The Demon’s Bride

Months passed peacefully in Warine. Not so peacefully, in truth as along the way, Ian had exposed and sentenced two people to death by the rule of the Church. 

Who was those two people? It was none other than the Lord of Runalia, Garfon. Ian had made sure the inhumane man who had allowed slavery in his land to meet his demise on the cold blade, along with the man who had hated him so much, Oliver. Ian didn't forgot to bring Oliver's soul to Heaven for the man was a corrupted angel for the Angels in Heaven to take care of.

Elise sat on the carriage, watching from the window people passing by, crowding the town's square. Her hands that felt cold couldn't help but brush her stomach which had gotten bigger than before. 

Ian held her hands when he noticed this. Sitting beside Elise, he never missed even one sign of uncomfortable on her face and kissed her hands with his lips. 

"Cold?" He asked her.

Elise nodded, "A little. Did Cynthia said when she would be coming to visit the castle?"

Ian curled his lips, "After her marriage, she decided it was better to live in a house of their own but look at those silly lovebirds, they did make a house, but I didn't expect them to ask permission to make it anywhere near mine."

Elise's smile widened. It was a wonderful news to her to know that Cynthia had settled down. After the death of Apollyon and Ernest, she could see the relief washing down the woman's face but also emptiness as the hatred she had been holding in her heart disappear all of a sudden.

Thankfully, there was Austin who was there by her side, bringing her back to her feet, thought Elise to herself. 

"I can't wait to meet her children," she whispered.

"Twins they said. Double the trouble if they turned out to be similar to their mother and father," he hummed before placing his hand gently on the side of her head, "But if our child turns out to be like us, I trust they would be amazing. A mix of you and me, I can tell when they grew older they could be the strongest being in this world."

"I would like them to be wise, kind, and courageous," answered Elise to Ian who nodded to show his agreement. 

"I don't think you need to wish for that, dearie. Our child will surely possess all those qualities from us."

The carriage stopped when they reached by the castle. Cynthia and Austin could be seen first standing in front of the gate while they were both holding a baby on their hands.

Cynthia turned to look and Austin, starting a small fight when she crossed her hands together and huffed. When she noticed from the corner of her eyes the presence of the red carriage coming toward them. Unhesitatingly, Cynthia raised her hand and waved toward the carriage.

Walking down from the carriage, Elise was greeted by Cynthia's hug which she gladly returned back.

"Oh, Elly! How are you?" Cynthia kissed the sides of her cheeks.

"I'm great, Cynthia. You look so beautiful. How are you and the children?" Elise questioned, noticing Cynthia smacking Austin side by her elbow.

"She's beautiful of course, milady. I made sure to make her sleep for eight hours every day at the cost of my own sleep of course, this two little rascals seem to know when it's time for their sibling to sleep so they could keep me awake all day." Austin pointed out his under eye as if to show his eye again that had turned dark from the lack of sleep.

"That's what husband and wife has to do in a family, Austin. They need to help and support each other when raising their children so the other won't get sick," Ian answered, tipping his chin slightly as if he was advising his junior.

Austin wrinkled his lips, "Milord, forgive me but in this case I feel that you are a newbie in the term of raising children."

"Oh?" Ian raised his eyebrows and Austin who had raised his hand as he spoke slowly raised it down again. "My nine hundred years of live seem to be a "newbie" in your eyes, Austin. Want me to put you on the same nine hundred years worth of living?"

Austin raised one of his hand while still holding to his children to defend himself by instinct, "Oh no no no no! Oh milord, only you can do that, I would rather spent a nice short life rather than a long mundane and full of pain one."

Elise can't help but chuckle at the exchange that reminded her so much of her childhood. She remembered seeing the three adult bickering amongst each other the way such as now.

Cynthia held her hand to gain her attention which success and asked, "How was your mornings, Elly? The worse part about being pregnant is the morning. I remember feeling so nauseous that seeing Austin's smile annoyed me to the core. Of course, I had kicked him out of my room to make me happier although I feel bad about that, but seeing how much he was eager in the morning while I was feeling under the weather had been so annoying to me."

Elise shook her head in response, "I might be luckier. I have never felt any nauseous feeling in the morning. As for now, I also eat well. Lucifer, my father, and my grandfather have been feeding me a lot as well; although I don't think I can eat as much as they want me too."

"They must be too delighted to hear the news of your pregnancy," chuckled Cynthia, imagining how the King of Hell, the Duke, and the Prince of Hell rejoice on the new addition in their family. 

Elise was taken back to the time she had told her father about her pregnancy. She remembered seeing his tears, and his happiness which was the same exact expression that Ian had when the physician they went to stated her pregnancy. They both were overjoyed to the point of tears that only made Elise happier.

"And," Elise looked at the small baby that was wrapped in fluffy coats, "This must be the younger twin?"

"Yes, the younger one is named Sabrina, a girl. The other one with Austin is Samuel, a boy," explained Cynthia. Elise smiled at the baby only to receive a wider adorable smile from the baby which filled her heart with warmth.

When she tried to reach her hand and rub the baby's cheeks, her expression suddenly stunned. The change of her expression wasn't noticed by Cynthia or Austin but was not missed of notice by Ian.

"Let's get inside," Austin then suggested, "The weather is getting colder and as they both have mixed blood, they are very sensitive to lower temperature."

"Maroon," Ian called for the butler to come out like a ghost but beside him was his wife, Lilith that made his presence more felt and less gloomy than before.

"I will show you two the way to your rooms," Maroon skillfully ushered the two guests toward the castle while Ian and Elise remain outside.

"What's wrong?" Ian asked her, coming to her side naturally as that was the place he belong in.

"It's Hallow and his sister…" whispered Elise. The blue eyes quickly look at Ian's red ones. "Each babies had both Hallow's and his sister's soul."

Ian's eyes widened slightly and his smile quickly form, "Seems like your grandfather's friends are putting their kindness into action rather than simple words now."

Elise smiled looking at the door where Cynthia and Austin used to get inside the castle. "I'm happy and thankful for Gabriel and Michael. I will write a letter for them soon, but do you know a way to send them?"

"You mean you need a pigeon who can send you letter?" Ian's grin widened as one person came in his mind. "For certain I do, my love. Just give me the envelope once you're ready. But don't stamp them yet. I also have words I want to put on that letter."

"You two," Esther who was standing at the door came out and spoke up. 

Elise looked at her aunt, noting how her aunt was frowning and appeared to be in trouble. Apprehensively, Esther said, "Do you hear any news about Beelzebub?"

"News?" Elise questioned in reply. It had been roughly a year after the death of Apollyon and she wasn't sure what kind of news about Mr. Beel that her aunt wish to hear about.

Ian creased his eyebrows in a thought then asking, "Do you mean that Beelzebub hasn't contact you at all?"

Esther stayed quiet, "We met once. But I haven't heard anything from him again and today… I received this on my window."

Ian looked at the silver bracelet and taking it to his hand, he indeed smelled traces of Beelzebub's demonic energy. "It seems like Beelzebub is in trouble."

Not expecting this, Esther was taken aback. Her blue eyes spread wide where her eyebrows raised to the crown of her face. 

"In trouble?" She repeated with her voice sparse.

******

A/N: As Ian's and Elise's story ends around last chapter, now we will be delving into Esther's and Beelzebub's story. Thank you so much for the support everyone! I will try update twice at weekend and write more than 1600 words in the workday. Thank you for your understanding^^