In the midst of the dark depths of the Earth lies a castle-like mansion. According to rumors, it has been empty for many years and haunts citizens with Hell's darkest creations.
Or so they say from what I hear. The haunted part is obviously not true but that's where I live now with my awkwardly loving father, along with a horde full of maidservants and butlers. I'm the eldest and only child, Amu Hinamori. My family's wealthy—if you didn't know that already—and we're pure-bloods. Not the wizardly kind, I mean the non-sparkly vampire kind. So to cut to the chase, he's wants to get me married off, I don't know why. I don't blame him though, what with my escape attempts from all of my engagements for the past month and a half. Even though he tightens the security and orders all the servants to keep a lookout for me, I manage to escape one way or another.
"…Amu? Are you still asleep?"
Of all people to snoop on me, it was my father! I feign sleep until he walks past the door to his own chamber. I slip out of bed, already prepared for this moment several overrated times, and I rarely fail at my attempts. I put on a few agile clothes—a black miniskirt, comfortable cushion flats to go with my black-and-white striped stockings, along with my black skull zipper hoodie over a blue tank top. I grab two blue velvet ribbons and tie my bubblegum pink hair into two long pigtails, flowing down on either side of my neck. Then I made my way out the window, landing gracefully on my feet as I pass security and jump over invisible lasers and dismantle hidden cameras on my way into the woods.
"What's taking him so long to notice I'm not in my room?"
No answer. A mysterious stranger stood in front of me. Surprisingly, he wore casual clothes, which wasn't what I was expecting: An aquamarine stretchable long sleeved shirt that fit tightly around his body, exposing some muscles; a velvet black belt tucked around a pair of jet black skinny jeans and some solid yet very comfortable All-Star converse shoes. His hair matched his shirt, maybe even darker; his eyes were of a lighter cerulean blue.
"You must be my candidate for a bride."
"Who are you?"
"I'm your new and permanent suitor."
"That's such a shame. What?"
"Didn't your father tell you anything about me?"
"Maybe a little bit. Handsome, alluring and cold. Am I missing out on something, Tsukiyomi-san?"
"Who's cold? Me? I'd never. The joke is on you I'm afraid."
Right…as if you're not.
"I heard that. You're not very polite as they say, are you Hinamori-san?"
"Didn't anyone tell you to mind your own business?"
"That hurts, Amu."
"Oh you're just trying to manipulate me."
I felt a shove, driving me back against something solid; tree bark. It feels more like hitting hardened steel. My arms were bound; his lips were close to my own. I couldn't breathe. Was he going to kiss me? I blushed; the thought of it tormented me.
He stared into me; his eyes were glowing, as if he were putting me under a hypnotic spell. I couldn't look away, no matter how hard I tried. I underestimated him. I felt the energy from my body slowly fading away, weighing me down like cement.
"Get off me you bastard!"
I lunged at him with a high kick, but he dodged it before it could crack his jaw (as if it would do much), secured his arms around me, and clamped me to the ground.
"I'm surprised the effect hasn't kicked in yet."
My head felt like splitting into two. I was feeling the aftermath of whatever he tried to do to me. I tossed and turned, my body twisted in pain. He held me there, gently, and I felt his lips slowly brush across mine. It felt like a blissful lullaby, putting me to sleep and erasing the pain.
The last thing I felt was his warm embrace.
