Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Was this the best decision? Mother is rather insistent I do this, but the more I think of it. The more my stomach dips in anticipation.

"Zanta?Darling, are you alright?" Mother asked, tilting her head to me as she snatched my hand by my waist.

I looked up at her sublime features glistering under the glow of dawn. She smiled, lifting me into her arms like a rabbit, and smiled, " Is my baby excited?"

"Mom!" I hissed with reddened cheeks as I tried to worm my way out of her grip. I wasn't four anymore; I had just made five a few months ago! I was a big boy!

"It's mommy, my darling, Zanta!" She teased, smothering me with kisses.

Blushing a little, I couldn't help but lean back onto her chest, as I didn't mind the kiss.

Mommy loved me! And I loved her! She was the best! The best Mommy in the world. Pursing my lips a little, she finally lowered me as the guardsman of the arena turned to Mother, " Lady Black, Master Ezra will finally see you."

Eyeing the tense atmosphere around the door that held so many guards, I couldn't help but look up at mother, who passed her hands through my hair, "It's only a precaution; most slaves, no matter their power, are never really happy to leave there home, or a place where they feel comfortable."

But why? Should they not be happy to be bought? Their slaves.

Opening the doors for us, Mother and I walked hand in hand through the threshold, which made my heart hammer like drums against my chest as a cold gush of air, took me by surprise.

My insides had felt like they were freezing as I desperately wished to leave. But no matter what I did, I couldn't move as my vision grew blurred with tears when Mother's warm aura trickled over me.

"Valice Black, first consort of Orthis, it's a pleasure. I'd not think I'd be seeing such a figure so soon here. How's your husband?" The scarlet eyes woman expressed.

She scared me, really scared me. Something about her felt evil. Father had spoken many times of the evils of the world and told me that there were some people that we simply couldn't trust.

Moving my gaze to the golden eye, man, I felt overwhelmed. There he is, ILLB! One of the Great champions of the Ares Arena.

He's tall!

"Orthis is fine, a little swamp with the new council. But I'm sure a woman of your caliber already knows." Mother replied, squeezing my hands a little tighter.

"Your nervous," Ezra informed, shaking her head, glancing back to ILLB and then back to us, "There's no need. He's harmless; the name was a joke shared by a friend who thought it would be funny to humiliate him."

"That doesn't sound like a friend," I chimed in, unable to take my eyes off him. Ezra gave off a feeling of secrecy, but ILLB didn't. He felt transparent.

ILLB turned to me, and his lips grew arched, " Is that right? And how is a friend supposed to act?"

"Kind, supportive, courteous, and loving!" I said as I felt my mother's pride from here as she blessed me with head pats.

"Sounds boring," he replied, in a somewhat icy tone," If a friend can't challenge you, can't push your buttons and remain a friend despite all they did for you or do to you, are they a friend or a yes-man."

"I-I–"

"My friends can push my buttons, and I'm sure to have my revenge with them, but the implication being if I can mess with them, they can mess with me. Your naive mentality of how people should be at fault with—"

"Too much," Ezra chimed in, shutting him down.

"I'd agree, let children be—"

"Children? I'll pass on such a mentality. Especially in a world where a demon could instantly appear and steal it all."

He's so cold.

Mother patted my head without a rebuttal, and I could not help but look up at the mournful expression she held.

"As you can see, ILLB is currently here as you requested. I've been contacted to hand over Mr. Blackwaters' slave contract as per the request of the Orginal Master."

Mother's lips grew arched, then sank, " That's good an all, but I'm sure you can see my trepidation regarding the missing slave insignia. In fact. there are not even shackles."

What are they talking about? Letting go of mothers hand, I walked up towards IBBL that towered over me.

"You're going to be my new Teacher!"

"Am I now,"

I nodded, " Of course, you're powerful. And I want to be strong too."

"Your mother seems to be a powerful witch; why can't you learn from her." he softly asked, startling me, as I turned back to Mother, who held a somewhat pale look. "Both you and her reak of death."

Tilting my head, I shook it, "Mommy smells like Jasmine. Do you like Jasmine?"

"It's my favorite fragrance." He replied before removing his hand from his back. He turned to the evil woman, " Is everything prepared? I'm in the midst of preparing dinner. It took over a hundred years to prepare, you know."

"A slave talking—"

"Mr. Blackwater is no normal slave. Or slave even, that's why in the contract I stipulate that he must return every week for two days. Afterward, he is yours."

"Ezra, we paid 1.2 billion for IBBL. We asked for a slave, not a man." Mother snapped.

"You handle this; I've got a few things left to do."

Witnessing ILLB vanish as though he was never there, I noticed the almost horrid look of Mother as she took a few steps back.

"An illusion? I-i-impossible. I felt his aura; I felt his life force! He's only a Mid-God; that shouldn't be possible!"

Ezra chuckled, " As I said, Mr. Blackwater is different. Treat him well, and you'll benefit. As you know, warriors with high cultivation and even higher battle prowess can't be tamed. He'll train your child, but make no mistake by underestimating Mr. Blackwater. Both in or outside the bed."

"EH?!!!!"

"Oh, don't look surprised; you will not believe the number of fan girls trying to break in to get some action. And I assure you I've seen first hand how tamed the ladies become after he's had them. It's a miracle."