14Disclaimer: I don't own Demon Diary, but I do own the OC baby.
A/N: Thanks for the support : ) Here's the next chapter.
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Chap 2: "Dressed up"
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The moment Eclipse returned from setting up a crib found in a section of Castle Raenef even he did not enter often, Raenef V holding the filthy child said "Ah, run a bath Eclipse".
"Yes my liege"
"Make sure it's warm, I wouldn't want to bake her" Eclipse nodded then strode away angrily.
In his steamy black porcelain bathroom lit by numerous candles, Raenef removed his robes. Standing only in his underclothes he discarded the rags and torn shoes from the baby girl.
Kneeling he gently set her into the large bathtub, and poured in soap.
The air was soon filled with an enchanting aroma as the baby joyously splashed. "Let's clean you up dear child".
Raenef felt much better as the filth was removed from her pale skin. The clean princess was a beautiful baby with a lovely smile, now that her face wasn't caked in dirt and several spots of dried blood from falling.
Thirty minutes later Eclipse espied his lord- dressed in his undergarments holding the girl swaddled in a large black towel. Raenef looked up from the smiling babe, "Eclipse go into town and purchase clothing for my daughter".
"Master..." the older demon moved to question, but Raenef looked at him now with a brightness returned to his eyes from days long passed. "Yes my lord" he backed down, "Go".
Raenef stroked his fingers through the girl's clean black hair, lulling her to sleep, and relaxing himself as well.
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Eclipse did feel a certain uplifting of his temperament after seeing his young lord filled with a new light. He appeared more alive than he had for a long while. After his young bride Leeche died so suddenly due to a human illness two years prior, he held a ghost-like presence not of himself.
Still... this is not how a demon lord should behave, not even Raenef the fifth since his transformation...
With the hood of his cloak up he passed by curious and fearful townsfolk who whispered amongst themselves.
Where might I find clothes for a child?...
A mother clad in a dirty brown dress walked by with two children wearing similar attire who appeared to be about the same age as his liege's new... daughter.
"Madam" he disliked being at all respectful toward petty humans, "Where might I purchase clothes for a child?" She screamed and ran away, pulling her children.
"Damn".
He didn't know what to do. Perhaps if he payed a human they might tell him.
A middle aged man now passed him, quickening his pace. "Sir" he called, holding out a pouch of gold coins. The man stopped and looked at the bag in disbelief. "Yes you, I'll give you the contents of this parcel in exchange for the answer to a question".
The man came closer and held out his hand. "No, you must answer the question first". The man looked around, now seeming frightened again. "Come now, there is a great amount of money in here, more than you've likely ever held at one time" he pinched at the greed which humans and demons had in common. "Where might I find a seamstress?"
The man pointed to a building several paces ahead, "The woman in there'll make any kind of clothing ya need, 'specially if ya pay a good price". Disgusted by such heathenism Eclipse threw the parcel on the ground and the man hurriedly picked it up then ran to a nearby brewery.
After reading a small wooden sign hanging on the door, Eclipse walked into "The Shop".
As soon as he stepped inside he heard a cry. "I haven't done anything! There's no reason for a demon to kill a woman like me!" the terrified shop owner shouted, backing into a shelf.
Her brown hair was in a loose bun and her appearance showed she was reaching near the end of a human's lifetime with wrinkles on her face and gray strands through her hair. Threads covered her brown dress, a sign that she had worked most of the day. Eclipse also observed that her own attire was not of the same simple appearance as the garments of the other townspeople.
"Madam, I am not here to harm you".
Presently...
"My Lord sent me to purchase clothing for his daughter. I was directed to your shop for just that purpose" he reasoned.
"I... I" she stammered, then standing straight, "My work is costly sir demon" she concluded with a huff.
Growling he responded "I am to pay for these garments, not steel them like some petty thief!" He considered the comment a second, his lord was at one time a thief, but he was not present and so would not be offended.
This human annoyed him, "Now, I can either force you to come to my Lord Raenef's castle" he glared "Or you can gather your supplies and accompany me without protest".
She considered his offer, "I'll need a few minutes to get ready". He nodded, then she opened the closet door behind her.
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Half an hour longer than Eclipse expected to take he returned to royal grounds with the seamstress.
"Now, where is the infant?" the woman asked, steadying herself after the unearthly experience of moving over miles in moments with demon magic.
"You will not meet the princess, or my Lord" Eclipse declared matter-of-factly.
Still nervous around this scary demon, she tried to gather some nerve. Putting her hands on her hips she stated, equally matter-of-factly, "How else will I know the baby's sizes in order to create appropriate clothing for her?".
Eclipse became infuriated, in part because that point was rather obvious, "Go".
He disappeared from the foyer, reappearing at the door to his lord's chambers. Knocking lightly, "Master Raenef?"
"Come in"
He opened the door to find his lord re-clothed sitting in his large black cushioned chair with the child upon his lap, covered now by a small black blanket.
"I brought a seamstress from town. She said she cannot begin without first measuring the child".
"The princess", Raenef corrected.
"The princess", Eclipse repeated, not wishing to anger his lord.
"Plinsessplinsess!" the baby shouted excitedly clapping her tiny hands together; Raenef grinned down at her.
Turning back to his servant, "Well then let us meet this seamstress, what is her name Eclipse?"
"I did not ask my lord".
Raenef scoffed then said to the baby "I suppose you should ask princess", she giggled. "Let's meet this seamstress... Go".
They've already developed such a relationship...
"Go" Eclipse followed.
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The older demon hoped he would be capable of controlling himself if this human disrespected his master.
"I am Lord Raenef what is your name madam?" he asked, returned to the honorable presence of a demon lord.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lord Raenef, my name is Tesly" the woman greeted, curtsying.
"It's nice to meet you Tesly. I will pay any price that is not too outrageous for the clothing of a princess" he adjusted the little girl in his arms.
"I'll see what I can do", Tesly said, noticing that the baby did not have the same presence or characteristics as a demon.
After numerous measurements a variety of lovely, soft, costly fabric was chosen, all the while with Raenef holding the little girl protectively.
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Several hours later the young princess possessed four day dresses, and a night gown. "I'll make more over the next few days if you like" Tesly offered.
Noting that she wasn't as greedy as the man from town Eclipse looked to his lord.
Raenef liked the kindness the seamstress showed his new child. "Yes, thank you. Eclipse please see that Madam Tesly is paid for her services, and returned to town".
As Eclipse handed her a pouch of coins, "I mean no disrespect Lord Raenef, but I would prefer to walk home, the magic of your kind is very unsettling for me".
He nodded, then motioned toward the door.
After the seamstress exited the castle, Raenef returned to his new demeanor. "Now that's how the daughter of a demon lord should look" he said to the baby.
She now was clothed in a dark green dress with long-sleeves. With long raven hair flowing over her shoulders, green eyes smiled at her new father.
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End of chap 2
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A/N: No Leeche bwahaha! Ahem
Tesly is an Indian (Middle Eastern) name, the name of a childhood friend of mine actually, it was the first one that came to mind, and I think it works.