DISCLAIMER: This is a creative creation of the writer. All names, personalities, organizations, settings, events, and scenarios are made up. Any resemblance to real individuals, living or dead, or to actual events is entirely coincidental.
Celeste awoke in bed, immediately noticing Leviathan's absence beside her. Panic surged through her until she spotted him emerging from behind the curtains, a smirk playing on his lips.
"You slept well, Celeste," Leviathan teased.
Rubbing her eyes and taking in his disheveled morning appearance, Celeste asked, "Did you put me in bed?"
"I did. You'd have been uncomfortable if you'd slept on my arm," Leviathan pointed out.
Celeste chuckled nervously. "Did I do anything weird?"
"You kept on hugging me," Leviathan laughed, recalling the moment.
Feeling embarrassed, Celeste quickly changed the subject. "Let's just forget about that, shall we?"
As Celeste stood up to check Leviathan's temperature, he seemed to be feeling well now. However, her evident worried expression did not go unnoticed by Levi.
"Celeste, there's something I have to tell you," Levi said gently, guiding her to sit down.
Celeste mumbled, "Go ahead."
"The next full moon is coming soon, and I'm still weighing my options," Levi explained.
Holding his hand, Celeste replied with concern, "You should've told me earlier. If only I knew, I could've helped you."
"My father talked to me about my options last time, but I want it to benefit both of us," Leviathan confessed, caressing her hand.
Celeste bit her lower lip, her eyes full of determination. "I'm here, so don't worry too much. We'll figure it out together. And by the way, those eyeglasses of yours make you even more attractive."
Levi was surprised by her sudden comment, and he playfully touched her long hair. Her scent was addictive, leading him to lean in and gently kiss her neck.
Celeste felt a jolt rush through her body. "Agh, Levi-"
"Don't be noisy, or else they will hear us," Levi whispered in her ear, his voice sending shivers down her spine.
Celeste quickly covered her mouth to lessen the noise, whispering, "They?"
"Mhm," Levi confirmed, stealing a quick kiss on her cheek.
Flustered, Celeste covered her face, questioning, "Levi, what are you doing?"
"You're just too cute," Levi grinned mischievously, enjoying teasing her.
As Celeste composed herself, Levi continued to playfully tease her, keeping her in his lap. Their laughter filled the room until they heard a knock at the door.
"Matthew, is that you?" Levi called out.
"Yes, boss. Lady Celeste told me to prepare a light breakfast for you," Matthew responded from outside.
"Sweet of you, Celeste," Levi remarked, brushing his finger over her lips playfully.
Caught off guard by his touch, Celeste gently lifted his chin with her hand, slowly removing his eyeglasses. "You're hot as hell."
"I'm all yours, baby," Levi whispered, his gaze fixed on her soft, pinkish lips.
Suddenly, Matthew opened the door, surprising them both. "Oh god! Was I interrupting your moment?"
"N-No... I was about to leave," Celeste stammered, hastily removing herself from Levi's lap and rushing out the door.
Matthew, glancing between them with confusion, asked, "Did you both just...?"
"Let's just say we were talking," Levi replied, crossing his arms with a smirk.
As Celeste made her way to the living room, she noticed Leviticus sitting on the sofa. Unsure of how to initiate a conversation, he took the lead.
"Celeste, nice to see you here," Leviticus greeted, his gaze fixed on her.
"Likewise," Celeste replied politely, her demeanor guarded.
"I've noticed you are quite fond of my younger brother," Leviticus observed, his tone stern.
Celeste met his gaze squarely, ready to address the matter head-on. "I know we are arranged to get married, but I don't particularly have an interest in you."
"I understand. I know you'll decline, but I had a bit of hope. Wouldn't you mind if I ask you?" Leviticus's words hung in the air, casting a somber tone over the conversation.
Curious about his question, Celeste nodded. "About what?"
Before Leviticus could continue, Leviathan appeared before them. Celeste immediately turned around and cuddled him, seeking comfort in his presence. Leviathan reciprocated with a faint smile, embracing her gently.
"Finished eating already?" Celeste gently cupped Leviathan's face with her hand.
Leviathan nodded with a contented smile. "Yes, it was a hearty meal. Thank you," he replied, kissing her on the forehead.
Leviticus interjected with a laugh, "Ahem. I'm still here, wouldn't you mind?"
Leviathan teased him, "You wouldn't mind, right?"
"Leviathan, it hurts you know," Leviticus playfully acted, feigning offense.
Matthew joined in the laughter, causing all of them to turn their heads towards him.
Realizing their oversight, Matthew chuckled and said, "Oh c'mon, everyone, I'm enjoying being here too."
They all laughed off the moment and decided to spend the rest of the day taking a break. However, Celeste's peace was interrupted by a call from her dad, prompting her to excuse herself.
"Dad? Did something happen?" Celeste answered, her tone concerned.
Syron's voice came through the phone, slightly teasing. "Did you talk with him?"
"Which one?" Celeste asked, intrigued.
Syron chuckled. "Oh right! There are two of them."
"Dad, stop teasing me," Celeste said, covering her face in embarrassment.
Syron's tone softened. "Tell me about both of them."
"Leviticus is a friendly person and all, but I just don't feel romantically interested in him," Celeste explained to her father.
Syron responded with a mumble, prompting Celeste to continue.
"Meanwhile, Leviathan... I feel something I've never felt before, though I want to take it slow with him," Celeste admitted, her thoughts drifting to Leviathan as she spoke.
Syron laughed softly, his voice filled with understanding. "As I expected from you. Take your time getting to know him. I won't rush you."
"Thank you, Dad," Celeste said gratefully before ending the call.
As Leviticus passed by her, he noticed the faint smile on her face. However, her expression quickly shifted to seriousness, catching him off guard.
"Do you need anything?" Celeste asked, her tone neutral.
Leviticus hesitated before responding, "About earlier..."
"What were you saying?" Celeste leaned against the wall, prompting him to continue.
Leviticus took a deep breath before revealing, "Did you know that Leviathan only has three years left to live?"
Surprised, Celeste furrowed her eyebrows. "No, I wasn't informed. What is your point?"
Leviticus's expression shifted his words carrying a weighty implication. "He won't be with you forever. Is that okay with you?"
Celeste's response was firm, cutting through his attempt to meddle. "He should be the one telling me, not you. Don't go ahead of yourself, Leviticus."
Her words left Leviticus speechless, his attempt at intervention thwarted. He resigned himself to letting her be, recognizing the inherent wisdom in humans, despite their irrational tendencies. Humans, he reflected, often surpassed expectations in various ways.
Observing Celeste and Leviathan enjoying themselves, Leviticus couldn't help but marvel at their connection. "Now I know why he's so fond of you. How lucky that bastard is," he muttered to himself.
As he watched them, Leviticus came to understand the significance of their bond, recalling the words of their father. 'Each and everyone deserves to be loved, not now but soon it will be,' the almighty had stated.
"Come join us, older brother," Leviathan's voice broke through Leviticus's thoughts, accompanied by a faint smile.
Feeling a surge of happiness for his brother, Leviticus nodded. "So be it."
In that moment, happiness radiated from them, precious and priceless. And in Leviathan's office, the golden book suddenly glowed with energy.
'Mission 1: Patience has been fulfilled.'