"I don't want to lose you!"
"Neither do I."

I struggled and struggled, knowing that this is only an illusion. I took out my spear and hastily plunged it in my heart. Patricia told me that if you get hurt or killed in one of those "dreams", then you'll wake up... So I did just that.

I...don't want to see this. It's creepy since the characters in my dream are Zan and I. I was reaching out to him and he...

"AAAHH!!!"

"What's wrong, Celeste?!" Cervi jolted up.

It's obvious that he was still sleeping and that I interrupted him because of my scream. I didn't meant to wake him up.

"Ah, no, it's nothing... I...just had a nightmare..." I meekly answered. "Have you been sleeping there the whole night?"

"Yeah... You told me to guard your room. I guess I fell asleep without noticing." He scratched the back of his head and yawned.

"I see..." I stood up from my bed while rubbing my eyes and started walking to the door. "I'm going to drink tea."

"Ah, I'm going with you." Cervi stood up too and followed behind me.

As we reached the dining room, we heard a sizzling noise coming from the kitchen. If I still remember, it's around 6:30 that the chef starts cooking. What time is it? 5 o'clock?

"Cervi, take a seat. I'll go check in the kitchen."

Cervi obediently obeyed and sat down on his seat last night while I entered the kitchen.

"Angelo?" I called out. But the chef didn't reply...

I furrowed my eyebrows as I started to walk further in the kitchen. I followed the noise. The noise is the only thing that directs me to the person in the kitchen.

I was surprised that behind all the smoke that surrounded the whole kitchen stands a guy that has the same age as me...

"Oh hey Celeste." He innocently greeted as he saw me.

I stared at him for a few seconds... Yes, he is wearing his usual white short-sleeved t-shirt. He's still wearing his usual pants because he has no other shorts but... I wonder where he got his apron...

"Want to taste your breakfast?" He asked, tilting his head to the direction of the plate with a nice-looking breakfast. So appetizing...

He chuckled as he saw my expression. I didn't notice that I was drooling until he chuckled! "Here." He took out a fork, took a slice of pancake and moved his hand towards my mouth. He stopped when it reached between my lips. "Say 'aaahh'."

Realizing the situation, I forcibly took the fork out of his hand and chomped the pancake. I chewed on the soft and not-too-sweet interior. It's so perfect in my taste~~

"I love it! When did you learn how to cook?" I asked in surprise.

"I have been cooking meals for me and Palatino everyday. Oh, and I also made some tea. Do you want some?"

"Uhh... I'll just put this plate in the dining room table. I'll--... Just deliver my tea there too, ok? Is there some for Cervi? That's the last pancake for the batter..." Then I noticed the package still has some mix left... If I read it carefully, it says "just add water"....

"Let him cook what he wants." He coldly answered. He also clicked his tongue before he angrily put the pan and spatula in the sink. What's his problem anyway?

"Well that's unfair." I nonchalantly told him. "Besides, he's also here in this house. Patricia once told me that if someone does something in the house meant for another in the same house, he should also do something for everyone in the house."

"I see... Welp, not my problem." He removed the apron while walking towards the sink with the bowl he used for the batter.

Seeing his back, I had an idea so I took my plate and rushed to Cervi, who seems like going to go after me.

"Here's your breakfast..." I muttered. "Sorry if I took so long."

"So, who's in the kitchen?" He asked, quite relieved to see me safe.

"It was Zan. He made us breakfast! Here's yours. I'll go get mine." I handed out his plate to him and rushed back in the kitchen. I tried making my breakfast identical to Cervi but, I can't help it if I can't cook... I know, I'll just deceive him!

"Hey Little Miss, what'cha doin' over there?" Zan asked, wearing his usual blue hoodie.

"N-nothing." I quickly stood in front of the plate, hiding it.

"Did you cook that?" He used his telekinesis to levitate the dish and brought it to himself before I even had the time to catch it.

He dramatically took out a fork and chomped on a slice of pancake, teasing me because I can't get the plate... I really can't. He was threatening me with these dinosaur-like skulls that shoots blue lasers if I make another move. They surrounded me... And my chest isn't fully healed either. How? I was fine yesterday... I'm sure I was... Why...do I feel a stinging pain on my chest like the pain from being stabbed lingers...?

After the slice of pancake reaches his mouth, he became white in shock. He carefully placed the plate safely on a nearby counter and vomited in the sink.

"Sorry, can't cook." I smiled while pointing at my brain.... I decided to hide the pain for as long as I can. I don't want to worry my two caretakers and a butler and two parents who never have time for me.

The dinosaur skulls vanished into thin air as Zan faces me again. "Then how did you cook spaghetti?"

"Oh, that time? I was playing around the kitchen and I accidentally made that." I honestly answered.

Zan sighed, slumping down his shoulders. "So it really was an accident, after all. I believe you now."

"So you didn't believe me back then? How pitiful." I blankly said.

"That kind of reason is unbelievable!" He protested.

"That's not my fault. I didn't tell you to believe me anyway." I took the plate, walking towards the exit.

"Are you going to give that to Cervi?" Zan curiously asked.

"Nope. I'm eating this myself. Besides, no one will eat it but me."

"You can do that? You will eat, right? Because you know, you don't want Cervi to be suspicious of your actions."

"Of course. If the taste kills me, I'll just cut my tongue off, wash off the blood and just swallow my breakfast. That would be impossible for the bacon though."

"Even so, you still feel pain, right?"

"Of course." I told him like it's not obvious enough.

"Then, let's switch plates." From his back, Zan switched the two plates without wasting a second. It was so smooth that it feels like it wasn't changed at all. "That's supposed to be my breakfast."

"Why are you doing this? Are you looking down on me?!" Ugh, my chest... My chest hurts while I uttered these words out loud.

"You don't understand human emotions, do you?"

"Do you think I do?!" I glared. Did he seriously forgot that I'm a demon?!

"Being a demon isn't an excuse for not being able to understand human emotions. Even demons have emotions too, don't they?" He retorted...

I have nothing else to say back so I nodded and walked towards the exit. "I think I'll tell Joan that I need some advice for human emotions. She understands so much than me..."

Zan, with one hand, gently and softly pats my head, while the other is buried in his hoodie. The plate is placed on his head. I'm surprised he can balance it. "Sorry for being too cold and rough these recent days. I'm sure if you'll listen to Joan, you'll understand why I'm acting like that."

Ah, these gentle pats on my head is so warm and soft... I crave for more...

I chuckled a bit, surprising Zan. "I like your pat on my head. It makes me feel safe." I let out a warm smile.

I remembered my father messing with my hair. As well as Cervi doing the same too. I didn't feel anything when they did. My father ruffled my hair to assure me and I don't know Cervi's reason. Because it's fun, I guess? But Zan's pat on my head is very different...

Ahh... I guess I can pass out without any problems.

That warm smile...

"It hurts..."

•

"Are you kidding me?! If we take her to that hospital again, they would instantly realize that we escaped!"

"Nggh..." I unnoticeably let out a groan. I guess Zan and Cervi are fighting in the halls. Geez, I can hear them from here...

"Why did you let her pass out?!"

I unbuttoned my shirt to see what's wrong with my chest. I know I have healed already so what's the problem here?

"It's not my fault. She just did it without warning."

I unwrapped my bandages...

No way...

"You're useless!"

I slammed the door open, running towards the exit.

"Celeste, you're awake! What's wrong?" Cervi exclaimed.

"I need to go to Flame's. Flame is there, isn't he?"

"Why do you need to go there? It's already devastated." Zan coolly explained.

"I'm not going to the bar to drink. I'm going to that other room." I said, trying to explain while Cervi can't understand us. "Cervi, guard my house. At this time, Patricia and Johnny are already gone. I'll take Zan and Philip with me." I ordered him.

"Huh? Why? This house is full of staff workers."

"The staff workers are only here for their job. They don't care about who's in the house or not. So I need you to guard it. Help the guards too, ok?"

"Ok! Anything for you, Celeste." He sounded determined.

"Good." I nodded with a smile. "Let's go, Zan."

The two of us fled to the exit and ran to Sebastian and Philip. It's surprising that they're communicating with each other.

"Hurry up to Flame's." I ordered Sebastian.

"Yes, m'lady." He obediently bowed and went inside the car. Philip followed. And then we followed.

"What's wrong, Celeste? Why are you--"

"That stab was deeper than I thought. It reached half of my heart and left a mark. In Hell, those demons that has a mark on their chests has a limited lifespan. I'm going to Flame if he can do anything about it." I answered albeit interrupting Zan, caressing my chest.

"I'm hungry." I unnecessarily blurted out. I'm rubbing it in Philip's face as I took a soul from the black hole. The soul of his friend... I swallowed it hole and smirked at him. "Delicious." I moved my tongue across my lips. He shivered in fear. "I don't know why but I have an urge to kill you."

"Please don't kill me!!" He pleaded.

"I'm trying not to."

After a few minutes of me staring at Philip intensely, we reached the devastated bar...

"What's this? 'DO NOT CROSS'??" I held on one of the yellow papers wrapped around the whole structure.

We walked further inside and saw people. It seems that they are police officers. Hm? A corpse laying nearby?

"General Howard!" Philip quickly realized.

Zan pulled his hoodie over and Sebastian seems self-conscious over his gloves.

"Did you kill him?" I pointed at his corpse.

They instantly nodded non-hesitantly.

I stared at them blankly then sighed. Can't do anything about it anyway.

"Why?"

"He's...the general of those who kidnapped you and brought you in that temporary isolation room." Zan explained, not making eye contact with me as he scratches the back of his head.

"And?"

"Of course we killed him for you!" Zan shouted.

Good thing that the police officers didn't hear him shout those words out. I sighed knowing this.

"You bastards!!" Philip put up a death glare and tried hard to follow the two guys that are responsible of killing his general. Unfortunately for him, those two are skilled when it comes to fighting. They're even smiling... Those guys... (-_-;)

I walked inside like I'm just a visitor.

"Hey, little girl, you can't come in here!" One police officer warned. His name is Garry, I believe. A police officer who's too perfect. He's poor though so he just decided to become a police officer. He has no business to run, after all.

"Sorry but do you know where the bartender is?" I asked politely.

"Ah yes, he's at the back, pondering what happened. I think he has amnesia. He doesn't know what happened to his bar while he was out for a second." Another answered, Gilbert Harvey.

"Thank you." I nodded. I ran to the back and saw Flame sulking. "Hey Flame, can I ask you about something?" I approached him.

"What is it?" He asked with a scary face. Oh, he's smoking. I didn't see the cigarette in his mouth!

"Do you know what a Death Mark is?"

"Ah. You have one?" I nodded. "It means you now have a limited lifespan, depending on how dark the mark is. If it's light, you're still safe. If it's pitch black, you merely have a week to live. Let me see yours."

I unbuttoned my shirt and let him examine it.

"Well, there's no helping it, I guess. You only have a week. That wound is deep. I expected more from you, Princess." He leaned against the wall again as he continued to smoke.

"I guess I was a bit too confident that time. Is there any way to remove it?" I buttoned up my shirt again.

"I know 3 ways. 1, be a human; 2, kill yourself or; 3, kill 666 demons. You choose."

"Those are all difficult ways! Isn't there a much more easy one?"

"Killing yourself is easy."

"That's not what I meant."

We glared at each other for a few seconds then he handed me a necklace.

"What the hell am I going to do with this?" I was about to throw it away until he started talking...

"Let me explain first." He started. I lowered my arm and waited for him to continue. "The gem in the middle glows red when someone around you loves you and black when someone hates you. Green when someone sees you as a friend, yellow as a best friend, blue when worried and violet when angry. If you see the color change into something I didn't explain, contact me. Here's my number." He handed me a piece of paper with a number. I shoved it in my pocket and wore the necklace. The gem glowed green, no wait, yellow green. I guess I have more friends than I thought.

"What if it's a neutral feeling?" I asked, holding the yellow green gem close to my face.

"It glows white."

"What's the original color of this anyway?"

"It's transparent."

There was a brief silence. I stayed there for a bit before I remembered why I was staying there.

"Hey, where's the files that I told you to hide?" I presented my upturned palm to him.

He took it out from his bartender shirt and handed it to me.

"I also read it. I guess that general is something. You told me that you found this in their private jet, right?" I nodded as I look through the papers, not actually reading it. "Well, you might find some clues in there. Just so you know, I didn't tear some papers there. That's the whole document. There are just clues and hints but other than that, there's no answer to the real suspect. It doesn't say whether or not that King Abaddon is guilty or innocent."

"Don't worry. I will surely clear my father's name. I know he didn't murder them. I just know it..." I closed the folder. I snapped my fingers as I remembered about something. "Oh yeah, what does this necklace have to do with my pitch black Death Mark?" I pointed at the gem, still glowing yellow green.

"If someone who loves you kisses you in the week deadline without forcing it, your Death Mark will disappear into thin air. If you force the kiss, it will not work."

"What's the logic in that?!"

"Love energy. That Death Mark is full of hate and only love can cure it. Of course, a kiss on the lips only. If the Death Mark is directly kissed, bad things may happen. You know what will happen, don't you?"

"Of course..." I sheepishly answered. This is not like me at all!

"Oh, and don't mention anything about it. Like you can't go around and say 'kiss me, kiss me!'"

"And why is that?" I raised a brow.

"That counts as forcing it."

"Oh, I see. Alright then. Thanks for your help, Flame..." I turned around to go back with the others then abruptly stopped and faced him. "Good luck with your bar." I teased with a smirk.

"Shut up!" He shouted.

I laughed around, going back to the car.

Oh, I saw them! Man, they made Philip very tired. He's really exhausted! He's sweaty all over and his panting lingering his unconscious body. Hahaha. While these two troublemakers didn't even break a sweat!

Sebastian calmly carried Philip to the car bridal style and placed him on the shotgun seat.

"Ah, Celeste, met with Flame already?" Zan asked with a smile. I guess he had a lot of fun being chased around. After all, he'd done nothing but chase me around these recent days. I want to see his goofy personality again.

"Yeah." I answered. "Let's go, Flame."

"Yes, m'lady."

As soon as we got in the car, Zan scoots to the middle and asked with sparkling eyes. "So, what did he do to that mark of yours?"

"He didn't do anything. For it to heal, I should be the one who's doing something." I sighed and rested my head on my palm, all the weight goes to my elbow while I stare at the window. I'm glad it's fixed in no time. That's Sebastian for you! "I had three options but I have no plan on doing any of them."

"How long will you live?" He's obviously worried, looking at his expression. I don't have to look at the gem to see if he's actually worried... Woah, dark blue. He turned serious right now.

"That...doesn't have to do anything to you." I said that to make him less worried and be mad about me, not be more worried about me! Fuck, I messed up!

"It does."

"Huh?" I suddenly turned to him.

"I'm sorry but as a friend, it does. I know because you're a demon and you're confident that you're fine as the way you are, still, let me be concerned for you." He put up a very worried face. He was desperate. How can I say no to that face?

Huh? My necklace shines to glow bright red, very bright to be honest. Why?

I quickly tried to cover it with my hand. When I saw that it's useless, I turned away, covering it with my two hands.

"What's that, Celeste? Did someone give that to you?" Zan tried peeking.

"N-no! It's nothing." Wh-why am I blushing? I-I'm not drunk! Ah, maybe it's because of the shine of the necklace. Yeah, that may be it. That must be it! Why is it glowing bright red and it doesn't fade away?! Gghh...

"Sebastian." I called out. "Let's go to the Himbocole residence."

"Yes, m'lady."

•

I knocked on the grand door in front of me. I was greeted by Joan's foster father.

"Yes? What do you need?" He asked politely.

"We need your daughter." I answered impolitely.

"Why do you need our daughter?"

"I need her apology from yesterday. She stabbed me through the chest. Luckily, it wasn't that deep." I partially lied.

"I see. I'll go call her then. For the meantime, please come in." He invited.

We entered the Himbocole residence. As expected, none of us were amazed by how grand this is. After all, the Auden residence is grander.

"Make yourselves at home." He continued with a smile.

We sat on the living room formally, waiting for the snacks.

"Ah, snacks, that's right." He snapped then went to the kitchen. I guess he can read our expressions like we're expecting something.

"Dad, why is it so noisy in the kitchen?" Joan descends on the stairs, looking around. When she spotted us, she looked surprised. "Ah, Celeste and company. What are you doing here?"

"Joan, help me!!" I begged.

"What's wrong, Celeste?" She asked, panicking. She quickly ran towards me and hugged me.

"Did you seriously forgot that you were mad at her?" Zan commented in the distance.

"I..have a Death Mark...." I bowed my head. "...BECAUSE OF YOU, BITCH!" Then I snapped and slapped her, breaking the hug. The slap sent her flying to the other side of the room. After all, this is her fault for limiting my lifespan.

"I'm sorry, Celeste. I really am. I thought it was only shallow." She genuinely apologized.

"So did I..." I furrowed my eyebrows. I'm not sure if I'm angry or sad, but I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Is that all you're going to say? You need me to apologize to you genuinely?" She asked, still her back hurt from the impact.

"Yeah. I can take care of this myself so don't worry."

She suddenly laughed. "You want more to that from me, right?" She smirked. I fucking forgot that she can read minds!

"I guess it can't be helped... You can read my mind anyway..." I sighed. "But I don't want them to hear us." I stared at the other people, who are intensely listening to our conversation...except for Sebastian. He doesn't really care. Oh, I love him. Hahaha.

The necklace shines yellow. I knew it. Joan can't hate me forever anyway...

She pulled me upstairs and into her bedroom.

"You like purple?" I asked, staring at the purple-filed room.

"Hahaha. Isn't it obvious?" She laughed.

I walked to the bed and sat on it.

"You want to know about romance, right?" She sat beside me. "Why did you suddenly think about that?" She's holding back her laughter.

"I....think I was imagining things but when this gem in this necklace glowed red that says to glow when someone loves you, I...kind of...blushed, maybe?" I stuttered.

She put up a smug face. It annoys me...

"Hey, you like Zan, don't you?" She nudged.

I jolted and shivers ran along my whole body. "I-I-I-I don't know. How am I supposed to know? Ha...ha...ha..." I jittered around then dryly laughed.

"That sounds like you do." She smirked.

"SHUT UP!" I strongly denied.

"Joan?" Her father knocked. "I'm coming inside now." He promptly opened the door after he said that. "Ah, there you are. Would you like some tea and croquettes? You can have some downstairs."

"Thank you, Mr. Himbocole."

He gently closed the door. I can hear his faint footsteps toward downstairs.

"Hey, give me some soul food." Joan excitedly asked.

I opened up the black hole and gave her one soul.

"Thank you." She swallowed it whole.

"Aren't you an angel? Why are you swallowing human souls?" I squinted.

"Maybe because I got used to it."

"Oh yeah, you're right." I agreed.

Afterwards, we walked down the living room, seeing the others drinking tea and eating croquettes normally. I get that they're really not that civilized, except Sebastian, but I wonder if they still have some respect towards the owner. I mean, they're also rich, you know.

Joan nudged me once again, not erasing her smug face. When I glanced at her, she moves her eyes towards me then at Zan. She repeats this a few times before I slapped her again, this time, her face hitting the ground.

"Sorry for the floor and wall damage." I glared at her.

"I-i-it's ok.... I guess...." She nervously looked around.

"Well, I'll go and drink some tea and eat some croquettes." I lazily sat down beside Zan and took some croquettes.

"Hm? That's a nice necklace. Earlier, it was yellow, right?" He scoots closer, startling me. I suddenly dropped the croquette. When I backed away, the table shook. Luckily, no tea were spilled and no plates were shattered nevertheless cracked. "What's wrong?" He innocently asked.

"Something tells me that someone finally listened to me." Joan smiled as she took a cup of tea.

"Hey... Are you blushing or it's just the glow from your necklace?"

It's just the glow from the necklace, it's just the glow from the necklace, it's just the glow from the necklace.

"Nyes?" What the fuck did I just answer right now?!

"....what?" He tilted his head in confusion.

"Something tells me that someone is embarrassed~~" Joan further teased.

"I mean... What? Don't come near me, you piece of shit!!" I finally snapped back to my own original personality and kicked Zan away.

"Something tells me--"

"Stop that!!" I threw a teacup and the saucer that's underneath it at Joan, who's pissing me off with the repeated sayings.

Surprisingly, she dodged them.

"But seriously Celeste, you're too dense and insensitive about others that you're also forgetting your own feelings. Do you not feel the love of your parents, more importantly your mother to begin with? If you can, then it's easy for you to tell if you also love someone else." Joan explained seriously. This is a rare chance. I'll...listen to her.

"I'm sorry..." I hung my head when her lesson hit me. I don't know if it's a lesson actually. It's more like a lecture.

Then I realized why Zan is so protective of me, why he's always concerned... Because he cares. Because he l-l-lo-lo.... Damnit, I can't even say the word!

While I was in my thought zone, I just snapped back and I saw Zan scooting close to me then away, close then away, staring at the necklace.

"What are you doing?" I blankly asked him.

"Nothing. I'm wondering why your necklace glows red when I come near then glows white when I'm not. And pink when I'm in the same distance as Philip." He says, still staring at the necklace while he keeps scooting.

Oh right, Flame didn't actually say that the necklace glows depending on the emotion from the one that's nearest to me. But I figured that out quickly. If Zan scoots close to me, or course it will glow red. When he scoots away, Philip is the one closest to me. I guess he doesn't feel anything at all. Hmm...

"Well, stop it. It's irritating me."

Zan gave me a smug look before trolling me multiple times that he's scooting close to me.

I managed to snap and throw the remaining saucers and empty teacups at him. Unfortunately, he dodged all them and their shards.

"You fucking piece of shit!!" I shouted as I chase after him.

I'm glad he's back at his Bad Comedian self...

•

"Thank you for the snacks and a lesson and a bonus lecture, Joan Himbocole. I'll see you on Monday." I bid goodbye to Joan. "Oh and... Sorry for the mess." I genuinely apologized.

"That's ok, that's ok. We're rich anyway. We'll buy some teacups, saucers, repair the walls and floors, and we'll be fine the next day." Joan waved back.

"Ok. Thanks for inviting us." I replied, skipping to the car.

Once we're all in, we were set to go home.

"Are we going back, m'lady?" Sebastian asked.

"Yes. We're going back home." I answered.

I learned a lesson today, thanks to Joan. That's what I wanted from her anyway when I wanted to go to the Himbocole residence.

My thoughts circled around while I stare at the window...and my chest is throbbing...not because I now kind of realized what love is, but because of the Death Mark...