Note: Yay! Thank you cc and Bo Jang! ¦huggles both shamelessly¦ well… on with chapter two I guess! ¦grins from ear-to-ear¦ I hope that it doesn't disappoint! Please… if you have any ideas or anything – don't hesitate to send them to me! Constructive criticism surely welcomed!

Oh btw… Bo Jang… I think 'bowlegged' means 'have legs curve outwards at the knees' (dictionary meaning)… while my meaning's just – 'you look foolish and walk like a twat' : D Not a very good description lol, but it'll work for Raenef! ¦smiles brazenly¦

Disclaimer: Unfortunately… don't own Demon Diary or anything with it – but I do have some of the books and almost all of the series! Lol. ¦perks up¦ but this plot and fanfic are mine though! Well at least I think it is anyway…

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Eclipse's POV

I know that council meetings aren't the most exciting things in the universe, but for a Lord, he could at least try to look as if he knows what they're talking about instead of looking as if he's about to fall asleep any minute now with his arm looking as if it's the only thing that supports his head!

I can feel a vein begin to throb from my temple as I tear my eyes away from my Lord, resisting very much the urge to tug at his silky blond hair – just to see if that gets his attention.

Suddenly Lord Aurelaid addresses Raenef, who jumps as if he has been electrocuted, looking very much like a puzzled puppy and uncharacteristically… I feel – the edge of my lip quirk into a very faint smile.

Ugh! What's the matter with me! Am I going soft – after just three months! I think I need a break… Lord Raenef is sure to be the end of me; and my reputation. At the first council meeting I attended with him – it was already known that he was a greenhorn, a greenhorn of a Lord that I have to teach… one so highly regarded by all the others ¦sighs heavily¦ turned into a laughing stock by a mere, clueless boy.

Wonderful. I can see the apocalypse coming and gladly I welcome it with open arms.

"So Lord Raenef," the elder lord somewhat sneers as he asks. "What do you think?"

"Uh… of what?" comes his oh so mannered reply – and I feel like slamming my palm to my forehead. I knew it – he wasn't listening.

"The ball," Aurelaid repeats in the same, slightly more impatient manner. "What do you think of the ball Lord Raenef?"

"Yes, yes, I think it's a very good idea," I feel as if I could die. He doesn't know what he just agreed to.

"So… you agree that the ball should be held at your place, with the common folk coming as well?" his eyebrows appear as if they're about to shoot off his head with sheer amusement. I cannot help but cringe as to my horror, Raenef, nods, smiling. The idiot. He still isn't listening! Looking at his face and that idiotic smile… I know he's not listening! Grr…

"Yes, yes of course," he answers, still smiling away like a fool much to the entertainment of the others. My blood is boiling.

"Ok – so in two days' time, I await to see the preparations of grandeur you have done for the annual ball, and I expect it to be every bit as wonderful as the past ones," Aurelaid smirks before he adjourns the meeting.

How dare they take advantage of his naivety! He hasn't even been here (wherever that is – you decide!) long enough to even know what a proper ball should be like! If I had any powers… but I just shake my head and sigh as I follow Raenef back to the carriage, where he's still smiling – but genuinely this time as I take my seat opposite him before instructing the driver to take us straight home.

"So Eclipse, what do you think? It didn't turn out that bad did it?" I want to scream. He simply doesn't know what he's done does he?

"My Lord, you just agreed to host the annual ball. You have to learn to cater for over a thousand people at the minimum – with the commoners included as well as the lords; and you have only been a Lord, for what? Half a year at the most, do you really think that you can manage it?" I can't help but speak my mind with biting irony… but immediately regret it when I see his eyes begin to water. "Lord Raenef…"

"I- I did the wrong thing again… didn't I Eclipse?" he sounds… so lost and heartbroken. I feel all my earlier anguish drain away from me like rainwater down a drain, as once again I sigh putting my fingers to my throbbing temples. Why can't I stay mad at him for longer then five minutes? If even that is possible…

"Don't worry Lord Raenef… everything will be fine. I'll take care of it," is all I can think of saying, hoping to ease a little of his innocent anxiety; and it's worth it – just to see the tears go away and his smile resumed on his beautiful face once again. I think… I would do anything to protect that smile.

"Yay!" he celebrates… only to momentarily pause. "Um… Eclipse… why do Lords looks down upon the um… people who are not nobility? Why do they sneer at them?" I think he's always wanted to know that… and now faced with the question – how do I explain it to him without tapping on the waterworks again? After all… his background wasn't of nobility so it's only fair that he questions the prejudice of differing classes.

"Uh… um… they look down at them because they are not like them," I finally reply – choosing to state the obvious, or at least what's obvious to the Lords. "After all, the nobles have more and they do not need to work… not really; and they have more authority. People envy Lords – there's nothing more they want then to be in a position like yours," I whisper softly as I see his crestfallen face, pouting angelically. Wait – did my heart just do a somersault? Great… I really do think that I am not feeling well… "Lord Raenef…"

"That was… how I thought when people took me in from the streets and let me live in a castle like the one I call home now; but… nobility isn't all it's cracked up to be," he laughs, cynically almost. "Ironic, isn't it? But one thing's for sure… I – I want to change the Lords' opinions on the 'common folk' because they deserve to be treated better! There shouldn't be – this – this prejudice! I'll make it so that… that – that there's equality! Yea! That's what I'll do!" he looks so determined… so cute.

"But… how my Lord, are you meant to do that?" I ask gently, watching him with an inner smile, while keeping my outer façade cool; and somewhat expressionless; which cracks to give way to silent mirth as the determination flees from his face and he turns to face me with a blank look. Oh Lord Raenef, how you never fail to amuse me…

"Um… I don't know Eclipse…" he looks to the floor, and at once I feel the need to make him… happy again.

"Listen – I – I'll help you if you wish my Lord," I suggest as I extend my hand to touch his shoulder before thinking better of it, and keeping my hands firmly upon my lap as a small smile curls upon my face as Raenef perks up, smiling once again… but I am not prepared for him to throw himself at me for a grateful embrace!

"Thank you Eclipse!" he cries gleefully. "With your help I KNOW we'll be able to manage it! I'm sure!" he squeezes me tightly… affectionately. Oh no… crimson is tainting my face – this isn't supposed to be happening – especially not to me! A noble of the highest order! Oh dear…

"L-Lord Raenef!" I try to sound mad, but under his cheerful disposition… I can't be the Grumpmeister that he thinks I am.

How pathetic… I can't even win against him – especially not when he uses those darn 'puppy-eyes' of his.

What am I meant to do now with this predicament that I've gotten myself in?

Oh Lord Raenef… you don't know how much you torture me!

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I hope you liked it! Please review! I'm sorry it's a bit long!

Dragonfly

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