[ IN WHICH SHE MEETS THE KING ] The doors are pulled open by two guards standing on each side, and I step into the throne room. I'm first greeted by the aroma of food. My eyes then falls to the long, rectangular table, separating the King and I, keeping us at a distance of at least two meters. On the table, different kinds of meals have been arranged. The insane amount of food available is more than enough for just two people. I begin to wonder if there's a third party joining us soon. Or maybe he does eat this much. Having wings grow out of your back must require a large intake of food. I look to the King seated on his throne. He has no crown on, but he has a shirt on this time. I ask myself: why doesn't he have a crown on? How long has he been on the throne? Who put him in the position of King? And is anyone going to take over? So many questions left unanswered, hopefully for now. Something flashes in my peripheral vision, and my eyes snap to the left. That's when I notice the
[ IN WHICH SHE MEETS SIN ] Once his name is said, a voice rings in my head. The same way it did with Lake back in the chambers. At the very back of my head, there’s a loud voice screaming the name, “Sin”. I recognize the sound of my own voice. The voice in my head is definitely mine calling out the King’s name, that part is clear. What I’m unclear about is why I’m having these memory flashbacks. Memories that don’t seem to be mine, or are they? My eyes are focused on the man sat opposite me. The harder I concentrate, memories flash before my eyes. However, these memories are different from Lake’s. The voice in my head moans his name in different occasions, while in others, she screams his name in agony and pain. I flinch from the feeling. He notices this, and clears his throat. “November.” He calls my name, his voice dripping with concern. “Are you okay?” I nod, weakly. “Sin?” I ask. “Your name is Sin? What is that? No one is named Sin.” “You did not understand what I said, did
[ IN WHICH SHE SINS ] I cannot fall asleep. I've laid in my bed for hours, but sleep evades me completely. I can't find the means to rest. I’ve been restless ever since my last interaction with the King—well, with Sin—since that’s his real name. My mind keeps replaying our last encounter over and over again. I simply cannot get him out of my mind. The truth is, it’s not just the sight of him cutting his flesh open that perturbs me. There’s something else. After feeling my body up close with him, I can’t help but desire for more. Helplessly, I let out a wary sigh. I’m currently awake, because my mind won’t stop creating fantasies about a man I’m supposed to resent; a man whom I’m supposed to view as a nuisance. … [it was only natural to feel that way. i was experiencing an attraction so intense towards the one i had been fated to, but i didn’t know that, so i suppressed my emotions, which only made them worse for me, and someone else] … I gaze through the white curtains and out t
[ IN WHICH SHE IS STRANGE ] It's the crack of dawn, and I haven't gotten a shut-eye. As expected, I didn't fall asleep.I've been at the edge of my bed for about an hour now, sitting in my bathrobe. I refuse to move from my spot, terrified of what's coming for me next in this very eventful realm. Listening to the silence of my chambers, while basking in the daylight streaming through the windows, I have gotten a sense of comfort that I haven't felt all night. Previously, a total of ten maids came over, and fixed me a nice, warm bath which was supposed to help calm me down, but instead, it did the opposite. The warm air from the bath reminded me of the heat that spewed from Sin's room the previous night. I still cannot get the image out of my mind, it's forever engraved on the surface of my cerebellum. The maids brushed my hair, fixed my face up, but I didn't let them dress me up, as there was no need, since I will never be setting foot out of the confines of my bedroom, like ever.
[ IN WHICH SHE SPOTS A TRUTH ] Something definitely feels off. Something is going to happen soon— I know it, I just don't know what exactly is going to happen. The rest of the mansion clearly knows, but they refuse to say anything to me.Sauntering down the halls of the mansion, I explore areas that I haven't seen before. I've been too preoccupied with resenting, and trying to escape this building that I haven't really noticed how glorious it is. Last night, after tracing the unholy sounds, I realized this mansion is much bigger than it looks. It has staircases, doors, and rooms leading to diverse and interesting places. Maybe if I want some answers, I should start by searching the mansion. With more than half of the guards gone, I can use this opportunity to the fullest. But obviously, the guards in charge of my safety will not let me out of their sight."Miss. I'm sorry, but you can't go further than that." I ignore the male guard as I walk towards the balcony. "I think I can.
[ IN WHICH SHE IS ABOUT TO SUFFER ]"Is Sin a fallen angel?" The guard's eyes widen in shock. He stutters repeatedly like I had just said something mind blowing. I see his brain's turning the wheels as he thinks of a way to dodge the question. "Sin is exactly what he is. He is Sin." I tilt my head. "Are you being for real?"He snickers, holding his laughter. The urge to smack him nearly takes over. Does he think I'm some kind of joke? Fortunately for him, Lake runs in before I hit him on the head. "You shouldn't be here, November," Lake says, panting hard after running around, searching for me. "Please, come back to your chambers." "I'm not going anywhere." "Come on, November." Lake sighs, tiredly. I roll my eyes at Lake. "Enough, Lake! Stop bothering me you useless, piece of shit." ... [it was starting. acting, and saying things i normally wouldn't, was the first phase. it was the first thing that needed to happen before i felt the pain] ...Lake frowns. "What's with you toda
[ IN WHICH SHE SUFFERS ]Eirene is the first to move. With his sword gripped tightly in his hands, he swings blindly at the door. Of course, he misses. “You can't fight what you can't see”, and that statement ends Eirene in a bulk load of pain. The woman averts her gaze from me instantly, snapping them to the blonde man. Before Eirene's sword smites her, she sets her palms out, slamming them into Eirene's chest as he gets close. I feel the impact as I hear the cracking of bones— most likely Eirene's. He flies in the air a second later, propelled by the force. His back smacks against the wardrobe, causing the wood to shatter, and then gravity brutally pulls him back down, causing him to fall face flat onto the ground. The clanking sound of metal fills the room as his sword tumbles out of his hands.I gasp at the violent scene. With heavy pants leaving my lips, I sit up, gazing scared at Eirene. Lake leaves my side and rushes towards his friend. His eyes peer at the door. He picks the s
[ IN WHICH SHE FEELS TRUE PAIN ]Pain eats me up. It leaves me an empty barrel, numb and lifeless.The feeling of weakness descends upon me. My eyes become heavier, and it has become difficult to keep them open. Amongst all that is the worst feeling of them all —I can barely breathe— suffocation. I'm glued to the floor, helplessly. Several guards are currently gathered around me. They have tried to pull me up from my position; however, I've given them no response except from the cries of pain I let out whenever someone touches me. "Eirene, send a message to the King now!" Lake quickly orders the young man with blonde hair. "Let him know that the ghouls have gathered here at the mansion. He's the only one who can save her." Nodding, Eirene runs off. Now, I'm left alone with Lake and the rest of the guards, the guards who haven't been left unconscious by the ghouls. Ghouls. That's what they're called. It's funny how I didn't get that information until I got paralyzed on the ground.