Page 22 of Crowned A Traitor
I went to the Beanstalk to get away, not to seal my fate.
"You want to step down. Why?" She asked, trying to sound like a concerned daughter.What of the Queens?She wanted to ask,to take Malum from them would risk my life but to give me Hell would ensure war.
"I'll remain in the wings for a time as you watch over Malum, but it's been a few centuries since I have ventured into the Human World and I miss their sweet frivolity. I have a hunger to shake things up again. My council will always be available to you, should you need guidance." Mischief filled her Father’s eyes. There was nothing he loved more than messing with God's precious Humans.
"Another war?" Frendall asked, picking at his plate. "Overdone. The Humans create their own so often it doesn't have the same delicious stench. I'm sure it will come to me," Lucifer rubbed his hands together in delight, and Klara glared at Frendall for provoking such a thought. War on the Human plane created chaos in Hell. Souls come fast and hard during wartime. As it stands, it was a miracle the system didn't collapse, and that the Ferrier didn't fall into the River from exhaustion.
"I still have so much to learn in Malum, Creatures I have yet to study. Spells I haven't cast. Lilith might have signed off on my training, but Eve should be part of the decision whether I'm ready or not to rule and not just ready for combat."
"You haven't seemed all that passionate about the management of the Forest before," Lucifer leaned in closer, "And Eve informs me you show less and less interest in her lectures."Trust Eve to hand in reports that scold me but praise her own efforts.
"Only because I wish to travel further, to learn more. Not just what comes from Eve's books and grimoires."
The King stilled as the Doomed removed their plates for the next course. Lucifer clasped his hands under his chin.
"Lilith has already informed me of your excursions." Klara wanted to run from the room.
"I have allowed it to further your training, but how far do you wish to venture on that divided monstrosity of a plane?" His eyes flashed black for a moment, and Klara swallowed, knowing she was treading on thin ice.
"The River border and Neutral Lands are being overlooked, and we can't have any Kalion Creatures seeping in. Their goodness would spoil the balance and upset the natural order of Malum," she said, knowing how much her Father hated the Lands of Kalos. The Fae Queen in particular. The Kalion Creatures made his skin boil more than his thermostat.
"And why do you think a Fae would want into Malum?" Lucifer asked, "they have more than they need in their own lands."
"My guess is that they want access to the Port," Klara bluffed. The Fae had their own way into the Human World. "They might have everything they need, but if that were enough, we wouldn't have Dark Fae roaming the Forest."
The King's silence lasted longer than she anticipated. Frendall rested his fists on the table, ignoring the plate of food being placed in front of him.
"The Heiress is right, and if I may interject, most aren't coming through the Neutral Lands and across the River but there have been reports of Creatures coming and going through portals instead."
Klara had to stop her jaw from dropping to the floor as Frendall spoke on her behalf.
"Smugglers from both sides have been increasing in the last five years. Bribery is becoming more and more common."
Frendall was confirming Klara's argument for her. Perhaps Lucifer would trust her if her statements had the backing of his Commander. She picked at the meats on her plate, unable to eat. If Klara told her Father, she didn't eat meat and hadn't since she'd left, she was sure he would force-feed her every bite. He would say that compassion is terrible for one's life expectancy. However, the King hadn't seen the standard of meat in Malum.
"And you wish to eradicate this smuggling problem?" The King said, picking the fishbone from his teeth with his fingernail.
"Yes, I knew how much this would upset you to hear, and that's why I have been hunting," Klara edged closer, needing the King to hang onto her every lie. "I thought since the Ghouls were able to smuggle Human corpses through the Port than maybe they knew how Creatures were passing to and from Kalos despite the River and Neutral Lands being near impossible to pass."
Lucifer dropped the food from his hand, "seems that you have started to grow a fondness for Malum and its Creatures."
"From the Southern Swamps to the Giant Territory, what's not to love?" Klara beamed, and some of the Higher Demons at the table applaud.
"You wish me to rule? Let me show you I can lead. This isn't just about the Kalion border, as Frendall said portals are popping up all over Malum, and until we find the culprits, there will be no order."
"Those filthy Creatures, what is there to like?" Purple Hair interrupted, and Klara glared at her.
"Some of those Creatures would say the same about Demons. Not all are filthy and repulsive."
"Well said," Lucifer clapped, and the Demons raised a glass to her response even though Klara could feel her palms burning as her magic sensed a threat. "Since Frendall's scouts can back up your claim, I will give you a year," Lucifer said.
A year is all I need. Hell, she would be gone tomorrow if she could gain passage and this gave her the perfect cover. "I'll leave this evening.”
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, "so eager to leave? Stay with your Father for a day or two. Let me see how you have progressed."
"As much as I want to stay, no time can be wasted…" the clattering of plates silenced her as Lucifer smacked his hand against the table.
"You leave when I say so."
