Chapter 2 ♱ Chapter • 02 ♱

♱ •⋅ 1750 A.C. ⋅• ♱

I needed time, I needed certainty, and even though it was just an extremely vivid dream, I needed to be sure that I wouldn't change things too much, or else everything would spiral out of control.

I blinked a few times in front of the mirror. It was still surprising how attractive Asra was. I had envied her when I first read the book, but now, seeing her delicate face, her naturally rosy lips, and the way she seemed to have been carefully designed... all of it made me envy her even more.

Asra could have had any man, demon, or angel. She just needed to want it. And yet, she chose death over losing something she never had: Calisto's love.

I sighed, and the maids, who hurried into the room, dressed me quickly.

It was obvious that I was scared. After all, Asra was never known for her kindness and charity, much less her patience and gentleness.

"Excuse me, ma'am," one of them stammered as she tried to fix the hem of my dress after accidentally stepping on it without my notice.

I sighed again.

"Don't worry," I simply said. "Just make me as beautiful as possible and don't overdo it." That was all I could ask for, because when Calisto arrived at the cathedral, he would see Elaine, and she would be the epitome of angelic beauty.

Blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, almond-shaped eyes, blue as the clear sky. Her white and immaculate skin, just like her attire, which, as simple as it was, accentuated her beauty.

Elaine was the most beautiful, whether in heaven or hell. There was no competition, but at least I would try to keep Calisto's attention on me.

"The lord is already in the carriage, ma'am," one of them murmured as if afraid of being reprimanded. And looking to the side in the mirror, I found one of the young girls attempting to fix my hair.

"Leave it loose," I straightforwardly said and stood up from the chair. "I can't keep the king waiting."

The opinions of those people didn't matter to me, not when Calisto was waiting for me downstairs, not when I could change something, and not when I looked stunning in my riding attire.

The tight pants accentuating my hips and thighs, the corset defining my waist, and the delicate sleeves of the black shirt emphasizing the beauty of my absurdly pale skin.

"She'll take hours! Let's go already, you can always apologize later," Azrael said at the carriage door. "Sir, this is really urgent... It can cause riots, and you know that the miss..."

I didn't want to hear the rest because I knew he would say something stupid again. So I hurriedly cleared my throat as loudly as I could, cutting Azrael off mid-sentence.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," I said, preventing Azrael from continuing to try to hinder me.

Calisto, on the other hand, looked at me with surprise and something that seemed like satisfaction.

"Come," he extended his hand to me, and I briefly saw a smile on his lips. "You truly look beautiful, even though I can't remember the last time you dressed like this."

I smiled.

Asra never wore clothes like those, especially not in front of the king. She preferred expensive dresses and delicate silks, embroidered with silver and gold, daring necklines, giant slits, and seductive designs.

They weren't ugly, of course not. And since her body was something that attracted Calisto, he didn't dislike what she frequently wore. But the first time he saw clothes like those on Elaine, he was breathless and thought that nothing had ever made a woman as attractive as such simple and practical garments.

I wouldn't let this chance slip away.

"I'm trying out new styles," I lied, and Calisto pulled me closer, sitting me next to him, close enough for his hand to hold onto my hip with some force.

"I think your new style is dangerous," he purred. "Maybe I want to test how to destroy these pieces, one by one, after dealing with this nuisance."

I smiled.

I wanted to believe that's what we would do at the end of the day, but I knew it was far from reality.

When he saw her for the first time, he would feel his chest weigh down and remember his deceased wife, the only being he truly loved. The only one who captured his heart.

"I would never say no to you," I replied, nestling myself against him. Calisto's scent was too good to pull away from, and his touch was warm.

I had dreamed of this touch so many times, so I simply allowed myself to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long. The damn carriage stopped in front of the cathedral, and Calisto's warm lips moved away from my neck.

I bit my lip hard. I couldn't be spoiled and ask him to continue, so I just lightly pulled on the collar of the shirt he wore and kissed him.

A long, engulfing kiss. A kiss where my tongue invaded his mouth and dictated every movement. A kiss to make sure he didn't dare think of anything other than me, at least until he descended and saw Elaine.

"Done," I whispered. "Now you can go."

He grunted.

"When did you become so unfair?"

I didn't have time to respond. Azrael slammed the door with an impatient face.

We were there.

Calisto glared at him, but still forcefully opened the door to leave.

"Let's go, sir," the fallen one said, ignoring my presence. Maybe he had taken my threat a little too seriously.

I should have waited in the carriage, should have stayed away, but I risked it once again. The worst response I would get was a no.

"If it's not a bother," I murmured. "Could I watch?"

It was obvious that Azrael would deny. It was obvious that Calisto would deny. But still, I hoped they wouldn't. And when the fallen one opened his mouth, I heard Calisto laugh.

"Of course," his answer caught me by surprise. "But you must stay behind. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

I smiled.

Sometimes, the demon in front of me forgot that Asra was not only a demon who dedicated her life and loyalty to him but also a witch from a lineage capable of instilling fear even in someone like Prince Asmodeus.