20:15 PM, Sarah Anderson and the Incubi brothers, Dining Area.
Dinner was... how to put it... Awkward... to say the least.
Due to our 'little' delay, both Erik and I ended up on opposite sides of the table. We sat and, low-headed (at least me, I hated being late to anything), we started eating our food; they were already at the second plate, almost reaching desert.
While Mathew and Sam chitted-chatted energetically, competing with each other like, 'who managed to put more food in their mouth', and James' eye twitching in irritation, holding back so hard a reprimand (good self-control indeed), Damien remained silent observing both me and Erik. I was so uncomfortable with his intent gaze that I remained glazed on my plate, 'having fun' separating the peas from the rice and spreading them all the way to the plate's border. He must know what we were doing, what else could we be doing? Playing chest? I couldn't stop thinking about it earlier, playing in my mind over and over, despite my efforts to avoid Damien's mind-reading. I knew that he knew, and God knows what he was thinking. Ugh! I feel so embarrassed! He must think I'm some kind of depraved woman! I thought, wanting a hole to open up on the floor. How am I ever gonna look at Damien in the eye now!? I freaked out and a poor pea paid the price. Then it hit me. Did he...? I puffed my cheeks, slapping them slightly in a vail attempt to send away that thought. Oh God...! Did he heard... did he heard me... h-he... us-us... moaning? A sudden rosiness colored my face.
"Everything okay, miss? It seems your mind is far away from this table." As James addressed me, silence fell upon our table.
I looked away from the fork and the poor murdered pea in the middle of the plate; all of them were staring at me with mixed expressions written all over their faces. James was eyeing me with a worried expression, both Sam and Mathem were looking at me confused, faces stuffed almost like balloon fishes, Damien had a serious, blank expression, and Erik, who had just put a spoon in his mouth with a yummy-looking piece of the cheesecake, was looking at everybody totally lost in what was happening.
"It can't be good, look at the 'murdered' pea on the plate!" Sam pointed out, with his mouth still full of food, in a mocking tone.
Mathew grabbed his stomach and just laughed out loud at his brother's statement; I could almost see his food jumping off his mouth. He really tried to stop to catch a breath. Mathew leaned over the table and took a few breaths. "Oh-my-gosssh!" Was all he said.
Awkwardly, I dropped gently my fork and moved my hands slowly to under the table. I grabbed the hem of my skirt, "It was an accident..." and whispered, more to myself than to them. But, who was I kidding, that poor pea suffered greatly at my hands.
"Really you two?! You are both acting like pigs! " James scoled them. "And don't talk with your mouths full, it's rude."
Mathew, ashamed, swallowed his food hard and lowered his head. "S-Sorry..."
Sam did as well but said. "Speak for yourself. I'm not."
James took two fingers to the bridge of his nose and rubbed it quite roughly. He sighed in exasperation. "Well, moving forward..." Then, he averted his gaze back at me. "Miss?"
"Y-Yes?" I raised my head.
"You didn't eat, at all. Are you not hungry? Are you feeling unwell? Is there anything you don't like? I can make you something else if you like." James was seriously pushing the issue.
I shook my head in reply before saying whatever more. "No! No! I'm hungry! Really! I'm just... I was just... nevermind... it's nothing..." And lowered my head once again, reminded what happened inside of Erik's room and who probably knew what we're doing was the devil's tango. A hot red blush took over my face.
James remained with his gaze upon me for a few more minutes, after that he said while returning to finish his meal. "If you say so, miss. I hope you're not lying."
"Promise." I said.
Eventually, we finished dinner. Sam and Mathew immediately disappeared; most probably, they went running to my grandfather's studio to play video games. I decided to stay and help James, Damien and Erik take the dirty plates back to the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher. They instantly dismissed my help. How stubborn. I lived here too, I had to help. It was common sense.
"Don't worry, Princess. Go upstairs and rest." Erik said.
"Yes. We'll take it from here." Damien corroborated.
James nodded in agreement with his brothers.
Despite their insistence in sending me away, I stayed and helped. After everything was back to its place, we said goodnight, and each one of us went our separate ways. James went to the library to read his favorite book - 'Study of Intimacy' -, Damien stayed and prepared a cup of tea for himself and, as for me and Erik, we went upstairs to our rooms. Erik was keen to escort me to my room. He kissed my forehead and said goodnight. I wanted him to stay with me but, tomorrow was going to be a long day of school. I had to get a good night's sleep and, if he were to stay, I'm sure I wouldn't get any... Not that I was complaining, or anything, it was just... well... maybe for the weekend. After watching him leave and disappear at the end of the corridor, I entered my own room and quickly put on my pajamas, and went straight to bed. I pulled the covers over my legs, laid my head over the pillow, rubbing my cheek on it letting sink its softness, and closed my eyes. As my consciousness ebbed, my mind went blank. All it took were a few minutes.
(...)
I was peacefully sleeping when some bothersome noises reached my ears. It was voices and, maybe, some children's laughter, from afar. I struggled a bit to open my eyes. It was too bright. Frustrated, I sat down and rubbed my eyes roughly. After the whole process of 'getting used to the light' ceased, I found myself to be in a foreign place. "Where am I?" I murmured to myself. I looked down; I was sitting in a comfy king-sized canopy bed with velvet-smooth bedsheets and purple curtains with a gold sun-shaped design scattered randomly but neatly by the fabric. The room seemed really old-fashioned like age of Kings and Queens' type, but very far back. Looking behind me there was a fireplace and a wooden bench in front. It was fired up, roaring oddly quiet. Following its solid structure upwards, a medium-sized gold mirror hung alone on the wall, reflecting back myself and the bed. I shifted on the mattress and approached the edge to better observe my complex mirrored. It was, just me. Nothing odd about that. I sighed in relief and sat on the edge of the bed. While continuing to analyze that foreign room, my gaze stopped upon an old, handmade carpet hanging by a steel stick. It seemed to tell a story about a girl exiled from earth to the underground. I didn't have the chance to know more about the story because something else outside caught my attention instead. Curious, I got up from the bed, surrounded it, and went right at the door eavesdrop. Discreetly, I opened the bedroom door to have 'sight' too, not alone 'ears'. No one was in the hallway. Now was obvious that the voices I heard were coming from the room in front of mine. I got out and, in a wool foot, I cautiously walked over there. I was still middle way and was already clear that someone was yelling. I reached the doorknob and thought. Should I? I immediately shook my head dismissively. I need to find someone. I need to know where I am. I want to go home. Dashing, I turned the doorknob and, as I slightly opened the door, I saw something that took my breath away altogether. Inside was Irene dressed with some kind of dance garment I couldn't relate to any of the ceremonies I knew about; at least to those, we had in the human world. She was preparing for something, that was sure. But to what? I sneaked in and hid behind the first furniture I found. I peaked my head; Irene was back-facing the standing golden mirror scolding a young blonde girl respectively dressed in a blue gown... wait... has she... does she have rabbit ears?! They twitched at each word Irene yelled. I blinkered both shocked and surprised at that unordinary sight. How was that possible?! I shifted places. I was too far to hear anything.
"What do you think you are?!" Irene was shaking roughly the girl by one arm. "Don't you know your place, servent?!"
The girl stared at her, eyes filling up with tears. "M-M' lady...! I-I'm so-sorry, it was never my inten--!"
"Oh, don't you give me that! You knew exactly what you're doing! You sneaky daughter of a demon!" Irene cried, not holding back her words.
"M' lady, p-plea--...!" She whimpered
"Shut up!" Irene didn't let the poor girl finish her sentence, she just slapped her without thinking twice about it.
I shrank my shoulders instinctively at the sound of a skin-to-skin clasp. The young girl's face brutally turned my way; her eyes were watery, her lip quivering. She touched the spot where Irene had just hit. The rabbit girl looked up between strands of her hair fringe. Startled, I immediately hid my head back. I took a hand to my chest to regain my composure; I was breathing heavily, my heart was beating wildly. I hope she didn't saw me! I pleaded. But... I peaked again. ... she definitely did...
"P-Please...! D-Don't tell master! It-It was never m-my intention." She tried to explain herself, to apologize, to appeal to Irene's good side but, when she looked at her eyes she saw that there wasn't a hint of benevolence in them.
"You think I'll be quiet about this? Uh?! Do you. seriously think that?!" Irene continued her yelling. "Answer me! Do. You?!"
The girl bowed beyond the reasonable line - she was almost glued to the ground -, replied almost in a whisper. "N-No..."
"I didn't hear you!"
She closed her eyes firmly and her body cringed again. "No m'lady..." She repeated.
Irene smiled. "Now, that's how a servant should behave before his masters."
"But m' lady isn't part of the family yet..." She muttered naively.
Does she have a death wish?! I thought shock to myself. Haven't already Irene proved what she's capable of?! What's up with you girl?
"What did you say, you pathetic waste of space?" Irene squinted her eyes and leaned in. As she leaned, the girl leaned backward in accordance."You better shut that pretty mouth of yours or else..." She threatened, slightly pulling up the solid metal collar with her index finger, which the bunny girl had around her bruised neck.
Inevitably, the girl closed both her eyes and looked away. She had a painful expression written all over her face. "I-I'll do... I'll do...! I'm sorry..." She begged for forgiveness.
"Sorry don't cut it," Irene said annoyed. "I should report this. You servents need to know your place. But not now. I'm not going to let it ruin my wedding day."
My jaw dropped open at the sudden information. Her wedding?! That would mean--! I moved and stared directly at Irene's eyes dumbfounded.
Calmer, Irene sat on the little seat in front of the mirror and threw her hair back; it fell perfectly over her shoulders. "Finish it." She simply said. "The ceremony is about to start."
The girl bowed her head respectfully. "Yes, m' lady." And, without further due, she went to do her master's hair. "How do you wish it to be?" She asked, still expectant of another scolding.
"Braided, please. It will go perfectly with my beautiful brown circle-shaped marks." Irene said with a smiled over her lips and sparkle on her emerald eyes. Her sudden change of attitude struck me deeply. "I want some flowers in my hair too!"
"Daisies?" The servant girl asked.
Like a drama-queen, Irene took a hand to her mouth and giggled softly. "You know me too well, Cinnamon!"
Cinnamon's lips curved into a pained smile. "M-M' lady is so easy to read." She babbled nervously, still with the thought of being hit her again for the innocent observations wavering in her mind.
Irene's face moved a little too slowly as if she was taking in her reflection in the mirror more than anything else. Then she grinned."I am, aren't I?"
Cinnamon braided Irene's hair in silence, placing at each tangle a multi-colored daisy. A few minutes passed. The servant girl was nearly at the end of the braid when a knock on the door echoed. I had to shift my hideout or else I would be discovered.
"Yes? C'mon in~!" Irene sang cheerfully. That was indeed a scary side of her.
I looked at the door as it started to open wide. I did not expect at all what I saw next. I gasped in shock that I had to cover my mouth so, I wouldn't be caught. My heart froze at the man who presented himself at the door with a mischievous grin. That was the blooded Demon Lord! The Incubi father! Erik's father...
"Maesmer." He said while walking over to her and, like a decent and self-respected lady, Irene raised her hand for him to kiss. Being a 'gent', the Demon Lord bent over and kissed over her knuckles.
So that's her demon name... I thought to myself.
"You look marvelous, my dear." He praised her.
Irene took her free hand to her mouth and pretended to muffle a giggle. She looked like a little school girl crushing hard on a boy. It made me remind me about a game I played a couple of months ago. What was its name? Yan... Yan-... -dere... 'Yandere Simulator'? Was that it?
"The ceremony is about to start. Are you ready?" He asked, without drawing his attention from Irene, who just simply replied with a nod. "You. Servent girl." He addressed Cinnamon sternly. "Have you finish preparing the... most beautiful Demon of Lilith in all Abyssal Plans?" His voice softened as he progressed with his words, Irene's reaction seemed too faint to be called truthful.
Cinnamon's body was slightly bowed in front of both; she did not dare to move one millimeter from her place. "Y-Yes mas-ster..." She babbled helplessly. I felt pity for her. No one deserved to be treated like that. I should help her somehow but, this was a dream, right? This wasn't real, right? She didn't exist, right?
The Demon Lord seemed happy by the answer and the obedience showed. "Good. Maesmer."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Let's not take too long and leave my beloved son waiting." He offered her his arm which Irene took immediately. Both left the room chatting.
I came out from my hideout once the door closed, and went running directly to the bunny girl.
She ran in my direction too. I was stopped middle track by her hand on my shoulders. "You must stop her, Sarah!" She said in a warning tone; I could sense there was a catch behind it if I didn't do it as I was told.
"I know b-but... wait, how do you know my name?!" I asked shocked. I did not expect that.
"That's not important right now Sarah! You must stop this wedding or your reality will forever be changed!" Another warning.
"W-What's that suppose to mean?!" I said, now scared that this was no ordinary dream.
"Sarah, this is an 'altering dream'... you must not let her end it how she wants it!" There she was with more inexcusable warnings.
"Wow, wow, wow... slow down er-r..."
"Cinnamon. My friends call me Cinn... at least they would if I had any friends.... so... nice to make your acquaintance."
"Same. Now, tell me Cinn. What's going on exactly? Where am I? Am I in a dream? Won't I wake up at the end? Why was the Demon Lord in my dream? A wedding? Why do I have to stop her? H-How do I stop her?" I asked, wanting some answers. "But, above all, what's an 'altering dream'?"
She sighed, understanding now the situation. "Take it easy girl, I will explain everything." She said. "For starters, you are in a bubble-stage created to be used in this type of dream. Everybody present here exists, only that they are not really here, they are some sort of holograms created to give this scenario a vibe a bit more natural and trustworthy. Now, answering your last question, an 'altering dream' is a dream where its inflictor can change the curse of events not only here but also in reality. He can change the future within this very bubble. This is one of the first spells they teach you in wizardry class and the easiest spell to pull off."
"Wait, so the Demon Lord isn't really here? Not Irene, not you?" I asked, not caring that I was in a life or death situation, so to speak, or to what she had just told me about magic and stuff.
"No. He is. All of this was his idea. He knew he could never bring back his sons so, this was the way he arranged to do it." She briefly explained. "And since Ezaeur was nowhere to be found, the Demon Lord had no chance but to follow plan B: force his second-oldest son to marry the second more richest and powerful clan. That's where Maesmer entered... she was already so mesmerized with him that she accepted right away."
"So, is he the one casting the dream?"
"No. I am." She bowed her head ashamedly. "They threaten to kill my family if I didn't corporate." Her eyes dripped with pain tears. "It was her who told the Demon Lord about this method! I'm such a full! I trusted m' lady with my life so I told her! She was so different back when that icky man entered her life! No offense..."
I touched her shoulder and raised her chin up with my index finger. I smiled reassuringly. She was a good girl indeed. I could see good intentions in her eyes. "None taken." I said.
She smiled back and rubbed the back of her hand. "She's now different from me. She never treated me like this. Like trash... we were somewhat close so.... this is new to me, so strange to see her like this... and..."
"You secretively like her." I was so surprised at my words as she was.
Cinn's blush seared through her cheek and she averted her gaze embarrassed. "T-That's not it! N-No... It's just... I want my kind lady back... that's all..."
I frowned my eyebrow. "Sure, if you say so."
"M-Moving on, the reason why I'm here is to ask you for your help. I need you to stop them from achieving what they intend to. I couldn't, I tried really hard but she doesn't let go. This could break an entire timeline. It would be chaos if so!" Cinn explained.
I nodded understanding what she was saying but, there was one thing. "Erik's here? Or is he... a hologram too?"
"Erik...?" She seemed confused.
Oh? But of course! That's his human name! She couldn't know. "Uzaeris..."
"Oh! Yes, he is here... in the flesh and bones like you and me, and Maesmer and the Demon Lord." She clarified.
"Why? Why bringing him if all she wants is to affect me psychologically?" I asked.
"As I told you, this is a dream which can change reality and, if she wants what I think she wants..."
"Yeah... she wants me far away from Erik... wants him all to herself... she made that very clear already..." I spitted those bittersweet words as if there was a lemon in my mouth.
"I see. Then, for her to accomplish that, she needs him to be in this dream." Cinn thought out loud. "And if he's here, he was willing to let her entered his dreamland--..."
"He would never--...!" That statement pissed me off so badly that I swear I could strangle her right there.
Cinn rolled her eyes while exasperated by my hot-headed speech, "Don't be rash. He was only willing to because she disguised herself as you. I saw the whole process." and continued, "Now, I hate to be the one to break it to you but, you have to be prepared, Sarah. Uzaeris isn't in his normal state of mind. He's er-r.... how to put this... in a vegetative state..."
"I-I see... she's controlling him..." I muttered, anger boiling inside my body. I clenched my hands and tried to get a hold of myself.
The girl nodded, "Someone told her how to do it, Mathew's mother." She shrugged, fearful of what I could say or do.
"Then, why am I here?" I asked her. "She'll get what she wants so, I don't stand a chance against her, I'm only human."
Cinn breathed out and said, "You're here because she wants you to look in his eyes and see you lost."
"I can't do this," I shook my head in disbelief; my eyes tearing up and her lower lip quivering. I kept asking what I did to deserve such hatred from that woman.
The bunny girl grabbed me by the shoulders and gave me a squeeze. Now was her turn to return the comforting gesture, "Don't give up, Sarah. We won't let that happen. We will stop this before it's too late. I have your back, promise." and, whipped some of the tears that had fallen.
But, I nodded my head and tried to look brave. "T-Th--ank--s..." That was all I could say in the midst of my sobs.
"No problem." She replied with a reassuring smile. "Now, let's find you some decent clothing. You can't go in those garments! You need to be at your best when you save all five plains!"
I giggled between my sobs and tears. "Y-You're too generous with me."
Cinnamon took no notice of my words and opened the cabinet behind the small, but long brown sofa. She brought me the most beautiful, modern dress I have ever seen. It was a pearl laced-dress by the knee, with frills at the end of the sleeves.
"It's... wow... gorgeous!" I exclaimed, eager to try it on.
"I know, I know... you can thank me later!" she glanced up as she walked through, and winked at me.
"I couldn't possibly accept it..." I said, spreading my hands to feel the fabric of the dress.
"Yes, you can! Now, put it on, you don't have much time Sarah! There's a soul bidding ritual to stop!" She raised her voice. "I can't go with you, because they don't know I'm actually here, but, I'll help as much as I can. I'll tell you where the ritual will take place and how to get there. I'll explain to you how to avoid the brute demons guarding the gates. It's important that they don't catch you. Pass that, and you just have to cross the ballroom to the courtyard. Once you get there, you won't have much time because, knowing the Demon Lord, he'll call his strongest demons to restrain you. It's imperative to make Uzaeris see that everything is an illusion and that you are the real deal."
I nodded determinedly. Irene wasn't going to steal Erik from me, I wouldn't let it happen even if I had to die trying.