The Demon’s Bride

Elise watched the pride on Ian's eyes as he introduced to the people her as his wife. She couldn't tell how happy she was and had stopped had thinking about it as the word barely express the fullness she felt on her chest. Now she was his wife and he was her husband. 

The guests clapped as they walked down the aisle. While some showed sincere smile, she also saw some who was smileless when they applauded. The position she had now was something most women in the church once wanted but now that she had taken it, they couldn't help but look at her with gaze full of envy.

Once the wedding ceremony had ended, they went back to the castle where the ball was held. Elise had changed into a new dress that were less puffier for the occasion that wouldn't drag on the floor. Placing the ring on her bare fingers, she felt the coldness it preserve, the endearing coldness that tells her this ring belongs to her now.

By time she came to the ballroom, the music stopped upon her arrival as the orchestra had stopped playing to stand up. The rest of the guests who were chattering halted and the ones who were sitting stood up in a straight poise. They bowed at her once she entered and Elise's eyes stopped to the only person who didn't bow to her. 

Ian watched his wife in the blue dress that gradient into golden as the color reached to the bottom of her dress. Her hair had been left open and while she look beautiful, Elise was more than beautiful to him. The happiness of the marriage wasn't the only thing he had in his mind now. It was the fact that they were no married and Elise was his— both in soul and body. Not only the afternoon ceremony had been his most awaited moment but tonight too and the day that had been dreading finally arrive. 

The sight of Elise in the dress allured him and that only had him to look forward more of the moon's presence. 

Ian made his way to her side and take her by her hands, his other hand settled on her slender waist as if it was the most natural position for his hand to rest at. "My wife," Ian whispered lovingly, descending down to kiss her cheeks as he waved his hand to cue the rest of the guests to resume the ball. But even as they were told to continue, with the presence of the two most important person for the day, they couldn't continue but stare at them.

"How is the day for you, my love?" questioned Ian, his words gentle to Elise's ears and she also felt ticklish as his warmth breaths caressed her exposed neck.

"Beautiful," Elise answered, and she saw the two seats placed on the furthest part of the ballroom, the place where usually Ian would come and seat alone as the Lord and now there was her seat. She sat on the chair before him, "I have dreamt of my wedding days every day as a child. I look forward to it and there was once where I thought about counting the days until my marriage."

Ian raised his brows with intrigue, "Did you have someone already in mind at that time?" 

Elise looked at him who had changed into a different clothes to complement the dress she wore and she smiled, "I didn't think it was a matter on who I would marry. I thought that in my wedding day there would be a feast and all I can think about was to eat because I often goes with days without food."

"Hm, you mean from that headless and heartless family whom you lived with once in the past," Ian commented and he turned to take her fingers on the armrest, intersecting them together. "You can give me their name soon, whether they are dead or alive I can give them torture. I learned not long ago that Demons could torture the ones who had died. If any time soon I travel to Hell, I would not forget to pay respect toward them."

"Did Lucifer told you that?"

"Sure I did," came Lucifer right in front of them. His appearance was sudden as he hadn't used his wings or carriage or the door to enter but materialized through thin air. "Now, my niece-in-law, tell me the name of those who have harmed or hurt your fragile heart."

Ian clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes at his uncle's arrival, "I don't think I have to ask that you don't understand the word of laying low."

"Oh dearie, do I have to do that?" Lucifer asked with a fake surprised expression and with a hand on his mouth he grinned, "I was thinking to be as bold and as eye-catching as possible to rub wounds on those damned angel who had been hurting my good name."

Elise wondered what kind of good name does Lucifer want to have as she didn't see him as a person who would shy away from the killings he did, instead he was similar to Ian on the way of declaring their kill with pride. She saw the people whispers, some asking who Lucifer was as they had been startled but no explanation was given as Ian didn't think he needed to explain every last thing and bits of little events when magic was possible in their land. 

Another thing which Elise noticed was how Lucifer's eyes had returned to red color, seemingly closer to black now and she wondered if that hold any meanings. "Uncle Luci, about the veil that you gave me this afternoon. It was very lovely, thank you for letting me to borrow the veil. Once it had been cleaned, I should return it to you."

"Veil?" Lucifer wondered what the girl was speaking when it dawned to her what he meant and his smile widened. "It is yours, Elise. Take it and store it carefully. I suppose it is a very important wedding veil of a person and you won't like it if it gets torn."

Not him who wouldn't like it but her?

Ian who had been hearing the conversation understood what was going on and he said, "Is that wedding evil was from Mrs. Adelaide?"

Lucifer wanted to keep it a secret but Ian had given him away, therefore, he said the truth, "Yes."

Elise's blue eyes turn wide on the revelation and she wanted to hear more about her mother and how Lucifer had become the person to have the wedding veil but the Demon quickly said, "Here you are." Lucifer had turned his face and placed one of his hand to the other man whose long silver hair had been cut, showing his fair neck and dressed in white, he almost looked like angel without wings. 

Elise saw the white satin ribbon covering the man's eyes and it was without question she knew who it was, "Mr. Heaven."

Heaven bowed his head, the angel had a sincere smile that could warm everyone's heart as he had nothing but genuine care to people around him, "Lady Elise," his head then turned to where Ian was standing, "and Ian, congratulation on your wedding day. It might be unlucky coming from me whose marriage had ended, but I wish you two a great wedding and life ahead."

"I am glad to see you can come," Ian answered, being polite to the angel as he was one of the few person he could tolerate. "I should say I envy this skill you have, Lucifer," he said with a thin hint of sarcasm. "To think you can bring everyone immediately to your side. You were also the person who had told Heaven to come and notify me during when Elise was attacked in the exam."

Not knowing this, Elise was surprised, "You did?"

"I wouldn't want take the credit," answered Lucifer. It wasn't that he wanted to be humble but because he wasn't the one who had told Heaven to notify Ian but rather her father but he had to keep silence for it was Leviathan's words. 

Elise not knowing this said sincerely, "Thank you, uncle Luci, Mr. Heaven."

"I am glad to be a help," answered Heaven politely.

"The way you calls my name just have the perfect ring on it," as he spoke he suddenly stop speaking. It happened in second but Elise who sensed it, raised her brows to Lucifer who said, "Now I should leave you two to enjoy your time. I suggest a dance between the newlyweds. It has always been something I am looking forward to and if you two ever plan to visit Hell, we can also hold another wedding ceremony there."

While Elise thought of how great it would be to hold a wedding in Hell so she could see a glimpse of her father which might be possible considering that he was locked as a punishment, Lucifer had left. Heaven who had been left alone, then bowed his head again, "I will enjoy a little of my time here."

"Please take your time, Mr. Heaven," Elise said and Ian beside her added,

"There are many amusement you could enjoy take yourself for a ride." When he was gone, Ian pulled her hand and rested his lips on her knuckles, "You didn't finish replying me earlier. So how was your day today, my dearest princess?"

Elise smiled at his question, she said, "It is all I can wish for, better than what I could imagine. How was today wedding for you?"

"While the effort of looking forward to this day where we are announced as wife and husband, I am also looking more forward to this time we would have together privately," Ian saw how quickly pink Elise's cheeks gotten and her heartbeat quickened in not nervousness but eagerness. "I heard there are roses in my room, do you like them?"

"You are like a wolf," Elise said and with him who hum, she continued, "there was a story of a girl and a wolf. The wolf offered the girl roses to lure and eat her."

"Which mean you know the drill," Ian nibbled her finger lightly where her golden ring was, "I can't wait to eat you."

"Silly," answered Elise in a murmur as shyness covered her neck and ears.

In the beautiful day where people had come to offer their congratulation to the couple of the day. Within some guests who came, a tall man with broad shoulders, a sharp eyes and neat beard that covered his sharp jaw entered the castle. His golden eyes peered the large castle when a servant came to his side.

"May I ask you the invitation, milord?" The footman questioned. While studying the man who seem to be on his early thirty, he noticed from only a glance with the way the man brought himself that he wasn't a normal civilian and that he was a high nobleman. Wanting to be on the good side of a wealthy man, the servant waited for the man to continue staring at the castle.

But even as a good five minutes passed, the man didn't gave the invitation. Instead, he turned his face to meet the footman's eyes. Being taller, he had the advantage to cover the human's sight to only meet his gaze, "I have gave the invitation," he said with clear voice but the footman could feel himself deluded by the voice that blurred when it passed by his ears.

"Oh silly me!" The footman then said when his eyes suddenly break from the trance. "I apologize for my forgetfulness. Please follow me, I should show you the way to the ballroom."

And the man hummed in response, "How long have it been since the castle been made?"

The footman thought of how the man must have been in awe with the castle and said, "I do not know about the exact time but it should be long since a thousand years ago."

"and since that the family that lived here never change?"

The footman was surprised by the question an he pulled his brows, "The Lord's family have lived here but I do not know of the full history. If you would like to hear them, please do question the Lord. Most of us servants has less privilege to know."

Of course, thought the man. It wasn't that the man didn't know and he doubted anyone in the five lands knew. It was because the person who live in the place had ever changed for over nine hundred of years. 

"Tell me more about your Lord. What kind of man is he?" The man asked, his golden eyes holding curiosity which was judgmental as if he wanted to know about Ian before making is conclusion.