I said, "There's nothing intriguing about me, my lord."
He groaned in displeasure. "So you call Felix by his first name and not me? That's pretty unfair."
Why does he sound jealous?
Brenna giggled and said, "Lord Felix is pretty close to Alfie, you know."
Aaron tightened his arms around me and hugged me tightly so that my face was buried against his chest. Not to mention the fact that my heart was beating way too fast for my liking or that I liked his scent.
He said, "Then I'll become close to you, too, Alfie. I think you're damned cool, with the way you fired that rifle at the enemy. That was one kickass shot."
So he, too, liked my small participation in the battle, eh?
"What do you expect from one with a pure qi?" Leona said.
I cocked my head to one side. Was it just me or did Leona sound rather proud?
Lord Aaron commanded, "From now on, call me Aaron, Alfie."
I nodded, since I decided then that having Lord Aaron as a friend would be a good idea. I could very easily draw him to my side.
"Good. Now try saying Aaron." He coaxed me like I was a baby who didn't know how to speak.
Oddly enough, I obeyed. Thus, I licked my lips and said, "Aaron."
He laughed and pinched my cheek. "You're so cute, Alfie. I didn't know humans could be this cute." He continued to hug me and kissed the top of my head until Caleb turned up and gave him a good, intense glare.
The man demanded, "What the hell are you doing, Aaron?"
Aaron said easily, "Alfie and I have just become best buddies. He's going to be staying with me in my quarters from now on."
I widened my eyes in shock and shook my head. "I didn't agree to anything like that."
"Don't be shy, Alfie," Aaron said. "I'll take good care of you. You won't need to stay in the soldiers' or servants' quarters. Or even worse, sleeping rough in the streets."
I said, "But I don't mind the servants' quarters. In fact, I can rent out a room in the city while I look for a job."
Aria said, "But you'll need money to rent a room, you know, and you've lost all your belongings, haven't you?"
I suddenly remembered that I had absolutely nothing with me. No money. No clothes. Nothing.
Caleb said, "There are plenty of spare rooms at the palace. There's no need for you to rent a room out in the city nor stay with Aaron."
It was then Lord Geoffrey came out, along with Felix.
"What's this about?" Felix asked.
Leona said, "Alfie's situation. He doesn't have money and wants to look for work."
Felix clasped his hands and said, "I see. Then why don't you become my pageboy, Alfie. I'm currently looking for one. You'll get free lodging, as well as a very decent pay. Five hundred gold coins a month."
The moment he said that, gold coin stars appeared in my eyes. I was lured by money. I eagerly said, "Yes, please." That magic bag didn't seem so far out of my league with that offer.
Aaron said, "Oi, Felix! How dare you treat my friend like a servant? This boy here"—he tapped on my shoulder with his arm still tight around me—"is my best buddy. He won't be working as pageboy for you. And besides, who pays a pageboy that much, anyway? Two hundred gold coin a month is the current going rate. I know because I have three of them under my employment at the palace alone."
Felix ignored Aaron and said to me, "You won't take my job offer, Alfie?"
I said, "I'm happy to accept it."
"I won't accept it," Caleb said sternly.
"Me neither." Aaron nodded.
"Then," Aria put in, her voice gentle, "how about you tell us what you're good at, Alfie? We have plenty of positions opening at the palace. I'm sure you'll find one that's suitable for you."
I thought for a moment and then had an idea. I said, "I would like to work in the library, please."
"Why the library?" Lord Geoffrey asked.
I cleared my throat and said, "I was studying at university before... um... I was here. I was studying science, and I like books."
Brenna said, "We do have a few positions opening at the palace's library. But can you read our language?"
I said, "I'm a fast learner."
"That's sorted, then," Lord Geoffrey said. "I'll see to it that there's a place for you at the library."
I smiled with glee and said, "Thank you, my lord."
Some moments later, a voice echoed throughout the passenger quarters. "Attention, my lords and ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We're landing this airship in Acaedien Airport within ten minutes precisely. Please beware of some bumps as we descend, and is it advisable to stay seated during the process. Thank you."
My heart unexpectedly started racing excitedly as I turned to face the window, my attention on the sight below me.
Acaedien Kingdom, I thought. Very soon, I'd be stepping foot into this nation, and I found that I couldn't wait to see what this fantastical kingdom had to offer. Suddenly, I felt like a tourist who was about to visit another country. But of course, this wasn't just any other country like that on Earth. This was Acaedien Kingdom in the Aurora Realm, where paranormal creatures and magic existed.
* * *
Alfie and the Seven Demon Lords continues in Seven Devils and a Rose. The book is available on Amazon, Google Play, and Apple iBooks. Simply go to any of those ebook stores and search for Seven Devils and a Rose by Alexia X or visit my author website at authoralexiax.com for more info.
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