The Demon’s Bride

Leviathan's eyes looking at Lucifer can't help but narrow with skepticism. This man. He was not Asmodeus who can see the future yet his wordings— the way he formed his words and the timing of his offer was so perfect that he doubted this was a coincidence. There had never been coincidences in Demon's world. Never.

When he didn't speak, his feet landed on the ground. "How long have you known Heaven?"

"Just a little offer. I love showing kindness to people by giving them an offer and promise. Of course, I am a man of my words," Lucifer tendered a smile.

"I can see," came Leviathan's sardonic reply. Whatever Lucifer was trying to do, Levi couldn't tell whether this was a good ploy or his ill intended plan. "What do you plan to do to the other Archangels?"

"Framing the person who framed me for killing Seraphim. I want them to suffer. Coincidentally I know very well what can make them suffer," said Lucifer and grin only went wider with the evil sprinkling on his face. "Speaking of other things. How was my nephew's performance? Wasn't it delightful? His violence," Lucifer hummed with an expression of satisfaction, a pure pleasure, "It was amazing, wasn't it."

Of course he was. Ian White, the Demon was far stronger than others Demon even if he was to compare him with other High Demons. His power was enormous— so strong that the dark sorcerers and Relics were rendered like ants in front of him. Yet Levi wouldn't praise him easily as Ian was his daughter's soon-to-be husband, this much was necessary. 

"For your nephew, I should say he did. It didn't change how late he was," added Leviathan and Lucifer crooked his brows.

This Prince was very petty, thought Lucifer. "Until when will you be hiding from your daughter? Knowing how kind she is, I think she won't blame you. Maybe, that is."

Leviathan went quiet, words lumping on the back of his throat, "Until I decide to appear. Not now."

"But she is in her extreme illness. Look, her Demonic lineage is clashing with her Angelic ones she inherited from her mother. You know how this had never been the easiest process for a child who bear both bloodline of Demons and Angel. I was on verge of death too when I was in her age," Lucifer hummed, looking at his fingernails where blood had dried there. Not having a reply, Lucifer turned his eyes at the prince of Hell and a smile appear, "Oh, it seems like you have something in mind."

Leviathan didn't answer and he hated to say how correct Lucifer was with his guess. 

Back in White Mansion, Ian ordered the maids to bring him a bucket of water, ordering Maroon to take care of the rest. Esther who was standing from afar watched how Elise sprawled on the Lord's arms and her eyes widened, questioning what had happened. She then felt the presence of Beelzebub hatefully lingering beside her like a bee and she was the honey. 

"Oh no," Beelzebub said, a creasing frown forming on his forehead which was new. He went toward Mila, the head of the maid as well as the housekeeper, "Remove all maids from this place as well as the other floors and the room where Ian will be going at," swing the moment of inaction, Beelzebub pressed, "Now or this castle would have no maids any longer."

Mila questioned in her mind what was going on and she also wished to go next to Elise but forced to leave with the haste Beelzebub pressed. Both Cynthia and Austin was near the staircase but was also stopped by Beelzebub as he warned them: anyone who walk on the second floor except him or Maroon, they would be minced. 

Ian's alarm was clear on his face. His mood had turned foul upon bringing Elise back to the castle with her consciousness leaving her body. Placing her on the bed, the knot on his forehead tightened upon seeing her dress which was soaked with the deep scarlet liquid. 

Anger seethed on his body, and unknowingly, he released his demonic power, causing what was near him that was alive to wilt. The ground shake and the furniture quack further when he recalled how Elise laid on the ground, blood on her mouth and nose.

He closed his eyes, locking his anger away as he didn't want it to be a weapon that would only hurt Elise in her most vulnerable state. Taking the dampened towel, he wiped the blood that dripped on the corner of her lips, cleaning the wound at the same time keeping his keen hearing on her heartbeat, not missing a single beat while he continue to take care of her as it was the only thing he could do for now.

It took Elise a few hours from the sun that glowed the sky in orange color until the moon replace the brightest star's position, carpeting the sky in black. Elise's eyes moved underneath her eyelids and it opened very slowly. She felt an obscure screen over her eyes, and she blinked away, trying to cast away the blurry sight.

"Elise? Are you awake?" came Ian's tender deep voice which caused her heart to squeeze. Not because she was in pain but because she couldn't express how she deeply yearn to hear his voice again.

Her head inclined to her right shoulder where she also felt the warmth on her hand to see Ian clasping to her palm tightly. Her eyes then shifted to look at his face, watching how there was a look of panic and nervousness she had never seen it ever illustrate on him before.

"I am alright," was her first sentence as if trying to calm his worries that she could see blazing in his eyes.

Ian didn't reply immediately and he leaned forward to pull her into his embrace. Elise didn't need his word to know how thankful he was that she was alright, that she was breathing, and how afraid Ian was to lose her as his embrace spoke volume more than words ever needed.

She raised her hands that still felt rather lethargic and wrapped it carefully on his waist, returning his hug to tell him that it was alright— that she was still alive and breathing as she could tell the confirmation was what Ian needed now to ease his raging anger and anxiety.