Chapter 356: The Sulking Snake and the King Who Was Told to Leave

Elyn’s POV

Zorathys and I later came out of the private room. We didn’t waste any more time since there had been intruders, but I could not deny the way my lips still tingled from the kiss.

I was very certain that if I had the opportunity, I would have taken a signboard and written that Zorathys was a good kisser across it. Or perhaps the board wasn’t even necessary because, from how much I was glowing, I was certain it was obvious. The warmth on my face hadn’t faded, and I could still feel the ghost of his lips against mine, soft and warm and entirely too memorable.

But then again, I couldn’t even bask in it because of the children.

One in particular, who was now sulking and refusing to answer me no matter how much I tried to speak with him.

Azerion.

He had barely looked at me since we had all gathered back together. His small arms were crossed over his chest, his blue eyes fixed on the floor, and his entire body radiated the kind of stubborn defiance that only a child could produce.

It was so bad that he refused to eat too.

He didn’t reach for any snacks. He didn’t try to steal anything from anyone’s plate. He didn’t even complain when someone took something he had been eyeing earlier.

That was how I knew something was seriously wrong.

Azerion refusing to steal food was practically a catastrophe.

“Azerion,” I called gently.

Nothing.

“Azerion.” I called out but he still didn’t look at me.

I sighed and crouched beside him.

“Are you angry with me?”

He crossed his arms even tighter.

“No.”

That was the first word he’d spoken to me in nearly ten minutes.

I smiled.

“So you are angry.”

“No.”

“Then why aren’t you talking to me?”

He turned his face away.

“I don’t want to.”

I stared at him.

This child was going to be the death of me.

“Did I do something?”

He shook his head.

“Did someone else do something?”

Another shake.

“Are you hungry?”

“No.”

I gasped dramatically.

“Who are you, and what have you done with Azerion?”

He finally glanced at me.

But instead of laughing, his little face crumpled again.

I immediately softened.

Whatever this was, it clearly wasn’t simply him being stubborn.

When we returned to the palace and the other children were sent home that evening, I thought perhaps Azerion would finally calm down.

I was wrong.

Rin called for her to follow her so she could put him to bed, but he shook his head.

Then, he marched away.

Unfortunately, he marched directly toward Zorathys.

I noticed it a second too late.

Azerion walked up to him and hit him.

It wasn’t a hard hit. It was barely a tap, really. But the intent was there, and the message was clear.

“Meanie,” Azerion said, his voice trembling.

The entire room became quiet.

Zorathys looked down at the small demon.

His lips twitched.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He asked.

Azerion’s eyes were wet. His lower lip was wobbling, but he stood his ground.

“You’re evil,” he said.

Zorathys raised an eyebrow.

“I’m a demon,” he said flatly. “Of course I’m evil.”

Azerion shook his head stubbornly.

“You are no good for her majesty,” he said. “Go away. You shouldn’t be here.”

He pushed Zorathys though that did nothing because Zorathys remained standing.

Azerion pushed Zorathys again and I noticed the look on the demon kings face. He did not like what was going on at all.

But I had to admit, watching someone tell the Demon King to leave his own palace was slightly amusing.

Unfortunately, Azerion was crying now. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, and his small shoulders were shaking.

I immediately crouched down in front of him.

“Azerion,” I said gently. “What’s wrong?”

He sniffled but said nothing.

“Azerion.” I called out again and this time his

eyes squeezed shut.

Then he suddenly threw himself at me.

I caught him and picked him up, settling him on my hip. His small arms wrapped around my neck, and his tears soaked into my shoulder.

“Why are you crying?” I asked softly.

He sniffled again.

“The King is going to take you from me,” he said, his voice muffled against my shoulder.

I blinked.

“What do you mean?” I asked him even though I was almost a hundred percent certain I knew what he meant.

“I don’t wnat you to go.” He cried.

Um…what was going on right now and what was I to say to this?

Zorathys growled from before I could answer though.

“My Firefly doesn’t belong to you, snake.”

“She belongs to me.” Azerion cried getting even more agitated.

“She does not.” Zorathys replied glaring at Azerion.

“I don’t belong to anyone at all,” I said firmly before this could turn into an argument I was not in the mood for.

Both of them went silent.

I looked from one to the other.

Why did I suddenly feel like I was watching two children arguing over a toy?

Then I turned to Zorathys.

“Don’t add to this.” I told him.

“I wasn’t doing anything.” Zorathys replied.

“Arguing with the child was you doing something. You know what, just go away.” I told him.

Zorathys eyes widened.

“What?” He asked his voice a whisper, filled with disbelief too.

“Go away, Zorathys.” I told him.

He pointed at himself, his expression caught somewhere between shock and disbeliJim.

“You want me to go away?” He asked. “Me? And not the pest clinging to you like he’s innocent and like he belongs to you?”

Why was he being so obtuse about this? I could speak with him later but for now I needed to calm Azerion down.

I nodded then waved him off, signalling him to go but the demon king remained rooted in shock.

I shook my head and turned with Azerion on my shoulder as I started heading towards my bedroom, all the while my hands rubbed down the child’s back soothingly.