1 I Said No

"I said no, Your Majesty," a deep male voice echoed through the air.

A dark, gloomy castle towered against a crimson evening sky high on a mountain cliff. The sun was just about to bid farewell for the day. It showered the surroundings with all the light and energy its rays still had in them. The deep blue ocean waters rushed toward the shore in large, unruly waves. They broke against the sharp edges of the rocks beneath the castle walls with a fierce roar. Drops of water soared into the salty air, and thick foam formed as the water crashed against the rocks.

Inside the grandest of halls, a long blackwood table was set for a festive meal. The freshest assorted seafood, a variety of vegetables, and even the most exquisite types of fruit lay on the table, waiting to be eaten. And there was so much meat. It had been baked, roasted, fried, grilled, and Fiend knows what else, especially for the occasion.

At the head of the table, a gigantic man sat with a golden crown on his head. Only the white color of his hair and beard gave away his old age. His dark spiraling horns were engulfed in wisps of pitch-black energy. The king was sitting on his throne with his hands clasped together, deep in thought. His eyes were closed. Right beside him was the queen with a poorly concealed scowl on her face.

Despite over a hundred other demons present, the endless room was silent. As if afraid to breathe, the guests sitting at the table were still, waiting. A younger man stood before the king, his head held high. Finally, the king opened his cold blue eyes. His gaze was so piercing that it seemed he was staring deep within the soul.

"You can have unlimited power, endless strength, constant support, and infinite wealth on just one condition," the king announced. "You need only accept the Great Fiend's contract."

"Your Majesty, I will not forever be in the Great Fiend's debt. So, no, thank you. My personal freedom is worth more than that."

"Say that again, my son, crown Prince Remien of Deminion," the king commanded, his low voice rumbling through the hall.

"Your Majesty," the prince began. "I cannot fulfill your wish and reign over the lands. Not yet. I need time and knowledge. I am asking for the freedom to travel the world, learn and hone my skills first. I would like to leave tonight."

The queen gasped, dropping her glass. It landed on the fine marble floor, shattering into a million pieces. The guests exchanged glances. There were a few murmurs of disapproval, but they quickly died down. Again, an eerie silence descended.

"This is madness! How dare you?!" The queen stood up, her pale hands shaking. Her dark blue eyes were colder than permafrost, the pointy horns on her head sharp and menacing. The black curtain of curly hair framing the woman's face made those eyes look even deadlier. "This was supposed to be the most important day of your life, Remien. The date for your contract was to be set and announced. Your whole family gathered here just for this! And you! What have you done?! You have neglected your responsibilities to the point where your subjects have forgotten you exist. Nobody can remember your face.

You have brought shame on yourself. This is an unimaginable disgrace to the royal family! And to think that this house has done so much for you! Yet, you have forgotten it all already. Are you throwing all your opportunities away just like that? Don't you have any respect for the family that raised you?! Oh, Great Fiend, you are 18 years old! As the eldest son, you have an obligation to fulfill your duties to the kingdom, no matter the circumstances. You should be stripped of your title. A new heir has to be named at once and..."

The king slammed his fist down on the table. The dishes jumped up a considerable distance in the air before settling back down again. A large crack in the table ran from the place it was hit right to its very center.

"Silence!" the king bellowed, furrowing his bushy eyebrows. His loud voice crashed into the glass tableware like an invisible wave. It vibrated with a low, cowardly hum. "Since Her Majesty is not feeling well, she must retire to her living quarters. At once. Otherwise, her condition will worsen."

The queen lowered her eyes.

"My apologies. It must be the weather. I will take my leave now, if I may."

The king gave a dismissive wave, and she slowly left the hall, her many-layered skirts rustling around her legs with every small step she took. She wasn't hesitating. It was just that her extremely long dress didn't allow her to move any faster.

"Remien. Explain yourself," the king ordered.

Remien's lips curled into a smile.

"The Great Fiend might be stronger than me now. I admit I don't have enough experience. However..." Under the scrutiny of over two hundred eyes, the prince's voice remained steady. He lowered his head a fraction of an inch. "I know I can change that. I can achieve all that he is offering and much more. By myself. Without owing him anything.

The Great Fiend can go straight to the Underworld. Oh, but I forgot. He's already there. And I am here! I'm not about to miss my opportunity to surpass him. I will not forever be his servant down in that dump. He officially has my permission to shove his offer up its darkest tunnel."

There was some more deafening silence. The only sound was the creaking chandelier, swayed by a sharp gust of the chilly wind from the open windows.

"Are you asking that of me, the king, with only a slight bow, without even bothering to kneel?"

"Your Majesty, I bow. I don't intend to kneel. I'm asking, not begging," Remien confirmed.

A sudden smile crept onto the king's face. He grinned and was soon roaring with laughter.

"Ah! It has been years since I had such a great laugh! Your confidence has caught my interest," the king said. "You may do as you wish. You shall keep your title. I would love to see what you achieve. And since all members of the royal family have gathered for a party, we shall party. Let it mark the day Crown Prince Remien leaves to see the world."

The king's eyes darted toward the closest of servants.

"Bring us a new table. Now! I don't care where you get it from. Either you find it right away, or death will find you in five minutes, starting now!"

The servants fell to their knees, bowing with their foreheads touching the floor. In mere seconds, they hurried away.

***

Hours later…

The hall was almost empty. All the guests were on their way home, the fancy carriages traveling along the dusty roads. The only two demons left in the room where the king and his royal advisor. The food was gone from the table surface, replaced with papers, folders, envelopes, and scrolls. The king's advisor stood by, handing one document after another.

"Remien will come crawling and begging for forgiveness in no time," the king stated, leafing through a thick folder full of papers.

"Your Majesty, if I may. What if there's a bad influence, and he marches into our lands with an army?" the advisor asked. His eyes were glued to the floor.

"Oh, how I would love to see him try that!" the king exclaimed. A sly smile formed on his lips, his eyes sparkling. "And even more to see him succeed!"

The advisor swallowed hard.

"Look at him go!" The king lifted his eyes to cast a glance out the window as a dark silhouette rode away from the castle walls.

"That demon almost had me fooled at dinner tonight with that clever talk of knowledge, strength, and all. I bet his main reason for leaving was to escape this pile of junk!" the king exclaimed. He nodded at the papers, chuckling to himself. "Well done!"