Chapter 9: Variable

A pearly laughter sounded besides the king.

It was the queen, her blonde hair catching the faint light within the confines of the throne room.

A gentle Aura radiated from her.

Her clear blue eyes shimmered with intrigue as she stared at Si-eun.

“Azazel dear, that’s called a job. isn’t it beneath your standing as an Astavore? Where’s your pride hmmm?”

Her words were soft but there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

Although it didn’t slip past Si-eun’s notice.

Si-eun adjusted his tailcoat then spoke without meeting her gaze.

“Pride? That’s just a word noble fools hold on to like it’s their entire life, your majesty please tell me, if I died today what will I be remembered as, a lout? The useless son of the Astavores? I’d be remembered as a problem to society. What’s there to take pride in? Nothing, I have nothing to my name besides being the son of Duke Viktor Von Astavore and Duchess Rose Von Astavore, if I died today then it’d be a useless death, nothing more, nothing less.”

The queen chuckled.

“You seem different, Azazel Von Astavore… hard to believe the same dead beat noble who thought with his fists rather than his head has the guts to stand up to the king and even propose a deal in place of punishment.”

Azazel shrugged.

“What can I say your Highness, I’ve learnt my lesson.”

The king cleared his throat, cutting the conversation between Si-eun and his wife short.

“We’ve yet to confirm if you’ve actually been drugged and if the drug contains any hallucivantive properties.”

Si-eun nearly let out an exasperated sigh.

“Your majesty, you can see it from my appearance, pale skin with cracked dry lips, sunken unfocused eyes, those are effects only found in a moonsbane flower or the scrouge toad saliva. I’m barely keeping it together since the effects are still lingering within my body but by all means, you’re free to collect a sample of my blood to test it.”

At his confirmation the royal physician stepped up, using a small knife to nick Si-eun’s skin, he collected the drops of blood inside a small jar then exited the throne room.

A while later he came back with the jar in his hands, only, this time the liquid inside wasn’t crimson but rather blue.

“Your majesty.” He spoke with panic in his voice.” His blood contains traces of the Moonsbane flower in high amounts sire, he—”

The physician rambled on, explaining words Si-eun couldn’t hear as a wave of nausea hit him.

His vision swarmed, the surrounding area around him blurring whilst his ears buzzed with shrill noises.

’Shit… has the effects of the neutraliser worn off?’ Si-eun thought with mild irritation.

He wasn’t bothered, far from it.

Things were just going to become a bit more troublesome now that the king had taken an interest in him.

On that note it was going to be a chore, explaining to his parents how he managed to get rid of the effects—since it wasn’t discovered at this point in time.

Though granted he hadn’t at this moment and was going to become a retard sooner or later he seemed surprisingly calm.

’I achieved my goal of getting back at the fourth prince, made a deal with the king to stay by the fifth Prince’s side even though he hasn’t accepted yet, he will eventually and if he doesn’t well I can try a thing or two within the academy, hah it’s been a long day… I think I’ll worry about what comes next after a good ol’ nap.’

“Az… Azazel What’s wrong…”

From the side, a blurred silhouette approached him with hurried steps.

It was his mother but he didn’t let his gaze linger, instead something caught his attention from the dais where the royal family sat.

A girl with silver hair and strange hazel eyes, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the king stared at him with frightening intensity.

Her lips curled into a smile before she mouthed something intended for Si-eun alone to see.

“Who… possessed the body this time?”

As soon as Si-eun read her lips, his body went cold.

His mind raced but his thoughts became dulled under the effect of the drug.

’What the hell? An unknown variable…’

He could only question inwardly what she meant before his body succumbed to exhaustion.

[You’ve successfully altered your predetermined fate with nothing but trickery and lies, the God of mischief is pleased, he has bestowed upon you a blessing.]

[You have acquired???]

****

{Lily’s mind realm}

“~My My Lily, that young master of yours sure is something, crafty and he smells like temptation, I want him.” a sultry voice cooed, with a tone so alluring that even kings wouldn’t be able to resist.

The scenery was painted red.

It was eerie as it was captivating.

Jagged hills rose up like mountains from crimson liquids, each one as tall as a dune.

The crimson sky held stars of pinkish hues drifting lazily across its canvas.

In all its majestic glory, a throne stood easily standing out despite being smaller than the mountains surrounding it

And seated upon the throne was a girl with long pink hair cascading all the way to her thighs.

Her hourglass figure perfectly complimented the revealing black dress she donned.

Two horns crowned her head while a pair of bat like wings adorned her back.

Her tail danced in lazy circles as she spoke.

“Won’t you swap places with me dear Lily? Your big sis wants to have some fun.”

Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint while heart shaped symbols replaced her iris.

She looked like a seductive demoness who trapped men with her allure alone, effortless as they came.

But that wasn’t so far off from the truth, she was a succubus but one of very high status.

Her entire demeanor radiated nobility, clearly setting her apart from mere lust demons.

She was one of Lilith’s daughters, one created from her essence, she held an authority which bore Lilith’s mark and she was the true face of the naive, innocent looking maid lily.

Now, Si-eun belived she was blessed by the mother of demons Lilith, but that was a far cry from the actual truth, it was merely what all players believed.

Lily wasn’t blessed by Lilith, she was spawned by Lilith.

She was only split into two different personalities to blend in with the mortal world since her original personality was too wild and problematic to do so.

At the center of the crimson liquid, standing on top of a black pillar, lily tilted her head in mild amusement.

“Sorry Liliana, you don’t get to play with him till I’ve had my fun”

Liliana smiled, looking at Lily who looked like a human, and a well diluted version of herself.

“Don’t wreck him before I get a turn little sis.”

Lily returned the smile, licking her lips slowly.

“No promises Liliana, no promises… he had it coming, playing with fire while having such a sweet scent on him.”

She shuddered with a blissful look on her face.

“He’s mine.”

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