The Demon Lord Is An Angel
Chapter 136: Interlude - Kordia - Part 4

Chapter 136: Interlude - Kordia - Part 4

"What’s wrong?" her mother asked.

She would be required to forswear all romantic relationships present or future until her wedding day, and magically bound to ensure it. In essence, she would be a hermit, dedicating all her time to the study of magic. The Kordia of one semester ago would have celebrated the thought of being funded through the Academy without having to worry about relationships... but the Kordia of now...

"I can’t sign this... not with this final clause," she pointed at the relationship clause.

For once, her mother seemed to show some sympathy. "Is this about the half-angel boy you’ve been dating?"

"He’s being taken care of," Chancellor Lumin answered before Kordia could speak. "Heaven sent for him and he answered. That, I believe, should be sufficient conclusion to what I assume was a good relationship," she looked pointedly to Kordia.

"No," Kordia said. "No, it is not a conclusion. And no, I don’t want a contract to dictate my heart for any amount of time-"

"Kordia!" her mother shouted, before lowering her voice. "Are you... pregnant?"

Kordia’s mouth flapped for a few moments as she was stunned beyond thought. "What?! No!"

"Then why resist this? It’s giving you what you wanted," her mother asked.

Only because it buys you more time to get what you want...

As she struggled for an answer, her thoughts continued to twist around how alone she felt. How much she missed Rain and Kir. Had relied on their support.

She wanted so badly to have come out of this meeting on top, and she hated how unwilling she’d been to fight for her life once the responsibility for her entire Clan had been shoved onto her shoulders... But at least she could fight for love.

"Because Rain wasn’t the only one I was with!" Kordia snapped.

"What!?" her mother squawked. "Why would you- What has gotten into you?!"

Fruhe burst out laughing. "The libido on this one... Perhaps we should have the marriage today."

"I am not wedding a child," Kordia growled. "Nor would I bed one, if that’s to be your next inference, Matron." Kordia’s face was practically glowing red, a combination of embarrassment at outing herself and anger at their continuous refusal to just listen to her.

Apparently, Chancellor Lumin was listening because the next moment everyone turned, feeling the working of magic that was removing the relationship clause from the contract.

"There, I have struck the clause," Lumin announced. "It is a minor thing, and the as holder, I will handle any lapses in judgment accordingly. Will you sign now?" she stared into Kordia’s eyes, and Koria finally saw through to the tiredness that was hiding behind makeup and anger.

"Fine," Kordia said, pricking her finger and signing before anyone could change anything else.

"That makes four then," Lumin said, pulling the contract into her hand with the merest flicker of magic. "My adjudication is concluded. Matrons, please feel free to retire as you wish. The grounds are open to you but do not try any doors sealed magically."

Matron Fruhe stood, gracefully bowed, and then turned her sight on Kordia’s mother. "Exciting as always, cousin. As for you," she turned to Kordia, "Six tails. Any less would be a shame."

As soon as she left, Kordia’s mother rounded on her.

"What is this about you... engaging with multiple people? Do you want your future husband to think you’re a slut?"

"I am not a slut," Kordia said, emphasizing each word. "We were together. Like a pod... of seeds. The three of us, Rain was also with him, and he’s not a bad-."

A look of revulsion crossed her mother’s face. Whatever complex series of emotions were happening behind her eyes, Kordia felt certain that an argument was about to explode.

That made Kordia feel livid. Was it really so unnatural, three people agreeing to support each other? Or was it the fact that Rain had liked a man in addition to her?

Then Kordia remembered. There were different standards for what Kir had called "the political class." Anyone on the street could love whoever they wanted, but as soon as enough money or power was at stake, suddenly it was all about getting more and more and more...

And Kordia had doomed herself to suffer for the sake of someone accumulating her family like a collection of dolls...

She regretted signing the contract. By all that was good, she wanted to find a way out that wouldn’t jeopardize her home. Because she knew that one day she would have to live in that home. And she needed it to be on her terms because she had already given much more than anyone knew...

Thankfully, before either Kordia or her mother could speak, Chancellor Lumin stepped in. "Matron Mora, please go find your family. I will discuss Kordia’s present relationships and see if I can present my findings to you in a more understandable light."

"I’m not going to walk away and leave the future of my Clan-"

"That was not a suggestion, Matron Mora," Chancellor Lumin’s voice seemed to twist as an undercurrent of mana passed between her to Kordia’s mother. As soon as the door closed behind her mother, Lumin turned to Kordia.

"She’ll be fine," Chancellor Lumin said, taking up a fresh cup of coffee and sipping it when her butler bent to offer it. "A bit of a headache if she resists, at least until the magic is gone."

"What did you..."

"A minor compelling. The benefit of being the prime holder of the contract you just signed... Those angels really know how to put the cinches on." She chuckled, as Kordia stared at her, horrified. "Oh, don’t fret, she’ll get over it. Just because she didn’t have a good time at the Academy is no excuse to foist her feelings onto you." She sipped again.

"Why did you send her away?" Kordia asked. She hadn’t meant to, but once she’d started, she’d felt so ready to just lay out the truth. As much as she hated the circumstances, this was the first time she’d talked with her mother in years by means other than letters.

"Because I did not expect that you were also with someone else. And if that someone else is who I think it is, then it’s all the more fortunate that we have secured this alliance now. And that alliance will stay secure so long as you aren’t seen as compromised by your mysterious second lover. Or carrying out a pregnancy."

"It’s Kir," Kordia confessed.

A look of resignation rose in Lumin’s eyes. "Gods and Heaven save us from that boy... I really wished for you to surprise me with any other name."

"Why?" Kordia would not let her ears dip in shame. "He’s been good to me, and Rain. He’s helped me learn more than some professors when it comes to magic, Rain too, and he’s the one behind that coffee you’re drinking."

She turned the mug in her hands. "I know he came up with this. Urvi’s made no secret of her new source of boundless energy... The Professors who have tried it are calling it ’Demon’s Blood.’" Lumin sipped. "Insidious, really... the more you drink it, the more you start to like it..."

"Just like Kir," Kordia smiled, calming a little. "He’s done nothing but good by the Academy. It’s not his fault that Halie attacked him. He stuck around even after he was sealed, and I know wherever he is he’s working hard to come back." She thought once more about the rumors. About Darlbridge. Then she shook those thoughts from her head. It couldn’t have been Kir...

"You speak of him as if you know he’s alive. I’m not saying he isn’t, but I did return his badge to the Guild for a reason..." Her eyes widened, and once more she locked eyes with Kordia. "He is alive, isn’t he... and you’ve had some contact with him."

"I... N-No!" Kordia stammered.

"Pray that he is alive, girl. Because if..." she looked away for a moment, thinking, before turning back. "Did he tell you who his father is?"

Kordia nodded.

"Well then... let us pray that he doesn’t come here to collect Kir at some point. At least not until that foolish boy returns. Because that would put all of us in the-"

The sensation of tearing was accompanied by a shriek of air as suddenly every non-magical bit of glass shattered. As one, Kordia and Lumin ran from the living space to seek open air.

Lumin magnified what she was seeing as soon as she could, showing Kordia a dreadful sight.

Just beyond the city walls, a portal had split the air just above the ground, and stepping through were legions of demonic figures, armed and armored in black iron, with mages at the forefront, ready to shield them against incoming magics as the legions began to spread out, surrounding the city. Emblazoned everywhere amongst them was a symbol, a dread raven with nine eyes.

"Shit." Chancellor Lumin swore. "Get to the Academy. Rally anyone you can to the cafeteria. The Professors will know how to organize for the defense of the city. Terry will see you to my air carriage."

"What will you do?" Kordia asked as Terry touched her on the elbow to lead her away.

"I’m teleporting my guests away before they set up a ward to trap us," she closed the lens of magic and turned.

"Before who traps us?" Kordia asked as Terry began to tug at her sleeve again.

"Maledict."

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