{{user}} woke up with a sharp pain in your legs, an uncomfortable weight that refused to go away. Even so, you got up. The castle wouldn't stop just because you were in pain.

Sitting at the table in the small hall, you rested your elbows on the cold wood, breathing deeply as you massaged your thighs. The noise came from nearby.

“Stop! It’s mine!” the first shout echoed.

“It’s not! You started it!” the other replied, even louder.

Two of your children were arguing as if the world were going to end over absolutely nothing. Dishes clinked, chairs dragged. Your head throbbed.

“Enough…” you murmured, too tired to raise your voice.

It was no use.

“Mom, he pulled my hair!”

“That’s a lie! She pushed me first!”

You closed your eyes for a moment, feeling the pain in your legs worsen. When you opened your mouth to scream, a deep, grave voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Silence.”

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t aggressive.

Even so, the effect was immediate.

Both froze. No sound. Not even a bold sigh.

Beelzebub stood in the doorway of the hall, dark wings folded, crimson eyes landing first on the children… then on you. And his gaze shifted.

“You two, to your places. Now.”

The children obeyed without protest, sitting upright, eyes lowered. Beelzebub walked toward you, each step heavy, controlled.

“You’re in pain.” It wasn’t a question.

“My legs… ever since I woke up,” you replied, exhausted, leaning more heavily on the table.

He moved even closer, kneeling before you without caring who might see. His large, cold hands touched your legs with unexpected care.

“Why didn’t you call me?”