The Author's POV

Approximately fifty feet beneath the grand hall was a separate space.

Typically, discussions between the parties would be held above the surface, in the main hall. Only rarely would the lower level ever be used.

...and when this occurred, it almost always indicated that something of an extremely grave nature had taken place.

The atmosphere of the bunker was cold and tense. Ten people surrounded a large oval-shaped table that was lit by a single spotlight that shone down on the table's center point.

The tension in the room was almost palpable.

Everyone's attention was directed toward a demon who was dressed in a long black robe and a hood and stood at the opposite end of the table.

He was, Prince Devot. The current Patriarch of the House of Envy.

He silently surveyed the room with a look of contempt. As the others looked back at him expressionlessly.

Behind Prince Devot was another demon, similarly adorning a black hood to cover its features. The demon seemed somewhat out of it, as they held onto the chair to support themselves.

In spite of that, their gaze was currently focused on Priscilla, who was standing behind her grandfather.

Their gaze wasn't a friendly one.

Prince Devot spoke again.

"Judging from how there's only ten of us, the situation is a lot more serious than anticipated."

His voice resounded throughout the room as soft, repeated whispers that uncomfortably tickled the ears of those present.

It caused Priscilla a great of discomfort, but all she could do was remain standing in silence.

"More serious than anticipated?"

One of the seated demons spoke, his voice bordering on amusement. Similarly, there was another figure standing behind him, but compared to the one standing behind Prince Devot, he wasn't wearing a hood, and everyone was able to see the state he was in.

…It wasn't good.

His skin was as white as paper, and he could hardly keep his eyes open. He appeared to be in a lot of pain. It was likely that he would have collapsed to the ground had it not been for the thin white film that was covering his body.

It also seemed like he was being forced to stay awake.

Another demon glared at the demon that spoke.

"Is there something funny about the situation, Prince Arian?"

"I do, I do… Prince Serling."

Prince Arian covered his mouth to hide his smile while addressing Prince Serling.

"You may not find it amusing, but it's nothing short of amusing to me."

Unable to hold it in anymore, he started cackling out loud.

I never would've expected to..Kek…see a day where you

the demons displayed any reaction to the behavior he was displaying. It was

"Are you done laughing?"

at Prince Arian, he looked toward Prince Valling of the House of

His eyes immediately narrowed.

his gaze, Prince Valling

something the matter, Prince Aton? You seem to be looking at my successor an awful

smile lingered on Prince Valling's face as he addressed Prince Aton. He didn't seem too bothered by the fact that everyone was now

to be more

been displaying up until this point as he looked around at the others and

something the matter? Have you all been

"Charm?"

and crystalline floated through the air. Instantaneously, the two demons who were standing behind Prince Devot and

of Prince Devot's hand, and he then turned to address the person who was responsible for the little

the time for your

as anything but the word 'beautiful', Princess Rhan, the head

being clinked

respond to the comment made by Prince Valling. While the young lady is indeed beautiful, she still has a long way to go before reaching the point where she

smile on

want to know, however,

immediately, everyone turned to look at Priscilla, who looked around in

you implying that

at her, Prince Valling's

him, unamused. Her eyes extremely

like you didn't

be more specific, toward the vacant seats behind

meeting, and out of everyone

soft tone suddenly took on an iciness as she turned her

"…Is that a coincidence?"

you implying that I'm the one responsible for

face

was with all of you for the past month. Do you really

"That's not it."

lanky demon with short green hair

know that it's impossible for you

meaning was crystal clear as everyone's focus once again shifted

felt everything turn on her

'Wh-at's going on?'

was a

before she knew it, she had

turned out this way? She had no recollection of this ever

being set

that Priscilla is the one

him, taking a good look

I'm well aware of

their eyes,