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Cain had always believed that woman were beautiful creatures. He had witnessed many throughout his age and had danced with some of the loveliest out of selfish pleasure. Recalling all the women he had seen, there were only few he would consider flawless or stunning. However, when his lady reentered the room adorned in her creation, Cain felt all the previous women he had considered ideal in the past to dull in comparison.

"It isn't bad for a rush job, but with finer fabric and thread I could make a much higher quality gown." She glided towards him and did a pirouette to show the dress in completion. "This is how I plan to gain power, demon. One needs a thriving business in order to acquire status and fame. Simply killing his highness would prove to be most unsatisfying; therefore, I wish to take his crown from him and throw our kingdom into anarchy with the influence I have obtained. With you at my side, establishing a prosperous company should be fairly easy."

Cain was utterly speechless. Not only was this woman absolutely fetching, she held an air around her that could make people bow and grovel before her which was uncanny considering she was human. Such influence would provide useful when she became one of his servants upon conclusion of this contract. Possessiveness sparked within the demon and he stood to walk towards the source.

Once before her, he reached out and took her hand in his. He bowed over it, kneeling in the process, and placed a gentle kiss upon the top of her hand. "You look ravishing, My Lady Ib. It shall be my honor to commit treason along your side. I humbly await your orders."

Isabel practically purred with pleasure "excellent. Let us get to work."

A few months had passed as the two worked day and night in order to start the business of Crane Fashion. Many proposals were made, samples were provided, and after their strenuous effort it was finally paying off. Crane Fashion had hit the small shops scattered within the town and word of the immaculate clothing spread like wildfire. It became what all noble women purchased, and what the lower class desired. Sales were easily made and once they had reached a steady enough income, they had built several buildings. Crane Fashion was one of the first institutions where goods were sold inside anything other than a hut.

Cain had just finished counting their earnings for the past week and smiled as he knew his Mistress would be pleased. He wrote the sum upon a small piece of parchment and turned to leave the room. It was several minutes past the normal time he would rouse his Mistress, but she could use extra sleep. Once he closed the door to the room they designated for their earnings, he turned and waved his hand at the door. The sound of several locks being fitted into place echoed in the small hallway he stood in and with a satisfied clap, Cain turned and started up the stairs. He was on his way to Isabel's room when he crossed paths with a couple of the maids. They blushed and moved aside to bow to him.

"Good morning Cain" they both said in unison, sounding slightly nervous in their flirty undertones.

"Good morning ladies. I will be awaking our Mistress shortly so please get to the kitchen and prepare something to her liking. After a bath we will be heading down, so you have time to create something most delectable." Cain smiled to them and continued forward to climb the flight of stairs that led to his lady. The sounds of the woman whispering their excitement upon talking with him made the demon chuckle. Such fools, humans. Present them with an image of temptation and all their reasoning and morals flew out the window. Now only if he could manage the same with his current employer.

He arrived at the top of the stairs and hesitated when he heard the sound of his Mistress already stirring within. He knew he had been late, but certainly not late enough to warrant his Mistress to rise without him. Most days the demon would have to practically drag the woman from hiding beneath the sheets, so work must have roused her.

He approached the door and placed his ear to the surface in mild curiosity wondering what his lady was working on.

"Your late, Cain" the scolding tone of Isabel's voice addressed him through the wood.

Impressive self-awareness, Cain pushed the door open and found his lady seated behind her desk. Her hair was bound in a messy bun behind her head and she was currently leaning over a large parchment as she sketched. Ink coated her palms as she worked on what he believed to be another design. His smile diminished when he noticed the lines beneath her eyes suggesting sleep loss and how pale her skin was.

"Mistress, I wish you would remain in bed until a more practical time to awaken." Cain walked over and stood before her desk waiting for an explanation.

Isabel finished a minor detail upon the art and then leaned back. The woman winced, suggesting she had been sitting there for hours. Painfully she straightened and glared at the demon "unless you can cure me of my insomnia, I suggest you shut it."

Isabel suffered from random insomnia spells. Lately, she had been having them when she became engrossed with creating a new line for her business. However, shortly after the two had created the house Isabel would stay awake for days. When the demon confronted her about this issue, she had simply said that she feared slumber. Nightmares plagued the woman, and she refused to sleep due to the fact she couldn't control her mind when she allowed it rest. Several days would then pass, and then Cain would find her sleeping somewhere other than her bed during the day, always in sunlight. It was strange, like a cat sunbathing while taking a nap.

Cain smiled impishly and replied in a suggestive seducing tone "I could cure you if you would allow me."

"You're late and now you're speaking such perverted nonsense? I'm much too tired to tolerate this…" Isabel rose from her chair and stretched her spine gingerly.

"My apologies, I was counting our earnings and have provided a total for you." He handed her the small piece of parchment and once taken the woman quickly looked it over. Cain felt his smile return after witnessing her contagious enthusiasm.

"Splendid! This is wonderful news!" Isabel tossed the paper on her desk and directed her focus back to the demon. "Draw me a bath and we shall go over today's schedule. Your tardiness is excused, but today is yet another day your eyes shall remain closed." She smiled smugly and made gestures for him to hurry about his chores.

Cain bowed with a repressed sigh, "Of course, Mistress."

"Why didn't you tell me there was party tonight?!" Isabel yelped glaring back at the demon who was currently washing her back. His eyes were closed, but it hardly hindered the man in the slightest.

"I did, you even picked your gown for the evening last week." Cain's expression remained neutral; annoying the woman "I believe you even wrote down the time and date somewhere amongst your notes, but perhaps it became lost upon your cluttered desk." His fingers slid down her side and she glared when a ghost of a smirk touched the demon's mouth.

"Cain." Isabel gritted her teeth, her anger rising.

A dark chuckle, "Understood." He then brought his hands back and placed them up near his ears, feigning innocence "my apologies, My Lady Ib."

Isabel glared at him, not appreciating his mockery. Half the time she believed him to be more of an incubus then a demon as his image was pure temptation. He wore a butler's attire as per usual, but his sleeves were rolled up and tied back in order to wash his lady properly. The demon had insisted upon keeping his long white hair and it was currently tied back loosely behind his nape. Some days she would fantasize about sneaking into his bedchamber and cutting the hair off just to annoy him mutually, as he did day after day. However, she enjoyed the long mane on the demon, so she never had the heart to actually go through with her schemes.

She rose then and water splashed around her "cloth, if you will." The demon nodded and handed her the thick linen draped over his leg. Again he did so perfectly as if he could see and the woman started to doubt her routine. She took the cloth and wrapped it around herself as she took Cain's hand to carefully exit the bath.

"There is another matter I wish to speak to you about as I have conducted the research you have asked of me regarding the resent abductions of women."

It was not uncommon that women would go missing, but the amount as of late was suspicious. Isabel believed another one of those institiutions was being established and she would not allow it. She had sent Cain to monitor the streets and investigate anything promising for the last couple weeks.

"I believe a suspect will be attending tonight's festivities." Cain continued as he followed her into the room, eyes still shut.

"Oh? Tell me about this Swine." Isabel disappeared behind her recently purchased folding screen. "You may open them now Cain, please retrieve a gown for me."

As the woman busied herself with dressing, Cain walked over to her wardrobe and considered the outfits inside. "Nathaniel Botly, a well-known trader. There are rumors that his income isn't solely made through trading spices, but mostly goods." The demon reached and pulled out a dull red gown for his Mistress to wear knowing all too well she would be changing later that evening for the event. He then walked over to the screen and brought the dress to her which she quickly snatched in her new found anger.

"I see, well I shall look over his report once I meet you down stairs. That should provide you with enough time to create one, yes?" Isabel commanded, the demon feeling her intensity through the concealment.

Cain bows deeply "it shall be done."

"I will need you to distance yourself from me so I am able to deceive such a keen animal." Isabel stated as Cain helped his Mistress exit the carriage. They had arrived and the demon had parked near the stables as instructed by one of the party's staff. The two now argued unnoticed by those quickly rushing towards the event in blind excitement.

Cain wore an expression of annoyance "deceive? What do you believe you will be doing tonight Ib?"

"I don't wish to follow this man for several days and get nowhere. I plan to investigate and have a conclusion by the end of the night." She broke their contact at their hands and began walking towards the building.

Cain followed her closely as if he were her shadow, anger evident in her voice "do you believe I will stand idly by if he were to take you? Surely you are not that mad, Mistress."

Isabel turned on her heel, her own annoyance showing "yes, that is exactly what I believe. Trust me, demon. I am not the fragile woman you once knew me to be. I can handle myself long enough to get evidence on this rat bastard and then I will call for you to destroy him. Now be patient and enjoy your evening, stranger." She then quickened her step and blended into the crowd being escorted in.

Cain's eyes flashed as he watched her enter the party and his anger grew as he felt himself losing control over the woman. She was so determined and stubborn which caused the demon annoyance beyond belief. The two alphas constantly batted heads when it came to decisions as both enjoyed control, but Cain would have to constantly back down due to their contract.

Soon, she will not be in control and I shall do what I wish with her. With that thought in mind the demon tidied his appearance and manipulated his glamour to change his attire to a more suitable garb. Once satisfied with his presentation, he followed suit and entered the party as Cain Warde, a business man.

Nathaniel was easy to spot, as he was quite the womanizer. Isabel chatted with groups and spoke of business as she secretly watched the man survey the crowd. He made an effort to be constantly in the presence of a female the entire evening, which annoyed Isabel thoroughly. She had tried multiple times to address the man, but every time she made her way over to him she found herself accosted away by another group asking her about Crane Fashion. It was maddening, as she felt time slipping by and yet she had not made her move. She had seen the man's eyes upon her several times, so she was aware he was trying to approach her as well. The opportunity finally presented itself when the music began to play and people quickly paired up to dance.

"Hello, Miss Crane I presume?" A man's deep voice asked behind her and she turned knowing fully well it was the Swine.

"Mister Botly, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Isabel curtsied, looking polite "how are you doing this evening?"

"I believe I would be better if you would honor me with your presence for a dance, Mi'lady." She didn't believe pigs bowed, but this one did.

Isabel suppressed her repulsion and took the man's extended hand. "Let us dance then, shall we?"

Upon contact, the man pulled her close to him and smiled down at her "we shall." He began to lead them through a dance, mingling with the other couples spinning and twirling. Nathaniel dipped her and she flexibly obliged the movement revealing how nimble her body truly was, even in corset. When she was pulled back she found herself in an uncomfortable closeness with the pig's face and fought desperately to not shove the male away.

"May I cut in, Sir?" a familiar voice asked and Isabel felt relieved. Cain stood behind her, looking pleasantly calm "I have noticed you are very busy tonight, Miss Crane, but one would understand as you are quite the successful business woman and may I say that you are equally as charming. I wish to speak with you, and if Mister Botley allows it we could do so whilst dancing." Cain's voice surprised the woman as it sounded eerily... human. It was the best way she could describe it. If she had not known this man to be a demon she would have assumed he was just like every other male. It was quite creepy and she took note that demons blended very well into society.

"I would prefer not, but as Miss Crane is quite popular I shall let her go." Nathaniel smiled, but he leaned down to whisper into her ear first before letting her go "there is another party tonight I would love for you to attend with me, but since the invitation is limited I must know as soon as possible if you would like to come. Rumors say top business leaders will be attending, so I believe it will be most worthwhile for you."

Isabel smirked and turned her lips to the man's ear and purred in reply "I would be honored." She was then whisked away from the swine as Cain practically pulled her from the man. He quickly led her onto the dance floor and pulled her tightly to him to growl into her ear once they were surrounded by dancers.

"No, you are not going. I can smell the filth on him."

"Yes, I am. If it is a set up, then we kill him. If not, and he is truthful, then I have an excellent business day. It's a win win, you imbecile." She spoke low enough so only the demon could hear.

"Then I shall go with you" Cain spun the two, mimicking the dancers around him.

"Of course, but you will have to be creative as you will not be in the carriage with me. If I remember correctly, you are quite the runner." She smiled and attempted to put some distance between them, but it was futile as the demon's arms held her in a steal restraint.

"Annoying" the demon hissed

"Hush" Isabel scolded.

"Yes, My lady."

After about an hour, Isabel stood before a small manor with Nathaniel's arm around her

"Let us go in and I shall introduce you." The two without further hesitation entered the building. Once inside, Isabel took in her surroundings and it looked to be a smaller party. She felt herself grow nervous as something about the party didn't seem right to her.

Where were all the women?

She narrowed her eyes as she examined each and every person present and none of the men looked familiar to her. She narrowed her eyes as her uneasiness grew as she saw the glances in her direction from the other men.

"Are you quite alright, Miss Crane?" Nathaniel asked, and then he looked surprised. "Oh, you have something on your face. Please use this; there is something right above your nose." He reached into his pocket and retrieved a handkerchief in which he handed to her.

"Oh... my thanks." Isabel took the cloth and brought it to her face, but paused when she smelled a most familiar chemical. Before she could cry out, Nathaniel moved and pushed the cloth into her nose and mouth with great force, plastering the cloth against her face. She glared and struggled against the strength of the man and regretted leaving Cain to his own devices as she felt the world fall beneath her in darkness.

To be continued!

Oh Isabel, you cocky woman.

See you all next chapter!