Into the Devil's Lair: Chapter 8

Will looked at her reflection on the mirror and gave out a satisfied smirk. The gown was perfect and wonderful. It was pink and it hugged her figure well, and it looks like it was made from top-craftsmanship so she wondered how did Hay Lin got hold of it.

"Oh Hay Lin. How were you able to get these dresses?" She asked her friend who was currently applying a small amount of make up on her face. While she was now currently fixing her hair. Tonight is the anticipated "masquerade ball" in honor of the Prince's fiancée and they received an invitation from the palace so they will go and at the same time check on Cornelia who didn't contact them for almost a week now. They are worried if their friend was okay even if Blunk had several times tried to break in the castle and confirmed that the girl was still alive and well. They still wanted to be sure, who knows if Phobos had successfully taken over her mind.

She does not trust Phobos; he was one hell of a treacherous and dangerous guy. He can't be easily trusted and he always has some sort of evil plan in mind. So they can't just leave the welfare of their dear friend on the hands of the tyrant.

"I asked help from Elias." The girl smiled slyly. Elias. Of course. She remembered the painter whom Phobos trapped inside his very own work. Well, they accidentally set foot inside his world and since Phobos sent monsters to capture them, they needed to escape, and to their surprise everything painted there comes to life. No wonder Hay Lin told them that they don't have to worry about the outfits.

They were now on the Silver Dragon basement and to escape from their parents with the use of their astral doubles. It was needed in case they can't get back soon.

"You girls ready?" From the corner of the basement comes Caleb. He was wearing a rather princely suit and they all can't take their eyes off him. Surely, he is the most handsome man in the party. Well, maybe third only to Phobos and Cedric.

"Yes, of course." Irma stood up confidently, her hands clutching the hem of her gown. She was wearing a turquoise dress and a green mask; Taranee a yellow ball gown and a gold mask; Hay Lin with a dark blue gown and a glittery mask and she with her pink gown and red mask. They were now ready.

"I'll have Blunk sniff a portal. Hopefully it's not located in some sort of dumpy place." Caleb said and went outside. They can hear him arguing with their smelly creature-friend Blunk, a passling who had the ability to sniff out portals. "Let's go." After a few seconds Caleb's head can be seen on the door. They all nodded to him and with all modesty picked up the hem of their dresses and glided outside.

Cornelia took a deep breath as her handmaidens were currently helping her with the dress. They were now adjusting her corset and she has tried her best to hold her breath. Since she was young, she always imagine how it feels like to live in the medieval times, wearing gowns and corsets but now she wants to take back her dream of trying it. Apparently, it wasn't as nice as it seems and she was forced into some sort of metal petticoat and it hinders her from freely moving.

Now they have helped her with the scarlet gown and she can't help but blush when she remembered what almost happened when she last wore it. Phobos almost made love to her because of the damned dress. Well, not that she didn't want it to happen (for some reasons she started to have some crush on the evil Prince after their short trip on Earth, she almost felt like he was a nice guy and was simply misunderstood by his subjects, sometimes they would spend their "coupley" time talking about Politics as she is a big fan of history and found out that he was actually great in discussing about it).

But of course, somewhere deep in her heart she felt that Phobos is hiding something. It's not every day he would just randomly offer a guardian to become his wife and she thinks that he wants something. Something from her but what could she offer? She was no noble woman; she had no dowry or property to add up to Meridian's treasury which was overflowing with gold. She was young and although she had a lot of knowledge about politics, she was not born to rule, it wasn't in her blood and she was an outsider in the planet. An alien. Aside from that, she wasn't that powerful, she can't be compared to Elyon. To sum up she certainly has nothing to give him aside from her beautiful looks.

Or maybe Phobos just had a liking with blondes. She thought.

Her maids finished helping her with the gown and handed her a red mask that compliments her gown, it was adorned with precious stones of different kinds and some feathers. She took a deep breath and put it on. The servants then ushered her to the mirror.

A smile formed on her lips as she looked at her appearance; her hair was neatly tied in a complicated braid and there were some loose tendrils that were curled and dangles on her face, on her hands was a lace glove that reached up to her elbow; a golden necklace adorned with rubies was now on her neck and she was wearing some sort of glass slippers which made her think that she was Cinderella (she does not know if it was some sort of joke but it feels comfortable on her feet and it seems durable). She was no doubt the queen of the evening.

Everything is like a dream.

"Milady, the Prince is waiting for you downstairs." A servant who was still panting rushed to her side and informed her about Phobos. She nodded and slowly stepped outside. She was rather nervous about this. A few weeks ago, she was just a normal teenage girl who dreams of meeting a prince now her life took a hell of a dramatic turn and now she is about to attend a ball for her engagement to the Prince of Meridian. But was she ready for what's next?

She slowly turned to the corridor leading to the grand stair case that connects to the ballroom of the palace. She took a deep breath as soon as she saw the railings. Her eyes then fixed on the man standing on the foot of the steps. He was wearing a top crafted suit and a cape was hanging on his back. His long silver hair was neatly tied into a ponytail and half of his face was covered with a silver mask. His lips curled into a smile as soon as he saw her.

For a moment their gazes meet, even when she was a few meters away from him, she can feel the extreme coldness his emerald eyes were emitting and it sent shivers to her very soul. How can he do that? How can he make her feel like he was looking through her?

She trembled as she slowly descended from the golden steps. Her hands reached for the wooden fence to support herself and keep her from falling. Her heart plummeted on her chest and even if the weather was cool, she can feel her that she was starting to sweat. She was nervous!

When she finally arrived on the last step, Phobos reached for her hand and kissed it. Her face tinged at the action. He is such a gentleman. She thought. She never imagined him to be like this. Without his usual dark ensemble, he was almost perfect. She somehow wanted to trace his face with her fingers.

"For you my love." He then conjured a long stemmed red rose. She smiled as she reached for it.

"Thank you." Her words almost sounded like a squeak. How can she even focus on her mission when he was doing this to her? Was it possible to stop herself from falling for her enemy? Her mind and heart battled. She was confused. In a small amount of time that she spent with him, she felt happy and even if they sometime engage in petty fights and arguments she knew that she can't be angry with him for a long time. She had forgiven him from kidnapping Elyon and for planning to kill his sister.

But then she wasn't sure what he will do to her. Was he really serious when he offered her to be his Queen? Or does he plan to dispose of her when he already achieved his goal? A goal she doesn't even know of.

However, even if everything was just a lie, even if he will try to deceive her, make her feel special at a short time and then throw her away like garbage, she was now happy on where she is. All she wanted to do now was enjoy her time with him while it lasts. While she is still the apple of his eyes. The star.

"Shall we go?" His velvety voice brought her back to reality and she looked up to him and gave him a faint smile. She was still unsure about this ball. She was excited but at the same time she was scared. She felt that something bad would happen. But she hopes that it was just her nervousness that causes this panic. She gave him a nod and the Prince's hand wrapped on her waist. They then continued to the large golden doors that separates the room to the ballroom.

The soldiers bowed down and opened it for them. At first she felt dizzy when she saw the bright lights coming from the chandelier drooping on the ceiling but after blinking for several times she was able to look around. She found out that there was another staircase inside that was even much grander than the one she passed by. On the foot of it was the vast dance floor which was now filled with guests; noblemen and women, some sort of creatures and from a far she can see Elyon who is now with Cedric, they were talking to some guests.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Phobos Escanor and the Earth Guardian, Cornelia Hale." A man with a rather loud voice announced their arrival and everyone inside then turned to look at them. She gulped as the eyes of the guests focused on her and Phobos. She was used to attention but now, she felt tensed. If it wasn't for Phobos' strong arm on her waist, she would have fallen by now, her knees were trembling in excitement and anxiousness.

They again descended on the stairs. When they arrived on the foot, she almost groaned when Phobos removed his arm around her waists.

"Greetings noble lords, ladies and guests! I'm very happy to see you all on this very significant day and I would like to apologize for announcing it on a short notice, everything happened so fast. Today is a very special day as I would like to announce my engagement to the Earth Guardian, the beautiful Cornelia Hale." She gently smiled as she heard her name being called. "Our wedding will be held in a month and I am inviting you all to witness it. Thank you and enjoy the ball!" Phobos said in a loud voice and it was followed by a large applause coming from the guests.

Music soon filled the air and Phobos took her hand and led her to the dance floor, which was now currently empty as the people are now waiting for the Prince to open it by dancing with his betrothed. She then curtsied before him and the Prince took her hand and kissed it again. Afterwards they were now gliding and waltzing in the vast empty space.

She felt her stomach churn at every turn. She was afraid to make a mistake. She had spent almost an entire week to practice this dance with her instructor and it was a train wreck! Now she is scared to take a wrong move and step on Phobos' feet. It would be a total embarrassment given that she was the main lady of the event.

The music ended but Phobos didn't let go of her, he instead claimed her lips in front of every noble houses in Meridian! And it nearly left her stupor! Her cheeks flamed as he pulled away from her. His lips were curled into a sly smirk and she felt that someone poured cold water over her head. How dare he embarrass her in front of other people? Does he not know that it wasn't nice to steal a kiss from someone in front of a crowd? She gritted her teeth in irritation.

"Smile, my love. This is your night. Enjoy it." She felt Phobos' breath on her neck and she shivered.

"Cornelia! Phobos!" She turned as she heard Elyon's small voice. She hurriedly smiled as she saw the girl. Elyon looked like a real Queen tonight. She was wearing a blue gown, a silver mask like Phobos' was covering half of her face and a tiara was resting on top of her head.

"Hi Ellie." She calmly greeted her friend despite the fact that she was almost out of breath due to the anxiety. With her was Cedric, he was wearing his usual green ensemble and a green mask was covering his face but his purple eyes were focused somewhere.

"Can I dance with my brother for a while? I'm sure that after the wedding it will be hard to borrow him from you." The girl winked at her. "Meanwhile you can dance with Cedric." Elyon then turned to Phobos.

"I will be back." He said before turning to the dance floor. There was an obvious hint of disappointment in his eyes when Elyon dragged him away. She then turned to the shape-shifter who was now left with her. His eyes were focused on her but it didn't have its unusual sparkle, somehow it seems sad.

"Milady." He said softly and bowed before her before taking her again to the center of the room. They started dancing and there was an awkward silence between them. But why would she care? The man in front of her, the right hand of Phobos had tried to kill them several times, well, not that it was really what he wanted (she is not sure, what he feels about his job but then he needed to follow his master's orders) but then he was still a bad guy. An enemy. Another villain.

"Cedric-"

"Cornelia-" They both spoke at the same time and smiled apologetically at each other. She heard Cedric sighed softly. "You go first." He said.

"About last time…" She started. She wants to talk about the incident in her room where she accidentally hugged him. She wanted to apologize; well it wasn't really her fault. It was the damned nightmare. But still… "I'm sorry if I hugged you. You see I was scared…" She hurriedly said without a pause and her words almost were incomprehensible. But he just smiled and the gesture warmed her heart. Why is it that she felt weird around Cedric and Phobos?

She already admitted that she had an infatuation with the dark Prince but what of Cedric? What does she feel about him?

"Don't worry. I know that you were scared that time." He replied and then his eyes were fixed on the ground. Earlier he wanted to say something, what was that?

"Uhhmm. You wanted to say something earlier?" She asked, curious about what is it he wanted to tell her. The guy looked up in surprise and again the end of his lips curled into a gentle smile.

"Nothing. I just wanted to tell you that you are beautiful tonight." Cedric then stopped at the same time as the music ended. He bowed before her and then he left her alone. Her heart beated rapidly at his words.

Her eyes looked for Phobos but unfortunately he was dancing with someone else, a girl with red hair that somehow looks familiar.

"Can I have this dance milady?" A handsome young man, whom she estimated was a few years older than her bowed down in front of her. She just smiled and curtsied before him. They then started dancing and she had this eerie feeling about the guy; brown hair and green eyes. And the smile. She almost cried in happiness as soon as she realized who she is dancing with.

"Ca-" She didn't finish as he pressed his finger on her lips. Good thing no one was currently looking at their direction. That action should have caused a big disgrace on her part.

"We need to talk Cornelia." He said and then his head moved left and right. They stopped dancing and he grabbed her from the dance floor. She hurried behind him so that no one will notice her absence. They were now inside the palace gardens'. Caleb removed his mask and crushed her in a tight embrace which surprised her. She immediately pulled back, afraid that anyone might see them.

"W-what's wrong?" She asked.

"Stop it Cornelia." He said in a painfully sad voice. His eyes were gloomy.

"What?" Her forehead furrowed as she does not know what he was talking about. The boy gave out a soft sigh.

"Please stop it. I can't continue like this anymore. I love you Cornelia and I wanted you to be happy. I don't want you to be tied with that tyrant." He said as he tried to hold her hand but she pushed him back. This confession of his didn't change anything. Yes, she may have a crush on him at their first meeting but that was all that she felt nothing more. And why does he need to dictate what's best for her, it seem like he had forgotten that this marriage was only for convenience. For the safety of everyone. He was making her feel like she was a damsel in distress trapped in an uncontrolled situation.

"And who are you to dictate what I need to do with my life?" She lifted her chin and looked at him to the eye. A part of her scolded herself, she was being too cruel. But she does not care.

"I'm just concerned with you. Phobos can't be trusted and he can hurt you Cornelia." His voice was full of concern.

"You must have forgotten Caleb, this marriage wasn't for my own good. This is for the good of all Meridian for all of you. If I run away do you think Phobos will just let me go? He wants me for something Caleb. I need to find it out before running away." She said and smiled bitterly. She mustn't tell him that she is slowly falling for the charms of the tyrant.

"But Corn-" He wasn't able to finish as they heard screams and noises from the inside.

Something was wrong.

Her heart was pumping heavily and without any words, she reached the hem of her dress and run back inside not looking back at the rebel leader.

She was panting when she arrived inside. She hurried and was almost pushing the people who were now focused on something, she can hear Elyon's worried voice and Cedric's screams and orders to the guards. What was happening? Her hands shake in fear. There is something wrong and she can feel it.

When she finally reached the center, her eyes widened as she saw Phobos lying unconscious on the floor, his skin pale as death and next to him was an unfinished cup of wine. She gasped and without any hesitations she lifted herself and hurriedly went near.

"Phobos!" She quickly ran towards her fiancée. She touched his face and gasp as he was as cold as ice. No. no. this wasn't happening and everything was just a dream. Phobos can't be dead. She then buried her head on his chest. Thud. Thud. She can hear his heart beat but it was so faint. He was still alive.

"What happened?" She then turned to Elyon and Cedric who had the same worried look as her.

"He was poisoned." It was Cedric who answered. "Guards call the Physicians!" He then shouted at the patrolling guards and the security.

"Who did this?" Her voice trembled. "Who did this!?" She asked again, this time in a louder voice that was almost a shout. Everyone was just looking at them, some were whispering and some were just frozen in shock. Who would have dared to poison His Highness?

Then someone from the crowd pointed to a girl with short red hair- the very same girl Phobos was dancing with when she left the place.

"She did it."

Thank you again for submitting your reviews! I appreciate it a lot. It will also be nice if you can tell me if there are some errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling. It will help a lot. :)

Gravesheart- Thanks, I haven't checked the error yet but I'll probably do it later or anytime soon, I hope it's not that obvious. ^^ I already finished some chapters but I'll probably edit the contents again. Cedric will have a major role in the next chapters (it'll be a surprise, I hope). Anyway, thank you again for your kind words. ^^

If you are wondering why the Chapter is titled "Danse Macabre", actually it was my inspiration when I wrote this one (I was listening to it). It means "Dance of Death" but don't worry it does not mean that Phobos will die on the next chapter, I just wanted to dedicate this piece to the song. ;)

Thoughts?