeks. "Please, just help her. She is all I have."

"Why should I? Aiza is not my enemy but rather a helpful tool for me right now. Why should I help you?" I asked, turning towards the vibrant star within the heavens beginning to set. "The King of Celestrial Palace would fall on his two knees before her, but you ask me to help her?"

"What is it you want?!"