The Demon’s Bride

Ian leaned his back to the desk, his body facing to the large window behind his desk and he stared at Elise who stood to talk with a man who he recalled to be the one whom Elise had become friend with. Hearing a few knocks on the door, he spoke briefly, "Come in." and from the door Austin came in with his one hand folded to his waist.

"As per your order, I have brought the documents regarding the lands and have sent the invitation for an open meeting." started Austin to see how Ian didn't pay any mind to his report and came to walk closer to the desk and stood to follow the line of Ian's sight and found Elise speaking to a male servant.

He first kept a smile looking at how Elise was able to talk easily with people now and shifted his gaze to see Ian's passive look.

"Mind telling me, how did it come to this?" questioned Austin still staring at how Ian unblinkingly look at the scene.

"How did it come to what?" asked Ian, not looking back to Austin as he spoke.

Austin exhaled a sigh, "I'm humbly asking how you, milord, how do you come to a state where you seemed to be enamored by Elise. I thought you were not interested at her?" It was also why he thought that it's better for Elise to find a prospect eligible suitor than the Lord who he knows to be lacking in the term of emotions. "If you are not interested in her, milord as the one who had been close with her I request you to let her go before she gets hurt."

Ian tilted his chin slightly, his red eyes that watch Elise and the male servant continued to flickered until a light passed and his brows were drawn slightly. "When did I claim that?"

"Then why didn't you ask her to come to the castle as a guest?" asked Austin with curiosity in his eyes. Knowing Ian he would have done that. The Lord has all the authority in Warine. Whatever he wished to do no one would dare to question him. And it was obvious how Ian didn't care any thoughts of others much less rumors.

"You forgot how hardworking my puppy is. She wouldn't want to live as a spinster in my castle and soon she would ask for work which is what I'm giving for her." Austin gave a thought and think that it was true. Knowing Elise, she would feel unsettled to be at the castle as a guest for a long time and would go to search for work.

"Do you love her, milord?" Austin questioned and the room filled with only his question as silence followed.

Ian who saw how Elise had left turned his red eyes to his aide, his finger that held the quilt played with it loosely, "If I say I would want to show her all about me, fill her with me both literary and not, what else do you think if it isn't love, Austin? There are more words to convey what I feel but those words are not for you to hear but Elise. You can put your concern elsewhere. As long as she is by my side no harm should befall on her."

Receiving the words Austin fell silence. He felt disbelief because he knew that Ian was a Demon. There mountains of mysteries behind him and one of it was his emotions. He had none when it comes to his surrounding. And seeing his words which sounded like an oath, Austin could tell that it was love that Ian felt and somewhere he could see that the Lord did change after Elise. Ian grew out emotions he didn't have, making him less inhumane. Before being an aide, Austin was his subordinate and also one of the people Ian had saved. He didn't only put concern to Elise because he also wishes the best interest for Ian.

Austin felt somewhat uneasy with how Ian had fallen in love for Elise but then again if the two had requited feelings for each other, he wasn't in the position to stop him nor her. Without asking Elise, Austin could see how the eyes she looked at Ian was with the eyes of a woman to a man not the same childish eyes that looked at him with pure admiration. They said people's heart could not be guessed or seen but today he learned again that even a Demon had to go through a change of emotions with time to experience love.

"Remember Austin, she is not your responsibility." said Ian as he leaned to his couch, his eyes were reading the expression Austin made and was able to read his thoughts fully like he always did. In front of him, no one could lie or bluff their way out by showing no emotions. Placing one of his leg above another he knew Austin felt responsible for Elise but the man had to be reminded that Elise was not his relative and that he was not in the position to go against him.

"I know, milord but please allow me to take the chance and remind you, Elise is a human and a girl of the age of seventeen. She is still pure and naive, not knowing anything about this world or you." Austin trailed at he spoke his last word, placing his emphasis on you.

"If that is what you are worried about then cease the thought. Without your reminders I plan to tell her about everything. What kind of being am I, the real me, my past, and I will have the time to slowly teach her to survive in this world." The stern expression he had for a moment then dissolved to a smile, the grin he had now turn mysterious as the light fail to illuminate the shadow of the tree that fell behind him.

Then a knock came across the room once again and Cynthia came to enter the room, her gaze first fell to see Austin having a frown between his brows and wondered what they were thinking of when Ian spoke, "What is it?"

"Lady Ellen has came to the mansion with the Duke." reported Cynthia.

"So suddenly?" Ian drew his brows, he uncrossed his legs and his red eyes were filled with a wicked look. "They must have forgotten what letters are used for."

Sensing how he sarcastically scoffed at the news, Cynthia asks, "Should I reject their arrival, milord?"

"No, notify them that I'm on my way. It would be rude to reject them after how they have come far here." To one his words may brought some kindness but Cynthia and Austin knew it was from kindness that he had spoke of the words. His eyes may looked compose and calm but his lips taled an entirely different story. There was wickedness spared on his smile, one that was filled with a dark mischief.

Elise who was instructed by Mr. Maroon to greet the new guest stood at the entrance and beside her was Vella on her right and Carmen who was across her. The rest of the maids were told to leave and do their chores in the kitchen but they can't help their curios brimming eyes traveling around the entrance and waited on the scattering places for the brown carriage to stop for the Lady to step out of the carriage. But how could they not? It was the Lady who was rumored to have kissed the Lord who could perhaps become the mistress of the Castle soon. Elise was also curious her bright blue eyes looking at the double door but she had looked at the doors with a different emotions than the rest of the maids. Even though she hadn't met Lady Ellen yet, she didn't like the woman.

It wasn't only curiosity that she felt but worries and the feeling of on edge as if she was on her toes as she walked. Then as they had been waiting, a lady dressed in a bright blue dress walked down from the carriage for her heels to took small steps to the stool beside her was her father, the Duke of Warine who was assigned to govern a part of a land in Warine.

Once they had stepped down, the Duke, Gary Hunn took a moment to whisper to her daughter, "Remember compose yourself and don't forget your manner in front of the Lord. No mistake should be made in the Lord's presence."

Lady Ellen pulled a wide smile across her lips which was painted red confidently, "I know father. I know what I should do, my governess praises me for my etiquette. I will not shame you and our family's name." Allure and charm is what women have to posses and Lady Ellen believe she had all of the qualities needed to gain the Lord's interest. Few months prior, Lady Ellen had converse with the Lord many time she could in every opportunity which hadn't failed until the late notice that came from the Count's soiree. Although she didn't come, she was confident enough to say that in the land, the only Lady who had gained the most interest from the Lord was her.

Duke Gary gave a nod as if putting his trust to his daughter and the two walked up the stairs to enter the Castle.

Elise who stood in front of the entrance to greet the Lady bowed with her hands on her waist and when the two guests had arrived, she lifted her body, her eyes subtly move to look at Lady Ellen. As the rumors had said, Lady Ellen was a beautiful woman. Her skin was white and fair and her features were distinct. Dressed in the blue dress, her hair was in the color of deep brown and her eyes were bright in brown color stood out amongst the rest.