《Dawn of the Damned Prince》


 Ch 1: No Mercy for the Damned - Part 1

    ¡°Capture the 5th Consort. Don¡¯t let her escape, or the queen will have our head. Hurry up and capture them at all costs.¡±


    Night¡¯s darkness hid many secrets in this world. For most, it was their shady dealings made with a guilty consciousness. For others, it was affairs they could not talk openly about.


    But for a concubine, it was a matter of life and death.


    She ran as fast as she could, her feet tangling in the roots of the forest trees as she tried to evade her inevitable capture and flee with her son. Her only goal was to get to the site of sacrifice and start the ancient ritual.


    ¡®A blood oath! That is the only way for you and me to survive. So please, make it there in time!¡¯


    Sweat covered the concubine¡¯s face as she did her best to evade her capture. The once beautiful face was marred with dirt and tears, its shine long lost to the cruelty of the imperial court.


    And yet, she kept walking until she could finally see her goal in sight.


    ¡°We found the hideout! This must be where the concubine was headed. Hurry up and seal this place. Make sure no one can enter here.¡±


    The imperial guard sent here by the queen arrived minutes before the imperial concubine reached the cabin hidden deep in the forest.


    A familiar fear haunted the imperial concubine when she looked at the rich blue of the imperial attire these guards wore.


    Her son had never been allowed to wear that color due to his condition of being born a cripple, but even a common foot soldier could wear the imperial sigil with pride when they wanted to.


    ¡®This is not fair! These lowly people¡­how dare they¡­!¡¯


    Anger burned the imperial concubine, but there was not much she could do. The real power among all the imperial females belonged to the queen first and the princess second.


    She, as the fifth concubine with no family or support, was just a puppet who was there to distract other competition.


    That was why she had already fallen out of the emperor¡¯s grace and became an easy target to go after.


    ¡®I need to find the entrance to this place. I cannot give up now. Not when I have gotten this far already.¡¯


    There seemed to be no way to enter this place, but the imperial concubine was not ready to give up.


    She had arranged this place with a purpose in her mind. She knew all the ways to enter this place and that included some of the secret entrances as well. Now, she could only hope that one of these entrances was left untouched.


    And luckily for her, one of them was not guarded.


    It was located under a heavy boulder, which required massive effort to push it open. However, the female did not give up; she pushed the boulder up before slipping inside the small hole.


    It was a small and dark path with no light shining inside. The only way forward was a single narrow path that was filled with huge rocks and uneven crevices.


    For a fragile concubine who had never done any work, this was a path that was filled with unimaginable hardships.


    And yet, the imperial concubine continued to walk this path and make her way across. She did not even use any light source because she wanted to avoid the changes of it contaminating her son¡¯s health.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! We are almost there. Just a little more, and we will make it.¡±


    The concubine promised before she felt the passage end. Her hand and her arms were numb by this point, but she did not care. She forced the door open with what little strength she had left before she exited the passage.


    She entered the back storage, which was easy to overlook while checking, and from there, she made her way slowly to the place she had prepared for the sacrifice to take place.


    The concubine was confident that she would be able to make it¡­but she did not want to risk it. That was why, the concubine put her arms around the child in her arms before she hid him behind the barrels.


    For the first time in a while, gentle, motherly eyes looked at the child in front of her.


    ¡°I am sorry, Fenrir. If only my mother were a little more powerful, I would have been able to save your life. But you have to understand that it is your fault as well. If only you were not born a cripple, we won¡¯t be in this mess.¡±


    The concubine looked pained as she spoke. But her words did not reach the kid she had poisoned to get out of the imperial castle.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Mom will go and secure our life now. Please hold on until I am back. We shall have our revenge soon. Please, keep hanging on until then.¡±


    The female spoke softly, but no one heard her pleas.


    Disheartened at the lack of any sign of acknowledgment, the concubine decided to leave the unconscious body all alone and head out to fulfill the promise she had made.


    Now alone, she made her way to the sacrificial chamber, and the altar shined. A single cut caused her to bleed and activate the circle that would bring the divine being here.


    ¡°Hurry! We found her. The concubine is a devil worshipper. She is using forbidden magic. Hurry up and catch her.¡±


    The imperial guards hurried toward her room, but it was too late.


    Since the sacrifice had been initiated, it could no longer be stopped. The only thing that could be done was to delay the inevitable.


    ¡°You all came here on the orders of the queen? How loyal of you. However, it is too late. My son and I are not your tools to be used and discarded.¡±


    The concubine spoke, but her voice got softer and more fragile by the second.


    She was bleeding out on the circle, but she no longer cared. The more her life slipped away, the calmer she felt.


    Even if her life ended, she would have no regrets.


    ¡°The 5th concubine is trying her life. Hurry up and stop her. We need her to tell us where the 11th prince is. Hold her down, and don¡¯t let her go.¡±


    One of the guards yelled loudly as he pushed the door open. The others followed behind quickly, not realizing that they were just being led to their doom by their leader.


    The concubine had dark lines on her face. They covered her body and made her look more demonic than rather than human.


    ¡°5th Concubine, stop this! If you continue, the god will not forgive you. We found the 11th prince already, and he¡¯s dead. There is no point in you continuing to sacrifice your life.¡±


    The leader of these guards spoke loudly, but his words did not reach the concubine.


    What did reach her was the point that the prince was dead. Those words made her heart ache, and the concubine lost control of her spell.


    The divine magic turned black in a second and it exploded out of the queen. Her blood oath had been completed and the resulting explosion ended up taking out all the life in the surrounding area.


    Around 500 bodies disappeared once that explosion occurred, and it was said that no one was left behind once the other section of imperial guards went to check that place¡­


    Of course, this is a myth and no one had proof of this happening. But no other explanation could be given for the sudden hole that appeared in the middle of the forest where the concubine had made her escape.


    By the time this news reached the imperial palace, the name of the 5th concubine, and the shame of the royal family, the crippled 11th prince had been erased from the registry already.


    All that was left behind were a few words, as well as the eyewitnesses of her existence. But it won¡¯t take long before those are gone as well.


    Somewhere during night time, when the emperor returned to his chambers, he dismissed his queen and his concubine.


    His face showed grief after losing the love of his life, and no one had the heart to tell him what he should do now.


    After all, our of all his wife¡¯s, the 5th concubine was someone the king had loved and married because he wanted to. She was the only one he wanted to spend his life with.


    But this was what destiny had chosen for him.


    Once he was alone, he called forth the head of the investigation team, the cardinal.


    ¡°Is it true? Did the 5th concubine really use the forbidden arts and damn her soul? Is there no way I can meet her again?¡±


    The emperor asked in a low voice. He sounded sad, frustrated, and angry. He blamed the world and that cripple for being born.


    But most of all, he blamed himself for not ending that cripple when he had a chance to do so. If he did, then his lover would have been alive and in his arms by now.


    ¡°I am afraid that we did not find any traces of Her Majesty of the 11th imperial prince. We can only conclude that they perished during the incident. However, it was for the best. Those who defy the heavens are-¡±


    The cardinal dodged the sword that headed his way. He knew he had angered the emperor, but the cardinal was not afraid. He had the god and people on his side. As long as he had those two, did it matter if the emperor was against him or not?


    ¡°I see! I shall leave you alone for now. You are not in a state to hear my words right now. But if¡­no, when you need me, please call for me. I shall help Her Majesty out until now.¡±


    The emperor did not pay attention to the cardinal leaving. He was too engulfed in his grief to notice anything but his own self.


    In the end, that was the last anyone knew of the 5th imperial concubine. Her name was never mentioned again, and the general public did not know about her existence.


    For a royal, being forgotten was a fate worse than death. But that was not the case for everyone.


    In a hidden village somewhere at the borders of the empire, there was young child who got adopted by a lonely widow.


    Anyone who saw that child could only have sympathy, for the child was a cripple who could not use his legs. Even the doctors could not tell what was wrong with his legs, and magic did not work on the child.


    That blond-haired child was a lovely existence but oh so pitiful at the same time. He was pitied by the females, and got picked on by males.


    That child was Fenrir, the 11th illegitimate child of the emperor.


    No, rather, the child was no longer the son of the emperor, for that pitiful soul had been long devoured by the creature that wore its skin and took its name.


    This Fenrir was a bastard of hell, the first demon king, and the first sinner of heaven.


    Due to the 5th concubine¡¯s mistake, she ended up making a pact with him and not heaven. And this mistake gave Fenrir his chance to roam this earth once more and have his revenge against heaven.


    He, who had once been shunned due to his nature, had another chance at ruling this earth with his powers.


    But before that, he needed to fulfill the contents of the contract he signed with the one who called his existence here.


    He needed to make sure this crippled and sick body became the emperor of this nation. Once that was done, he would be able to break his seal and his real powers would become unsealed for eternity.

 Ch 2: No Mercy for the Damned - Part 2

    In the backside village with no name and a mere population of around 50, it did not take a 16-yeard Fenrir to become the talk of the town.


    But it was not in a good way that most people think it to be.


    Fenrir was young, handsome, and had a soothing temper. Such a combination was rare to find in humans, and ever since Fenrir stepped into the village, he had been popular with the young maidens and the ladies alike.


    However, his charms did not extend to the males his age.


    ¡°Well, would you look at it? That cripple is here to take our resources again. Why did Madam Herth have to bring it back to the village? Just looking at that face brings a bad taste to my mouth.¡±


    One of the bullies pointed at Fenrir from where he stood on the village fence. At the end of his finger was the crippled he was talking about.


    There was something about that cripple that set the young males his age on edge. The air around him felt¡­weird and non-human, but when they tried to tell anyone else about it, no one else believed them.


    So, what could a powerless kid who wanted to voice his frustration but could not do it turn to? The answer was simple: Violence.


    These kids had no other way to express their frustration, and as a result, they ended up lashing out at the crippled. They did not even realize they did this until after they were done bullying the crippled.


    And because of this, they became the outcasts in the village instead of Fenrir.


    The adults and girls did not feel the awkwardness they felt when they looked at the young crippled kid, and the villagers even sympathized with Fenrir when he got bullied.


    It could be because they had sharper instincts compared to others in the village, or it may be their jealousy speaking.


    After all, being handsome and crippled gained Fenrir a lot of attention from girls their age, while they got none.


    There were four boys in the village and girls, so how could they all be dotted on the same person? Should they not divine their attention to the others as well?


    ¡°Look, there he goes again. Now, he smiles at Sara, and she pretends to swoon and be taken by him. I have seen this story a hundred times by now.¡±


    Keith, the leader of this small bully gang, pointed out. And just as he said that Sara leaned down and clutched her heart. She looked as if love¡¯s arrow had struck her as she tried to recover.


    Sara was the most beautiful girl in the village, but she looked unattractive when she acted like a love-sick fool when she was with Fenrir.


    ¡®Tsk, that bastard. I dislike him and his face. Why did he have to get adopted by Miss Herth in the first place? He brings the vibe of this village down.¡¯


    Keith¡¯s thoughts showed on his face, but when he looked up, his heart skipped a beat, and his eyes met a beautiful shade of amber.


    It felt as if the devil was looking at him, and that stare was calling out to his soul.


    With great difficulty, Keith managed to look away, but he could not tell if his heart was beating faster because of Fenrir¡¯s beauty or because he felt fear while looking at that man.


    ¡°Hey, that cripple just looked at you weirdly. Should we head there and teach him a lesson?¡±


    One of the two remaining bullies asked as they watched their leader, Keith, suddenly looking away.


    They could only summarize that this was because Keith felt repulsed by what he saw, and they wanted revenge for him.


    Keith looked up violently as soon as he heard those words.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t! It¡¯s not worth it. It would be better if we spent our time looking for that cattle thief around the village. My mother was complaining that too many animals have been going missing these past couple of weeks.¡±


    Keith¡¯s ¡®no¡¯ was instinctive, and he was loud enough even to startle the other two he was sitting with.


    In fact, he was so loud that the people standing quite a few feet away from him heard him as well.


    ¡°Keith, is everything alright with you? We heard yelling, and Fenrir said we should check to see if we were alright. Are you hurt? Should we call the doctor?¡±


    Sara asked in a gentle voice, and her gentle touch soothed Keith¡¯s soul.


    But her worrying also left a bitter taste in the boy¡¯s mouth because he knew that behind her worried exterior was someone else¡¯s consideration.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Sara was not worried about him because she liked him but because she knew that worrying about him would make her look better in Fenrir¡¯s eyes.


    That inferiority complex made Keith lash out, and he struck Sara¡¯s hand away with a little more force than he had expected.


    That delicate hand turned red within seconds, and her face looked sad.


    ¡°I-I am sorry! I did not mean to-¡±


    Keith tried to apologize but the words would not come out of his mouth. Every time he looked at Sara, he could see Fenrir¡¯s shadow over her shoulder. It made him flinch and lash out harder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your help. Why did you even come here? Just because that crippled asked you to? I don¡¯t need sympathy like this. Just go back to your flirting and leave me alone.¡±


    Keith was almost convinced that he was being controlled by something. There was no other reason for him to act like this. Even now, those golden eyes that looked at him scared him. His hands shook, but Keith refused to show weakness.


    In the end, he quickly picked himself up and walked past Sara and Fenrir. But before he left, he made sure he bumped into Fenrir to make him go off-balance.


    His shoulder ached as it collided with Fenrir¡¯s feeble one, and Ketih felt like he had hit metal as he walked past. But even though his shoulder ached, he showed no sign of it, and he continued to walk away.


    ¡°Keith¡­! Hey Keith, wait for us. We are coming after you as well.¡±


    The bullies noticed that Keith was running away, so they hurried to catch up to him. Their uncertain eyes looked at Sara and Fenrir as well, but their loyalties won in the end, and they ended up following after their leader.


    ¡°Tsk, those kids¡­they know nothing but how to cause trouble. Fenrir, are you alright? You did not get hurt when they collided with you, right?¡±


    Sara asked, concern lining her red-rimmed eyes as she looked at Fenrir. She, along with the other people around this village, did not even realize that they were under his spell and had been ever since he arrived in this village age ago.


    Had he been his former self, a demon like him wouldn¡¯t have had trouble taking control of this one village.


    But because of his powers being restricted and the oath restricting him, he could only control a couple.


    ¡°Hmm, I am alright. I just lost my balance because Keith bumped into me, but I did not get hurt¡­although standing is a little troublesome for me. Can you help me out a little here?¡±


    Sara¡¯s eyes softened even further as she extended her arm and shoulder to help Fenrir up.  Her hands felt gentle and soothing, but her temper was raging behind her eyes.


    Fenrir had a lot of chances to kill Keith ever since he arrived in this village, but he had not done so until now. It was because he wanted to see what a kid like him could do if left alone.


    Desperation was the root that drove most people into action, and Keith would be no different¡­


    At least, that was what Fenrir hoped for. But so far, he had been disappointed in the other male.


    ¡®Maybe it is time I am done with this village. I stayed here because I needed a place to grow my powers and escape the eyes of god. But this village won¡¯t be sufficient to facilitate my growth for long. I will need to relocate to a place with more food and nourishment.¡¯


    It was a shame that things came down to this. Fenrir liked this village, and he spent a lot of time subduing it. If possible, he did not want to leave this village behind.


    But desperate times called for desperate measures, and Fenrir was desperate indeed.


    ¡­¡­


    ¡®Stupid Sara and stupid villagers. How can they not see the truth that is right in front of their eyes? Are they all being deceived by that devil? Can they not see his real face? Just looking at him makes me shudder in fright¡­no, I mean disgust.¡¯


    Even in his thoughts, Keith refused to admit that he was scared of Fenrir. He had no reason to be scared of a cripple, and he refused to entertain that thought.


    But the more he locked his feelings behind his mind, the more scared he felt. Finally, he could not take it anymore, and he decided to bury his feelings underneath his anger.


    He slammed the door shut when he entered his house, and his mother immediately yelled at him for him.


    ¡°Keith, stop it! What do you think you are doing? Who will repair the door if it breaks again? Do you think I am made of money? Why can you not be more like Fenrir? He might be crippled, but he is such a sweet boy.¡±


    His mother¡¯s heavy footsteps alerted Keith that his mother was headed his way. He flinched at the thought of facing his mother, but his worry soon turned into anger when he felt his mother thundering toward him.


    In anger and confusion, Keith ended up opening the door and heading out again.


    ¡°I am going to check up on the cattle. Since you don¡¯t want me to show my face today, I will make sure to keep watch the whole night. You don¡¯t have to wait for me to come back for dinner.¡±


    Keith yelled before he slammed the door shut behind him with more force than he needed to.


    Seeing him leave made his mother sigh in agitation. She looked at her only son, who was leaving her to do the housework alone.


    ¡°What is wrong with Keith? I did not even scold him because I felt like he would take offense, but he ended up taking offense anyway! Sigh! What am I going to do with him?¡±


    The mother looked annoyed, but her worries quickly faded away under the hue of her red eyes.


    She went back to her work soon enough once magic grabbed hold of her.


    This all was not known to her son, who continued to work hard and try to take his anger out on unsuspected things.


    He thrashed the fence in his anger and entered the barn.


    ¡°Stupid mother and stupid villagers. They don¡¯t realize they are being played by the devil. If only I had some way to make them believe me¡­¡±


    Keith neared the barn, only for his nose to pick up the sharp smell of blood in the air. It made him tense up, and he opened the door, only to see a young and fragile boy holding up a sheep by its neck.


    Sharp golden eyes and golden hair could be seen under all the red, and the fear that bound Keith came running back.


    ¡°W- Who are you? Are you the devil? Don¡¯t try and tell me that you are that crippled bastard who cannot even handle a single chicken. I won¡¯t believe it.¡±


    Keith yelled with as much power behind his words as he could muster. But no matter how much he tried to deny it, his instincts were telling him that this crippled was the same person he knew.


    ¡°Tsk, what a headache. I thought I angered you enough not to make you come after me. But it seems I was mistaken. Now, how should I take care of you?¡±

 Ch 3: The uneasy feeling - Part 1

    Red marred the sacred light that fell inside the room. Keith¡¯s eyes widened as they looked up at the devil who was out to eat him alive.


    "Tsk, what a headache. I thought I angered you enough not to make you come after me. But it seems I was mistaken. Now, how should I take care of you?"


    Fenrir moved his wheelchair toward Keith slowly as he let the sheep go. That dead body landed on the ground, but it made noise.


    Every circle of Fenrir¡¯s wheelchair made Keith¡¯s breath hitch until he looked up and saw Fenrir standing inches away from him.


    ¡°D-Don¡¯t kill me. Please, I am begging you. M-My mother has no one else but me to look after her. What would happen to her if I were to die as well? For her sake, let me live¡­¡±


    Keith begged once his legs failed him. He could only look at the person walking toward him with wide eyes. His words failed him, and a single plea left his mouth.


    It made Fenrir pause, but his eyes showed no hint of kindness.


    ¡°You want me to show you mercy? I don¡¯t see a point in doing it. As for your mother¡­she would be sad, but her sadness won¡¯t last long. I will make sure to take your place and make her forget all about you.


    Now, it is time for you to go to sleep.¡±


    Keith felt a hand touch his head and was certain he was done for. He closed his eyes one last time, knowing that he wouldn¡¯t wake up again¡­


    He might have fallen unconscious, but that did not mean that it was his death day.


    Maybe because he had been born under a lucky star, or maybe because one of the priests had blessed him as a child, but Fenrir was not able to absorb his body.


    His stomach felt full, and his human body was not able to take the strain of having too much of his power back.


    In the end, Fenrir could only lament in agitation as he was forced to release his prey. The most he could do for now was remove any memories of this night from Keith¡¯s mind and make sure his secret was safe.


    ¡°Tsk, darn this body. I need to do something about being stuck in this tiny village. If only I had more power, I would be able to head out and hunt more efficiently.¡±


    No one was there to hear Fenrir complain, and that was for the best. Because anyone who knew his secret needed to be killed.


    He was going to become the king of this empire and then the world. And a leader with too many secrets was not an attractive one.


    ¡­¡­


    *Sigh*


    ¡°One of my chickens is missing. I am sure it had been in its barn last night, but when I went to check up on it, it was no longer there. Do you think a wild animal took it?¡±


    Sara asked as she walked beside Fenrir. She looked scared and agitated, an expression she often showed when she was uncertain about something.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry so much. I am sure your chicken just ran away when you were looking away or something. There is no need for you to feel this scared. But if you are so worried, you can always ask Keith to keep watch over your cattle.


    You will help Sara out, won¡¯t you, Keith?¡±


    Fenrir¡¯s voice sounded light and innocent, but hearing him speak sent a shiver down Keith¡¯s back.


    Keith looked up like a deer caught in the headlight and he tried to speak up in his defense. But when those golden eyes looked at him, words failed Keith. He could only look away with an annoyed expression on his face.


    ¡°D-Don¡¯t ask me such questions. It is not my job to help you out if you are losing your animals, so don¡¯t look at me. Ask someone else who can help you out.¡±


    With those final words, Keith stood up and walked away.


    Sara¡¯s face looked red and her eyes looked ready to cry at the indifference she had been shown.


    ¡°T-That idiot! Just what does he¡­ugh, you don¡¯t have to listen to him, Fenrir. You are much better than that idiot, and you listen patiently to what I have to say. I would much rather spend time with you than with that idiot.¡±


    Keith had not gone too far away when Sara spoke these words. These words agitated him even more, causing him to lash out.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Luckily for him, his two followers caught him at the last second before dragging him away.


    ______


    ¡°Keith, wait for us. What is wrong with you today? Did you have a fight with your mother or something last night? You are in a terrible mood.¡±


    The taller bully asked Keith, but his voice sounded almost scared.


    Hearing this tone made Keith want to punch something, but he held his desire inside and let out a frustrated sigh.


    ¡°It is nothing like that. Just leave me alone, and no one will get hurt.¡±


    Keith spoke in anger when his eyes fell on a small but well-dressed group heading to their village.


    From the looks of it, they seemed like the nobles from the next village over decided to pay them a visit. And whenever that happened, there was only one reason for it.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s that time of the year again, huh? I wonder how many people they are looking to hire this time? Not that it matters. They say they are ¡®hiring¡¯ people, but anyone they hire does not come back.


    It is obvious that they are into shady business. I want nothing to do with them.¡±


    The shorter bully shuddered as he looked at the noble party that stopped outside their village post.


    They had seen this happen ever since they were younger, so it did not surprise them to see the officials there.


    Keith looked at the officials, and he suddenly had a brilliant idea. He knew how to get rid of that cripple that bugged him.


    ¡°Excuse me, but are you looking for a good-looking servant? We have someone in this village you might be interested in.¡±


    Despite being given warnings about not showing their face in front of these people, Keith decided to head out and talk to these officials.


    The officials did not expect a kid of bare age to come out and talk to them. They looked at him with conflicted expressions, not sure what to make of him.


    Keith understood their hesitation. He would have thought twice before he decided to get a stranger¡¯s help on such a delicate topic.


    ¡°Who are you, kid?¡±


    One of the officials finally categorized Keith as not harmful, and he quietly approached him. Hesitation still flashed in his eyes, but Keith flashed a harmless smile to show that he was not trying to scam these people.


    ¡°I am the local butcher¡¯s son, and I am here to help you out. Do you know that there is one kid in this village that never gets reported when you do? I thought you might be interested in knowing, so I decided to talk to you about it.¡±


    Keth¡¯s words interested these officers.


    Not only was this kid telling them about a possible breach of information, but he was also telling them he would fix it for them.


    However, if the village had not told them about this child, then there might be a reason behind it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say that I believe you and take this information, then what? Why should I even listen to you in the first place?¡±


    The official asked, but Keith had one last trick up his sleeve.


    ¡°Well, whenever you come here, you ask for good-looking people, right? I assume you would take them if they are good-looking, even if they happened to be a cripple. I only want you to spare me and other kids when you take the cripple away.¡±


    The officer made an understanding expression.


    Now, it made sense why he had not heard of this person in the village before. It was because the other person was a cripple.


    Had it been any other lord, this would have become a problem. But for the purpose of their noble official, it did not matter if the person they dragged back was a cripple or not.


    By now, even these villagers had realized that the person they took with them would never return.


    In the eyes of these people, human lives had no value until it could benefit them.


    ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter to us whether our sacrifice is a cripple or not. As long as he is good-looking and can quench the thirst of our miss, we don¡¯t care. Show us the way, and we will spare you and the other kids this time.¡±


    The officer agreed, and Keith let out a small laugh of relief.


    Until now, he did not realize how scared he had been of being caught and being locked up by these people. But now that he had a guarantee, he did not fear these people anymore.


    ¡°If you go past that house, you will see a small cottage with the town¡¯s widow. She adopted that cripple, and she kept him hidden. You should hurry up before the widow catches wind of what you are planning and run away.¡±


    Keith warned the officers before he walked away.


    He was in a cheerful mood after having ¡®taken care¡¯ of the cripple of the town. But little did he know that he was being watched by a bird with red-rimmed eyes.


    On the other end of that connection stood Fenrir. He had an amused grin on his face as he considered what Keith was planning.


    It was amusing how the kid thought he could outsmart a demon lord of hell. But little did he know that this was all happening under Fenrir¡¯s watchful eye.


    ¡®Hmm, those guards came at the right time. I can use them to get out of this village and find a new hunting spot. After all, this town will not survive for long since I am continuously feeding on their life force.¡¯


    It was an opportunity Fenrir had been waiting for. And since Keith had so graciously decided to present it to him, he would not decline it.


    Fenrir would take this gift and leave this village. But not before he presented Keith with a last farewell gift.


    ¡°Hello! Fenrir, what are you thinking so deeply about? Did something happen? Or am I boring you?¡±


    Sara asked as she waved her hand in front of Fenrir¡¯s eyes. He watched her hand move up and down in amusement before he caught her hand and held it closer to his face.


    ¡°How can I ever ignore you, Sara? You are a lovely girl, and I admire you a lot. Those other girls are fools to bully you just because you are much better looking than them and you have a much better temper. I really like you because of it.¡±


    Sara blushed at the praise she was being given and her cheeks looked even lovelier than before.


    Her face had the look of a maiden in love but it was a given. She had fallen for Fenrir¡¯s charms the first time she had landed her eyes on him. He did not even need much magic to control her from that point.


    ¡°Oh, Fenrir! You are such a lovely person as well. God was so unfair to you for taking your legs away and leaving you to live such a damned life. But don¡¯t worry! I will condemn god in your place. I will be your hand and feet in your fight against the god and the cruality of this world.


    All you have to do is say the word.¡±


    Sara almost begged Fenrir to give her the chance, but the devil could only smile at her in return.


    After all, human hearts were the easiest things to charm, and their minds were the easiest things to manipulate. Just a little implication here and a little nudge there, and they fell for your words right away.

 Ch 4 The uneasy feeling - Part 2

    It took no time to charm Sara and return home.


    A heartfelt word here and a few lines there, and Sara sank into the fantasy where she was the only thing Fenrir adored. A girl in love was the easiest to manipulate to one¡¯s liking.


    But it was also time for Fenrir to stop playing house with these villagers, and he waited for the officials to reach him before he opened the door for them and opened the door for them.


    His face was the first thing the officials noticed, and their eyes widened in shock.


    ¡®Ah, they fell for the bait.¡¯


    Noah could tell the second these officials decided that he would be their next victim, and at that moment, he knew that he had won this battle against fate. Still, he could not look too pleased, or his whole plan would fall apart in front of these people.


    ¡°Who are you people? And how can I help you out?¡±


    Noah asked in an almost timid voice.


    He played the role of a fragile young man who did not know the world well. His expression made him look too afraid to venture out and a few officials made a sympathetic face when they looked at him.


    But humans were wicked creatures who could do anything when their interests aligned with the end goal, and these people were no different.


    No matter how much sympathy they felt for Noah, a single look at his face was enough for them to make up their minds about him.


    *Cough*


    ¡°Excuse me, but is your mother or another adult at home? We would like to have a brief talk with them about your future. We have a career opportunity for you.¡±


    The leader of the officials stepped forward and spoke once he was out of the shock.


    He sounded sincere, and most humans would have fallen for his trick. But Fenrir could see right into this man¡¯s blackened heart and notice the root of desire that he harbored.


    ¡°Unfortunately, my mother is sick at the moment. If you want to talk to her, you will have to do it through a curtain between rooms. I do not want you all to get sick as well.¡±


    Noah made a sad face, showing how affected he felt by his mother¡¯s suffering. His acting made even the toughest of people look at him in pity.


    ¡°Y-Your mother is sick, huh? Then you must be desperate for money and medicine for her. We can provide it for you if you agree to come with us and work for us.¡±


    Another official spoke up suddenly.


    Their hearts felt pity for this unfortunate mother-son duo, but their mission came first for them. They could not delay leaving this place any longer.


    ¡°I-I see! What you say makes sense. I guess I should think about it a little bit¡­how long do I have to think about this?¡±


    Noah asked timidly, acting as if he was in a bind right now.


    The more he acted like this, the more sympathy he was able to garner from these people. Their faces began to turn awkwardly by the second.


    Seeing how the other officials were beginning to feel sympathetic toward this child, their leader quickly regained control of the situation as he coughed into his fist and tried to regain control.


    ¡°Ideally, we need to leave in a few hours. In the meantime, we can give your mother some emergency medicine, but even our hands are bound by circumstances. If you need more help, you will have to come with us.¡±


    The leader made it clear that he was not running a charity case. His fellow officers made a face but could not say anything against their leader. They knew that it would be their lives that would fall in danger if they refused to follow these orders.


    ¡°I-I see. In that case, give me an hour. I need to leave someone else here to look after my mother.¡±


    Noah¡¯s decision seemed final, and it made the officials breathe a sigh of relief when they heard it.


    They all felt relieved at the fact that this kid had taken their bait and agreed to become their sacrifice. The relief they felt over this fact overpowered even the guilt they felt at the moment.


    Noah knew all about these people and their feelings, and he also knew that he could use it in the future to get away with a lot more. That was why he had decided to act a little stubbornly.


    His plan had always been to leave with these people, but if he could get a little more out of this deal¡­then no one would blame him, right?The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡­¡­


    This backward town had a small population and everyone knew each other well. But there was no one more talkative in this town than the local seamstress¡¯s daughter.


    She was a gossip addict and she was also the source of most news in this town. And that was what made her the right person to carry out Noah¡¯s plan.


    ¡°Noah, are you sure you want to leave me in charge of your mother¡¯s health? Y-You know me! I am quite an absent-minded person, and I cannot promise you that I won¡¯t mess up while doing what you assigned me.


    It would be better to ask Sara or someone else-¡±


    Noah wheeled over toward the nervous girl before he grabbed her arm and placed a hand on her shoulder.


    His eyes were full of sympathy and support, and it instantly made the nervous female feel calm.


    ¡°Take a deep breath, and there you go. Don¡¯t you feel much better not?¡±


    Noah asked, and the female nodded hesitantly.


    She did not know whether she felt calm or not, but she did know that she had been chosen and it felt good to be tasked with such an opportunity.


    What was even better was the fact that ¡®Noah¡¯ chose her.


    ¡°I know you can do it. I believe that you would do a better job than even Sara at looking after my mother. I am sorry for burdening you with such a favor. If it is too much, then I can-¡±


    ¡°No! It is not too much! Of course, I can look after your mother for you. Just¡­be a little careful out there and come back often.¡±


    The seamstress¡¯s daughter spoke softly as she bid Noah farewell.


    Everyone knew by now that Noah had been chosen as a sacrifice this year, but no one tried to stop him.


    It was because Noah had influenced the town to think that he would be fine. They had forgotten the memory of what happened to the previous sacrifices and how they never returned after being taken.


    So, when the time came for him to leave, no one came to bid him farewell. For most people, this was a normal day, and nothing was wrong.


    ¡°Kid, are you ready to leave now?¡±


    The official asked, and Noah took one last look at the village before he decided to turn around and leave.


    ¡°Of course! We should head out now.¡±


    Noah might have lived in this village for a few years, but he was not attached to it. Then again, this place would no longer be here after a few days.


    History was meant to be forgotten, and for a devil like him, a few years were nothing but a grain of dust he was meant to crush.


    ¡­¡­


    ¡°Woah! He really left. And no one even protested? I was so sure that someone was going to stop this from happening.¡±


    Keith looked at his followed at his side with a frown on his face, but in his heart, he agreed with his follower.


    He had even expected Sara, or at least Noah¡¯s mother, to come running and stop the officials. These villagers loved Noah to bits and pieces, so they even hid him when the time came.


    ¡°I heard that his mother is sick, and those officials offered him money and support in return for leaving with them. Maybe the temptation got to him and made Noah leave. He did feel like a soft kid who would do anything for his loved ones.¡±


    With the shorter followed comments, his words made much more sense and gave a clearer picture of what could have happened.


    Keith wanted to agree, but something in him nagged and told him that this was not what happened and they were all being fooled.


    Usually, Keith would have listened to this feeling, but for the first time, he chose to ignore it.


    Whatever reason Noah had for leaving the village, it no longer mattered. They would never see that kid again, and life would return to normal soon enough.


    ¡°Tsk, I don¡¯t have time to bother with you at the moment. I will leave for home now. Mother wanted me back for something. I will see you tomorrow.¡±


    Keith quickly left for his home, but that uncomfortable feeling never left him. He reached his house and opened the door, only for his mother¡¯s coughing sound to reach him.


    ¡°Mom, did you get sick? But this isn¡¯t the season-¡±


    Keith entered the kitchen, only to jump back in shock as his mother jumped him. Her sharp fangs tore into his shoulder, and before Keith knew it, he was bleeding out.


    He managed to grab his shoulder and throw his mother off himself before he ran out.


    But his mother was not the only one who was acting weird.


    Most of the villagers that were out on the street turned toward him as one, and their eyes turned red. They all looked hungry, but specifically for his blood.


    ¡°W-What is going on here? Why is everyone¡­¡±


    Keith groaned out, and he tried to run. But in the end, there was no escaping the nightmare he had fallen into. He was eventually caught and killed off as well.


    But his death was not enough to sate the epithet of these creatures. They were out for revenge, and no one could stop them.


    Soon, the village was turned over, and no evidence of it remained. The zombies also died out due to the lack of nutrition and any life in the surroundings, and their bodies degraded.


    In a far-away carriage, Noah smiled as he felt the remaining life force of that village fill him.


    All those people who loved him had finally become a part of him. It was a feeling that was to be celebrated.


    ¡°What are you looking at? Is there something outside the window that is grabbing your attention? Or do you feel cold and want me to close the window for you?¡±


    One of the officials who saw Noah looking outside the window asked in a calm voice. Sympathy dripped from his words as he tried to make Noah feel better.


    But Noah just smiled back at him with an amused expression on his face.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it. I have just never been away from my village before, so it feels a little weird to be allowed out finally. I guess I started missing my village at one point.¡±


    Noah did not make a big deal out of it, but the official looked uncomfortable before he changed his tone.


    ¡°Well, you would have to leave that small village sometime if you want to make something out of yourself. You have looks, charms, and even intelligence, so there is no doubt in my mind that you could be a great leader if you put your mind behind it-¡±


    The leader elbowed the person speaking to remind them to quieten their word down. There was no future for this kid once he reached their destination. No one has survived the sacrifice until now, and no one will do so in the future either.


    ¡®God really has no mercy for some people. I pity this kid and hope he lives a better life next time. That will be the only mercy his soul may be shown by the almighty.¡¯

 Ch 5: Kill of the Night - Part 1

    The carriage moved at a steady pace, but the ride to the next territory was not comfortable. Even those who looked to be on the same side seemed to differ.


    ¡®Now that I have devoured that village, I feel some of my power returning. But it is far from enough. I must depend on this group to get me by.¡¯


    There were five people sent to escort Fenrir to the next territory, but there was no reason for all of them to make it back alive. Fenrir already had plans to devour two of them and ensure only one escort and the coachman made it back alive.


    He spent the whole day carefully observing the party and making sure which of the three seemed to be the odd one out.


    Usually, when such a conflict of interests occurred, the chances of a side banding together were higher. And it would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity and fill his stomach.


    ¡°The sun is settling down now. We should settle down for the night and light a campfire. There are too many wild animals in these parts, and getting caught by them would be bad.¡±


    The coachman advised but they were in the middle of the forest. It was beyond dangerous to camp out since anything could happen.


    Two of the three escorts looked uncomfortable and ready to deny this, but the third one (and also the one who looked like the leader) agreed with the coachman.


    ¡°You are right. It will be dangerous to travel now that the sun has gone down. I had a feeling this could happen, so I asked the temple to lend me a protective charm.


    As long as we have this, no creature could come near us and attack us.¡±


    The leader assured me, but the other two still looked uncomfortable at his words.


    Fenrir¡¯s eyes moved to look at the artifact filled with divine energy, and his instincts as the first demon lord told him not to approach the artifact or touch it. Divine energy was like poison to him, and it would harm a demon like him if he touched it.


    ¡®But would it really hurt me right now? My soul might be that of a demon, but my body is human, and that that ¡®bastard¡¯s blood runs through it. Shall I try touching this artifact and checking?¡¯


    Fenrir¡¯s desire engulfed him, and his reasoning was weakened.


    He almost reached out to touch that divine object when the leader pulled it back and put it under wraps once more.


    ¡°This artifact is our lifeline while we are out here, so I will keep it safe¡­. what? Do you have anything to say to me?¡±


    The leader asked with a frown, and the other two exchanged glances before asking the important question.


    ¡°How can we believe that the artifact is the genuine thing? What if you got scammed by the temple, and they ended up giving you a defective product? We would all die-¡±


    ¡°So, you are doubting the temple, and is it sincerity now? Do you have any idea what could happen if I let this news spread out? Your names and your carriers will all be posted online. Do you want something like that to happen to you?¡±


    The leader cut off the doubter, and the man fell silent.


    It was one thing to accuse the temple once, but to keep insisting that the temple could have made a mistake was a grave sin.


    Seeing how the second man fell quiet, the leader sighed and walked toward the clearing. He put his stuff down before he came back to help Fenrir down from the carriage and into a wheelchair.


    ¡°We shall spend our night here. If anyone has a problem with it, then they do not need to stay with us.¡±


    With that being said, their course of the night was decided. The coachman cooked them all a mean with whatever ingredients he had left, but that meal did nothing to fill Fenrir¡¯s stomach. His appetite called for a life force, not human food.


    But he could not take what he needed until it was time.


    Once they all settled down after dinner, Fenrir knew that it was time for him to carry out his plan. He picked up an empty pouch that was used to carry water, and he decided to turn the others to show them what he was thinking about.


    ¡°I will go and get some water. Does anyone else want water as well?¡±


    Concern immediately flashed across the faces in front of him, and the leader stood up to come with him.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Wait a minute! You cannot leave this place all alone. What if something were to happen to you? Ugh, one of us needs to accompany you. Should I go with you-¡±


    ¡°No way! Why would you go with the cripple¡­I mean, our guest? You should stay here with the artifact and protect the camp. Hey you! You should go with our guests and get us some water. Here, fill our pouches as well.¡±


    It was the leader¡¯s turn to get cut off while speaking. Out of the two escorts left, one of them was vocal, while the other looked timider and more absent-minded.


    The bolder one decided to take advantage of his partner and give him the task of going after the cripple.


    ¡°Ugh, do I have to-?¡±


    ¡°There is no need for anyone to come with me. If you want water, you can hand me your pouches, and I will get you water as well. There is no need for anyone else to come with me if they feel uncomfortable.¡±


    Fenrir pointed out with a smile, but the party gave him an odd look. The leader finally decided on behalf of the party, and it was decided not to send Fenrir alone.


    ¡°These woods are far too dangerous, and you are burdened with a bad fate by the gods. As someone who offered you help, it is our duty to keep you safe and make sure you reach your destination without much interference.


    Now, don¡¯t deny our help, and take one of us with you.¡±


    The timid escort did not have a chance to refuse or say anything else before he was sent after Fenrir.  This was not a part of his plan, but this was something Fenrir could work with.


    He walked ahead and the timid escort followed after him at a slower pace. The man looked ready to jump at the slightest provocation if possible.


    ¡°D-Don¡¯t you feel afraid of going into the woods all alone like this? We don¡¯t even have the temple¡¯s protection, much less have a way to defend ourselves. W-We might get killed out here since we are all alone.¡±


    The timid escort complained, and Fenrir bit his lip so as not to spoil the surprise. But there was no suppressing the grin on his face as he led the path.


    ¡°Are the woods really that dangerous? I had never been into the woods before since my mother and other villagers often sheltered me. I am afraid that I have no idea what you mean.¡±


    Fenrir¡¯s words made the nervous escort become even more nervous.


    ¡°I-I¡­feeling fear is a human emotion. Even if you don¡¯t have any idea what I am saying, don¡¯t you still feel your heart skip a beat and sweat cover your brows? Even the darkness feels sinister at the moment.¡±


    The timid escort spoke, and Fenrir finally let out a sigh.


    ¡®My heart does skip, but it is out of excitement. I can feel that my meal time is close.¡¯


    The forest was dark, so it was easy enough for Fenrir to make them lose their way. The timid escort did not notice it at first, but after a while, he could not even keep walking and did not have doubts.


    ¡°Hey, I did not want to call you out, but do you know where we are going? We should have reached the river by now, but I don¡¯t hear the sound of flowing water. H-Have we gotten lost?¡±


    The man asked in a shaken voice, hoping fervently that he was wrong about his assumptions. Unfortunately, he had sharp intuitions and he managed to guess what happened.


    It was a shame, but it was time for things to end. Fenrir had played around enough, and his hunger could no longer be held back.


    ¡°You don¡¯t hear the sound of flowing water nearby? It is close, just a little further, and you can hear it. Why don¡¯t you step forward and fill the pouches? I will hold them until you are ready to fill the next one.¡±


    Fenrir promised, and the shaken man decided to take the gamble before he stepped forward and kneeled down. He could finally hear the sound of flowing water.


    ¡°Ah, so it¡¯s here. I can finally hear the water flowing. How weird, I could not hear it until now. But I can finally hear the water and-¡±


    The man leaned down to fill the pouch, only to lean off the edge and fall down.


    He never noticed the slight glow of red around his rims, nor did he see that he was being played. As soon as he had walked away from the safety of the holy artifact, he had been free fodder for Fenrir.


    Something sharp impaled his chest before the darkness opened and swallowed that man.


    Above the cliff, Fenrir felt the life force of that man leaving him and flowing into him. His meal was finally done and it made Fenrir feel alive.


    ¡°It was a good meal, and I finally feel alive after having fresh life force. Now, it is time for me to head back. But how should I play this out now? Should I pretend to be a poor victim who has been left behind to fend for himself by his escort? I am sure it will be fun to fool them all.¡±


    Fenrir rolled his wheelchair and started to walk back. On his way, he found and killed a small beast and smeared a little blood on his body. He also made small wounds on his face and arms to show that he had a rough time.


    By the time he retired to the camp, a considerable amount of time had passed. The other two plus the coachman seemed to be getting ready to head after him into the forest.


    *Huff*


    With a show of great effort, Fenrir managed to get his wheelchair to the pair and they took a look at his deceived form and his hurt body. He did not even need to explain himself since his condition caused the other two to draw their own conclusions.


    ¡°W-What the hell happened to you? Did a wild animal¡­no, more importantly, where is your escort? Don¡¯t tell me, that man¡­¡±


    The leader tried to explain what happened, but it was clear that he had already formed his conclusions.


    ¡°I-I, there was an attack, and my escort ran away to try to get away. But because he ran suddenly, the beast decided to chase him and leave me behind. What should I do? That man might be dead, and it could be my fault.¡±


    Fenrir let out a small sob as he spoke these words. His sorrow sounded real, and it caused the other two to exchange a look over his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I am sure that your escort will make his way back soon. If not, then someone will go after him to find him. You should not let this affect your mind, or you might get sick.¡±


    The leader tried to make Fenrir feel better, but his words caused his partner to stiffen in shock.


    There was only one person here that could go after their lost comrades, and it was the bold escort. He gritted his teeth in anger but chose to remain quiet for now.


    It was not time for him to act yet.

 Ch 6: A Thrilling Night - Part 2

    ¡°It must have been a tiring night for you. Why don¡¯t you head to sleep while we take care of things here? I am sure your escort would be back by the time you wake up.¡±


    The leader assured Fenrir before he sent the crippled man to sleep.


    Fenrir made a protesting motion, but he did not fight too hard to stay with them either. There was no point in him panicking since he had made sure to clean the body up.


    No matter how much these two tried to look around, he doubted they would be able to find anything significant.


    ¡°Alright! Since you say that everything will be fine, I will believe you. I will go to sleep now.¡±


    Fenrir kept up the role of a fragile young man who did not know the world up until the carriage door closed behind him. Once inside, he closed his eyes and waited for the others to carry their plan out.


    He did not need to hurry and make things worse for himself. These people would find the evidence of what happened and draw their own conclusions.


    ¡­¡­


    ¡°What a nightmare! We should not have sent out that man as an escort. We should have known that he was too timid to make a wise decision. He almost ended up costing us our sacrifice of this year-¡±


    The leader complained as he rubbed his forehead to show how stressed he was. He was sincere in his complaint, but that did not sit well with the bolder escort. He grabbed their leader¡¯s collar and pulled him to face the angry man.


    ¡°Our comrade just died, and this is all you can say? Don¡¯t you feel any compassion for those who died? Ugh, you heartless bastard!¡±


    The bolder escort spoke in an annoyed voice, but it was clear that grief was affecting him much more than he let on.


    But how could the leader allow himself to be humiliated like this? There was no reason he should be facing this situaion.


    ¡°Tsk, then what do you want me to say? Did you want our comarad to come back and not the sacrifice? We would be in a worse situaion than we are right now. The nobles would have torn our family apart.


    At least this way, at least some of us will get to survive this year.¡±


    The leader rubbed his forehead to get rid of the headache he was developing. He understood that his partner was aggitated and sad at the lose of their friend, but he needed to look at the bigger picture here.


    Hearing what the leader had to say made the agitated man calm down. He knew in his heart that the other male was right. This was the only way to ensure everyone survived the noble¡¯s wrath.


    But that did not mean he had to like it.


    ¡°Tsk, fuck it! It doesn¡¯t matter now, anyway. What happened cannot be changed, so there is no point in regretting what happened. I will head out and look for that fool while you stay here and look after our stuff.¡±


    The leader agreed to this deal, and he waited for the brave escort to come back. But the other escort never came back. Before anyone knew it, morning came, and it was time to head out.


    ¡°Hey, kid, did you have a nice night? If you are looking for someone else, then they are not here. Now, let¡¯s head out.¡±


    Fenrir was not curious about the additional absence he noticed. He was well aware of what happened last night and why there were only three people left at this party, just as Fenrir had intended to.


    ¡®Things are going well. My stomache is full, and what I planned last night came to fruition. Now, I just need things to continue like this.¡¯


    But knowing that bastard who sealed his power and left him stranded under the earth, it might be an impossible thing to ask for.


    ¡­¡­


    After another day¡¯s joruney, the walls of the adjurning territory finally came to an end and the leader finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    He had made this journey a lot of times, but this was the first time things had gone this badly for him. Not only had he lost two people at his party, but he had also almost lost his life.


    The only consolation he had was the fact that the kid he managed to grab was one of the prettiest ever seen. That was the only thing that made him consider this journey worthwhile.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°Halt! Tell us your name and show us your face. This is a restricted area, and we will not allow anyone to enter it without permission.¡±


    The guard spoke in a harsh voice and this was the barrier that made most people give up and turn back. But the leader was different and he had special permisison to enter this gate.


    All he needed to do was show his face, and the gates would open for him.


    He opened the carriage door to show his face, and the guard recognized him at first glance.


    ¡°You are¡­welcome back to the fort. Did you manage to get any good harvest this year? I heard that the village you were put incharge of did not have a huge population. Is it finally the end for you?¡±


    The guard asked, trying to make small talk with the leader.


    Fenrir pretended as if he was not paying attention, but this discussion made him curious to know more about the situaion. It was clear to him that this escort was not an ordinary man based on how he was being addressed by the guard.


    ¡°Well, I guess you could say that my journey was a mixed bag. Some tragic things happened to my party, but the end goal was more than satisfactory. Why don¡¯t you have a look yourself?¡±


    The escort leaned back to allow the other man to look inside the cart. As soon as he did, Fenrir could see the guard¡¯s face clerly a well.


    The guard flinched before his eyes widened. Fenrir¡¯s beautiful face was more than enough to make the man speechless for a moment before the escort put himself between the guard and Fenrir.


    ¡°He¡¯s a good-looking fella, right? But don¡¯t go having weird thoughts or anything. No matter how good this man looks and how much of a profit he can generate if he were to be sold, he is a gift to the countess. So don¡¯t go having any weird thoughts in your mind.¡±


    The escort was very specific about what the man in front of him could and could not do.


    Each word made the guard flinch, and an almost guilty look came over the man¡¯s face as he was being scolded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry so much. I know that you are worried because about me trying to sneak this kid out for my own benefit, but what happened a few yeard ago would not happen again. I am sure we have all learned our lesson by now.¡±


    The guard flinched as he rubbed his shoulder as if the memory of what happened still pained him.


    Fenrir pretended not to be curious about this place, but he was terribly curious about what happened.


    If this place was going to be his new hunting ground, then he wanted to know more about this place.


    ¡°Tsk, don¡¯t remind me! It was a nightmare to get things under control. Not only did those people fuck this up, but they also alerted the temple about what happened. If it was not for that emergency happening at the same time, we would all have been branded as heretics and then executed by the temple.¡±


    The leader shuddered at the thought of being found out and then killed.


    ¡°Yeah, right! For all the yapping those people do about being benevolent and easy-going. At the end of the day, they are all killers who would do anything for their ideals. Just the thought of running into the makes me shudder.¡±


    The guard complained.


    The more Fenrir heard them talk, the more certain he was that the disciples of the divine and those who followed them had not gotten any better.


    With a belief that was cast and scattered in the fires of hell, the disciples of the divine were some of the most rigid people you could meet.


    They could be your salvation or your nightmare, depending on how they saw your beliefs.


    ¡°Anyway, it is no longer our concern. Ever since that incident with the rumored 5th concubine years ago, the temple has been too busy. They constantly have to go around and prove that the devil has not risen.


    Their devotion to the imperial blood is something. But it is a given because the imperial family is said to have the creator¡¯s blood running through their veins. Who would not want to be in their grace? Ah, I should stop talking, or I will get into trouble soon.¡±


    The guard finally gave way and let the party think. He seemed to have forgotten all he said up until now.


    Fenrir did to hide his curious expression. Anyone who was in his situation would have been curious about what he had just heard being spoken about.


    ¡°Are you curious, kid? You should try to avoid topics even if anyone brings it up with you. Otherwise, you might not survive for long.¡±


    It was a warning for Fenrir to keep his head down and not give in to useless temptations. He understood that warning well, and he had no intention of going against it either.


    His similar face made his escort doubt whether he was doing the right thing or not. He was also beginning to feel uncomfortable as he prepared the final few stretched toward his home.


    Fenrir¡¯s innocent eyes made him feel guilty, and it also made him weigh down his sins to date.


    He knew that it was useless to think like this after all he had done, but he could not help but feel worse by the second.


    ¡®I feel like I am doing something dangerous that I should not be doing. Fuck! My feelings are truly all over the place. Should I go to the doctor and have myself checked out?¡¯


    The escort asked, not knowing that he had already fallen under Fenrir¡¯s charms.


    The human heart is a fragile and complex thing. It was easy to persuade and easy to sway. It could turn at anything, be it sympathy or beauty.


    Even if his escort had the protective charm of the temple, his heart was free for Fenrir to manipulate.


    ¡°Where are we going? And how long will I have to work here before I am allowed to go free? What about my mother? When will you send her the medicine you promised me?¡±


    Fenrir asked these questions, but he tried to hold himself back from letting out a smile.


    The more his escort heard him speak, the harder he flinched. He began to realize that he had chewed more than he could swallow as his throat began to feel heavy with the crushing weight of the guilt he felt.


    ¡°About that¡­you will be allowed to head back once your work here is finished. As for what that work is, you will have to wait and find out. I cannot say anything for now, but just know that it is all for your own good.¡±

 Ch 7: The Cursed Countess - Part 1

    After giving the warning, the escort leader did not say anything else. His eyes had a layer of fog covering any emotion that could be seen.


    Humans were complex creatures, capable of living in the present and think of the future. And yet, they were also the only species that could let their past bind them and halt any progress they could have in life.


    The man sitting in front of Fenrir looked especially fragile in heart, and Fenrir felt an itch to use this man for his own purposes until he found another, more powerful human to carry out his will.


    All too soon, they reached the central plaza, and people looked at their carriage with suspicion and horror. They all jumped out of the way as the carriage passed their streets, but their eyes showed caution and judgment at the same time.


    ¡°Tsk, all these commoners need to learn that they cannot keep me waiting. The only reason they all are even alive is because of the higher-ups like us protecting them¡­¡±


    Fenrir heard the escort mutter under his breath, and it was an interesting bit of information he stored in his mind for later use.


    The carriage kept going past the plaza, past the bakery and even till the end of the road. It only stopped once they reached a highly decorative gate which was being guarded by a dozen guards.


    Looking at this would make someone think that these guards had a secret treasure they were trying to protect, but Fenrir noticed some oddity when he looked at these guards.


    They all gripped their spear tightly, but they faces looked relieved when they saw the carriage approaching them. The guards also had their body positioned toward the mansion they were guarding instead of against it.


    It looked as if these people were trying to protect the town from whatever was held inside this mansion and not the other way around.


    As soon as the carriage pulled in front of the door, the escort leader opened the window to show his face to those relieved soldiers.


    ¡°Open the gate for me. I am here for this year¡¯s ¡®guest.¡¯ How has madam¡¯s mood been these past few days I have been gone?¡±


    The leader asked the last question in a low voice, but it was not low enough for a normal human in Fenrir¡¯s position to not be able to hear.


    ¡®Tsk, does the escort leader think I am hard of hearing just because I am crippled? Well, this can be good for me since it means I won¡¯t have to pretend too hard to make them let their guard down.¡¯


    Unlike the escort, the guard did not make the same mistake of thinking that Fenrir was hard of hearing. He immediately turned to look at Fenrir, hoping that the young man was not offended by what he just heard.


    Fenrir¡¯s smile made the guard feel a bit weird.


    Perhaps, this kid was really hard of hearing and he was not able to grasp what was being said, but that felt unlikely to the guard. But he could also not see any other reason for the child to smile in this situation either.


    ¡®This is none of my business. Why am I feeling sorry for a kid who is not going to survive long? As long as he is intended to be gifted to the countess, it does not matter how charming he is. His end is near.¡¯


    Knowing this, the guard sighed and lamented how some people had the worst luck possible. This child had been abandoned by the gods, and now he had run out of whatever luck he had left.


    ¡°Go inside, but try not to spend too much time in. The countess has been in a foul mood these past few days because his last ¡®toy¡¯ died. Let¡¯s hope that this one lasts a little longer.¡±


    Pity-filled eyes looked at Fenrir, but the guard did not move from his position. That was Fenrir¡¯s first and last encounter with that guard.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    The escort sighed in annoyance as he waited for the door to open and let him inside. The carriage entered the last barrier before reaching the mansion, but the escort never expanded on what happened.


    Once the carriage stopped a second time, the escort leader got off before he helped Fenrir get down as well.


    A wheelchair had already been prepared for Fenrir, and the escort leader helped Fenrir sit in it before he pushed the chair up the stairs until they reached the double-height door of the mansion.


    ¡°Listen, this is the last time you will probably see me¡­well, for about a week. I need to head out on an errand, and I will only be able to make it back once I am finished. In the meantime, this will be your workplace, and Countess Ann Mary will be your lady and master. Make sure you serve with ¡®all your heart.¡¯¡±


    The escort stressed the last words, but his tone sounded off. He also backed away slowly, his body tense and ready to bolt at any second.


    Seeing this was not as big of a concern as one would believe, especially for Fenrir, who could feel the presence of dark magic all over this mansion.


    ¡®Ah, all the talk about the countess¡¯s bad mood and sacrifice makes sense. Has she been living under a curse all this time? Then, is she even human? Or, has she fallen to temptation already?¡¯


    For the first time in a while, Fenrir felt intrigued by a human, and he wanted to know more about the person behind the rumors he had been hearing.


    He pushed the door open and was instantly hit with a cloud of dust. This place had not been cleaned for a long time, and it made sense why that was once you noticed how dusty it was and how hard it was for anyone to survive in such a disaster of a place.


    ¡°Countess Ann, may I enter? I am the new servant tasked with looking after you-¡±


    A shadow jumped at Fenrir. Something shined when the sunlight fell on top of it and reflected off its surface. Seconds later, that shining thing attacked a white arm that came to Fenrir¡¯s notice.


    He moved his wheelchair aside, and the white body collapsed on the ground beside him.


    The female looked worse than a ghost as she tried to pick herself off the ground and chase after Fenrir.


    ¡°Countess Ann, are you alright? Shall I help you up? You don¡¯t look comfortable while lying on the ground like that. Here, grab my hand and pull yourself up.¡±


    Fenrir extended his hand toward the cursed human lying on the ground. The female noble he was offering his hand to tried to bite it off, but Fenrir pulled back before his hand could be bitten.


    Seeing her prey getting away from her caused the female ghoul to let out an anguished cry before she swiped her hands in a claw-like motion toward Fenrir¡¯s arm.


    This time, the nails dug deep and drew blood out of Fenrir¡¯s arm. It was a shallow wound and would close within seconds. But Fenrir¡¯s smile faded from his face, and instead, an empty but dark look took its place.


    As soon as the half-dead ghoul noticed this, she pulled back. Her life force had all but depleted, but her instinctual will to live kept her moving.


    ¡°Tsk, look at what you did. Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep this body alive? Well, since you insist on it, I shall show you how fragile the human body truly is.¡±


    Fenrir reached out his hand to grab the white arm near him, and it did not take long for him to hear a snapping sound coming from the arm he was gripping.


    The countess cried out in shock and pain as she pulled her hand back. Clarity returned to her eyes for a minute, and her throat formed a sound along with words.


    ¡°Y-You are not¡­human. You feel like that¡­thing¡­that damned me¡­¡±


    Those last few words exhausted all of the countess¡¯s energy and she finally closed her eyes and fell asleep.


    Fenrir noticed how the chest in front of her no longer moved up and down, indicating that the countess had stopped breathing.


    It was the end for a female that terrorized these parts of the town.


    ¡°Oh! It looks like she died. This wouldn¡¯t look good to me if someone were to discover that the countess died as soon as I stepped into this region. Then, shall I control her like a puppet and take everything she has?¡±


    Fenrir asked as he reached out to grab that hard body.


    Once a human body died, it was hard for a normal human to pick it up and move it. It would be impossible for a ¡®normal¡¯ human in Fenrir¡¯s position to be able to move that body either.


    But Fenrir¡¯s weak-looking body had a lot of secrets and one of it was the incredible strength he possessed.


    With a single yank of his arms, the countess ended up lying across his lap on his wheelchair, and her eyes looked at him with her with a gentle glee.


    ¡°You died an unfair death at the hand of our creator, and it makes me feel sorry for you. I wonder¡­. if I give you a chance, how would your revenge look? It makes me excited to see it. Perhaps I would like to give you a chance after all.¡±

 Ch 8: The Cursed Countess - Part 2

    ¡°Open your mouth wide and let my blood enter your body. You will start to feel better soon. Just let yourself feel the pressure of my blood hitting your mouth and swallow.¡±


    Fenrir¡¯s blood was special, and the pressure it created inside the countess made her gasp and cough.


    The body that was once dead suddenly moved and clutched at its throat before unseen eyes began to move around and take notice of the surroundings.


    For the first time since Fenrir had been reborn into a human body, he created a doll using his blood as a source of his magic. It made the doll in front of him become extremely durable and powerful.


    At the same time, Countess Ann¡¯s body gained a consciousness that could act as an autonomous personality as long as Fenrir commanded her to and paid attention to what she was doing.


    ¡°Good girl. It seems like my blood managed to cure your broken wrist as well. Can you stand up for me and show me how you are doing without my support?¡±


    Fenrir asked, and Ann pulled back before she walked around and gave an elegant twirl. Her steps contained a grace she had not shown in years, and her face also regained some color.


    She no longer looked like a dead ghoul that attacked Fenrir but rather like a human who was just having a couple of rough days.


    ¡°Countess Ann, I shall be counting on you to support me. Will you give me your hand and lead me inside?¡±


    Fenrir asked, and the puppet did as he asked it to.


    The dead lady reached out to grab Fenrir¡¯s arm before she pulled him inside, and they did not return. The guards, who were tasked to check up on Fenrir and the Countess, could not report anything since there was no dead body for them to check up on.


    The next day, they came out once more to check up on Fenrir and what became of them. They had bet on how long it would take for a scream to escape the Countess¡¯s manor, but the dead body they had been looking for was nowhere to be seen.


    That made the guards flinch, and they quickly walked toward the abandoned mansion with their hearts in their throats.


    ¡°H-Hey, do you think that man died? E-Even if he was a cripple, he did not deserve to die such a death. I feel sorry for him.¡±


    One of the guards spoke with a sorry tone as he pushed the door open to take a look inside. He dreaded to see what he would find inside. He was ready to face a dead body or even a pile of bones and blood as he previously had.


    But the scene that was burned into his eyes belonged to none of those scenarios.


    Instead of the countess angrily trying to kill someone, she sat quietly at her seat and sipped her tea. On her side stood (well, sat on the wheelchair) the crippled commoner whom they had brought here as a sacrifice.


    The young boy poured the countess her tea, and his face had a gentle and unharmed smile on it.


    Not only did the scene look domestic, but it also looked romantic. The pair looked like a couple (if you ignored their age) who were spending time together.


    It was as heart-warming as it was horrifying, and the guards took a sharp breath before they stepped inside. Each step they took was filled with caution since no one knew when the countess would change her color and attack them. They all needed to be careful about it¡­


    Or that was what the guards intended to do.


    But no sooner had they stepped into the mansion than Fenrir turned to flash a smile their way as he finished pouring the Countess her tea.


    ¡°Welcome, esteemed guests of Countess Ann. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Ann Mary Manor. Please, have a seat and enjoy some tea. Countess, you don¡¯t mind if we entertain a few ¡®guests¡¯ today, right?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Fenrir asked in a gentle voice, and the guards turned to look at their ¡®madam¡¯ as if they were one.


    They felt afraid of her and caution colored their actions as they tried, they took a step closer to the countess.


    To their eyes, the female countess looked like a regular human and not her usual self, who snapped at anyone who came close to her. But no matter how harmless she looked; these guards were not willing to take any chances.


    ¡°It has been some time since I entertained any guests. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this mansion. Ah, the human company is the best. Fenrir, pour these gentlemen some tea and snacks.¡±


    The countess looked happy and excited as she extended her pleasantries to her guests. No one had heard her speak before, and the guards got so stiff that they looked like statues now.


    But beauty was something that had the power to melt the strongest hearts and cause them to relax. Fenrir was on such beauty and one smile from him was enough to make these guards let their guard down and sit.


    A cup was placed in front of them, and Fenrir quickly poured all of the tea and snacks into them.


    His moments were fluid, and there was no fault in his manners. Even a noble ethics teacher won¡¯t be able to tell what mistakes he made during his ceremony.


    But these guards were no nobles. They were mere people who had never even sat across a Nobel before.


    Sitting across the countess made them forget whatever they knew and did not know about the nobility and their hands shook as they tried to maintain their dignity.


    The countess picked up her cup first, and then the guards picked up their cup as well. They waited for the countess to take the first sip before these people took a sip as well.


    But unlike the Countess, the others spat out the tea as soon as it touched their lips.


    To say that the tea was tasteless would be an underestimation. It would be more accurate to say that the tea tasted like nothing.


    Despite it having no flavor, something about it was so strong that it forced their bodies to reject it.


    Had this been another place and another time, the guards would have listened to their bodies and thrown up to empty their stomachs. But because they were sitting in front of the countess, who could turn violent any second, they gulped the tasteless liquid down.


    ¡°Looks like our guests are very thirsty. Madam, would you mind if I give them another serving of this precious tea?¡±


    Fenrir asked, and his smile felt like a death sentence to the guards who heard him.


    ¡°N-No, it¡¯s fine. Please enjoy your drink and free time. I-If you need us, we are just outside.¡±


    The leader of these guards made a quick retreat, followed by the others behind him.


    Neither he, nor the other guards dared to turn their head back and take a look at the countess and her servant they were leaving behind.


    After all, they were afraid that they would become the victim of trick pulled by the countess and her servant.


    But while they could not keep the tea inside their stomach as it made them sick, the secret of the countess¡¯s recovered mental health was one more they ended up spilling.


    It only took a few hours, but the whole village knew that the countess had regained her wits and she was ready for business once more.


    This news was great for most people but dreadful for those who were using the Countess¡¯s name to carry out their acts.


    As for the countess, who caused this? She was busy relaxing in her coffin. Her body lay stiff under Fenrir¡¯s hands as he checked her condition.


    He might have given the doll he created enough freedom, but that did not mean he could use it to do whatever he wanted. Human bodies had limitations to what they could and could not do, and the countess possessed a dead body.


    ¡°My dear Countess, shall we get you some life force as well? Your face looks like it is suffering, and I can feel your thrust as well. Shall we head out and hunt?¡±


    Fenrir extended his hand toward the countess, and the struggling body reached for his hand before it got dropped before it could touch Fenrir¡¯s hand.


    The countess¡¯s flesh had started to rot only after a single day. Her body had been in a bad condition to begin with, so it was a given that she would start to show signs soon.


    *Sigh*


    ¡°I wanted to stay here for some time and hunt since this place has a bigger population, but it seems as if that won¡¯t be possible. But I shall use the time you give me wisely and take care to fill myself up well.


    My dear countess, you should sleep now. I need to go and host a ball in your name this weekend. And as the host and the star of this ball, I need you to look your best.¡±


    Fenrir¡¯s hand looked even more delicate as it pressed against the Countess¡¯s white face. His body¡¯s fragile state made it hard for him to do much, but that did not mean he was powerless.


    ¡°I should go and get the preparations done. I doubt getting maids and guards to come up to this manor would be an easy task to accomplish. I would also need to consider the temple and ¡®his¡¯ followers crashing my party.¡±

 Ch 9: A Cause to Celebrate - Part 1

    It was incredible how quickly a rumor could spread across a place, even without a way to mass-release information.


    By the end of the day, even the commoners knew about the Countess and her miraculous recovery. So how could those in power not realize what was happening and come to pay their respects?


    That evening, for the first time in forever, the Countess¡¯s castle saw a surge of people rushing inside to try and gain a meeting with her.


    Fenrir was the only servant of the Countess, so he received all the attention from these people. Even they knew that they needed a pass from him if they needed to get close to the Countess.


    That was why, when the time came for people to gain favor, people approached him and tried to bribe him.


    One such person was the local temple lord, who relied on the gracious donations made by the Countess to keep the temple running.


    Divine power might be the backbone of this country¡¯s power, but not everyone treated it equally. And for a weak backside temple like theirs, relying on the central power for anything was akin to a death sentence.


    Fenrir could not help but chuckle at the irony of this situation.


    Never in a million years could anyone have seen this scene coming. A servant of divine power was bowing his head in front of the first demon lord and asking for his help.


    ¡°-and that¡¯s why we need the Countess¡¯s grace. Now that the Countess has recovered, I am sure she knows how precious human life and God¡¯s benevolence is. She can repay her debts by helping us out.¡±


    The temple master spoke in an almost arrogant manner, but his mask was slipping off his face quickly. The more Fenrir ignored him, the whiter his face got. Tears threatened to fall out of the temple master¡¯s eyes as he was made to wait.


    ¡°I see. So, it¡¯s because of the ¡®God¡¯s¡¯ benevolence that I woke up. I guess that does call for a donation. However, if we donate too much, it might cause an issue with our other backers.


    So how about we call forth a trade? You can send some of your people to help us prepare for the banquet and in return, we not only offer you a huge sum, but also offer you a regal title and a deed for help.¡±


    The Countess sipped her purple-colored tea, but her words were sharp and clear.


    Fenrir gave a beautiful smile as he stood behind the countess. His beautiful face helped the temple master relax a little bit more and fall under his charm.


    The temple master wanted to call forth the Countess¡¯s greed. She could donate a lot of money if she were to acknowledge that she was doing this because god interfered in her destiny and cured it.


    But the older man did not dare speak anything.


    No matter how much influence he and the temple had over these people, the real backbone of power was still the countess in these parts. What she said went, and no one could argue with her.


    *Cough*


    ¡°It is an excellent idea. I will ask my people to come and help you out. I will also look around for other servants to buy you everything you need.


    God¡¯s charity extends to all. And now that he has blessed the Countess with good health, it is our honor to help you as well.¡±


    The temple master quickly left after he had gotten what he came here for. He did not notice anything wrong even after he reached the temple.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡®So that was the temple master? He had no divinity inside him. He might as well be a normal human at his current level. Has the divine order fallen so far that they have to employ regular humans as their leaders?¡¯


    Whatever the reason for this man to be here right now was, it did not matter to Fenrir. He just knew that he had gotten lucky that the leader at this temple branch was a pushover who would do anything he asked.


    ¡­¡­


    Now that the party had been announced, there were suddenly hundreds of things to do.


    The maids Fenrir had requested had arrived, and they all looked thrilled to have the chance to work in this mansion.


    Most of the workers sent here were young and good-looking maidens of the nearby village. They were sent here in order to catch Fenrir¡¯s eye so that he would employ them as permanent workers and maybe even more.


    After all, who did not know of the Countess Ann and her mysterious savior in the form of the cripple man?


    ¡°Master Fenrir, I am done with the West Wing. Is there anything else you want me to take care of?¡±


    ¡°I am also done with the kitchen. Do you need some new drapes? I can make you some. I might not look like it, but I am a good craftsman.¡±


    The second maid butted in, not letting the first one take Fenrir¡¯s attention.


    His face was popular among these maids, and most of them wanted to gain his superficial favor so that he would give them a lot in return.


    It was a pity that these fools would not get anything by sticking to him. In fact, their lives were just toys for Fenrir to play with at this point.


    ¡°Hmm, we do need new curtains, but I am sure we have put in an order. But we do need something decorative to liven up this place. Maybe you all can work on it?¡±


    At Fenrir¡¯s insistence, a lot of maids began to leave and start what he had suggested them to do. They were all bright humans, but they chose the wrong man to follow.


    The party was being held at the end of the week, so there were about 4 days left. 4 days was nowhere near enough time to prepare for something of this grand scale. But with about three dozen working hands, it seemed possible.


    All through these preparations, the Countess did not show herself to her workers once. She followed her usual schedule where she spent her time alone or with Fenrir. No one else was allowed to approach her.


    Fenrir kept himself busy.


    He helped organize the party in the morning, and he hunted in the evening. And since the village was too big, he chose a different hunting ground every day and chose his victims among the people no one would look for.


    Two days passed like this, and finally, Fenrir got his first ¡®real¡¯ visitor.


    The escort leader had heard what happened to the Countess and he immediately made his way back to the village. His first destination was to meet Fenrir and confirm what he heard about him still being alive.


    Everyone he met along the way said that it was a miracle how the Countess being alive was a miracle. With so many people talking about the same thing, he knew that it was not a lie.


    The Countess had snapped out of her daze.


    But a part of him refused to believe that this was true. And that part made him hurry up and sneak inside the castle when no one was looking.


    It was much easier to slip inside since the castle covered a huge area. The barrier that kept the Countess inside was no longer active, showing that the Countess was no longer a threat to the village.


    So far, everything he saw and felt aligned with what he had heard in the gossip. There should have been no reason for him to feel this conflicted. And yet, he could not help but feel as if something was not right here.


    He snuck all the way inside, but no one tried to stop him. In fact, no one even noticed him with how busy things were.


    The escort leader was able to get all the way to the Countess¡¯s room, and he pushed the door open. It had only moved an inch when he felt a hand grab his arm and yank him back.


    ¡°What do you think you are doing? Do you have any business with the Countess? If so, then you should come back later once she is feeling better.¡±


    The escort leader felt his heart leap out of his chest before he realized that the person who had stopped him was just Fenrir.


    It made him sigh in relief and turn his head toward the crippled male standing behind him.


    ¡°Oh, kid, thank god you are fine. You are the reason I came here in the first place, so it is nice to see you. Do you have some time to talk to me? There is a lot I want to let you know about.¡±


    The escort leader looked visibly relieved to see Fenrir.


    For someone who pushed a human into a situation where they could die any second, the escort leader sure looked relieved and happy.


    Not a single sign of shame showed on the escort Leader¡¯s face but Fenrir did not show what he really thought about that man.


    Instead, he just smiled and welcomed his guest inside.


    ¡°I see! If you are here to talk to me, then I guess I can welcome you in. I have no intention of turning away a guest. Would you like tea or coffee?¡±


    Fenrir asked in a pleasant voice. He looked happy to be working with the Countess, but this whole situation sent shivers down the escort¡¯s back. He felt himself shake before he snapped out of it and walked behind the crippled servant.

 Ch 10: A Cause to Celebrate - Part 2

    ¡°Mister Fenrir, would you like to have more tea? Shall I pour a cup for your friend as well?¡±


    The maid who was tending to the kitchen asked with a happy smile. She looked delighted to see Fenrir make his way toward her. She already had a tray with all different kinds of sweets ready to take.


    The escort had been to a lot of places. He had been to pubs that boasted about their excellent and unparallel service. But even those places failed to capture the majestic aura of this place.


    ¡°Sir, what would you like to have? You don¡¯t have to be shy. We are celebrating our miss breaking free from her curse, so you don¡¯t have to hold yourself back.¡±


    Fenrir¡¯s smile showed how happy he was, but seeing him happy did not make the escort happy as well.


    The happier a place was, the more they had to hide. And Fenrir was the picture of a ¡®happy man¡¯ as far as the escort could see.


    ¡°Coffee will be fine. I don¡¯t mind having Coffee, as long as it is not too sweet. I ruin the taste of the accompanying sweets if the tea is flavored too strongly.¡±


    The escort did not mean to say these words, but they left his mouth before he could stop himself. It almost felt like he was being controlled by some kind of spell.


    Before he knew it, the escort was sitting in the living room with a cup of coffee in his hand. The maid who served it to him looked like a lovely lady, and her smile lit up her whole face.


    ¡®What is happening? I did not come here to drink Coffee but to get some answers from this kid. Why do I have a cup of Coffee in my hand, and why am I so happy to sit here and waste time?¡¯


    There seemed to be no reasonable explanation for why he was here, but he could not bring himself to walk out of there and disappoint Fenrir.


    ¡°So, what was the reason you came here? You told me that you were going to be out of town for a while. What made you change your mind and come back so soon?¡±


    Fenrir asked the escort leader, and the leader suddenly felt his tongue go dry.


    He had a thousand words to say before, but now, he felt like he could not even utter a single sentence, even when he tried to. His mind went blank, and before the escort knew it, he had spent all his time in Fenrir¡¯s company but had not done anything productive.


    By the time he left, the escort had forgotten why he had come to the castle in the first place.


    ¡­¡­


    ¡°Mister Fenrir, who was that man who came to visit him? Are you close with him? I feel like I have seen him before. But he doesn¡¯t feel like a nice guy to me. You should be careful if you are thinking of spending too much time with him.¡±


    The maid told Fenrir while she gathered the cup and plate that she needed to take back. Her scolding made Fenrir let out a chuckle, and it made his beautiful face lit up.


    Humans were simple creatures, and this small display of beauty was enough to bring a blush to this female¡¯s face.


    ¡°Thank you for your consideration, but I am sure I will be fine. Your worry regarding my safety will keep me from harm.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Fenrir spoke and his mannerism was mild. His gentle tone brought the maid to a halt and whatever she had to say got stuck in her throat.


    In the end, she does not say anything, and Fenrir simply sips his tea.


    Soon it was time for him to make his usual round around the house and check if things were going fine or not. Most of the maids assigned to help him out were professionals and they did not need much help.


    What little problems that arose were quickly taken care of.


    And before Fenrir knew it, the day fast approached. But just as the banquet was about to arrive, Fenrir and Countess Ann were faced with another challenge. And this time, it was one that he could not avoid facing.


    A day before the banquet was to take place, Fenrir sat in front of the temple master and his second-in-command. The temple master was sweating buckets of water while his second-in-command stood rigid and unmoving.


    ¡°So, you are concerned about the safety of the people we invited. That is why you want to take a look around this place before the party is held and check if this place is secure enough to hold the banquet. Did I get it all correctly?¡±


    Fenrir asked on behalf of the Countess.


    The current Countess was sitting behind him, and her unwavering eyes looked at the temple¡¯s representatives in front of her the same way any other noble would have looked - filled with distrust and annoyance.


    ¡°I-It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t trust you, but this concerns your reputation. A-And also, I feel the need to address the masses, and local people would feel safe if we checked this place out. But we won¡¯t do it if you don¡¯t give us permission to do so, Countess Ann.¡±


    Seeing how angry the Countess was made the temple master flinch, and he immediately jumped to make excuses in front of the Countess. He did not want to lose her favor.


    But his partner did not have the same mindset he had.


    His second-in-command narrowed his eyes before he snapped his sword on the ground. It immediately made the temple master settle down, but he also had a blush on his face as he did so.


    ¡°What the temple master wants to say is that this is not optional. As much as we want to respect your privacy and believe what you said, it is our duty to check for any evil energy. It was not too long ago that this place was infected by a curse.


    I am afraid that we will not be able to give you permission to host a banquet if that energy still remains in there.¡±


    The second-in-command spoke while looking all proper. His face looked as cold and unmoving as a stone.


    Fenrir doubted that his beauty would move the second-in-command in such a short amount of time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be this rude. You know that we cannot risk the Countess being angry at us.¡±


    The temple master spoke harshly before he turned toward the temple master, his eyes filled with anger.


    It was clear who was the more dominant one between these two.


    Fenrir also noticed that the second-in-command had more divine energy compared to the person he was serving. But he was also a few years younger.


    Human society put a lot of emphasis on one¡¯s age over their capabilities and experiences, so it did not surprise Fenrir that such a situation had occurred.


    And with that, he also noticed the darkness that the second-in-command carried in his heart about his unfair handling and not being made the temple master.


    ¡°Temple Master, we are here for a purpose. It would be best not to forget that. If anything were to happen, then you would be the one to be blamed. Do you think you will be able to answer the main temple if that happens?¡±


    Fenrir noticed the elder flinch before he forced a smile on his face, but his worries had been touched by what his second-in-command had said.


    The fear of the main temple made the temple master cough before he decided to take a firm stand.


    ¡°Countess, I am afraid that we will have to ask you to allow us an investigation. We won¡¯t be backing down on this discussion.¡±


    The temple master looked like he had no choice but to ask for this.


    The second-in-command looked eager to see Fenrir and the Countess¡¯s reaction. Perhaps, he thought that he would be able to find them panicking or something similar.


    But Fenrir only smiled and welcomed them in.


    He knew that the pair wouldn¡¯t be able to find anything in this castle. Their divinity level was too low, and even if there was something they could find, Fenrir had long devoured it and made it a part of his power.

 Ch 11: A Cause to Celebrate - Part 3

    ¡°The Ann Castle has a long historical significance. As you can see, most of it is covered in significant artifacts you cannot find anywhere else. Now, if you would like to step forward, we can see other items that decorate the palace-¡±


    ¡°There is no need for you to guide us. I would prefer you to leave us alone to look around this place. Your presence here is distracting me from being able to look around in peace.¡±


    Fenrir smiled as the Second-in-command advised him to leave.


    On his side, the temple master almost choked at the harsh tone his partner used. But there was little the temple master could do if Fenrir took offense to what his partner had said.


    Luckily for him, Fenrir only smiled at the temple master before he looked forward again. It did not seem as if he had taken offense to what the rude man had said.


    It stuck the second in command as odd. He had never seen a human like this patient before, and it made him wonder how that was even possible. What kind of witchcraft could make people become this patient in the first place?


    ¡®The more time I spend with this man, the more I am sure that he cannot be real. There is something about his presence that makes him stand apart from the rest of the world around us. He almost feels¡­unreal¡­¡¯


    It was a feeling the Second-in-command had never gotten before. The only one he could compare this to was a high-ranking cardinal from the central church. But even then, the feeling he got did not make his insides burn in fear and excitement.


    ¡°I will leave you all alone to look around the castle now. But make sure you step carefully. Many of the floors around the back parts are not safe for people to walk on. We have put up signs to keep people outside, so make sure you follow them as well.


    If you enter that area, then we will not be responsible for your safety or well-being. Please, give me an oath regarding this.¡±


    Fenrir smiled before he wheeled himself away. He got his promise, and now, it was no longer his concern what happened to the pair.


    The Countess was nowhere to be seen, but her presence lingered around them as well.


    Being in this castle made the Second-in-command¡¯s insides itch. It was almost as if something was crawling inside his body and trying to take root. But before he could focus on that feeling, the temple master decided to voice his displeasure.


    ¡°Look, I know that you don¡¯t trust nobility, but you need to be careful with how you deal with them. Plus, this palace had been standing here for longer than we have been around. If nothing has happened thus far, then do we need to be this vigilant?¡±


    The temple master asked, and his Second-in-command sighed.


    ¡°It is because this place is so old that we need to look around it carefully. Usually, these places hide a lot of secrets that are waiting to be discovered. I don¡¯t trust that Countess and servant of his.¡±


    The Second-in-command spat these words out. The more he spoke, the more he convinced himself that he was right.


    In the end, the temple master could only sign and follow after the younger man. They walked around the castle in search of clues the whole day, but they were not able to find anything of value.


    Even if it looked as if they were close to discovering something, another distraction found them until they could no longer remember what they had been initially chasing.


    It did nothing to the temple master, but he could feel his second-in-command losing his temper quickly.


    ¡°Hey, I told you that it might all be useless. Now, let¡¯s head back so that we can have dinner. I feel my stomach complaining¡­.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    The temple master complained as he held his stomach. He was hungry, exhausted, and ready to return home.


    Seeing him in such a condition made his Second-in-command look pressed. The man wanted to look more, so he had a brilliant idea.


    ¡°You should head back without me. I will look around a little more before I can bring myself to try this place. Don¡¯t worry. I promise I will find something suspicious about this place for sure.¡±


    The Second-in-command promised before he walked away. Seeing how the younger was not going to listen made the temple master shake his head. He wanted to teach the younger that there were times when one needed to take a step back.


    But if someone was not going actually to listen, then what was even the point?


    ______


    ¡°How can I find nothing, even after searching this hard? Even if there is nothing, I should still find something of value. How can it all end up as nothing?¡±


    The Second-in-command raged in the empty corridor.


    Any place that was accessible to him had been checked and plundered. There had been countless spells cast to check the authenticity of items around this palace.


    But he had ended up finding nothing in the end.


    ¡°Should I check the back section? I am sure that it is not actually dangerous for humans to go because of the weak floors. I am sure these people are hiding something in the back, and this is their excuse to hide it from me.¡±


    To say that the Second-in-command was suspicious of that back area would be an underestimation. But the excuse he gave to check this place did not cover him going into the back area.


    It made him hesitant to enter that place, but he quickly gathered his courage to take the leap into the forbidden.


    What if that area was designated as off-limits to most people? He could still enter that place if he were careful enough to do that.


    He started walking toward the barrier before he crossed the threshold. His feet touched the ground on the other side and he waited for something to happen. But no matter how long he waited for things to happen, nothing did.


    As a result, the second-in-command gained some courage and kept walking deeper and deeper into that area.


    He only paused when he felt a presence heading his way. It made him pause before he gripped a small knife in his hand and attacked the presence.


    The Second-in-command had expected his attacker to be a heavy-bodied man, but it was a younger and crippled person instead. It caused him to miss his mark and overshoot his attack.


    He lost his balance and fell down. And once he was down, he kept his eyes down. He could not bring himself to look up at Fenrir¡¯s face and admit what he had been about to do.


    ¡°Excuse me, but are you alright? And what are you doing here? I¡¯m pretty sure I told everyone that this area was off-limits.¡±


    Fenrir asked, and the Second-in-command cursed under his breath. He gathered himself quickly and decided to face Fenrir head-on after he was caught.


    ¡°I got lost walking around and accidentally entered this area. It was not my intention to enter his place. But now that I am here, can I have a look around? I will be extra careful while I walk around.¡±


    The Second-in-command promised with a shameless look on his face. He did not even feel ashamed that he had walked into an area he was not supposed to.


    Since he did not look ashamed, Fenrir did not ask the man what he was doing there. It was easy to figure out that the man was trespassing where he should not be.


    ¡°Well, since you crossed the barrier already, I cannot stop you from heading down this path. I need to go and help my mistress with something, but you are free to take a look around this place. Just don¡¯t turn around to look at me.¡±


    Fenrir cautioned the man, and he waited for the Second-in-command to turn around and start walking.


    The older man took a few steps before he could not control his curiosity and had to turn around. It turned out to be a huge mistake, and before he knew it, his heart exploded, and a hand exited his chest.


    Unseen wide eyes looked at Fenrir from a white face and all the young could do was sigh in regret.


    ¡°Well, I did tell you not to look back. Because of your blunder, I ended up spoiling my appetite. You need to take responsibility for it and sate my hunger now.¡±


    Fenrir dropped the heart he had dug out of the human chest into his shadow. A mouth opened up to swallow that heart, and the body in front of him fell down.


    The demon king could have left that body there, and no one would have questioned him about it. But he did not want to do so.


    Instead, he cut his wrist open and dropped a few drops of blood into that dead body¡¯s mouth. As soon as the Second-in-command¡¯s dead body drank that blood, it stood up and corrected its position.


    Another puppet had been created by Fenrir, but this time, he had a witness watching him do his work.

 Ch 12: The Wicked Contract - Part 1

    No one except a single maid knew what had happened in the mansion that night. She looked out of the corner of her eyes as a person was killed and then brought back to life.


    ¡®What do I do now? Will anyone believe me if I tell them what happened? What if I end up dying as a result of overcoming this issue? What do I do now?¡¯


    The maid bit her lip as she kept herself hidden. She had no intention of coming out, but before she could keep herself hidden, she was found out.


    Loud footsteps headed her way and her breath felt stuck to her throat. She knew she should not speak up, but her throat still made the noise to alert Fenrir about her whereabouts.


    ¡°Hello? Is anyone there? Are you trying to hide from me? That won¡¯t work. If you come out now, then I will be merciful to you and make it hurt less for you. So, stop hiding and come out now.¡±


    Fenrir¡¯s voice sounded like a sweet melody that beckoned the maid to step closer to her end. She tried to get away by crawling out of the way, but her legs and head collided with something solid in her way.


    When she looked up, she felt her throat close, and a scream escaped her mouth.


    ¡°It breaks my heart to see you trying to run away from me like this. *Sigh* I cannot have you run around and betray my secret. Now, what do we do with you?¡±


    Fenrir asked as he looked down at the maid. His eyes had a terrifying golden glow that made the maid take a step back. She could feel her life flashing in front of her eyes at that moment.


    Humans make mistakes. At times, they were most desperate, and the maid was no different.


    With her voice shaking and her eyes filled with tears, she made a desperate motion to hold on to Fenrir¡¯s crippled legs for more support.


    It was ironic how she had to hold on to a cripple and beg for her life. But the female had a hard time feeling anything but terror at the moment.


    ¡°I-I will do anything! Please, don¡¯t kill me. I would be of great use to you if you gave me a chance to show my worth. I-I promise you that I will not cause you any harm. Please, believe me.¡±


    The maid kept her head bowed, but a thousand thoughts went through her mind as she did this.


    She was sure that her end was near, and it made her regret everything she had not done.


    ¡®If I knew I was going to die, then I would have confessed my love to the merchant¡¯s son and taken this chance to do whatever I wanted to. I would not have let anything stop me from living my life to the fullest¡­¡¯


    Regrettably, she would not even have a chance to rectify her life. Surely, this man would sink his blood-covered hand into the maid¡¯s chest and kill her.


    ¡°You will do anything for me? That is an offer that intrigues me¡­truly, humans are at their worst when they know they have nothing else to hide¡­but very well, I will take your offer. You get to live this one time.¡±


    The maid breathed a sigh of relief, and her legs suddenly felt like they had life again. She tried to push herself to stand, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her where she was.


    Fenrir¡¯s reaction shocked the maid, and her legs, which had just recovered, lost their strength once more.


    ¡°Now, who said that you could stand up and walk away? I might have given you permission to live, but that does not mean I am not going to take any precautions on the way.


    First, we should establish what you can and cannot do while we are contracted. I¡¯ll go first. You are not allowed to tell anyone about what happened here or anything about me. If you do, then your insides will explode. Now, it¡¯s your turn. Tell me what you are not supposed to do.¡±Stolen story; please report.


    The maid was shaking by this point. Her head refused to pick itself up and she could feel the pressure around her increasing. It felt suffocating and she was sure her eyes hurt under all this.


    Despite her feeling like she was going to die any second, the maid blinked herself out of that shock and managed to reply.


    ¡°I will¡­. make sure to behave like I usually do and not cause anyone to look into my situation. I-I promise you¡­please don¡¯t kill me.¡±


    The maid finished her words with a plea for her life as well.


    Fenrir¡¯s hand moved through her hair in a mocking way. It imitated someone stroking her hair affectionately, but because the maid knew the truth about Fenrir, she felt that the hand was too bony and scary.


    She could also feel something sticky, leaving a residue behind as Fenrir pulled his hand back.


    ¡°Good girl! With our vows, the pact between us has been completed. Now, if you try to betray me or cross me, your heart will explode. But on the other hand, if you help me out, you will reach a height you have never seen before.


    Who knows, your fate might change entirely. It all depends on how well you manage to please me.¡±


    Fenrir spoke in a low and seductive voice, but it only creeped the maid out more.


    She felt attracted to the crippled man¡¯s voice, and a part of her wanted to surrender to it. But she still resisted, knowing fully well that her life was online here.


    ¡°I-I will not disappoint you. I should get going now.¡±


    Mary quickly left, but before she left, she felt she should turn around to look at Fenrir one last time.


    The settling sun made Fenrir¡¯s features glow. It made his face look sharper and much more angular than before, and yet, that delicate face possessed a beauty that made people forget everything else.


    ¡°Ah, by the way, once the banquet starts the day after, it would be in your best interest to not come here. I am afraid that the food we serve here would no longer match your appetite.¡±


    Fenrir warned the maid, but she had no idea why he said this to her.


    As far as the maid could tell, she was a normal human being. So, unless Fenrir wanted to do something dangerous to the food, it should not be a problem for her to come and eat it.


    But as much as the maid wanted to ask why she should not attend the banquet; she knew keeping quiet would be in her best interest.


    She quickly made her way back to her house and entered it. Her caretaker looked at her with an annoyed expression from the dining table¡¯s main chair.


    ¡°Rui, you finally crawled your way back home? Where is your pay? Don¡¯t tell me you have not received it yet. When are you going to be able to repay me at this rate? It has been ages since I took you in.¡±


    The elder raged as he almost threw the plate he had been holding on to at Rui¡¯s head. It hit its mark, but it did not hurt as badly as it usually hurts to get hit.


    It was tough to tell if this was because she had gotten insensitive to what happened to her over time or because she was lacking awareness to do anything after the shock she just had.


    Rui just took the attack head-on and kept walking to her room without replying.


    ¡°You freak! Listen to me and reply back if you hear me tell you can get away me. No dinner for you if you leave now-!¡±


    Rui slammed the door to her room and pushed her back against the wall. She felt exhausted after all that happened, and her hunger did not come back to her.


    Her door got knocked frantically and she could hear her adoptive father trying to break it down. But it somehow held on and she breathed a sigh of relief as she felt the old man finally leave.


    She wanted to fall asleep, but in the middle of the night, she woke up with a sudden pang of thrust. She wanted to drink something, but the thought of putting water in her mouth made her feel annoyed.


    Her body had no energy, but she somehow managed to push herself to her limits and make her way out. She kept walking until she reached the door and then opened it.


    One step, then two, and then three. She kept walking until she reached the end of the corridor and then pushed the door open.


    Rui had no idea where she was going. She just knew that she needed to quench her thirst and she needed something other than water to do that.


    Her eyes fell on naked flesh, and her trust ignited once more. Before she knew it, she felt her fangs pierce something soft.


    ¡°Y-You! What are you doing? Get away from me right now-!¡±


    The man yelled, but it fell on deaf ears.


    A sweetness filled Rui¡¯s mouth and she was sure that she had never tasted anything this divine before. She drank and drank until she could not anymore. And then she pulled back, only to look down with a pair of terrified eyes at her benefactor¡¯s dead body.


    The man was dead, and his unseeing eyes looked back at Rui.


    ¡°W-What happened? Did I do this? I don¡¯t remember¡­I need to hide the evidence of what happened.¡±


    Rui yelled, and her heart thundered in her chest. She knew she needed to correct what happened and to do that; she needed to take care of this body first.


    Fire was one way to resolve this mess, and before she knew it, she had lit her house on fire.

 Ch 13: The Wicked Contract - Part 2

    ¡°Did you hear what happened? What a shame it was to hear. Rui¡¯s house burned down in the middle of the night, and no one can get to her. This is a shame, but what can we do about it?¡±


    ¡°It is always the nice ones who get in trouble about this. *Sigh* And to think that Rui was so excited to start her new job as well. I guess God has his own plans for her. But the poor girl! She got the short end of the stick everywhere she went.¡±


    Fenrir leisurely drank his tea as he heard the maids gossiped. He knew about what happened already, and he also knew that Rui had set her own house on fire in order to escape the crimes she had committed.


    One of the maids who was gossiping around finally noticed Fenrir sipping his tea, and she blushed a bright pink once she realized that she had been gossiping about her job.


    ¡°Eh, I¡¯m sorry! I did not mean to speak too much. Would you like to have more tea and pretend that it is my bribe to you?¡±


    The female maid¡¯s face went even redder as she was presented with Fenrir¡¯s bright, innocent-looking smile. It made her look away, and her heart thundered loudly in her chest.


    ¡®W-What am I doing? I should not make a bigger fool of myself than I already have. Why is it so difficult to keep myself in check? I feel like telling Fenrir whatever I am thinking about.¡¯


    The maid found it difficult to look away, but Fenrir broke the eye contact first, causing the maid to breathe out a sigh of relief. Fenrir¡¯s subtle action showed that her request had been accepted.


    She walked away with the teacup in her hand and a flaming face that yelled that she had done something scandalous just now.


    Fenrir watched the maid leave, and he let out a chuckle. His power had influenced that maid enough to make her uncomfortable, just as he wanted to.


    Day by day, he was growing stronger while absorbing the power of those around him. Any day, he would have enough power to transform and mold his body to his liking.


    He was busy checking out how much power he had when Fenrir felt the door to the guest room open.


    A maid stood at the other side of the door and she looked unsure whether she was allowed to come inside or not. But once Fenrir gave her a gentle smile, she became more confident and walked toward him.


    She stopped seconds before she reached Fenrir, and her eyes shone brightly and clearly. Then, she opened her mouth to tell Fenrir what happened.


    ¡°Sir, the temple master is here to meet you. He said that it¡¯s urgent that you meet him right now. What response should I give him?¡±


    The young maid was a year older than Fenrir, and her inexperience showed in the way she handled herself. She was quite cute but a little dumb to be climbing the work ladder, and that was why she had been offered as a sacrifice to get Fenrir.


    ¡°Is that so? If the temple master is here, then I guess I have no choice but to come out and meet him. Can you let him know that I will be there soon?¡±


    Fenrir asked, and the young maid quickly left with a bright face.


    As soon as she was gone, the easy-going smile on Fenrir¡¯s face melted away to show his indifference. He already knew that the temple master would come to seek him out.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Fenrir had done a lot to the second-in-command, and no matter how much of a dunce the temple master was, there would be some people around who would notice the difference in the energy the second-in-command now possessed.


    A maid opened the door for Fenrir to enter the guest area, and the temple master quickly jumped on his feet to greet Fenrir.


    ¡°Y-Young man, I finally got to see you again. I have a few questions for you. Do you know what happened to my second-in-command? People have complained that he does not feel the same way now. Do you know anything about it?¡±


    The temple master asked in an almost scared voice. He was even shaking in is boots, trying to get some sense of stability under his grasp.


    Fenrir¡¯s beautiful smile put the man¡¯s nerves at ease, but Fenrir could tell that the temple master had not fully given in to Fenrir¡¯s charms.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened, or what made you say that the mister from yesterday is acting weird? Can you tell me about it?¡±


    People brought back to life as dolls could pass off as humans, but they were not perfect. Rather, Fenrir did not have enough strength to summon a demon to reside in these bodies and grab control of them yet.


    As a result, he had to make do with what he had and navigate life in a way that would not cause him trouble.


    Because of his lack of strength and checking, there was a chance that these dolls could have some major defects that he did not know about.


    ¡°W-Well, I don¡¯t personally know what is wrong with my second-in-command, but others said that they saw him roaming around in the middle of the night and not sleeping. They also said that my second-in-command avoided places with strong divine energy, and he did not come for our daily prayers. Wait¡­now that I am saying this aloud, it all does sound rather serious.¡±


    The temple master went pale as he listed out what happened one by one.


    But at the end of the list, he looked ready to rub his forehead and forget about whatever he said to Fenrir.


    ¡°Ah, I see. If this is what happened, then I am afraid that I do not know anything about it. As far as I know, your second-in-command left this place intact. Maybe he is just coming down with something?¡±


    Fenrir asked in a worried voice, and the temple master nodded his head.


    ¡°Hopefully, you are right. You see, the annual inspection from the central temple is to be held in a few days, so I was worried about things going wrong because of it. But I am sure that nothing would happen¡­hahaha¡­no one cares for us since we are a small village anyway.¡±


    The temple master¡¯s words felt like a bomb being dropped on Fenrir.


    He had expected the temple to interfere in his matters and even try to catch him once he was ready.


    This was far too soon for the temple and god¡¯s minions to interfere in my plans. Although, it is nice to have a warning beforehand. This way, I know that my timing to run away is the right one.


    He sneered on the inside, but he kept a happy and calm expression on the outside. When he looked at the temple master, he made sure he sowed his seeds to ease his mind.


    ¡°I am sure the main temple won¡¯t find any flaw with you. After all, god is benevolent and forgiving. He won¡¯t punish you for anything when you are trying to do your best to serve him.¡±


    Fenrir placed a hand on the temple master¡¯s shoulder, and the man visibly relaxed under his touch.


    ¡°You are right! Our lord is a merciful one. Thank you for showing me the right way, young man. Now, I see that my path was just one. I shall take my leave now.¡±


    Fenrir watched the temple master leave with a light mind.


    He might have helped a virtuous man feel better, but that did not mean that Fenrir did not have his plans. He just thought that it was a devious thing to reassure someone before sending him out.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing that I arranged for the temple master to be taken care of before I set my plan in motion. That man might be a fool, but he has the power and force of the temple behind him. I would rather him not feel suspicious like this.¡±


    Fenrir had a puppet in the temple who was ready to do his bidding.


    As soon as the temple master stepped into the temple, he was met with a knife in his stomach. His wide eyes looked in front of him, only to notice his trusty second-in-command stabbing him.


    It happened in front of everyone, and the temple let up into a loud roar over what happened. People rushed to check what happened and who did the evil deed.


    ¡°You all are sinners in ¡®his¡¯ eyes. You are all corrupt. Thus, it is my mission to clean you of your sins. I shall be your end.¡±


    The second-in-command yelled at the top of his lungs. He stood confident and firm in the middle of the temple¡¯s officials, and finally, someone else was able to speak up.


    ¡°Oh god! That man has gone insane. What do we do about him now? At this rate, we will all die.¡±

 Ch 14: The Wicked Contract - Part 3

    With a lot of force involved, the temple master''s stabbed body was finally broken out of the grab hold it was in, but the man was already dead.


    The second-in-command who killed the temple master showed no sign of remorse, and he still talked about his ''god'' and how this was the right path. His words made a lot of people question if he was right or not.


    After all, the second-in-command was known to be a virtuous man and someone who had a lot of divine power. Surely someone like him won''t cause this trouble for no reason?


    The temple was shrouded in confusion when an elder finally decided to take charge.


    "Our brethren have fallen into the devil''s temptation. Now, he shall be purified so that his soul can return to our father. Hurry up and catch him! We need to burn him alive."


    The old man was a well-respected figure and a cornerstone of the temple. As much as people trusted the second-in-command, they trusted and respected the old master even more.


    So, a few people lunged forward and grabbed the flailing man before they dragged him to the alter and lit him on fire.


    The old man who gave this order sighed in relief as he watched the second-in-command die. What the others did not realize was the fact that the old man had wanted to do this forever.


    He appeared to be a victorious man who was always kind and helpful to others. However, he also had a burning desire to gain power.


    The old man was well aware that he wouldn''t be able to achieve his goal as long as the second-in-command was alive. So, he took this opportunity to get rid of his competition.


    Now that the temple master and the second-in-command were dead, there was a vacuum in the temple''s power. It was time for someone else to step in and take the mantle.


    And the old man knew that it had to be him. It was his only chance to prove himself and show the world his capabilities.


    ...


    "Fenrir, did you hear what happened at the temple? They say that the second-in-command stabbed the temple master, and they both ended up dying! First Rui, and now this? Do you think this village is cursed now?


    Maybe the reason Countess Ann was cursed was because her curse moved to the village or something¡­"


    The maid spoke before she stopped herself. She realized that she might have spoken too much, but Fenrir only smiled at her, making her feel relieved that he had not taken offense.


    "Shh! I''ve told you before that you should be careful about what you speak. Even walls have ears, much less other humans. Besides, it is all a result of bad timing and internal struggles.


    Now that the Countess has woken up, people are trying to hide all their misdeeds. This is just a result of that happening. You don''t need to pay much attention to it."


    Fenrir assured the female, but the maid still looked doubtful.


    But she did not get to think about it much when Fenrir gave her work to do. She got so busy that she was not able to breathe until the end of the day.


    Fenrir watched the maids gossip, but he did nothing to curb the rumors going around. Instead, he focused his attention on the guest list and moderating the space.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    He felt excited to make a lot of sacrifices and get his power back soon. He quickly finished his work before someone from the temple visited him.


    Fenrir expected this visit, so he quickly walked out to meet the person who came here to meet him.


    He expected someone to come to him soon because of what happened. He knew that the temple was desperate for his help and the financial support the countess could provide them with.


    This time, the representative was an old man who looked on the verge of dying. But greed shined in his eyes as clear as the anything else.


    ''It is funny how greedy humans are. No matter how much I give them, they manage to come back for more and ask for more. But this is why I like them as well. No matter how old they get, they are never able to give up their greed.''


    Fenrir smiled at the older man to put him at ease before he wheeled himself in front of the older man.


    "Did I keep you waiting? I apologize for that. I was a little busy, and I did not have time to come and greet you."


    Fenrir apologized, but his words had no heat behind them. It was clear to anyone that Fenrir did not mean a single word when he spoke to the temple representative. He had nothing to be sorry about in the first place.


    The old man felt sweat run down his face when he looked at Fenrir, but he kept his mouth shut and decided to press the matter he was here for.


    "I know it is too much to ask you right now, but can you lend the temple some money on behalf of the Countess? As you have heard, we have fallen into hard times, and we are trying to recover. Any help you can provide us with would help us out a lot."


    The old man tried to sound sad and he succeeded. After years of performing and fooling people, he had gotten good at this craft.


    Fenrir wanted to laugh at the old man''s audacity, but he decided to throw this man a bone and accept this request. This was going to be the last one this man would be able to make anyway.


    "Of course, I can lend you some money. But in return, you need to do something for me. I want everyone in the temple to attend tomorrow''s banquet. Can you make sure that happens?"


    Fenrir asked in a kind voice, and the old man, who felt his heart skip a beat at the condition, finally calmed down. He realized that this condition was not to follow at all.


    "Of course, I can do that. Please, leave it to me."


    The old man agreed, not realizing that he was leading a lot of people to their death. The promise of money and power had blinded him to what was really happening.


    "I see. I will ask someone to deliver your money tomorrow after the banquet. I hope to see you at the banquet, master."


    Fenrir spoke softly, and the old man felt a little deflated. He had hoped to get his money immediately. Seeing his expression, Fenrir decided to throw him another bone.


    "You can take a portion of the money today as well. I will ask the head maid to lend you some in a little while."


    Fenrir promised, and the old man perked up once more before he finally left.


    ...


    ''This thrust¡­it will kill me! It was not this bad last night. Why is this happening to me? Fuck! It is all his fault. I will kill that man.''


    Rui''s thoughts changed between lamenting her misery and wanting to kill Fenrir.


    Her skin had started to turn from her normal color to an ash color and she could feel herself losing more and more of her morality. At this rate, she would no longer remain human and that thought terrified her to no end.


    She knew she needed to get answers, but the thought of going out and being found terrified her. So, she remained hidden in her place for now.


    Rui''s only option was to head out and sneak into Ann''s castle once the party was going on. That was the only time she would be allowed inside without asking any questions. So, she bid her time for the day, and when she could not control her hunger any longer, she decided to hunt a cat and drink it dry.


    The remainder of the day passed at snail''s pace and no one came to bother her in her hiding spot. Finally, she somehow managed to pass the day and it was the day of the banquet.


    Rui finally got out of her hiding spot and covered herself from head-to-toe in cloth so that she could blend in easily with the crowd.


    She made her way toward the central castle and she snuck in before anyone knew it. Her throat burned, and it demanded her to drink something. But she had tried water before, and drinking water made her feel even more thirsty.


    ''I need blood! I cannot control myself any longer. Please, don''t come near me. I won''t be able to handle myself. Even now, I can feel my rationality leaving my head and demanding me to do whatever I can to fulfill my needs.''


    Rui clutched her throat, which attracted a maid''s attention.


    That poor girl came over to check up on a sick patient when Rui stuck her fangs into the female''s throat. She had not meant to do that, but once the taste of human blood hit her lips, Rui could not bring herself to regret her choice either.

 Ch 15: The Lady of Sorrow

    The grand hall was a cacophony of voices, the laughter and chatter of nobles blending with the faint notes of a string quartet. It was a world far removed from Fenrir¡¯s lowly place, yet tonight, he was no mere servant. His wheelchair glided across the polished floors with an elegance that belied his station, his demeanor calm yet charged with a silent intensity.


    By his side stood Countess Mary Ann, her ghostly presence accentuating his mystery. Draped in shimmering silver, she looked more like a porcelain doll than a living being, her face impassive and her movements unnervingly precise.


    Fenrir, clad in a dark suit that seemed to drink the light, addressed the room with a measured nod. His beauty was an unspoken weapon, drawing eyes and silencing whispers.


    ¡°Welcome,¡± he began, his voice smooth yet commanding. The conversations halted mid-sentence, all attention snapping to him. ¡°You honor us with your presence tonight, and we hope to make it an evening you will not soon forget.¡±


    The words lingered in the air, carrying an almost ominous weight. The nobles clapped politely, some with genuine admiration, others with the practiced facade of those who feared offending even a servant who wielded such an aura.


    Fenrir maneuvered his wheelchair through the crowd, his sharp gaze noting every reaction, every flicker of emotion. His role as a servant allowed him access to secrets others would never dare share openly, and he used their ignorance to his advantage.


    ¡°Ah, Lady Isolde,¡± Fenrir said as he approached a group of finely dressed women. ¡°Your gown tonight outshines even the stars themselves.¡±


    The woman¡¯s lips curled into a smile, her cheeks coloring faintly. ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Fenrir.¡±


    ¡°Kindness has little to do with truth,¡± he replied, his tone both deferential and subtly beguiling.


    He continued to charm his way through the crowd, his words calculated to plant seeds of curiosity and trust. Meanwhile, Mary Ann followed silently, her presence unsettling those who noticed her unblinking stare.


    As the night wore on, Fenrir¡¯s focus shifted to the carefully orchestrated chaos he had planned. A young servant, his eyes glazed and lifeless, moved through the crowd, carrying a tray laden with wine.


    Fenrir¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile as he watched the servant falter, spilling a few drops of liquid onto a nearby tablecloth. The spill was harmless on its own, but moments later, the servant stumbled again, this time colliding with a candleholder.


    The flame licked at the alcohol-soaked cloth, and within seconds, the fire roared to life. It spread with unnatural speed, consuming the hall in a matter of moments. The nobles screamed and scattered, their attempts to escape futile as the inferno closed in.


    Fenrir sat motionless amidst the chaos, his face illuminated by the flickering flames. Mary Ann remained by his side, unflinching as the fire engulfed the room.


    By the time the fire began to consume the main structure, the castle was a tomb. The screams of the nobles had long since faded, replaced by the crackling roar of fire and the groaning collapse of timber.


    Fenrir wheeled himself toward the main doors, the fire parting as if unwilling to touch him. Behind him, Mary Ann followed, her movements eerily graceful despite the destruction.


    The cool night air greeted them as they emerged from the blazing ruin. The castle stood as a towering pyre against the starless sky, its light casting long shadows across the empty grounds.


    ______


    Standing at the edge of the castle grounds was a solitary figure, her crimson eyes glinting in the firelight. Rui watched as Fenrir approached, her body tense with a mixture of fear and something she couldn¡¯t quite name.


    Rui had tried to sneak into the castle, but her hunger stopped her and she caused an accident. Before she could come to terms with that happened, the fire threated to burn everything down around her.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    She somehow got out, but she was not the only one. Fenrir had gotten out alond with her and his presence stood behind Rui like a lingering shadow.


    ¡°You made it out,¡± she said, her voice quiet but sharp.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Fenrir replied, his tone light, as if commenting on the weather.


    Rui¡¯s gaze shifted to Mary Ann, her unease deepening. The countess¡¯s lifeless expression sent a chill down her spine.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± Rui asked, her voice trembling despite her effort to appear composed.


    Fenrir tilted his head, studying her with a faint smile. ¡°Only what was necessary.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ killed them all,¡± Rui said, her voice rising.


    ¡°Did I?¡± Fenrir countered, his tone calm. ¡°Or did they die because they were too weak to escape?¡±


    Rui stepped back, her instincts screaming at her to flee, but something kept her rooted in place. There was a connection between her and Fenrir, a thread she couldn¡¯t sever no matter how much she wanted to.


    ¡°You¡¯re a monster,¡± she whispered, her hands clenching into fists.


    Fenrir chuckled softly. ¡°And you, Rui, are far more like me than you¡¯d care to admit.¡±


    The words struck her like a physical blow, and she flinched, her mind racing. ¡°Stay away from me,¡± she said, her voice shaking.


    ¡°I¡¯ll respect your wishes,¡± Fenrir said, his smile widening. ¡°For now.¡±


    As he turned his wheelchair toward the darkened woods beyond the castle, Mary Ann followed without hesitation. Rui watched them disappear into the shadows, the burning castle behind them casting its dying light on her pale face.


    The smoldering ruins of the castle were still visible on the horizon when Rui finally broke the silence that had hung between her and Fenrir. They were deep in the forest now, the moonlight barely filtering through the canopy above. The air was thick with tension, the crackle of dying embers in the distance serving as a reminder of what had transpired.


    ¡°What is your endgame, Fenrir?¡± Rui asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.


    Fenrir, seated in his wheelchair with an unsettling serenity, turned his gaze toward her. The faint flicker of amusement danced in his pale eyes. ¡°My endgame? Rui, why settle for games when the stakes are so much higher?¡±


    She crossed her arms, her crimson eyes narrowing. ¡°Spare me the theatrics. You orchestrated all this chaos. You killed everyone in that castle. Why?¡±


    He tilted his head, as if contemplating how much to reveal. ¡°Because the weak must fall so the strong can rise. That is the law of this world, is it not?¡±


    ¡°And what do you hope to rise to?¡± Rui demanded.


    Fenrir¡¯s smile widened, a slow, deliberate curve of his lips. ¡°To rule, Rui. To rule over the human race.¡±


    Rui stared at him, stunned into silence for a moment. Then, laughter burst from her lips, harsh and incredulous. ¡°You? Rule humanity? Don¡¯t make me laugh. The temple is always watching for people like you. They¡¯d kill you before you could even try.¡±


    Fenrir¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Ah, yes. The temple. Guardians of morality, defenders of order.¡± His tone was laced with sarcasm. ¡°They are a nuisance, but one I am more than capable of handling.¡±


    ¡°Capable? You can¡¯t even stand on your own two feet,¡± Rui shot back, her frustration bubbling to the surface.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I?¡± Fenrir asked softly. His voice sounded almost cruel and curious, which made Rui feel uncomfortable.


    He gestured to Mary Ann, who had remained unnervingly silent, her lifeless eyes staring into the void. Rui had avoided looking at the countess for too long; the woman¡¯s presence unnerved her in ways she couldn¡¯t quite explain.


    ¡°Watch closely,¡± Fenrir said, his voice dropping to a low murmur.


    Mary Ann¡¯s body began to convulse, her head lolling to the side as an unnatural sound emanated from her throat. Rui took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. The air around them grew heavy, and an oppressive darkness seemed to seep from the earth itself.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Rui whispered, her voice trembling.


    Fenrir¡¯s eyes glowed faintly, a crimson hue that mirrored her own. ¡°Bringing forth a guest.¡±


    A guttural scream tore from Mary Ann¡¯s lips as her body arched backward, her limbs twisting unnaturally. A cold wind swept through the clearing, carrying with it the faint scent of decay.


    And then it stopped.


    Mary Ann¡¯s body went still, her head snapping upright. When her eyes opened, they were black as obsidian, and a cruel smile spread across her pale face.


    The body that had looked dead seconds ago suddenly looked like it had been breathed a new life into. The bones around the body were cracking before they reformed and the body stood up on it¡¯s own feet.


    ¡°Ah, it feels good to breathe again,¡± the woman said, her voice rich with malice. ¡°Even if this body is¡­ fragile.¡±


    Rui stumbled backward, her blood running cold. ¡°What¡­ what is that?¡±


    Fenrir leaned back in his wheelchair, his expression one of satisfaction. ¡°Rui, meet the fifth demon king, the Lady of Sorrow.¡±


    The possessed Mary Ann turned her gaze toward Rui, her smile widening. ¡°A pleasure, I¡¯m sure,¡± she said, her tone mocking.

 Ch 16: Shadows in the Mind

    The clearing was still as Rui faced Fenrir, her heart pounding in her chest. His offer hung in the air like a dark specter, suffocating and inescapable.


    "Join me, Rui," Fenrir said, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of finality. "This is your last chance. You belong at my side, not wandering aimlessly in denial of what you are."


    "I don''t belong anywhere near you," Rui snapped, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "I won''t turn into¡­ whatever it is you''ve become. You''re no longer human, Fenrir. You''re a monster."


    Fenrir chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down her spine. "You speak as though you''re any different. Tell me, Rui, what do you crave? Is it food? Drink? Or is it something far more¡­ primal?"


    Rui''s breath hitched as his words hit their mark. She had felt the hunger building, the gnawing need for blood that she could barely control. She tried to mask it, but the truth was undeniable.


    "You don''t know what you''re talking about," she said, her voice wavering.


    "Don''t I?" Fenrir leaned forward slightly, his pale eyes boring into hers. "You''re already a monster, Rui. Your thirst betrays you. You can fight it, pretend it isn''t there, but it will consume you. The only way to survive, to pass as human, is to join me. Let me guide you."


    Rui shook her head violently. "I''d rather die than become like you."


    Fenrir''s expression hardened, the warmth draining from his voice. "Very well. I won''t waste any more time on someone who refuses to see the truth. In the end, you will follow me yourself."


    Without another word, Fenrir turned his wheelchair toward the faint glow of a dirt road in the distance. Mary Ann followed silently, her possessed form moving with unnatural grace. Rui watched them go, her chest tight with a mix of relief and something she couldn''t quite name.


    She had rejected him, yet a part of her ached as he left. It wasn''t admiration or affection¡ªshe hated him for what he had done, for what he represented. But there was an undeniable connection between them, a pull she couldn''t entirely resist.


    She forced herself to turn away, determined to leave him behind.


    Hours passed, and Rui wandered aimlessly through the forest, her mind racing. No matter how hard she tried to focus on anything else, her thoughts kept returning to Fenrir. His words echoed in her mind, stoking a mix of fear and curiosity.


    Finally, she found herself near the road again, her feet moving as if of their own accord. She stayed hidden in the shadows, watching as Fenrir and Mary Ann boarded a wagon bound for the next town.


    The horses neighed softly as the wagon lurched into motion. Rui''s heart sank as it disappeared down the road, but she couldn''t bring herself to turn away. She followed, her steps quickening as the wagon gained distance.


    By midday, the sun was high in the sky, its heat sapping her strength. Rui stumbled, her body growing sluggish. The hunger inside her was a constant companion now, clawing at her insides. She fought against it, unwilling to give in.


    The hours dragged on, and the wagon remained just out of reach. Rui''s legs ached, and her breath came in ragged gasps, but she refused to stop.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest was bathed in shadows. Rui felt the change immediately. Her body grew lighter, her movements more fluid. The exhaustion of the day melted away, replaced by a strange vitality.


    She stopped for a moment, staring at her hands in the dim light. Her nails glinted faintly, sharper than she remembered. Her senses sharpened, the rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl suddenly crystal clear.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "No," she whispered to herself. "This isn''t real. It''s not happening."


    But the truth was undeniable. She was changing, just as Fenrir had said.


    Her hunger surged as the night deepened, her resolve weakening with every passing moment. She could no longer deny the connection she felt to Fenrir, nor the pull to follow him.


    In the distance, the wagon came to a halt. The driver climbed down, tending to the horses while Fenrir and Mary Ann remained inside. Rui crept closer, her movements silent as the forest around her.


    She could see him through the window of the wagon, seated calmly as if he had been expecting her all along. For a moment, she froze, torn between the instinct to flee and the growing need to confront the man who had created her.


    As the stars filled the night sky, Rui made her decision.


    ______


    Fenrir leaned back in his wheelchair, the dim interior of the wagon illuminated only by the flickering light of a lantern. The rhythmic creak of the wooden wheels and the soft clopping of the horses filled the silence. Opposite him sat Mary Ann, her lifeless face now animated by the Lady of Sorrow''s possession.


    "Are you aware of her?" Mary Ann''s voice was laced with malice, though the demon''s tone remained composed.


    Fenrir''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Of course. Rui is drawn to me as a moth is to flame. She believes herself to be resisting, yet here she is, trailing us through the night."


    "And what will you do with her?" the demon asked, tilting Mary Ann''s head in a disturbingly human gesture of curiosity.


    Fenrir''s smile widened. "I intend to use her, of course. Rui may despise me, but she''s already entangled in this web. The temple will come, sooner or later. They always do when something disrupts their precious balance. And when they do¡­"


    "She will be your distraction," the demon finished, her voice dark with approval. "A bait to lead them astray while you move forward with your plans."


    Fenrir nodded. "Precisely. Rui is impulsive, emotional. The temple will see her as an anomaly, an easy target. They''ll focus on her while I slip away to the next stage."


    The Lady of Sorrow laughed softly, the sound sending chills through the air. "You''re as cunning as ever, Fenrir. But be careful¡ªbait can turn on its master."


    Fenrir''s eyes narrowed, his smile never faltering. "Let her try. She will fall sooner or later - they all end up that way sooner or later if they chose to side with the wrong person."


    ______


    Miles away, in a towering citadel of white stone, the air was thick with tension. A chamber of robed figures sat in a semi-circle, their expressions grim as they listened to the report.


    "The fire at the Countess Mary Ann''s castle was no ordinary accident," said the messenger, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. "All the nobles in attendance perished, and no survivors were found."


    One of the elders, an aging man with a scarred face, leaned forward. "And what of Mary Ann herself?"


    The messenger hesitated before answering. "Her body was not recovered. But the presence of dark energy at the site suggests¡­"


    "That she may have been taken," the elder finished grimly.


    The chamber fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. After a moment, a woman in the robes of a high priestess spoke. Her voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority.


    "This cannot go unanswered. If a dark force is at work, it must be eradicated before it spreads."


    Another elder nodded. "We should send a saintess to investigate. Someone with the strength to uncover the truth and deal with whatever evil lingers."


    The high priestess closed her eyes in thought, and then her gaze settled on one of the figures standing at the edge of the chamber. A young woman with golden hair and piercing blue eyes stepped forward, her expression resolute.


    "Catherene," the high priestess said. "You will go to the site of the fire. Find out what happened and ensure that whatever caused this destruction does not spread further."


    Catherene bowed deeply. "As you command, High Priestess."


    Back in the wagon, Fenrir felt a faint ripple of energy¡ªa distant shift in the fabric of the world. He tilted his head, his smile deepening.


    "They''ve heard of the fire," he murmured, his tone almost playful.


    "Of course they have," the Lady of Sorrow replied. "You set the stage too perfectly for them to ignore."


    Fenrir''s gaze drifted to the window, the faint outline of trees rushing past in the moonlight. "It''s only a matter of time before they send someone. Rui will draw them in, and when they take the bait, I will be long gone."


    Mary Ann''s head tilted once more, her black eyes glinting in the lantern light. "And the saintess they send? What if she is more¡­ capable than you expect?"


    Fenrir''s expression darkened for a moment, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair. "Then I''ll deal with her. But I suspect she will focus on Rui. After all, the temple fears what they don''t understand. A fledgling like her will draw their attention far more than a mere servant in a wheelchair."


    "And what of Mary Ann''s relative in the city?" the demon asked.


    Fenrir''s smile returned. "A loose end. One that I intend to tie up when we arrive."

 Ch 17: Dinner with Shadows

    The wagon rolled into the bustling streets of New Portland just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city in a warm, golden glow. Unlike the remote countryside they had left behind, New Portland was alive with activity. Market stalls lined the streets, and the sounds of merchants calling out their wares mingled with the chatter of townsfolk heading home for the evening.


    Fenrir sat calmly in his wheelchair, taking in the sights with a detached interest. Beside him, Mary Ann¡ªor the Lady of Sorrow inhabiting her body¡ªremained silent. They were expected at the home of Lady Fourie, formerly Baroness Ann, Mary Ann''s cousin by marriage.


    As they approached the imposing manor at the heart of the city, Fenrir studied the structure. The stone walls were pristine, almost unnaturally so, and the gardens were meticulously maintained. It was the home of someone who cared deeply about appearances.


    The doors swung open as they arrived, and Lady Fourie herself stepped forward to greet them. She was a striking woman with sharp features and an icy demeanor, though her smile was practiced and warm.


    "Mary Ann," she said, her voice honeyed but hollow. "It''s been far too long."


    "And yet you don''t seem pleased to see me," Mary Ann replied, her tone neutral but with an edge that Fenrir didn''t miss.


    Lady Fourie''s smile faltered for the briefest moment before she turned her attention to Fenrir. "And this must be your¡­ servant."


    Fenrir inclined his head politely. "At your service, my lady."


    Lady Fourie led them into the grand hall, the opulence of her home apparent in every detail. Gold accents lined the walls, and the air carried the faint scent of lavender. Servants moved silently through the space, their faces carefully blank.


    "I trust your journey was uneventful," Lady Fourie said as they settled in the sitting room.


    "Uneventful enough," Mary Ann replied, her gaze lingering on her cousin.


    Fenrir said nothing, instead observing Lady Fourie closely. Though her words were welcoming, her body language betrayed her. The stiffness in her posture, the way her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of her chair¡ªthese were not the actions of someone genuinely pleased to host family.


    As the conversation continued, Fenrir''s suspicions grew. Lady Fourie was hiding something, and it wasn''t just her distaste for Mary Ann''s presence.


    "Now, don''t be like that toward me, sister. Come inside and allow me a chance to serve you. I will show you what you were missing in that backward countryside," Lady Fourie welcomed the pair in her home.


    ______


    Later that evening, as the household settled into an uneasy calm, Fenrir took the opportunity to explore. He didn''t need to move far; the whispers of the servants were enough to reveal what he needed to know.


    "They say she poisoned her husband," one voice murmured in the kitchen.


    "Shh! Don''t speak so loudly," another hissed. "If she hears you¡­"


    "Everyone knows it," the first voice continued in a hushed tone. "He was perfectly healthy, and then he fell ill out of nowhere. And now she controls everything."


    "And her cousins?"


    The first voice paused. "They won''t last long. You can see it in her eyes. She''s already planning something. It''s said that she already tried to get rid of her once"


    Fenrir smirked to himself as he wheeled away from the shadows, the pieces falling into place. Lady Fourie was not just a woman of appearances; she was a dangerous one, someone who would stop at nothing to maintain her power.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Returning to his room, Fenrir found Mary Ann seated by the window, gazing out at the city below.


    "She''s planning something," Fenrir said without preamble.


    Mary Ann didn''t turn to face him. "Of course she is. Ann always was ambitious, even as a girl. But she''s no match for us."


    Fenrir raised an eyebrow. "Confidence is good, but overconfidence can be fatal. She''s clever, and cleverness can be more dangerous than strength."


    Mary Ann''s expression didn''t change, but her tone softened. "What do you suggest?"


    Fenrir leaned back, his smile returning. "We let her play her game. Let her believe she has the upper hand. And when she strikes, we''ll ensure she learns the cost of underestimating us."


    The Lady of Sorrow laughed softly, a chilling sound that echoed in the quiet room. "This will be fun."


    ______


    Meanwhile, the whispers of Lady Fourie''s alleged crimes had begun to spread through the city. Though most townsfolk were too afraid to speak openly, the story of her husband''s sudden death was well-known in certain circles. Some said he had been poisoned during dinner, others claimed she had hired an assassin to make it look like an accident.


    Now, with Mary Ann and Fenrir under her roof, the rumors took on a new life.


    "Did you hear? The countess and her servant are staying with Lady Fourie."


    "They''re doomed, then. No one leaves that house alive."


    "She''ll find a way to get rid of them, just like she did her husband."


    As the first course was served, the maids moved with mechanical precision, their faces pale and tense. Each dish was placed carefully in front of the guests, their hands trembling slightly as they retreated.


    The servants had worked tirelessly under Lady Fourie''s strict instructions, preparing a meal unlike any other. Secret ingredients had been added to every course, subtle and undetectable to the casual diner.


    The soup shimmered faintly, an otherworldly sheen betraying the curse woven into its broth. The roast duck was seasoned with rare herbs known to disrupt the soul''s equilibrium. Even the wine, rich and dark, carried a faint bitterness that hinted at the malevolence hidden within.


    The maids exchanged nervous glances as Fenrir and Mary Ann lifted their utensils. The maids shared a secret that no one else but their miustress knew about.


    Fenrir tasted the soup first, dipping his spoon into the golden liquid. He took a slow sip, his expression calm and unreadable. Beside him, Mary Ann followed suit, her movements elegant and deliberate.


    The maids held their breath, waiting for the inevitable reaction. Surely the cursed food would reveal itself. Surely the two would sense the danger.


    But Fenrir only smiled faintly, setting his spoon down with measured grace. "Exquisite," he murmured.


    Mary Ann nodded in agreement, her expression serene. "Your cooks are truly talented," she added, her voice carrying an otherworldly echo that made the servants shiver.


    The maids exchanged panicked whispers as they moved to clear the first course.


    "They didn''t notice," one muttered.


    "Impossible," another hissed. "They should have felt it. They should have¡­"


    "They''re doomed," the head maid interrupted sharply, her face pale. "Keep your voices down. If Lady Fourie hears you¡­"


    As the second course was served, Lady Fourie leaned forward slightly, her gaze lingering on Fenrir. "I''m glad to see you enjoying the meal. It''s not often I have the chance to entertain such... unique company."


    Fenrir''s smile widened, his expression one of polite interest. "You honor us with your efforts, my lady. It''s clear you''ve spared no expense."


    "Only the best for family," Lady Fourie replied smoothly.


    Mary Ann''s fork hovered over her plate for a moment before she delicately speared a piece of meat. "It''s been so long since I''ve had a proper meal," she said, her tone wistful. "This truly is a rare treat."


    If Lady Fourie was disconcerted by their composure, she didn''t show it. But Fenrir noticed the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled ever so slightly around her wineglass.


    As the dinner progressed, the maids continued to serve in silence, their fear mounting with every passing minute. Fenrir and Mary Ann displayed no signs of discomfort, no indication that they were affected by the cursed food.


    "They''re not human," one whispered as she retreated to the kitchen with empty utensils.


    "Or they''re stronger than we thought," another added, her voice trembling.


    The head maid shook her head. "It doesn''t matter. Lady Fourie always gets what she wants. If the food doesn''t work¡­" She trailed off, unwilling to voice the grim possibilities.


    As dessert was served, Fenrir leaned back slightly, his pale fingers tracing the rim of his glass. "This has been a most enlightening evening," he said, his voice soft but carrying an undertone of amusement.


    Lady Fourie inclined her head, her smile returning. "I''m glad to hear that. I do hope you''ll stay for some time. New Portland has so much to offer."


    Fenrir''s smile didn''t waver, but his gaze sharpened, his voice dropping slightly as he replied. "I''m certain it does."


    The unspoken tension between them hung heavy in the air, a subtle dance of power and deceit. Fenrir knew the game Lady Fourie was playing, and she was beginning to suspect that her guests were not as oblivious as they appeared.


    A lot was said at the dinner table, but none of it mattered. Words were muttered until everyone went their separate way to rest for the night.

 Ch 18: Countering the Host

    After the dinner concluded, Fenrir allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection in the privacy of the guest chambers. The opulent room was a gilded cage, one meant to placate and distract its occupants. But Fenrir wasn''t fooled.


    "Do you feel it?" he asked softly.


    Mary Ann, sitting by the vanity and brushing her long dark hair, tilted her head slightly. The Lady of Sorrow''s voice emerged, low and laced with amusement. "The air is thick with her malice. She''s desperate to be rid of us."


    Fenrir chuckled, the sound low and unsettling. "She''s clever, I''ll give her that. But not clever enough. Her arrogance blinds her to the forces at play here."


    Mary Ann set the brush down, her black eyes meeting Fenrir''s. "What''s the plan, then? Will we eliminate her outright, or are you in the mood for something more... theatrical?"


    Unbeknownst to them, the servants were gathered just outside the room, listening intently. Fear radiated from them like a palpable force as they exchanged worried glances.


    "Did you see the way they acted at dinner?" one whispered. "They ate everything as if it were normal!"


    "It''s like they didn''t even notice the curses," another hissed.


    "Or worse," the head maid muttered, her face pale. "They noticed... and they didn''t care."


    The group fell silent, the weight of the implication sinking in. If Lady Fourie''s carefully crafted plan had failed, it meant one thing: the guests in her house were far more dangerous than anyone had realized.


    The grand halls of Lady Fourie''s manor had settled into an uneasy quiet as the maids carried out their late-night duties. Among them was Clara, a young servant whose hands trembled as she clutched a small vial of poison hidden within the folds of her apron.


    Fear had gripped her since the arrival of the strange guests. She had overheard too many whispered conversations, seen too many unnatural occurrences. Fenrir''s unnerving composure, Mary Ann''s hollow eyes¡ªthese were not the traits of ordinary humans. Clara was convinced they were monsters, and she felt the weight of duty pressing on her: if Lady Fourie''s plan had failed, perhaps she could succeed.


    Clara entered the guest chamber quietly, her heart pounding in her chest. The vial was clutched tightly in one hand, a small dagger hidden in the other. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as the curtains fluttered in the night breeze.


    Mary Ann sat by the vanity, brushing her hair, her back turned to Clara. The scene was deceptively mundane, yet it made Clara''s skin crawl.


    "Lady Mary Ann," Clara said, her voice shaking as she stepped forward.


    Mary Ann didn''t turn around. "Yes?"


    Clara hesitated, her grip tightening on the dagger. "I¡ªI brought you some tea. To help you sleep."


    "Tea?" Mary Ann''s voice was soft, almost kind, but there was an unsettling undercurrent to it. She turned her head slightly, just enough for Clara to catch the unnatural glint in her dark eyes. "How thoughtful of you."


    Clara forced herself to step closer, placing the teacup on the vanity. Her hand moved toward the dagger, but before she could strike, Mary Ann turned fully to face her.


    "You''re trembling," Mary Ann observed, her tone calm.


    "I¡ª" Clara stammered, but the words caught in her throat as Mary Ann rose from her chair in a single fluid motion. Her movements were too smooth, too unnatural.


    "You poor thing," Mary Ann continued, stepping closer. "What are you so afraid of?"Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Clara''s knees buckled as she dropped the dagger, falling to the floor. "Please," she whispered. "Please don''t kill me."


    Mary Ann crouched before her, tilting her head as if examining a curious object. Her voice was soft, almost tender, as she said, "Kill you? Oh, my dear, I don''t need to kill you. Fear will do that for me."


    From the doorway, Fenrir watched the scene unfold, his expression one of detached amusement. He had sensed Clara''s intent long before she entered the room, and he had chosen not to interfere. This was a valuable opportunity to observe Mary Ann¡ªor rather, the Lady of Sorrow¡ªin action.


    "Mercy," Mary Ann said at last, her voice dripping with mockery. "I suppose I could grant you that."


    Clara sobbed, unable to meet her gaze.


    Mary Ann stood, glancing over her shoulder at Fenrir. "Should I let her go?"


    Fenrir stepped into the room, his presence sending a chill through the air. "Let her live, for now. Fear is a far more useful tool than death."


    Mary Ann smiled, her eyes glittering with malice. "As you wish."


    Clara stumbled out of the room, her heart racing and her mind a blur. She knew she had failed, but she also knew she had seen something no one else had.


    ______


    Clara stumbled into Lady Fourie''s private chambers, her face pale and her breath ragged. The ornate room, filled with silken drapes and flickering candlelight, felt suffocating as she sank to her knees before her mistress.


    Lady Fourie, seated gracefully on a chaise lounge, raised an eyebrow at the sudden intrusion. "Clara," she said coldly, her voice dripping with disdain, "to what do I owe this... unseemly disturbance?"


    Clara clutched the hem of Lady Fourie''s gown, her eyes wide with desperation. "My lady, you must listen to me. Lady Mary Ann¡ªshe''s not what you think she is! She''s no fragile woman; she''s something else entirely! She¡ª"


    "Silence."


    The single word cut through Clara''s frantic rambling, and she froze, trembling as Lady Fourie rose to her feet.


    Lady Fourie''s expression was one of icy disdain as she circled Clara. "Do you take me for a fool?" she said, her tone sharp. "I am well aware of who and what my guests are."


    Clara''s heart leaped. "Then you know? You understand the danger¡ª"


    "Danger?" Lady Fourie interrupted, her voice mocking. "Do not presume to lecture me, girl. You overstep your station."


    Clara stared at her, disbelief warring with terror. "But, my lady, they''re unnatural! I tried to stop her, I tried¡ª"


    "You tried," Lady Fourie repeated, her lips curling into a thin smile. "And in doing so, you''ve proven yourself both incompetent and disloyal."


    Clara''s blood ran cold as Lady Fourie turned to summon her guards. "Take her to her quarters," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "Ensure she doesn''t leave them again."


    The guards appeared almost instantly, their faces grim as they hauled Clara to her feet. She struggled, panic surging through her veins. "No! My lady, please! I was only trying to protect you!"


    Lady Fourie didn''t respond, her expression unchanging as Clara was dragged from the room.


    Back in her quarters, Clara paced frantically, her mind racing. She had to find a way to escape, to warn someone about the horrors she had witnessed. But her room, once a place of comfort, now felt like a prison.


    As the hours dragged on, Clara''s fear grew, and she began to realize the true extent of her peril. Lady Fourie''s wrath was cold and calculating, and Clara had seen firsthand what happened to those who displeased her mistress.


    When the door finally creaked open, Clara''s heart leaped. But the figure standing in the doorway wasn''t a savior.


    It was the head maid, flanked by two burly guards. Her expression was one of sorrow, but her words carried the weight of finality. "I''m sorry, Clara. Orders are orders."


    "No!" Clara screamed as the guards advanced. "Please, I can help! I can¡ª"


    Her protests were cut short as one of the guards clamped a hand over her mouth, silencing her. The last sound she heard was the click of the door closing behind her.


    In her chambers, Lady Fourie sipped a glass of wine, her mind already turning to the next phase of her plans. Clara''s death was a minor inconvenience, a necessary reminder to the staff of where their loyalties should lie.


    "She was a fool," Lady Fourie murmured to herself. "And fools have no place in my house."


    ______


    Lady Fourie sat in her private parlor the next morning, her delicate features composed into a mask of regal calm. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden patterns on the expensive rugs. The previous night''s events lingered faintly in her thoughts, but not enough to distract her from the task at hand.


    The death of a disloyal servant was routine, a small ripple in the grand pond of her ambitions. Yet, as she prepared for breakfast with her guests, she felt a growing unease gnawing at the edges of her mind. Clara''s frantic warnings replayed in fragmented pieces, whispers of doubt that threatened to unravel her confidence


    By the time she entered the breakfast room, Lady Fourie had buried those doubts beneath layers of practiced elegance. The long dining table was set with pristine dishes and fresh bouquets of flowers, a picture of civility.


    Fenrir was already seated, a steaming cup of tea in his pale hands. His wheelchair positioned perfectly, he gave the impression of both vulnerability and control, a dichotomy that made Lady Fourie uneasy.

 Ch 19: Care for a Shot?

    Lady Fourie led her guests through the estate''s vast gardens later that morning. The sky was overcast, casting a muted light over the manicured hedges and vibrant flowerbeds. Fenrir maneuvered his wheelchair along the gravel path with ease, his pale eyes keenly observing their surroundings. Mary Ann walked silently at his side, her presence as unnerving as ever.


    Lady Fourie maintained her pleasant demeanor, pointing out various plants and statues, but her heart raced with anticipation. Her gaze flickered toward a secluded section of the garden, one she had meticulously prepared for this very moment.


    "This way," she said, her voice light. "There''s a patch of rare wildflowers just ahead. I thought you might appreciate their beauty."


    Fenrir nodded politely, his expression unreadable. Mary Ann offered no response, her gaze fixed ahead.


    As they entered the patch, the air grew denser, the foliage closer and more tangled. Lady Fourie walked confidently, her skirts brushing against the plants around her. Fenrir and Mary Ann followed, seemingly oblivious to the sinister vines of poison ivy intertwined with the flowers.


    Lady Fourie''s pulse quickened as she watched them. They brushed against the leaves, their gloved hands briefly grazing the plants. Any ordinary person would have felt the effects within hours, their skin reddening and blistering.


    But Fenrir and Mary Ann remained unperturbed, their movements as smooth and deliberate as ever.


    "They''re lovely," Fenrir remarked, his tone neutral. "You have a fine eye for detail, my lady."


    Lady Fourie''s smile tightened. "I''m pleased you think so."


    As they returned to the main path, Lady Fourie''s mind churned with frustration. The poison ivy had failed. Again, her carefully laid trap had been rendered useless.


    That evening, Lady Fourie paced her chambers, her composure unraveling. "Devil''s luck," she muttered to herself, her voice trembling with rage. "They must have the devil''s luck."


    She slammed her hands against the desk, scattering papers and quills. No matter what she tried, Fenrir and Mary Ann seemed untouchable. Were they truly human? Or had Clara been right after all?


    ______


    Meanwhile, Fenrir explored the manor''s library, his pale fingers trailing along the spines of ancient tomes. The room was dimly lit, the faint scent of aged paper filling the air.


    His attention was drawn to a shelf partially obscured by a velvet curtain. He pushed it aside, revealing a single, unmarked book bound in cracked leather. Intrigued, he opened it and began to read.


    The pages detailed forbidden arts, recounting rituals and pacts that promised power beyond comprehension. One entry caught Fenrir''s attention¡ªa failed attempt by Lady Fourie herself to form a bond with an angel.


    The passage described how Lady Fourie had sought divine favor, hoping to elevate herself above the mortal plane. But her heart, twisted by ambition and malice, had repelled the celestial being. Instead of blessing her, the angel had cursed her, branding her soul with a mark of corruption.


    Fenrir closed the book, a faint smile playing on his lips. "So that''s the truth of her," he murmured.


    Mary Ann appeared in the doorway, her presence silent and unsettling. "Did you find something?"


    Fenrir held up the book. "Our dear hostess has a rather fascinating past."


    Mary Ann''s lips curved into a cold smile. "Then we should thank her for sharing it with us. Do you want me to deal with it?"


    Fenrir paused, but then he smiled at his beautiful companion in a way that could melt hearts and replied, "No, there is no need for you to get involved yet. I will take care of this myself. Instead, you should focus on the news we are about to get soon."Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ______


    Lady Fourie sat in her study, nursing a glass of wine as the moonlight spilled through the tall windows. Her elegant facade was beginning to fray, her mind haunted by the failures of her schemes. Every attempt to undermine her sister and that unnerving servant of hers had backfired, and the whispers of doubt had grown louder.


    She turned sharply when the door creaked open. Fenrir entered, his wheelchair gliding silently across the polished floor. He held the leather-bound book he had discovered in the library earlier.


    "My lady," Fenrir greeted, his voice soft but laced with an edge of amusement. "Forgive the intrusion, but I couldn''t resist the allure of a late-night chat."


    Lady Fourie straightened, forcing a smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"


    Fenrir held up the book, letting the moonlight illuminate its cracked cover. "I came across this fascinating tome in your library. It seems... deeply personal."


    Lady Fourie''s eyes narrowed, her grip on the wineglass tightening. "That''s private," she said sharply.


    "Of course," Fenrir replied, his tone gentle. "But its contents are quite revealing. Your ambition, your attempt to bond with an angel... and the unfortunate consequences."


    Lady Fourie froze, her breath catching in her throat. "You dare¡ª"


    "I dare only to understand, my lady," Fenrir interrupted smoothly. "To admire your determination. Even when cursed, you refused to bow. That is commendable."


    His words struck a chord of pride within her, but they also felt like a blade pressed lightly against her throat


    "I wonder," Fenrir continued, his tone thoughtful, "what drove you to seek such divine power? Was it not enough to command this estate? To wield influence over the lesser nobles?"


    Lady Fourie''s eyes flashed with anger. "You presume too much, servant."


    Fenrir smiled faintly, unfazed by her outburst. "Forgive me. I merely see a kindred spirit. Someone who desires more than the hand she''s been dealt."


    Lady Fourie''s defenses faltered. "What are you implying?"


    "That your ambitions need not end here," Fenrir said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You sought the favor of an angel, but their judgment is harsh, their power distant. Perhaps you sought the wrong kind of ally."


    Lady Fourie studied him, suspicion and curiosity battling within her. "And you would suggest...?"


    Fenrir leaned forward, his pale eyes gleaming. "There are other forces in this world, my lady. Forces far closer, far more willing to assist someone of your... unique talents."


    Lady Fourie hesitated, her pulse quickening. "You speak of dark powers."


    "Call them what you will," Fenrir replied, his tone calm. "But they do not judge as angels do. They reward strength, ambition, and resilience."


    The room grew silent, the weight of his words hanging between them. Lady Fourie''s mind raced, torn between temptation and fear.


    "You would have me betray my principles," Lady Fourie said at last, her voice shaking slightly.


    "I would have you embrace your true self," Fenrir countered. "The self you tried to show the angel, only for them to reject you. The self they feared."


    Lady Fourie''s lips pressed into a thin line. "You speak as if you know my soul."


    "I know enough," Fenrir said, his smile returning. "And I know you are not a woman who accepts failure."


    Lady Fourie sat alone in her study, the crackling of the hearth her only companion. The faint scent of charred wood mingled with the floral notes of her perfume, but neither brought her any comfort. She swirled the wine in her glass absently, Fenrir''s words replaying over and over in her mind like a haunting melody.


    His tone had been calm, his gaze steady, but there had been something else. A flicker in his pale eyes, a subtle shift in his expression when he spoke of ambition and power. Was he toying with her? Or was there a deeper, hidden truth?


    Lady Fourie''s reflection shimmered in the wine, her beauty undeniable even in the dim light. Fenrir had studied her with a peculiar intensity during their conversation¡ªone that lingered just a moment too long. Could it be that his interest wasn''t merely political or manipulative?


    She placed the glass down and leaned back in her chair, the thought growing more alluring with each passing moment. Could he have fallen for me? she wondered, her fingers brushing against the delicate pendant resting at her throat.


    It was plausible, wasn''t it? Fenrir was intelligent, composed, and had seen through her charms with unnerving ease. Yet, beneath that icy exterior, could he have been swayed by her grace and beauty?


    But then, another thought struck her¡ªone far more chilling. What if his words were a ploy? What if Fenrir, that pale, enigmatic figure, was using her? Perhaps his master was not Mary Ann but someone¡ªor something¡ªelse entirely.


    Lady Fourie frowned, her mind racing. Fenrir''s arrival had already disrupted her carefully curated plans. His presence, his cryptic remarks, and his apparent immunity to her traps all pointed to a man who was far from ordinary.


    "Is he the serpent," she whispered to herself, "or the savior? Only time will tell. But I, for one, need to make a decision."


    The female was torn between her desire and her true calling. But the call of the unknow was an allure she could not turn away from. In the end, she was destined to fall into the temptation known as desire.

 Ch 20: The Obsession is Growing - Part 1

    The idea of Fenrir betraying his master to join her was intoxicating. Together, they could achieve what she alone could not. She had tasted failure once, and it had cost her dearly¡ªher soul marked by the angel''s curse. But with Fenrir''s cunning and power, perhaps she could rewrite her fate.


    Her lips curled into a faint smile as she envisioned the possibilities. A partnership forged in ambition and strength. Or perhaps more¡ªan alliance of kindred spirits who understood the weight of rejection and the hunger for greatness.


    Yet, doubt persisted, gnawing at her like a restless specter. She drummed her fingers on the armrest of her chair, staring into the fire.


    "If he desires me," she mused, "why hide behind riddles? And if he means to use me... how far will he go?"


    The crackling of the fire offered no answers, only the echo of her own uncertainty. Fenrir had left her with more questions than answers, and in the stillness of the night, she realized that she was both captivated and unsettled by him.


    So, it was time to test the man who claimed to want to help her out.


    Lady Fourie, determined to test Fenrir''s true intentions, arranged a private meeting under the guise of discussing estate matters. She chose a secluded chamber filled with rich tapestries and the scent of aged wood, creating an atmosphere of intimacy. Mary Ann, notably absent from this meeting, had been instructed to rest after their "long journey."


    Lady Fourie''s plan was simple: gauge Fenrir''s loyalty by drawing his attention away from his mistress. If he truly harbored feelings for her¡ªor if he sought to align himself with her ambitions¡ªit would be revealed in his behavior.


    ______


    Fenrir arrived promptly, his pale features composed and unreadable as ever. Lady Fourie greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes softening to convey a hint of vulnerability.


    "Thank you for coming," she said, gesturing for him to sit. "I''ve been meaning to speak with you alone."


    Fenrir inclined his head. "Of course, my lady. How may I assist you?"


    Lady Fourie leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "I find myself in need of counsel, Fenrir. Someone of your intelligence and... discretion."


    Fenrir''s gaze flickered with faint amusement. "I am honored by your trust."


    As the conversation progressed, Lady Fourie steered it toward personal matters. She spoke of her struggles, her desires for greatness, and the burdens of managing the estate. She allowed her voice to waver at times, her expressions carefully curated to evoke sympathy.


    Fenrir responded with measured words, his tone always courteous but never crossing the boundary of familiarity. Yet, he allowed moments of silence to linger¡ªmoments where Lady Fourie could imagine hidden meanings in his gaze.


    As the meeting continued, the door creaked open, and Mary Ann stepped inside. Her presence was like a cold gust of wind, her expression calm but her eyes betraying a flicker of displeasure.


    "Fenrir," she said softly, her voice devoid of warmth, "I was looking for you."


    Fenrir turned to her, his expression unchanged. "My lady, I was merely assisting Lady Fourie with a pressing matter."


    Mary Ann''s lips pressed into a thin line. "It seems you have been quite occupied."


    Lady Fourie watched the exchange with interest. Mary Ann''s icy demeanor suggested discontent, and for a moment, she entertained the possibility that Fenrir truly valued her above his mistress.


    Fenrir, sensing Lady Fourie''s intent, subtly shifted his demeanor. He rose from his chair, his movements deliberate as he stepped closer to Lady Fourie. "If you require further assistance, my lady, I am at your disposal."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Mary Ann''s eyes darkened, her hands clasping tightly in front of her. "Fenrir, we have other matters to attend to."


    He turned to her with a faint smile, his voice smooth. "Of course, my lady. I serve at your pleasure."


    The tension in the room thickened as Mary Ann''s displeasure became more evident. Lady Fourie, emboldened by the apparent rift, pressed forward.


    "I appreciate your dedication, Fenrir," she said warmly, her gaze lingering on him.


    After Fenrir departed with Mary Ann, Lady Fourie sat alone, her heart racing with the thrill of the exchange. She was convinced that Fenrir''s loyalty to Mary Ann was wavering, and perhaps, with time, she could draw him fully to her side.


    Meanwhile, as Fenrir wheeled himself alongside Mary Ann down the hallway, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "She''s taken the bait," he murmured.


    Mary Ann glanced at him, her voice cold but tinged with amusement, but also jealousy. "You''re enjoying this far too much."


    Fenrir chuckled softly. "And you play the role of the scorned mistress so convincingly."


    "She is too arrogant to see through us," Mary Ann replied. "But her downfall is inevitable."


    The two shared a moment of quiet understanding, their bond unshaken by the charade they had woven.


    ______


    Lady Fourie was not one to accept uncertainty. The previous night''s encounter with Fenrir had left her more intrigued¡ªand frustrated¡ªthan ever. His behavior was ambiguous, his every word and gesture deliberate yet inscrutable. If she was to uncover his true intentions, she would need to escalate her game.


    She arranged a series of encounters, each more intimate than the last, designed to test his resolve and loyalty.


    The following morning, Lady Fourie invited Fenrir to join her for a stroll in the estate''s sprawling garden, a sanctuary of sculpted hedges, vibrant blooms, and winding paths. Mary Ann was conspicuously absent, left behind with the excuse of needing to rest.


    "You seem to enjoy these gardens, Fenrir," Lady Fourie said as they wandered. Her voice was light, but her gaze searched his face for any sign of weakness. "Tell me, do you ever dream of a life beyond servitude?"


    Fenrir chuckled softly. "Dreams are luxuries, my lady. I find satisfaction in my duties."


    "Even under such... trying circumstances?" she pressed, her voice tinged with sympathy.


    "Especially so," Fenrir replied, his tone unreadable.


    Her frustration mounted. No matter how she framed her questions, he evaded her traps with the precision of a practiced chess player


    Determined to unsettle him, Lady Fourie leaned closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "It must be exhausting, always putting her needs before your own. A man like you deserves more than blind servitude."


    Fenrir''s pale eyes flickered with a hint of amusement. "I am merely fulfilling my purpose, my lady."


    Lady Fourie''s lips curved into a sly smile. "But what if your purpose could change? What if there was someone who truly saw your potential and valued you for who you are?


    Before Fenrir could respond, the sound of rustling leaves announced Mary Ann''s arrival. She emerged from the shadows of a nearby trellis, her expression carefully blank but her eyes blazing with quiet fury.


    "Fenrir," she said, her voice sharp, "I was wondering where you had gone."


    Fenrir inclined his head. "My apologies, my lady. Lady Fourie was kind enough to invite me for a walk."


    Mary Ann''s gaze shifted to Lady Fourie, her lips tightening. "How thoughtful of you, sister. Though I wonder if it was entirely necessary."


    Lady Fourie met her sister''s gaze with feigned innocence. "You mustn''t keep him all to yourself, Mary Ann. A servant should be allowed some leisure."


    The tension between the two women crackled like a summer storm, and Fenrir stood silently in its center, his expression neutral.


    Lady Fourie''s confidence grew. The rift she sought to widen between Mary Ann and her enigmatic servant seemed to be forming. Yet, despite her apparent progress, she couldn''t shake the nagging suspicion that she was playing directly into Fenrir''s hands.


    As they returned to the estate, Fenrir glanced at Lady Fourie, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Your hospitality is most generous, my lady."


    Her heart quickened at his words, and for a moment, she allowed herself to believe that she was winning this dangerous game.


    ______


    Lady Fourie paced the length of her chamber, her silk gown brushing the floor with every agitated step. The flickering light of the candelabra cast restless shadows on the walls, mirroring the turmoil in her mind. Fenrir had slipped into her thoughts like a thief in the night, stealing her focus and unsettling her in ways she had not anticipated.


    She paused at the vanity, her reflection staring back at her. Beautiful, poised, and commanding¡ªshe had always wielded her looks and wit to bend others to her will. But Fenrir... Fenrir was different. He was a puzzle she couldn''t solve, a fire she couldn''t extinguish.


    Lady Fourie let out a frustrated sigh and sat at her desk, drumming her fingers against its polished surface. Why had she become so fixated on him? Was it his enigmatic charm, his calm defiance, or the way he seemed to slip through her fingers no matter how carefully she laid her traps?


    She recalled the way he had looked at her during their walk¡ªthe faint smile that lingered on his lips, the glimmer of amusement in his pale eyes. It was maddening. He gave her just enough attention to keep her intrigued but never enough to satisfy her curiosity.


    Is he drawn to me? she wondered. Or is he simply playing a game I have yet to understand?

 Ch 21: The Obsession is Growing - Part 2

    Lady Fourie thoughts turned to Mary Ann, her sister who seemed so frail yet carried an unshakable air of control. The tension between Mary Ann and Fenrir was palpable, but Lady Fourie couldn''t discern its true nature. Was their bond born of loyalty, manipulation, or something deeper?


    "Fenrir should be mine," she murmured, her voice low and venomous. The idea of her sister holding any sway over him filled her with a burning jealousy she couldn''t quite explain.


    But how could she claim him? Every attempt to sway him had been met with polite indifference or ambiguous responses. It was as though he saw through her, understanding her motives even before she acted on them.


    Lady Fourie rose and approached the window, staring out at the moonlit gardens below. She couldn''t afford to let Fenrir remain an enigma. He was too valuable, too dangerous, to leave unchecked.


    If he won''t come willingly, she thought, perhaps I can find another way to bind him to me.


    Her mind raced with possibilities¡ªsubtle manipulations, whispered lies, or even more drastic measures. She had sacrificed too much to let her plans falter now. Fenrir was the key to her ambitions, and she would not let him slip away.


    Yet, beneath her schemes and ambition, a whisper of doubt lingered. What if Fenrir truly was loyal to Mary Ann? What if all her efforts were for nothing?


    The thought sent a pang of unease through her. For all her cunning and confidence, she realized she feared rejection¡ªfeared that she was not as irresistible or powerful as she believed herself to be.


    But Lady Fourie was nothing if not relentless. She would uncover Fenrir''s motives, twist them to her advantage, and ensure that he chose her, not Mary Ann.


    As the clock struck midnight, Lady Fourie sat back at her desk, a wicked smile spreading across her lips. Fenrir might be a puzzle, but she was determined to solve it¡ªeven if it meant breaking him in the process.


    Lady Fourie spent the next day devising a new scheme to entangle Fenrir, her determination hardened by the quiet frustration that had grown in her since his arrival. Her previous attempts at seduction and manipulation had left her questioning her own influence, but she refused to concede. This time, she would craft a scenario so meticulously designed that Fenrir would have no choice but to reveal his true feelings¡ªor his allegiance.


    Her plan revolved around an intimate dinner, one where she could isolate him entirely and force him to confront the delicate balance of power and attraction between them.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lady Fourie dispatched one of her maids to deliver a sealed letter to Fenrir. The note was penned in her most elegant script, every word chosen to convey both warmth and intrigue:


    Dearest Fenrir,


    I find myself in need of your counsel once more. Join me for a private dinner tonight in the east parlor. I trust you will not keep me waiting.


    Yours,


    Lady Fourie


    The maid reported back with Fenrir''s acceptance, his response polite but noncommittal. Lady Fourie''s lips curled into a satisfied smile as she prepared for the evening.


    The east parlor was transformed into a scene of quiet luxury. A single table, draped in crimson silk, was set with fine china and flickering candlelight. The scent of roses wafted through the air, the soft notes of a string quartet drifting from a phonograph in the corner.


    Lady Fourie herself was dressed in a gown of deep emerald green, the neckline plunging just enough to command attention without appearing vulgar. Her hair was swept into an elegant updo, and a diamond necklace glittered at her throat.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    When Fenrir entered the room, she greeted him with a radiant smile, her tone warm and inviting. "Fenrir, thank you for coming. Please, sit."


    and carefully avoiding any mention of Mary Ann. Fenrir, ever composed, responded with his usual politeness, though his eyes remained unreadable.


    "Fenrir," Lady Fourie said finally, leaning forward slightly, "I feel I must ask... What is it that you desire most?"


    Fenrir met her gaze, his expression calm. "Desire is a dangerous thing, my lady. It can cloud judgment and lead one astray."


    Lady Fourie smiled coyly. "And yet, it is desire that drives us all, is it not? Ambition, passion... love."


    Fenrir''s lips quirked in a faint smile, but he said nothing.


    Lady Fourie decided it was time to press further. She rose from her seat and moved to stand beside Fenrir, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Fenrir, you are unlike anyone I have ever met. I see in you a strength, a cunning, that few possess. Together, we could achieve so much."


    Her hand lingered, her eyes searching his for any sign of reaction. "Why serve my sister when you could have so much more?"


    Fenrir looked up at her, his pale eyes gleaming with something she couldn''t quite place. "Your offer is... intriguing, my lady."


    Lady Fourie''s heart quickened. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Then why hesitate? Why not seize the opportunity before you?"


    What Lady Fourie didn''t know was that Mary Ann had stationed herself nearby, listening to every word through a hidden vent in the parlor wall. Her expression was a mask of calm, but her hands clenched tightly at her sides.


    "She''s desperate," Mary Ann murmured to herself. "And Fenrir is letting her believe she has the upper hand. Foolish woman."


    Fenrir, fully aware of Lady Fourie''s manipulations, allowed her to continue, his demeanor unshaken. For now, he would play along, knowing that every step Lady Fourie took in her quest to ensnare him only brought her closer to her own ruin.


    ______


    The charred ruins of Mary Ann''s castle loomed ominously against the ashen sky, the acrid scent of burned timber and scorched earth heavy in the air. Catherine, the Temple''s chosen representative, stood at the center of the destruction. Her pristine white robes and gilded armor shimmered in the faint sunlight, a stark contrast to the blackened remains surrounding her.


    "Lady Catherine," one of her aides ventured, his voice trembling. "This is no ordinary fire. This place... it reeks of malice."


    Catherine''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Malice, you say? Perhaps. Or perhaps it is merely the folly of man, incapable of taming his own creations."


    Her small delegation murmured amongst themselves, their unease palpable. One of the knights, a grizzled veteran, stepped forward. "My lady, forgive my boldness, but this¡ªthis feels like a devil''s trap. The air is heavy with their stench. We should not linger."


    Catherine turned to face him, her golden eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. For a moment, the knight swore her gaze pierced through him, exposing every secret he had ever buried. "A devil''s trap?" she repeated, her voice a silken mockery. "You fear shadows and whispers, Sir Gareth. Be careful, lest your fear become your undoing."


    As her delegation fanned out to search for clues, Catherine knelt amidst the rubble, her delicate fingers brushing against a charred piece of wood. Her expression remained serene, but her mind churned with dark purpose.


    This was no ordinary fire, and Catherine knew it better than anyone. She had sensed the remnants of demonic energy as soon as she arrived. It was subtle but unmistakable¡ªthe work of a skilled hand.


    "Fascinating," she murmured to herself, her voice laced with a sinister edge. "A flame born of darkness. But whose?"


    Her musings were interrupted by the sound of hushed whispers. She glanced up to find her delegation clustered together, their expressions a mixture of fear and suspicion.


    "She''s not acting like herself," one of the aides whispered. "What if she''s been... corrupted?"


    Catherine rose to her feet, her serene mask slipping away to reveal a cold, predatory smile. "Corrupted, you say?" she said, her voice carrying effortlessly across the ruins.


    The delegation froze, their eyes widening in terror as Catherine extended a hand toward them. "You poor, misguided fools. Do you truly believe you can stand in judgment of me?"


    With a whispered incantation, a wave of dark energy erupted from her fingertips, engulfing the delegation in an instant. Their screams echoed briefly before being silenced, their bodies crumbling to ash.


    Catherine surveyed the scene with a faint smirk, her golden eyes returning to their calm, ethereal glow. She retrieved a scroll of parchment from her satchel and began writing in an elegant script:


    To the Most Revered Elders of the Temple,


    It is with great sorrow that I report my findings. The fire at Mary Ann''s castle appears to have been an unfortunate accident, with no evidence of demonic activity. Regrettably, my delegation succumbed to lingering traps left by the blaze, leaving me as the sole survivor.


    I shall continue my investigation alone, for I believe it prudent to ensure no further threats arise from this tragedy.


    She sealed the letter with the Temple''s insignia, her expression a mask of somber duty.