Vael settled into Sin Rouge like it was his personal lounge.
Comfortable chair.
Curious glances.
Eating cookies.
Trying to understand Quill's espresso machine (he really shouldn't).
Completely unaware he'd walked into the middle of an invisible war.
A hybrid one the suffocating kind that doesn't explode, but chokes slowly.
Malerion saw it everywhere:
in delivery delays,
price hikes,
couriers avoiding eye contact,
merchants suddenly "out of stock."
Vael, meanwhile…
Malerion, he started casually, as if discussing weather,
why does your bar smell different from the rest of this district?
Quill nearly dropped his cup.
Dreg inhaled sharply.
Liza, perched in the rafters, tensed like a spring.
Malerion answered dryly:
Because here, no one dies without a reason.
Vael blinked.
…That was a joke, right?
No.
Vael scratched his cheek awkwardly.
O…kay. New topic.
Donnie muttered under her breath.
Rafe, ever the practical one, asked:
Vael, can you tell us why you decided to come down today?
The prince huffed:
Because I'm bored.
Rafe blinked.
Just like that?
Just like that.
My tutors say I should "study the social structures of the lower rings," but honestly, politics bores me.
I wanted to explore.
See chaos. Colors. People.
He squinted
…And maybe feel that weird aura of yours again, Malerion.
The room collectively tensed.
Malerion raised a brow.
My… what?
Vael nodded:
Aura.
Your territory feels different.
Like someone cleaned the emotions.
I can't explain it but it's unusual.
That's why I returned. It's… interesting.
Quill whispered:
Of course he sensed it… why wouldn't he…
Liza rolled her eyes.
Bit whispered to Skit:
Did he say the district feels… cleaned?
Skit replied gravely:
That's the scariest description I've ever heard of this neighborhood.
Malerion answered carefully:
Vael, we're under pressure. Not the kind you notice instantly but real. Sabotage. Increases. Interference.
Is someone bullying you? Vael asked, suddenly intrigued.
Yes. And if you talk about it, you'll make it worse.
Vael's eyes widened.
Oh… sorry. I didn't mean to… complicate anything.
I just like coming here.
I've only been considered an adult recently and now I finally get to go wherever I want.
Malerion sighed softly.
Nobody blames you.
But your visits have consequences.
For you?
Yes.
For me?
Malerion met his eyes.
That too.
You don't know how yet but they will.
Vael didn't look scared.
He looked… curious.
That's probably good, right?
Both yes and no.
Then Bit peeked around the corner:
Uh, someone's coming.
Not a hostile… but definitely a problem.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
A breathless, pale, terrified courier stepped into the room.
M-Malerion… sir…
The Lesser Goetia Houses…
they're sending a delegation.
Sin Rouge fell silent.
Vael raised a brow.
A delegation? Of what kind?
The courier swallowed hard.
O-official.
With seals.
They want to speak.
Immediately.
Vael looked at Malerion.
Malerion looked at Vael.
And Alastor laughed in his mind a delighted, broken-radio static.
"Well then… now it gets interesting."