Chapter 413: Duties Of A Prince
The heavy carriage door closed behind them with a solid thud, shutting out much of the noise from the bustling streets outside.
Damian instinctively glanced around. The interior was far larger than the carriage’s exterior had suggested.
The walls had been lined with polished black wood carved with intricate fox motifs, while deep blue lanterns suspended from the ceiling illuminated the compartment with a calm, soothing glow. Every corner had been furnished with luxurious velvet cushions embroidered with silver thread, and the floor was covered by an impossibly soft carpet that muffled every sound inside.
Only two long seats occupied the carriage, positioned opposite one another along the walls.
Between them stretched an open space large enough for someone to comfortably lie down without touching either side. It felt less like the inside of a carriage and more like a small private chamber that happened to move.
Damian slowly ran his fingers across the armrest beside him. Even the wood itself radiated faint traces of Demonic Force.
Nothing inside had been crafted cheaply.
Rah quietly settled beside him before wrapping both hands around one of his arms. Without saying anything, she gently rested her head against his shoulder as though trying to offer whatever comfort she could.
Damian smiled faintly before lifting one corner of the silk curtain covering the window.
Outside, demons continued kneeling wh
hile children secretly peeked from behind their parents before being hurriedly pulled back.
Several moments later, the carriage door opened once more and Amon entered without a sound.
He calmly took the seat opposite Damian before folding his hands neatly atop his lap. His expression remained exactly as it had outside.
Neither men spoke initially but the silence lingered only briefly.
"Hia!"
The coachman’s shout echoed from outside.
Crack!
The sharp snap of a whip followed immediately afterward. The enormous serpent pulling the carriage began moving once again. The carriage rolled forward with surprising smoothness.
Damian released the curtain and allowed it to fall back into place before quietly studying Amon.
The owl headed minister simply returned the stare and Neither looked away. As they continued toward the Violet Palace, the sounds outside gradually grew louder instead of quieter.
Curiosity eventually won and Damian lifted the curtain once more.
His eyes widened slightly.
The streets had become even more crowded than before. Demons packed both sides of the roads as far as the eye could see.
Cheers erupted the moment the royal carriage appeared. People waved enthusiasticall, Children climbed onto their parents’ shoulders and even merchants abandoned their stalls.
Flowers rained onto the streets ahead of the carriage while countless voices shouted blessings toward their returning Prince.
The entire capital seemed determined to welcome him home.
"You should acknowledge them. They are cheering for you. You should at least wave."
Amon’s calm voice interrupted Damian’s thoughts and he glanced back toward him.
Damian slowly lowered the curtain while his mind raced. He honestly wondered whether the Minister of War had somehow struck his head recently.
Only minutes ago, the same man had practically dragged him away from eating with ordinary citizens. Now, he was telling him to greet those very same people.
"Are you playing with me?" Damian finally asked, narrowing his eyes.
Amon slowly shook his head.
"A God must never lower himself to the level of mortals. They may admire Your Majesty. They may witness your greatness. They may devote themselves to you. But they must never become familiar with you."
His tone remained completely matter of fact.
Damian slowly looked back through the window. The cheering crowds still stretched endlessly beyond his vision.
By every standard he had expected before entering the Underworld these people were demons. Yet none of them felt monstrous. Most appeared no different from ordinary humans back on Earth apart from their unusual appearances.
What truly surprised him wasn’t their weakness. It was that demons viewed other demons exactly the same way humans had viewed ordinary people.
The hierarchy wasn’t built upon species. It was built upon power.
"This is merely one among thousands of customs and laws Your Majesty must learn."
Amon continued.
"Only after understanding them will you truly become one of the Princes of Hell. Only then will you become worthy of ruling one of its great realms."
Damian quietly listened to at least he tried to. Amon showed absolutely no intention of stopping.
"Today’s schedule has already been prepared."
He reached into one sleeve before removing a neatly folded scroll.
"Immediately upon returning to the palace, the Royal Court shall convene after your shower."
"Our ministers, governors and senior officials have been waiting ten years for Your Majesty’s recovery. The Chancellor wishes to brief you regarding domestic affairs. The Ministry of Revenue has prepared financial reports. The Ministry of Justice requires several royal judgments. The Ministry of Works seeks approval for three ongoing infrastructure projects."
"The Ministry of War has matters concerning military deployments requiring immediate authorization. The Royal Archives have organized records requiring Your Majesty’s review. There are also diplomatic envoys awaiting an audience. The palace servants must receive formal instructions regarding Your Majesty’s daily routines."
"The royal physicians insist upon another examination. The court historians require a formal account of the battle against Kaizer.The royal tailors..."
Damian blinked. "...tailors?"
"The ceremonial wardrobe prepared ten years ago no longer fits Your Majesty’s current physique."
Damian slowly rubbed his forehead. Amon continued speaking until his words gradually blurred together.
Damain’s expression became progressively darker with every additional responsibility. By the time Amon reached tomorrow’s schedule he looked as though someone had informed him he had been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Slowly he turned toward Rah and she simply smiled apologetically before giving a small shrug.
There was nothing she could say or change. In fact, her family has no place in the royal court because they only joined Damains side recently and he was yet to take over the kingdom.
Even if she had the influence she wouldn’t be able to change anything. This is the life of a ruler. The crown brought unmatched authority but it also chained its wearer more securely than any prison ever could. Unless he dies and someone else inherits the sin of lust.
Amon finally rolled the scroll closed.
"You are our Prince. The needs of the realm must always supersede your own." His voice remained as calm and unwavering as ever.
Damian slowly rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.
"Fuck my life."