The Demon’s Bride

Esther gasped but she was quick to pull herself together. Looking at Ian, she then asked, "Can you help him?"

"I have so many things I have to protect here in the mortal world and not to forget," Ian placed one hand over Elise's back, "I have to protect my family who is here with me."

Esther pulled her eyebrows together as Elise opened her lips when Ian put his finger to pinch her lips together.

"Then where is he currently?" Esther questioned. Her blue eyes lifted to look at Ian who had retracted his hand to his sides. 

"I am not sure but I do know a person who can tell you the exact location where Beelzebub is. Good luck, aunt in law."

Esther was determined to find Beelzebub. When the woman left, Elise stood before the window of Ian's study room. One of her hand on the window as she looked at her aunt who disappeared all of a sudden leaving small trace of teleportation magic at the place she stayed earlier. 

"What was that about?" Elise questioned when Ian snuggled his body and arms over her. "I think you would be able to help Mr. Beel freely. I would be alright alone. No danger should come to us anymore."

"Danger won't come for us for certain, my love," Ian released his hand and turned his chair, then spreading his arm toward Elise. She took this as a cue to come closer when Ian had instead wrapped his hand and pulled her to sit on his laps. 

"But see here. When you have friend, don't you want to root for them and wish the best for their life?" Ian asked her.

Elise didn't know what the question mean as and why it sprang up but she nodded, "Of course that would be delightful."

"That's what this is, Elise. I am helping." 

Elise took a minute to understand what Ian had said and looked at him in shock. "You lied to Aunt Esther?"

Ian clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Not exactly lying, I would say. I am only creating ripples. When the two are too quiet, one is fearing to face his own feeling and the other is still confused with her own feeling, it gives me the urge to play with… I mean to root for them, don't you understand?"

Elise somewhat understand that Ian was trying to give the push on the back for Esther and Beelzebub. After Mr. Beel disappeared, Elise noticed how her aunt became less talkative.

She found her on some days where she would be staring at the garden as if waiting for something or someone and when she asked Esther what she was waiting for, Esther only gave a smile and veered the conversation away.

Elise might not understand what kind of bond Esther and Beelzebub had but she do understand that the yearning that crossed her aunt's face once in a while was caused by none other than Mr. Beel.

"But where did you bring Aunt Esther too?" Ian had lied and Elise wondered if the next person Esther would meet will be able to continue the lie. If they do, then the push on the back would be possible but if they don't, the lies would be revealed, therefore destroying their plan.

"No worries. This one guy is… annoying and stupid to the core. This would be fun," Ian pulled his grin wider in reply.

Hell was still and never changing nor never ending. Like the night sky of Hell that was always pitch black, nothing changed in Hell as per Esther's memories. 

She can see from her walk starting from the gate of Hell and the village, she saw people who was suffering, the contrast to the lively and vivacious environment back in the mortal world. 

In Hell, one can see how there were more people who appeared as if they were standing on the border of death and living, and could die at any second. Their clothes was tattered and the humans would have called the street she passed by as the slum. But this condition of living spread not only at the current village but most of the places in Hell.

It was a horrid place where the jungle rule applies. Only the strong would be able to survive and the weak would die. It was indeed a cruel place where human would see as Hell.

Esther didn't come to reminiscences her past nor did she want to stay in Hell and to recollect the pieces of memories she spent while staying in Hell. The place held simply too many bad memories and nightmare for her to remember. If possible she wouldn't want to come to this place again but today, she had a reason. A firm reason to be here. 

She looked at the smaller torn parchment, the sharp handwriting Ian had done to scribble the paper, writing a certain address that only those who reside in Hell to know the meaning. 

"Crimson feet," whispered Esther when she stopped at a certain building. She had left the village, entering the town. As one would say the darkest place to be the most dangerous, Esther had walked across the back alley of the town that was said to be more dangerous but by the time she arrived, she found herself standing at a luxurious door. Two statue was built next to the door where it was two women holding jar of water. 

The water that dripped out of the jaw was red in color, looking so similar to blood. 

Ignoring it, Esther entered inside the door when a man came beside her. He was dressed poshly and in manner asked, "Welcome, Madame to our gambling house. Would you wish to sit in a new table?"

Esther looked around the place, finding private room that was covered by red curtain. Tables were placed in the middle of the room where on the tables there were one man dressed similar to the person who had attended her. Blue flask flew across the demons who sat in front of the table, the purple color wisp that were inside the flask was none other than the souls of humans that was often used as means of exchange and trade in Hell.

"No," Esther realized she was inside a gambling house. "I am here to meet Asmodeus."

At the mention of the demon's name, the room that was once filled with soft calming music and chatters of people where even hearing the person beside you talking to be difficult at once turn gravely silent. The red eyes that stared at Esther now increased numerously.

The demon in front of her narrowed his eyes. His polite smile was gone.

"Lord Asmodeus you mean, Madame? It would be extremely difficult for you to meet him if you haven't promise to meet."