Demon Prince's Forsaken Bride-Chapter 43: Ghost Town (3)

’’Ah, My Lord, let me go!" Lareina spoke up.

Azrael was startled by the soft voice and the gentle push that came his way. She had pushed him countless times before but those seemed to have the intent to push him to death. Right now, however, her shove was gentle, like that of a shy wife who was reluctant to let her husband go.

Azrael could not understand where it all came from but seeing her shy posture and hearing her coy voice, he felt like his heart was scratched by a cat. Bit by bit.

He had yet to recover from her behavioral change when Lareina bit her lips and rubbed her flat stomach, ’’The baby moved.’’

’’_"

The guide seemed to have an understanding of the situation and he quickly nodded with a smile but soon, he discovered that the lady’s declaration had turned the entire family mute.

The in-laws, the lady’s sister, her sister-in-law and even the soon-to-be father himself seemed to be struck dumb.

In the end, Azrael beat everyone to it and while the rest of them were still shocked, he collected himself, ’’Where did you learn to act this way?" he leaned in to whisper in Lareina’s ear.

His sarcastic statement made her want to retort but the nauseous feeling only seemed to grow, having her shut her mouth immediately.

Suddenly, the arm around her waist tightened and her face was pressed in Azrael’s chest. His scent lingered, a mix of smoke and cedar, like the quiet aftermath of a wildfire—dangerous, intoxicating, and impossible to ignore.

He did not seem like flowers, nor was it any of those essences or fragrances she was familiar with but whatever it was, it seemed to calm her nerves. As much as Lareina hated it, she clung to him all the way till the guide led them to their table that was located in the center of the tavern.

And she did not know if it was an illusion but his steps seemed awfully slow and careful, and his hand that was resting on her back seemed to stroke her skin very subtly.

Had Lareina opened her, she would have realized that the rest of the people had long made their way to the table. Only Azrael, under the crowd’s scrutinizing gaze walked with measured steps.

They were occupying a medium round table that occupied the six of them while the guide excused himself, with the promise of meeting them by the time they finished the meal.

Azrael pulled the chair for Lareina and once she was seated, her hand was grabbed under the table. She felt a smooth sensation. When she pulled her hand up, it was a silk handkerchief resting in her palm.

’’Tell me if it does not make you feel better. We would leave this place right away,’’ the man looked at her solemnly.

The rest of the people were shocked at his declaration, ’’We must not...! We have put so much effort into our disguises to blend in the crowd and understand what is going on. How can we step out just like that?" Moira was the first one to protest.

’’I will figure out another way,’’ Azrael’s brows seemed to have been tugged in a permanent frown.

Lareina did not know if it was the sickness but her mind felt a little fuzzy at his words. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

She leaned in towards him, a little comforted by his scent.

Her small movement did not go unnoticed by him as the man lowered his head to hear what she had to say.

’’Thank you,’’ her lips barely moved and her voice was quieter than a mosquito’s but when she sat straight, she saw a sardonic smile tugging at his lips.

’’It would be a lot of trouble if you died in the middle of a mission,’’ the words slipped past his mouth in neither a loud nor a soft voice.

Lareina was stunned for a moment before she clutched the fabric of her clothes in her fist, averting her gaze from him.

If Lareina’s barely audible ’thank you’ was missed by everyone at the table, Azrael’s words were heard by everyone.

Moira lowered her head, a smile quirking on her lips. Azrael’s subordinates sat there stone-faced, one could not read their thoughts while Rosie looked over at her in concern.

"Brothers, it is almost nighttime. I am leaving now. I will see you all again another day,’’ The urgent voice of the man caught everyone’s attention from around the adjacent tables. He had a tall and lanky figure. His hair had been haphazardly tied in a braid with a thread and his appearance was rather unkempt.

’’What? So what if it is night? Are you scared of such things? We have gathered around here for business purposes after so long. Sit with us!" One of the friends whom the man addressed spoke up, his voice rather loud and mocking.

Since the place was small, their conversation was heard by most of the people present over there.

"Yes, I am scared. So what of it? You people have been travelling in the recent years so you don’t know of it. But I have a wife and child at home. The realm is at peace after the war ended but our town has never been peaceful. Who does not know that? So what if I want to preserve my life?" The lanky man pressed, seemingly ready to leave.

And in the loudness, nobody noticed the veins popping on Azrael’s neck as pressed his fist on his knee, his knuckles resembling a deathly shade of white. He seemed to have been caught up in an internal battle.

’’Why brother? What is the problem in staying here for the night?" a traveller from another table could not help but

The lanky man turned to the traveller but in the end, he only uttered a few words, ’’It is dangerous...’’ his voice lowered a little as he looked outside at the darkening sky, ’’Dangerous...’’ his voice lowered into a whisper but for the high ranking demons like Azrael or his subordinates, It was not difficult to catch those words.

But while the subordinates had been paying attention, their master was far from attentive, caught in his internal struggles.