The Demon’s Bride

Elise could feel the frown on Edward's face. The man wasn't pleased, but she had given him the reason. If he had sent her a letter about it, confirming that he would be sending a gown only to reject it today, that would be her fault, but not now. Regardless, the man had good intentions by sending her the gown. Politely Elise made a light bow, "I'm sorry if this offends you, but I was very grateful for your intention. However, as I did not know you would be sending me a gown, I was not able to notify you about this."

Edward noticed how he hadn't controlled his expression. He shook his head swiftly, putting the smile on his lips, "No, half of this has my fault for not asking if you have arranged a gown to wear. Were you happy when receiving the gown?"

"I do, thank you again," Elise answered. Edward seemed to be a kind person at first, thought Elise. But she can't help to feel cautious with the man as he had sent her the gown as if knowing if she would be coming to the Ball when she was sure she hadn't told the man beforehand. 

She was about to ask when Edward who wanted to veer the conversation asked, "Have you received the letter news from the Church? I remembered that the letter was sent this afternoon. It should arrive at the place you live now. The latest day for the letter to arrive would be next week."

Elise raised her brow, thinking if she had forgotten anything, "Letter news from the Church?" What letter?

When she remembered what letter it could be, Edward spoke, "The newsletter of when the second test of the Church would start."

With everything that happened around her, like three days ago where her aunt had turned out to be a corrupted angel and the death of her friends, Elise could barely remember the Church's test even though the letter her passing the first test from the church was sent only more than three weeks ago. 

"I guess you don't remember," chuckled Edward, "The second test of the Church wouldn't require only your knowledge like the writing test but also your endurance."

"Do you know what kind of endurance it is?" Elise questioned as the man seemed to know much as he had passed the three tests before becoming the Church member.

Edward smiled, although the interest Elise showed him was because of the Church. This was one step to gathering her interest in him. "I don't know much about it, but I get the faint idea. Each year the test the Church held differ except for the first one which is the writing test. The second test is endurance— to see how much one could hold their justice in them and serve them in the best possible way."

Elise raised her brows, questioning how would the Church perform the test in her mind. She had heard in the start about two hundred people participated in the Church test, only for half of them cut in the first test. The second test was not even kinder and only one quarter of the participants was left for the third test. In the end, yearly only ten to twenty people could pass the test with their live. 

Edward continued, "In the second test, the church would re-enact some cases that happened in the past the same way with the killers and the victim around. The only way to end the test is to find the killer and solve the case. Last year I was able to find the killer with the help which I doubt anyone could now."

Curious, Elise who knew the test would come soon for her, asked, "Why is it different now?"

Edward lowered his voice, "It's because a church member would be acting as a participant this year around, and this is the most troublesome thing because they came there to help the killer to hinder the participants from finding the killer. That would mean everyone would be untrustworthy. It would do you better if you don't believe anyone."

"But finding out the killer would need other's help," said Elise, she didn't know how to find the killer if she is alone, but she knew that alone wouldn't help. While thinking, she then decided to think the matter aside as there was an even more important question she wants to ask Edward. But before she did, she felt a fist touch wrapping around her waist.

"Elise," it was only one word, but spoken from Ian's mouth, Elise could feel her heart leaping in both joy and surprise. She turned her eyes at him to see his gaze falling to Edward. "And the vampire, what was his name again?"

Edward clenched his hand when he noticed how the Lord's hand had swiftly touched Elise's waist and how the girl didn't reject his touch. "It's Edwa-"

Ian raised his hand before Edward could complete, "In a second thought I don't think I would need for your name. As I am sure it wouldn't take an hour for me to forget you again," Ian had spoken with a smile that only vexed the vampire further. Without paying another attention to him, he then shifted his eyes to Elise who had stared at him, more specifically his face as if she was confirming if he wasn't her illusion. "Did you lost yourself, sweetheart?"

Elise saw him quirking his lips, "You were the one who left me," she whispered the words enough for only the two could hear, and at this, his smile grew. 

"I am very sorry if you missed me too much. I do know how hard it is for one to be separated with their own heart," leaning forward, Ian who had spoken the sweet words enough for the curious crowds around them to hear kissed her forehead. The action made loud gasps ring from her surrounding. 

Everyone was surprised, including the people whose eyes had been on the couple the entire time the ball started such as Edward, the vampire who witnessed the act transpired right in front of his eyes, Lady Ellen who had stopped twirling in the middle of her dance with a gentleman, and Lady Monica.

All the three people whose emotions and interests differ, have the same goal, and now all of them watched the couple with eyes turning darker in malice.