Ciel's POV
"Your Highness, why didn't you and Her Majesty return last night?" Jason asked as he followed me into my study, concern tightening his features.
I sat down heavily behind my desk and stared at him.
"We were attacked," I said flatly.
His eyes widened, and his face twisted in horror and disbelief. "What? By who? Who would dare—"
"I don't know," I cut him off, my voice sharper than I intended. "But they weren't ordinary demons. They were powerful. Coordinated."
Jason fell silent.
"And strangely…" I paused, my fingers tightening slightly around the edge of my desk. "I don't think they were after us. I think they were after Serena."
He stiffened. "What?"
"They used the fact that I couldn't fight properly with her so close — they knew I wouldn't risk using magic near her." I leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "It was like they knew exactly how to corner me. How to make me vulnerable."
Jason's expression darkened.
"I think they've been following us since the festival began. Watching. Waiting."
I stood up, crossing to the window and looking out at the kingdom below.
"Jason," I said without turning back, "I need you to find out who those demons were — and quickly."
"Yes, Your Majesty," he said firmly, then turned and left.
I watched the sky for a moment longer, then closed my eyes.
I have to keep her safe.
No matter what it costs me.
If anything happened to her again… I don't think I could take it.
Clara's POV
I lay in bed with my eyes shut, but I wasn't asleep.
My thoughts kept circling back to last night — the attack, the terror… and then the cave.
Ciel's arms around me.
His lips.
His hands.
The memory flashed like lightning through my mind, and heat instantly flooded my cheeks. My heart pounded, wild and chaotic, like a drum with no rhythm.
The way he kissed me... The way I let him.
The way I got completely lost in it.
I slapped my cheeks with both hands, sitting up in bed.
"What was I thinking?!"
It was just like that night in the dining hall — I let myself get swept away again like an idiot.
He's the one who brought me here. The one who took me from my family. The one who locked me in this castle.
He's my jailer.
And yet…
Whenever I look into his eyes — when he's sad, when he smiles, even when he's angry — it stirs something inside me. Emotions I can't explain. Feelings I don't want to admit.
And every time he touches me…
I feel warmth. Passion. Safety. Like nothing else exists.
Why?
Why am I feeling this way toward him?
He's a demon. I'm his prisoner.
What the hell is going on with me?
A knock at the door broke my spiral.
"Your Majesty?" Lila's voice called gently. "His Highness asked me to prepare you for breakfast."
The door opened and she stepped in, her usual soft smile on her face. She helped me dress without saying much, but her presence was strangely comforting.
When she was finished, she took a step back and gestured toward the hallway.
"Shall we go?"
I nodded silently, and followed her down toward the dining hall — not knowing what to expect, or what to feel, when I saw him again.
We stepped into the dining hall, and he smiled the moment he saw me.
I didn't smile back.
I walked to the table quietly and sat beside him. The moment I did, he reached out and placed his hand over mine — warm, steady, familiar.
And suddenly—
Flashes of last night rushed through my mind.
The cave. His lips. His hands. My voice.
The way I gave in.
I pulled my hand away quickly, as if burned, and glanced at him.
For a moment, hurt flickered in his eyes — so fast I almost missed it — but then it vanished behind that calm, unreadable mask he always wore. He withdrew his hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently.
"Yes," I said flatly.
"You should eat. You must be hungry."
There was a strange shift in the air — a quiet heaviness, like something had broken between us. We ate in silence for a while. The sound of forks clinking was the only thing that filled the space.
Then he spoke again, his voice soft.
"The banquet has been postponed. It'll be held the day after tomorrow. I didn't want you to feel overwhelmed… not after what happened."
His words were kind. Too kind.
A strange warmth bloomed in my chest.
So he… cared?
He wanted me to rest?
No, I snapped in my mind.
He doesn't care. He's a liar. A demon. This is just another trick — another game to make me think he loves me.
"…Okay," I said quietly, forcing myself to focus on the food in front of me.
But my thoughts raced.
I had to leave this place.
I couldn't keep falling for his tricks.
His lies. His eyes. His warmth.
But maybe… I could use them.
If I could make him trust me — fully, deeply — maybe I could escape.
Just like Lucien said.
A plan began to form in my head.
I'd play along. I'd act like I believed him. Like I cared.
And when the time was right…
I'd leave.
I'd go home.
I'd finally be free.
He set his fork down and looked at me calmly, his voice soft but certain.
"Oh, and… I forgot to mention — starting today, you'll be moved into my room."
I choked mid-bite.
"Uhu—uhu—" I coughed, grabbing my throat as I nearly choked on my food. He quickly handed me a glass of water, his expression filled with concern.
"Are you alright, my love?"
I took the glass and drank quickly, still stunned. "Yes," I croaked. "I'm fine."
I stared at him, wide-eyed, completely caught off guard.
"W-What… did you just say?"
"I said you'll be staying in my room from now on." His tone remained calm — almost too calm. "It can't be helped. I'm doing this to keep you safe."
I blinked at him, trying to process the words.
"If those creatures come after you again and I'm not there…" He paused, his gaze darkening slightly. "You could get hurt. Or worse. It's best if you stay close to me at all times."
I stared at him in disbelief.
He wants me to live with him? In the same room?
My instincts screamed to protest, to tell him no, that he was out of his mind — but then…
I hesitated.
He's right.
If those things came after me again… he was the only one strong enough to protect me.
And maybe…
Maybe this was the perfect chance.
If I was closer to him, I could earn more of his trust.
Get closer.
Learn more.
Find a way to escape.
"...Okay," I said finally, lowering my gaze to hide the storm behind my eyes.
He looked surprised — like he hadn't expected me to agree so easily.
"Good," he said with a small nod. Then he turned his head. "Lila."
"Yes, Your Highness?" she answered, appearing instantly.
"Start moving her things from her room to mine. Once she's finished breakfast, take her there."
"Yes, Your Highness," Lila replied with a bow.
Ciel stood up and walked over to me, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"I'll be back soon, my love," he said softly.
And then he was gone — leaving me in a whirlwind of confusion, dread… and opportunity.
After I finished breakfast, Lila led me down the corridor to Ciel's room.
The moment I stepped inside, a chill ran down my spine.
The room was large — far bigger than mine — with high ceilings and arched windows veiled in thick silver and charcoal curtains. Everything was a mix of deep shadows and muted silver: the bed frame, the drapes, even the ornate carvings on the wardrobe. It was stunning.
Magnificent…
And eerie.
"I've brought all your belongings and placed them in the wardrobe, Your Highness," Lila said with a soft bow.
"Thank you. You can leave now," I replied.
She nodded and exited quietly, the door closing with a faint click behind her.
I stood still for a moment, then began to walk around the room.
Time to search.
I moved to the drawers first — nothing. Just a few old letters and some empty parchment. The wardrobe was filled only with neatly arranged clothes, mostly black and deep blue, and several long cloaks. His cabinets held books — mostly ancient-looking tomes, probably magical texts.
Nothing suspicious.
Until—
I spotted a small panel along the side of the bookshelf — barely noticeable.
Curious, I pressed on it gently. Click.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was only one thing: a small, framed painting.
I lifted it carefully.
It was… me.
A beautifully detailed portrait — me in a white dress, seated on a swing, a soft smile on my face as petals drifted around me. The painting was gentle, dreamy… almost sacred.
My breath caught in my throat.
Where did he get this?
I had never posed for a painting in my life.
So how…?
My mind raced.
Did he have this painted from memory? No, that's not possible.
Was it magic? An illusion? A trick?
A darker thought crept in.
Did he plant this here… so I would find it? So I would question myself?
My fingers trembled slightly as I placed the frame back into the compartment and closed it carefully.
That had to be it.
Just another one of his twisted tricks.
To confuse me. Manipulate me.
Still…
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I searched the rest of the room, but found nothing else.
Eventually, I gave up and lay down on his bed — softer than I expected. My body relaxed, but my mind remained restless.
How do I make him trust me more?
How do I get out of here?
But the thoughts kept slipping away, drowned by the image of that painting — hauntingly familiar, like a dream I'd forgotten.
I closed my eyes tightly, willing it away.
Forget it. It's nothing.
Just a painting.
Just a lie.