To Bewitch a Devil

“Tsk tsk, I don’t know what to do with the Commander. He’s starting to fall for me, what do I do?”

She spoke as she sat down and opened the box. The other Princesses watched silently, not saying a word. They all knew Azriel, he was a famous rake; but sending gifts to a Princess... was he interested in her?

Was he now ready to get married?

Azriel was the most desired Demon in all the lands, after Zavian. He had this charm and charisma that drew women to him, and he was the Commander General of the army, the right hand man of Zavian. It was a dream to be his wife, and many women wished to, but he was clear on his terms of not wanting a wife.

Did he change his mind now?

“Is that from Azriel?” Daphne asked as she peeked at the box Lyra was opening.

Lyra smiled and nodded; “Yes it is, I don’t know what he wants. He keeps sending me these gifts.”

She giggled as she opened the box and and a bright freshly plucked pink rose bouquet sat inside of it. Lyra’s chin stretched to a smile as she took it out and inhaled it.

.....

Inside of the box was another gift, taking it out she opened it; this time it was a sapphire matching necklace and earrings.

The maids gasped as she took of the gifts;

“Oh my, this is so beautiful.” Lyra exclaimed with a sweet laughter.

“He’s really putting in some effort to bed you, everyone knows how Azriel is.”

Daphne said with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

“I don’t see anyone sending you any gifts, does it mean no one wants to bed you?”

Lyra asked, smiling mischievously. The smile on Daphne’s face erased as she took a strawberry and stuffed into her mouth. Lyra laughed and hummed a song, putting the gifts back into the box.

Pen and Sarah looked at themselves as the same thoughts read in their minds. This was getting out of hand. They were really going to be in trouble when Lyra found out the truth. Their eyes looked back at Lyra and they saw the excitement in her eyes, this was bad.

She had bragged in front of other Princesses so it was not going to be easy to forgive them. Pen bit her lower lip as she thought of what to do.

She would tell Azriel and plead with him not to let Lyra know that she was the one the gifts were intended for. But would he help her?

What if he asked her to sleep with him?

Pen shut her eyes as she cursed underneath her breath not knowing what to do. It was better Azriel told her himself. It would be far worse if she found out the truth herself.

What would she do?

...

That evening, Azriel walked towards the winery when he saw someone smiling as they walked to him.

He frowned as he stared at the woman and when he saw she was one of the Princesses, he stopped.

Princess Lyra walked up to him with a smile,

“General, forgive my manners, I haven’t come to thank you for the gifts you sent to me. They were lovely. ”

Azriel blinked at the woman in front him as he tried to recall who she was, it clicked almost immediately. She was Princess Lyra, but what was she talking about?

Azriel was smart enough not to embarass her , so he smiled.

“I especially loved the hairpins; ” Lyra continued, touching her hair and blushing shyly. Azriel’s eyes looked up at her hair and when he saw the clips his eyes widened.

Wait... are these not the hair clips he had given Pen? What were they doing on her hair?

Azriel maintained composture as he thought of what to say to the excited Princess in front of him.

“They really do look good on you.” He said with a smile. Although he had not intended the gifts for her, there was no need telling her they were not for her, it would only embarass her.

“Thank you. I did not think that you had eyes for me. Although I have to say, I cannot have anything with you, I am to be queen... oh, sorry, I might become queen. Zavian would not take it lightly.”

Azriel stared at the Princess in front of him and he was amused. She wasn’t the one he had eyes for, but then, Zavian would be happy to see that he wanted to be with one of them. She was quite a bit ahead of herself.

“Oh, forgive my manners, my Princess.” He spoke, taking her hand, he kissed the back of her palm. “I shouldn’t have done that, knowing that you belonged to the King. I would make sure I don’t make such a mistake again.”

At his words, Lyra’s face fell. She had expected him to pine for her, or insist that he wanted her, she would have gladly given up on the selection process which she was not sure she would win anyway. But he did not even look like someone who had freshly plucked flowers for her, and sent her those gifts.

“I hope you win the king’s heart and become queen, your highness.”

With that, he smiled and let go of her hand and walked away. Lyra could not believe her eyes. What just happened? She stood with her lips opened as she stared at him retreat from her.

Why did he stir her heart if he was going to give up that easily? He didn’t even look like he wanted her.

Lyra brimmed with anger, as she crossed her arms. Maybe the rumors were really true, maybe he just wanted to sleep with her and there was no need pursing seeing that he might not get what he wanted.

Lyra groaned as she turned around and walked away, stomping her feet on the ground.