After breakfast, Jurao accompanied Braelin to the gardens - he thought it would be good to walk with the man for a few days, establishing his legitimacy. Gavven had provided a temporary staff badge until an official one for his position could be made, and Braelin wore the bronze pin as a medallion due to its size.

Plants leaned towards Braelin as soon as he stepped outside - some with more mobility than others. While there were active predators like the Stranglehold Vines, most of the plants used more passive means of catching prey. Even though the plants generally knew friend from foe, most did not approach them.

Braelin had no such hesitation, reaching out to run his hand against their leaves, “Sorry, were you worried? I’m alright, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Jurao watched, intrigued by the relationship between the garden and its caretaker.

“And soon, I’ll be able to get you meat once a week,” Braelin went on, “So it’s good I got caught - you don’t have to feel bad about it.”

The nearby bushes of the Labyrinthine Hedge rustled, some rearranging to get closer to the human. The Hedge was the central point of defense - it could rearrange itself within a confined area, creating pathways to confuse enemies and send them to active predator plants. It had more of a symbiotic relationship with the rest of the garden, getting nutrients from a shared root system - that and its size confined its ability to move. They could also sprout flowers that produced pollen that caused greater befuddlement, though the blooms were absent now.

“Is that one person here?” Braelin asked the Hedge, “The one that likes to act out books and complains a lot?”

That’s not a very flattering description, Jurao thought.

The hedges shook and opened a path Braelin went through without hesitation.

Jurao followed after, noting how Braelin walked with one hand brushing against any nearby plant. This appeared easy to do, as they bent toward him as well as they could.

They emerged in the Pond Garden. Central was the pond itself - the flowers surrounding the edges of the garden were Bells of Desire, which could produce aphrodisiac pollen. In the pond were Beguiling Lotuses - their roots grew long and thick, and when one came into contact with the pollen of their flowers, they formed a weak telepathic bond. Whatever image was in the person's mind at the time, they could twist their roots into a similar shape and project an image into that person’s mind. So like the Labyrinthine Hedge, these two plants formed another symbolic relationship. Towering over half the pond was the Hangman Willow - whose name was self-explanatory.

A branch of the willow creaked over, a trailing line of leaves wrapping around Braelin’s wrist and pulling him forward.

Jurao’s hands went to his swords by instinct, but he refrained from drawing as he continued to follow.

Like the vines, the willow was gentle - simply pulling Braelin under its shade and using more tendrils to pull and push him toward his requested destination.

Has he seen the plants work? Jurao wondered, hands leaving his sword hilts. In the early days after his appointment and coronation, the garden had been well-fed indeed - and the plants were deadly efficient. This was why the nobles that frequented the gardens tended to be the ones that had never seen the aftermath of their efficiency - it was hard to be at ease around fatal foliage.

“… unhand my daughter, you spineless worm!” someone called out in a nasally voice - then switched to a false baritone to reply, “If you have the strength to retrieve her, she is yours.”

Jurao and Braelin emerged on the other side of the willow, where there was a large gazebo. Iron Ivy grew up the railing and support beams of the gazebo, and could close around the openings to trap anyone who escaped the rest of the Pond Garden’s protectors. Growing from a large hanging basket in the center of the gazebo were Caustic Feather Ferns - while usually covered in a waxy residue, they could bleed an acidic sap through their leaves, allowing them to slowly digest prey. They weren’t terribly strong, though - hence the Iron Ivy.

Inside the gazebo was a demon noble - Jurao recognized them as the child of a minor lordi, but nothing more specific than that. He often saw many such nobility at balls, during audiences, and other events - it was difficult to remember most of them.

They wore a loose robe, one of the sleeves continuously falling off their shoulder as they acted out a dramatic scene from a well-known legend about a soldier who had stolen his love from her father, a powerful lordis who refused to allow them to wed because of their difference in social status. The soldier was so powerful and so in love that he defeated all the lordis’s armies. So the Demon King granted him the previous lordis’s land and title. It was one of only a few famous demon love stories - mainly because of the show of strength from the protagonist.

The one playing all the parts, however, was lithe with only two arms and hooved legs, deer ears and antlers upon their head. An elongated deer tail swished around as they moved from one side of the gazebo to the other to opposite themself. They had turquoise blue skin with circular sky-blue markings and pink eyes. Their sage green hair was tied back in a loose braid.

By the green robes they wore, Jurao knew they currently worked in the administrative corps of the castle.

“This is who you meant,” Jurao asked Braelin.

“Yes,” the human replied.

The demon in question shrieked in surprise, diving over the opposite side of the gazebo and peaking over with a face dark in embarrassment, “Y-y-y-y-your m-majesty!”

Jurao took the lead, entering the gazebo and saying, “Present yourself.”

The other demon jumped up so fast they fell over - then scrambled to their feet, ran into the gazebo, and came to a halt with an abrupt bow, “My apologies, your highness! I am Lordis Gaele, child of Lord Halvern, Head of Castle Administration!”

“Ah, right, I remember now,” Jurao nodded - while Gavven handled the management of the various staff departments in the castle, there was a semi-annual meeting he attended when in residence to go over major projects and development, as well as budgetary concerns. There had been one recently after his return, and Gaele had accompanied their father as his assistant at the meeting.

Which meant they conveniently had the exact experience needed for the position they were about to be offered.

“It is an honor to be remembered by his highness,” Gaele said, glancing up - then straightening in surprise as they said, “You shouldn’t-!”

“It’s fine,” Braelin said, “They wouldn’t hurt me.”

Jurao looked over to see the fern tendrils had stretched down to drape over the human’s shoulders like a bright crimson feather ruff.

Braelin petted the tendril-like it was the most natural thing in the world, saying, “It only melts off the wax when it needs to.”

“So you have seen them at work,” Jurao said.

Braelin nodded, “They do a very good job.”

The fern’s tendrils shivered, the one on the human’s shoulders wrapping closer at the praise.

Gaele was openly staring in shock - Jurao wondered if they’d ever seen a human before, nonetheless someone handling a garden plant with such apparent ease.

“Lordis Gaele,” Jurao said.

Gaele went straight as a rod, then bowed from the waist again and said, “Yes! Sorry, your highness!”

“Raise your head,” the king said, “Have you heard the news of my appointment of Braelin as Royal Gardener.”

Gaele more hesitantly raised their head, and seemed to take a moment to realize they’d been asked a question, “Ah! Yes, your highness - I take it this man is…?”

“Yes,” Jurao said, reaching out to tap his Gardener’s shoulder, “This is Royal Gardener Braelin.”

“Just Braelin is fine,” the human said.

“An honor to meet you… sir,” Gaele said, seeming genuine. They cleared their throat, cheeks darkening again as they asked, “Have you really been hiding in the gardens for ten years…?”

“I have, probably,” Braelin replied.

“Then… you’ve… seen me here before…?” they asked, voice kicking up an octave as they asked.

The human nodded, “Your voices have gotten a lot better.”

Gaele looked like they wanted to hide behind the gazebo railing again.

“Since Braelin is new to the castle, he could use an assistant that can handle communication with other staff members,” Jurao said, never one for much ceremony, “He requested you, if you would be interested in the position.”

Gaele continued to look morose for a moment - then looked up with wide eyes, asking, “You… you came to ask me to be the Royal Gardener’s assistant, your highness?”

The Demon King nodded.

“The king came to personally ask me to be the new Royal Gardener’s assistant,” Gaele said to themself - then they pinched their arm and jumped, “Ow! I mean! Yes!” they bowed again, “I would be greatly honored to accept this position!”

Jurao took out one of his paper seals, holding it out to the other demon, “Go inform Gavven of your acceptance, then."

Gaele accepted the seal reverently, bowing again, “Thank you! Yes, I will, immediately!”

They took off to make good on their word - then stopped so fast they fell over again and scrambled to run back into the gazebo, “Ah, what should I do after reporting to Lordis Gavven, your highness?”

“Braelin,” Jurao said.

“I need to check the garden,” the human said, thinking, “I had a few other ideas from the books in the library - come back to the gardens when you’re done and ask the plants where I am.”

“Of course!” Gaele said, bowing yet again, “Yes, sir! I will!”

“Your book,” Braelin said.

Gaele skidded to another stop before they had entirely left the gazebo, turning back and grabbing a book from the table inside the structure and bowing again, “Thank you!”

Jurao watched them sprint around the pond and into the hedge maze, observing, “They’re enthusiastic.”

“They often play-acted asking their father for a reassignment,” Braelin said, “And you personally asking them to work elsewhere.”

“That makes sense,” Jurao said, then turned to the human, “I have other affairs to attend to, but have Gaele bring you to the Head Staff Dining Hall for the evening meal.”

“Alright,” Braelin nodded, though he didn’t appear half as enthusiastic at the idea as his new assistant seemed to be at… everything.

Jurao smiled and reached out to experimentally tousle the man’s hair, “You won’t get used to them if you avoid them.”

“Yes, my lord,” Braelin sighed.

“If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to watch you work tomorrow,” Jurao added, pulling his hand back, “I’m curious as to what you’ve done so far.”

“That’s fine,” the human said.

Jurao nodded, and turned away, “Until this evening, Braelin.”

Braelin made a small noise of acknowledgment, turning his attention to the plants.

***

It was only an hour or so later that Jurao looked up at a knock at his office door.

“Your highness,” his secretary, Alae, opened the door and leaned his head in, “Lord Halvern has requested to speak with you.”

“Show him in,” Jurao said, finishing with the paperwork he was currently working on.

Alae bowed his head, then retreated.

Soon, Lord Halvern entered - he had dark green skin with white wavy markings, white hair neatly pulled back in a low ponytail, and red eyes. Like his offspring, he had deer-like features. He stood with his arms clasped behind his back, silently waiting to be addressed.

Jurao set his paperwork aside before looking up, “Lord Halvern - you have concerns.”

“Yes, your highness,” the Lord replied, bowing politely from the waist before straightening, “Thank you for receiving me. I had gone to Lordis Gavven first, but e instructed me to see you directly.”

“Your child’s reassignment was sudden,” Jurao said, “I anticipated this visit.”

Halvern nodded, “I admit I am… confused by this turn of events, your highness.”

Jurao nodded, “You have heard of the appointment of the new Royal Gardener.”

“… is that a question, your highness?” Halvern frowned.

“Yes,” Jurao replied, unbothered by the familiar need for clarification.

“I have heard, yes,” the Lord confirmed, “We’re compiling the official documentation now, your highness.”

Jurao nodded, “There have already been issues regarding communicating needs for the gardens, so it was suggested he could use an assistant to communicate those needs to other staff members on his behalf. He requested Gaele.”

“While it is, an honor to have such a request be made,” Halvern said carefully, “I must admit I am confused. The Royal Gardener requested Gaele specifically?”

“It appears Gaele spends a good deal of time in the gardens,” Jurao replied, “Having overheard them, Braelin thought they would be open to accepting the position.”

“Overheard them, your highness?” Halvern asked.

“They appear to have a fondness for acting and practiced doing so in the gardens,” Jurao said, “According to Braelin, they often imagined asking you for a reassignment themself.”

“They…” Halvern’s eyes widened, then he sighed, rubbing his forehead, “No, I understand - however, I am still not certain Gaele has the necessary experience for such a position, your highness.”

“They served as your assistant, as I remember,” Jurao replied.

“Yes, your highness,” Halvern said, “They are fast and efficient at their duties, but they struggle with timelines and fine details. As their father, I am aware of and can account for these things, but while working for another-”

“Two timekeeping devices…” Jurao thought to himself absently.

“… your pardon, your highness?” Halvern asked.

“My apologies,” Jurao said, “Braelin also struggles with time management - I doubt he will have an issue with the same trait in others. As for the rest, I imagine if Braelin is unsatisfied with Gaele’s performance, it can be discussed then. The primary reasons for an assistant were Braelin’s unfamiliarity with the castle’s layout and protocols - do you believe your child has the experience necessary in those regards.”

Halvern paused, then cleared his throat, “Yes, they… are familiar with both, your highness.”

“Do you have any other concerns?” Jurao asked.

“… no, your highness,” Halvern said, bowing, “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me on this matter.”

“Please return if you have concerns in the future,” Jurao said, turning back to his paperwork, “And thank you for your hard work.”

Halvern bowed for a moment more, then rose and left the office without further comment.

“… I should ask Jouvi to include an office in the cabin for Braelin,” Jurao thought, pulling out a clean sheet of paper and writing a note.

Alae poked his head through the door again, “Your highness?”

“Yes,” Jurao asked, looking up again.

“With all the recent changes, it may be prudent to hold a staff meeting,” Alae suggested.

“Braelin doesn’t do well in front of crowds,” Jurao said.

“He doesn’t have to attend,” Alae said, “It would just be an opportunity for staff members to ask questions about the recent changes.”

“Hm,” Jurao considered, then nodded, returning to his paperwork, “Very well. I’ll leave the arrangement to you.”

“Of course, your highness,” Alae said, inclining his head before retreating.