The Demon’s Bride

A few nights ago, far in the human's manor of The Hemmering's Family; Count Gerald and her wife sat on a cushioned chair that was placed on the family room. Count Gerald appeared to be miffed with what his wife had told him, "The Lord taking a human wife? And if it wasn't a normal human, it was a maid and a slave?"

His wife nodded, "It has become quite a famous story amongst the society but as they are all afraid the Lord would kill them if he ever heard them talking about the girl, the rumors are pressured to keep low."

"Absurd," scoffed Count Gerald. "What does our dear Monica lack more than that girl? The Lord must be under the influence of magic unless he is blind." Although Count Gerald often turn meek in front of Ian, when it was behind the Lord, he wasn't scared to let his mouth run loose, making himself appear as if he didn't fear Ian when in truth he feared the Lord more than Hell.

In time, come Elijah to the room, knocking before entering. The night had fallen in the family and they often spent time in their individual rooms but today, Elijah had come as he needed to discuss something important, "Father."

"Oh Elijah," Count Gerald said before frowning when his eyes fell on the documents, "What is it about, the tax again?"

"No father, as for this envelope, I haven't read it yet. But you might need to read now in a hurry," when the frown on Count Gerald tightened, Elijah said, "It's a secret letter from Lord Garfon."

"Oh, that greedy Runalia Lord, let's see what he has to say," Count Gerald said while reaching out his hand to take the envelope. "I remember he is still holding a personal grudge against Lord Ian and want him be taken down from the position."

"Like how it happened to the Lord of Hurthend before in the past?" questioned the Lady to be answered with a nod by her son. "But how would he be able to do that. The Lord isn't only meticulous but a man of power. If he put his hand on a fire without knowing how dangerous it is, he will only burn his entire body," said the woman with a roll of her eyes.

While Count Gerald read what was written in the letter, Elijah took a seat beside his mother, "What were you two talking about?"

His mother let out a sigh, "It's about your sister. She is still crying in her room after hearing that Lord Ian's marriage is around the corner. I had heard that the history repeated again like last winter ball where Monica was behaving very politely toward the woman who will soon marry the Lord but instead, the woman had mocked her in front of people."

Elijah nodded, "In the hunting ground, she had mocked Lady Ellen Dunn. It had become a talk of everyone that the woman is rude."

"She is a low born what could you ever expect?" the Lady huffed, "Rudeness are in the blood of the poor. They can't even differentiate between a penny and a copper if we were to give them, we shouldn't expect anything good from them." 

When Count Gerald had closed the letter; Elijah who noticed it first asked, "What was it about father?"

Elijah watched how his father's eyes seemed to look wider than before, and a smile twisted his lips. "Lord Garfon had come with a very feasible offer for us."

The lady leaned forward in curiosity, "In exchange for what?"

"Giving away the dirts Lord Ian hid and reveal it to the Church voluntarily. He promised us handsome reward, an access to have Runalia's land, and a higher position than the Count once a new Lord is chosen," Count Gerald said with a chuckle, his expression show a delight. "And here I have labeled him as a person of cowardice, I might have taken him too lowly."

"What will you plan to do father?" Elijah questioned.

"Of course, we should agree," said the Lady, "A chance like this never come. He had given that envelope to you which mean he had distributed other vessel of the Lord with the same letter. If we are alone, it won't be a good idea, but if we are together with others, who could guess whom had exposed the Lord's felony? It's a very sa-"

The three family suddenly stopped speaking as sound of slow clapping resounded in the room from the person who sat on the corner, next to the fireplace, and hidden by the darkness. They looked at each other, watching how no ones hands were against each other and were rather resting on the armrest. Then who was it? 

"Wonder why humans never understand how they are in a higher danger when standing before a predator? My beloved bride had warned your children but you still dared to do things your hands couldn't reach. I agreed with your previous words, Lady...I forgot your name; not that it would matter soon. Putting his hand on a fire without knowing how dangerous it is, will only burn one's entire body. Sadly you only spoke but doesn't know how to implement the idea," Ian clicked his tongue then.

The three people in the room turned their faces in unison toward the place that was still hidden by the shadow. When they heard a crisp snap of a finger, fire glowed on the candlestick on the corner of the room, slowly giving a light to showcase, the charming Demon who was sitting on a large cushioned chair with his legs crossed.

"A-Ah! Lord Ian!" shouted Count Gerald who finally took in the situation and who it was. While he almost fell from his stairs, his son who was much smarter than him only to an extent, quickly stood up and run toward the door that was left ajar. His hands reached to door knob only for the door to close on its own and a sound of crisp lock could be heard.

Elijah then felt his body suddenly turn to look at Ian whose red eyes were striking and fierce, "Don't run. I don't mind chasing but only to people who I find worth to be chased. It appear that you two are lower than a mouse."