Chapter 138 - Engagement (2)

On Serena’s pale finger, the red ring gave off an ominous, uncanny gleam. Its gemstone, as crimson as human blood, stirred a peculiar unease in anyone who looked at it.

A precious object received from a Demon. Surely it was no ordinary ring. It had to contain some wicked magic. Or so Serena thought.

She stared at the ring in despair, her eyes filled with anxiety and fear.

“... A shackle.”

At Serena’s quiet murmur, Maphel’tan gave a dry chuckle.

“It is an ordinary engagement ring. Though you may not believe me.”

The ring really was a simple ornament. A slightly expensive—no, in truth, an extremely expensive luxury, and nothing more. There was no magical mechanism hidden within it.

Of course, Serena could not believe that. She yanked it off her finger.

“T-take it back! This wretched thing!”

Just as she was about to hurl it to the floor, her hand stopped short in midair. The voice she heard was so chilling that it froze her entire body.

“Do not act rashly.”

Those red eyes were gazing steadily at her. Her own eyes trembled, and she went rigid with the ring still raised. She dared not throw it. Instinctively, she knew something terrible would happen if she did.

“Wh-why are you doing this to me...”

Maphel’tan cut her off in an even tone.

“I will have Marcano’s gold and your Mind-Piercing Eye. This engagement is a means to that end. If you refuse to become engaged to me, I will simply achieve the same result by other means. You are an intelligent woman. You understand what I am saying.”

'The moment you refuse this engagement, I will devour you and your house in a far more terrible fashion.'

That was how Maphel’tan’s words sounded to Serena.

She stared at him with trembling eyes, then hung her head. She could no longer meet that crimson gaze.

“Hic... Hh...”

Soft sobs filled the room.

Serena’s sorrow, anguish, and despair provided Maphel’tan with powerful stimulation. A human’s negative emotions were being transformed into a delicacy for a Demon.

A faint satisfaction spread over his face. His red eyes gleamed, and a strange pleasure coursed through his veins and into every part of his body. It was an unfamiliar kind of pleasure, distinctly different from the rapture he had felt until now.

'Sorrow has a different flavor.'

All negative human emotions brought Demons immense satisfaction. Where fear offered overwhelming rapture, sorrow imparted a quiet pleasure. Maphel’tan was familiar with the “taste of fear.” The “taste of sorrow,” on the other hand, was new to him.

If he had to say which he preferred...

He quickly shook his head.

'No. What am I thinking?'

If he let himself sink any deeper, he felt he might awaken to a new source of stimulation. He immediately dragged his claws across his chest. Black blood trickled out, and his reason returned.

He let out a relieved breath and spoke.

“Serena, the choice is entirely yours. I will give you one last chance to think. Decide on the engagement by tomorrow morning.”

He turned and left the drawing room. With Serena alone inside, faint sobs echoed there throughout the night.

* * *

“Oh, the poor thing. Marrying a Demon! Lady Marcano could never have imagined this would be her lot.”

In the archmage’s workshop, Lumina muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear. Ilea, who had been studying the mirror-shaped Book of Doom with her, heaved a deep sigh.

“Lady Lumina, please focus on the research instead of making snide remarks.”

Lumina feigned innocence.

“Oh my, you could hear all that? But Ilea, you don’t seem upset at all. Your very own ‘Sir Yohan’ and ‘Lord Maphel’tan’ are getting married, you know.”

Ilea did not like Serena. No, what she disliked was the fact that Yohan was getting married. She spoke in an even tone.

“It can’t be helped. All of this is necessary for Maphel’tan.”

Lumina pouted.

“Oh, how boring. You’re supposed to throw a fit at times like this. Give me something worth watching.”

In truth, Ilea wanted to ruin the engagement this very moment. Every mention of it stirred her possessiveness toward Yohan. Yet she concealed her wishes and quietly respected his decision. She did not want to cause him needless trouble when he was already so busy with other matters.

Besides, this engagement was merely a formality, an outward show. There were no feelings whatsoever between Yohan and Serena. Thinking rationally, Ilea had no reason to regard Serena as a threat. She had decided to get along with her. In fact, Maphel’tan had asked her to do so.

Ilea addressed Lumina.

“I’m sorry, but you won’t get what you’re hoping for. I’ve decided to respect Maphel’tan’s wishes.”

Lumina turned sharply away and returned to her research. Maphel’tan, who had been leaning against the wall, spoke.

“Ilea, I am always grateful to you.”

She smiled gently.

“Think nothing of it. There is something I’m curious about, though.”

“What is it?”

“If, by some remote chance, Lady Marcano refuses the engagement, what do you intend to do?”

Maphel’tan needed the Marcano fortune and the power of the Mind-Piercing Eye. He would have to secure both, whatever the means. Gazing up at the ceiling, he answered.

“That will not happen. Serena is an intelligent woman.”

The moment she refused the engagement, she and Maphel’tan would become enemies. The victor of that conflict had already been decided. House Marcano could never defeat Yohan and Maphel’tan.

Serena knew that very well. Through the Mind-Piercing Eye, she had seen every weapon at Yohan’s disposal. Her acceptance of the engagement was already a foregone conclusion.

Ilea spoke.

“That’s why I said ‘if.’ Just humor me. If that woman rejects your proposal, what is your next move?”

Maphel’tan always kept a fallback plan in mind, and this time was no exception. He had considered what to do if things went wrong. He answered in a calm voice.

“... Well, some blood would have to be shed.”

Ilea considered this briefly, then smiled, her eyes crinkling.

“You’ll need my help, then. Just say the word.”

Lumina turned to glance at Ilea. There was an inexplicable cruelty in her smile that sent a slight chill through Lumina. She murmured under her breath.

“A witch through and through. Frightening. Truly frightening.”

Maphel’tan nodded.

“I will ask if I need you. Though it is unlikely you will have to intervene.”

Ilea gave him a soft smile and returned to her research. Maphel’tan sank back into his own thoughts.

'Serena, accept my proposal. Please.'

He did not want to ruin an innocent human being.

* * *

Morning dawned. At the appointed time, Yohan entered the drawing room again.

Serena sat in a chair with her eyes closed. There was a profound stillness about her. Even the air around her had settled into calm.

Sensing his presence, she slowly lifted her eyelids.

“You’re here, Sir Yohan.”

Maphel’tan was gone, and Yohan had taken his place. Just as he had said, he really did turn human during the day.

“Lady Marcano, did you have a restful night?”

He met her gaze. The fear had vanished completely from her eyes. No, they were devoid of emotion altogether. There was something detached about Serena.

She spoke calmly.

“Thanks to you, I spent a long night awake. I haven’t slept, so my eyes keep closing.”

Yohan nodded.

“Since you’re tired, I’ll keep this brief. Will you accept my proposal?”

Serena slowly placed her hand on the table. The red ring was on her ring finger. Her voice was flat.

“Does that answer your question?”

She had accepted. Yohan looked pleased.

“An excellent choice, Lady Marcano. You are every bit as wise as I thought.”

He was delighted. He had obtained the best possible outcome without losing anything.

Serena spoke.

“In return, may I ask a few things of you?”

Yohan gave her an affable smile.

“Please, ask whatever you like.”

He was feeling exceptionally generous. He intended to grant any reasonably manageable request.

Serena said,

“First, I want Serin, my older sister, to have her freedom. Is that possible?”

Serin had spent her entire life trapped inside the mirrors. Her condition prevented her from leaving. Perhaps Yohan could change her circumstances. After all, he was acquainted with an archmage.

Yohan answered at once.

“Very well. The moment you overcome the Mind-Piercing Eye’s side effects, Serin will be free as well.”

For now, Serin had to remain in the world within the mirrors. She was bearing the Mind-Piercing Eye’s side effects in Serena’s place. Outside that world, those side effects would kill her. No one wanted that outcome.

Serena spoke in a low voice.

“Swear it.”

Yohan bowed his head slightly.

“I pledge it on my life.”

Serena nodded, then spoke again.

“My next request.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Let me use the Mind-Piercing Eye one last time.”

“Do you intend to check whether I meant the oath I just swore?”

A Demon’s promises were nothing but empty words. Everything they said was deception.

Serena answered calmly.

“That is part of it, but there is something else I want to confirm.”

“What is it? Let me hear it first.”

“My fate and my family’s. If you intend to destroy us, I will need to prepare myself.”

Yohan considered it. Quite some time passed before he spoke.

“Remember this. This is the last time you will use the Mind-Piercing Eye on me.”

Serena nodded.

“Very well. Then let me ask. Sir Yohan, in your ultimate goal, what becomes of me, Serin, my family, and my father? I imagine we will be ruined and left in misery.”

Yohan gazed at her without answering. His true intentions flooded into her mind.

Serena’s brows twitched. As time passed, her expression changed from moment to moment. Disbelief, bewilderment, confusion, and more. A whirlwind of emotions swept through her until, at last, she froze in a daze.

Yohan spoke.

“I hope my intentions came across clearly.”

He wanted one thing, unequivocally: peace and happiness for everyone. Serena had seen that sincerity for herself.

'Everyone who stands beside me will be happy. Serena, Serin. That includes you both.'

Those words circled through Serena’s mind.

She murmured,

“... Why would a Demon... Why?”

Yohan shrugged.

“Red blood flows through my veins too. As you can see.”

Serena stared at him with utter incomprehension. Silence hung over the drawing room for a long while.