The Diabolical

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GISELE’S POV

“Galvan? Who gave you that bruise?” Galvan looks up at me with a nonchalant expression.

“This? Someone from school, but it’s alright. Anyway, I am here for my lesson. Where is princess Kiera? She should be here right now.” My uncle is trying to change the subject.

“What is the name of the demon who hurt you?” Galvan tried to divert my attention, but I grabbed his arm and waited for him to confess.

“It’s Victor! The guy's name is Victor, okay?! Happy? Are you happy now?” I released my hand from his arm and sighed.

“Did you start it?” Galvan shook his head no.

“Don’t tell my mom, but school has never been kind to me. The teachers, the students- they all see me as a hindrance.” I see.

“Is it because the devil favors your mother?” Galvan nodded.

“Is Victor one of the mistress’s children?” Again, Galvan nodded.

“Is it alright for us to never talk about this? The bruise won’t be there for long. After all, I can heal myself.“ I hummed.

“Then explain to me why does it take that long for it to heal?” Galvan shrugged his shoulder.

“I am your uncle- you should show me some respect!” I raised both hands when Galvan used the ‘uncle’ card on me.

“Alright- geez. Chill. I was just curious. Besides, as your niece, I should show that I care.” Galvan sighed.

“Please don’t tell my mom.” I nodded before looking at the door. Where is the princess? What took her so long to come?

“Anyways, Galvan, why did you make the princess cry?” Galvan seems too confused.

“I never have such things.” I chuckled before explaining what happened, and Galvan seemed to realize something.

“Wait- she thought that I was looking down on her? I was complimenting her. I mean, I did refer to her as a horse. Aren’t horse such a majestic being?” I- I am speechless.

I thought that I was bad, but Galvan seems to be clueless!

“Galvan- calling another person a horse is an insult. There’s no wonder the princess was crying all alone in the garden. By calling the princess a horse who needs to be trimmed, you tell the princess to cut her hair or something. And the princess is quite fond of her hair too.” Galvan seems a bit flustered.

“But my father told me that’s the way to compliment a girl.” Seriously? I don’t know what to say to that.

“Galvan, that is not how you get the girl. It would be best if you showed you care, and you need to show that you’re trying to get her attention. You shouldn’t call anyone a horse or any animal. That’s an insult. Your father could get any woman he likes because he used black magic or hypnosis to lure any woman into being on his side. Do not use his pointers. It will be your death.” Galvan sighed heavily.

“I should have known better than trusting the devil. What should I do now? Will Kiera hate me forever?” Hold on-

“Wait, you like Kiera? Why?” Galvan shrugged his shoulder.

“You have to admit that the princess is cute and bubbly. Kiera doesn’t hate me, and she’s fun to be with.” Really? Is the princess bubbly? Like for real? I- I lost count of how many times I’ve been speechless today.

“Galvan, you do you. And try to apologize to the princess. I’m sure she will understand your reason by calling her a horse.” I want to laugh at this child, but I hold it in. Relax, Gisele- don’t ruin this moment for the child.

“You look like you’re about to laugh at me. It’s alright if you want to, you know. At this point, nothing surprises me anymore.” That sounds so sad.

“Why would you think I will laugh at my uncle? Before I could do that, your mother would have sent her minions to end me.” I remember how mean-looking one of the mistress’s bodyguards is. Well, she is, after all, the main wife of the devil.

Of course, she needs someone to protect her at all times. Those women that aim for the main wife's throne are vicious! Even my mother would say they are willing to kill each other for the Devil’s affection. I think it’s stupid because the devil doesn’t care about them.

“Gisele, the princess is here. I think it’s alright for us to start the lesson.” Huh? When did she arrive?

“Where were you?” I asked the princess.

“I was with my mother. Why? Are you going to tell the empress that she should obey our lesson time?” I nodded.

“Yes- the empress should know that it’s important to be punctual.” My words wipe off the smirk on the princess’s mouth almost immediately.

“I forgot that you’re not someone who has any fear.” I smiled.

“Empress or not, everyone should commit to what they agreed to do in the first place. And since you’re late, you have to be punished.” It’s my turn to smirk.

“What?! You can’t do that to me! I am the princess of this empire- your future empress. I should be forgiven immediately.“ I shake my head no with a smile.

“You’re too naive. Even princesses need to be disciplined once or twice in their lifetime. And do not use your royalty card to me. Because I’m the type of person who hates those who didn’t even bother to try to make a name for themselves.” Kiera takes a step back.

“I want you to run for ten laps with no rest. Build up your stamina so that you can hold a sword properly.” I turned to Galvan.

“And as a classmate, you have to follow suit. Run ten laps with no rest, Galvan.” Galvan wanted to say something, but I winked at the child.

“Use this chance to apologize,” I whispered before going to the middle of the training room.

“Well, are you going to start running, princess? The time is running out!” I raised my voice and watched as the princess started running around the room.

THE UNDERWORLD

Where is it? I looked around, and I couldn’t find the children's room. Do I have to keep walking down these stairs? What if I ended up in the pits of Hell?

“Do you have a certain destination in mind?” A voice suddenly said behind me.

“I was looking for a kid named Victor.” I was shocked to see the mistress and the devil standing behind me.

“Why are you looking for Victor?” The devil asked.

“Because I want to meet him? Do I need a reason to see a child of your scandals?” The devil made a face and said,

“It doesn’t matter. But do keep in mind that none of my women are human. They will never hesitate to kill you half-blood.” Why does that sound insulting?

“Lazarus, what did I say about calling Gisele a half-blood?” The devil yields! Wow- I didn’t expect that at all.

“Please ignore what this bastard just said. But I do want to know the reason for you to see Victor. I don’t think we ever introduce you to the Devil’s children.” I decided to tell the mistress the real reason for my visit.

“I see- so Galvan has been keeping a secret from me. I told you that he’s not suitable for sending to that school. This is what I’m scared of, Lazarus.” The devil wants to say something, but he decides not to.

“Leave now before I turn this place into chaos.” The devil clicked his tongue in annoyance before leaving the both of us alone.

“That was easy. I thought that man would throat a tantrum or something. Anyway, how is Galvan’s progress? Are there any changes in his skills?” Well-

“Do you want me to be honest, or do you want to hear the good part?” The mistress raised an eyebrow.

“The truth.”

“Galvan has no talent in swordsmanship. But there’s nothing I can’t work with. As long as he’s ready and willing to learn, It’s my honor to be his teacher.” The mistress hummed.

“Alright- now; tell me the truth about his bullying. Did he say anything else?” I shake my head no.

“Galvan only gave me the attacker’s name.” The mistress smiled.

“Do what you must as the child’s teacher. I’ll handle the consequences.” The mistress excuses herself after giving me her permission to do whatever I want. Now, if only I can find-

Suddenly a group of children walks out from a room, talking as loud as they can about what they want to do to the mistress’s son in plain sight. I smiled when I saw a child named Victor is among them. I decided to take action by grabbing Victor’s collar and smiling.

“What is wrong with you! Let me go!

My mother will hear about this! How dare a servant grabs me by the collar!” I slapped Victor across the face to let him shut up for a second.

“Stop barking, will you? Are you Victor? Because I want to give you a warning.” I released the child’s collar when I saw a woman appear from the crowd.

“Mother! This woman is crazy! She suddenly grabbed me by the collar!” The woman looked at me from head to toe before she scoffed.

“You’re Rona’s child. I heard stories about you, but why are you here harassing my child? This is low even for you.” Low?

“I suggest that you should go and learn from someone who knows how to be a parent because your child doesn’t know how to respect others. Did you know what he did that made me do this?” I asked the woman back. I’m not sure what kind of creature she is since she looks exactly like a human.

“What?! Kids made mistakes so they could learn from their past. Why are you here, hurting my son?! I’m sure whatever he did doesn’t give you any right to hurt him!” I’m sick and tired of meeting parents who do anything to protect their children even though they did something wrong.

Can’t they act like grown-ups and accept that their child is not perfect? Even my mother knows her boundary.

“So, are you saying it’s okay for your beast to hurt others?” The woman glared at me when I referred to her child as a beast.

“Watch your tongue! How dare you-“ I didn’t wait for the woman to finish her sentences when I sent her back with a hard kick on her stomach. It’s been a while since I used my limbs to fight others. Normally I would use my sword or daggers.

“Mother! What have you done to my mother?!” Victor was about to run towards his mother when I grabbed him by the neck and smiled.

“Where are you going? Your mom said it’s okay to hurt others. I’m just returning the favor. After all, you did do the same to Galvan.” Victor gasped for air as I continued to squeeze his neck.

“I was permitted to do whatever I wanted. So hey- this is going to be a long day for all of us.” I threw the child against the wall and turned my attention to others. Some of them cried, and some tried to act tough, but I know they were scared.

“My son! Don’t hurt my son!” Oh- that woman is a serpent? Interesting. I watched as the serpent went to Victor and began to cover his body.

“I could kill you, but I won’t because the child still needs its mother. But do know this- if Galvan suddenly finds himself in trouble again with your son, I will not hesitate to kill both you and your son.” I smiled before turning my back to them.

It’s almost time for me to see my mother anyway.

“Oh- one last thing.” I looked over my shoulder and said,

“I’m not afraid of the devil. The devil should be scared of me.”