The Demon’s Bride

Maroon retracted his hand, standing straight. "He tried to run to the nearest villager's house from the inn, I had no choice but to hit him. I made sure not to hit his vital points," replied Maroon passively and he pushed the door for Ian to enter.

"That wasn't what I meant. It's not as if we are angels, I don't mind who you hurt or kill unless it is Elise," sighed Ian. In the castle other than Elise, there was no one in the castle who he could enjoy talking with for hours. Maroon would reply him passively which wasn't to his taste as he enjoyed expression from the person he talked against with.

"I wonder if it is time to change your shovel. You took a liking to it but I remember how rusty it had become." Maroon's dull eyes seemed to be lighting on the Lord's words at the mention of the shovel.

Ian took a seat on the chair Maroon pulled for him. Crossing his legs, Ian interlocked his fingers and settled his elbows on his laps. His eyes were enjoying the gardener who was going through pain from several wounds Maroon did to him.

"How was your illness, John? Seeing how agile you were to travel far almost to Runalia I could tell you have been cured under a few hours no less. Who was it you are about to meet?" Ian questioned, his eyes falling on the man with a smile that told how he much would enjoy basking in his blood right now.

John wondered how much did the Lord now and to what extent. He feared the man know he had become an eye to the people of Runalia, working for the Lipton who had paid him handsomely for any news they could take from the castle. The information they needed the most was prove that Ian had killed someone inside the castle which could be argument to use with the Church.

The man gulped, "I had to meet someone I know there."

"Where is this there?" Ian asked. He could tell even without his hearing how the dim witted human man had lied.

The Lord didn't know? Then why did the man tied him here in the dungeon now? Although it was dark when John saw the iron bars in front of him, he quickly realized Ian had imprisoned him. He didn't know the castle had dungeon but from the smell and the look of it, he could tell it was one.

"The L-Lipton's House," the man began to break cold sweats, wanting to find a way out from the situation with his life intact but he wasn't sure if that would ever happen. It was well known how Ian had never gave second chance and there was never an exception.

"I was called to meet a friend I know who worked there. I r-really do not have any bad intention, my Lord by coming there. I have sworn for years to work only for the castle and you. To keep words hidden-" John who was scared then heard Ian laughed, his voice coming insincere.

"Shush, I hate liars the most John," the air turned taut as Ian's smile disappeared. "Unless you want to end up like Tracey. Oh, you didn't see what happened to her," Ian leaned his back to the chair. "I could tell you how her head had left her neck, torn and her head rolled. It was a good sight to see and I wouldn't mind seeing one again right now. If you are smart you should know what to say now. What did Liptons ordered you to do?"

John felt Maroon coming closer and grew alarmed, "I-I w-will tell, milord but p-please spare m-my life! I was only told to report if t-there are any infelicities around the castle but I c-came to refuse their offer!"

"You refused their offer?" Ian cocked his head to the side. The man was still lying but he didn't mind. It wasn't only him who could lie here. "Who asked offered you the rewards?"

"It was someone named Hungray, one of the servant in the house," John turned his head from the ground slowly to Ian, with fear to directly meet Ian's eyes when he noticed his shadow moved.

Ian stood up from the chair and the man tried to move back while tied on the chair, dragging the legs of the chair to make a screeching noise.

"Where are you going?" Ian asked, his brows raising. His image right now was not the same Lord John had seen who was always with the cocky grin.

"If you do not lie you would not fear me but you know that you lied which was why you ran, didn't you? You have been working in this castle for eleven years, I presume but you were unexpectedly stupid enough to cross me," Ian raised his hand, catching the man's neck to squeeze and the man flailing trying to release his neck from being strangle but with his hand bound he wasn't able to do anything much less to. save himself.

"Please! Please spare me, my Lord! I swear to heaven I will never do this again, I still have a family-" John was unable to finish his words as his neck was crushed, all light from his eyes disappeared, leading him to death.

"The last thing I would like to hear is heaven, tch," Ian didn't spare another look toward the death human now. He then turn to look at Maroon who hadn't said a word. "Lipton must have told him nothing about his plan."

"The Lipton Family had been quiet for years, what may make their mind change?" asked Maroon who found it odd. Lipton Family was a family filled with humans who were working under the Lord of Runalia. Runalia and Warine never had a good relationship but the Lipton's had never done anything impulsive like today.

"Maybe it wasn't the Lipton. There wasn't any proof it could be them if a servant offered the reward. The gardener got fooled by his stupidity. If he came to Lipton's house instead of money, someone would kill him there. Someone is using the Lipton' name to protect themselves and to come as clean." and the question was who had orchestrated the servant.

Ian wouldn't sugar coated his words. He was hated by many people and there too many people for his hand to pinpoint. Ian was never frightened, therefore he never cared for anyone wanting a revenge out of anger. He could tell there was many people wanting to kill him now.

"What should I do with the body, milord?" questioned Maroon. There was plenty of way to clean the corpse and he wondered which would Ian used now.

"Bury him in Lipton's house, make sure it is slightly visible so someone would be able to find the body fast," Ian then left the dungeon for Maroon to resume his work. He made his way to the hallway of the third floor, and then stop to stare at the moon which appear large through the glass.

In his mind he wondered, if his sweet Elise was sleeping? He should give her a night visit with the letter she had now and question her of the few things he needs to know.

In the meantime, Elise who had taken a night bath was accompanied by Hallow who had seated himself in front of the mirror hanged on the wall. After countless trials to climb the tall desk without a help, he finally arrived after the sixth time and proudly pulled his beak to grin.

"Even a mirror and desk couldn't get in my way now!" He cheered and turned around the mirror to view the red cloak with a mixture of white yarn knitted around his neck which was tied by a red ribbon. Happily, he acknowledged Elise's talent when it comes to knitting as she was the best when it come to creating his clothes!

Elise on the other hand, pulled the envelope she received from Maroon from her pocket and opened the envelope for a little while reading the letter in silence.

'Dear Miss Scott,

It had been roughly a week after our last meeting in the market, I'm afraid the letter will sound weird as we have just met twice but as I have said before, I wished to become friends with you and to begin, I wish to have a small talk with you through the letters. May I call you by your first name? You could also call me by my first name, Edward. I would be glad to hear you call me by my good name and if we could continue become friends through letters. A while ago, I receive a news when I was working in the Church that you have passed the first written exam, I was beyond astonished when I heard the news. You are the first woman to ever pass the Church's exam and after meeting you for the first time, I could tell you are very gifted. My largest congratulation and I hope soon you could reply to my letter.

Edward Harland.'

Elise didn't know what she should do now that she received Edward's letter. Frankly, it was her first time see a person showing interest to her. Mr. Harland said in the letter how he wish to become her friend but she couldn't shake the feeling that Edward had liked her more than only a friend. But she didn't want to be sure and embarrass herself.

"Who sent the letter?" Hallow curiously probed, wanting to know. The chick rolled his body on the table and his wings worked to prop his chin from the surface of the table.

"It's from Edward Harland," Elise named the vampire's name.

Hallow nodded, "I know that I heard you spoke his name earlier when I asked you. I want to know his noun."

"Noun?" she asked, her head inclining to her shoulder. Wasn't Edward's name a noun?

"If he is an acquaintance, friend, crush, or just plainly someone you don't know who act like he knows you well." There was a cynical tone in Hallow's words.

In the past there was once when Hallow tried to act like a human and have seen women receiving letters such as these and knew the reason beneath it. The sender had sent the letter in a purpose to become Elise's suitor. Hallow was curious to know who and whether Elise had the same feeling to the sender of the envelope.

Elise laughed at his explanation, she took time choosing one and replied, "He is a friend." At least that was what she thought and what Edward say through his letter.

Elise didn't want to be indecisive. She clearly love Ian and didn't see Edward as a love interest. She questioned herself if it would be rude to tell the man directly that she has someone she like to give Edward a brake before he tried to flirt with her.

Elise didn't know what she should write back to the man. Ignoring would be rude but she didn't feel comfortable knowing Edward sent the latter in purpose to get to know her better. A clear and direct response would be great to establish a distance between them, thought Elise. If then Edward said he didn't like her, they could continue to be friend.

With a sigh, Elise closed the envelope. She turned her head to see how Hallow had tucked himself on the bed she made for him and fell asleep. Seeing how he was fast asleep had Elise to smile. She stood up from her seat, thinking to write the reply tomorrow where her mind was clearer and had the sleep she lacked.

Once every candles were blown, Elise turn to place the last candlestick hang near the door when she felt a shadow moving behind her. She immediately turned her body which faced the door to the window behind her and her throat bobbed to gulp.

No way... Is she going to experience what she did last night?

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