AS THE SEASONS shifted and the passage of time continued its relentless march forward, the human child had reached the age of wonder and exploration. The once clumsy movements evolved into graceful strides, and the tentative steps gradually transformed into confident strides that carried her across the castle halls.

The child's boundless energy and insatiable curiosity brought a new set of challenges for the servants in the demon lord's castle. Gone were the days of her infancy, when she could be easily entertained with simple toys and soothing lullabies. Now, she was a whirlwind of activity, constantly moving and eager to explore every nook and cranny of her surroundings.

"Lady Asha!" the servants called. "Where are you?" They had been walking all over the garden, searching for the child who had managed to once again sneak out of her room.

But there was no response, save for the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of birds. The garden remained eerily silent as if holding its breath in anticipation of Asha's next move.

Meanwhile, in the castle's grand hall, Caius was in the middle of an important meeting with other legion members. They were discussing some changes and developments that had been happening in the underworld when tiny knocks were heard. It wasn't that much of a bother to Caius, but the constant banging interrupted the session.

"I will see to it," Rath offered, already having a hunch about who would be on the other side. "Greetings, Lady Asha, to what do we owe your presence?"

"Caiu," the toddler chirped, her pronunciation still slightly off but her joy evident in the attempt. Those initial steps marked just the beginning of her developmental milestones. It didn't take long when she began mimicking words and shadowing the demon lord's every move. With an almost innate sense, she knew precisely where to find him, gravitating effortlessly toward the rooms he frequented most often.

Rath released a resigned sigh, fully aware that they would need to visit the caretaker servants responsible for the toddler again to update them on her whereabouts. "I apologize, Lady Asha, but the lord is currently busy. It might be best for you to return to your quarters until he summons you," Rath gently suggested.

"No!" Asha's response was immediate and firm, her determination clear. She had been waiting in her room for what felt like an eternity since they last informed her of Caius's busy schedule. However, with the impatience typical of a child and lacking any concept of time, she couldn't remain still. Restlessness coursed through her veins, compelling her to seek out the company of the demon lord, regardless of his ongoing tasks.

"Apologize, it's really not possible. How about I just called on sir Gayin so you can go -"

"No! Caiu play! Rath meanie!" frustration simmered within the child after another rejection. Her brows furrowed, and her tiny fists clenched tightly as a wave of discontent washed over her. With an indignant huff, she stomped her foot on the ground, the sound echoing faintly through the corridor.

"But -"

"Caiu now!" she demanded, her voice tinged with stubbornness.

Rath recognizes the onset of a tantrum. They had grown accustomed to Asha's spirited nature, but managing her outbursts still posed a challenge. Sensing the impending storm, they braced themselves for what was to come.

"Lady Asha, please calm down," Rath implored, their tone gentle yet firm. "Lord Caius is occupied at the moment. It won't be much longer before he can come to fetch you," Rath repeated to calm the child down but Asha was inconsolable. Her frustration mounted with each passing second, fueling the flames of her temper. With a shrill cry, she threw herself onto the floor, kicking and flailing her arms in protest.

"I... want to see Caiu!" she wailed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Despite Rath's efforts to soothe her, Asha's tantrum persisted.

"Has the little human come to visit again?" Caius already sensed Asha's energy from outside the room before she even knocked, but he did not want to be disturbed until things were sorted out on his end. However, the sudden shift in the child's demeanour, from joy to frustration, followed by loud cries, made him reconsider. "Let her in, Rath."

Rath nodded and opened the door to Caius's chamber. Upon seeing the door ajar, Asha hurried inside, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She went to where Caius was seated behind his desk, slowly climbing onto his lap before settling herself down.

Caius chuckled softly as the child clung to him, her gaze fixed on Rath with a hint of defiance as if daring them to try to separate her from Caius. It was an intriguing sight, given that Rath was the one primarily responsible for caring for her. Caius had expected her to be more attached to Rath, but for some unknown reason, she always sought him out instead.

"Little human," Caius exclaimed, his voice laced with both amusement and the eerie resonance of his demon power. "What trouble do you bring this time?"

"Caiu, play," Asha responded eagerly, her young voice tinged with excitement. At her age, her vocabulary was still limited. Still, she managed to grasp a few words with the help of the necromancer, much to Caius's annoyance, for sometimes he was teaching her unnecessary words. However, despite the necromancer's efforts, Asha's memory could only retain so much. Among the limited selection of words she could articulate, 'play' emerged as a favourite. It echoed in her mind from the various voices surrounding her, but she often directed it at Caius. This inclination might have stemmed from the necromancer's frequent suggestion to use the word to him, considering Caius's infrequent presence, unless he was the one summoning her, seeking entertainment.

Caius, on the other hand, despite the word 'play.' Once, it had been a term associated with his entertainment, evoking excitement akin to the thrill he felt while slaughtering and torturing creatures or observing humans engage in wars. However, now it seemed as insubstantial as a ball of fluff, a sentiment he found distasteful and would rather throw it up.

"Play. play now," the child insisted, her repeated plea causing Caius to flinch in discomfort, as he'd rather drown himself in paperwork than play along with the child.

"Asha, why don't we go find the necromancer? You can use him as a toy. He will gladly like that."

Indeed, engaging in child's play was not something Caius relished. He found it tedious and beneath his dignity, despite his understanding of human children's tendencies. Refusing to lower himself to such a level, he often redirected the child's attention to the necromancer, who, in Caius's estimation, possessed a childlike mentality perfectly suited to such pursuits.

"No," Asha stubbornly shook her head, her small voice expressing frustration. "Gayi no good. Always surrender," she complained, her disappointment evident. Unlike Rath and the other servants, who eagerly indulged her whims and actively participated in her games, Gayin simply lay down and only focused on teaching her to read and write. Whenever Asha grew bored or wished to do something else, Gayin let her go, often using the opportunity to rest or sleep. If Asha decided to play a game or any activity requiring effort, he would surrender within minutes. Consequently, Asha found little enjoyment in playing with him. "No fun, Gayi."

Well, Caius doesn't expect much from the necromancer. He already knows he will be more troublesome than a child. While the man possessed a relentless ambition for his research, he exhibited distinct laziness in every other aspect of his life-a human wrapped in the guise of a demon, according to Caius's judgment.

"Then what about the other servant, wouldn't that be better? I could ask them to show you magic."

"Magic?" Asha's eyes lit up at the mention of 'magic.' It was one of the few words firmly lodged in her fledgling vocabulary.

In the underworld, where mysteries abounded, and complexities loomed, everything seemed tailored to confound the understanding of a child. The laws of physics in the demon world danced to a different tune, and the creatures of fantastical origin that Asha encountered were often beyond the grasp of her developing mind. Simple explanations and the concept of "magic" served as a beacon of understanding-a catch-all term that encapsulated the inexplicable phenomena she encountered.

Whether it was the shimmering glow of mystical portals, the flickering flames of enchanted candles, or the mesmerizing patterns woven by spellcasters, Asha slowly learned to associate it with the word 'magic.' It became a comforting notion, offering a semblance of comprehension in a world teeming with complexities beyond her comprehension. Through the magic lens, the unfamiliar became familiar to her eyes, and the daunting became enchanting-a testament to the power of imagination in navigating the intricacies of the demon realm.

"Sure. Let's go with that." Caius nodded in response, his demeanour tinged with amusement at her fascination with the concept of magic. He didn't delve into specifics regarding the nature of magical practices within the underworld. Instead, he allowed her imagination to take flight, knowing that her interpretation of magic would be coloured by her unique experiences and observations.

For Asha, the term 'magic' encompassed many phenomena, often manifesting in anything bright or luminous. Her encounters with magic started because of a magical stone that's commonly used within the demon realm. It had left a lasting impression on her young mind, and now, anything that emitted a radiant glow or shimmered with otherworldly light was promptly classified as 'sparkle magic.'

Knowing that magic had now become Asha's fascination and curiosity, Gayin devised a clever solution to satisfy her yearning for magical experiences. He crafted a device that emitted a gentle, ethereal glow akin to the luminous radiance of the enchanted stone she had encountered before. This device doesn't have the actual characteristic of a magic stone as it only serves as a surrogate to captivate Asha's attention and spark her imagination with its radiant allure.

Rath, who had been listening in the whole conversation, had telepathically sent the message to the other servants in charge of caring for Asha. I asked them to prepare those glow stones, which were now considered Asha's toys.

"Then, I will let you go and have your play. Rath will bring you more sparkle magic until your desire is satiated. If ever you feel bored, I'm allowing you access to the magic tower of the castle. You can't go to the lab but feel free to break anything else by the bar."

"Really?" Asha's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of venturing beyond the confines of her usual haunts. Her world had been defined by the familiar spaces a child's understanding's imposing yet strangely comforting chambers and the bustling activity of the dining hall. Since all other areas were hidden by invisible barriers, it was all she knew, but now, a new space has opened for her.

Caius observed her enthusiasm with a faint smile, his expression tinged with a hint of mischief. "Indeed," he confirmed, his tone carrying a subtle undercurrent of his own amusement. "You may play to your heart's content."

Asha's grin grew wider at his words, her imagination already racing with the possibilities of what lay beyond the familiar confines of her daily routine. With eager anticipation coursing through her veins, she jumps off Caius's lap, raising her hand and letting Caius know. "I'm ready!"

"Very well." Caius instructed Rath with a subtle nod, indicating that it was time for the child to return to her quarters.

"Then, Lady Asha, shall we?" Rath called.

"Yes!" Asha replied before turning back to Caius once more. "Later, Caiu."

"Until then, child," Caius responds. "And Rath," Caius called to his servant with a mischievous glint in his eyes, his tone laden with anticipation, "do remind her about the magic tower. Provide her with some of those magic stones that shatter against the glass, but ensure the noise is muted and the splatter alters to her liking."

Rath acknowledged the command with a respectful bow of his head, his understanding implicit. They were well acquainted with Caius's penchant for amusement, and they could already envision the entertainment he had in store.

It was only a matter of hours before a tumultuous uproar barged into Caius's lair, the clamour announcing their arrival even before the door swung open. Caius didn't even need to look up to see who it was or inquire about the purpose of their visit. The waves of irritation and fury that emanated from them spoke volumes, making the demon lord smirk.

"You infernal demon lord! What have you done?!" the necromancer bellowed, his voice laced with indignation.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the necromancer himself," Caius responded with a smirk still playing on his lips, relishing the palpable vexation radiating from the human before him. "It seems you've found yourself with abundant free time today, considering you've graced me with another unsummoned visit."

Gayin was seething, his fury evident in every line of his tense frame. Though he harboured thoughts of curses and imagined scenarios where he could exact revenge on the demon lord, he knew such fantasies were futile. He will die before he can even strike his revenge, but one day. He will have his revenge. "What did you order Asha to do?"

"Ordered?" Caius feigned innocence, though he knew such a tactic rarely worked on Gayin. "When have I ever given orders to a child? Surely, you understand that I derive no pleasure from commanding a young one."

"Lies," Gayin seethed inwardly. He knows how much pleasure a demon gets in someone's misery and fury. While Caius found greater satisfaction in the chaos of warfare, the agony of torture, and the terror of fear, the residual emotions of misery and frustration still provided a tantalizing feast for his darker impulses. Gayin understood this all too well, recognizing that even if Caius derived more pleasure from other forms of suffering, he still savoured the negative energy that emanated from moments of discord and turmoil.

"Believe what you will, but it seems Asha has found herself a new plaything," Caius remarked casually.

"She nearly decimated my entire drinking station!" Gayin's voice rose with indignation.

Caius merely chuckled, making no effort to conceal his innocence. "Looks to me the child had fun."

Gayin's attachment to his drinking area was profound. It served as a sanctuary where he could indulge in expensive libations procured from other realms, a means of alleviating the stress accumulated from his duties. But when he sought solace within its confines, he was met with the harrowing sight of shattered bottles and a child merrily defacing his walls with doodles. The incident nearly gave him a heart attack, and he required no further inquiry to ascertain who had dispatched the child into his domain.

Gayin sighed. There was no point in further complaints; he would have to devise another scheme to outwit the demon lord and compensate for the damages later.

"I swear, you are not a good influence on the child. It makes me worry if Asha will grow to be like you in the future," Gayin lamented.

"If you think she will become a demon, it won't happen. The human is too pure," Caius assured him.

"Yet you're corrupting her," Gayin countered.

"Hardly. We just happen to find the same things interesting," Caius retorted.

"I doubt." He had observed the demon lord's interactions with the child. Though they were sometimes questionable, Asha seemed to find the honesty of the demon lord warm and comforting, unlike the distant demeanour of the servants or Gayin's own flamboyant attitude.

Caius's response was characteristically nonchalant. "The child chooses what she wants. Her life is her responsibility. How she acts, how she perceives the world, and what she does, I don't care. I have no control over her mind and no plans to do so. It would kill the fun," he stated with a smirk. He always found the child's growth and development to be highly entertaining. Her pure heart and brave soul always gave him a sense of satisfaction, so he rarely interfered with the child's choices unless they broke his rules or threatened his enjoyment.

Gayin frowned, troubled by Caius's apparent indifference. "Then what would you do if Asha chose a path that endangers her existence?"

"Then she will walk that path," Caius answered simply, his tone unwavering.

Gayin restrained himself from asking further questions, recognizing the fundamental differences between demons and humans. He understood that Caius lacked the depth of emotions that humans possess, but he still hoped that the demon lord might find some semblance of compassion within himself. Observing the dynamics within the castle since Asha's arrival, Gayin and Rath had formed their own opinions. He believed that Asha's presence would eventually become more than just entertainment for Caius.

"Well then, I will wait for the day when your hobby becomes your heart and soul," Gayin muttered softly, his words tinged with a hint of longing for a deeper connection between Caius and the child.