Lucifer leaned back in his ornate throne, his fingers drumming against the armrest as he poured crimson wine into two delicate goblets. The dark liquid shimmered under the candlelight, casting eerie reflections onto the polished marble table. He slid the cups toward Lady Vespera and Lady Seraphina, his piercing gaze locking onto them like a predator eyeing its prey.
"Which of you dared to touch what is mine?" His voice was soft, almost velvety, but beneath the surface lurked something far more sinister.
The two women exchanged a nervous glance. They knew—oh, they knew—something was amiss the moment he poured them the wine himself. Lucifer was not a man who served others. No, he was a man who commanded.
"W-what do you mean, my Lord?" Lady Vespera stammered, her fingers twitching as she fought the urge to clutch her skirts. She blinked rapidly, a habit that betrayed her whenever she was uneasy. "No one in their right mind would dare touch your property."
Lady Seraphina straightened, lifting her chin. "I would never dream of such disrespect, my Lord."
Lucifer merely chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent a shiver through the grand hall. He gestured to the goblets. "Then drink."
Vespera and Seraphina hesitated. The air around them grew thick, charged with an invisible force that pressed against their chests like unseen hands.
"M-my Lord—"
"Drink!" His voice boomed through the chamber, shaking the very foundations of the castle. The flames in the sconces flared wildly, casting demonic shadows along the walls.
Tears welled in Lady Vespera's eyes as she reached for the goblet with trembling fingers. Lady Seraphina followed suit, though her lips quivered as she brought the rim to her mouth. The moment the poison-laced wine slid down their throats, they gagged, coughing violently. The goblets slipped from their hands, shattering against the stone floor.
They collapsed, writhing in pain, their bodies convulsing as the venom took hold. They clawed at their throats, choking on their own breath, their pleas turning into garbled sobs.
Lucifer rose slowly, towering over them like a dark deity. "In another life, in the depths of Hell, I will reshape you," he mused, his voice laced with cruel amusement. "You will not return as noble ladies, but as wretched, crawling creatures, writhing in eternal torment."
Seraphina, barely able to lift her head, rasped, "W-what…what did we do? What property did we harm?"
His eyes burned like twin embers. "You harmed her. The maid. My maid." His power surged through the room, rattling the chandeliers above. "You dared to cut off her finger, to strike her as if she were nothing!"
A sudden gust of wind howled through the chamber, carrying with it whispers of the damned. Lucifer lifted his hand, and Seraphina was yanked upright by an unseen force. She gasped, her feet dangling above the ground as an invisible grip coiled around her throat.
Her body convulsed, her skin blistering as searing flames erupted from within. She screamed, her voice twisting into an inhuman wail. Her eyes rolled back, her veins turning black as fire consumed her from the inside out. The scent of burning flesh filled the air.
Lucifer watched, unmoved, as she crumbled into ash, the last remnants of her existence carried away by an otherworldly wind.
His gaze then slid to Lady Vespera, who trembled violently, barely managing to remain on her feet. The poison had weakened her, but she still lived—for now.
"Leave," he commanded, his voice like the tolling of a death bell. "Before I change my mind."
Vespera staggered, her vision blurring as she struggled toward the doors. Every step was agony, every breath a battle. She didn't dare look back.
Lucifer exhaled slowly, the fire in his eyes dimming as he turned his attention to the goblets still pooled with poison. His fingers curled into fists.
"No one touches what is mine," he whispered, and the shadows at his feet coiled like serpents, ready to strike again if necessary.
As Lady Vespera screamed, her wails echoed through the halls, drawing the attention of nobles and servants alike. Her body twisted, her once smooth skin shriveling like aged parchment, her bones cracking as she withered before their eyes. Wrinkles carved deep into her flesh, her hair graying in an instant.
She fell to the ground, trembling. A maid rushed forward to help her up—only to stumble back with a horrified gasp. Where a noblewoman once stood, now lay a monstrous, gnarled creature, barely human.
Vespera's sunken eyes locked onto Evelyn, who stood frozen, still clutching a bucket of water. "You!" she rasped, her voice ancient and brittle. Her clawed hand pointed at Evelyn, her gaze filled with venom. "This is your doing… You caused this… I curse you… I curse you… I curse you!"
With one final shriek, her body collapsed inward, turning to dust. All that remained was her royal gown, now an empty husk on the cold stone floor.
A heavy silence followed. The gathered crowd shifted uncomfortably. A dying curse was never a good omen.
Evelyn's hands trembled as she stared at the heap of fabric, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. A chill crept up her spine.
"You there!" A guard's sharp voice cut through the tension. "The Lord sent for you."
Evelyn's stomach twisted. She hastily wiped her sweaty palms on her dress, setting the bucket aside before following the guard, her legs unsteady beneath her.
The halls stretched endlessly as she was led toward the King's tower, the whispers of onlookers trailing behind her like ghosts.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Marianne watched everything unfold. The sight of Vespera's demise filled her with unease. The walls of this castle felt suffocating, the air thick with unseen dangers. The urge to escape clawed at her mind once again.
_ _ _
Evelyn stepped into the grand chamber, her heart pounding against her ribs. The room was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows over Lucifer's towering form. He stood by a table, fingers grazing over something small and metallic.
"My Lord, you sent for me?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.
Lucifer hummed, picking up the item and turning toward her. "Mmm. Yes."
He closed the distance between them, his slow, deliberate steps making her uneasy. Then, without warning, he took her hand and slid something cool onto her palm.
Evelyn looked down. A royal bangle. The kind only a queen would wear.
Her breath hitched. "Huh?!"
Her wide eyes shot to his, lips parted in disbelief. She half expected him to snatch it away and mock her for even thinking she deserved such a thing.
Lucifer merely smirked. "Isn't this what you wanted?"
She blinked, struggling to process. "I—No—I mean, what?"
He chuckled, tilting his head as if thoroughly enjoying her confusion. "Relax, little rat. I got rid of them because of you, not for you. Don't get the wrong idea. But—"
His fingers caught her chin, forcing her to look up. Evelyn stilled, her breath coming shallow. His touch was cold, but not unpleasant.
Lucifer's gaze roamed over her face before settling on her hair. A frown tugged at his lips. "I don't like this."
Evelyn blinked. "What?"
"Your hair," he murmured, threading his fingers through the short strands. "It was longer before, wasn't it? More attractive that way."
Before she could react, a strange warmth spread across her scalp. A tingling sensation followed, as though unseen hands were weaving through each strand. She gasped as her hair cascaded past her shoulders, silky and full once more.
Lucifer's smirk deepened, clearly pleased. "Much better."
Evelyn's hands shot up, fingers trembling as they ran through the suddenly long tresses. "What…why did you do that?" She looked up at him, bewildered. "I mean, my Lord... I'm just an accidental wife. I'm only here for a season, so I could die off and the heavens wouldn't even blink!"
Lucifer's laughter was low and smooth, almost indulgent. "Hmm. Isn't this way faster? Making you belong?"
He tugged her closer, his sharp nails grazing her cheek. "You keep me amused, little rat. Very intrigued."
Evelyn's breath caught. His touch was light, but there was an undeniable possessiveness in it.
Lucifer leaned in, his voice a mere whisper against her skin. "You are one special little eyesore, Evelyn."