Isabella and Azazel sat in comfortable silence in her cozy living room, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm ambiance around them. Isabella's thoughts drifted as she admired the depth of Azazel's mesmerizing eyes, lost in their captivating beauty. The silence was broken as Isabella turned to him, her voice gentle yet determined as she called his name.
"Azazel," she said, her tone soft but commanding, seeking his full attention. Azazel turned to her, his gaze fixed upon her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. Isabella found herself momentarily entranced, captivated by his presence.
However, Azazel's mischievous nature couldn't resist teasing her. With a playful smirk, he couldn't help but comment, "Be sure to take a picture, Isabella. It would last longer." His words were laced with a teasing tone, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
Isabella's playful demeanor swiftly turned into a growl of mock annoyance. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge. "You wish, Azazel," she retorted, her voice laced with playful defiance. "You are not even my type."
Azazel chuckled, his confidence unshaken. "Oh, Isabella, my dear," he boasted, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "I am quite sure that I am every woman's dream man."
Isabella arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. She leaned back, crossing her arms and regarding him with a playful challenge. "Is that so?" she quipped, her voice filled with a mixture of amusement and skepticism.
Their banter faded as Isabella's curiosity got the better of her. She leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Azazel, do you have any idea who cursed you?" she asked, her voice tinged with both concern and determination.
Azazel's eyes met hers, a flicker of recognition passing through his gaze. He nodded, his voice laced with a hint of bitterness. "It was Grimstone," he replied, his tone carrying a weight of betrayal.
Azazel looked at Isabella his eyes filled with curiosity and intrigued by her sudden interest in the identity of his curse. "Isabella, why do you ask about the one who cursed me?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and vulnerability.
Isabella met his gaze with a determined expression. "I came across a book that mentioned a certain Grimstone as the one who cursed you and put you in a deep slumber," she explained, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and concern. "I couldn't help but wonder about the origins of this curse and why someone would do such a thing to you."
A bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of Azazel's lips as he listened to her words. Sadness lingered in his eyes as he recalled the painful memories of his past. "Ah, Grimstone," he said, his voice laced with a hint of melancholy. "He was my father's trusted servant, the one I considered a loyal ally."
Isabella leaned forward, her eyes locked onto his, eager for more information. "But why would Grimstone betray you and go as far as cursing you?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Azazel took a moment to collect his thoughts before he began to explain. "It was my father who sent Grimstone," he revealed, his voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and bitterness. "After I was banished from Paradise. Out of frustration, I started causing havoc in the mortal realm, my father saw no other option but to send Grimstone to stop me."
Isabella's eyes widened with surprise, her heart aching for the pain Azazel had endured. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Azazel, I can't imagine how betrayed and hurt you must have felt," she whispered, her voice filled with empathy. "To have someone you trusted turn against you in such a way."
A heavy silence hung in the air, the weight of their shared understanding palpable. Isabella suddenly mustered the courage to breach the subject that had been lingering in her mind. She turned her gaze towards Azazel, her eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of apprehension. "Azazel," she began cautiously, "can I ask you something? Why did you challenge your own father to a duel?"
Azazel's eyes flashed with anger as Isabella's question hit a nerve. His voice resonated through the room, filled with a thunderous intensity. "Know your limits, Isabella," he retorted, his tone sharp and fierce. "I do not wish to hurt you or breach the terms of our agreement."
Isabella, taken aback by his sudden outburst, felt a pang of guilt for prying into a sensitive topic. She quickly rose from her seat, her hand instinctively reaching out to grasp his, hoping to calm the tempest brewing within him. As her hand touched his, a shiver ran down her spine, realizing just how cold his hands were, as if touched by the icy breath of eternity.
"I...I'm sorry," Isabella stammered, her voice laced with sincerity and regret. "I didn't mean to upset you or touch upon a painful memory. I only asked because I genuinely care about you, Azazel. I want to understand your pain and help you lift this burden. But to do that, we need to cooperate and communicate."
Azazel's anger slowly ebbed away, replaced by a mixture of weariness and vulnerability. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating Isabella's words and the sincerity etched in her eyes. With a heavy sigh, he finally relented, sinking back into his seat.
He watched as she held his hand, offering comfort and understanding. A mix of emotions swirled within him, and he found himself compelled to apologize for his outburst. Clearing his throat, he looked into Isabella's eyes and spoke softly, "Isabella, I apologize for my sudden outburst earlier. It was uncalled for, and I should not have let my anger get the better of me."
Isabella's face lit up with a mixture of surprise and delight. She tried to hide her excitement, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Unable to contain herself, she burst into laughter. Azazel looked at her, perplexed by her sudden amusement. "Why are you laughing, Isabella?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Still chuckling, Isabella composed herself and explained, "It's just... it's funny to see the Almighty Azazel apologizing. You're known for your strength and pride, so seeing you humbly apologize is a delightful surprise."
Azazel's eyes widened momentarily, his lips curling into a smirk. A rare chuckle escaped his throat as he realized the humor in the situation. "Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything," he remarked with a hint of amusement. The tension between them eased, replaced by a lightness that hadn't been present before.
With a sense of resolution in the air, Isabella stood up, her gaze meeting Azazel's. "Thank you for apologizing, Azazel. I appreciate your willingness to acknowledge your actions," she said sincerely. "Now, it's time for both of us to get some rest. Goodnight, Azazel."
Azazel nodded, a warmth settling in his chest at the genuine kindness Isabella had shown him. "Goodnight, Isabella," he replied softly, watching as she made her way to her room.
As the door closed behind her, Azazel found himself reflecting on the events of the evening. He couldn't deny the growing connection he felt with Isabella. Apart from Isabella no one has ever cared about his feelings, not even his father or brother.