One Last Dance

Adressing him a beaming smile, her eyes shut for a brief instant, rays of light pierced through the window, illuminating her face. The Lord of the castle slightly widened his eyes. He stared at her for a while.

"Humans may really be strange."

"Is that so?" the Princess replies with an innocent smile. 

They both stayed quiet before the Princess remembers the reason she came looking for the Demon Lord and asked.

"Ahh! I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"How things are going for the demon you sent to Ningea, as a diplomatic envoy?"

"Don't worry for that," A slight smile appeared upon his graceful features. "all is going as it should. He would soon be able to discuss peace with the King."

"Then! Shouldn't we as well discuss the matter?"

Joining her hands, intertwining her fingers with porcelain tint, she sincerely asked, of good will.

"I'm sure our kingdoms will be able to find a common ground. Just let them a little more time."

And saying these words with a gentle voice, he turned away from her, making a few steps away, making his way to the door.

"Lord Oweil! I hope ... that we could end up being friends!"

Did she say it for the sake of their kingdoms? Of was it in a more naive way?

The Demon Lord stopped, slightly, slowly turning his head to take sight of the fourth princess of the Human kingdom. He still had that delicate smile of his upon his face.

"Friends you say? Yes, why not."

And he walked away, letting Lady Lavinia staring at him with a confused expression.

***

Taking off her silk gloves trimmed with cloudy lace, she dug a small hole in the soil. Her fingers gradually becoming covered with dusty black earth, sinking under her hitherto impeccably clean nails.

Knelt on the ground, Lady Lavinia wears a soft smile, dedicated to her small task. Once the result seemed satisfactory to her, she took out of her pocket a handkerchief and unfolded it. In its center, a few seeds. Delicately grasping it, she placed the seeds inside the hole, covering it gently with the soil.

A demon or two watched her from afar, wondering what the human princess was doing crouching over the ground, and why her eyes had that soft glance upon her face while, her hands cupping her cheeks, her elbows leaning against her thighs, she contemplated the ground.

***

Another day passed. Tonight, Lord Oweil had invited Lady Lavinia to share the supper. In a vast dining room lit by torches with blue flames, they were each seated at the end of a long table covered with numerous dishes which, in the eyes of the Princess, had an exotic appearance. Made from creatures inhabiting these lands, they had a harsh taste at first bite, but dissipated gradually. In particular, she appreciated a soup made of Sarmiak's eggs - a kind of carnivorous fish living in mud, hiding to trap its preys - and kelpie's seaweed.

They didn't speak a lot, enjoying the meal to the sound of cutlery and of the pecks of Cinder, the demonic crow, feeding in a corner of the table. This, until the Demon Lord raised his voice.

"Do you happen to guess why I treated you to dinner tonight?"

The Princess turned a curious gaze at her host.

"Huum,.. I suppose we have a special occasion to celebrate?"

A discreet smile crept onto his face.

"I await the arrival of a messenger from the diplomatic envoy I've sent to your kingdom. We should be sure soon about the peace agreement."

"So, that evening will definitely be an important one. I hope that it will bring you good news." she answered, attently looking at him. 

"Of course." he paused for an instant. "Is there something in particular you'd wish to do tonight?"

A question mostly unexpected for Lavinia Serdargent, which made her reflect upon the matter at hand for a moment, a bent finger pressed to her lips.

"Well... Maybe one thing." she began, gazing at the Lord of the castle. "I would like to dance with you."

A response that seemed to amuse the King of Akumirgh as, standing up in a low motion, he walked towards the Fourth Princess of Ningea.

"If it may please you." he said, offering his hand.

Without a word, she grasped the extended hand, getting up in turn.

The room found itself filled with a quite curious atmosphere, while the instruments played by themselves, the bow of a violin rubbing slowly against the tight strings. The ruffles of the Princess's dress twirled according to the pirouettes her partner made her do. Her feet barely seemed to touch the ground as they took steps. Though Lord Oweil's gestures were more mechanical, his perfect mastery of choreography was to be envied. A hand round her waist, he kept that calm look at Lady Lavinia as she gazed back at him, enjoying that graceful moment.

"I wanted to thank you." she uttered with a grateful voice.

"Why would you like to do so?" 

She was about to answer, half-opening her mouth, when a greyish mass intruded through the window. Hazy, it vaguely had the silhouette of a bird. Taking sight of it, the Demon Lord let go her hand, parting from the Princess.

"The messenger I was waiting for is here."