I Scored Myself A Mate

It didn't take them much longer to reach the feudal lords estate it was deep into the night though. The village while they traveled through it was quiet, only a few opened lights on some humble houses and the galloping of the horses sounded much louder now that the sounds of nature were distant. The carriages stopped in front of the entrance, but only two of them since the carriage that Asmodeus with Mark's body were in had stopped in the woods, right before the beginning of the village. They had wished for the purpose of their journey to remain secret since meddling with forbidden magic such a necromancy was illegal. For now, they were using the visit to the troll swamp as an excuse. 

When the royal family arrived and got out of their carriages they found a whole group of people waiting for them. Maids, soldiers and the lord stood at the entrance of the luxurious mansion with smiles on their faces anticipating their arrival. Leaving so far from the palace probably they hadn't had the chance to celebrate his return so vividly like everyone else. 

"Welcome, my King." The lord said with a smiled and made a deep bow. "My name is Eras. I am honored to have you in my humble residence tonight." He told him his words dripping with honey. He looked like he was in his mid-forties. Tall with white short hair and brown eyes. His figure was well preserved and he only had a few wrinkles around his eyes to signal his age. Eras looked very lively but there was something in his eyes that immediately annoyed Allias. A certain glow that made him shiver. He faked a smile his eyes scanning his staff, everyone seemed to be in a good mood too. Except one person. A young girl barely twenty years old. She stood next to the lord, dressed in a very fancy dark blue dress. Her blonde hair was up, with curls surrounding her cute face and her dark brown eyes faced the ground, looking at the mud. The lord noticed where the king's eyes rested and looked at the girl, nudging her, she shook and looked up, forcing a smile. "This is my wife. Mira." He said and the girl bowed too. 

"It's nice to meet you. Unfortunately, due to some events I haven't been able to meet the lords in my land. I am quite happy that I was given the chance to meet you first." Allias said and the lord beamed with happiness with his words.

"Oh, you're fluttering me. Please come in. You must be tired. We have prepared baths for you and our best guest houses. I am sure they will please you. Once you are all settled if you would do us the honor of joining our table." He said and stepped to the side for Allias to walk in first. The king couldn't explain it. That man was simply too happy, too filled with smiles. He looked at him again, smiling as he accepted his offer for dinner. 

"It would be our pleasure." Allias responded as they stood at the entrance of the mansion. They were on a small hall while a very wide and long staircase began just a few steps away from them. On their sides were many different doors and on the way back, on the left side an old looking door creaked open. The lord looked at it for a second, his body stiffening before he rushed to close it. 

"It's the basement. There is mold lately so we keep the door closed. It seems to have a very bad odor." He told them and Allias immediately brushed it off. He didn't really care about the problems of the house. All he wanted was to take a warm bath and relax his muscles from being crumped in the small carriage all this time. 

"That must be very unpleasant."

"It is. But let us not talk about such boring matters. We have prepared four bedrooms for you…."

"Two bedrooms will be fine." Theseus interrupted the lord and Ares nodded behind him. The man looked at him for a second as if he was struggling to recognize him. He didn't seem to be pleased that some stranger had just cut him off. 

"And who are you?" he asked him rudely and Allias was surprised. He didn't know Theseus? He was the one who ruled the Kingdom while he was gone. 

"I am the crown prince of the Disee Tribe. Theseus. This is my brother, the prince, Ares and this is his husband Ea." He told the lord with a cold expression.

"Hus…husband?" the man wondered and for a second he seemed to be perplexed. The moment though he noticed that Allias was staring at him he straightened up, coughing and then smiling immediately. "As you wish. Forgive my insolence we will place you to the rooms of your liking. My wife will show you to your rooms. If you'll excuse me until dinner." He said and when Allias gave him permission he rushed towards the old door at the back. The maids too slowly scattered the young girl remaining with two soldiers following her close behind. 

"Please follow me." She said with a forced smile. No one seemed to noticed. Theseus was scanning the house while Ea was chatting with Ares but there was definitely something wrong with this girl. Why were there two soldiers following her around at her own estate? He wondered as they got up the stairs. 

The woman showed Ea and Ares their room first and told the first soldier to go and bring them some towels. He looked unwilling but she told them it was for a king and the man left her side for the first time, pacing down the stairs in a hurry. Then his and Theseus' room followed but before the woman opened the door she turned at the second soldier. She asked him to go down to the kitchen and bring something else. Allias didn't hear well. When one of them was leaving the king could already see the other going up the stairs. The girl's eyes widened, as she seemed very anxious. 

She opened the door and Theseus walked in without a second thought, Allias tried to mimic him and seclude himself for a while when the girl grabbed his arm and stopped him. Allias looked at her confused. She seemed desperate, shaking with fear. 

"Please save me. He will kill me." She whispered and Allias froze. She let go of the king in a hurry as the soldier finally reached them. She smiled brightly, concealing her terrified expression. "Please rest and call me if you need everything." Mira said before she left.