The Demon’s Bride

Ian looked at the branches before looking at Maroon who bowed to him right after the first glance, "I smell a Demon from the tree," commented Ian his red gaze moved to the handkerchief when he saw the black blood. 

Maroon outstretched the hand which was holding the kerchief, "I believe a Demon must have infiltrate inside."

Ian could tell the blood didn't come from other two Demons in the castle after him which was Maroon and Beelzebub. The blood was thick, and he frowned at it. "Did you sensed anyone coming inside the castle?"

Maroon shook his head before bowing, "My apologies, milord."

"It's not your mistake," dismissed Ian, "If they are able to come inside without being noticed by you or die from the barrier I created around the castle, there is only one possibility. It's a higher level Demon." His frown knit tighter. There shouldn't be Demon higher than him unless the head of Hell leave their position to come to his castle which was impossible.

"Should I investigate, milord?" asked Maroon.

"That's not necessary. Seeing that he only leave one drop of blood as his trace, you would not be able to find him or win if a fight break out." Ian frowned, wondering who could be the rat that snuck into his castle. It was hard to guess which Demon it was as there was only a few high level demons who would leave Hell. But none of them fit the list of becoming an uninvited guest.

"Milord, do you think Mr. Beel know who this person is?" asked Maroon with a skeptical look. 

"Perhaps," Ian answered, but his tone leaned more to a no as Maroon took his word. "What do you think Beelzebub come for? Do you believe that he had said the truth of who he needed to find and that is all he wanted to do by coming to a mortal's world?"

The butler voiced out his words by shaking his head, "He and the chick had been making a few shady movements. Should I dispose the chick now? He had informed what we need to know and by far he only show signs of betraying the Lady if he fell in a plight."

Ian crossed his hand. His finger tapping his other arm. With a smirk he shook his head, "What else is there to look forward than a boiled chick? Hallow isn't trustworthy. But we should see that. Elise need a friend, whether for her mental support or sacrifice if danger finds her. The chick would suit that position."

"But what if he ends up betraying the lady?" Maroon knows Ian wouldn't let anyone dangerous to be near Elise. Does that mean there was hope for the chick? Because to the butler's eyes, the chick was no less than a five-year-old brat who would run to another person if he see candy dangling against his eyes.

"That's what we should look forward to. Whether he would truly end as a boiled chick." The grin's on Ian's lips widened. Hallow was full of stupidity. More than being an ally to the enemy, he would only ruin the enemy's plan if he indeed turn to the wrong side; which would only put them on a lesser risk.

Austin ran from behind, his breaths fell short by the time he arrived near Ian and he had to regulate his breathing well before looking at Ian. "A night run, Austin?" Ian smiled and Austin would have laughed at the joke but instead a grave expression came on his face.

"It's about the maid you dismissed my lord, she was found dead in a villager's house. There were the Church members all over the village and the magistrate." By the end of his words Austin had fixed his breathing and stood in a straighter poise.

Ian received the information with an unchanging expression. His eyes narrowed quite a bit. How weird, he didn't kill the maid yet, she had bite the dust. The Church part also got to his mind. For a single maid's death which was insignificant for them, they gathered there which did not make sense. 

Ian turned his head to Maroon, "We should expect Oliver running to the castle by late evening," Maroon curtsey and Ian waved his hand to Austin before turning back. "Tell me more about how the maid died."

Meanwhile, in Elise's side as she had fallen asleep, she was woken up with a sensation of a hand on her cheeks. Has the morning came? wondered Elise, who was feeling drowsy. Opening her eyes very faintly, she didn't manage to catch the person's face with the darkness that covered her bedroom, but she could see feel gentle the person caressed her cheeks, and she could tell that the person touching her now was Ian.

"Is it morning?" she asked, her voice was like a brush of a cotton, soft to ears and light.

"Not yet, sleep some more," the voice replied, bringing her to sleep as his hand that was hidden underneath the shadow sneaked out to softly touch her.

When Elise snapped her eyes open, she pulled the hand. Her eyes was wide as she look back at another pair of black eyes that watched her with shock. Elise blink, "Mila," and she called the name of the woman whose hand was caught by her hands. But Elise was still in a surprise that she didn't notice her hand took Mila's in capture.

"Why are you here?" asked Elise. She wondered how Mila could get in before it slowly dawned to her that she didn't lock the keys before falling asleep. Had the tiredness got to her? Somewhere she felt she wasn't safe which why a skeptical look came across Elise when she saw Mila appearing right when she opened her eyes.

Mila also understood how she had disrespect Elise's privacy even when she know Elise didn't mind it, "I'm sorry, I was passing by when I heard moaning from your room. You had a nightmare so I thought I should help. Is everything alright?"

Elise then stared at her hand to immediately release Mila's wrist, "No it's fine, don't apologize. I'm sorry, I think I was still sleepy. I feel like someone came to my dream."

Just a few seconds ago, Elise was sure the sky was still dark. Was that a part of her dream? She was about to get up when Mila took a seat on the side of the bed. The elder woman then took her hands together. "Are you really alright? I heard about Carmen and Vella. It must been hard for you that your friends were fired. I can't believe to this day that the both had stolen something of the Lord's but then again, I remember that their families were having a hard time back in their hometown. That might be the reason."

That was the story Ian had placed to the maids. It didn't seem like Ian had been the one to issue the news but Maroon who had taken the advance to hide the death of Carmen. They had no reason to hide the death, but Elise was told by Ian that there was possibility the Church was infiltrated with dark sorcerers and it was better to keep the news about Carmen's death to less people so the dark sorcerers would not access information but instead gave them information. If they knew Carmen was alive, another letter would be issued to the castle.

Elise nodded her head, "I'm fine, Mila, don't worry. It was only a nightmare that comes with the cold winter. You know how they say— cold season bring cold dreams."

"Really?" Mila asked and she nodded her head again, not wanting to worry Mila asa nightmare was only a dream, thought Elise and it wasn't much of a nightmare as the dream was instead gentle on her. She wondered if the dream come because she spend a night in Ian's room. Being reminded again, Elise felt her cheeks turning hot with flashes of the scene last night had to offer her spinner again inside her mind. 

"Then I will leave, I still have things to do." Elise waved her hands as she watched Mila leaving the room but she stopped near the door. With one hand on the door frame, Mila decided to speak, "If you wish to have someone to talk to, you know I am here for you and where to find me."

Elise felt a wholesome warmth from Mila, she was one of the person Elise couldn't afford to lose. "Thank you, but I am alright." Elise saw Mila gave her a good one minute of stare, as if confirming with her own eyes that she was safe and sound. 

"I will see you in the afternoon," said Mila which Elise reply with a nod as she couldn't promise she would be coming home in the afternoon with her promise to accompany Ian to Saltige.

Don't forget to vote~ and sorry for the one update, but I need rest >.<