Seven Devils and a Rose

It had been over two weeks since I'd been transported into the Aurora Realm and had now entered the palace of the Acaedien Kingdom after that dangerous drama back in the woods. I must admit that I was quite fortunate that Aria had suggested I take refuge in her, Leona, and Brenna's quarters—and that I didn't end up living with Lord Aaron or sleeping rough in the streets.

These quarters, which were located in the east wing of the palace, were like a millionaire's apartment of sorts. Here, each girl had her own bedchamber with an en-suite bathing and dressing chamber—which were massive and very elegant, like those in a French castle.

The quarters also had an enormous sitting room with luxurious furnishings fit for a queen, a common bathing chamber complete with a hot spring pool, and a modern, millionaire-like kitchen very similar to ours back home, in which the girls could cook if they felt like it. Although the palace itself had five separate cafeterias, one in each wing, which catered to staff working and residing inside the palace. Of course, there were numerous restaurants and roadside stands within the city as well, offering many different types of cuisines for all sort of tastes.

In order to pay and contribute for my living expenses—because I didn't want to leech off the girls' kindness—I offered to become their house cleaner, even though I knew very well that they weren't short in that department since they had maids. This was because I couldn't start work at the palace's library yet since I didn't know how to read and write in the Aurora language, which was the first language of the Aurora Realm.

Naturally, the girls refused that I become their cleaner, despite my insistence. In the end, I became their cook instead, since they fell in love with my food after I had cunningly let them have a taste of my heavenly creations of oriental cuisine. Bibimbap!

Personally, I thought that bibimbap was the perfect sample for the job of a cook, especially when my target audience were females. They, like me, always took health and calories into consideration when it comes to food. Bibimbap, after all, was full of an assortment of sautéed and steamed vegetables laid over a bed of steamed white rice. Healthy, easily filled the tummy, and, of course, wouldn't add many calories to the body. Perfect!

Thus, it came down to cooking the girls' lunch and dinner five days a week, except for Saturday and Sunday, until I could read and write the Aurora language fluently, which Lord Aaron had kindly offered to teach me in exchange for cooking him lunch daily.

I sighed as I lay there on the couch, staring up at the chandelier above me with my awesome military contact lenses zooming in on the beautiful crystals. Oddly enough, no one had requested their return yet, and furthermore, I had learned to switch off the night vision function by blinking twice and applying a light pressure on my right temple at the same time. Hence, my nights now were dark as they normally were, except for when I wanted to see or find something, which was quite convenient.

Suddenly, Brenna's face appeared above me, blocking my view of the crystals. She asked, "What's wrong, Alfie?"

She must have heard my disheartened sigh earlier.

I said, "I just remembered I have to cook for the lords this Sunday."

Yes, that was me all right, doing my best to get into Lord Geoffrey's good graces in order to lure him into becoming my ally. Not to mention Lord Noah as well, who seems to like my cooking. I even received a few gifts from him, too. That golden pill had been sweet and very delicious, and I wished I could get my hands on another one. It was like a multivitamin, so it wouldn't do any harm except for the fact that it would keep my body healthy.

Aria put the book she was reading down on her lap and then said, "I'll be glad to help if you need any, Alfie."

Leona nodded in agreement as she put her cup of tea down. "I'm free as well, so just ask."

I nodded, telling them that I'd need their help. I had heard that the lords had big appetites, and I had to make sure that they were fully satisfied with my food.

I turned my attention to Brenna, who was now sitting on the sofa next to me. Her presence suddenly reminded me of last night's episode when I had been with Caleb and, of course, this afternoon when I had been with Felix. In a very short span of time, I had been wildly and passionately kissed by two demon lords.

Tentatively, I touched my lips, still slightly swollen from the kisses. The intoxicating, sensual advances had not only driven me quite senseless with pleasure, but awakened something deep inside me, as well as scaring me shitless. It had felt like the two lords were leading me toward this unknown, sinfully dark realm that both frightened and excited me.

Once again, my heart skipped while thinking about the lords, remembering the heat and hardness of their bodies against me, and I felt my tummy flutter and my cheeks blush hot.

Not wanting to lose myself daydreaming about the two men, I pushed the image of both Caleb and Felix away from my mind and asked Brenna, "By the way, how's your sister doing?"