Chapter 7: The Demon's Reign: The Offer

Edits: Added Chapter numbers to prevent confusion. PLEASE CHECK EACH MONTH UNDER ARCHIVE.

"Back, huh." retorted Jarald, grumpily chained to the rest bed. This was his eleventh time trying to escape what he called a "torturing monotonous prison"; for the squire despised being idle, and would rather open his wounds again rather than staying indoors. " I still don't get why you keep bringing HIM along.." he scowled, refusing to lock eyes with Kriel.

"I'm not. He just wants to see you, that's all," Harald sighed with irritation at Jarald's attitude. "Besides, the Lord-"

"Kriel."

Harald continued on as if not interrupted. "-did save your ass, you muttonhead. And I can't very well tell off the Lord-"

Kriel coughed loudly, but Harald ignored him again.

"-to stay out, can I? He's above us. And Jarald, please stay in your room or Madame Karl warned me that she'll, er, increase the strength of your sleeping draught."

"But it's so boring in here...and those freaks come by and annoy me constantly."

"Seriya and Sol are not freaks."

"They're classified as freaks since they're mingling with people like me, so it's true. Tell them to stay away, will ya?" Jarald buried himself underneath his covers. Kriel was angry at how imprudent he was acting, and before Harald could stop him, he stamped towards the squire's bed, ripped off the covers, and proceeded to yell at him.

"YOU SELFISH INSOLENT JERK STOP INSULTING YOUR ONLY COMPANIONS-"

"I don't need companions. I do well on my own."

"STOP BEING A IDIOTIC BLIND NITWIT, YOU DON'T GET THAT THERE'S PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT YOU OKAY-"

"I DON'T need any pity! Especially from someone like you!"

"DOES IT GET INTO YOUR THICK HEAD? YOU'RE SO DENSE! A NOBLE'S LIFE IS NOT ALL PERFECT AND FUN AS YOU THINK-"

"WELL IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE IT, YOUR MAJEST-"

"SHUT THE BLOODY PIRERN UP. LISTEN YOU STEREOTYPICAL FOOL. YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE BAD PAST! YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO'S SUFFERED? WHAT ABOUT YOUR BROTHER?"

"THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH-"

"Yes it does." Kriel was still huffing from the yelling session. His change of tone stopped Jarald's ranting. "You're the one who's getting in trouble, and Harald has to always get you out. You're the one who's always complaining about what happened to your family and Harald always comforted you. What about Harald's thoughts and feelings? You're just a selfish IDIOT who only thinks of himself." Harald avoided Jarald's stunned look as Kriel went on. "And you, the pretentious, ignorant fool, believes you're so high and mighty because people choose to be harsh to you and you're better than those others since you can beat them up, and "teach them a lesson". And finally, those others that visit you, I don't know who they are, but if they risk getting treated like dirt just to visit you, and you're being rude to them, well, you seriously don't deserve anyone at all."

"I-" Jarald tried to say something but trailed off. The room was immersed in silence, only to be broken by the sound of Kriel clearing his throat.

"Well," he said hoarsely, "I'll be leaving now." Harald nodded dumbly at the king, and continued to stare with rapture at the blank wall.

Kriel left the room without so much a glance at the bedded squire.

"M-my lord. If you keep this up the Dukes and Duchesses will use this against you.." The short advisor struggled to keep up with the long strides of Kriel.

"Keep up what?" Kriel said mockingly.

"Th-those filthy squires.." Proditus flinched as the king promptly turned around and towered over the advisor.

"I order you not to call our subjects 'filthy', or you will get a lashing, understood?" Icy silver-blue eyes stared into frightened green ones.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir.." Proditus whispered in fear and scuttled away. Kriel sighed and kicked open the door to the throne room, where some were waiting.

"My Lord.." They all bowed. Kriel huffed and sat himself on a chair.

"Well, your affairs?"

"I request that Duke Inelia be hanged!" One duke yelled, while his duchness smiled sneakily.

"No, it is Duscea that must be punished!" Duke Inelia screeched in anger.

"You have performed treachery by insulting and plotting the downfall of the king behind his back!"

"How dare you lie! It is you, who is starting a rebellion and trying to overthrow the king for your own greedy means!"

"SILENCE!" Kriel ordered the two men. They fell silent, raging at each other, yet grinning with pleasure for the possibility of gaining more power.

"Papers, if you please, madame?" The servant, a bit shocked by the king's courtesy, hastened over with the charges in hand.

"As we see here..." Kriel began to read, "Duke Inelia is responsible for shipping weapons to our hostile enemies. Reports of the Duke's seal turned up in Alosia, and hidden forges were found in your fort." Inelia turned pale white while Duscea sneered with triumph as Kriel continued. "Reports that Duscea increased taxes upon his dukedom were brought in. Some claim they saw him bribing newspapers to print that I was planning to do the same to other areas. Those in anger are paid by the duke himself to gather groups. Duscea also made a speech that I was forcing him for the increasing, yet some say that he looks, 'potbellied' as ever." Duscea blushed at the incorporated insult. His stomach sick with fear, the duke glanced at the king, still browsing the papers. His duchess gave a short gasp.

"Both are you therefore are to be tried for treason and high offense of position."

Both dukes cowered before the stony gaze of Kriel. He smiled slowly with contempt and asked.

"Any questions?"

Looking at a flyer, Kriel sighed in displeasure. It was soon to be the month of Kaile, where subjects gave thanks to the God of Luck. The king was to attend the festivals and announce prizes for competitions. He found it all boring, for sitting for hours on end in the hot weather made him restless. Nothing interesting ever came up for even the dukes and duchesses got along during the month, eager to show off their skills.

While lamenting about the event, Kriel lightened with an idea...

"It's just a month you know." Back in the hospital, arguing with Jarald and Harald about switching places for a moon.

"Won't we get caught?" Harald was taken aback by Kriel's rashness and plan.

"Nope. Besides, you won't have to do anything, not even talk. I guarantee."

"Pfft. It looks like a king's life is simple." Jarald scoffed from his bed. Kriel, too intent on getting out of his role, grudgingly agreed.

"It's simple for this month. So please?"

Note: From here, I'm gonna divide this story into two parts. Ehehehe... Jarald's path, and Harald's path. Oh, and there's a bonus spoof soon~

Yeah the story sucks but I'm working hard peeps!

Pleaaaase comment! >:O