Unspoken Secrets

Elder Stillwater's footsteps clapped against the cobblestone, the sound magnified in the swiftly emptying the open square.

Each heavy step seemed to vent his frustration and annoyance even to the wind.

With his eyes narrowed and his lips a tight line, Elder Stillwater stormed off.

He clenched and unclenched his fists as he vanished into the shadowy archway, a storm of emotions brewing that only the walls of the inner chambers would witness.

As the crowd dispersed like smoke carried off by the wind, Lilith approached Daseos, her eyes scanning the cuts on bruises on his face.

She hesitated, her hand hovering near his cheek, afraid her touch might worsen his wounds.

"Are… You okay…"

Gently, Daseos caught her hesitant hand.

"Don't worry, they look much worse than they feel…"

She pulled back her hand shyly, fumbling in her skirt pocket.

Out came a small tube-shaped container, made of jadeite.

"These are some… uhh… healing pills! Take them after dinner and oh if you need help with the application fee—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Daseos abruptly pointed over her shoulder and exclaimed,

"Wh..WHAT'S THAT?"

Lilith whipped her head around instinctively when she suddenly felt…

A squeeze on her bum!

"Ahhh!"

She yelped, spinning back around.

Before she knew it, Daseos leaned in, sealing her gasp with a kiss.

Her cheeks flushed pink as she lightly pushed him away.

"You…Pervert!"

Laughing, Daseos used her shove as a pivot, turning on his heel to stride away.

He raised the hand that clutched the jadeite tube and waved it in the air, not turning to look back.

"Haha! It's a date! See you Abyss in Ascendency!"

As Daseos walked off, his gaze fell onto the exquisite jadeite tube,

'She sees something in me...something even I struggle to see. She believes in me when no one else does, not even myself. I can't let her down. Sigh… I gotta work harder to be worthy of her…'

His grip tightened on the container, each finger pressing into the cool jadeite like a pact.

"I'm getting in no matter what!"

And with that silent vow hanging in the air, he strode off.

Each step burned with new purpose—no looking back now.

Lilith's eyes followed Daseos until he was just a dot on the horizon. Her fingers touched the family crest hidden under her shirt.

A twinge of... what? Doubt? Love? Fear? What was this feeling?"

A soft smile graced her lips, lingering like a sweet note in a melody.

But just as her smile began to settle into her features, a swirling mass of ethereal bats swarmed behind her.

They coalesced into a man wearing a mask, cloaked in dark maroon fabric.

In a blink, her face transitioned from that of a love-struck girl to an expression as cold and unreadable as a moonless night.

"Young Mistress! That insolent boy needs to be taught a lesson. His hands should be severed for daring to touch you!"

The masked man's voice was filled with barely controlled rage.

In a voice colder than ice, Lilith commanded,

"You will do no such thing."

The man seemed puzzled. "Why are you so taken with him? The Demon Clan had its glory days, but since that incident that caused the death of—"

Lilith chided without once even turning to look at him,

"Watch your words. The great Demon Villain Clan was held in high regard even by father and grandfather! My gut tells me that things aren't as simple as they seem…"

Unwilling to back down, the masked man countered, "Even at their height, they were only equals to your lineage, Young Mistress. Now they're a shadow of their former selves."

"Enough!" Lilith snapped, her voice cracking like a whip.

He bowed apologetically.

"I have spoken out of line, Young Mistress."

Lilith's eyes flicked one last time in the direction Daseos had gone.

The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly as she turned to walk away…

=========

[ L.U.S.T INN ]

*DINGA-LING!*

Daseos pushed open the door, entering a space that might be small in square footage but was colossal in opulence.

The L.U.S.T Inn was a masterpiece of high-class interior design, every inch impeccably crafted.

It exuded an undeniable air of exclusivity.

Every piece of furniture—from the plush velvet chairs to the gleaming mahogany tables and the muted golden accents—screamed high class.

The air was thick with the scent of exotic incense, promising secrets and hidden delights.

"Welcome to L.U.S.T—EEEEK!! A GHOST!!"

The shout burst from a young maid with a bob-cut and tiny horns, jumping back like a startled kitten.

Daseos reached out and pinched her cheek, chuckling,

"Who're you calling a ghost huh, lil' sis?"

"Owww Owww Owww~ Lemme go!"

She wiggled, attempting to escape his grip.

But before he could revel in his teasing, Daseos felt a sharp pinch on his own ear.

"OWWWW! Allura, let go! Let go!"

Daseos pleaded.

"What have I told you about those street fights?"

Madame Allura scolded.

"You think you can just ignore your big sister?"

She stood there work of art, a blend of elegance and provocation that made it hard to look away— the epitome of temptation.

Dressed in a revealing outfit inspired by a Chinese Qipao, it clung to her enticing voluptuous form like a second skin, revealing more than it concealed.

Dark pink curls that cascaded down her back framed her stunning face as her pearlesque skin seemed to glow under the lights of the reception hall.

How old was she?

Well… No one really knows, not even Daseos, as far as he could remember, she had always looked the same, not aging a single day in the decade plus he had been in this cozy but high end brothel.

Madame Allura was more than the inn's owner to Daseos; she was a guardian, mentor, and the perpetual enigma in his life.

"Did you forget who took you in when you had nothing, gave you a home. And now that you're grown you dare disobey me?"

Madame Allura sniffled, pretending to wipe away tears.