His Majesty & Daughters Of The Seven Sins

Chapter 05 • Father And Son

Lamia's frown slowly faded into a smirk as she pulled back her hand, retracting her long nails.

"Hello, Prince Lucien. What brings you here?" She held her waist, offering him a cocky smile.

Lucien pulled back his sword, sheathing it. "I should be asking you that. It is my kingdom after all."

"And why would the almighty Prince Lucien Creed of the Thembelo Empire be in one of the most remote and smallest villages of his entire kingdom?"

Lucien shrugged, "Taking a walk. I can see you're back on your unhealthy midnight diet again."

Lamia rolled her eyes toward the children, "What can I say? I need a balanced meal to maintain this beauty," she waved at her perfectly smooth face.

Lucien gave her a bored look, gazing at the children who shivered on the ground. He eyed Lamia, "Well, maintain your diet in another kingdom," he waved his hand close to the children's heads—they instantly fell unconscious, collapsing onto the ground.

"Ugh! Oh, cousin, why do you always have to be so uptight!?" Lamia grimaced.

Lucien stepped to the side, picking up the bag of bloody remains of the children's late mother. He tossed the bag in Lamia's direction, "There, manage that for your diet. Don't touch the children."

"Oh, so now you care about these human children who illegally migrated to your kingdom?"

"No, I care about the panic you will create among my other subjects. That will lead to my human meat ration being shortened for a period of time. I don't want any disruptions in my royal diet."

Lamia hissed, folding her arms. Lucien gazed at his spoiled little cousin, then said, "Go home now, Lamia. I am sure you have better, more useless things to do, like pursuing the washerman."

Lamia scowled, grinding her teeth. "Oh, give it a break, Lucien! It was just one time!"

"Well, make it two. Leave!" He was getting bored.

Lamia stomped her feet like a spoiled child. "Ugh! Can I at least take the small one?" She pointed at the young girl.

"No."

"Not even an arm?"

"No."

"Fist?"

"No."

"Two fingers?"

"Lamia!"

"Ugh, fine! I am leaving!" She raised her hand in surrender, then added. "But... only if you promise me a favor."

"Really? A favor? Grow up, Lamia."

"Just this once! Please, cousin Lucien!" She cooed, folding her hands in a prayer pose. She bit her lip into an innocent look. "It's just a small favor. What could I possibly ever ask for that you cannot get in a snap of your fingers?"

"Nothing."

"Exactly! So please!!!"

Lucien stared at her, shaking his head. "Fine. I promise you a favor. One. Just one. And it expires by the next full moon."

"What!? That is in six nights from now!"

"Exactly. So think fast." Without giving her another chance to speak, he picked the children up by their collars—two in each fist—carrying them like pieces of rags.

He strode away, leaving Lamia behind. Without turning back, he reached his black horse, mounted it, and rode away.

Lamia stared at her cousin riding away with a bored look. Then she hissed, looking down at the bag of the woman's body parts. She scrunched her face, kicking the bag next to her.

She shrieked in disgust. "Ew! I'd rather sleep hungry, blah!" She turned around—her body dissolving into dust, disappearing into thin air.

~

Approaching the large palace gates, Lucien pulled his horse to a halt—the gates instantly opened as all the guards behind it bowed their heads. His horse strode in slowly.

He dismounted from his horse, signaling his guard to return it to the stable.

He then walked straight into the palace with the four children still held in his fingers—like a hunter's trophy. He walked down the hallway and into the throne living room.

"Evening, son," his father, King Albert Creed, called as he stood not too far away, taking a sip of wine. Lucien paused and turned to him, "Evening, Father."

His father lazily shifted his gaze to his son's hands. His brows knitted, "Who are those for?" At that moment, a servant woman walked into the room, stepping forward to help take off Prince Lucien's coat.

"A simpleton's," Lucien answered his father's question.

"And why are they here?"

Lucien allowed the servant to take off his coat—then dumped the children on the floor. "They are my new slaves, father."

Lucien then turned to the servant woman who cast her eyes down. "Judith, take them. They will be up by sunrise. Monitor them and train them for their duties in the palace from now on."

"Yes, your majesty," she bowed.

With the help of a nearby guard, they took the unconscious children out of the room, leaving Lucien and his father.

The king then spoke, "What took you out at this time? Without your guards, to be exact."

Lucien, with a bored look, padded up to the liquor counter in the room. "Since when did you become concerned about my safety?"

"Since you were born as my son", Albert frowned. "What were you doing in the remote human village at this time of the night? You know that's where the witches hunt at night."

Lucien shook his head, pouring himself a drink. "Bold of you to think I, the only son and heir to your throne, fear lurking lowlives in the name of witches. Do not insult me, father."

Albert shook his head, "Just because you are immortal does not mean you cannot be killed. Humans can be very devious and sly... Especially to their own royalty. You have to understand that being—"

"Spare me the torture, Father!" He took a swig of his drink, "Sons are usually have overprotective mothers, but mine is different."

"That's because those same humans you walk around with, feeling powerful over, connived and murdered her in cold blood."

"We can keep saying that until we believe it."

"Watch your tone, Lucien!" Albert clinched.

Lucien rolled his eyes, finishing up the last of his drink, "Good night, Father. I had a very long day, and I don't have time for this. You can continue lying to yourself to console your conscience about my mother, your wife, our queen's death. But we all know the fact that it was you who bears the responsibility of her death. All because of your poor judgment and failure as a king and husband."

Lucien dropped the glass on the surface, striding straight to the door. "Lucien! Lucien! Lucien! I order you to stop!" Albert shouted, but Lucien plainly ignored him and walked out, unbothered.

The king grunted, throwing his golden wine cup to the floor in anger.