"Ah, I understand what you mean, my dear." Adzriel chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"You desire something beyond what I have already given you, don't you?" He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto Erika's with increasing intensity.
"Good. I will give you a different gift. Something you truly crave and seek. A desire deeper and darker than the wealth and power I have already granted you."
"Something I truly crave and seek? How about marrying you? Becoming your wife?" Erika spoke without thinking, completely falling for Adzriel's mesmerizing presence.
Tall and broad, muscular and strong, his tousled hair and thick eyebrows made him look strikingly handsome. No one would suspect that behind such an alluring appearance lay the form of a demon.
"Marry me, you say?" Adzriel's thick brows lifted in surprise, his eyes widening slightly at Erika's suggestion.
"Well, you certainly know how to surprise me, my dear. You want to marry me, don't you? How… interesting." He pondered Erika's request, a sly smirk forming on his lips.
"And why, tell me, why do you want to marry me?" His question was serious, while Erika was nothing more than a fickle mortal who had spoken without much thought.
"Honestly, I don't know what I want. I just want more benefits from giving you more souls," Erika replied bluntly.
"Ah, a pragmatic reason for marriage." Adzriel chuckled, his smile widening into a sinister grin.
"You wish to marry me for gain, not for love or affection, I see. Well, my dear, I suppose I can't fault your honesty." He stepped closer, his eyes scrutinizing Erika's face, taking in every detail.
"That's not a pragmatic reason! I already have everything in this world because of you, from you. So, I don't know what else I want. Becoming so powerful has made me realize that having everything means nothing—if I must be followed by a cursed being like you!" Erika's voice grew sharp. Just moments ago, she had offered marriage to Adzriel, but now her arrogance had returned once more.
"Tsk, tsk, my dear. Such harsh words." Adzriel shook his head, his expression twisting into a mock frown.
"You should show more respect to the one who holds your soul, hmm? I can make your life a living hell, my dear, if you continue to be so insolent." It was the first time Adzriel had encountered a mortal filled with arrogance rather than fear when facing him.
"I don't care! I regret selling my soul to you!" Erika spat.
"Oh, now you regret it?" Adzriel let out a humorless, icy laugh.
"A bit too late for regrets, my dear. You made a pact, you sealed your fate. There's no undoing it now. You are mine—forever. And I fully intend to enjoy possessing every part of you." His gaze darkened as his grip on Erika's wrist tightened.
Possessive much, Erika thought.
"Get away from me, you cursed creature!" Erika struggled to break free from his grasp.
"Now, now, watch your tongue, my dear." Adzriel's eyes flashed with anger, his grip tightening further.
"I am not just any creature. I am the Prince of Darkness. I am the one who granted you all your desires. You should choose your words more carefully—unless you'd rather I remove that tongue of yours."
"I'd love to have no tongue, so I wouldn't have to bring you more souls. Because without a tongue, I couldn't speak, I couldn't persuade people. Besides, what do you even take pride in? The Prince of Hell?" Erika mocked him, testing Adzriel's patience.
"Ah, such a sharp tongue. Quick to think of a witty comeback." Adzriel chuckled, his grip on Erika unwavering.
"And so full of spirit, too. That's what makes you so entertaining, my dear. Still trying to defy me, even now. It's pointless. But I'll humor you—for now. As for my title, I am not just the Prince of Hell, my dear. I am the Prince of Darkness, the Collector of Souls. The demon of wealth and luxury. And I own your soul."
A clap of thunder rumbled outside, followed by a red flash in Adzriel's eyes, reminding Erika that the being before her was no ordinary creature.
She only pretended to be strong to keep him from intimidating her further.
"Why am I only now realizing that I sold my soul to a foolish prince of hell?" She muttered as her robe slipped off her shoulders, falling to the floor.
Adzriel chuckled, recognizing something he had seen once before—two years ago in the forest.
Erika hastily grabbed her robe and stormed away from Adzriel.
Yet, the demon followed her up to the second floor, where her room was.
"Foolish, am I?" Adzriel raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing in irritation. He walked behind the woman who looked as if she had never faced a man in her entire life.
"Foolish, you say? I am the one who granted your deepest desires, my dear. I am the one who gave you everything you wanted. You should be on your knees, thanking me for all that I have done for you."
He appeared suddenly in front of Erika, his presence overwhelming.
"And yet, you dare call me a fool? I should teach you some manners, my dear."
Erika's body fell onto the bed—without Adzriel even touching her. Somehow, he had willed it.
"Then teach me!" Erika challenged him. "Are you truly a demon, or just a pathetic being who cannot wait until my death to claim my soul?"
It was a situation that greatly favored Adzriel. The woman lay beneath him, weak, her robe slightly open.
"Oh, I will teach you, my dear. I will teach you what happens when you do not respect the Prince of Darkness."
Adzriel's eyes burned with anger as he loomed over Erika, forcing her face to meet his.
"It seems you doubt my power, my dear. I am not just any being. I am a powerful demon, capable of making your life a living hell—quite literally. You should fear me, my dear. You should tremble at my feet, begging for mercy."
Adzriel growled, towering over Erika.
"Why should I beg for your mercy, when I will burn in hell anyway? I'd rather beg for God's mercy—it would be better if I just died." Erika's voice wavered slightly as Adzriel pressed his body against hers.
"Ah, you think God will listen to your pleas for mercy, my dear? How naïve. God does not care about human souls like yours—souls that have been sold to demons like me. You are cursed, my dear. Cursed to burn in Hell for eternity."
Adzriel chuckled darkly, his grip tightening on her chin.
"And why should you beg for my mercy, you ask? Because I can make your time in Hell far more unbearable than it needs to be. I can turn your existence into a nightmare. Soon, you will beg for death."
His crimson eyes burned with fury, aching to punish this mortal who neither feared nor submitted to him.