The Demon’s Bride

Esther was overwhelmed. She knew and could tell the doubts on both the Lord's and the others Demon's eyes. With the doubt what she least expected was them inviting her to their house. Putting a smile Esther shook her head, "Please, don't bother me. I am a girl from a village who enjoy living in the village. I think it will overwhelm me with anxiousness if I were to sleep in other's house-"

"It's a castle; and Elise once also live in a village like you and she finds the castle a very comfy living environment. One have to get use to it before deciding things, Miss Esther. Things like offering anyone a stay in my castle is very rare for me to do and I do this because you are Elise's sisters. Outsiders are never allowed in my house as they often face my butler," Ian smiled, as if the butler would only stop the outsider from entering the castle when in truth it was to kill the intruders who stepped their feet inside the castle's ground. 

It was often very easy for Ian to think what others were going to choose. Matters like this where Esther were planning to trap them in her house, he had seen through Esther's plan even before the woman had asked her and also had found the way to counter it by offering her to come to his castle where instead of trapping them, Esther now find herself trapped inside the castle with three Demons.

Once Elise had understood what Ian meant, she took back a hold of Esther's hands, smiling as she says, "I would be much more in ease to know that you are with me, Esther and without harm come in your way. The White Mansion has a very high protective measure against intruders. I am not sure if we are able to face Demons but together we will be able to overcome them."

Esther returned the woman's smile while noticing how pressure was added to her shoulders to agree, "But I-"

"Please, milady. Accept our request," added Beelzebub while kneeling beside Esther's couch that once again had the woman's eyes to narrow while looking at him. "We are worried, of course by that I mean, Lady Elise is terribly worried about you. Think about it, a girl living in a village while being followed by horrible creatures like Demons, tch, tch. I cannot allow that to happen to you when we have the chance to stop the tragedy, don't you agree?" Esther's mouth open for Beel to quickly add, "Unless, you have things you need to do or maybe goals to achieve by having us here?" On the first option, Beelzebub had raised his voice but on the second one, his words became softer for only the two of them to hear.

Esther stared back at Beelzebub's intense red eyes that glowed to give a shade on the end of his golden hair which he left on his forehead. Showing a smile that was facetious, Esther replied, "Of course not. I was just worried about what I will do if I leave. Seeing Elise's support, however, I have decided to move."

"Lovely!" Beelzebub chimed, pushing himself to then walk and meet Ian's eyes for the briefest time.

"Thank you Esther, I will make sure your stay is pleasant in White Mansion, there are places that other manors don't have," Elise said and she then offered. "You will need to pack before leaving, should I lend you a hand?"

"I appreciate the thought, but I don't have many things to bring and because I've been moving houses, I have kept my belongings simply on two luggage. You can wait in the carriage," said Esther.

"Okay," Elise agreed, showing the younger girl a smile and she stood up when Ian had stood up from the chair, "I will discuss your leave with the head village."

"I will stay here, leaving a girl alone is dangerous after hearing how harm often come to you," Beelzebub made an eye contact with Esther which the girl quickly refused by turning her eyes away and ignore the Demon's presence. "She seems to hate me," Beelzebub said while shrugging his shoulders.

When they walked out of the house of the head village, to Elise's amazement, Ian's words were correct. The moment the came back, the head village grovel, asking for Ian's forgiveness and confessed about his involvement in the slave industry. Milliard had quite a weak soul and once threatened lightly by Ian; he who knew about the stories and even once saw the death Ian preformed years ago, knew not to cross the man and apologized almost immediately. 

When the head village was brought away by Austin to the authorities, Elise and Ian was finally left alone, letting them to speak, "Did you asked Mr. Beel to do that?"

"What do you mean?" Ian questioned, his brows raised and his smile was higher that confirmed to Elise this was his plan before he had entered Esther's house.

"Pushing Esther's button," Elise answered.

"No. I didn't discuss with him on what to do. I say that he seem to take interest on that girl," Ian answered as they walked toward the carriage.

Elise knotted her brows, "Do you mean Mr. Bell fell for Esther?" Was that possible?

"Darling, are you worried about Beelzebub or are you worried about the girl. Do you think she is your sister?" Ian then quickly divert the question seamlessly.

"I can't tell what I feel but I do feel a connection with her," answered Elise which Ian nodded to, he can also feel it by her scent. "But I am not sure whether it is a connection of a sibling."

"It's the scent," Ian said to enlighten her, "Demons knew whether they are families or not by their fragrance. Sometimes Demons would know whose family one Demon came from or related by their unique scent. It appears each families have their own scent. Your Demon lineage must have noticed it subconsciously."

"Can it be created?" Elise questioned as this was a decisive information.

"So far I know is no; we will have to keep an eye on her to know the answer." Elise recalled back Esther's house. Indeed it hold signs of a single girl living there, but she can't help to feel the house to be very empty. 

"And that's why you asked her to live in the castle?" Elise inquired when seeing Esther leave the house, holding the two suitcases she held on her hands while keeping distance with the Demon.

Ian had turned to meet his eyes, saying, "There is a saying that you have to keep your enemies on arm length unless you want to be trapped. But truthfully there is another way to keep your enemy in a bind and it's to put them and the tarp they laid out for you. It's frustrating and that's must be what your 'sister' is feeling right now."

"But will it be alright to keep her in castle?" While not knowing the danger Esther hold, Elise wasn't sure if she wasn't at all harmless. 

"She can use her fingers to count what she could do in our castle, and you can bring her with you to the soirée or tea parties if you want," Ian offered kindly which Elise wasn't sure if it was a joke.

"I'm not sure if I am in a mood to visit the tea party," Elise answered especially after yesterday. She doubted people would be offensive now but she was still uncomfortable with the people's hard gazes.

"If you are worried about the rumors people say last time don't worry, I have taken care of it," Ian said as he let Elise to enter the carriage before him.

Elise who caught his words, inclined her head to the side, "Taken care?" and Ian answered her with a gentle smile and a nod.

"Yes. I have removed the noisy bird of chatter, by now they have learned how to never cross their line again as it will not cost their tongue again next time but life."