The carriage came to a gentle halt beneath the shadow of towering blackstone walls, lit by torches burning with soft blue flames. The driver turned, his voice calm and gravelly.
"Miss Lilith, we have arrived."
Lilith stirred with a yawn, blinking slowly as the cool air rolled in through the open window.
"Mm… finally."
She looked down and found Eleo curled up on her lap like a sleeping kitten, snoring loudly with his face smooshed into her dress.
"Eleo… Eleo," she said softly.
No response. Just a twitch and more snoring.
Her brow twitched. Then she grabbed both his long, floppy ears.
"ELEO!"
"AHH!" Eleo jolted upright, nearly tumbling out of the seat. "I'm awake, I'm awake—Gou!"
He blinked groggily, rubbing his eyes. "Wait... what happened? Are we being attacked?"
Lilith sighed. "No, dummy. We're here."
Eleo scooted to the window and peeked out. His eyes widened.
Before them stood a massive obsidian gate carved with ancient demonic runes. Spiked towers flanked either side, their tops dotted with glowing red lanterns that shimmered like stars.
Eleo's mouth dropped. "Whoa…"
Lilith smirked slightly. "Welcome to Azazel City."
The carriage rolled toward the gate, and two heavily armored guards stepped forward with raised spears.
"Halt!" one barked.
Lilith calmly leaned out the window, resting her chin on her hand. "It's me."
The guards blinked, then instantly dropped to one knee.
"Forgive us, Princess Lilith!"
She waved a hand dismissively. "It's quite alright. Open the gates."
With a heavy groan of stone and magic, the gates slowly parted.
As the carriage entered, the city unfolded before them like a grand dream painted in dusk. The streets were paved with shimmering black glass. Floating lanterns bobbed lazily overhead, casting an ethereal glow. Tall, spiraling buildings of bone and crystal reached into the sky, bridges curling between them like vines. Demons of every shape and size bustled through the roads—some winged and gliding, others tiny and skittering. Shopkeepers shouted from their stalls, offering everything from roasted flamefruit to enchanted trinkets.
Eleo pressed his face to the window, eyes sparkling. "So many demons… and stores… and smells! Lilith, this place is amazing!"
Lilith smiled faintly. "Glad you like it."
The carriage rolled to a stop near a large fountain shaped like a roaring dragon.
Lilith stepped out first, reaching into a small pouch and handing a stack of gold-etched coins to the driver.
"Thank you," she said curtly.
The driver nodded with a bow. "Thank you, Princess Lilith. Safe travels."
As the carriage rolled away, Eleo bounced out beside her, his legs already jittering.
"Lilith! Oh oh oh! Let's explore! Look! That guy's selling carrot-on-a-stick! And there's a whole demon doing fire tricks with his nose! This is the best day ever!"
Lilith crossed her arms. "Eleo, calm down."
"I can't calm down! My legs are doing this thing!" he shouted, hopping in place like a pogo stick.
Lilith rubbed her temple, already regretting her decision. "We're supposed to go straight to the castle. The ball is tonight. You know… the reason we're here?"
Eleo clasped his hands together, eyes wide. "Pleeeease? Just a quick look around? Ten minutes! Maybe fifteen. Thirty max!"
She stared at him, the corners of her mouth twitching like she wanted to say no… but couldn't quite get there.
"…Fine," she muttered. "But if you run off and get arrested, I'm pretending not to know you."
"YES!" Eleo whooped, immediately sprinting into the crowd.
"Eleo! Wait!"
Lilith groaned and hurried after him, muttering under her breath.
"Why do I do this to myself…"
As Lilith weaved through the crowd, she spotted Eleo ahead, hopping left and right, weaving between stunned demons like a spring-loaded pinball.
"Yahoo~ Yahoo~ Yahoo~!" Eleo chirped with glee, his long bunny ears flopping with each bounce.
Demons all around turned to stare, whispering among themselves.
"Who is that kid?"
"Is that a rabbit?"
"A walking, talking bunny? What in the thirteen hells…?"
"Wait—is he stealing?!"
Lilith's eyes widened in horror as Eleo snatched a glistening carrot-on-a-stick from a food stall, gave the vendor a cheerful thumbs-up, and bounced away.
"HEY!" the stall owner shouted, leaping over his cart. "That's thirty dracs, you furry thief!"
Lilith groaned, pulling out her coin pouch and dropping the appropriate amount into the merchant's hand as she sped past. "So sorry. He's... with me."
The vendor blinked, recognition dawning. "Oh! Princess Lilith! Don't worry then—he's got a strong hop, that one."
She didn't have time to respond—Eleo was already at the next shop.
"Oooooh!" Eleo gasped, reaching out to a rack of plushies shaped like adorable little monsters. One, in particular, caught his eye: a bunny-shaped demon doll with tiny fangs. "This one's me!"
Without a second thought, he snatched it up and hopped off.
"Hey!" the merchant barked. "That's not free!"
"Eleo!" Lilith shouted, flinging a handful of coins onto the stall's counter as she ran by. "So, so sorry!"
"Thank you princess Lilith" But she was gone, already dashing down the street after him.
Eleo continued bouncing without a care, now using a pack of demons as springboards.
"Woah! This guy's horns are bouncy! Sorry! Nice coat! Whee!"
A small group of demons were left in stunned silence, one of them brushing soot off his shoulder.
"What just happened?"
"I think he's high."
"I think he's royalty's problem."
Lilith darted by, panting. "He is! And I deeply apologize!"
Finally, Eleo skidded to a halt in front of a street performer demon with bright red skin, juggling orbs of fire with his hands… and then suddenly blasting flames out his nose in wild spirals. A crowd had formed, clapping and gasping.
Eleo stared, eyes wide. "WHOA! Fire nose guy! That's so cool!"
Lilith stumbled to a stop behind him, doubled over and wheezing. Her hair was frazzled, her face flushed, and her usually composed posture was completely gone.
"E… Eleo…" she gasped. "Have you… lost your mind?!"
Eleo didn't respond. He stood completely still, staring in amazement as the fire demon made a flaming bird dance in the air.
"...He's doing a phoenix," Eleo whispered with awe.
Lilith clenched her fists, face red with both frustration and exhaustion. But then she looked at him—completely absorbed, jaw slack, eyes full of wonder.
She groaned, softly this time. "...You idiot."
And stood beside him. Not saying another word.
After the performance, Eleo's eyes sparkled with childlike awe. "Wowww… that was cool!" he beamed, hopping excitedly in place.
Lilith crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Okay, Eleo. You can't just run off like that—hopping around, stealing things like some kind of wild beast."
He blinked. "Well, I'm sorry but, uh… you did pay for me, right?"
Lilith sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes, Eleo. I paid for you."
Eleo's ears perked up. "Ahh! Thank you, Lilith!" He clapped his hands together and gave a dramatic bow. "I don't got any money right now, but I can, uh…" His eyes darted around wildly, then locked onto a nearby storefront. "I can take you to that shop over there!"
And before Lilith could object—
"ELEO!"
He was already halfway across the street, darting into the building like an overexcited child. Lilith groaned, muttering something under her breath, and walked after him.
The sign read: The Demon's Perfect Shop.
The warm, spicy scent of roasted roots and enchanted sweets drifted out to meet her. Inside, Eleo was already at the counter, grinning ear to ear. "Mmm! I like the Demon Carrot Special!"
Behind the counter, the demon chef grunted. "One Demon Carrot Special coming up."
Eleo turned and waved. "Oh hey! There you are, Lilith!"
Lilith slid into the seat beside him with a sigh. "How the hell are you going to buy your food?"
Eleo grinned and pointed at her. "Well, I have you!"
"…How is that repaying me?"
"Uhhhh…" He scratched his head, eyes flicking back to the glowing menu. "Oh! You can buy Demon Ice Cream!"
Lilith raised a brow. "Princesses eat fancy food. Not ice cream."
Eleo threw an arm around her shoulder with a huge smile. "Come on, Lilith. Just try it."
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks. "Okay, okay! Fine…"
She turned to the counter, clearing her throat. "Excuse me."
The demon behind the counter lit up. "Oh! Princess Lilith! What an honor. What would you be ordering this time?"
"I… would like to buy… the Demon Deluxe Ice Cream," she said with a sigh.
"One Demon Deluxe Ice Cream for Princess Lilith!" the demon bellowed to the kitchen.
Lilith immediately turned her head, hiding her face with her hands.
Eleo blinked. "What are you doing, Lilith?"
"I'm hiding."
He looked around the shop, squinting. "I don't see any enemies."
"No, Eleo. I'm embarrassed."
"Ohhh," he nodded, then tilted his head. "There's no need to be embarrassed, Lilith."
"You're not royalty, Eleo. You wouldn't understand."
"Mmm, true," Eleo said, tapping his chin. "And I don't really know what being royalty means… but I think I'd rather be a regular bunny. It's actually kinda fun."
Lilith's hands slowly lowered. She stared at him thoughtfully. "Maybe… one day… you could take me traveling."
Eleo's ears perked. "Yeah! My team would love you!"
"No, Eleo. I mean… just me and you. Together."
Eleo nodded cheerfully. "Oh, okay! Once I become the strongest, we'll go on lots of adventures together!"
Lilith gave a small, quiet smile. "Thank you, Eleo."
"No problem!"
Their food arrived a moment later. The demon chef slid a plate of glowing purple carrots with a reddish aura in front of Eleo and handed Lilith a towering bowl of chocolate, banana, and cherry ice cream that shimmered faintly with enchanted sprinkles.
Both of them said in unison, "Thank you."
Lilith paid, and Eleo immediately dug in, shoveling the carrots into his mouth. "MMMPH—OW!" he screamed, cheeks puffed out and steam rising. "It's HOT!"
He turned to Lilith… but her bowl was empty.
Eleo's eyes widened. "NO WAY! You ate it that fast?!"
Lilith looked off to the side with a smug smirk. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Eleo chomped and gulped, tears welling in his eyes. "Wow, Lilith… you're faster than me at eating!"
"I still have no idea what you're talking about."
Eleo leaned forward. "Wait—what does it taste like?"
"…What? Eleo, have you never eaten ice cream before?"
"Maybe I did… I can't remember."
Lilith stared at him, then raised a hand. "Excuse me. One more Demon Deluxe Ice Cream."
The demon didn't hesitate. "Already prepared," he said, handing her another towering scoop.
Lilith paid, then turned to Eleo with a smirk. "Open wide, Eleo."
"Huh?"
"I'm feeding you, silly. Open up."
Eleo opened his mouth without hesitation, and Lilith gently scooped a spoonful into it.
His eyes instantly lit up. "THIS TASTES SO GOOOOOOD!"
He slapped the table. "This is my second favorite food now! First is carrots, second is this, and third is meat! No, wait—meat is third… no wait—ice cream is second!"
Lilith giggled softly, shaking her head. "You're such a handful…"