章節 2: Zireael

"Talia, remove this eerie fog. I wish to read, "

Covered in a heavy mist, Talia bowed, her azure blue eyes glimmering with vigor as the heavy mist encompassing the Estate of Blackwater began to fade like an illusion. With moonlight showering the area with mellow light, an aesthetic garden covered in various clusters of flowers and vines came into view similar to a wild forest, yet it held grace and elegance not seen in the wild.

Gasping in awe, Aurelia's vibrant golden eyes glimmered with radiance. Capturing the attention of both Talia and a particular being within a Silver gazebo overlooking the garden on top of a large crimson bed.

A weary light could be seen within the small boy's eyes as he laid still upon his bed gazing at the golden eye girl. He had long silver hair hanging wildly to his shoulders and a deep set of silver eyes upon his devilishly attractive face.

Arching his lips, Zireael rested his palm upon his cheeks, watching the girl stare at the garden. There a something within his eyes as he observed the girl's movements, noticing a strange piece of jewelry upon her neck; he touched his hairless chin.

Simply based upon the smell, the way they moved, and how amazed their expression was, Zireael knew they were nothing more than commoners. Yet, despite the pore stature, a little girl that appeared around his age wore jewelry.

"Lord Blackwater, I found these two at the Gate. The large one is called Eachann, and the smaller one is named Aurelia Morningstar," explained Talia. Shooting the small girl a profound stare.

"Morningstar? One possesses a surname, yet the other doesn't." Zireael commented, slowly rising off his bed. "How interesting, don't you think?"

"L-L-Lord Blackwater? You're a child?" Eachann foolishly uttered, covering his mouth at the slip of the tongue.

Finally, taking notice of the young boy Aurelia froze. Her focus growing hollow and lifeless as Zireael nodded towards Eachann's unwise statement.

"Sir Eachann, please watch what you say. While my Lord is a kind ruler, he is still a duke of the kingdom of Ferrum." Talia coldly replied, glaring at Eachann.

"It's of no consequence, Talia," explained Zireael with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. " Tell me, Eachann, what is it you wish for?"

"I-I-I W-W-W"

Stuttering over his words, Zireael slowly began to frown. Few things annoyed the young duke; he believed no matter the power one holds, one should always stand true. Fear was a natural response before him but being able to articulate oneself separated animals from humanity.

"I will ask once more, Eachann," Zireael sharpy said, "What is it you wish for? Stutter once more, and you will be leaving in pieces."

Losing his breath, Eachann shuttered before the young boy, trying to gasp for air, not daring to meet the young lord's silver eyes.

"Take your time, Eachann." Zireael hummed, turning to the unfocus Aurelia, "For you will only have one chance."

With an enormous weight upon his heart Eachann shook as the determination he arrived with began to melt away like ice.

"You... You smell of home?" Aurelia whispered in a hollow tone.

Widening his eyes, Zireael heart suddenly skipped a beat, 'No, she can't possibly know... No one knows of my return.' the young duke thought to himself.

Narrowing his gaze towards the golden girl, a flash of bloodlust consumed his soul as he displayed a peaceful expression.

"Lord Blackwater! I wish to be rich; I want power; PLEASE GIVE ME A NOBLE TITLE!!!" Eachann screamed, jolting Zireael out of his train of thought.

"You cannot be serious," Talia voiced in contempt, "A noble title is not something a Duke can randomly give."

"It's fine, Talia. " Zireael stated with amusement, "Tell me, Eachann, what can you give me that will constitute a noble title?"

Clenching his teeth, Eachann stared down at his daughter, still staring off into space. Losing his earlier friendliness, Zireael scoffed.

"Truly, you mortals are something. How are you any better from the beast that eats their young?" Zireael asked in a piercing undertone.

Snapping his fingers, Aurelia suddenly came back to reality, unaware of the words or trance she was in. Noticing the boy similar to her age, she smiled.

"Hello, I am Aurelia Morningstar. Are you also here with your papa?" The young girl suddenly questioned.

Turning her head away, Talia trembled, covering her mouth in disgust. This was not the first time someone had tried to sell their own daughter to Lord Blackwater, but she knew this time was going to be different. Aurelia was unique compared to those that came beforehand. Something truly mysterious was hidden within this girl, whether it was her eyes or her aura buried beneath her filthy appearance. She was different.

"No, I am the man your father wished to meet. I am Zireael Blackwater, pleasure Aurelia Morningstar."

Arching his lips high, an amusing gleam flickered through Zireael as he turned to Eachann, whose expression began turning paler by the second, "I will give you a knightship and ten thousand gold coins. How does that sound?"

"I-I accept, "uttered Eachann in haste as Zireael simply watched in amusement at the cruel reality of what he was doing, "Aurelia is yours."

"Eh?!! Papa, what did you say?" The young girl cried out.

Shooting Talia a cold stare, her body flickered ruthlessly, chopping Aurelia in the back of the neck. Watching as the light within her eyes dissolved, her body dropped into her arms.

"Prepare a room for her," Zireael indifferently commanded, "and get Eachann a letter of Knighthood and ten thousand Gold Bank Stamps."

Falling to his knees, Eachann cried in joy; there was no inclination of remorse or guilt as he heard the words of Zireael. He had already sold his wife and his two daughters to various bandits and men. Aurelia was simply a random girl he found and took in a few years ago after abandoning all he had left for a few coin. She was nothing more than a dog to Eachann. Something to pass the time with, but nothing more.

A deep love had grown during their time together, but Eachann was not a man who believed in love. Love could not put food on the table. It was a foolish emotion that blinded the weak. Why settle for love when you can have the world?

Taking to his bed within the silver gazebo Zireael did not show any kind of disgust or disdain for Eachann's kowtowing. He had seen for too many men and women who had tried the same thing. He expected nothing from humanity, for all it brought was a tragedy to the world around.

Gazing towards the creamy moonlight upon his garden, Zireael slowly became engrossed in the picture-perfect scene.

"Talia, I think I am going to start learning how to paint." He suddenly whispered to the air,

Appearing in an azure light holding a midsize chest, Talia smiled, "Come now, my lord. Should you not at least cultivate every now and again?"

"Cultivate?" Zireael viciously spat in revulsion, his expression twisting into something demonic "The Heavens and Earth are not yours to take Talia. You will come to understand that soon. "