This is heaven!

  Morrigan nearly melted into the warm, bubbling water, floral notes rising from the steam. She along with both of her sisters were relaxing in what could only be described as Underworld jacuzzi. It wasn't a real jacuzzi, but rather a natural hot water spring coming out from the craggy rocks. The owners of the resort had transformed what was once a barren rock with water coming between into a wonderful, bubbly hot spring.

  "Why couldn't we visit more places like this?" Deziara sighed, sinking deeper into the water.

  "Our original route had a few places like this, although I have to admit that this is one of the nicest hot spring baths I have been to," Viana said, her eyes closed in relaxation.

  "If we catch the asshole who decided to ruin our travel path, I'm going to dip him in boiling magma," Morrigan grumbled, inwardly cursing their ever-present enemy.

  "Watch your language, Morrigan," Viana reprimanded, but it didn't come across earnestly.

  "You are starting to sound like Father," Deziara giggled.

  "I guess I'm doing something right as an heir then," she retorted and the three princesses giggled. Comfortable silence followed as they let the exhaustion leave their bodies. They remained there for quite a while, the resort staff coming to get them out of the water before it would begin to overheat them. Morrigan would have remained for longer since the heat didn't bother her. But she decided to go together with her sisters.

  Once the bath was done and the three of them were dressed in comfortable robes, they retreated to Morrigan's luxury room where the staff served them dinner. It was an exquisite five course meal which featured all of the local produce, including a fruity dessert. Apparently the fruits used were sourced from the very farm they had stayed at before.

  "Finally, I feel like a demon again," Deziara said while savoring the multi-layered dessert of fruits and sweet creams.

  "Tell me about it," Morrigan nodded in agreement, her dessert bowl already empty. She wondered whether it would be alright to ask for seconds. Surely they wouldn't deny the Crown Princess, would they?

  "We certainly needed this," Viana agreed, and protectively pulled her dessert closer, noticing that Morrigan was eyeing it greedily. She gave Viana her best puppy dog impression, but the eldest princess did not cave. Morrigan sighed and was about to call the staff to bring her another dessert when she felt a slight tingling come from her pendant.

  "Father is trying to contact me," she informed her sisters, who nodded in understanding and went quiet. Morrigan touched the pendant and channeled a bit of magic inside, allowing it to connect her with Alphegor.

  "Hello, Morrigan!" resounded the King's voice.

  "Hi, Father!" she replied.

  "Father, hi! I am here too," Deziara said cheerfully.

  "Greetings. I am together with my sisters as well," Viana added, scuttling closer to Morrigan.

  "All three of my traveling daughters are together. You must have grown quite close," the King hummed in satisfaction.

  "Of course! If the three of us are together, then nothing can beat us," Deziara cheered.

  "That puts my heart at ease. I was worried that all of my daughters would remain hostile towards each other but seeing you being so friendly is really reassuring," he said.

  "How are things back at home?" Morrigan asked curiously. There was a moment of silence, and she could feel the pleasant mood drop.

  "There are some troubles, but nothing I wouldn't be able to deal with. The construction of the art gallery is almost complete," he replied, quickly changing the subject. But the heavy note did not go unnoticed.

  Something serious must have happened, but he doesn't want to tell us. Either he is sure that he'll be able to quietly deal with it or he just doesn't want to worry us while we are traveling. Should I push him for answers?

  "It'll be the grandest thing the Demon Kingdom has ever seen! All of Morrigan's paintings are really beautiful, not to mention that the demons will finally be able to see the sacred sites. Every demon knows they are important, but nobody actually knows what they look like," Deziara cheered.

  "Yes, it will surely be a big boost towards improving the morale of our people. Especially if we allow the general public to come and view the art gallery, instead of just allowing the nobles in," Viana hummed solemnly.

  "Won't the nobles complain?" Morrigan asked, then added. "They usually want to keep all the fancy things for themselves."

  "I believe there's a way to remedy that," Viana said.

  "How?"

  "We allow the nobles to purchase some of your paintings. For a very high price, of course. It'll be a good way to increase our funds and also appease the nobles by letting them brag that they have a painting made by the future Queen herself," Viana smiled, and there was a calculating glint in her eyes.

  Good thing that we're on the same side now. I'm afraid to think what would happen if I'd actually have to compete against Viana. I have my art skills and my magic, but when it comes to cunning schemes and planning then she definitely has me beat.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "I see our future Prime Minister has everything figured out already. I'll be able to let you handle it then," Alphegor said with a chuckle. "Where are you right now?"

  "We're at Lava Resort, resting. This place is just great – warm baths, large rooms, and great food. I can't wait to fall into my bed," Deziara replied with a wide smile.

  "The servants also get to rest finally. This was much needed," Viana added.

  "And Haku is having a blast in the lava pool. He hasn't left it since we arrived," Morrigan chuckled.

  "That elf boy is still around?" Alphegor grumbled.

  "Yes, Father. He's been very helpful on our journey, so please don't hate him so much," Morrigan said.

  "Hate is a strong word. I'd have burned him alive if I truly hated him," the King retorted, and Morrigan couldn't argue there. "In any case, I am glad to see that you are doing fine. Feel free to relax in the resort for a few days. After interrogating the attackers it is clear that they do not have the manpower to attack you right now. Of course, you should still remain alert and contact me if anything seems out of place."

  That is odd. He seems so sure that nothing bad will happen here. I got a bad feeling that something is going on in the capital.

  "Maybe we should just hurry to the last sacred site and then go home," Morrigan asked.

  "No, no, there's no need. Enjoy your journey. In either case, it was nice to hear that you are doing fine. I'll talk to you girls tomorrow," Alphegor said and the connection ended. Morrigan stared at the pendant suspiciously.

  "Something doesn't feel right…" she muttered.

  "Yeah, Father would have surely wanted you to return home as quickly as possible," Deziara nodded.

  "I concur. It almost felt like he doesn't want us to return," Viana nodded, her eyebrows furrowing.

  "Something must have happened," Morrigan said and got up from the seat.

  "Perhaps Azrael would know," Viana guessed.

  "Azrael's now dead drunk. I saw him being dragged to his room by a few guards," Deziara shook her head.

  "Then I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow when he sobers up."

  ***

  Breakfast at the Lava Resort was very much to Morrigan's taste. After getting the best sleep she'd had since starting the journey, she was greeted with mountains of waffles, pancakes and muffins of various sorts. Clearly, the kitchen staff had gone all out to please the royalty, and Morrigan had no issues with that.

  She invited all the servants and the guards to the giant dining table which had been prepared for them. They were hesitant at first, but the still-steaming food quickly won them over and before long everyone was merrilly eating and chatting. Not to mention that since all servants were at the table, Morrigan could eat together with Galandir. Sadly it was not something they could do together very often.

  There was, however, one person who was not enjoying the bountiful breakfast in the slightest.

  "Will you all quiet down?" Azrael grumbled, clutching his head with his hand.

  "Shouldn't have drank so much yesterday," Deziara retorted, taking a large bite out of her glowfruit muffin. The muffin lit up with gentle blue light when she took a bite then slowly returned back to normal.

  "But it was the first evening when I wasn't forced to teleport back to the capital," he mumbled. "I had to celebrate."

  "All celebration should be done in moderation," Viana chastised, cutting a small piece of her savory pancake and putting it in her mouth. She was probably still the only one who still remembered any table manners. Morrigan did try her best to follow her example, but when there was so much delicious food in front of you, it was hard to take only small bites.

  "As if you'd understand. You don't even drink," Azrael glared at all three princesses in turn. "You don't even know how nice it is."

  "We are underage," Morrigan retorted, pointing towards herself and Deziara.

  "Alcohol is highly overrated. Wine is a fine drink, but only in small quantities. As soon as you drink enough for it to influence your ability to think, you should stop," Viana shook her head.

  "But that's when it gets fun," Azrael giggled maniacally, and all three princesses sighed.

  "Hey, when you two take charge, make sure to remove him from his position," Galandir whispered.

  "That'll be the first thing I'll do," Morrigan nodded.

  "As it should be," Viana nodded.

  "But you should ask him about the…" Deziara paused, aware of all the ears around them, then looked at Morrigan.

  "You should ask him about the situation in the capital," She sent the message directly into Morrigan's mind.

  "What?" Galandir stared at both of them in turn, not following the conversation.

  "It doesn't concern you," Viana said sharply.

  "There, there. No need to get sharp," Morrigan pacified the two, then sent a message into her elven friend's mind.

  "We think that something bad might be going on in the capital. I'll try to ask Azrael, but I need to be sure to be alone with him."

  "Why don't you just ask him through your Telepathy? He's close enough, isn't he?" Galandir replied in her mind.

  How did I not think of that?

  She sighed at her lack of wit and decided to blame it on the early morning hours. And she wasn't quite used to the fact that she could just speak into somebody's mind. It just seemed too convenient.

  "Azrael, I need to ask you something."

  The mage sputtered on the coffee he was drinking and then glared at Morrigan.

  "I am eating. Leave me be," he grumbled and turned his back towards her.

  "It is important."

  "Leave me be. Your voice hurts my head," Azrael rubbed at his temples. The nearby guards looked at him oddly and scuttled some distance away from him. Deziara snickered at the display.

  "Who are you talking to, Azrael?" she teased him.

  "You know who, you little… little…" the white-haired demon grumbled, but then just waved with his hand.

  "One question."

  "Be quick. Your voice in my head seriously hurts," the mage finally relented, while his forehead scrunched up unpleasantly.

  "What is going on in the capital?"

  Azrael paused, and Morrigan could see from his expression that a hundred thoughts were going through his mind. But he wasn't sending any of them to her, instead choosing to remain silent.

  "Nothing," was the only thing she received. Then he got up from the table and left while complaining loudly, "You lot are insufferable. How is somebody with a hangover supposed to eat here? I'm going to my room."

  "What did he say?" Deziara, Viana and Galandir all asked in her mind at the same time.

  "Nothing."

  All three of them furrowed their brows and watched as the mage left. Something was definitely going on. Morrigan decided then that she'd definitely find out exactly what before they left the resort.