Basement of Erudon Mansion, Late April of EC. 1448.
Ronan found himself running down the stairs to the basement of his home, the Erudon mansion, in order to greet his friend, Vanity, looking forward to telling her what happened earlier that day.
In truth, during his dancing lesson, Harpe was found peeking on him through the door keyhole. Ronan's dance instructor scolded Harpe for it and made him join the training practice. The servant was very clumsy dancing and would often trip over his own feet, amusing Ronan, and in the young Erudon's eyes that was adorable.
After half an hour or so, the dance instructor left them alone upon being called to do something important, and Ronan decided to do something "fun". He grabbed Harpe's arms and started twirling around with him, but Harpe tripped and fell over, pulling the young Erudon with him. Their lips faintly touched for a brief moment, and the indigo-haired boy, who had a major crush for his mentor, ran away in embarrassment.
Ronan opened the black box, trying to keep himself from squealing too loud, and started talking with the mirror.
"Vanity! You won't believe what happened today! It was wonderful!" He said cheerfully, but got no response. "Vanity?" He called her name again. "Vanity, why are you ignoring me? Don't tell me you're mad at me because I accidentally spilled strawberry milk over your glass the other day… I told you I am sorry." He tilted his head in confusion and pouted.
Still, he got no response. Ronan inspected the mirror, and immediately noticed that the glass was darker than usual. Weird.
Thinking carefully about it, Vanity had been acting weird lately; she was less enthusiastic, and had stopped making fun of Ronan and calling him a commoner. He was growing worried – perhaps something bad was happening to Vanity, but she didn't want to tell Ronan in order to not trouble him?
"Vanity? What happened, are you sick!?"
His grip on the mirror handle started tightening, and his eyes became teary. All of sudden, the mirror's glass became clearer and Ronan was able to see Vanity; As he suspected, she didn't look well.
"Ugh…" She groaned tiredly.
"Vanity! What is happening? Are you sick?" Ronan asked. She denied it, claiming it was nothing – but Ronan was not buying it. After some insisting, the demon decided to tell the indigo knight the truth.
"The spell… is getting stronger… energy… self…. fading…" She murmured, looking away. Ronan widened his eyes in shock.
"What? Don't tell me you're dying because of the spell! Please, don't leave me alone!" He cried.
"There is nothing you can do… to help me… I'm sorry…"
In truth, there was. If Ronan were to contract Vanity, she could reside on the young boy's body and use his vital energy to survive.
It would be painful to Ronan at first, since he's still of young age. It would be easier if she had moved to his body when he were still an unborn (she would use the mother for sustenance instead and move to his body later on) OR if he were already an adult.
Vanity felt frustrated at the fact she didn't want to harm Ronan in any way. When did she become such a softie…? Vanity didn't remember when was the last time someone was gentle to her just as Ronan was, and she developed a fondness for him. Besides, Ronan reminded her so much of that person…
"Vanity, please don't die!" Ronan cried, bringing Vanity back to reality. "There must be something I can do! Anything! Just tell me and I'll do it…! So please…"
The demon looked up at that stupid crying face and stared at it for some moments. Vanity sighed and decided to give in - after all, Ronan wouldn't feel the pain forever, and she didn't want to die.
"If you insist… There is a way. If we make a contract." She looked at him with a serious expression. Ronan was clueless of she meant by contract, but just nodded.
"Tell me and I'll do it, Vanity."
"Just… Hold the mirror firmly, and calm your mind."
Ronan did as she told, though she could see he was somewhat nervous. The demon concentrated to find a gap in the spell that sealed her in the mirror, and as soon as she found it, quickly transplanted herself to Ronan's body.
The young Erudon felt as if an arrow had pierced his heart. He cried out in pain, calling the attention of the servants who were upstairs. He dropped the mirror, its glass breaking in countless tiny pieces. Ronan lied down in a fetal position and cried in pain. The last thing he could hear was Harpe exclaiming "Young Master!" before he passed out.
When Ronan woke up, he found himself in his room. He looked around and saw Harpe and one of the housemaids, Haruna, who was Harpe's mother, sleeping on a couch.
"Harpe?"
Ronan called out in a low tone, and surprisingly he managed to wake the albino up.
"My Lord!" The servant immediately got up and held Ronan's small hand on his own. – "Oh dear Goddesses, My Lord, I was so worried! You were screaming, and when I found you, you were passed out! What were you doing at the mansion's basement!? Didn't the adults tell you you aren't allowed to go down there!?" Harpe had so much more to say, but he stopped himself; Ronan was weakened after all.
"I'm sorry I worried you…" The Erudon looked at the albino with his indigo, big puppy eyes. Harpe sighed. He didn't want to make Ronan saddened. "You're not mad at me, are you, Harpe?"
"It's okay… I'm not mad." Harpe smiled, reassuring the Erudon. "Just tell me, what happened in the basement? You seemed to be having some sort of convulsions, but they calmed down as we were rushing you to the infirmary… It was weird." The servant explained.
Ronan tried to remember. He had closed his eyes when he was told to calm his mind, so he had no idea of what happened before he felt that intense pain. He shrugged, but soon gasped as he remembered something.
"Vanity…." He murmured. "That's right! Vanity!" he grabbed Harpe by his shirt's collar. "Where is Vanity?! Is she okay!? Did you hurt her!?"
"This Vanity talk again, my lord? I have no idea what you're talking about." Harpe's smiled turned bitterly, whether he intended it or not. "You were alone in the basement, and there were glass shards next to you."
Ronan became worried. Glass shards… That means the mirror must have shattered… Was Vanity…dead? The young Erudon hugged himself, and was about to cry when he heard a voice in his head.
"Stop over-worrying, commoner. I'm alright."
"Vanity?" He looked around the room, but there were only a confused Harpe and an asleep Haruna present. "Where are you?"
"Stupid. I'm residing inside your body — You ought to feel honored by being inhabited by such a powerful demon of sin such as I!" She said with a proud tune in her voice, but it soon softened. "…That was what the contract was for, I hope you're not mad."
"Then, you're okay now?" He simply asked.
"Well, so-so. Your body is disappointing in terms of bearing power and energy — But I can content myself with that."
"Is that so… Then I'm not mad; I'm filled with joy!" He smiled. "I am so glad, Vanity. That's wonderful! You're better, and now I can talk to you anytime!"
"Yeah, whatever, stupid."
Ronan giggled, making Harpe confused, but the albino decided not to ask his master about it. Instead, he brought up another object.
"So… About what happened in the dancing practice…" He started, calling the young indigo's attention.
After hearing the words 'dancing practice', Ronan's cheeks blushed hard and he quickly got out of the bed. Harpe tried reaching out to him, but Ronan ran away in embarrassment. Harpe sighed.
"…I just hope he's not mad at me, or interpreted what happened wrongly. It was a mere accident." His cheeks slightly flushed as he touched his lips. "Young Master…"
