The Demon’s Bride

Most people who gazed at Elise inside the court held gazes of envy, some was acknowledgement, others were curiosity but the particular person who had watched Elise since the beginning of the court, looked her with an expression different than hate.

"It's a rather simple story," said Enoch to Elise who was all ears to hear the story, "The Baroness and Caleb had been engaged since they were a child. I would say it wasn't love that united them but their position. The Baroness was the child of Caleb's parent's friend and they thought with the flow of the future sooner or later Caleb would need a wife to be by his side."

"And the Baroness was chosen," Elise completed the words for Enoch to nod.

Enoch nodded once, "But it seems there was love from the Baroness while Caleb didn't return her feeling. As one expected, the Baroness was in rage when Caleb came to her to break the engagement. Caleb had never cheated on the Baroness. It is said that as soon as Caleb felt his love grow for the human woman he met in the mortal world, he immediately came to talk of the news to the Baroness."

"How did the Baroness take the news then?" Elise asked, wanting to know more.

"For months, almost half a year, the Baroness shut herself in her mansion. Most people say she was in shame for having her engagement broken to a human woman. One day she left her mansion and the new news appeared where a witness said the Baroness had killed the human woman whom Caleb loved."

Elise's eyebrows were furrowed. If she had to honestly assessed what occurred, she couldn't see Caleb as a bad person. They might now be on opposite faction and were enemies but his action of releasing the deadly magic he casted on Lilith means that he never planned or wanted to kill anyone.

One can argue that the magic shackling Lilith were gone due to miracle but Elise no longer believe in miracles. She knew that such magic could never be undone by a mere accident.

Does that mean Caleb were on their side?

"What did Caleb do then?" Elise asked and Enoch pulled in air into his lung with a grim look.

"He didn't betray anyone's expectation of letting his wrath to destroy the Baroness and her house. The Baroness was said to escape death by a hair's breadth. Before anyone could catch him, Caleb then broke into the underground and stole from Lady Caroline the book to resurrect people. When he didn't succeed, he was found by the demons and was taken back to Hell to be punished. But all punishment didn't work on him. So they left him alive because for Caleb, the Diablo, living was a pain that haunt him everyday."

Elise pursed her lips, giving silence for a moment before she continued, "What kind of person Caleb is?"

"Hm," Enoch looked around the ceiling of the court as if trying to jog his memories, "He was like any other demons, normal I would say. If there is one thing I have to comment is how protective he is to his family. It appears that Caleb had a younger brother, you know."

Elise's brows both raised and Enoch bent down to whisper, "And it also appears that his younger brother was a human, a mixed blood. Though he died before long. The reason of his death is unknown but humans die fast so it wasn't a surprise or a question."

"Do you also know about Lady Caroline?" With the opportunity, Elise thought to continue al the question she had.

"Of course. Do you know her story, your highness?"

"I do. I want to know how is she as a person?" The best she could do now was talk to Lady Caroline. But if proven she could not, she had no choice but to break into the underground herself. It was her last resort and she was ready to wager and take the chance if she sees one.

"Sometimes loving to those who is close to her like Georgia, her best servant. But she has a deep hatred to liars. Make certain to answer her questions truthfully for although she seem to be unable to read lies of a person through their heartbeats, she could still tell whether a person was lying or not by her eyes."

At the same time, Leviathan who had entered the court, pushed the door open before the servants did. At once when he entered, many eyes were on him at once and whispers come along. Leviathan put no concern on the gazes he was so used to and made his path toward his daughter.

He first casted a gaze toward Enoch who smiled and bowed down to respect the prince before turning back his gaze at Elise. "We have to talk."

Elise turned to Enoch, "It was nice to talk to you, Sir Enoch and for telling me these important questions."

"I just told what I heard milady," Elise offered the man a smile of gratitude before she turned when Enoch said, "Can you please wait, your highness?"

Elise questioningly look at Enoch as he said, "If I may say, what I had uttered was what I heard from people but as you know no one knows better than the one involved in it."

"You mean that I should try to find out the truth from the people involved in the events?" Elise saw Enoch nodding his head in response. "Thank you but I have thought to do so since long before."

As Elise left the court, she saw her grandfather who was in midst of his discussion but it wasn't her alone who had watched her grandfather but also her father. They sneaked out of the courtroom and Leviathan brought Elise to another room where he knew Satan's ears won't reach to. 

"Did you met her?" Elise immediately questioned.

"Yes and we talked. For now, Hallow and Beel will be entering the underground to see the condition of Ian's wings." And Elise looked worried at this. Not because she doesn't trust the capability of Hallow or Beelzebub but because she knew how clumsy Hallow was...

She could only hope he doesn't make a terrible slip up that caused him to be caught....