Nevermore

Chapter 2: Obsession

Alois/Claude

Alois' POV

Though I had everything

I had nothing as well...

I awoke in a cold sweat, screaming at the top of my lungs for the only person I felt I needed: Claude. My scalp began emitting a sharp pain because I was tugging at my hair as I squeezed my eyes closed. I didn't enjoy the darkness, and I wasn't fond of nightmares, either.

My golden-eyed demon rushed in and over to my bed. "Your highness, please refrain. I'm here." His voice was so calm and smooth. I felt him take me into his arms and in a sort of cradle position. Choked sobs replaced my screams.

"Claude, it was horrible!" I cried into him. "I-I kept on dr-drowning. My lungs hurt s-so much, and it wouldn't end... and I wouldn't die. C-Claude, don't let me drown again. Please..."

"I won't, your highness. I live to protect you. Now hush." He sounded so sweet, but so cruel at the same time. It was almost disgusting, but in a comforting way. "Your highness needn't cry no more..."

My cries died down a little, and I glanced up at my butler. "Oh, Claude, promise me you'll never leave me. Please." He patted the top of my head, pulled me closer, and said in the most viciously lovely voice I've ever heard in my life, "I promise."

Finally, I quieted down, closed my eyes again, and held onto Claude for dear life. His promise made my heart rise for the moment (even if it was just the moment), and I fell back asleep.

I had no idea what time is was when I woke up again. All I could see was sunlight from outside in my eyes, and it angered me. "Hannah!" I yelled, sitting upright in my bed.

I watched that wretch enter my room quickly, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Hannah, close these curtains!" She followed my command with unhumanly speed (like demons do). When she finished and turned to me for the next order, I frowned.

"You look so pathetic, Hannah. Get out of my sight!" She scurried out pathetically. For some reason, everything was pissing me off. It's probably because I'm not a morning person. Either that or everything was getting back to normal.

It also could've been because of the nightmare I woke up screaming from. Every time Claude didn't put me to sleep, I had them. Every time I felt his despondency towards me, I had them.

Arising from my bed, I called Claude in to dress me. I knew well how to dress myself, but I liked it when he did. Then I could tease him and try to get his blood to boil. Sometimes I swear I could see the strain in his face. He was holding back.

"Morning, your highness. I hope all is well after last night." He would remind me of my hour of weakness. That's something you didn't do to the master of the house. Right now, though, I had no desire to take out my anger and despair on him.

Hannah. She would be the one I hurt today. When I was dressed, I followed Claude down to the dining room and sat at my usual hand-crafted chair from Wales.

I positioned myself so that my legs hung over the side of the chair and leaned forward. "Hannah!" My screech came out rather snobby. That wretch made her way over too slow, and I pulled her hair out of impatience.

Her disgusting face was right there. I smirked, running my fingers over the bandage on her left eye. "You will not stare your master in the face, yes?"

She simply nodded, her gaze fixed on something else. "Oh?" I spoke. "Does the sight of me make your skin crawl?" She shook her head.

"Then why won't you look at your master? You have an eye left, don't you?" Hannah didn't reply.

Aggravated, I stood abruptly, frowing at my servant. Out of instinct, she glanced at me for about a half a second. Luckily, I caught her. Raising my hand, I slapped her across the cheek.

"Should I take your other eye as well? Go!" With that, she scurried out.

The triplets stood on the rightmost of the room, trying to not catch my attention. I never took the time to hurt them anyway. Sitting back down, I scanned my butler as he approached me with breakfast.

After eating, I stood on my chair out of a whim. "Ah! Claude," I called, "carry me!" I held out my arms. Like a good demon, he picked me up bridal style.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I smiled, not smirked. He seemed like he wanted to destroy me with just one squeeze. He could've if he so longed to. He didn't want to admit it; I know he didn't. He was too proud of his abnormality and rudely polite mannerisms.

Besides, he'd have to scrub my blood off the carpet.. and who would want to go through that trouble?

"You are my demon, Claude Faustus. Forever." He was too nonchalant for his own good. "Of course, your highness. Forever." We both knew that that was a lie. After our contract was fufilled, I was letting this demonic being eat my soul.

I guess I'd still be with him in a way. Just not the way I had initially desired.

Desire. What a funny thing. It's so pathetic that it makes my stomach turn. What a thing to desire. A demon? I was obsessed with a demon.

My sick desire was driving me wild. I needed my demon to utter words of love or longing. As long as it was directed towards me.

It burned in the pit of my stomach. It itched my earlobes. It watered my bright blue eyes. I couldn't handle this anymore. I had no composure, and I knew my demon sensed it because he was silently and secretly taunting me...

... and I think I was silently and secretly begging for more of his subtle bullying.