chapter 5 - demon
Dont look for me in the crowd,
come find me in solitude.
I never fit in and was never supposed to.
Takumi POV
"Stay back!" warned the preacher's daughter. She held the cross to her chest.
The demon pretended to flinch before a lazy smile crossed his lips."Sugar, if you're going to curse me, at least put your heart into it. I promise I won't tell daddy I was here if you don't. It can be our secret.
I admit I'm more than a little curious why someone like you would summon my kind."
The preacher's daughter gulped. Her throat dried due to lack of water. She didn't notice it.
"My father is dying." her voice quiver.
"Maybe he should try praying." doesn't your Bible says that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but the power of God. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. For nothing will be impossible with God. Perhaps the God of yours will listen to your-
"I need your help." she cut him off. she was desperate and she knows she is running out of time. There was a touch of desperation in her voice that drew his attention.
" My help" demon was surprised.
that a lot of people had come to him but never from the preacher's family. They are too prideful people to ask for help.
"Well since you have come so far, it would be quite disappointing to turn you down. right?
But I afraid sugar nothing comes free. a hand for a hand. I want something in return.
The devil eyes glow red as he speaks. it only happens when they face danger or they are excited about something.
"For what price? name it! how much money you want or is it something else"
What do you want? Take whatever you want just save my father! I beg you! Her eyes were glossy yet she was fighting back her tears. She doesn't want him to see.
Hmm, whatever huh! Devil was intrigued with this girl. None have come to beg for life nonetheless for someone else. he was amused by her.
When the devil set his mind on something thing. He will get it no matter what.
And he knows one thing he wants her.
Your life sugar. the devil announced with a smirked.
Huh! W- what my life? The girl looks a bit alarm.
Yes, your life. if you say yes you will become my bride and will bear my offspring's. I will own you until the day you die.
Life for life. To save your father you have to give up your life. "Now, you have a choice to make the devil said with a calm smile.
The choice is yours. Either you save your daddy dearest or you save yourself from the devil.
Take your sweet time to decide. but don't take it too much otherwise when you leave this place you will see your father dead body. you don't want that do you!
As if the devil was giving her choice. He knows the girl will be his.
Suddenly out of nowhere the big clock appears in front of the girl.
Just to let you know. The clock is ticking. tick-tock, tick-tock. With the snap of this finger, he just vanishes away in the air.
She topples to the ground. tears started to run down her eyes. she knew before she decided to come here. dealing with a devil is not an easy task. memories of her father run back to her mind and she knows she doesn't have a choice. if is it her life then let it be.
hey devil, I accept your proposal. the girl muttered.
The devil reappears in front of her. He holds her neck.
I see. Sugar, since you are gonna be my bride don't you think it would be weird to call me devil.
Call me Amel. He released her neck, touching it with a thumb that burned hot enough to singe her skin.
Renewed with courage born of desperation, she met his gaze steadily.
Before we go I want two things to do. Then I will come with you quietly. The first one is I want to say goodbye to my father.
Consider it done Amel muttered. Second one?
The second one is can we please get wedded in front of my father. I want my father to walk me down an aisle.
You know devils don't marry. The devil said in an incredulous tone.
I know, Please it's for my father I am his only daughter. The girl whimper at a thought of leaving her father.
ok. the devil sigh.
You would do that. the girl was quite shocked.
Aye, come let's go. we have a wedding to prepared for. the devil said as he took her hand.
with a quick snap, they transported back to the village.
Takumi shut the book and place it in his lap. He glanced at the book in his lap.
As he Leans back against the rocking chair of perfectly curved wood, absorbing the sunny rays until it felt quite warm to the touch.
He was always reading, learning, inquiring.
This time he was reading lores of a demon.
The book includes lots of demon tales.
Some may be true or maybe not. One thing for certain is they are all based on the rumours. Documented back in time.
He glanced at the book in his lap.
He never reckoned he would be reading this until now.
that was long before his cousin fell in love with the demon forebear.
Princess Yua shikoku. She is quite a girl. It's only been a few days since they have arrived at Tristian yet from their interaction he would say she isn't just beautiful in general, but she has a beautiful personality to go with her looks. Plus she's gentle, modest, empathetic and relatable.
And she has a habit of teasing others and being sarcastic sometimes.
They both have formed a unique bond throughout time.
He now considers her as a sister he never had. He is pleased with his cousin. He wouldn't have found a better bride for him.
For a few minutes, he just sat there enjoying the rays beaming from the broad window of the room.
Speaking of his cousin.
Takumi! Ta-Ku-mi! Ta-Ku-mi. The voice of Edward echoes through the wall.
He got up and went to the window to open it. He could feel the hardness of the wood as he leans forward to get a better view. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the daylight.
Takumi spotted his cousin jumping and waving both his hands up and down. Screaming at top of his lungs.
I can hear you. You don't have to yell loudly. Takumi said as he ran his long fingers through his blond hair making it more messer than before.
Meet us in the garden as soon as possible. We will be waiting for you. Ok bye. Edward jogged away before he could utter a single word.
Well, there goes his relaxing day. Not the type of relaxing day he was hoping for. Here he thought he would be doing nothing today. Spending time in peace. But seem like he wouldn't be getting one.
He turns back kept the book back to the self and began his trip towards the garden.
As he walks towards the long pathway of the palace, he feels plentiful of stares at me. Eyes locked on him like magnets.
But he didn't focus on them. This wasn't the first time people have stared at him. Long ago he had learned to ignore the second glances, open stares, and sometimes even suggestive leers from both men and women.
He knows he has a face that lures people to him. Sure he could get benefit from it. But what's the use of it. When his heart wouldn't be content. Inside he would feel lonely. Abyss of emptiness that yanks him deeper and deeper, no one can save him from it.
He has gone as far as he can on this path alone. He has learned how to walk alone, how to carry others, how to cope with and solve problems alone. What's left is a form of loneliness that requires a lover to solve. It's the need for physical closeness, for touch, for emotional warmth in a life partner. So all he can do is hope that it comes, otherwise, he is at a plateau, neither suffering nor truly in comfort, a sort of emotional limbo.
he places his hand in his pants pocket and just continues to walk
After few turns, he reaches the garden arch. He walks towards the stone path of the garden.
The flowers in the lawn have flourished. It was beautiful to see.
As he got closer to the patio he could hear the chatter.
Here goes for nothing. He took a deep breath, and open the door of the patio.
The door stood open and a table was set in the front room, with chair are drawn up to it.
It was pin-drop silence for a second before the chatters resume.
Takumi you have come. Yua called him.
She pulls him into a hug. His whole body stiff. He flinches, he hates being affectionately touched by anyone. He wasn't comfortable. Maybe it could be because of a lack of affection at a tender age.
Still, he returned her hug with less. enthusiasm.
As if I have a choice huh! His tone was flat and uninterested. His muscle relaxes a bit.
Oh, Takumi you don't need to be down in dumps. Loosen up. Tora called him out. His tone hung somewhere between sarcastic and annoyed.
Come have a sit. This time it was sakura who said.
He lounged in the garden chair, with the glass of wine in front of him. He must admit even though the chair was straight yet it is comfortable.
The chatter resume again. Their conversation was very simple yet unimportant. He wasn't paying attention to any word nor he tries to engage in any conversation.
Instead, His eyes were focused on space in the air.
His sit was placed in front of the window. he could stare outside. Which he did.
There was nothing at all within a few feet of him, aside from knee-high wildflowers waving happily in the spring breeze and chirping of birds.
Soon The rays brighten the whole room through the huge window.
The walls were of stained pine, shellacked to a glow that reflected every ray of light that entered the large windows.
The warm sun shone on the pine trees and drew out all their fragrance.
Through the skylight came a pure light, one that invited him to open his eyes all the wider. It gave the colours of the room a brighter glow and conjured happy memories that hadn't visited him for a while.
It took his mind back to childhood memories of barefoot strolls down dusty lanes. He stretched his hand upward, allowing the light to flow about his fingers as water does.
After few moments passed he was bored to death. He just wishes to go to his room. Do nothing just lay in his bed and take a nap. And their conversation somehow fails to impress him.
But boy he was wrong. The next thing he heard has piqued his interest in the conversation.
Yua is it true that your cousin is princess Misaki? Chiyo asked her in an unusually cheerful manner with beaming eyes.
For the first time in his life, he found himself paying more attention than he had ever done.
He tilts his head curiously towards yua.
if it is true can you tell us more about her, Please? She bounces up and down clapping her hands on her sit. Sakura added with a touch of excitement.
Author note
Hey guys, how are you? I hope you guys are safe. here in my country, the situation has gone out of hand. I hope we're ever you are safe.
so do you like today chapter? finally, we have Takumi POV.
I know many were you waiting for this. what do you think about it?
soon enough we will see more and more interaction between Takumi and Misaki.