“I’m sorry I didn’t come back to help.” Angelica apologized as she sat down at the table, already laden with food.

“It’s no problem, eventually I kicked Paicy out too and actually got some work done,” Dusty said.

“Hey. I was helping.” the pink haired demon pouted.

Dusty chuckled. “Come on, dig in.”

Angelica took several slices of ham, mashed potatoes, and her own overly chopped carrots, and doused it all with meat gravy. She was reaching for a second roll when she noticed the food on Dylan’s plate had barely been touched.

“Learning to use a sword? Really now?” Paicy was saying.

“Miss Angelica is quite talented,” Dusty replied.

“You don’t say, quite an interesting talent for a human woman to have. Where’d you learn it, Ang?”

The princess realized the question had been directed at her and turned. “From the guards. My father was not happy about it…” she glanced back at Dylan.

“That makes more sense.” Paicy chuckled. “Now come on Dill, you’ve had that same look on your face since dinner started. If you want to say something, just out with it.”

“Is something wrong, Master?”

“There are going to be some changes around here.”

“Finally!” Paicy grinned.

“Changes?” Dusty frowned.

Angelica sat silently. She was only a guest here, so she would have no say in any changes that might be going on. She focused again on the delicious meal in front of her, though she could not help but listen to the conversation.

“I will be hiring a few servants and opening more rooms.”

“Servants? Master, we don’t need servants. We get by just fine.”

“Yes, we do get by just fine, but I have some ideas I would like to implement, and it will require more work than just we can do.”

“If you say so…” Dusty sounded confused.

“I’ll post the bill for you before I head home if you like,” Paicy said.

Angelica stood up silently and took her dishes to the kitchen before making her way to the hall.

“Oh hey, Ang, wait.” Paicy ran up after her. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What?” Angelica asked in annoyance.

“I heard about what happened.”

“What do you mean?”

“With Tre, I mean Trenir.”

Angelica looked away quickly. “So what?”

“After he ratted out Dill, I went to find out what was up. He told me he had just been trying to have a little fun with Dill’s new human and that Dill went crazy.”

“Yeah…fun.”

“Listen, I just wanted to tell you that Dill’s not usually friends with creeps like him, it was just that we grew up together and Tre’s sister…well either way it was a nasty business.” Paicy’s ever upbeat attitude seemed to have dimmed. “If you ever need to talk about it…I know what it’s like.”

The young woman looked over at Paicy. The amber colored eyes met hers as she pushed down the surging questions. Then she smiled. “Thanks.”

Then the demon laughed. “I mean I don’t even know what that idiot was thinking, trying to mess around with Dill’s woman.”

Angelica felt her face blush several shades. “His woman? We’re not! Why would you…?”

“You’re not?”

“No, your brother kidnapped me and is keeping me here against my will.”

“Kidnapped? That doesn’t sound like Dill…wait a minute. You’re that Angelica!?”

“The Renegade Princess? Yeah…”

Paicy laughed loudly.

“So does that give you any ideas as to why he kidnapped me in the first place? He said it wasn’t for ransom.”

“Course not. Dill doesn’t really like that sort of thing, but whatever his reason for having you here, I’m sure it’s a good one. Plus you said he’s treating you well and all that. I mean he’s had Dus since he was a little runt of a baby, and I’ve never heard a complaint.”

“A baby? Why would a demon have a human baby?”

Paicy looked away guiltily this time.

“You know don’t you?” Angelica pounced on the weakness.

“That information is Dill’s to give, not mine. And anyway, I need to get going. I have a job tomorrow I don’t want to miss.”

Angelica resigned herself to the lack of answers and just nodded. “Have a safe trip then.”

“I’ll come back to visit sometime soon.” Paicy blew her a kiss and then skipped off down the hall. Angelica watched after her for a moment and then went up to her bedroom.

She washed her face, and changed into a nightgown before brushing out her hair gently. She paused briefly by the window but then slipped into bed. So long she had spent relying on the Gods to protect her. There was no way for her to even know what she had done wrong in their eyes. Dylan had said he would teach her magic as long as she was sure, and she was sure that she wanted to be able to protect herself. It should not be a job left to others. With that thought she closed her eyes.