The witch and the devil

Beatrice sat on the swing. She took offense at first when I suggested we stop at this children playground nestled between buildings, but ultimately took to it rather quickly

“You know of the class segregation in Zeth, right?”, she asked me.

I nodded. This was basic knowledge. The magic Kingdom of Zeth regards mages as superior. Non mages have barely any rights and are treated as little more then slaves.

“If you where born in Zeth I wouldn't have to enter a tournament to get you“, Beatrice grinned up at me. “I could simply show up on your doorstep and claim you as my personal ****.”

That sounded insane. “Just because you know magic?”

“I don't just know magic, Mari”, Beatrice corrected me. “I am one of the finest spellcasters of the continent. From the day I was born my destiny was to become one of Zeth's four lords. Despite the fact that I was from a minor noble house, it wouldn’t have been unusual for me to marry into the royal family outright. Actually, if things would have gone a bit different you would be looking at the Queen of Zeth.”

Humble as always.

“My parents were naturally aware of my huge potential. Since before I could even remember they put me through rigorous training. Every waking moment was spend honing my craft and squeezing every little ounce of magic potential out of me.”

Oh... I could see what that would do to a young child. “And that’s why you entered a contract with a devil?”

“Huh? No! That was because of the pony-boy.”

… the what?

The witch frowned. “I wanted a pony-boy. Emi got one and bragged about it all the time in magic preschool, so I asked Papa for one plus riding lessons but he told me I shouldn’t waste my time on non magic hobbies.”

I think I will be much better of not knowing what a pony-boy is. “But I don’t see how this relates to Femto.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” She sighed. “I was angry at Papa and wanted to get back at him. So I did what every six year old girl would do. I painted a magic circle and summoned a devil.”

Right. Regular kids stuff.

“That’s when Femto popped up. She’s rank four now but back then she was a measly rank twelve. I was a bit disappointed that only such a low level devil showed up but I took pity on her and accepted her as my familiar. The price was that she would eventually betray me and steal my soul.”

“And you just accepted that?”

The ex-witch cackled. “Why wouldn't I? Femto would still have to trick me. All I needed to do was be smarter then her.”

Yeah sure, that worked out splendidly, didn’t it?

“You should have seen Papa’s face!”, Beatrice cackled some more. “Devils are, of course, forbidden as familiars and the mages who do enter a contract with them are excommunicated and called witches. Naturally, that ruined every chance of him attaining any sort of high standing in the country.”

I feel bad for the guy.

“I considered turning him into a spoon”, Bea mused. “But I ultimately decided that being ostracized from society as the father of a witch was a way bigger punishment. I really was quite mature for my age, don’t you think?”

No comment. “Is that why you call yourself the witch of miracles?”

“That was actually Femto’s idea”, Bea elaborated. “She always claimed my existence was a miracle. I quite liked the sound of that.”

Right. So Femto is about 10% to blame for that huge ego.

“And the rest is pretty much history. I had no interest in staying in Zeth, so for the next decade we traveled the continent. We visited every country and even went past the Maginot Line to the Monster Realm. Oh, and we took a few trips to Hell as well. That got me plenty of experience. I honed my craft and refined my magic while Femto raised through the ranks. Then I fought against you and lost my magic.” She used that opportunity to get up from the swing with a little jump. “The end!”

For the next few seconds I could only stare at her dumbfounded. “Beatrice, I want you to be honest with me now. Is that all really the truth?”

“Why wouldn't it be?”, the ex-witch replied casually. “I know it’s not particularly interesting. Not everyone has a big, dramatic backstory.”

I see.

“Beatrice, pinch your nose shut and hop on one leg. Also, bark like a doggie.”

The ex-witch had a rather surprised look on her face, as one of her arms involuntarily lifted itself towards her button nose, followed by her raising a leg and doing some short jumps. “Woof! Woof! H-hey! Stop this at once! Woof!” A blushing Beatrice glared angrily at me, which was admittedly rather cute.

Her Doggie impression is pretty accurate, but that’s besides the point.

“I just wanted to make sure the obedience magic didn't expire or something.” I shook my head in utter disbelief.

“Woof! O-of course it didn't. Woof Woof. Stop this or I curse you!”, she said, still hoping.

Considering, the very, very embarrassed expression and her **** struggle to keep her equilibrium, it’s pretty safe to say she isn’t faking it. Meaning, this ludicrous tale actually was the truth. I probably can tell her to stop now.

…

I decided to let Bea continue to make a fool out of her herself until she finally lost the battle with her balance and started to tip. (At which point, I of course caught her) “Alright, you can return to normal now.”

The expression of panic was replaced by a quick breath of relief before returning back to anger.

“You cur! Couldn't you have come up with something less...whatever that was? Honestly!” She huffed and pouted.

I had to laugh. “Would you prefer If I had gone for the more classic, show me your boobs?”

Beatrice yelped and pulled her dress, including bra, down, exposing her rather flat and snow white chest and her two pink nipples. She wasn’t completely flat though, I couldn’t help but notice. Her mounds where clearly there and their diminutive size actually kinda suited her?

“H-hey! We are on a children’s playground, you pervert!”

“O-Oh!” I quickly turned around. “S-sorry, you can make yourself decent again.”

Why am I acting all flustered? I **** her naked just yesterday. And shouldn’t safety orders prevent stuff like this?

Or was it because I secretly wanted this to happen?

Do I just want to get back at her or is this something else?

You are her master, a voice whispered. She’s yours to command.

“Honestly”, I heard Bea sigh and rustle with her clothes behind me. “You may turn around now”

No. I **** these thoughts deep down. Took an equally deep breath and turned around. Beatrice didn’t look particularly upset about what just happened. There was still a slight flush on her face.

Was she enjoying this too?

No. Stop it, Mari.

“W-well”, the ex-witch started. “Did I satisfy your curiosity?”

“Almost”, I replied. “There is one thing still on my mind. You bounced back amazingly, but you really trusted Femto a lot, right? This betrayal wasn't something you conceivably thought possible.”

“I suppose that is true”, Bea admitted.

“Then how can you be so casual about it?”

Beatrice remained silent for a bit. This was obviously a rather difficult question. But just as I was about to tell her that she didn’t have to answer, she spoke up. “This should be obvious, but Devils have a rather different outlook on lives then humans.”

I gathered as much.

“Femto cares for me. Just not as much as for my soul.”

“That’s awful”, I blurted out almost involuntarily.

“Is it?” Beatrice gave me a sad smile. “I guess, a part of it has to do with the way the safety orders subdue one's emotion. Perhaps without them I would react differently?”

...

“You are right”, Beatrice continued. “I trust Femto immensely. What we got through ever since she became my familiar, it's impossible to erase that. I would die for her, Mari. And what she did doesn't change that.”

I was at a loss for words. This could not be healthy. Should I free her from that order? But what if she can't handle it? She obviously has a lot of mental baggage. Losing her magic, her best friend betraying her... it’s a lot for a young girl to handle.

Should I hug her? N-no that would be way too forward, right? There has to be something I can do for her.

The voice whispered again.

Beatrice chuckled. “My, you are making a rather difficult face. Do you regret taking my magic?”,

Erk…

“No”, I answered truthfully. “Not when I consider the alternative. But I would have liked if there was another way.”

“Thank you.” Beatrice smiled.

I was not expecting this date to turn out like this. Ultimately Beatrice brought her fate upon herself but considering the people who raised her. Did she ever truly have a choice?

I decided then.

I will take care of her.

Not out of obligation or because I feel guilty.

But because Bea deserves at least one.

At least one person that actually cares about her.

“So, now that we have the sad, emotional part out of the way...”, Beatrice clapped her hands together. “About time for us to fuck?”

...