The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Prayer for Peace - Goetz Oestlind

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Sitting next to one of the large windows of Belmont's castle, young Constance stared outside, looking at the trees that surrounded the castle. But it wasn't the trees that interested her, but what was beyond those trees where there were people with things she hadn't experienced. It was only once did she get the opportunity to have a look at the village. Though the village contained small houses, unlike the big castle she lived in, she was fascinated by the people and things they did for a living.

"Lady Constance, I brought snacks for you!" came the excited voice of Odin, and he entered her room with a tray in his hand. "Today Douglas has prepared different cookies and said that you will like them. There are mint leaves with melted butter inside it."

Constance turned to look at Odin, who placed the tray on the table, and she thanked him, "Thank you for bringing them here, Odin. I should have come down."

"Do not fret, milady. I have nothing else to do. Moving up and down the castle will help me kill time, and I am happy to serve you," he bowed his head to her.

She smiled at the demon's words.

Her father had told her that the humans and the vampires in the villages were as bad as demons: people who were cunning and manipulative, people who would not gel well with her. But then, here, Odin was such a good demon, and it made her doubt that her father was completely right. It was possible that he had misunderstood them.

"And I am happy to have you here," answered Constance, picking up the cookie that had been prepared for her. "Has my father returned?"

"Not yet. Master seems like he's busy in the underworld because some of the first demons are trying to create a disruption," Odin let her know, and she nodded her head.

"If only things could settle down," she murmured to herself. Constance took a bite from the cookie.

Odin already knew that the young lady was looking at the village. She always did when she sat on this side of the window as it had a better view. "You can ask Master to take you there again. I don't think he would mind accompanying you."

Constance wondered if her protective father would take her there anytime soon. The first time they had been there, she had been excited. But it seemed like her father was unhappy with the fact that she had enjoyed her time in the village amid the foolish villagers.

"How did you turn out this good, Odin? Are there other demons who are as good as you?" asked Constance, and this made Odin's c.h.e.s.t puff forward at the lady's compliment.

"It must be because I was an angel before. The demons from the living world, here, aren't necessarily bad. But the demons from the underworld, it would be best to not associate yourself with them," explained Odin.

"Like my father."

"No no!" Odin hurriedly spoke. If his master came to hear this, he would be drowning in the hotpot, "Master is an exception as well, milady. He wasn't originally born as a demon. He only chose to be one." The demon servant then added, "I am sure if Master has refused you from stepping out, it is for a good reason."

And then came one day, where her father couldn't step outside or in the light, also Hell. His skin had turned paler than before, with eyes turning pitch black. He had to rest so that his body could continue and sustain itself in the living world.

He had gotten inside the coffin to regain his powers and his sustenance. "How long will it be?" she asked him in worry.

"Not too long. I will wake up soon," said her father before closing his eyes.

In the initial days, Constance patiently waited for her father to wake up, but at the same time, she couldn't help but get the idea of going and visiting the nearby village. It would be a quick trip, and she would come back to the castle before her father would wake up, thought Constance to herself.

But as eager as she was to step out of the castle and explore the world that was waiting for her, she didn't know how to do it. Especially with Odin, who kept hovering around her and making sure he kept his word of taking care of Lady Constance until her father woke up.

One week passed, then another week passed such that one month passed and then it went to two. And one day, Constance decided to escape from there. She wrote a note to Odin,

'Dear Odin,

I will be back soon. I am going to explore the village for a little while and then return. Don't panic. Everything will be fine.'

But the next day, in the morning before the sun could rise and she was trying to escape, she had been caught by their coachman Douglas.

"Lady Constance, where are you going?" asked the man, alarmed. His eyes fell on the little bag that hung over her shoulder. "Are you going out?"

"It is just for a little while," her eyes pleaded. "I will be back before my father wakes up. I just want to see how things are outside this castle. Please."

The man looked troubled about letting her leave the castle on her own and insisted on going alone. At the same time, he knew she had wanted to visit the village. Even though she was the Devil's daughter, she was nothing less than a prisoner in the spacious castle with no people to talk or interact with, as the Devil didn't like it.

Douglas then fished for something in his pocket, pulling out the gold coins and placing them in her hand. "You will need them if you want to buy something that you like."

A wide smile appeared on young Constance's face in excitement. "I will write a letter if it takes long," she whispered, and the man nodded his head.

"Be careful, milady," wished the old man, and Constance offered him a smile before leaving the castle.

When the sun rose, Odin entered the lady's room to wake her up, only to find her bed empty and cold as if she hadn't slept on it. Did someone come and abduct her?! Questioned Odin in panic. His Master was going to kill him! No, not kill. He was going to tear his limbs!

While he frantically called the other servants, trying to look for the young lady, he found a note that she had left for him.

Odin couldn't leave the castle as he had sworn to stay inside the castle by making sure Lady Constance was safe, and also his Master's coffin, in which he slept. But the lady had decided to take a trip by herself, and he didn't know what to do. He walked back and forth in the room, "What are we going to do?!" he asked in a panic.

Douglas didn't mention a word about the secret he and the young lady shared. He hoped she would be fine and well.

Away from the Belmont castle, in the village near the mountains, Constance walked on one side of the road. Excitement bubbled in her as her eyes took in the people and things the market had to offer.