The following night, I found myself walking towards the gazebo that shined from a burning fire-lamp from within. On my right wrestled the ocean on the rocks, left of me stood the enormous mansion against the steep hills. And between me and the mansion lay along the dense flower bushes. As I was nearing the gazebo, I felt the tiny drops of water on my skin of my neck as the waves crashed against the rocky shore. The wooden boards rested on the edge of the hills, lifted up by the rocks. The ocean seemed darker, as if it was a dark empty space, wholesome of an inky complexion. Tearing my eyes away from the ocean beside, the light from the lamp in the gazebo was what led me the way. I stepped in, feeling the warmth of the fire from the hanging lamp, swinging slightly due to the wind.

I landed myself in one of those cosy chairs, holding my clock as my ears ringed of nothing but the crashing sound of the waves. Looking at the clock, I was reminded of the first time I arrived in this dark land. Filled with demons and angels at the same time. I picked up one of the books that almost none paid attention to, that were kept on the side shelf of a small stool. Flipping the pages, I scanned through the pages, finding nothing interesting. The breeze picked up, causing the pages to rumble over themselves. It bothered my flaps, and my coat was getting salty.

I slapped the book on the stool, stood up and tidied my black suit. The tails seemed bothering too. But that was okay. I jumped back on hearing a sudden loud thud of something galling from above. When my glances took sight, it was Michelle, in her dark demonic form, wings spread out her back, feathers falling on the hard wooden floor. With light cracking sound, I noticed her wings stretch in, disappearing behind her back, and her face seemed more relaxed and her flushed red cheeks grabbed my attention.

‘What’s wrong, Connor?’ she asked, walking into the gazebo. She wore a white night gown, plain under the light. I could totally make out the thin slip of muslin she was wearing underneath.

‘No, it’s nothing… I was just surprised by the sudden entrance,’ I gestured her towards an empty seat, bowing my head. She walked past me, lightly settling into an easy chair. She crossed her legs, staring at me with her liquid dark eyes. I refrained from meeting our eyes with each other.

‘Come,’ she patted onto a nearby chair, gesturing me to sit down, ‘Sit with me.’ I gulped, thinking it was something about something serious. But all she showed me was an expression of a girl inviting me to have a seat with her, I couldn’t think of anything else.

Walking towards the chair, I pulled the handles and then took a seat, watching her stare at me intently.

‘What’s the matter, milady?’ I asked, turning the other way, pretending to see the ocean.

‘Why won’t you look at me, I wonder,’ she stroked her lips, staring at me. I turned my face towards her.

‘No… it’s just that… nothing.’

****

‘It’s getting windy out here, isn’t it?’ she sat up from her easy chair, walking out the gazebo. And stood few paces away from it, on the edge of the planked bridge, staring into the ocean, the stardust reflecting on its surface. It was quite a windy night, despite no appearances of the clouds. Well, I guess you call that sea breeze?

The breeze picked up again, lifting her loose gown into the air, exposing her bare thighs and that fine piece of muslin as she tried to cover it with her hands. I would call that playing with the wind.

‘We should be leaving soon,’ she said from outside, without looking at me. While I sat there, dazed by that beauty. ‘Hurry up!’ she yelled in excitement, seemingly amazed by the feel of the water droplets on her skin. The crashing of the waves made it difficult for me to hear her. Anyways, I rushed out, and grabbed her wrists.

‘Milady! Be careful not to get yourself wet too much,’ I scolded, but she brushed me off with an impatient wave of her hand, and then ran towards the mansion. I sighed. ‘Milady never changes, still holding on to the trivial things…’ picking my stride, I hurried towards the stairs, and through the balcony to the mansion, closing the glass-door behind me.

‘Ah, you’re no fun,’ she gawked at me.

‘You could’ve caught a cold, milady. You should be more careful, being the Demon Queen next to the throne. I worry for you,’ I said, holding a towel towards her. She snatched the towel from my hands, rubbing her arms.

I suddenly remembered something.

‘Milady, aren’t we ought to go to the capital for your council meet?’ I firmly added. I saw her stitching her eyebrows, probably disliking the thought. She looked the other way. ‘Are you even listening?’ I asked impatiently.

‘Okay, I understand… gosh, you’ve become such a pain.’ She turned around, basically annoyed. But I stood my ground, knowing her from the time I stayed with her from the beginning. She began dwindling about in the hallway, like a child in her wildest dreams. I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of exhaustion, seeing her energetic that defeated me. Well, at least she’s hopeful… I thought.

‘Be careful on the stepping…’ I warned as I helped Michelle get up into the carriage. Many days hadn’t passed since we last discussed to make it a trip to the Central… Capital. Being the Demon Queen, she was the next heir to the throne. Even though I didn’t know much about her past, I did take it seriously. Speaking of her ascension, I personally didn’t know… what it all about, its customs and rituals was. Still, I looked forward for this day… for my mistress.

‘I do hope that we get there in time,’ she stretched back, curling her dress. She looked like a pale, beautiful woman. Wearing a billowing white dress, cinched at her narrow waist with a peach coloured ribbon, a matching peach hat that was perched atop her head, obscuring her eyes. She seemed more than beautiful; she was sublime. I came to my senses and realised I was staring too much. Was that what a butler would do…?

Even in the dark, her eyes glimmered like the blue cameo necklace in the hollow of her throat. Near the window, staring out into the inky black of the night, I gazed at her passionately, as if… if… I had fallen—no. that could not be the reason. Absolutely not!

I supressed my delusions inside me, and tried to feel calm and collected. But instead, I felt more insecure and protective. I felt like I had to protect her… no matter the cost. I pledged myself for her. Clenching my fist, a sweat drop developed on my forehead and slid down my cheek and collected on the chin.

‘What’s the matter again?’ she said, glaring at me with worried eyes. I flinched back, trying to find something to answer with.

‘Milady, are you okay with being the Demon Queen?’ I asked hesitantly.

‘…Sure. It is my job to conquer all the realms. It is a dream of every woman, you know?’ she said after a long pause. I couldn’t help but wonder, if something was bugging her… or if she didn’t want to become the Demon Queen at all.

‘Yes…’ that was all I could say in that moment of silence that intensified between us.

The carriage halted in front of a big hall. Supposedly the council? I stepped out, brushing off my suit’s dirt.

‘So big…’ she was next to come out. Stepping down, holding my hand, she took off her hat, revealing her bare neck and cascading contrary hair under the streetlight. She walked past me, I myself following suit.

‘I’ll be waiting here, Milady. Good luck on your meeting,’ I bowed as she gave me a warm smile, walking in through the big birch doors.

Looking down, I noticed the small crocus flowers along the grey pavement I stood on. The wind that struck me, parted them. It was a cool breeze. Glancing around, I saw the town liven up. Elegant, handsome men with horns atop their heads caught me in surprise. Demons? I thought rashly, feeling a drop of sweat on my forehead. Turning the other way, I saw a couple cuddling in the middle of the street. Something was not right…

This was supposed to be a well renounced city of riches and wealth. Then why did I see fruit gawkers in the streets, drunken men walking out of… bars?! Where did the officials go? Where were all the monarchy? I began throwing panicking glances around, turning violently to observe the site. I ran up to a gawker in the side streets.

‘Hey, excuse me mister!’ I almost yelled out of wary.

‘Yes, what’s the matter, young fella? Lookin’ for something?’ after that, I didn’t need to speak anymore. It was his accent that told me everything. It wasn’t the Capital… just some small town on the outskirts of the countryside. I dashed back towards the hall in fear of Michelle might being dragged out by some gruesome men that pretended to have a meet. My alarming senses didn’t catch a glimpse of the carriage we arrived in. Running towards the hall, my hand almost reaching the door, I stopped.

Suddenly a shot was fired, followed by the screams of ladies and loud grunting of men. Bursting the front door into shreds, came flying out shards of glass and a person’s head, slashed from the neck. A chill ran down my spine. Oh no, no, no… Michelle! I panicked. Blood splashed on the ground, turning the pavement red, the grass dark. Explosions set off the hall on fire that lit the surrounding neighbourhood. Power-bursts, especially the work of demons were involved. I was sure of it. Suddenly, I noticed men flying out with a familiar shadowy figure flying with them. It landed with the bodies. Holding an enormous blade, like an axe. It matched to a man’s height.

It snarled in the shadows, then disappeared the next instant, followed by the sound of grunting and slashing. Something splattered. Blood. Suddenly, it appeared paces away from me, just standing in the dark, not coming into the light. Frenzied by the sudden act, I stepped back. It moved forwards with its hands lifting. It was a girl’s silhouette. I stopped in mid-way. Her bright eyes burning hot, she stepped forward.

‘Connor…?’ she said with a low grunting voice. She moved into the light, revealing her torn white dress, her ribbon misplaced, with blood splattered all over her body. The dress became red, being soaked in blood. Her hair was frizzled, her face had an empty expression, cold as ice. Her eyes emitted a lifeless aura. Still, she forced herself to speak. I instantly rushed her and wrapped my arms around her. She held me with one arm. Her expression eased.

‘Oh thank God! What happened?!’ I shook her by the shoulders. She responded with nothing. ‘Let’s hurry, we need to get out of…’ I trailed off, seeing her face slowly turn into a sobbing state.

‘I… killed people… didn’t I?’ she wept, burying her face on my shoulders. I could tell that she was very frightened. The trauma she felt, the pain she had to go through. The air felt heavy, her tears were heavier. The night was filled with screams of people screaming and squealing in fear, afraid to die in the hands of a brutal murderer. But who was really at fault here? I needed to find out…

Suddenly my sight fell on a group bright lights moving towards the hall, and us. Loud grunts and shouts filled the atmosphere. It was a mob. A whole group of drunk, angry men. They were heading towards us, holding axes, sickles, shovels in their hands. Wild protests sounded from the group, seemingly showing their killing intent.

‘Save… me, please,’ she continued weeping, gripping my collar tightly, afraid I’d let go of her.

‘Let’s go,’ I looked into her eyes, reassured her and then grabbed her wrist. Pulling her while picking up our stride, I desperately tried to find a way out, away from the crowd. I the midst of despair while running, I saw a dark figure of a horse standing under an old willow tree. ‘It’s Winchester! Come on!’ I pulled her hand harder, almost feeling as if she was hurt but still ran.

I untied him from the rope wrung around the tree. Then mounted Michelle on. Then I turned the other way.

‘Wait, what about you?’ she yelled in a weak voice, panting, tired, and barely holding on to the horse’s reins. Her weapon dissolved into thin air.

‘Don’t worry about me, Milady. I’ll be always next to you,’ I gave her a smirk, feeling blood on my lips.

‘You idiot! What are you—’

‘Go! There’s not much time. Take the forest track!’ I yelled back at her, then slapped Winchester on the back, causing him to snort and gallop off. I dug my feet in the ground then launched myself forward with a burst. Hah, good thing I was a member of the track & Field club!  I mocked myself while running through the different dirt track, without knowing where it led. For now, I had to just run.