The Demon’s Bride

Author's note: Coins set per chapter are set by computers. For every 200 words, it is equivalent to one coin. If you find one chapter totaled a lot more than six (1000 words) which most authors usually made each of their chapters in the minimum words of 1000, it also means that the chapter is long. Authors do not have the authority, (no pun intended) to change or set the coins, so please understand that we could not compromise the prices. In case you find a chapter that pays a lot and thinks that it's too much, I encourage you to use the free pass, they are generated three each day. That's all and have a nice day~<3

Elise breaks her gaze from Ian's face to his eyes. "Did you mean Martha?" Ian nodded his head to Elise's reply. 

On other hand, Cynthia and Austin looked confused, not understanding what they were talking about. "As you all know, Elise is a sweet child," Ian directed his words to the three people sitting before them, "The eyes of a sweet child are brighter and purer than any other people. It could see what others cannot. Ghosts, faeries, and other creatures that are not tangible. But you, sweetheart, are different. Your eyes are stronger than your predecessors, making you able to see far better than anyone. The shadows that you saw, it is shadows of death."

"I thought only grim reapers can see that," Beelzebub chided, his expression interested in the talk.

"She is an exception, a special one," Ian said in a way that sounded as if he was proud.

"But I saw the shadows on Martha," said Elise, if the shadow was as Ian said the shadow of death, it would mean Martha would die. She then understood what Ian meant from earlier.

Ian, who noted Elise's expression said, "Remember what you think other than the shadow, the characteristic of the shadow, Elise."

She took a moment to remember, eyes of the people on the table was on her, "It was thin," she whispered.

Ian gave her a smile that skipped her heart, "The grim reaper told us before that scent of death could be transferred to another. Martha stayed beside her father each day, making it easy for her to contact with the shadow of death, but it was thin because that was not her shadow of death, but her father's."

"She was blighted by the death shadow," concluded Elise.

"That would mean Lipton's manor would be in danger," Austin replied, frowned on his eyebrow, when he was ready to stand up he said, "I will leave to see the site."

"Go on," Ian didn't stop Austin, and in a moment the man left to find out. Cynthia also thought to make a reason and follow Austin because she was not comfortable with the sitting position where she had to look at a Demon. It still didn't feel real to her that she was sitting in front of Beelzebub.

Ian might be a Demon, but he had looked very similar to a human that Cynthia had gotten used to. But it was different when it comes to Beelzebub who sat while eating like any other human.

"If the lass can see death, does that mean she can see other's death too? That is a power that would come as practical," Beelzebub said, following the conversation.

"How long does it disappear?" Ian then asked, his eyes looking at Elise.

"I don't know, the shadow appeared and disappear when I blink," this was the reason why she had thought the shadow to be her imagination.

"All power starts in a premature state except for some people who are gifted since birth. Your eyes are an innate gift, but it had been blocked for nine years, and now it is taking its shape."

"What happened that nine years?" questioned Beelzebub, who had not to know of this.

"She was wearing a bracelet made by the sister of the church that restrains her eyes, making it like other humans," Ian pulled a thoughtful look and stared at Elise, "Which reminds me, Elise do you remember who that woman was? The one who gave you that bracelet. I doubt she is a normal human seeing that she was able to make a bracelet that hinders the power of a sweet child. It could be that she also knows things about Sweet Child." and the curse, added Ian in his mind.

Elise was born with a curse in her body, where people near her would die. It seemed that the people around her were affected and had become the victim. Ian didn't want his sweet bride to shed unstoppable tears and shoulder the heap of guilt, thinking that the people she loves died because of her.

"I don't remember," Elise drawled, she then pulled her brows, trying to remember the sister. She had moved from many houses and it was hard to pinpoint which village she had moved, and met with the sister. It was even older than nine years ago, and the memory was not easy to be recalled.

She suddenly remembers there were three villages where there was a church, "I think it was a village called Rumspariga. It was a large village on the East side of Runalia. I remembered it because the village had the largest and luxurious chapel."

"Noted," Ian answered her, and he raised his hand. Taking her chin, Ian swipes his thumb on the side of her lips, wiping the sauce that had found its way to the corner of her lips which Elise missed. Pulling the thumb, Ian licked the sauce and chuckled at Elise's reaction.

Beelzebub, on the other side, whistled, "When the marriage?" he directly asked and the question had Elise's cheeks burn redder.

"Soon, we are thinking of an engagement," Ian answered. Elise looked at him. They did?

Thinking of engagement had Elise's heart to pit-pat louder. Engagement is one lane to marriage. This had her excited and at the same time nervous. Things were happening fast, and all were good things that she couldn't be more than happy about. Like this, she wishes nothing wrong would take place on the peaceful days she spent in the castle.

Cynthia then said when finishing the food, "Milord, what should we do with the shoes?" she reminded Elise's party shoes. "Martha is not in the condition to make one, after her father's funeral."

"Not to worry, she should be able to finish the shoes. Like her father, the girl is responsible. Check on the dress and continue to find out about Elise's childhood in the town with the Scotts, they seem to be hiding some things before their deaths." Cynthia obliged with the instruction and bowed, before she left she walked to Elise and put on a smile.

"Congratulations," Cynthia whispered, squeezing Elise's hand. Seeing Elise smiling wide, she can't help but have the same smile of brimming happiness.

"Thank you," Elise replied, she felt shy but more than the shyness, she was too happy to think of anything else.

Elise thought Cynthia was leaving, but the woman looked into her eyes and asked with a hesitant tone, "Say, Elise, do you remember if you ever visit any river in the town with the Scotts?"

"River?" Elise raised her eyebrow, thinking and she shakes her head, "I rarely went to the river. Father and mother told me I drowned in water well once, and since then they said that water is unsafe."

"Did you remember why you drowned?"

"I don't remember clearly, but it was the time when I tried to help around the house and draw a bucket of water. But I was still small at the time and held the rope when it was going down. I fell but fortunately, my father came and saved me," Elise watched Cynthia nodding. "Did you find something in the river?" asked Elise then, curious why Cynthia asked this.

"No, it was because I heard from someone who lives in the next town that your family avoided the river. But I see now, they love you and didn't want you to get hurt again," Elise agreed with a nod. Cynthia then left the place. In silence, she creased her brows. Not many people avoided rivers. Elise might have drowned once but was that enough for the whole family to avoid the river?

What if there was another reason?