You are familiar with His Highness?

Avaris’s POV

I’ve read stories about demons since I was young, fairy tales just for fun. And if there’s one thing that always stood out, it’s that demons are masters of manipulation.

Yet here I am, entangled with one—and not just any demon, but one claiming to hail from the royal family of Alkavine. If this isn’t the definition of messy, I don’t know what it is.

I still couldn’t wrap my head around what had happened earlier. No, what in the world had happened earlier? My cheeks warmed just thinking about it, and I clenched my fists as though that would somehow stop my thoughts.

"Avaris, are you even listening to me?" Prince Theo called, jolting me out of thoughts. I turned to him, offering a polite awkward smile.

I still couldn't wrap my head around what happened. There was something different about Dyvian.

The last time we met, under the red moon, he was so displeased, not happy with whatever connection we have but it wasn't like that today. I can't explain how he is but something was definitely different.

"I’m not against your preferences," Prince Theo said calmly, his eyes on me. "But His Highness, of all people?"

I stumbled, nearly tripping over my own feet as I shot him a glare. "What is that supposed to mean?"

We were walking through the halls toward the royal chamber, where Dyvian—no, His Royal Highness—was speaking with the Grand Duke.

Ever since that awkward incident in the carriage, His Grace hadn’t left my side. Whether it was to keep an eye on me or to avoid Dyvian, I couldn’t tell.

Theo smirked, his hands clasped casually behind his back. "Only that His Highness has a reputation for being... persistent. Although he's not that known in the Country, I've known him for quite a while. And if anything, He gets what he wants, Avaris. You’d best keep your guard up."

I almost rolled my eyes, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. "That’s not what’s happening here. It was a mistake earlier, Your Grace."

"Of course, it is," he replied, though his knowing tone suggested otherwise. "I don't know how you two got to know each other but please be careful around him. He's like a threat to the Royal Family."

I quickened my pace, desperate to steer the conversation away from whatever this was. "Actually, Your Grace," I began hesitantly, "I was thinking... I’d like to leave the palace for a while."

Theo stopped abruptly, his expression hardening. "What?"

"I mean it." I turned to face him fully, hoping he’d see the sincerity in my eyes. "My father has a house here. It was gifted to me by one of our family friends on my fifteenth birthday. I thought I could stay there for the time being."

Theo’s jaw tightened. "You can’t be serious, Avaris. You’re safer here in the palace."

"I don’t see how," I replied steadily. "I appreciate what you've done but I won't burden you further. You took care of me and you sent that innocent boy back to his family."

The boy was the same boy who had been kidnapped with him on the night I was supposed to die. That night I met him.

Seeing that I was about to start thinking about Dyvian again, I shook my thoughts away.

His brow furrowed, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You’re leaving the Grand Dukedom anyway, aren’t you? You should stay here with me until then. It’s not just about safety—it’s about appearances, too. You can’t just disappear to some obscure house."

I opened my mouth to argue further, but a sharp laugh from down the corridor cut me off.

Turning, I saw Dyvian leaning against the doorway to the royal chamber, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. Beside him stood the Grand Duke, his stern gaze fixed directly on me.

"Your Highness, Your Dukeness," I bowed my head.

Although I had heard a lot about the Grand Duke, I was never ready to meet him directly. His intense gaze caused me to shift uneasily as his stern eyes seemed to pierce right through me.

There was a history between my late father and the Grand Duke, an old acquaintance of sorts. Thanks to years of politics and business dealings, they had developed a respect for one another.

My father had always been a prominent figure in the Grand Dukedom, despite his tendency to keep to himself.

I was the black sheep, the one who had always been away. Always traveling. Never really at home. Never really seen by the noble circles. The Grand Duke wasn’t familiar with me—not in the way he might have been with others. .

To him, I was just another face in a sea of unfamiliar nobles. It was well known that the Duke was aloof and distant, but that did not make his icy stare any more tolerable.

Standing next to him, Dyvian was practically glowing with the typical air of arrogance. I couldn't escape that feeling. I wasn't sure what it was—maybe it was the demon in him, or maybe it was just his way of standing there as though the world itself bent to his will.

But whatever it was, it made me feel like I was the one who didn't belong here.

Though his words were straightforward, the Grand Duke acknowledged my presence with a slight nod that was almost imperceptible.

“I hear you and His Highness know each other," the Duke said. His eyes flicked toward Dyvian for a moment before settling back on me.

I passed him a quick glance. "As you know or might not, Your Dukeness," I began, trying to keep my voice even, "I was always traveling around the cities. I happened to meet His Royal Highness, but I wasn’t aware of his identity at the time."

The Grand Duke studied me for a moment longer before nodding slowly, as though processing my words. Then, without warning, he spoke again.

"Given that you’re more familiar with His Highness than most, I was wondering if you might be interested in a more... involved role," he said. "A position as a escort, perhaps? Someone to accompany His Highness in his matters in the Grand Dukedom for the time he's going to spend here. Your proximity would be valuable."

The Duke’s proposal was unexpected. I stared at him, unsure how to respond. Before I could open my mouth to speak, Theo stepped in, his voice hardening.

"Avaris intends to depart from the palace," Theo interrupted abruptly. "I don't think he’ll have the time to take on any such role."

The Grand Duke’s gaze shifted to Theo. "Is that so?" His voice was cold. "Has the boy rejected it already? They seem to be... familiar."

Theo didn’t flinch, but the slight tightening of his jaw told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t going to let me get tied up with someone like Dyvian.

His hatred for Dyvian was so obvious. Wonder what might have happened between them.

In the end, there was no choice. How could I say no to the Duke of the country? I was already in a mess of living while my family died, refusing the Duke would have brought another level of gossip.

"Very well," I murmured, my voice barely audible. "I’ll... I’ll remain here for the time being. But only because there seems to be no other option."

The Duke offered a brief nod of approval, though his eyes still held that unreadable quality. When I glanced at Damien, he was looking at me, but not teasingly. It was something like curiosity.

Yes. Curiosity.