The Demon’s Bride

Entering the house, Elise took a look at her surroundings by her eyes. Beelzebub walk around the place to look around, walking toward the cupboards. While looking around, Elise noticed a few things on her own. She spotted the clean carpets underneath the wooden table and chair she and Ian sat on. There were basket of fruits and cupboards filled with plates but something was lacking that Elise can't tell.

Esther came back not soon after with teacups on a tray, and she sat down, placing the cups on the table. Elise helped her which Esther kindly refused with a smile, "Thank you," Elise said.

"Oh no problem, it's only tea, though I am not sure if it will suit your taste, this tea is-" Esther hadn't complete her explanation as she was stopped by Beelzebub who once again came just paper beside her left shoulders, taking one of the teacup which was still on the wooden tray.

Taking a drink, Beelzebub hummed in a thought while Esther frowned deeper at him although she didn't let it show, it was clear how uncomfortable she was with Beelzebub behavior that had Elise to awkwardly smile.

What was this man doing?! came the thought in Esther's mind and at time, she heard Beelzebub said, "It taste normal."

"Of course," Esther answered, hiding her irked expression well, "The tea is a normal one so it wouldn't taste anything different."

"Really?" Beelzebub sang, "I almost thought there was a hidden spice in the tea, you know something like..." his red eyes peered down at Esther who acted confused.

"There is only tea brewed from the tea leaves and sugar cubes, nothing else is added," answered Esther, she could tell the following word was Beelzebub accusing her for brewing them tea added with poison. The damned Demon, thought Esther.

"Well then it must because such a beautiful lady was the one who had brewed me the tea," Beelzebub tuned. 

"Beel, stop interfering the poor lady," Ian showed a smile as if he was a person with a good morale, not wanting Beelzebub to be rude when Esther knew there was no one here far ruder than this man who had settled his legs on top of the table and the way he seated himself as if he own each corner of this land which didn't go far off from the truth.

Esther smiled, redirecting her attention to Elise, "Please drink, Elise. I can tell our talk would be long and it will tire you."

Although Elise could feel there was a connection between her and Esther, she didn't want to be too trusting. She had learn her lesson and Ian had warned her of the consequences

  Beelzebub might not be affected as he was a Demon but she can't be sure, "I have just drank and not quite thirsty. When I'm thirsty I will drink it."

Esther said, "Take your time. Is it as I thought that you came today to meet me?" 

"Yes," Elise answered, "How do you know that I am your sister?" Back in the door, Esther was quite quick to call her sister as if she had expected her to come here.

"Well, father had told me a lot about you; of how he was sorry and how he wasn't able to say enough forgiveness to you. He must have felt guilty for not being able to be there in time you and our mother needed," Esther answered while looking down on her reflection on the tea. 

"So you heard from her father about how he had abandoned Elise and her mother cold heartedly?" questioned Ian from the side, uncrossing his legs, Esther thought he was about to put his leg away from the table but instead, he only shifted his position. "While saying he felt guilty at the same time he didn't do anything to come or help both Elise and her mother. If you asked me about it, I would say that's the most flippant man alive in this world. Ah! Right he had died," Ian hummed, placing down the teacup.

Elise wasn't hurt by Ian's words as it was half the truth and she knew he had spoken to provoke Esther and find her reaction which worked as a frown immediately appear on Esther's forehead.

"I won't say father wasn't guilty and faultless, but he had to leave and there was no choice that he could make other than that," Esther pressed her tone, her anger was visible like a child who just had her parents' name smeared by others, "Do not call my father flippant."

Elise couldn't tell if the anger shown by Esther was true or false, it was hard to read an expression of a person especially when they are accustomed to masking their emotions like Esther did. 

"Earlier, I have been wondering this but I thought it would be rude; since now you have entered my house, I will take the chance to ask this. Who are you sir?" Esther asked as though she didn't know them.

Elise spoke to pacify the situation, "I am sorry if you feel offended Esther, Ian doesn't mean it that way," Esther nodded but still visibly upset. "Also, he is my fiancé and we are going to get married soon."

"Marriage?" Esther looked surprised but a smile quickly bloomed on her face as she took Elise's hand, "That's a very beautiful news I have ever heard this year! You must be looking very forward to it. I am happy for you."

Elise nodded, a light blush on her cheeks, "Can I ask more about our father. I hope he would attend my marriage until I learn that he is no longer in this world. What do you mean that he didn't have a choice but to leave?"

Esther drew her brows, creating a story, "It was years after we have moved from one village to another. It had always been our routine to move houses between villages."

"That's similar to a rouge," Ian commented, and he took the teacup to his hand, taking a sip, "I guess that you two were running from people?"

Esther looked up at Elise's blue eyes and nodded, "Yes, we were running away from people who have been chasing us and before father left Saltige with me, it was we. Mother and you were included."