The Devil's Temptation!

215 Luderick’s Hideout

Standing in front of the big golden-colored gate of the Euphrasian palace, Anna looked at Azazel with a grateful smile, then bowed her head slightly to show her genuine respect to him.

“Thank you for bringing me here.” She said in appreciation, and Azazel just responded with a slight nod, although he didn’t smile, the look on his face showed that he had no problem bringing her here, and it eased Anna’s heart to see they were both getting on well.

After ending their conversation, Anna quickly turned around so she could head into the palace, but suddenly stopped in her steps as though she just thought of something, leading her eyes to brighten in reaction to the warm thought.

Turning around to look at Azazel, he was about to leave, but before he could do that, Anna hurried back to him, stopping him from leaving just yet and Azazel’s gaze naturally fixed themselves on her.

“Do you want to come in as well?” She asked, thinking it would be impolite to leave him standing outside the cold after he brought her here, but Azazel shook his head in demurral, his demeanor still the same and he didn’t look excited or anxious about it, he was that enigmatic.

“I’m sure Calista would like to see you again, and you don’t have to worry about being a demon, I’m sure no one will even have a hint since you’re no physically different from humans.”

She suggested, but apart from wanting Azazel to come with her, she was very anxious to step into the same palace that had planned her execution, and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to go in by herself, all alone without having flashbacks of that very awful day she had to flee.

“I have something important to attend to,” Azazel came up with an excuse, “forgive me if I sound rude by turning down your favor, but I won’t be able to-”

“Anna?!” Came the surprised tone of Calista who was standing at the front yard, and when Anna turned around to look at her, Calista’s face brightened with delight to see it was really Annalise.

.....

She was finding it a little boring staying inside the palace with nothing to do, and since she couldn’t get rid of Azazel’s face from her head, she decided to take a little walk in the front yard that had been adorned with snow itself.

A few servants could be spotted sweeping the snow away from the threshold and clearing the concrete path. Calista didn’t know she’d get to be surprised with the presence of the two people her mind had been thinking of non-stop.

Anna waved at her from outside, and Calista immediately called the guard.

“Why aren’t you at your post? Go! Open the gate for them!”

“As you say princess Calista.” The guard hurriedly went to open the gate for them.

Anna looked at Azazel who was looking at her as well, his disinterest to come in with her wasn’t something that Anna could ignore, but she couldn’t let him leave just like that.

“You must come in and have even if it’s a cup of tea before you leave. In the Euphrasian palace, we don’t let important guests leave without treating them to something.”

Holding Azazel’s wrist, Anna dragged the baffled white-haired demon with her, and they both stepped in through the gate. Azazel wasn’t particularly sure how he was supposed to avoid this when Anna had dragged him in without warning. He wasn’t ready to see that talkative princess but how can he say it without sounding rude?

The guards and the servants felt their jaws drop the moment Anna walked in. Those who were sweeping were more than shocked with her presence, to the extent their brooms fell from their grasp, which they hurriedly picked back up before the head-maid spots them.

“Isn’t that the cursed Anna?” Whispered a servant to another.

“She looks so different!”

“Who’s the stranger with her?”

“Anna.” Calista’s arms were wide open for Anna, and the grinning lady didn’t hesitate to embrace her as the two of them hugged affectionately in a sisterly manner.

“Surprised?” Anna asked after pulling away and Calista nodded with the excitement displaying in her blue eyes.

“More than surprised.” Her gaze shifted to Azazel who was standing beside Anna, and he was already giving her looks that she shouldn’t say a word to him, but then, Calista wasn’t the type who listened to him in the first place.

“I’m even more surprised to see you here.” She directed her words at Azazel who frowned immediately.

“Care for some tea?”

“We’d love to.” Anna responded on his behalf.

“It’s cold out here, let’s go inside.”

Calista turned around and headed into the palace, and as she did, Azazel suddenly realized the benefits of staying behind. With Calista inviting them both, he’ll find the perfect opportunity to take a look in the palace, and figure out where the Valerian sword is kept.

As much as it hurt his ego to even agree to stay, the advantage that came with it was the only thing pushing him forward.

Anna was the first step to go in, and Azazel followed afterwards.

——–

“What is this place?” Roshan’s voice echoed repeatedly as he made his way into the underground tunnel, his guards following behind him as they scanned the danky area as well.

It smelled of dead vermin and along with it came another very unpleasant smell that nearly made Roshan throw up. Demons had a sense of smell that made every scent five times stronger than that of a normal human being.

The walls had claw marks on them, as well as blood stains that caught Roshan’s every attention, and he took each mark into careful consideration.

Early this morning, Enzo had critically reported on sensing strong black magic somewhere in Euphrasia, and who’s magic could be so toxic if it isn’t Luderick’s.

Making his way in, the place was definitely unhealthy, even for animals, and he didn’t miss the graveyard that was right behind the underground building. Even the spirits here aren’t at peace with the energy, which means Luderick was definitely here.

“So he’s been hiding in Euphrasia.” Roshan muttered to himself, still trying to understand Luderick’s main intention here, but his thoughts were disrupted when one of his guards suddenly rushed over to him.

“Your highness,” the alarm in his voice caught Roshan’s intention immediately, and when he stood before Roshan, he bowed his head.

“There’s something I think you need to see, your Highness.”