The moment she laid eyes on him, she knew.

Handsome and elegant, mysterious and enchanting, his eyes able to hold hers without flinching. Len; full of passion and unable to show it to her. He is beautiful, he is kind and strong and untouchable-

-but, is he able to handle a hint of forbidden desire?

Running fingers through extremely tousled gold hair, Len sighs down at the paperwork lying across his study. His mind would normally run through the forms with ease- since taking his father's place as Duke, he also took the reins of his noble heritage without second thoughts- but today, something else tugged on his mind and made it impossible to focus on his work.

A girl… a distant cousin, the letter said. Lady Rin, daughter of one of his father's brothers, from a land in the north. Her parents had apparently taken ill not long after her seventeenth birthday, and no others wished to take her in, though he hadn't been informed why. She was unmarried and had no suitors, surprisingly enough.

Having lived alone- save for servants and such he kept- in his mansion for the last few years, Len found he didn't necessarily oppose bringing her to stay. The harm in letting a distant family member live with him seemed small at the time.

It would also seem a bit disrespectful to decline. Having never met the girl in person before, he has no idea what she could be like.

Today, she's due to arrive at his mansion. It's been bothering him since he woke this morning.

I'm only nineteen, and accepting her may not be in my best interest. He's continually been badgered by his peers about finding a wife, and having a young girl residing in his home may be questioned.

Sighing once again, Len reaches for the light blue teacup to his left, taking a sip of the now-cold and sugary drink. Either way, I need to focus. This paperwork won't be finished on its own.

"Your Grace," a slender woman appears in the doorway of his study, dressed in traditional maid garb with short brown hair pulled back in a bonnet. Meiko, he recalls her name easily. The loyal woman who served closely to his father, and has since stayed to tend to Len himself. A very motherly sort with a feisty temper, along with far too much familiarity shared with her employer than should be.

"Ah, Meiko.," Len looks over at her with an eyebrow raised. "What is it?"

"Lady Rin has arrived, and is waiting in the foyer. Her carriage has already departed," Meiko tells him, seeming a bit displeased. "I brought her things to her room, but she seemed heartset on exploring the downstairs even when I offered to take her to you."

His chest constricts slightly with unease. "Alright, thank you. I'll see to her now."

The brunette bows and departs quickly, her footsteps fading down the hall. After glancing down at his paper with a bit of regret, he stands and makes his way out of the room.

When he first arrives in the foyer, he doesn't even see her. At first glance, it appears she's not even there, and he wonders a moment if she may've decided to go wandering on her own. However, as he strides down the winding white steps, she appears as if almost out of the woodwork- and he instantly wonders how in the world he managed to scan over her presence.

His first thought is-

-she's breathtaking.

Shiny, perfectly straight blonde hair that brushes along her shoulders and is swept into a bright white bow. Creamy white, beautiful skin, decorated well in a curve-hugging, yellow dress with bell sleeves and a laced bodice. Slim, dainty fingers that he feels, if they were within his own, would be far too easy to break.

Her eyes encapture him, beautiful blue that rivals that of the glowing midnight sky, deep and vibrant with life, light reflecting in them with the appearance of a match's flame. Her nose is petite, her mouth shell-shaped and glossy pink, her features doll-like and sweet.

Upon seeing his approach, she curtseys politely his direction. "Ah, Your Grace," she murmurs, her voice light but clear. "So… we finally meet."

Was she looking forward to meeting him? Len shakes himself out of the trance she seemed to put him into, berating himself internally. "Hello, Lady Rin," he bows his head. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

She smiles at him, and he feels himself melt under the genuine warmth she exudes.

"The pleasure is mine," she responds, lightly brushing down the front of her elegant dress. "I did not know I had family in this region. I'm very happy to meet you, sir."

Why had no one else thought to take her in? Surely she had prospects for marriage back home? As of yet, he hasn't an inkling why she would be cast off so after her parents deaths. Perhaps his family is made of fools.

"I cannot help but notice your home is very spacious and beautiful, but… it seems a tad empty," Rin continues, her eyes flickering about the room with unbridled curiosity, having noticed the lack of nearby servants.

"Oh, that. My father kept a small group of staff. They all are very loyal, however," he tells her. "Does it bother you?"

"No, not at all," she brushes a lock of hair from her eyes gently. It seems her gaze is frozen to his now, and Len feels his chest stir strangely.

Clearing his throat, he gestures up the stairs. "Well, my lady, would you like to take a look about the mansion?"

"Actually, if you would not mind, I'd like to rest," she says, offering an apologetic smile.

He nods his head quickly, understanding. "Of course. Take as much time as you like; don't push yourself unnecessarily,"

"Thank you. I would like it if you would lead me to my room, however." Rin tilts her head, her mouth curving into a softer smile.

"I would love to," he says without hesitance, though his thoughts take a strange turn. It should be the maid's work to do that, but he would much rather do it himself.

Ignoring his rambling mind, he offers an arm to Rin. "My lady?"

She takes it, her hand firmly yet tenderly wrapping around him.

Leading her upstairs and stealing glances over at her countenance, he finds it hard to tear his gaze from her. She truly is nothing like he expected- in fact, the image he had conjured before, when he had let his mind wander, is long gone. It is nothing compared to what she truly looks like.

Reaching the room he has set for her, he stops at her door and allows her to free her grasp from his arm. "Thank you," she tells him, curtseying once more, before opening the door. "I appreciate it, Sir."

"You don't have to be so formal," he says with a shake of his head, giving her a smile. "Please, call me Len. We are family, after all- it will feel wrong having you refer to me any other way."

Rin looks relatively surprised by his casual talk, but her own smile brightens even more. "Thank you… Len. In return, please call me Rin."

"My pleasure," he follows, and for a moment silence falls as their eyes connect. A spark lights, unseen between them.

"...I really must be resting," she tells him after another tense minute, her gaze falling from his and breaking the link.

"Yes, yes… Good night, Rin," he says, the words falling unbidden from his lips. In all honestly, he wishes he could speak with her longer. It's a strange feeling- wanting to know everything about this girl.

She nods, and closes the door between the two of them with a soft click. The instant quiet of the hall welcomes him, but he wishes for the silence he had shared with her, staring for far too long at the place she had once stood.

...Just what has overcome him?

.X.

Without Len realizing, over a month had flown by him, and Rin's stay with him was truly unimaginable. Before, he had thought that having a girl staying in his abode would be a burden on his work, but he found that he much preferred her company over that of his documents.

After their initial exchange, Len found that Rin loved wandering about the premises, admiring the artwork displayed or generally exploring. When he worked, he often heard her footsteps pass by his study. He could easily tell it was her- her walk was light, barely audible like that of a ghost. Occasionally she'd stop in and talk with him, revealing tidbits of her life. It turns out she was very sheltered by her parents, her father treasuring her quite a lot. Once he had found the courage to ask, Len was told she rarely saw a suitor come for her. Despite her best interests or desires, she never was courted.

He looked forward to their talks more and more as the days went along, his affection for her growing. At first he questioned himself. Why am I so enamored by her…? She shouldn't have mattered to him- but something struck him about her. It was not only her angelic looks, but she herself was beautiful- cheerful, never sparing a smile when she saw him, consistently sweet and gentle even with the servants. He wouldn't have been surprised if someone told him she were a blessing sent from heaven itself. It was like she brought light into a darkness he hadn't realized had settled around him, bringing the sunshine with her wherever she went. Their talks together became his favorite pastime. He was never tired of her voice, nor of the things she spoke of- the way she painted her life, in bright hues and shades of creativity, it captured him and brought him even further into the web.

Despite their growing bond, nothing stopped others from nearing as well. Len disliked having to see other men gazing at her as they went through town. A fierce protectiveness came from unspoken territory to drive away those who came around, and though he wasn't sure why he felt so strongly about keeping her to himself, Rin didn't seem to mind at all- or maybe she didn't notice. Somehow, she seemed oblivious to how he felt, and it bothered him immensely.

Somewhere along the way, he felt his affections turn to something a bit more than familial bond. It was confusing, but certain- his emotions ran deeper than he willed himself to admit. It wasn't simply admiration- it had become something else. Something powerful that built within his chest and sprouted wings whenever she came close. His mind knew he hadn't a chance in hell, but his heart said otherwise- whichever one he chose to believe changed every day. Was it love? Was it something he'd never seen before? His questions begged for answers yet received none. He'd never felt such a feeling toward a woman like this, and it was a bit unnerving that it was her. Exquisite, extraordinary Rin.

Upon invitation, Len was asked to go to the birthday ball of the young and eternally enthusiastic Miku, daughter to a well-known duke. Unlike Rin, whose gentleness showed in her every action, Miku was the opposite of soft or innocent. Her teal eyes flickered from man to man as if sizing them up, picking the one she wished to capture next. Her interests consisted of taking control of any man who gave her a second glance, using her beauty to her advantage. Len never found anything particularly interesting about her (finding nothing of substance within her, save for the greed she rarely hid), and it seemed to trouble her- hence why, whenever she had the chance, she would find a way to gather his attention.

Sipping a tulip-shaped glass of citrus-scented wine to the side, his eyes follow Rin about the filled dance hall, never losing her to the crowd and watching her flit from partner to partner, stepping elegantly to the rhythm of the music flowing throughout the room. He fights the urge to ask her to dance, but it only grows stronger until he finally decides to stop struggling against it. Before he has the chance to approach, however, familiar blue-green twintails enter his view.

"Duke Len," Miku says smoothly, a coquettish, honey-laden smile crossing her face as she drinks him in. He'd chosen one of his better suits, though he wonders if it was to please his peers, or Rin herself. Right at this moment, however, he mildly regrets that choice. "What a pleasure to see you."

"Lady Miku." He bows his head, feeling irritation flare slightly. Of course she chose to come bother him- how could he have expected anything different? Rin has somehow disappeared from sight- who knows where. Ah, wait… there she is, dancing with a brunet off to the side, laughing at something he must have said.

Miku's expression becomes displeased, drawing his attention back to her. "Hm? What has captured your mind so strongly…?" She follows the trail his eyes had left, and her own narrow in response.

"Worried about your dear cousin?" She turns back to him, raising a brow.

Damn- her tone is emotionless, trained, which means she's about to start prying into his business. Miku has never been one for subtlety.

"Yes," he answers quickly, lifting his cup to his lips once again and tasting the sweetness, in an effort to remove the sudden dry ashiness of his mouth.

"I've never met her before- but, then again, I'm surprised she's shown her face here," Miku admits, leaning toward him slightly as if telling a forbidden secret. "Hasn't she been living with you? Tell me, are the rumors true?"

Len stares at her. Rumors? What rumors? He voices his curiosity out loud. "What do you mean?"

Her eyes glitter, and he feels she's doing her best to reel him to her- but in all honesty, he just wants to understand what he hasn't yet been aware of.

"Haven't you heard them?" Miku starts, pleased that he's focused solely on her now. "The tales- of why her family perished, of why she is still unmarried. Surely you would have caught wind of them by now…?"

Nothing like this has ever come his way. Forced to calm himself and not press her roughly for the heart of the matter, he shakes his head. "No- please, enlighten me."

"It is said she's cursed," Miku continues, her voice hushed. "She's been called a femme fatale- a walking catastrophe that will bring only tragedy to whoever comes close. Each man who has tried to become her suitor? Disappeared without a trace. She's bad luck." She nods her head to herself. "And you've most likely brought a curse to your home."

When he doesn't respond, she frowns. "Haven't you thought about it? About how strange it is that she lost her entire family in a night? That no one else wanted her in their houses?"

His grip on the glass in his hand tightens. "...You should refrain from spreading such gossip," he says stonily, his eyes flashing warningly.

"What?" Miku is taken aback.

"You should keep those lies to yourself." His expression is hard, his stance straighter. During her little speech he had become increasingly agitated. Is this what they all thought of Rin? Dear, sweet Rin who has done nothing but show him the exact opposite of such insulting words. She doesn't deserve this kind of treatment- and he'll be damned if he'll allow a loudmouthed little girl to soil her name any further. "Don't say a word of that filth to her."

"Excuse me?" Miku becomes offended, taking a step back. "You are the one that wanted to know what I meant. I only told you exactly what you wanted to hear."

"You told me what you believe," he replies, setting his glass down. "I strongly disagree. Now, if you will excuse me." Without hesitation he strides away from Miku, into the just ending dance where Rin curtseys to her partner, sharing a smile he wishes were aimed his direction.

She turns around and sees him, and the genuine smile she gives him brings him joy, like a flower's petals blooming. "Ah, Len," she says, happy, her cheeks tinted a rose red from her own excitement.

He returns her smile, extending a hand. "Hello, Rin. It would be a divine pleasure if you would accept this dance," he says, gazing at her intently.

"Of course," she accepts, taking his hand easily and entwining their fingers as he brought her close, their eyes meeting. She glances away a second later.

The next song is slow, allowing Len to gracefully sweep Rin across the dance floor. He marvels over how princess-like she appears, in her emerald green dress. He forces himself to focus on the dance and not on the proximity between them.

"Are you having fun here?" he finds himself asking, wanting to talk with her again.

"Fun? Ah, yes, you could say that…" Her voice, small in the loud room, manages to reach his ears. "I'm a bit unused to being part of such affairs… It's a little overwhelming, but I do enjoy it."

"I'm glad," he answers, adjusting his hand at her waist and guiding her.

"I am also glad- I was hoping I would have at least one dance with you," she confesses, looking up at him and smiling again. "It seems my wish came true."

His face grows hot with embarrassment. "I'm honored, Rin." Could she be aware of what kind of effect her words have on him? Waiting to dance with him- what is it she's implying? Perhaps he's putting far too much thought into her motives.

"You've become a very good friend to me," she continues, as if hearing his thoughts. "You've made me feel at home here, especially after my family's passing. I feel eternally grateful to you." Her blue eyes darken just a bit.

"It's been my pleasure having you stay with me," he tells her, his mouth quirking in a comforting, small smile.

Something taps his shoulder, and he pauses in his dance to turn his head. Familiar teal eyes grace his- but, they're considerably different, colder and with more of an edge to them. Mikuo Hatsune, Miku's older brother, stands regally behind Len with his own cocky smirk plastered over his face. The young man is well-known for being a bit of a flirt, much like his sister- and his sights are glued to Rin.

"Excuse me, sir," Mikuo's smooth voice begins questioningly, courteous, while his eyes flicker over her, clearly not caring for Len's presence in the first place. "May I have the next dance?"

Somewhere along the way of his talk with Rin, the dance must have ended. Len is about to reject him, to ask her himself, but the girl speaks up on her own. "Oh, yes, of course," she says, and the blonde is horrified to watch her entire expression brighten, as if she's aglow.

He is forced to remove his hands from her, and as Rin allows Mikuo to bring her close, she flashes Len a smile over her shoulder, led away without a second of hesitance.

For a moment, Len processes what just happened. He had her in his arms, they were dancing and talking and it was perfect- and in the blink of an eye, another man stole her away. And she seemed so happy, as if she had lied to him, had been waiting for someone else but had simply tolerated his presence. Could she have been waiting for Mikuo? Surely she didn't find him attractive, worthy- the person meant for her? Could her heart be stolen so easily…?

He doesn't realize he's clenching his fists, digging his fingernails into the meat of his palms, until his hot blood drips down his fingertips and he forces himself to stop, moving off the dance floor and avoiding the sights of the dancers and attendees.

Rin, being wife to Mikuo. That worthless excuse for a noble son who brings anything that moves into his bed. He is notorious for soiling many flowers; she will be no different. That teal bastard has no excuse for wanting her, nor does he have a right to touch her, and-

Len finds himself outside, the cool night air soothing on his hot skin. He stops walking, stilled in the shadows, and takes a deep breath. His eyes behold his lightly bleeding hands, the liquid sticky and growing cold, dyed black by the dark.

Why? Why has he allowed these thoughts to take over? Why can't he rid himself of them? This pure jealousy, this anger that bubbles up and threatens to show itself when Rin is brought into the eyes of another man when one of them so much as looks at her.

Len has gone insane. Or maybe it's not quite insanity yet? Is this love or lust that has pushed him into this state of mind, that has destroyed any semblance of reasoning?

He can't control it. He wants Rin; he wants her to be his and his alone.

There is no room for other choices. There never was.

.X.

It's lightly raining, the midnight sky turned darker by heavy stormclouds.

Tugging his hood closer around his face, Len creeps through darkness, making his way into the shadier part of the town where most deals go awry and things normally forbidden are sold without second thought. Normally he wouldn't dare step foot in such a place- but something tugged at him internally, made him leave the party early to scour the area.

(It couldn't possibly have been the fact that Mikuo became Rin's permanent dance partner.)

Dilapidated houses and buildings stand on either side of him as he briskly crosses the beaten street. He's barely seen another figure, but he's more than grateful for it. What would become of him, if he were seen traipsing through such a disgraceful place?

He isn't even sure what he's looking for- if anything at all. His feet carry him to unknown territory, and he doesn't have anything specific in mind.

"Why hello."

He pauses before a small, ugly wooden stand decorated in several glass bottles in differing shapes, colors and sizes. He turns to face the person who had spoken to him, making sure to pull his hood in the way of his face as not to be identified.

A young girl no older than eleven or twelve leans over the top of the stand, dressed in a ragged, red dress, her brown eyes drinking him in intently. Her face shows maturity beyond her years, putting off her innocent appearance.

"What brings someone like you out here?" she inquires in a lilting, quiet voice, her hands clasped under her chin.

Someone like him? "What do you mean?" he forces out, his teeth gritting together with uncertainty.

"You can't fool me. Your cloak is far richer than what you would see here- you are no normal townsperson. It's not safe wandering here at night," she continues, her words emotionless, her eyes never moving from him. "Of course, there must be a reason why you've come so far out of the comfort of your home."

He doesn't know what to answer, his apprehension rendering him momentarily silent. Fortunately, she leaves no room for a reply. "Surely you must be searching for something you wouldn't ever find somewhere else." The girl taps her fingers to her chin in an almost playful manner, a small smirk cresting on her thin lips. He begins to feel rather uncomfortable.

"What is it that you want from me?" Len demands, tired of the game this child seems to be playing at.

"That isn't the question you should be asking. The real question is; what is it that you desire?" she slides forward a bit, and he instinctively moves back to keep his face hidden. "Tell me."

He pauses. "You can't help me."

"I can't? Why not? Do you desire immense wealth? The death of an enemy? Love?" When he stiffens at the end, she laughs. "Ah… so it's that kind of request. Forbidden love? Unrequited?"

"What do you…?" he starts, but she pays no heed, already searching through her glasses for a specific one. A moment later, she presses a small, unlabelled clear bottle down in front of her- the liquid within shimmering under the faint streetlight.

Her grin gleams in the dark. "This is exactly what you need."

Curious, but increasingly suspicious of her, he hesitates. "What is it?"

"No matter what your situation is, I have the solution. This is everything you desire, yet nothing you'd be able to bring about yourself," she answers cryptically, her black hair swaying over her face.

"Tell me, what does it- well, what does it do?" Len presses, eyeing the bottle. He hates to admit that the idea of such a thing- something that would bring Rin's affections to him, that would let him have her to himself- is far too tempting.

"It will act as a type of love potion," the ragged child tells him. "Simply pour a few drops into the your love's tea, and it'll take effect."

A love potion? He has never believed in the use of such a ridiculous creation, but…

Another moment of internal battling, and his heart wins out. Dropping several hefty coins to the table, he takes the fragile bottle into his hand, turning away. "Thank you."

This is his chance. If this potion works, then he won't have to worry about Mikuo or any other man again. Rin will be his to claim, to love, to keep to himself.

...Perhaps he truly has gone mad.

.X.

Watching the blonde's retreating back, the girl's cocky smile vanishes. Her eyes follow him, darkening, and she sighs to herself.

I've done what I must.

It's never sat well with her- doing these things for him. It feels wrong and cruel, but…

...In the end, it's supposed to be for the best- isn't it? Breaking the cycle, crushing the 'right' fate to make room for the one they choose.

Even so, no matter how right it feels… knowing she just sent that boy, the 'duke' but also the Soulmate, away with a bottle of Cantarella and being fully aware of what it truly does…

...I'm sorry.

Sighing, she packs away the stands. She won't be here in the morning. Her task is complete, and she is no longer needed.

Now, Len has to finish his end of this story.

A/N: As of 04-13-16, this has been beta'd by the lovely Piriluk. :3

So, dark things are on the horizon. Of course. The next chapter is longer than this. (By a lot.) So hold onto your hats, ladies and gents, it's gonna be a bumpy, angsty ride.

Thanks for reading! Means a lot, you know? And I recently realized 'Ticking Of The Clock' is my 30th fanfic. I'm really happy! It's a pretty great milestone for me.

Let me know what you think of this, and I'll see you soon.

Read on~!

~Disclaimer~ I own only the idea of rose-scented potions and dark obsession.