Kath'tan resumed his watch at the window, saying nothing to that. He had put off all thought, focusing all his attention on the Shadow Demon, but it had been hours, and he hadn't made any more attempts to fulfill his contract.
It didn't mean that Kath'tan now trusted the Demon, but he was certain that with the Vampire seated in their middle, he would at least wait till their journey was over.
He had put so many thoughts off, what he would return to see in Threnval, if there was even anything waiting for him, and now the added worry of whether he would make it back. But even if by some stroke of luck - something he never had much of to begin with - he managed to defeat the powerful Shadow Demon, what use would there be in returning?
Just so his father could be the one to drive the sword through his heart himself? That was the only outcome left, considering that the Duke of Threnval had gone ahead to hire a Shadow Assassin...
"How much did my father pay you?" Kath'tan broke the silence once more.
Asael's gray eyes darkened, "You can't outbid him." He said flatly. Unable to avoid the popular opinion that termed Shadow Demons as heartless killers devoid of loyalty, as long as one could pay more, they could have the assassin sent to kill them return to the person who had them sent.
It was the truth. Shadow Demons chased their pay, nothing more, nothing less. Asael had always lived like that, and so had every Shadow Demon he had come across in his life - yet whenever this haughty noble Fiend brought it up, it stung like sharp stones on skinned flesh.
"I have no intention to kill my father." Kath'tan tilted his jaw up, purple eyes proud. "I suppose you can't understand that."
Asael looked out the window again, conversing with the Fiend angered him, staring out the window was a far more productive endeavor.
"You didn't answer my question," Kath'tan prodded coldly, but his eyes burned. Clinging desperately to the belief that his father felt something for him, even if it was hatred.
"P-Perhaps we should leave such grim topics for later," Dulce spoke up, fraught with nerves. They were in a carriage in the heart of a bustling town. If things escalated further, it was bound to attract attention, not to mention the destruction of their expensive carriage.
Asael didn't look away from the window even for a moment, ignoring the Fiend with ease. Perhaps if the strange Vampire wouldn't keep getting in his way, he would have proven he was a recreant, and the aggravating Fiend would be long dead.
He focused on the sights outside: the streetside stalls, humans in colorful clothing, families, lovers, friends, children darting in and out of buildings. It was the first time he had noticed it, he usually was too focused on his mission to bother with sightseeing, and after a mission was over, he was chasing the next.
But for the first time, he was in a peculiar situation where he had found his target but was held back from killing, so there was little else to do.
After three centuries of living to fulfil his next task, Asael did not want for money or possessions, his enemies as numerous as his kills. Perhaps after this mission was completed, he could wander around Earth for a bit, perhaps, but he likely wouldn't.
Dulce was relieved when the carriage fell into silence once more, that was the safest state. After about an hour of riding, they were approaching the outskirts of the town. The carriage slowed to a stop so that the guards could have a conversation with the coachmen. They seemed familiar with one another, their conversation lighthearted.
He stole the opportunity to check one of the compartments he had seen for a book, it didn't matter what topic the book was on. Sitting stiffly in between two Demons made for a rather uncomfortable time.
So he rose to his feet, there were a handful of compartments he had picked out, two on each side of the carriage, and even more built into the wooden ledge. The compartments in the wooden ledge would have been the easier option, but he knew from experience that those would likely be empty, as they were made to hold luggage.
He chose the compartment on Asael's side, on the basis that the Demon was less likely to break his neck. The first compartment held an array of books and a box, he picked out a book and curiously took out the box to peer in. It was a finely crafted wooden box, colorful in a way that would appeal to children.
Just as he reached to open the lid, the carriage jolted, making him lose his balance and fall right into Asael's arms. "M-My apologies," He immediately tried to get up, which was a little difficult with his hands full.
Asael glanced placidly down at the Vampire scrambling to get off him. He floundered like prey, it reminded him of the pink-eyed rabbits in Noctyrn. Although he did nothing, Dulce still frantically threw himself off him, falling to the wooden floor of the carriage in front of him.
Sitting up, he did something completely out of character and offered a helping hand to the Vampire. Despite how panicked and frantic he looked, his face was still pale as ever, bloodless, as typical of Vampires.
Dulce's silver blue eyes widened at the outstretched hand, holding the book and box to his chest so he could free up a hand. "Thank you, I didn't mean to fall on yo-" He was apologizing as he made his way back to his seat with his bounty, only to tragically lose his balance again and this time face-plant into Kath'tan's chest.
There was pandemonium in the carriage for a moment, the box slipping out of his hold and sending hard candy scattering everywhere.
Dulce put distance between himself and Kath'tan even quicker, his apology caught in his throat as he waited for the Demon to lash out.
Asael glanced down at the Fiend's outstretched leg, clicking his teeth in disapproval - how childish.
"No apology for me?" Kath'tan demanded baldly.
"My... My apologies." Dulce hurriedly said, tipping his head down contritely. Cautiously, he picked up the emptied box and got on his hands and knees to meticulously pick up the spilled candy.