Chapter 44: THE DISCUSSION OF A KING AND QUEEN (VARZIEL’S POV)
The meeting droned on for an hour or so more before the generals finally wrapped up all they had to report. Varziel was still holding onto the fabric General Morvath had brought to the meeting. The situation itself stumped him. Ever since he became the demon king, there had been so many matters he had to take care of. However, they were all straightforward matters. He always knew when the High Lords were acting out. He always figured out when the skirmishes in the towns and villages were caused by protests for better lives.
However, for the first time since he became king, he truly had no idea what the origin of the disturbance in the South could be. If those who had been sighted truly were dabbling in odd magic, they could very well be putting his kingdom at risk. They may not have killed anyone this time, but if it was dark magic, then they would come to need sacrifices soon.
They needed to figure out the origin and nip it in the bud before something absolutely horrible happened. The fabric in his hand felt like it burned his skin. He turned it over in his fingers, the coarse texture somewhat rough against his skin.
Varziel absolutely hated not knowing.
After bowing, the generals and their assistant generals filed out of the grand chamber, leaving the king and queen seated. Varziel’s eyes were fixed on the table as his thoughts swirled, trying to get an answer to the questions that were running through his mind.
Who was to say that the High Lords would not go out of their way to ensure that their displeasure over his marriage partner was well expressed? Would they really use such underhanded means to get what they want? Dark magic had been prohibited ever since he came into power, but that did not mean that some might have gotten their hands on tomes that would teach them this.
His temples throbbed softly as his mind ran a mile a minute.
Arella, still seated beside him, watched him closely but did not make a sound. Echo, her ever faithful companion, huffed softly and settled his head on Arella’s lap. She made no move to remove him. His huff, however, brought Varziel out of his thoughts.
"You’re very quiet." Arella broke the silence. Her light tone had an undertone of concern. For him.