Seven Devils and a Rose

Once Alfie left Lord Noah Wakefield's office at the magic research department, she rushed across the courtyard and headed back toward the east wing of the palace. She was walking along the intertwining pathway of the exotic garden when a massive airship floated overhead.

"Wow!" She stared wide-eyed in awe at the sight of the colossal aircraft. Suddenly, she started waving hyperactively, jumping in one place and laughing, hoping to attract the attention of some of the residents travelling in such a beautiful and advanced piece of technology.

Inside this elegant flying machinery, in the luxurious passenger quarters, Lord Victor Rutherford cocked his silver head to one side as he watched the figure waving excitedly up at the ship or, rather, at whoever the little mite could attract the attention of.

Victor chuckled in delight and waved back as his silver eyes zeroed in on the figure, using the lenses' zooming function. Up close, the youth was a cute thing, with dark hair, gorgeous deep-brown eyes, and sensual lips. Not to mention that face, which was damned pretty, to say the least, and Victor was immediately charmed.

"Who are you waving to?" Lord Ethan Sherwood asked from behind.

Victor said, "Just something that caught my attention."

Ethan raised a brow. "Oh?" Interested, the lord came over to the window and cast his eyes on the scenery. Below was the massive structure of the palace of Acaedien, with dots of people going about tending to their business.

Ethan said, "I don't see anything interesting. It's the same as usual."

Victor, his eyes still on the youth who was now striding along the pathway directly toward the east wing of the palace, said, "Not everything is the same as usual. Each new day brings new possibilities, Ethan, and I particularly look forward to this one."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Every time we visit another kingdom, you return with some weird quotes and newly adopted manners."

Victor shrugged his broad shoulders. "Can't be helped. Other cultures fascinate me, and I get influenced by them easily." He laughed.

"Having known you for over two thousand years," Ethan said, "yes, I agree with that."

Once the little mite was out of his sight, Victor finally turned his attention to his friend and said, "We're about to land. Let's get ready."

Some twenty minutes later, the airship landed in Acaedien Airport, which was located some distance behind the perimeter of Acaedien Castle. Once preparation was done, the two lords, along with their ten staff members, disembarked the aircraft and headed toward the palace via elegant horse drawn carriages.

Geoffrey met them at the main entrance of the castle, and the trio, along with their respective staff numbering fifty in total, immediately headed toward the meeting room on the seventh floor, along with the ministers of the kingdom, to report on what had transpired regarding the treaties between the Acaedien Kingdom and that of Wulin.

By the time the meeting was over, nightfall was upon them. Thus, Lord Ethan and Victor, along with Geoffrey, met up with the other four lords for dinner in the dining hall located in the north wing where their quarters were.

As usual, Geoffrey took the seat at the head of the table while to his left side were Noah, Ethan, and Victor. To his right were Felix, Caleb, and Aaron.

Swirling a glass of red wine in his hand, Ethan said to Noah sitting beside him, "You look like shit."

Noah wasn't offended by Ethan's words, since the lord was known to be very blunt, after all.

Noah gave out a big yawn as he waved his hand in the air. He said, "I was up all day and night for over two months straight, working."

"Like usual, eh?" Victor said, chuckling. "I hope you're not neglecting to look after yourself again. Do you even eat properly?"

Noah said, "I'm fine. I had one of the best meals I've ever had this morning."

In fact, he was still thinking about it, the exotic fried rice made by Alfie. He couldn't wait to have more, Alfie having promised to cook for him.

While they chatted, a mountain of dishes of luxurious food items were laid on the table, and as the lords had their evening meal, they discussed the nation's affairs.

It was three hours later when they finished and headed toward the common hot spring to bathe. After they all stripped naked and their bodies were scrubbed clean with heavenly scented magic shower gel, the lords—with their muscular, hunky bodies glistening and dripping wet—got into the hot spring, taking up their favorite spots around the large pool.

Geoffrey was at the back near the cascading waterfall, resting comfortably against a boulder. To the left of the pool was Felix, his large, powerful body relaxing against the side while his head lay back, his eyes closed. Caleb was opposite Felix to the right, doing the exact same thing. Both Noah and Aaron were next to each other, their heads resting on their arms, their eyes closed. Noah was obviously half-asleep, while Aaron was groaning in pain. The youngest lord still hadn't recovered from the severe beating he had received from Felix and Caleb during the morning battle practice. Victor was sitting a few feet away from Caleb, and beside him was Ethan. They, too, relaxed as they enjoyed the nourishing hot spring.

Victor cocked his head to one side as he eyed the half-dead Aaron with amusement. He said, chuckling, "Your dark qi is low today, Aaron. What happened?"

Geoffrey chuckled. He said, "It looks like he's been through a tough battle practice this morning."

Aaron gave out another painful groan. He couldn't help it. After all, his body was aching something severe. He was sure that if he hadn't happened to be a demon lord with such immense dark qi, he'd be dead by now.

He said, "Those bastards Felix and Caleb. How cruel of them to gang up on me."

Felix snorted, running his fingers sexily through his wet hair from the top of the forehead back. He grinned darkly as he said, "It just goes to show you need more practice with your martial arts skills, Aaron."

Caleb, splashing water against his naked, massive, muscular chest adorned with battle scars, nodded in agreement. "You're severely lacking in that arena. Would you like me to give you a few lessons?"

Aaron lifted his blond head and glared at Caleb and then Felix. "You two are taking it out on me because you're pissed I've had Alfie all to myself for the past few days."

Felix said, "If you know, then don't go around sneaking behind other people's backs next time."

Aaron snorted. "Ha! You don't own Alfie. The boy is my best buddy, and spending time together is natural."

Ethan said, "Why are you men fighting over this Alfie? From what I've heard so far, he's just a human boy, isn't he?"

Victor said, "Personally, I'm intrigued. I would like to meet this Alfie, too. I want to know why you three are so possessive of him."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Don't get involved, Victor. Seriously, if it was a beautiful woman, then I'd understand. But for God's sake, this is a human boy."