What a Succubus Has to Lose I

Seraphine thought that if nobody would end up loving her genuinely, she would just have to repel them as early as possible.

That way, she won't be hurt anymore. No one would lead her on with their kind gestures. At the same time, she won't have to deceive anyone again. It is better to stay alone than be left alone in the end.

'When I asked myself what was worse – having no one loving you or ending up being betrayed by the ones you loved, I have now realized that it would be the latter…' Seraphine brooded silently as she continued splashing more mud all over herself.

'Perhaps, that is just how things are meant to be. I'm meant to live on my own.'

Contrary to her gloomy thoughts, what she is doing now makes her look like a wild animal who has escaped from its cage for the very first time.

Try as Clement might, he's not able to make Seraphine stop. She is on a furious rampage, and though it is such a fresh sight to see, it perturbs him to a certain degree. That is not only because she is acting like a different person, but also for the reason that the Headmistress is so not going to be pleased with this.

And soon enough, the confrontation happens.

"Seraphine," the stern Headmistress started, calling her name like a death threat.

Clement had brought a very filthy Seraphine back inside the house, catching everyone's attention there almost instantly.

Caretakers and fellow orphans alike – they immediately pushed aside their preparations for Ferdinand's impending arrival to take a look at the scene. While some reacted appalled, others were flabbergasted. Yet what their responses have in common was bafflement.

After all, this is the first time in seven long years that they are seeing their lovely Seraphine so unsightly – covered in mud from head to toe.

Now, both children are standing by the doorway with the Headmistress towering over them. While Seraphine seems to be a bit nervous, Clement is downright petrified. They appear like a couple of stray souls who are about to face the wrath of a scary witch.

"Did Clement make you do this?" the Headmistress asked, making him flare up a bit in indignation.

Of course, she would think that Clement was the bad influence here. Then again, Seraphine has always been an angel in everyone's eyes, and as a concerned friend, he admits that he wants that impression to last.

Though it did annoy him that people saw him like some troublemaker, he thought that taking the blame would not be bad either. Lying will certainly prick his conscience later, but that is better than letting his friend get humiliated in front of everyone.

"Yes, that's right. I did it. I got angry at her, so I slammed her face in the mud," Clement claimed while blushing a little, making everyone gasp in surprise.

"Hey, why are you lying…?" Seraphine discreetly whispered to him, gaze sharp and brows furrowed together.

"You knew I did this on purpose-"

"Shut up. You'll get in trouble."

"I don't care."

"Well, I do care!"

At that point, he is blushing furiously.

She just really had to be so stubborn that he would have to admit certain things he did not intend to say out loud. With that, they just stare at each other, silence prevailing in their midst. While she appears as stupidly clueless as ever, he holds his ground and endures the embarrassment he is feeling at that moment.

For that entire time, the Headmistress and everyone else only keep quiet and watch the two of them with dumfounded looks – some having a good idea that he just practically confessed to her.

"Everyone, Count Esmeralde is here!"

Then, they all froze.

Out of nowhere, one of the caretakers rushed in and announced their visitor's arrival. For a second, they all stiffen in surprise. Then on the next, they start scrambling around and making a mad dash. Everyone hastily finishes their preparations and readies themselves.

While the orphans line up at the hall, the caretakers make sure that everything is in order.

Seraphine and Clement, on the other hand, remain standing near the doorway. Both of them are too frozen to step out of there. While he is fretting now that she doesn't have enough time to clean herself up, she feels all worked up for a completely different reason.

"What are you two still doing there? Get moving already…!" the Headmistress chided before trying to pull them away from the entrance.

"Hurry! Go upstairs and clean up, Seraphine-"

"Good day, everyone."

Right then, though, it's much too late.