The Maou returns

Gob jumped out of his skin when for the first time in weeks, the Maou’s voice rang through his brain. “Gob, I am back and I want to talk to you about something.” Gob was worried, he didn’t sound cross exactly but he did sound serious. He didn’t have time to worry as his stomach lurched and he found himself in the grand quarters of the Maou.

The room was dimly lit by a single lamp on the Maou’s desk and the Maou himself was sitting there. He did look serious and it wasn’t like there was nothing Gob had done that he might be upset about. “Welcome back, sire,” Gob said, uncertainly.

“Gob, I thought I told you to drop the formality. What have you been up to?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You don’t? Rose, come here please.” The Maou addressed the darkness and Gob noticed movement as a figure emerged from the shadows.

A pale and slender woman wearing a figure-hugging black dress and high heels stepped forward. The heels made her long legs look almost naturally long and the tight garment showed every detail of her lean body from her prominent hip bones to her tiny waist to her small pointy breasts. Her hair was black but with a streak of red in it and it hung perfectly straight and shone in the dim light. Her skin was pale but immaculate like porcelain and her lips, while seeming to lack makeup, stood out with a red hue. Her eyes were large and her iris was almost pure black. She moved with impossible grace and seemed to make no noise despite the heels she was wearing as she came to stand beside the Maou and took his hand.

It took a moment for Gob to realise who he was looking at. “Ma’am?”

“Rose,” she corrected him. Her voice was unmistakable and now Gob looked more closely her features hadn’t changed that much.

“What have you done to the Head Housekeeper?” said the Maou, sternly. Gob's eyes snapped back from the frankly quite appealing sight of Rose back to the Maou. He was desperately worried by the tone of his voice but his panic left him as he noticed the corners of his mouth turned up in a subtle smile. “I go away and I find out you’ve been feeding live prey to my staff. You made her evolve Gob. What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Sorry?” suggested Gob.

The Maou laughed. “Sorry. I suppose that will have to do. You are getting the hang of demon society I see. Bribing an influential person to win favour. You may well be made for politics.”

Gob gave an uncomfortable smile at being called out like this. “I’m sorry Rose. I didn’t know that that would happen.”

“It is quite alright Gob. I must confess that I knew I was close to this change. It was one of the reasons I stopped eating live prey. I was afraid that if I became more human-like then I would be too far away from the pet my beloved master raised. After so long the temptation was too great. His magnificence still loves me. I was worried for nothing.” She lifted her hand holding the Maou’s to her face and pressed her cheek against his hand. Her face showed more expression than Gob had ever seen in the happiness that gave her.

“I do indeed sweet Rose.” The Maou pulled her hand to his and kissed it. “Whatever form you take you will always be my beloved companion.” He turned to Gob. “It seems I need to thank you again Gob although I’m sure you didn’t intend it. Rose has not been happy. She always reassured me she was fine but I knew she wasn’t. I didn’t know she had been sacrificing a part of her nature out of a misguided fear she would lose me. Look at her. Isn’t she beautiful?”

Gob had to agree. The loss of her spider features had created an almost doll-like figure and sharp, delicate features. She still managed to be a little unnerving but Gob didn’t mention that. “Yes, she is quite lovely.” He noticed Rose give him a shy smile as he said that. She was clearly getting more expressive in her new form.

“Rose, would you be so kind as to give Gob and me a moment to talk in private? I wish to discuss some of what we talked about,” the Maou asked.

“Yes, master. If it is alright I will wait outside. I would also like to talk with Gob when you are done.”

“Of course.” He kissed her hand again and he let her go. She gave a deep curtsey and left the chambers, her feet still making almost no sound.

Leaf looked at the closed door. “I haven’t seen her this happy in so long. I wish she had said something to me. I care so deeply for her. Nobody in the palace knows me as well as she does.”

“Is she your lover?” Gob asked.

The Maou looked startled for a moment and then chuckled. “I can see how you would think that, especially with my reputation with the maids. Rose isn’t like that. I raised her. For a long time, she was like a beloved pet but, as she evolved, her intelligence grew and she became my closest friend. Even looking as lovely as she does now, it would feel wrong. I imagine she would if I asked her but it would feel like a betrayal of our friendship, to me at least.”

The Maou was quiet for a moment then said, “Anyway, that is only a part of what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“The restraints?” asked Gob

A big smile crept onto the Maou’s face. “Yes Gob, the restraints. They work. Here, look.” He opened his desk and pulled out a small box. He opened it to show four small, unassuming decorative chains that had a dull silver colour.

“They don’t look like much,” Gob commented.

“I love that about them. At a glance, these seem to be little more than basic jewellery and plain jewellery at that. In fact, these are the most powerful magical artefacts ever made. These four chains are capable of completely nullifying my power. With these on, I am no stronger than my physical form. I find them marvellous and terrifying all at once.”

“Are you wanting to try them?”

“More than you could know, Gob.” He closed the box and put it away. “Alas, I need to be the Maou for a while. My absence was longer than I had intended and I need to be seen. As soon as I can I want to try them but it will involve disappearing again.

“I made a decision. I spoke to Rose and told her what I have been up to. We came up with a little plan and I think you will need her help. She seems to be quite fond of you but I think that’s because I like you. She is loyal to a fault. A part of me is surprised she didn’t eat Tallie. Even giving me bad service is enough to throw her into a rage. I think it speaks to how much she likes you that she didn’t eat her.”

“She likes me? It’s so hard to tell,” said Gob.

“She is hard to read isn’t she?” laughed the Maou. “You should go and visit April soon. I know she has missed you. She was extremely tired so I would give her a day to rest. I’m sure she will not give you much rest once she sees you again.”

Gob smiled and blushed, “I’ve missed her too.”

“Not too much if the rumour is to be believed.”

“Rumour?”

“There are murmurings that you have been visiting Miss Tuppin. Even more rumours of strange noises coming from her chambers.”

“I think I left a mark on her after her punishment. She turns out to be quite the masochist.”

Leaf laughed loudly and slapped his knees. “You aren’t even denying it. Bedding Karus’ mistress. You’ve got some balls, Gob.”

Gob smiled, “According to her he’s happier than ever now she’s not as bothered about him.”

“Ah, Karus always was the sexual deviant. He seems so straight-laced but he has some interesting hobbies.”

“I did hear something about a child with a succubus.”

“You heard about that? Honestly, a succubus of all creatures. That’s about as down and dirty as you get. I think he wanted the child because it did it for him to impregnate such a low creature.”

“Why are they so maligned, sire?” Gob asked.

“Simply because they feed on other demon races. I put it down to the fact that the demon races are more instinct driven than many from the light kingdoms. Therefore a succubus is a dangerous thing. Too easy to get carried away and lose your life. A true demon like Karus could never die to one but the social stigma was too much. Still, I think he got off on people finding out about it. As I said, he’s quite the deviant.

“I find myself weary tonight. I enjoyed my time with April, completely engrossed in research and crafting but after the excitement of success, I feel I need a rest. I am going to sleep.” He got up from the chair and put a hand on Gob’s shoulder. “It is good to see you again, Gob. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” said Gob and he gave a formal bow before heading to the door. He closed them behind him, turned and jumped as Rose was standing too close to him. He hadn’t heard her approach.

“All done?” she asked and her large eyes glinted in the dim light of the corridor.

“Yes, he seems tired but in excellent spirits.”

“Indeed, it is wonderful to see. Walk with me Gob. I have much I want to discuss with you.”