CHAPTER 27: PRELUDE TO DISASTER

4:00 pm in the afternoon

the gymnasium was surrounded by dim lights in addition of his victorian era style and rose-gold theme, there are two buffet table in each side, five medium chandeliers lining up above, while there are red carpets coming from the entrance of gymnasium to the huge podium where there are two royal chairs in it and then a tables for students that was arrange perfectly below in each side.

there are chairs and tables at the balcony as well where the VIP guests will sit later. outside of the gymnasium, you could see the surroundings started to turn dark and only the stunning lights from the gymnasium can be seen, there are few students lining Infront of the huge double door with their partners on their side wearing each one's unique masks, the academy's gate was opened for guests while there are few luxurious cars in the parking lot and people outside who keep coming for the dark banquet.

the class zero started to prepare as well, and since they don't have their own stylist and make-up artist, they have to do it on their own, normally it was alexandra and keir who often do their classmate's make up, but now, they are already the three of them, one of them is elyze, who's busy putting a foundation on zepphyr's face, beside him was alexandra who's fixing jotaro, and then keir fixing his brother, devian.

right now, elyze ash-gray hair was tied in messy bun, revealing his fair white face and black dazzling contact lenses.

"you're such a help, elyze!"

she just smile to her plainly and focus on zepphyr's face who's busy fiddling her make-ups, and her blue eyes was sparkling as though he'd seen a treasure. rather, he did really seen a treasure!

"chanel.. maybelline.. mary kay.. and dior. isn't this expensive..?" he whispered, while looking to elyze with doubtful eyes.

"you must be living in extravagant life, aren't you?"

"If I'm not, I wouldn't manage to enter in the academy." she replied with her lips was twitching, suddenly, devian dwells in their conversation, who's now looking more gorgeous and elegant in fixing his hair, thanks to the make-up that keir put on him.

"how dumb. this is an elite and mafia school, obviously, the students here are rich and powerful, unless you are one of CIA and FBI spies who didn't know anything about rich people's life."

"Hey I'm not!"

short after, jotaro sigh and join in their conversation.

"how funny, CIA and FBI agents are professional, obviously, they don't leave any loopholes that might foiled their plan. both of you are just dumb, you don't have to fight about it."

their whole surroundings started to turned dark while the three of them are glaring to each other, so Alexandra just smile awkwardly while trying to calm them down. "guys please stop."

but they didn't seems to heard her since devian still talk back at jotaro.

"hoh..? you seems knowledgeable about secret agents, why is that?"

jotaro just nudge the bridge of his eyeglasses, "My father is a politician. of course I would be knowledgeable about it." he just simply reasoned, but devian just keep teasing him.

"sounds fake to me."

"say what you want."

then again, devian was suppose to replied when elyze put down the foundation that makes them stop, when Alexandra saw that she's finished fixing zepphyr's make up, she couldn't help but to be amazed on her.

"I'm done here." elyze said plainly and started to take all her make-up kits back to his pouch, Alexandra came back to his consciousness before shake her head a little.

"a-all right, but can you do damion's make up as well? I still have to do rheyne and rohan's, while keir will do chauncey's. is it ok?"

Alexandra give her an awkward smile, elyze thought for a few minutes, but soon after, she decided to nod, "got it, but where is he?"

"he's on his room right now, he doesn't like going out that much unless if it is necessary."

hearing her words, elyze couldn't help but to twitch her lips, 'what the heck.. can't he just go here?' she just complained but later then, she just took her pouch filled with make-up and started to walk out of the door, but before she close the door, devian stare at her meaningfully using his peripheral vision but soon after he gazed at the mirror Infront of him.

"tsk."

...

as soon as she reaches Infront of damion's room, elyze let out a sigh first and knock on the door, short after, the door opened and there she saw damion in blue bathrobe who was surprised seeing her. meanwhile, elyze didn't get shocked anymore since she already prepared herself in meeting him like this, just like what happened that time, when he caught him without his T-shirt on.

"Alexandra told me to give you a small touch up, can I enter?" he asked plainly that makes damion went back on his consciousness do he just close his eyes to calm down and replied, "uh, yeah.. Come in."

when she enter inside of his room, she notice the wine glass and the bottle on the round table with a red wine in it, enough for elyze to know that damion was drinking earlier before she even came on his room, but she just decided to shut her mouth and didn't mind it anymore. It would take them a few more steps before they come to another door, so when Damion opened it, elyze was greeted by a tidy living room that was furnished with just a gray couch in the middle and a black king-size bed behind it. The bathroom, a walk-in closet, and the balcony are all accessed through one of the three side doors.

"please wait me here."

"all right."

she enter inside and placed her pouch on the vanity mirror while watching the whole room, it was filled with men's scent, while there are some antique objects and books on the shelves, and then a landscape painting hanging on the walls that depicts stars and universe.

he touch the antiques gracefully but stop as soon as he saw damion holding a wine and a wine glass enters inside and still wearing a blue bathrobe and eyeglasses, looking gorgeous like an angel.

"let's begin, you still need to fix yourself." he said plainly before sat on the vanity mirror so elyze just walk towards her.

"don't worry, just a small touch up and you will be done. furthermore, it still 4:30 in the afternoon, I still have a lot of time to prepare." she started to take out the foundation, men's concealer, a translucent finishing powder, a brush, bronzer and etc.

meanwhile, as soon as Damion realised Elyze coming closer and closer, he simply shut his eyes, elyze held his chin, and applied concealer. Damion couldn't help but feel uneasy when he inhaled her sweet-smelling perfume. In particular, every time Elyze touched his face, the warmth from her gentle hands overpowered him. If this keeps happening, it seems as though he might do something terrible to her. so he just commented inwardly , "Shit, I have to calm down."

these past few days, every time he's been with elyze, he couldn't help but be attracted to her; to Damion, elyze was like an enigma. Damion always perceived her as a woman with many secrets, and he would never stop digging her up until he found the answers he was looking for. She can be difficult to solve and understand, and she can be both kind and heartless at times. She also frequently smiles, but every time she does, it seems as though there is another meaning hidden behind it.

but as the time goes by, the more he tried to read her, the more he become attractive to her until those feeling of attraction turns into admiration and those admiration turns into an obsession. he want something deeper more than that, he wanted to read her more, figure her out more, and understand her more! In other words, he wanted to be the first to discover what she was thinking and feeling. Damion's heart leaped for joy as he considered those ideas.

he stop thinking when elyze sudden remove his eyeglasses that makes his eyes opened, damion was surprised especially when their gazed met, at that point, damion shivers.

it as if like he catch a small glimpse of the abyss.

it so deep, very deep, as if like it warns you that if you get closer to her, you will surely be pulled down by 'them.'

for unknown people this is creepy, but for damion, he found this rather.. beautiful and interesting.

with that thought, she couldn't help himself but to smirk, as he grabbed elyze arms that makes her surprise, causes her to sat on damion's lap, he then hugged her tightly with his breathe was hitting on her neck, damion was just staring at it with a sneer on his face as though he intent to bite her neck and put some mark on elyze, and at this point, he murmured and caressed her cheeks that makes her gasp.

"it saddens me think that you're already betrothed with someone, if only you don't have any fiancee, I probably take you." he whispered softly, so elyze lips just twitched. 'don't tell me.. this guy is already drunk..?' he thought in hopeless manner.

"I-I didn't quite understand what you mean." she was supposed to stand up, when damion chuckled once more, as he give elyze a cold-blooded glare before he make her sat on the chair and then cornered her, this time, damion was already standing up Infront of her.

"then.. will you understand once I make a move on you? for example.." he slowly approach her neck, that makes elyze paralyze on where she's sitting, it's already too late when damion kissed her neck that makes her realize one thing.

this guy.. is completely dangerous! too dangerous for her!

due to this, elyze face turns cold as he glance at damion expressionlessly, "hey, what do you think are you doing?"

when damion heard her cold tone, he smile in amusement, "now this is interesting.. is this actually your true personality..? I already know since then that you're hiding something."

elyze talk back, "people will obviously get mad when someone kiss their neck especially when they have a fiancee, besides.. not even my fiancee lay his hands to me and yet you.." she smile, but damion knows that those smile means threat, elyze stand up and added,

"it seems like the rumors about you was really true, you're really a player, like chauncey. but please let me give you a piece of advice." she started to touch the things on the vanity mirror, still smiling, before she took the pen on the side as her smile turns into cold one before she point the pen on damion's eyes that makes him gasp.

"Even devian itself, having a hard time to make a move on me, so you should be ready for the consequences."

as she said those words, she put down the pen and then take all her make-ups on her pouch, after that, she look straight at damion and change their topic.

"your make up is done, well then, I have to go now.. let's have a fun and exciting party tonight."

that's what she said lastly before leaving on the door, a few minutes later, damion sat on the chair and glance above the ceiling with a sneer on his face, he also lift up his palm where he use to touch elyze face and gaze at it, when he felt that there's some small changing happening to him, damion close his eyes and calm himself down.

".. was that a yes?"

...

5:30 pm in the afternoon

elyze look on her vanity mirror, and there she saw her own reflection wearing a red strapless high low dress with her ash-gray hair was tied into loose and tousled updo, and when she was already satisfied with her smokey silver make up, she put her silver dangling earrings and spray some perfume.

the smell of floral bouquet that composed of May rose and jasmine lingered in her nose as a small smirk curve on her nude lips. she took her black gorgeous and exquisite mask with light filigree metal base that is completed with gorgeous black feathers and beautiful crystal studded embellishing piece on the table, until someone knock on her door and speak.

"My lady, our car was already here, the others have been waiting us in the living room." she heard devian speak outside, so elyze just stand up on her seat using her 5-inch black stiletto heels and gray pouch and started to walk gently, and when she open the door, she saw a gorgeous man Infront of her wearing a burgundy suit and an ancient greek mask, it was devian.

and when devian notice how dazzling she is tonight, her eyes turns into red as she laid his hands Infront of her and bowed so that elyze won't see what's behind on his mask.

"shall we, then?" he asked while closing his eyes, so elyze just look at him expressionlessly and accept it and wrapped her hands on devian's arm, they started to walk downstairs, while there's still a hint of smile on devian's face and looking at her with peripheral vision.

"you better fix yourself, devian. do you think I didn't notice?" he was supposed to give him a reply when his smile suddenly faded as soon as he notice a fading bite mark on elyze neck, his glare went cold when he realizes where was that from, so he couldn't help but to stop and sigh.

seeing this, elyze frowned, "what is it? tired of holding me?" she raise her eyebrows but devian just shook his head.

"no.. it's just that, just by looking at you from up to down, let alone wearing a red strapless dress, makes me lose a little bit of control.. especially when I saw that small bite marks in your neck."

elyze eyes open wide and cover her neck, she then avoid her gaze to devian, and at this point, she felt enrage a little after remembering damion did to her, 'he literally put some mark on me!' she thought.

"that's nothing. don't mind it, let's just keep moving."

"but I DO mind it." suddenly, devian slightly push her on the walls and cornered her, even though he's wearing a mask, elyze could still see devian's crimson red eyes, looking at him seriously as though he wanted to do something, devian approach her ear as his breath started hitting his neck, that makes elyze felt a tickling sensation, especially when he whispered to her.

".. seeing that bite mark carve in your precious neck pisses me so much, that should be my bite mark, not damion's."

"h-hey.. don't tell me—"

but it's too late now, for his white sharp fangs deepens on elyze neck already and blood flows down from her neck to her red strapless dress.

at that moment, a burning sensation filled up elyze body.

'yet another unfamiliar feeling..'

...

wearing his black tuxedo, a white half mask, with his brown hair that was neatly comb on the side and contact lenses, damion was just sitting on the sofa leisurely while looking to the pendulum clock, not only him, but even the other students of class-zero who was looking so elegant and gorgeous with each of their suits, masquerade mask and gowns was also waiting devian and elyze to walk downstairs.

"they took so long." alexandra, who was looking good in her black V-neck backless dress with her brown hair was braided in sideways, complains. she was wearing a gold masquerade mask inlaid with black feathers on the right side with black gemstone that was big as a man's thumb while there are different elegant patterns and embellishments on it.

suddenly, keir, who was wearing a white tuxedo, has a silver hair and red-white mask while there are some cracks and then notes embellishments on it, look at the upstairs and there he saw his brother, along with elyze who was looking stunning in red strapless high low dress. not only him, but even the others couldn't help but to amaze by her beauty, especially damion who couldn't help but to stick his eyes on her.

"sorry for being late." elyze said casually as she remove her mask, revealing her smokey silver make up, she then glance at damion. "shall we go now?"

as soon as damion heard elyze voice, he went back on his consciousness and then avoid his gaze a little. "yes.. yes.. of course, let's go."

he turn back, and when Chauncey, who was wearing a gold half mask with crystals and different embellishments embedded on it, and black tuxedo, saw damion's acting strange towards elyze, he sneered.

"hohoho.. would you look at that? it seems like the cold prince couldn't even resist elyze beauty as well."

"Shut up."

they started to went outside where there's a black limousine that was park Infront while the chaffeur was standing on the side, soon after, he open the door, when damion was about to enter inside, he glance at the mysterious chaffeur who was bowing his head, this guy couldn't help but to breathe heavily, but then a few minutes later, damion avoid his gaze and keep going, that makes the chaffeur let out a sigh.

the others went in as well, until it's already devian and elyze turn, they was about to enter inside when the chaffeur whisper something to devian.

'ms. asmodeus and mr. levistus was already inside, my subordinates was with them, we're just waiting the boss order.'

hearing those words, he stop a little but a few seconds later, he keep going and also give him a replies. "just standby, you will heard astaroth's signal soon." then after that, he entered inside.

when elyze, who was sitting at back seat, saw devian talking the chaffeur, she close her eyes and use a telepathic communication to him, and asked.

a telepathic communication was one of the eve's basic skills, so that when the eve was in danger, they can easily called their servants to help them.

'who was that?' devian glance at elyze before smiled and sit beside him.

'it was satanachia.'

she gasp a little, 'satanachia..? the commander of yours and uncle's six great officer..?'

'apparently, he was ordered by uncle rhonoven to help for the assassination.'

'..good to hear. as expected to uncle.'

the limousine started to move, so elyze smile plainly until those smile turns into smirk.

the silver moonlight was visible in the night sky, and there are lots of crows flying and cawing above as though someone just died, seeing this phenomenon, jotaro's face turned solemn, especially when he saw elyze smirking meaningfully, so he couldn't help but to sigh.

'it seems like.. there will be a job for me later.'

...

Oslo palace, norway, 6:45 pm

holding a gold cane, in addition of his black top hat and tailcoat as well as his monocle, you will see rhonoven standing at the back of the palace from the shadow while smiling, while there's a suitcase on his side. beside him was his wife, which is angeline, who was wearing a red trench coat, a red lipstick, a black boots and red half mask that have a various gemstone embedded on it as well as different black patterns, then a gun on her legs, and two red daggers on her waist. she then look at the time and said,

"it should be 5:45 pm in london right now."

"then let's begin."he walk Infront of the back gate leisurely as though he was just having a stroll. on the other hand, the guards frowned as soon as they saw the figure of the man with purple hair wearing a monocle and walking towards them.

"Who are you..?" the guards ask in Norwegian language but rhonoven just smile simply as he put his right hand on his back, and then bowed to them with his top hat was place on his chest, like a gentlemen.

"do you guys.. want to see a magic?"

by the time he said those words, he spread his arms wide, put his gas mask and snap his finger as a grayish-white smoke started to cover their surroundings, the guards frowned and felt confuse while trying to figure out what kind of trick did the mysterious man do, but as the time passes by, they started to lose some consciousness, until they fell on the ground and fell asleep.. forever.

seeing this scenes, a smile formed on rhonoven's lips but at the same time, there's a hint of coldness on his deep purple eyes, gazing at the corpse Infront of them.

"truly, magic tricks are the most peaceful and best weapon to end someone's life."

At this point, chauncey felt shiver down to his spine and started to get anxious for some reason and couldn't help but to glance at elyze who was just sitting casually on the back seat while looking to the window, his heart skipped beat because of nervousness, and then he remembers his little sister.

'charlotte..'

♥•♠•♥