Demon King's Gardener

When Jurao boarded his carriage for town, he found Princess Morvvan had decided to join him.

“So, what are we getting in town, Juju?” she grinned, lounging across the bench seating of her side of the carriage.

“I am getting a cloak to go with the broach I made for Braelin,” Jurao replied, “You would have to tell me what you intend to purchase.”

“A broach and cloak?” Morvvan smiled, “Whatever for?”

“Apparently, broaches are common courtship gifts in the Human Realm,” the Demon King replied.

Morvvan made a squeak-like noise, sitting up, “You’re getting him a courtship gift? How cute!”

“I find whenever I attempt to verbally express my feelings, I am unable to do so,” Jurao sighed, “This seemed like a good alternative.”

“It’s a very sound alternative,” the princess nodded, “Though… I do hope Braelin receives it as intended.”

“As do I,” the Demon King replied, “Though if he does not, he was in need of a cloak anyway.”

“I heard you lent him yours once?” Morvvan asked, “And he wore it through the castle?”

Jurao nodded, “I did. I had not considered the implications.”

“And I’m sure Feyl let you know what they were later,” Morvvan giggled, “Oh, this is so much fun! I can’t wait to tell father!”

“How is King - ah, Prince Ergirri?” the Demon King asked.

“Oh, very much enjoying himself lazing about all day,” Morvvan laughed, “Zaza doesn’t know what to do with eirself now that eir husband is home all day.”

“Lordis Vallen was always complaining they did not have enough time together,” Jurao frowned.

“And now it’s too much,” Morvvan laughed, “But that’s just a joke. They both love that they get to spend more time together, really.”

“That is good to hear,” Jurao nodded, “And how are the other princelins.”

“We’re all fine, Juju,” Morvvan sighed, “I’m here to talk about you and your crush - you know you can ask me anything, right? I’m a bit of a love expert.”

“You are,” Jurao asked.

“Damn right I am,” Morvvan nodded - then paused, “Oh, you’re asking, huh?”

“Yes,” the Demon King replied.

The princess sighed, “If you have to ask, then expert might be a stretch…”

“I would not mind your advice, however,” Jurao added.

“Okay, but first, a quiz,” Morvvan smiled, “What’s Braelin’s favorite food?”

“Anything the garden gives him,” the Demon King replied, unsure why he was being asked this.

“Favorite color?”

“I do not know.”

“Favorite song?”

“I do not know.”

“Hobby that doesn’t involve the gardens?”

“I would guess whittling.”

“Favorite animal?”

“The mirage spider he calls Shiny,” Jurao replied - since there were few options.

“In general,” Morvvan clarified, “Not like a pet.”

“Oh. I do not know.”

“Does he have any siblings?”

“Three - an older brother named Malson and younger twins, Ayelma and Meir’ril.”

“Huh, I didn’t expect you to get that one - parents?”

“The former king and queen of Jost,” the Demon King said, “Though his birth mother died, and he was raised by his uncle.”

“Wait, he’s a prince?” Morvvan grinned.

“He’s illegitimate, so no,” Jurao replied, “And if he were not, it would still only be a former prince.”

“Humans are weird - isn’t your kid your kid?” Morvvan waved a hand, “Anyway - I thought you were going to know absolutely nothing about this man, but you actually know a fair amount. So, good job.”

“Thank you,” Jurao frowned, uncertain what that had to do with his current situation.

“You’re welcome,” the princess grinned, “But, it seems like there’s still plenty of things you don’t know - for instance, if you’d found out his favorite color, you could have picked a cloak in that color.”

“Ah,” the Demon King saw the wisdom in this.

“Relationships aren’t really built on grand gestures,” Morvvan went on, “So while most people probably think you appointing him to Royal Gardner is enough, they’d be very wrong.”

“You do not believe it has caused a positive opinion,” Jurao frowned.

“Oh, it definitely has,” the princess held out her hands, “But it’s not like you have more gardens to give him, right?”

The Demon King considered this.

“... it’s not like it’s practical to make new gardens to give him,” Morvvan corrected.

“That’s true,” Jurao sighed.

“So it’s important to pay attention to those little details about the kinds of things he likes,” the princess replied, “And sure, you have an easy guess with how much he seems to like the gardens, but it’s not like you can just assume his favorite color is green because he happens to like plants.”

“I see,” the Demon King nodded, indeed finding this very helpful.

“Do you know when his birthday is?” Morvvan asked, “Prime gift-giving day.”

“I do not,” Jurao admitted.

“See? Lost opportunity,” the princess sighed, “Though I’m sure Feyl would have found out and told you when it was approaching…”

“Probably,” the Demon King nodded, “He was the one who told me how old Braelin is.”

“Oh, how old is he?”

“Forty-four.”

“So young!” Morvvan gasped, then considered, “Wait, how old is that compared to us?”

“Around the same age I am,” Jurao replied.

“Oh,” the princess said, “That makes more sense - he’s definitely old man material.”

“Does that make you an old woman,” the Demon King asked, not considering himself old and knowing the princess was his senior.

Morvvan laughed, “I guess it does, by my logic! But anyway, you should try to figure out more of those little details, you know?”

Jurao nodded, “Yes, thank you for the advice.”

“Of course,” Morvvan grinned, “Couldn’t have little Juju’s first love going awry if I can help it. Not after you punched that one lord that wanted to marry me way back when…”

“You could have handled him,” the Demon King replied.

“Yes, but it’s so much more fun to let someone else do it,” the princess cackled, “And the look on his face when some no-name lieutenant I thought would ignore me just went and laid him out? Oh, I could never do that much psychological damage.”

In town, Morvvan immediately went off to do her own shopping. Jurao went to a few different fabric shops before finding a fabric he thought Braelin might like - soft and warm without being too luxurious in a deep wine-red color. From the fabric store, he took it to a tailoring shop - considering the sizing he was looking for, the Demon king sought out a shop owned by an inspired demon. While they were shocked by his appearance at their shop, they went about making the cloak quickly.

They also had pre-embroidered borders available- it was how they stood out from their competition. Considering the man it was intended for, Jurao also selected one of these featuring leaves - and for his own satisfaction, the leaves had been rendered in gold thread.

“Here you are~!” Morvvan singsonged as she burst into the shop, “Oh, what a cute shop you stumbled into, Juju!”

Jurao was still waiting for the completed product in the front area, pursuing the other pre-made borders, “It was the only shop I could find with an inspired demon owner.”

“Ah, yeah, they’d be better for making a human-sized cloak,” the princess laughed - then gasped, “What are these?”

“Pre-made embroidered hems,” the Demon King replied.

“Incredible,” Morvvan said, looking through them, “This work is impeccable, Juju - a pity the selection isn’t very wide, but putting out too many without a guarantee of sale would be so much work down the drain…”

“I, ah, finished that cloak, your highness,” the proprietress said nervously, returning from where she’d been sewing in the back.

“Thank you,” Jurao said, accepting the cloak - he’d already paid for her services, so his transaction was complete.

“Did you make all of these yourself?” Morvvan demanded, holding up one of the borders.

“Ah,” the store owner chuckled nervously, “I did, ah…”

“Morvvan,” the princess smiled, “Just Morvvan is fine. And you are?”

“Emessi,” the proprietress replied and bowed a little, “I did - most of my business comes in the form of last-minute commissions like this, so having finishing touches readily available gives me an edge.”

“Talented and business-minded,” Morvvan said, leaning on the counter, “And pretty to boot - where have you been hiding, my dear?”

“Uh…” Emessi had a strained smile as she said, “Here…?”

“I’m heading back,” Jurao said, headed for the door.

Morvvan sighed, “I’ll definitely be back, Emessi! Nice to meet you!”

“Goodbye, I look forward to your patronage,” the store owner replied, with another bow.

“She’s probably never even had a noble in her store, you know,” the princess said once they were outside.

The carriage was waiting nearby, and Jurao held the door open for her, “Why would that be - you praised her work, after all.”

“Because she’s an inspired demon?” Morvvan said, climbing in and sitting down, “In case you forgot, which… you probably did; most demons tend to look down on them.”

“Ah, right,” the Demon King said, getting in after her, “Alae was saying he hoped my relationship with Braelin worked out to improve how people viewed inspired demons.”

“He’s a sharp guy,” Morvvan said, “Seriously, it’s scary how good you are at finding and recruiting the most competent people.”

“I don’t think it’s that remarkable,” Jurao replied, “I simply look for them.”

“Yeah, but you aren’t held back by the sort of biases the rest of us tend to be,” the princess shrugged, “But hey, that’s why Dad thought you’d be good for the job.”

“I see,” the Demon King nodded, “I had wondered, at times.”

“Can I watch you give him the cloak and broach?” Morvvan switched subjects, “I want to see how he reacts.”

“If you want,” Jurao replied, seeing no issue.

The rest of the return trip was mostly unremarkable. By the time they arrived, Jurao had just enough time to retrieve his gardener for the evening meal.

He ran into Gaele headed towards the back door leading out to the gardens.

“Ah, your highness… es,” they said, bowing, “Were you… going to collect Braelin again?”

“Yes,” Jurao replied, “Until Vajur’s temper has calmed, I intend to escort him when inside the castle.”

“Oh, I see,” they said, chuckling, “I suppose I won’t need to get him for a few days at least, then…”

“Who’s this?” Morvvan asked, peeking out from over Jurao’s shoulder.

“Lordis Gaele,” Jurao answered, “They’re Braelin’s assistant.”

Gaele straightened up, “Er, yes! That’s me!”

“Oh, you’re so cute!” the princess said, “I just want to squish your face! Can I?”

“Can you… squish my face…?” the lordis asked, “Uh, yeah, I guess…?”

Morvvan didn’t so much as hesitate to do so, “Eee! You really are a cutie! Thank you! I just meet cute people and can barely help myself!”

“Er el’oohm?” Gaele replied as well as they were able with the face squishing.

“We’re going to be late if we dally further,” Jurao said, heading out into the gardens.

“Ooh, are you excited to give Braelin your gift?” Morvvan grinned, releasing Gaele.

“A gift…?” they asked, rubbing their cheeks.

“Juju’s giving Braelin a courtship gift~,” the princess half sang, “Isn’t it cute?”

“A courtship…?” Gaele ran around to Jurao’s other side, asking anxiously, “Wait, didn’t you say you… didn’t have a romantic interest in Braelin!?”

“I thought I did not,” Jurao agreed, “I realized I was wrong, and do.”

The lordis didn’t seem to know how to respond to this, freezing on the spot.

Morvvan giggled, “Aww, you broke them! Poor thing!”

The Demon King had no idea what she meant by that, pausing to look back. Had he somehow caused Gaele unintentional harm?

Gaele stood staring for another moment - then their eyes lit up as usual and they exclaimed reverently, “Incredible!”

Ah, they’re fine, Jurao realized, resuming his walk.

Gaele caught up with them easily, “Not only could you easily deny romantic interest, but easily admit it without any embarrassment, too! You really are the most amazing person in the realm, your highness!”

“Are they Braelin’s assistant or your fan…?” Morvvan chuckled.

“I suppose both would be apt,” the Demon King replied.

Gaele gasped, “You’re acknowledging me as a fan? You don’t think it’s weird or-”

“You have sufficiently explained your admiration of me,” Jurao replied, “As the traits you listed are positive, I see no reason to dissuade you.”

The lordis looked like they might cry of joy.

Morvvan dodged around to squish their face again, “Gah! You’re really too cute for me to stand, Gaele!”

“Hank ouu?” the lordis managed.

At this time, the gardens finished showing the way to Braelin - he was working clearing debris in the Gentle Garden.

Jurao left the other two to their play, approaching the human himself.

Braelin looked up at his approach, usual jacket hung over the side of the cart he was loading with debris. He nodded, “My lord.”

“It’s almost time for the evening meal,” the Demon King replied, “But before then, I have… a gift for you.”

“A gift?” Braelin asked, blinking.

Jurao nodded and draped the cloak in his hands over the human, pulling out the broach he’d made and pinning it at the shoulder, “Since you didn’t already have a cloak.”

“Ah,” Braelin watched the Demon King’s hands and, when he was done, took a step back to examine himself. He smiled, “Thank you - it’s very warm.”

Jurao felt a warmth in his chest at the smile and was quite content.

It was, therefore, Morvvan peeking around his side that added, “He made the broach himself.”

“You did?” the human asked, brows rising as his smile naturally faded.

“I did,” the Demon King replied, and found himself looking away, “I had not smithed anything in some time, but since it was a simple piece…”

This was met with silence, which Jurao wasn’t sure what to make of.

When she could stand it no longer, Morvvan heaved a sigh, “So, the evening meal…”

“Yes,” the Demon King said, turning back towards the castle without looking at his gardener again.

Which was why he startled himself when one of his hands came into contact with the human’s shoulder only a few steps later, finding him walking at his side as usual.

The open, questioning look on Braelin’s face when their eyes met made the Demon King feel that twinge in his chest again.

“Is it important that his highness made the broach…?” he heard Gaele ask from behind.

“Shh!” Morvvan hushed, then added, “I’ll explain later.”

The exchange reminded Jurao, once more, to move forward.