Book 3: Chapter 18


    I decided to do what Brooke suggested, and take the opportunity of being a Prince to get myself sorted out. The next day, I asked my mother for several tutors and began to take lessons. I had snuck into a couple of lessons at Amaryllis, but getting a real education as a male in this world had always been difficult. I had been left ignorant of this world for far too long. I wanted to learn more about science, magic, and history.


    In fact, I was particrly interested in history. It seemed like the history I knew did not match with the history being told by the demons. They could be lying, of course, but Lilith seemed to confirm some of it. Lilith wasnt the true demon lord, but someone who had taken on one of the real Demon Lords inheritances. It had likely shown her the demons ns, and thus she dedicated her life to keeping the demons froming back.


    The evil queen who had tried to monopolize the heros semen likely wasnt an evil figure either. She probably was trying to keep the demon blood from spreading too much, while also maintained the human poption. All those children who had died were probably experiments she had performed trying to purify demonic blood from men.


    What she found was that men without demonic blood were infertile, riddled by the demons curse. That 1 drop of blood was enough to allow men to be able to have children, but the price was that only one in a thousand were male. Or maybe the evil queen had made one in a thousand male, knowing that if 50% of the poption was male, even with a single drop, the demons could have returned.


    At least, that was what I was able to reason out from my previous knowledge of history. However, that was the extent of my knowledge, and I really wanted to learn more. I was really interested in finding out why it was Reba and Ashley who became demons. Technically, male demons would be preferable. They sacrificed hundreds of students to make it happen, yet it ended up as two girls who got the demon possession, while all the men who died were untouched. Was it because of me?


    I was in that demon summoning circle. I heard their whispers. Ashley and Reba had the criteria of male blood to be possessed, and it was their close links with me that caused them to be selected. Was that the truth? I had so many questions. What was the history of this world? How had things gotten to this state? What else was out there? Most importantly, what did I want to do about it?


    As a prince, I was supposed to be creating an heir. However, this body wasnt my original body, and anyone I slept with wouldnt have my demon free genes. Or was it my soul that mattered? I didnt even know that for certain. In other words, creating a male heir was nearly impossible right now, and I wasnt sure how interested I was in trying that anymore. In truth, I wanted to focus on myself.


    I took up training with Brooke again. However, with my body being a different height and shape, my way of fighting changed a bit. Brooke tried to help me get limated to my new body, even though once I was healed, Id after to relimate myself to my original body again. That was just a consequence of this weird road I walked.


    Ever since our talk, Brooke had been acting a bit different too. Im not sure if its because she sees me with a different face, or because some part of what happened before had affected how she saw me. She seemed nicer and more forgiving than she used to be. Brooke had been through an ordeal as well, so I didnt want to point out her changes. She had to deal with her own issues just as I had to deal with mine.


    That little girl, Charlie have you heard anything about her? I asked Brooke after one such training session.


    She shook her head. No, I havent heard a thing.


    I nodded, expecting as much. I had been inquiring about that little girl from the moment I learned that Brooke was alive in the mine. No one else in the mine was familiar with a little girl that fit her description. I supposed I could request a search for her like the manhunt for Caleb, but it felt a bit strange to abuse those resources like that it and it would definitely draw attention and questions my way I was not prepared to answer. Charlie would continue to be another regret in my life, but I was determined to move on.


    With that in mind and not wanting any more regrets, I decided it was time to officially reveal myself to Lyra. I left my room to be followed by two female guards. Ever since myst disappearance, mother made sure that I couldnt go anywhere without guards. This was unfortunately non-negotiable. That woman was not someone who could easily be manipted, even if she did have a weakness for sexual teasing.


    I did eventually have to tell her a lot of what happened to me while I was gone. It would have been nice to keep some secrets from Mother, but she had ways of learning the truth. At the very least, I didnt want her to harass Brooke, so I told her something akin to the truth. I told her that I had been kidnapped in the street and confused for a woman, forced to work in the mines and that when the copse happened, it had opened up an escape route. As for Brooke, she was just a white girl who had looked after me in the mines and we started a sexual rtionship. That was the story that I chose to tell for my own safety.


    Any talk of demons, demon lords, or the hidden demon castle were not things I was going to share with anyone. To the Queens credit, she was truly horrified by what happened. Her side of the story was simple. While I was lying in aa after being poisoned, she had gone to various healers and magicians who had imed they had the ability to cure me. Lilith was one of these women. She hade with the promise of a body that would be protected and kept out of harms way. Thats where she decided to hide my soul, although I never found out where the original Calebs soul went if he even had one.


    Eventually, as she was growing desperate, the two demons, Ashley and Reba, likely lured here while looking for Clyburn, chose to cut a deal. Theyd be allowed to dig and search for something under the city, and they would provide me the cure. I woke up, and they began digging. The Queen imed she didnt know where they got the workers to dig, but it sounded more like willful ignorance than something she truly hadnt expected.


    The country of Matahari was a rough one, Queen Talitha Sakina was not for the people. A few lower-ss citizens being snatched off the street or dying in some mines was of little consequence to her. What did ignite her fury was the fact my kidnapping resulted from that. I also let it slip that the demons had said around me that they had created the poison that killed me. This further enraged my mother, who went on to put a price on their heads.


    On the one hand, Ashley and Reba were two girls that I knew. On the other hand, they were truly demons. Unfortunately, I couldnt stress that point to mother enough. I had impeded the demons progress just a bit, but there was no force that could truly stop them at the moment, except maybe Lilith. Furthermore, there were two more Demon Lord inheritances out there. Should I take them and destroy them? Should I even get involved? The only think Lilith seemed to want me for was making babies. That seemed to be the only thing anyone wanted me for these days.


    I turned into the hallway that housed my harem. The hallways now had five girls in all. Brooke, Lyra, Kem, Rhea, and Veronika. Yes, my supposed daughter was added to my harem while I was kidnapped. Apparently, this was supposed to happen when she turned thirteen, but due to obvious reasons, I was not able to officially ept her. The night of the parade when I went missing, the reason my daughter had shown up was to be personally epted as one of my women.


    As to her true identity, Mother would only im she was Calebs daughter, and not ept that this made no sense. It seemed like when you were rich enough, you made reality, not the other way around.


    Father! Veronika immediately raced into my arms, giving me a hug.


    I was surprised to see her. Most of the harem minded their own business, and they certainly didnt wait for me toe. On the other hand, her calling me father made me feel a bitplicated too. She was supposed to be my new lover, then calling me daddy was a kind of y I still needed to warm up to. My girls back in Amaryllis had told me many times that I could bang my daughters, but knowing that it was epted in this world and actually doing it were two different things.


    Her shout seemed to have notified the other four women. Kem peaked out her door nervously and then stood there, her hand on the doorframe as if she was preparing herself to m it shut and lock it at any point. Rhea was even more nervous, looking like she wanted to pass out. Seeing Veronika casually hug me made her almost have a heart attack. Brooke also stood at her door, but her arms were crossed and she had a bored expression on her face. The only one who remained in her room was Lyra.


    I nodded to her door and nced over at Brooke while patting Kems head softly. Have you talked to her at all?


    Brooke nced over at Lyras room and shrugged. She asked me why I was here, but I told her shed need to ask you. She seems very conflicted right now. You really need to have a talk with her.


    I lowered my head and nodded. I know. I havent been fair to her. Well, I made my choices because I didnt know what the truth was at the time. I was scared, but perhaps thats just me making excuses. Ill go talk to her. Veronika, can we talkter?


    Y-yes daddy She took a step back, biting her finger seductively. You need to let me know when well be having sex. I want to carry daddys baby real soon.


    I blinked and gave the best smile I could. The first time I had spoken to her, Veronika seemed a bit shy, but now she had really bloomed out of her shell. I nced over Kem and nodded.


    I havent even done anything with Kem yet. So, dont feel too eager. We have time.


    Veronika tapped her finger on her lips. Ah so daddy is saying he must taste his sister first before his daughter. Veronika understands! Please have your sister soon!


    Kems face exploded in red and she turned away. Th-that I will if brother wants that is


    I shook my head. Talking to these two thirteen-year-old girls was dangerous. I didnt know if I could control myself, even if they were rted. Rather, they werent rted to Clyburn at all! As for their age, Hannah was only 13 when I started ying with her. I was younger at the time, but I didnt see much of a difference between the me who yed with my big sister Hannah and Madison and the me who is ying with these two girls.


    I supposed the reason I had been holding myself back in a lot of things had been that uncertainty. Now that I knew how I hade to this ce, I was morefortable truly letting go. Patting Veronika on the head and watching Brooke give me a disgusted snort before returning to her room, I ended up knocking on Lyras door politely.


    Ce in. A voice said quietly.


    I opened the door and stepped in. Lyras room hadnt changed much since thest time I had entered it. She still had the shades up, and she was on her bed hiding. She seemed to be the kind of girl who liked hiding in her room when things grewplicated. In her mind, things had to be screwed up.


    She had been pursuing Clyburn for years, and just when we might have formed a rtionship, she was sent here to be some princes concubine. Then, she gets here to find that the prince was in aa and had a reputation for abusing women. After several months, perhaps she convinced herself she could return to her beloved untarnished. Then, in my excitement, I pushed her down and slept with Lyra, except to her, I was this Caleb. Now she feels distraught and empty because she thinks she cheated on the man she loved.


    At the time, I thought I was dead. For all intents and purposes, my body is barely alive now, so it wasnt an outrageous belief. However, now I also knew I was absolutely still Clyburn. I would have my body back one day. Yet I had already tarnished Lyra with another mans body. Lets not think about that. That only made things moreplicated.


    Lyra lifted her head from her sheet and looked over at me, her expression muddled. Im not pregnant yet, by the way.


    I nodded. Then, do you wish to try again?


    Lyra looked away, I dont I dont know. When you disappeared for thest two weeks, part of me felt genuinely relieved, and part of me felt scared you wouldnte back. What does that mean?


    I pulled out a chair from her writing table and then sat down. It means, you dont know how you feel about me.


    Lyra bit her lip, her eyes turning a bit watery. Is it toote? Will Clyburn even will he even ept me?


    I nodded to myself and then looked up at Lyra, Lyra, its time I told you something.


    Hmm? Lyras eyes perked up at the intensity of my expression.


    Ie from another world, I exined. When I was twelve, I remembered everything from my past. In that world, men and women were born at the same rate. There was no demons curse.


    S-so youre not really Caleb? She asked, her eyes growing suspicious.


    Actually, Im Clyburn! Thats why Brooke is here! Its kind ofplicated, but my ship was attacked by pirates and then crashed and I got really injured. Lilith took my soul and put it in this body so that she could repair my body in peace without the threat of demons.


    Lilith? The demon lord?


    I nodded. You see Lilith isnt a Demon Lord. Shes a demon hunter. The Demons actually thought I was their demon lord for a while. Thats why they came to the city looking for me.


    Demons Lyra nodded.


    Right I got kidnapped and was forced to work in a mine while I was dressed as a girl Callie. Thats where I met Brooke. Then we found the Demon Lords castle buried underground, and I took the Demon Lords inheritance and it sort of went well it went, poof. And then half the city went poof. And here we are. I smiled.


    Lyra smiled back. Here we are.


    Anyway the point is, Im the blessed man. Im from another world, and Im also really Clyburn. So, you dont need to feel bad about when we had sex, okay?


    Clyburn?


    Yes! Iughed. Im Clyburn! I had just woken up from mya and had no clue where I was. When I saw you, I was so happy to see a familiar face, things just sort of got out of hand. However, you dont need to feel like you cheated on me, okay? Im the same guy, even if my body is different. So, you can, you know love me, and I love you, and thats fine.


    Right Lyra lowered her eyes,ughing softly.


    So I let out a breath. That about sums it up.


    Yeah it does Lyras smile disappeared and her expression turned cold.


    Uh Lyra


    You expect me to believe that garbage!


    E-eh?


    Of everything Ive have been through! All the tears I have shed! You think you can just say your Clyburn and Ill believe such a bald-faced lie!


    I-its not a lie!


    You arrogant, egotistical bastard! Lyra flung her sheets away, standing up, her facepletely red.


    Ah no, I mean Im really Cly-


    Dont say it! She snapped through gritted teeth. You dont have the right to say his name! While you were off doing god knows what, I checked out and found the truth. Clyburn was in an ident, and he died in a crash.


    Tears began to form on her cheeks, I thought I could move on. I thought if I just got to know you, then maybe maybe my life would be worth living. Then then you pull this shit! You knew you knew what happened to Clyburn and you didnt tell me! Instead, you decided to make up this ridiculous story to try to trick me into sleeping with you!


    Th-thats not true!


    You even bought his bodyguard who you dug up god knows where to try to sell it. I cant believe I started to like you!


    Lyra I know you dont want to hear this, but youre upset over nothing I-


    Get out! She screamed, grabbing a shoe from the floor and tossing it at me.


    I can prove it! Ask me anything! Ill know-


    I said GET OUT! She started running at me with the next shoe, her face full of rage and murder.


    I leaped out the door and mmed it closed behind me before she could attack. I heard her kick the door from the other side, and then she broke into long wailing sobs. I felt like I was about to fall into tears too, but for apletely different reason. I gritted my teeth and hit the wall with my fist.


    Tell her the truth. They said. Be honest and itll all work out. They whined. I spoke to myself. Fucking idiot!


    I looked up and saw Rhea watching me from her door. She squeaked as soon as she looked at me. I wiped the ugly expression off my face and tried to force a smile for her sake.


    Its okay. Im not angry at her. Just angry at myself. I forgot for a bit that my life sounds a bit fantastical when its just all said out like that. Im sure shelle around eventually. If not, I just got to return to normal and remove all doubt, right?


    Rhea stared at me quietly. Then, she looked in both directions as if making sure no one else was nearby. She skittered out of her room like a scared rodent. With her head down, she walked all the way up to me, and then she lifted her head up and kissed me on the lips. Rhea was a pretty girl, and I was very curious what her personality had been like before she encountered the real Caleb who tortured her so.


    Of course, I was also cautious, remembering that the other girl had tried to kill me once. So even though she was kissing me, my hands instinctively grabbed her own to make sure she had nothing. She shoved her fist into my open palm, and then I felt something drop into it. It was only then that she pulled away, looked around again, and then ran back into her room. I kept my hand closed and then moved it into my pocket.


    After that, I turned around and walked away, not looking back at the hallways again. My two guards who had been standing at the end of the harem hallway stood up and followed me.


    My fingers felt the item she had given me, and I realized it was a folded-up piece of paper. I carefully made my way back to my room without giving the guards any indication of the thing in my hands. Only with my doors shut and the guards on the other side did I finally open it up and nce at the contents.


    <em>You are still in danger. They will try to kill you again.</em>


    The font was not particrly stylish, and there was no signature, but I was certain it was Rhea who had written this note. I didnt know what she knew, and I dont know why she felt the need to warn me. However, I felt for the first time like she might be someone I can trust. I had six months left in this ce, and as Brooke said, I needed to make the best of it. Finding out who tried to kill Caleb, and prevent that happening to me, that was now priority one. I crinkled the message up in my hand, tore it into pieces and then tossed it away.


    Im always in danger, I said to myself. Bring it on.