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body div#devskin0 hr { }

Satin sheets...

Blood stains...

(Name) glimpsed his face. Around him were red and white roses. He's fast asleep with his hands rested on his chest. He looked at peace.

At peace...

At peace?

Is he dead?

(Name) was flying fast away from him. She tried to reach out and call his name but there was no sound. She blinked and the view change and there was him on the ground kneeling before her, his head bowed. A feeling of melancholy spread all over her with no reason. She tried to lift his chin to face her. Blank eyes and blood tears was the things that greeted instead. She jumped away and stumbled.

The thing that she thought was Sebastian hovered over her, darkness spreading around him in fast swirls. Slowly and clearly it closes in to reach for her. Her breathe became uneven, she doesn't seem to have the strength to escape. She closed her eyes.

And opened them again. She was dreaming. Cold blanketed her when she came to consciousness. (Name) looked around to know where she was. She woke up in her bedroom. Confused, she asked herself if everything was just a dream. No, this room is just like hers and she didn't trust her mind to wrap around the fact that this is real.

"How was your sleep?"

She turned at the source of the voice. "Who are you?"

"I'm the one who'll help you out of your deal with that demon."

"Why?"

"Because you are essential to our plans." he looked down on her.

"The thing that chased me from my mansion. Is that...?"

"It's another demon. They want to use you as a tool for their own plans." he walked to the window as he explained.

"I believe you can't tell me either of those plans. What if I don't want to be used, what if I hide?" (Name) swung her legs from the side of the bed, fully facing him now.

"You cannot hide from them, and mostly not us. You will not be captured by them, I assure you, that is why I am sent to bring you home and lock you where no one will find you."

"What? You're going to imprison me without the proper reason why? I need to know what I have done."

The man tilted his head. "Why?"

"Because it's the right thing!"

"Your request is not within my given orders. I cannot give you what you want."

"You don't know why, do you?" she guessed.

"It doesn't matter, what I should do is to follow orders."

"Previously, you asked me if I want to go with you. You need my consent, do you not?"

"You have a point."

"I won't come with you if you don't help me. So what do I need to know?"

In a blink of an eye, the angel was gone in front of her. Behind her a voice said, "There's a certain object that we must find."

She mouthed the words what and pointing to where he was before. "What object?"

"I can't believe I'm allowing you to have it back but to set things right as you said," he sighed. "I will help you."

He reached for her and touched her shoulder. The scenery change and her surroundings became comfortable to eerie. She was transported to another place where there were coffins laid on the floor and on the ceiling were spider webs. (Name) looked around and found some skulls as a decoration.

A figure appeared from the shadows. She might have jumped if the person hadn’t spoken. He had long silver hair and his eyes were hidden by the long strands on his face. The man wore a pale gray garb that suits him very well on this place.

"Ah well, here's an odd pair. What can a humble mortician can do for you this morning?" the long-haired man said.

Morning? It's already morning? Her wedding should be today!

"Do you have it?" the angel asked.

"What is it are you talking about, good sir?" the mortician smiled.

"Her Grace. You have it. I know you hid it."

"Ah getting the direct treatment, are we? But I don't have Her Highness hidden here in my shop. I don't have the power to do that and there is no reason to."

She thought her companion growled she had to glance at him to make sense of the sound. "I don't have time for jesting, reaper. I know you know what I am."

"Ah Mr. Angel~yes. I'm sorry to say but you're not the only one who needs the fair lady. I think it's mutual between both parties." he gestured his hands on both sides.

"Your cause is not important." the angel replied menacingly.

"Wait." (Name) said. "Maybe if you can tell us your reason and compromise I'll be able to help you." Why am I doing this? I'm not that charitable. Well, desperate people do desperate things.

"Hmm," he said, thinking "Yes, maybe. I now quite like you, dear girl."

He positioned himself to sit at the front of his desk and crossed his legs, and hooked his steepled fingers on his knee. "It goes like this. I heard rumors not too long from now—this century, Daddy Reaper will appear with his three brothers to wreak havoc on this land. My agenda is I'm not that important anymore so I've taken advantage of something very valuable to you."

"Her Grace?" she asked.

"No." He said "Your Grace."

"Your Grace?"

"No, your Grace. It is yours."

"My Grace? What does that mean?" it was confusing, but she knew that the object belonged to her. What kind of object would that be?

He put up a finger to gesture a moment. "It is said that one particular angel had eavesdropped from a demon planning to help their father rise. The legend, infamous that it spread like wildfire, says because of the knowledge the angel became so terrified she can't bear to share it to anyone. Other angels assumed it had been a heavy burden to carry that is why voluntarily she ripped off her Grace and fell."

His story…

"The legend ends there because no one had found the fallen angel and confronted her. Maybe because she purposely let her memories be forgotten. Hmm, but I have an idea how she managed to remain hidden." He was looking directly at her.

Realization hit her like a train. A piercing pain formed at her head she winced to think if anything that the reaper said is true. "It can't be me."

My companion faced me. "It is you (Name)."

She exhaled sharply. "How?"

"The bright falling rock the humans saw from the heavens twenty-eight years ago was the thing you left behind and abandoned to make yourself forget your past." The angel explained. "And this reaper found it."

“Someone had been sniffing around it and asking too much question from the people you knew. You are a very unique specimen, I say. It became very interesting for me to see for myself the mystery around you when you almost have no soul. I have been very lucky to have found it first. I am grateful to give it back if you vowed to help me."

Her wide eyes were wandering in a blank space. She felt for a chair and found its back. She seated and thought of the many things on her mind. She wanted to lay down every little thing so she can understand how she was supposed to do. But time is not waiting for anyone. It goes and it leaves you if you don't walk forward. It passes you by and you'll become the past. Her past. It troubles her so. Was she so weak to leave her home and runaway? She evaded the responsibility to carry the weight of the burden she didn't want to have. Perhaps it was fate.

But fate can be changed if I wanted to do it my way and so I ran away. No! I only made a delay so everything can be in place. If I can't escape then it only means I should go home where someone like me an—an angel will belong.

That means I won't see my mother or my father again. Mama and Papa. I would never have the chance of telling them how much I love them. I could never tell them how sorry I am for making them worry about me. I want to hear their voices. I want to hear mama telling me it's okay, that it will pass and later it will all right again. I want to hear my father say he's proud of me that I can make him smile because of my singing. And...and they never got the chance to see me sing. I, even for once, didn't invite them. What kind of daughter am I?

I don't want to leave them. I don't want to them to think that if I leave them I'm dead. It will crush my mother's heart. I don't want to see her cry. Their lives would turn so drastically they might as well end up dead. I don't want that. I don't want to end up all alone. I can't...

And that man...he used me. He used my career to get what he wants and now he already have it. What do I get in the end? It's not love and a promised life but loneliness and hate. He deserted me after all we've been through it's like he has no heart to begin with. He acted so real all those times I thought I was being loved, adored, cherished...I've never been so wrong in my life.

After light comes darkness...my eyes held no light to them anymore. When I stare into the mirror. I only saw a broken woman. I regretted everything. On that night, he came.

He engulfed me in the shadows where he resides and offered me what I want most. I admit I hesitated for things won’t be easy when I have someone like him on my shoulder. I cried most nights but he was there to reassure me that everything will be alright. ‘That is why I’m here.’ Still, I don’t trust him.

The angel called my name.

He called me again.

The lady jumped on her seat. Blinking, she steered away from the daydream she had and focused on the mortician knelt in front of her. A glowing bottle with white light was presented before. It rested on his palms while he observed her, under long tendrils of hair, with his bright green eyes. "It would be a sight and an honor for me to see something like this to happen. Here, take this and break free of your own binds.”

She looked up and knew what she had to do.

***

Lady (Name) of (title) took the steps on the front door extensively. She lifted an arm and knocked. It would be a moments before the door would open so she had time to inspect her new dress. It was crimson with laces for sleeves and a see-through material covering her décolletage. The door creaked and finally someone opened it, the butler. She sees a glimpse of her personal servant on his face but easily dismissed and waited for the manservant in front of her to greet her.

The aging butler gasped and relief came to his face. “My lady! Good heavens you are home. Come quickly. Please, get inside.”

It was cold winter afternoon maybe that’s why he hurriedly ushered her inside. The servants came quickly to see her and it was not too long before Sebastian Michaelis emerged from the second floor above. He easily walked down the steps and crossed the room with no haste but in his state, disheveled hair and excited eyes, he was glad to see her.

The filthy creature came up to her wearing his dark apparel that clings to his lean figure; black lined vest, a waistcoat, and trousers. The only color on his clothing is his cravat which complimented his heterochromatic eyes. She felt those closer and closer until she was embraced most warmly though she only felt coldness towards him. She didn't try to embrace back instead roamed her eyes on the onlookers surrounding them. They seem to be relieved to see her and an older woman was clutching her handkerchief close to her eyes, dabbing unseen tears.

“Get off me, demon.”

Sebastian was surprise to hear her calling that name. She hadn’t used that name in a very long time and when in so many witnesses. Abruptly, he leaned back and cleared his throat.

“Ah, good to hear your humor back.” he said in a barely audible voice.

He looked straight in her eyes. For the theatrics, she must do this for their cover. He doesn’t want to hurt her but if she doesn’t cooperate he’ll just apologize later. Sebastian knitted his brows and summoned his best concerned tone, “Where were you? You’ve made me so worried—are you hurt? Tell me.”

She bore her eyes, blank and cautious, to him and lifted her chin. A different voice, a deep whisper but clear, came from her lips but he’s sure she’s his master. “I have been away for answers…”

“My lady,” the head maid stepped in front. “I thank you for your concern for us earlier but now that you’re safely back, I, on the behalf of all of the servants are now at ease. Are you hurt, my lady?”

“No, there is no need to worry.”

She sighed and proceeded to do a sign of the cross. The mere act affected Sebastian, he would probably have to change the head maid and find another for the position. “I would ask you to please rest my lady. We have prepared a freshly made tea for you. We'll deliver it to the salon."

“Thank you. And you," she directed to Sebastian. "We will have a long conversation."

The first step to their solitary is the door being closed. Turning around, (Name) faced him but stayed silent. The silence spread between them as minutes passed while she continued to observe the fire at the hearth. Finally, she faced him.

"Does the head maid bother you?" Her voice clearly changed. It held a little raspy tone, boredom, means deeper but clear.

"It isn't a matter to be concerned of. You had almost given away what I am."

She tilted her head. "Does that bother you?"

"Not in the least," Sebastian put a hand on his chest in sincerity. "It would be delightful just to end their lives and satiate my hunger."

"You're trying to scare me."

Though he knew she was lying there was hollowness in her voice. Like it's been all business-like in an instant. A tug on the one side of his lips. "Oh? Then why the poor performance?"

She seated herself on the settee. "It is a display of truth. If we were to be wed, honesty is required between us."

Sebastian chuckled. He tried his best to prevent it but it came. "Apologies but the irony. I can't let it slip away." He chuckled again.

She sighed. “I feel conscious of being housed together in the same roof. Are you not concerned?”

“It is unusual for you to mention such demise at times like this.” He waited and when he does not earn a reply, he sighed. “If you want an answer then it is necessary for our association to complete your goal.”

“Conspiracy to commit a crime is what I see.”

“If you want to put it that way. You contradict yourself.” he seated himself across her.

“That's why I'm conspiring with you. What happened when I’m away?”

“It was a mess but not one I can't clean nonetheless. Claude Faustus. It’s his doing that I have to leave the mansion. I felt him on the grounds reflecting hostility so I had to investigate. I hadn’t figured that another danger awaits you inside and when I found out you disappeared, I was truly distressed and hurriedly looked for you but regrettably I hadn’t found you.”

"You didn't clean what you need to clean. I was in danger. I was left alone. I wasn't found. You lied."

"No." Sebastian replied quickly. "I hadn't. I merely stating the facts just as you asked."

"I want you to be fully honest with me. You always try to marinate your words with lies that's why I can't fully trust you." she said.

"Trust," he shook his head. "You do know what my kind is good at."

"Yes. You are demons. And I despise it."

He dismissed the bitterness in her voice by gesturing his hand. "What I act is a by-product of how you want me to be and what I am."

"Then I would assume you are afraid of what I asked of you. It would end for me to think you are not qualified to help me achieve what I truly desire. It only means that you don't have to be in my assistance anymore."

That shook all of his being. "Are you saying you're calling off the deal?"

"I wouldn't come to that conclusion yet but I'd very much likely incline to that idea." she said smugly.

She earned a dark glower from the man in sitting front of her.

She continued, "You say you'll do everything I wanted. What I get is more lies. This is what I get for trusting a demon."

Now, Sebastian grip the end of the armrest as he hold down his temper.

"You know what I think when I use you? I look down on you because you are inferior to me—a human. I told you I have been away for answers and the things I've found..." she stood and hovered over the glowing hearth, her shadow dancing in sync with the flames. "You are a poor example of a departed being who spent its afterlife rotting hell, forgetting its humanity and when you came back up, you strive for souls instead of convicting them into damnation. Tell me, how can I be wed to a mutation of hell like you?

"You foul-mouthed wench!" A dark glow spreads through his being as he stood on his full height and towered over her. His eyes glowed, a lighter shade of the original. His mouth turned into a sneer and fangs, sharp as daggers replaced his clear ones. He started speaking, the tone of his voice rasp and menacing. "—You dare call off our contract and end it prematurely? Do you not understand that once a person committed her soul to the contract, she can never be free until the deed is—"

His speech stopped as soon as her palm come contact with his pale face. "Would it stop you from reminding me if I told you I hate you? I don't want to but you're making me. I did not call off our deal nor did I ever said it."

There were no remnants of the previous display of threat from his face instead disbelief was etched upon it. She was the first one to strike him in that state. He can't even move because of shock.

“That’s what you get for straying from your duty. You failed to accomplish what you meant to do. Is this the kind of service you promised me in exchange for my soul? I am well aware that humans are fragile that is why a servant such as you ought to have protected me in times of danger. Instead, I have to run away and save myself from the thing killing me. It may be better if I should have died in the hands of that filthy creature than to be neglected by you.”

"You cannot mean that." He whispered. "I offer you my deepest apologies. I presumed wrong." his voice turned menacing.

"It is your fault why my plans have not come into its maturity. How can you possibly—"

No breathe escaped her for Sebastian was getting a tight hold on her neck. His face was shadowed she couldn't fully see his expression. She managed a few words. "What are you waiting for?"

They stared at each other for a long time before he loosened his grip and finally wasn't touching her anymore. She might have sagged but it was he who did it. He knelt in front of her with his head bowed. He stared at his hands wildly and thought of his actions. Her speeches that were directed at him is his doing. He was to blame why she acted so boldly. She had become cold...no colder.

The manservant blinked. His voice cracked. "I-I'm deeply sorry, my lady. I've lost control. It is entirely my fault—it won't happen again."

Sadness streaked her tone, "You miserable piece of trash, how can you say you're a first-class servant if you're not treating your mistress right?"

The ice queen. "It's truly a mistake on my part to raise a hand on you, my lady. Anything fit for my wrongdoing I will accept. If it would make you feel better, please punish me."

“Truly? You will wholly accept your punishment?”

If this meant one step closer to consuming her savory soul then he could take this little punishment. He has nothing to lose anyway.

“Yes, my lady. For your sake, I will take everything.”

...

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Satin sheets...

Blood stains...

(Name) glimpsed his face. Around him were red and white roses. He's fast asleep with his hands rested on his chest. He looked at peace.

At peace...

At peace?

Is he dead?

(Name) was flying fast away from him. She tried to reach out and call his name but there was no sound. She blinked and the view change and there was him on the ground kneeling before her, his head bowed. A feeling of melancholy spread all over her with no reason. She tried to lift his chin to face her. Blank eyes and blood tears was the things that greeted instead. She jumped away and stumbled.

The thing that she thought was Sebastian hovered over her, darkness spreading around him in fast swirls. Slowly and clearly it closes in to reach for her. Her breathe became uneven, she doesn't seem to have the strength to escape. She closed her eyes.

And opened them again. She was dreaming. Cold blanketed her when she came to consciousness. (Name) looked around to know where she was. She woke up in her bedroom. Confused, she asked herself if everything was just a dream. No, this room is just like hers and she didn't trust her mind to wrap around the fact that this is real.

"How was your sleep?"

She turned at the source of the voice. "Who are you?"

"I'm the one who'll help you out of your deal with that demon."

"Why?"

"Because you are essential to our plans." he looked down on her.

"The thing that chased me from my mansion. Is that...?"

"It's another demon. They want to use you as a tool for their own plans." he walked to the window as he explained.

"I believe you can't tell me either of those plans. What if I don't want to be used, what if I hide?" (Name) swung her legs from the side of the bed, fully facing him now.

"You cannot hide from them, and mostly not us. You will not be captured by them, I assure you, that is why I am sent to bring you home and lock you where no one will find you."

"What? You're going to imprison me without the proper reason why? I need to know what I have done."

The man tilted his head. "Why?"

"Because it's the right thing!"

"Your request is not within my given orders. I cannot give you what you want."

"You don't know why, do you?" she guessed.

"It doesn't matter, what I should do is to follow orders."

"Previously, you asked me if I want to go with you. You need my consent, do you not?"

"You have a point."

"I won't come with you if you don't help me. So what do I need to know?"

In a blink of an eye, the angel was gone in front of her. Behind her a voice said, "There's a certain object that we must find."

She mouthed the words what and pointing to where he was before. "What object?"

"I can't believe I'm allowing you to have it back but to set things right as you said," he sighed. "I will help you."

He reached for her and touched her shoulder. The scenery change and her surroundings became comfortable to eerie. She was transported to another place where there were coffins laid on the floor and on the ceiling were spider webs. (Name) looked around and found some skulls as a decoration.

A figure appeared from the shadows. She might have jumped if the person hadn’t spoken. He had long silver hair and his eyes were hidden by the long strands on his face. The man wore a pale gray garb that suits him very well on this place.

"Ah well, here's an odd pair. What can a humble mortician can do for you this morning?" the long-haired man said.

Morning? It's already morning? Her wedding should be today!

"Do you have it?" the angel asked.

"What is it are you talking about, good sir?" the mortician smiled.

"Her Grace. You have it. I know you hid it."

"Ah getting the direct treatment, are we? But I don't have Her Highness hidden here in my shop. I don't have the power to do that and there is no reason to."

She thought her companion growled she had to glance at him to make sense of the sound. "I don't have time for jesting, reaper. I know you know what I am."

"Ah Mr. Angel~yes. I'm sorry to say but you're not the only one who needs the fair lady. I think it's mutual between both parties." he gestured his hands on both sides.

"Your cause is not important." the angel replied menacingly.

"Wait." (Name) said. "Maybe if you can tell us your reason and compromise I'll be able to help you." Why am I doing this? I'm not that charitable. Well, desperate people do desperate things.

"Hmm," he said, thinking "Yes, maybe. I now quite like you, dear girl."

He positioned himself to sit at the front of his desk and crossed his legs, and hooked his steepled fingers on his knee. "It goes like this. I heard rumors not too long from now—this century, Daddy Reaper will appear with his three brothers to wreak havoc on this land. My agenda is I'm not that important anymore so I've taken advantage of something very valuable to you."

"Her Grace?" she asked.

"No." He said "Your Grace."

"Your Grace?"

"No, your Grace. It is yours."

"My Grace? What does that mean?" it was confusing, but she knew that the object belonged to her. What kind of object would that be?

He put up a finger to gesture a moment. "It is said that one particular angel had eavesdropped from a demon planning to help their father rise. The legend, infamous that it spread like wildfire, says because of the knowledge the angel became so terrified she can't bear to share it to anyone. Other angels assumed it had been a heavy burden to carry that is why voluntarily she ripped off her Grace and fell."

His story…

"The legend ends there because no one had found the fallen angel and confronted her. Maybe because she purposely let her memories be forgotten. Hmm, but I have an idea how she managed to remain hidden." He was looking directly at her.

Realization hit her like a train. A piercing pain formed at her head she winced to think if anything that the reaper said is true. "It can't be me."

My companion faced me. "It is you (Name)."

She exhaled sharply. "How?"

"The bright falling rock the humans saw from the heavens twenty-eight years ago was the thing you left behind and abandoned to make yourself forget your past." The angel explained. "And this reaper found it."

“Someone had been sniffing around it and asking too much question from the people you knew. You are a very unique specimen, I say. It became very interesting for me to see for myself the mystery around you when you almost have no soul. I have been very lucky to have found it first. I am grateful to give it back if you vowed to help me."

Her wide eyes were wandering in a blank space. She felt for a chair and found its back. She seated and thought of the many things on her mind. She wanted to lay down every little thing so she can understand how she was supposed to do. But time is not waiting for anyone. It goes and it leaves you if you don't walk forward. It passes you by and you'll become the past. Her past. It troubles her so. Was she so weak to leave her home and runaway? She evaded the responsibility to carry the weight of the burden she didn't want to have. Perhaps it was fate.

But fate can be changed if I wanted to do it my way and so I ran away. No! I only made a delay so everything can be in place. If I can't escape then it only means I should go home where someone like me an—an angel will belong.

That means I won't see my mother or my father again. Mama and Papa. I would never have the chance of telling them how much I love them. I could never tell them how sorry I am for making them worry about me. I want to hear their voices. I want to hear mama telling me it's okay, that it will pass and later it will all right again. I want to hear my father say he's proud of me that I can make him smile because of my singing. And...and they never got the chance to see me sing. I, even for once, didn't invite them. What kind of daughter am I?

I don't want to leave them. I don't want to them to think that if I leave them I'm dead. It will crush my mother's heart. I don't want to see her cry. Their lives would turn so drastically they might as well end up dead. I don't want that. I don't want to end up all alone. I can't...

And that man...he used me. He used my career to get what he wants and now he already have it. What do I get in the end? It's not love and a promised life but loneliness and hate. He deserted me after all we've been through it's like he has no heart to begin with. He acted so real all those times I thought I was being loved, adored, cherished...I've never been so wrong in my life.

After light comes darkness...my eyes held no light to them anymore. When I stare into the mirror. I only saw a broken woman. I regretted everything. On that night, he came.

He engulfed me in the shadows where he resides and offered me what I want most. I admit I hesitated for things won’t be easy when I have someone like him on my shoulder. I cried most nights but he was there to reassure me that everything will be alright. ‘That is why I’m here.’ Still, I don’t trust him.

The angel called my name.

He called me again.

The lady jumped on her seat. Blinking, she steered away from the daydream she had and focused on the mortician knelt in front of her. A glowing bottle with white light was presented before. It rested on his palms while he observed her, under long tendrils of hair, with his bright green eyes. "It would be a sight and an honor for me to see something like this to happen. Here, take this and break free of your own binds.”

She looked up and knew what she had to do.

***

Lady (Name) of (title) took the steps on the front door extensively. She lifted an arm and knocked. It would be a moments before the door would open so she had time to inspect her new dress. It was crimson with laces for sleeves and a see-through material covering her décolletage. The door creaked and finally someone opened it, the butler. She sees a glimpse of her personal servant on his face but easily dismissed and waited for the manservant in front of her to greet her.

The aging butler gasped and relief came to his face. “My lady! Good heavens you are home. Come quickly. Please, get inside.”

It was cold winter afternoon maybe that’s why he hurriedly ushered her inside. The servants came quickly to see her and it was not too long before Sebastian Michaelis emerged from the second floor above. He easily walked down the steps and crossed the room with no haste but in his state, disheveled hair and excited eyes, he was glad to see her.

The filthy creature came up to her wearing his dark apparel that clings to his lean figure; black lined vest, a waistcoat, and trousers. The only color on his clothing is his cravat which complimented his heterochromatic eyes. She felt those closer and closer until she was embraced most warmly though she only felt coldness towards him. She didn't try to embrace back instead roamed her eyes on the onlookers surrounding them. They seem to be relieved to see her and an older woman was clutching her handkerchief close to her eyes, dabbing unseen tears.

“Get off me, demon.”

Sebastian was surprise to hear her calling that name. She hadn’t used that name in a very long time and when in so many witnesses. Abruptly, he leaned back and cleared his throat.

“Ah, good to hear your humor back.” he said in a barely audible voice.

He looked straight in her eyes. For the theatrics, she must do this for their cover. He doesn’t want to hurt her but if she doesn’t cooperate he’ll just apologize later. Sebastian knitted his brows and summoned his best concerned tone, “Where were you? You’ve made me so worried—are you hurt? Tell me.”

She bore her eyes, blank and cautious, to him and lifted her chin. A different voice, a deep whisper but clear, came from her lips but he’s sure she’s his master. “I have been away for answers…”

“My lady,” the head maid stepped in front. “I thank you for your concern for us earlier but now that you’re safely back, I, on the behalf of all of the servants are now at ease. Are you hurt, my lady?”

“No, there is no need to worry.”

She sighed and proceeded to do a sign of the cross. The mere act affected Sebastian, he would probably have to change the head maid and find another for the position. “I would ask you to please rest my lady. We have prepared a freshly made tea for you. We'll deliver it to the salon."

“Thank you. And you," she directed to Sebastian. "We will have a long conversation."

The first step to their solitary is the door being closed. Turning around, (Name) faced him but stayed silent. The silence spread between them as minutes passed while she continued to observe the fire at the hearth. Finally, she faced him.

"Does the head maid bother you?" Her voice clearly changed. It held a little raspy tone, boredom, means deeper but clear.

"It isn't a matter to be concerned of. You had almost given away what I am."

She tilted her head. "Does that bother you?"

"Not in the least," Sebastian put a hand on his chest in sincerity. "It would be delightful just to end their lives and satiate my hunger."

"You're trying to scare me."

Though he knew she was lying there was hollowness in her voice. Like it's been all business-like in an instant. A tug on the one side of his lips. "Oh? Then why the poor performance?"

She seated herself on the settee. "It is a display of truth. If we were to be wed, honesty is required between us."

Sebastian chuckled. He tried his best to prevent it but it came. "Apologies but the irony. I can't let it slip away." He chuckled again.

She sighed. “I feel conscious of being housed together in the same roof. Are you not concerned?”

“It is unusual for you to mention such demise at times like this.” He waited and when he does not earn a reply, he sighed. “If you want an answer then it is necessary for our association to complete your goal.”

“Conspiracy to commit a crime is what I see.”

“If you want to put it that way. You contradict yourself.” he seated himself across her.

“That's why I'm conspiring with you. What happened when I’m away?”

“It was a mess but not one I can't clean nonetheless. Claude Faustus. It’s his doing that I have to leave the mansion. I felt him on the grounds reflecting hostility so I had to investigate. I hadn’t figured that another danger awaits you inside and when I found out you disappeared, I was truly distressed and hurriedly looked for you but regrettably I hadn’t found you.”

"You didn't clean what you need to clean. I was in danger. I was left alone. I wasn't found. You lied."

"No." Sebastian replied quickly. "I hadn't. I merely stating the facts just as you asked."

"I want you to be fully honest with me. You always try to marinate your words with lies that's why I can't fully trust you." she said.

"Trust," he shook his head. "You do know what my kind is good at."

"Yes. You are demons. And I despise it."

He dismissed the bitterness in her voice by gesturing his hand. "What I act is a by-product of how you want me to be and what I am."

"Then I would assume you are afraid of what I asked of you. It would end for me to think you are not qualified to help me achieve what I truly desire. It only means that you don't have to be in my assistance anymore."

That shook all of his being. "Are you saying you're calling off the deal?"

"I wouldn't come to that conclusion yet but I'd very much likely incline to that idea." she said smugly.

She earned a dark glower from the man in sitting front of her.

She continued, "You say you'll do everything I wanted. What I get is more lies. This is what I get for trusting a demon."

Now, Sebastian grip the end of the armrest as he hold down his temper.

"You know what I think when I use you? I look down on you because you are inferior to me—a human. I told you I have been away for answers and the things I've found..." she stood and hovered over the glowing hearth, her shadow dancing in sync with the flames. "You are a poor example of a departed being who spent its afterlife rotting hell, forgetting its humanity and when you came back up, you strive for souls instead of convicting them into damnation. Tell me, how can I be wed to a mutation of hell like you?

"You foul-mouthed wench!" A dark glow spreads through his being as he stood on his full height and towered over her. His eyes glowed, a lighter shade of the original. His mouth turned into a sneer and fangs, sharp as daggers replaced his clear ones. He started speaking, the tone of his voice rasp and menacing. "—You dare call off our contract and end it prematurely? Do you not understand that once a person committed her soul to the contract, she can never be free until the deed is—"

His speech stopped as soon as her palm come contact with his pale face. "Would it stop you from reminding me if I told you I hate you? I don't want to but you're making me. I did not call off our deal nor did I ever said it."

There were no remnants of the previous display of threat from his face instead disbelief was etched upon it. She was the first one to strike him in that state. He can't even move because of shock.

“That’s what you get for straying from your duty. You failed to accomplish what you meant to do. Is this the kind of service you promised me in exchange for my soul? I am well aware that humans are fragile that is why a servant such as you ought to have protected me in times of danger. Instead, I have to run away and save myself from the thing killing me. It may be better if I should have died in the hands of that filthy creature than to be neglected by you.”

"You cannot mean that." He whispered. "I offer you my deepest apologies. I presumed wrong." his voice turned menacing.

"It is your fault why my plans have not come into its maturity. How can you possibly—"

No breathe escaped her for Sebastian was getting a tight hold on her neck. His face was shadowed she couldn't fully see his expression. She managed a few words. "What are you waiting for?"

They stared at each other for a long time before he loosened his grip and finally wasn't touching her anymore. She might have sagged but it was he who did it. He knelt in front of her with his head bowed. He stared at his hands wildly and thought of his actions. Her speeches that were directed at him is his doing. He was to blame why she acted so boldly. She had become cold...no colder.

The manservant blinked. His voice cracked. "I-I'm deeply sorry, my lady. I've lost control. It is entirely my fault—it won't happen again."

Sadness streaked her tone, "You miserable piece of trash, how can you say you're a first-class servant if you're not treating your mistress right?"

The ice queen. "It's truly a mistake on my part to raise a hand on you, my lady. Anything fit for my wrongdoing I will accept. If it would make you feel better, please punish me."

“Truly? You will wholly accept your punishment?”

If this meant one step closer to consuming her savory soul then he could take this little punishment. He has nothing to lose anyway.

“Yes, my lady. For your sake, I will take everything.”

...