His Curse

Angeal and Gladios were already finished with wiping the dining table and the kitchen counters. At the same time, Angeal also finished sweeping the floor. As for the two immortals, Gwen and Martha, they were already done washing and drying the dishes.

The two of them looked at the two mortals who were now resting, sitting on the chair. Martha and Gwen looked at each other then gave each other a nod before they proceeded to sit beside them.

"Oh... what a day, huh," Gladios commented as he scratched the back of his head. "Anyway, how is my Angeal's day," the old man asked making the human girl smile at him. She got her phone then typed to show her answer.

"I'm great! It was a nice first day," she said and Martha and Gwen smiled sweetly at the girl's enthusiasm.

"Well, Angeal," Martha started, making the three look at her. "We have something important to talk about," she added as she looked at the old man, as if asking for permission.

"What is it," the old man asked for Angeal as the girl cocked her head to the side in wonder.

"It is about our master's curse and why Ava is here with us," Gwen answered, making the old man frown.

"Do you think my granddaughter should know," he asked, worry etched in his voice.

Hearing this, the girl's eyebrows furrowed then she typed on her phone, not understanding where the flow of this conversation is going.

"Why? Should I not know about these things?"

After the robotic app spoke, Martha sighed, getting the attention of the three.

"Gladios, I think she should be aware of what our master's curse is about. It would give her further warning every time she is around him, right?"

When the old man heard this from Martha, his lips turned into a tight line as he was pulled into his own thoughts.

She was right... if Angeal were to know this, she would know how to act accordingly in the presence of their master. She would know how to be cautious! It is also true that they have to know why another worker is present in their mansion.

With that in thought, the old man nodded slowly, agreeing to Martha.

"Okay. My granddaughter ought to know."

Hearing the old man's agreement, Gwen looked at Angeal seriously.

"What do you know about our master, Angeal," she asked and Angeal thought for a few seconds before typing in her answer.

"I only know that he eats souls..."

Now knowing what Angeal knew about their master, Martha sighed as she rested her chin on the palm of her hand.

"Angeal, I am going to tell you more about his curse and I want you to understand why we are so cautious around him," Martha started, making Angeal nod as she waited for her to speak further.

"Our master, Devin, did a grave sin in our realm. He was stripped off from his title and he was cursed by his mother. Now he became a Soul Eater, and was banished from our realm."

With that, Angeal furrowed her brows as she typed in her question.

"Is that why he kept craving souls?"

Gwen nodded as her answer then continued narrating.

"Well, there is a twist to his curse. If he ate the souls of the dying mortals, he will be satisfied. However, if he would eat the souls of mortals by force, it would be considered murder... meaning it will worsen his curse. It might even lead to his death."

When Angeal heard this, she looked at her grandfather, her eyes double in size. Noticing that Gladios wasn't surprised, she typed on her app then showed it to her grandfather.

"You knew about this?"

Gladios sighed. "I knew about it days ago. I was surprised myself."

The moment Angeal heard his answer, her eyes reflected sadness.

She knew for a fact that Devin had been living here for a hundred years. She only knew now that he was cursed and that his life may be at stake. With that, this led the girl to think that he may have acted this way because of the curse given to him.

"Is it why he is this aloof?"

Martha shook her head as she frowned. She heaved a sigh before she answered the girl's question.

"When he eats their soul, Angeal... he feels their emotions and he sees their memories."

Angeal held her mouth, concealing her shock. Her eyebrows were connected as her eyes now reflected her pity towards their master.

Seeing her granddaughter react this way, Gladios held Angeal's free hand as he gave her a sad smile.

"I felt that way, too. It may be the reason why he acts this way—as if not caring about anything. When I learned this from the two, it is what led me to understand why he acted so."

Tears started forming in her eyes. The sweet girl typed in her app then showed it to them.

"What did he do for him to be given such a grave curse? How can we help him?"

Seeing the girl's question, Martha and Gwen looked at each other then answered.

"Speaking of our master's curse is taboo... however, as for how we can help him, there are ways. Ava is one of them."

Angeal cocked her head to the side. Knowing that it was taboo to speak about Devin's sin, she did not press on further. What piqued her curiosity more is how to help him.

Gwen further explained to Angeal what Ivar and Gladios were doing the previous days. She also explained what would happen if ever Devin would stop eating souls.

Hearing their explanations, Angeal's expression kept changing to and fro between surprise and sadness. The moment Gwen finished, she typed on her app then showed them her question.

"As for Ava?"

"Well," Martha started as she leaned her back on the chair. "She now works with Ivar in looking for souls for our master. As to how they will look for it, it is up to them," she added, her disdain evident in her voice.

Seeing her reaction, Gladios furrowed his brows in curiosity.

"Why have you acted so... violent around her?"

The moment they heard his question, Gwen scoffed.

"She deserved it! I am still baffled!" Gwen pounded her fist on the table, surprising the two mortals in front of her. "How can a demoness work in a house full of angels?"

Hearing this, Gladios and Angeal were shocked.

"So you mean... that girl is the enemy of your kingdom," the old man asked, making Martha click her tongue in annoyance.

"Yes. But if her presence and service here would help our master, then we have no choice but to work with her."

Gwen rolled her eyes then spoke. "I'd do well to keep my guard up. Angeal, gramps, you do so, too. Demons are deceitful people. We may not know what they want."

Hearing their warnings, the two mortals nodded as Gwen and Martha started discussing the dinner party preparations, making old man Gladios chime in. Angeal, however... was pulled once again in her own thoughts.

She realized that their master, Devin, was not cold after all! He just struggled to express himself and that this curse led him to act this way.

Angeal then recalled the night she was taken to the rooftop. Her heart quickened its pace as her hand held her chest.

That time when they were alone... she was reminded that Devin may have a soft heart after all.

***

"What!?"

Behind the mansion where the two guards usually trained, Arvid exclaimed in surprise after his father, Edwin, explained to him their master's curse.

He left out the detail of his sin and explained it also that it was taboo, making his son understand. The Unmovable God also mentioned to him about Ava and what her purpose is in the mansion.

After the talk from his father, Arvid scoffed then spoke.

"Then why? Why did he have to act that way around Angeal? How is this—"

"There you are."

The two of them instinctively looked at the man who spoke and noticed that it was Ivar walking towards them.

"Ivar, what is it," Edwin asked, sounding serious.

"I was about to talk to you about Ava. I know she works with us but you do well to keep your defenses up. Same goes with you, Arvid," he added, making the two nod.

"Dad... about Angeal. Why? Why did he have to act that way around her?"

Remembering his question before Ivar interrupted, he asked it again. Upon hearing his question, Edwin sighed as he shook his head.

"I don't know, son..."

"So you told Arvid about our master's curse. It is high time... especially now that we have a potential enemy in our home."

Edwin's eyes turned serious.

"Shall we tell our Almighty Seraphim about this," he asked and Ivar disagreed.

"No. It is too early. Our master allowed her to work. Knowing how intelligent he is, we may have to trust him."

Hearing this, Edwin mumbled to himself.

"Damn..."

They fell into silence for a while as Ivar looked up, recalling about the conversation he had with Heraleen. He remembered the last words she told him, making the Dominion take another look on the two immortals with him.

"We have to watch over Angeal, too."

Hearing this, Arvid's eyebrows twitched.

"I know," the young immortal agreed, sounding serious than ever.

"I have met with the Seraphim in secret to ask about our master's curse," Ivar said, completely getting the attention of Edwin.

"Oh? And what did she say?"

Upon hearing his question, Ivar looked at Arvid. He knew from observation that the young immortal harbored romantic feelings for the girl and giving him information about Angeal's involvement, would motivate Arvid to grow stronger in order for him to protect her.

"She only said that Angeal is Devin's cure... but it will lead the girl to her death."

Hearing this, Edwin was surprised as he looked at his son. The breeze around them suddenly turned colder as the leaves spun around them.

Arvid's fists tightened as his body trembled in anger and in fear. Hearing that the girl he loves is their master's cure, he grew angry as he recalled how Devin treated her. He was scared at the same time... knowing that she may die.

Just for him?

The thought angered and feared him altogether. Slowly, the aura around the young immortal changed, making Ivar and Edwin look at him in surprise. An orange light enveloped the young immortal's body, signifying that he had activated the hidden power within him.

'I won't let Angeal die just for that bastard!'