The Damned Demon

"What can I offer you that might change your mind?" Asher finally asked, willing to probe every avenue, aware that the survival of his kingdom might well depend on the outcof this conversation.

Lakhur narrowed his eyes as he regarded Asher, his gaze sharp and piercing.

The weight of decades of grief and bitterness seemed to harden his features as he spoke, his voice resonating with a deep, cold intensity,

"Offer me? I know you are young and weren't there when it happened. But even then, how could you have the face to ask for my kingdom's help after everything I gave for your kingdom? There is nothing you could offer to compensate for what my kingdom lost," Lakhur's accusation hung heavy between them, echoing off the old walls.

Asher, standing firm despite the emotional onslaught, nodded slowly, acknowledging the past calamities, "I know what you have lost, but we lost our queen, her dragon, and so many brave people that day. It's not like we did it on purpose. It was out of our hands," he responded, his voice steady yet filled with a respectful solemnity.

"Out of our hands?" Lakhur's voice rose slightly, tinged with a frost that seemed to chill the very air, "I warned Zane Drake to not only send my people but also his for that secretive wretched quest. I never undermined what your kingdom lost. But I want you to understand that I didn't just lose my son, his wife, and my grandson. I also lost the future of my bloodline. The only surviving member of my bloodline is my granddaughter, and everyone knows that she is far from fit to inherit my throne, let alone continue her life as a normal person. If only Zane hadn't pressuredto send my people...my kingdom and I wouldn't have been suffering like this. It's been decades, but even now, the pain is still fresh and the loss can't be forgotten."

Hearing Lakhur address Rowena's father by his nmade Asher realize how much resentment Lakhur must be holding for that dead old bastard.

He knew Lakhur had the right to feel so.

Internally, he couldn't help but also feel a surge of resentment towards Rowena's father for the umpteenth time, cursing the decisions that had led to such enduring wounds.

Why did he intentionally fuck up so many things? It was only fortunate that he didn't do anything to put Rowena in danger.

However, Asher didn't allow the conversation to dwell in the past.

The urgency of the present crisis loomed too large, and he refused to give up, "I apologize for what my late father-in-law did, and he had no right to pressure you into sending your loved ones for that quest," he began earnestly, his voice carrying a note of sincere regret. "But times have changed. We are facing an unprecedented threat. The draconians are waiting for the right opportunity to crush us. If they manage to crush us, then they will cafter your kingdom, and they will enslave each and everyone in your kingdom. Your beloved people would be doomed to a fate where they would rather die than live."

Lakhur nodded with an intense look in his eyes, "Then we will consider that as our fate. But I would be spitting on the graves of my family if I chose to join hands with you people. Even if I want to, I don't have tto help your kingdom. I am using all my tand resources to help my granddaughter, no matter how hopeless her situation seems. It's the least I can do as not only her king but her grandfather," he declared, the intensity in his eyes like flint sparking fire.

Asher's brows furrowed, sympathy lacing his tone despite the stern shake of his head, "Is that what you think your granddaughter would want you to do? Sacrificing the future of your kingdom for her?" he asked, his voice low and respectful, yet probing.

He knew he would have also done the sif he was in Lakhur's shoes. He wouldn't be able to do anything but look after his loved ones with all his might.

Still, as the king of his kingdom, Asher knew he couldn't afford to agree with Lakhur's decision out of sympathy.

Lakhur's expression hardened as he murmured, "You still don't seem to get it. Why don't you follow me, King Asher?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned and strode out of the hall.

Curious, Asher followed. They navigated through several corridors, the silence between them heavy, until they reached a large room guarded more heavily than any other.

The stark contrast piqued Asher's interest further though the presence of so many guards made Asher guess who was inside.

Just as they approached, a woman's shout pierced the quiet, "I don't want this stinky food! Ewwww!"

Startled, Asher peered inside following Lakhur. The room, stark and spacious, held an elegant looking woman in her late thirties. Her attire was simple yet elegant, a dark silver tribal yet graceful garment complementing her dark gray skin. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, framing a face marred by frustration. Two small yet curved horns protruded from her forehead, her heritage unmistakable.

The room smelled of medicinal herbs and frustration. A handsman with dark cerulean eyes and dark red hair, wearing noble tribal attire, was attempting to calm her, but a broken plate and scattered food painted a clear picture of her resistance.

"Kayla, please calm down," the man coaxed witha patience that seemed almost infinite,"This might not taste good, but it will help you feel better."He signaled a maid to serve another plate.

However, upon noticing Lakhur's entrance, the man quickly stood and bowed deeply, the maids mimicking his action, "Your Majesty," he greeted, hisvoicedwith deep respect.

Lakhur, with a subtle gesture of authority and concern, waved at the weary man, "You have been working hard too long as always, Rakhan. You can rest. I will take over from here."

Rakhan's features twisted with worry, his voice low and hesitant, "But Your Majesty…"

His protest was cut short by a sudden, high-pitched plea, "Grandfather! Can I go play with Big Brother now?? I am so bored! These people have been annoyingfor too long!" Kayla interrupted, her voice bubbling with a childlike impatience that belied her adult appearance.

Asher, witnessing this scene, felt a twinge of disbelief curl at the corners of his mouth.

Silvia, too, hadhermoments of childish whimsy, but thiswoman named Kayla's demeanor was something else entirely—it was not just childlike, but genuinely child.

Whenever he interacted with Silvia, he still could feel he was talking to a grown lady hiding under childish mannerisms, but this woman before him…there wasn't even a semblance of maturity in her tone, expression, or aura.

The rumors Asher had heard, hinting at her mental regression, suddenly seemed not justplausible,but painfully accurate.

"See. I will be fine, Rakhan. You should go before she throws another tantrum," Lakhur said soothingly, his voice a calm anchor in the emotional storm.

Rakhan gave a small, resigned smile and nodded, casting a brief yet respectful glance at Asher before departing with the maids trailing behind him.

Alone now with his granddaughter, Lakhur approached Kayla with a plate of food, "Eat this, my child. If you do that, then I will call Big Brother to play with you," he bargained gently.

Kayla clicked her tongue,a mixture offrustration and resignation flashing across her face.

Yet, she quickly took the spoonful Lakhur offered and hurriedly finished her meal, her eyes brightening at the prospect of play.

"Yuck! That was so awful!" she exclaimed, sticking out her tongue in distaste once the plate was empty.

Yet, her spirits didn't dampen for long as she looked up at her grandfather with sparkling eyes, "Where is Father and Mother, grandfather? They toldthey will tellsinteresting stories today."

Lakhur nodded, his smile strained but affectionate, "Of course. They will return soon," He smoothed her hair tenderly, a solemnity touching his features as Kayla's eyelids drooped suddenly.

"I am suddenly feeling so sleepy...but I didn't play yet..." Her words slurred into silence as she rubbed her eyes, and she collapsed onto the bed, asleep almost before her sentence trailed off.

Lakhur withdrew his hand, the pain evident in his dark blue eyes now shadowed with sorrow.

Asher, puzzled by the sudden turn, stepped forward,"Why did you do that?" he askedupon seeingthe old man knock her out.

Lakhur briefly closed his eyes before turning towards Asher to explain, "Because…it is the only way I can prevent her heart from being broken again. Her mind has not only reverted to apoint in twhereshe was the happiest when her parents and brother were alive, but she can't remember anything for more than a day."

Asher's brows raised as he mumbled, "You mean…"

Lakhur slowly nodded as he said, "She keeps reliving that day in her childhood again and again. Now when she wakes up, she won't even remember what happened now."