Grand Banquet (2)

Sorin was used to Kieran's wild and playful antics since they had spent so much time together in the past. In the previous timeline, the two of them were inseparable.

The perfect pair when it comes to the war against demons, Kieran was unparalleled in both sword and magic while Sorin focused on healing and defense.

As Kieran took a sip of his liquor, he leaned closer to Sorin "You don't have your sword with you?" he asked with a frown. Sorin recoiled slightly but managed to hide his disdain with a surprised expression.

"Ah, well, I have Sir Felix as my guard. This is a formal banquet, I don't think it is necessary to do so." He replied.

Kieran gave a nonchalant nod "I rarely see you without it, seems like you really trust your guard."

Sorin's nails dug painfully into his palms, trying to find comfort in Lucifer's stigmata. Trust now felt like a foreign word to him, especially if it comes from Kieran's mouth.

When did Kieran start planning everything?

Did he plan to betray Sorin from the start?

Questions ran through his mind but he still couldn't find an answer. Kieran did not show any signs of animosity toward Sorin right now.

A wave of revulsion washed over Sorin when Kieran grabbed his hand, when he blinked the red-haired man was giving him a worried glance.

"Sorin?" Kieran asked.

With a shake of his head, Sorin sighed "I must have been tired from all the preparation." he excused "Can I excuse myself?"

Kieran nodded his head, genuine confusion etched on his face but with a polite bow, Sorin had already turned on his heel.

Felix followed behind Sorin, he was quiet the entire time. Listening and watching their interaction intently, his face was unreadable but it was evident that he knew Sorin's discomfort.

The music and conversations faded when Sorin reached the washroom. Felix stood guard outside, giving the saint a knowing look when he locked the door behind him.

Sorin faced the mirror, his smile stayed the same. There was no crack on his facade. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he turned on the water, washing his hands.

The warm water washed over his skin, as he rubbed his hands, removing any traces of Kieran. He felt sick, at the mere thought of the man.

At how he was so easily deceived by Kieran's kind words.

Sorin gritted his teeth, but he easily calmed himself down "Enough with the self-pity." he snarled at himself before he straightened his posture to recollect his thoughts.

With a flick of his wrist, he smoothed out the fabric of his coat. His expression switched to the same, precise smile that hid his emotions.

He stepped out, Felix glancing at him "You can just excuse yourself away from everyone, you know." he reminded Sorin.

"That would be rude." Sorin said "I have to fulfill my duty as the Saint." he hummed sarcastically.

Felix snorted at his words but followed Sorin back to the grand hall.

***

The ball ended peacefully. Sorin's head was throbbing the moment he returned back to his room, his hand gripped the door frame as he stepped inside.

The smell of cigarette smoke filled his nose the moment he stepped inside his chambers. He momentarily snapped out of his thoughts when he saw an unfamiliar scene.

Lucifer lay on his bed, eyes focused on the chamber's ceilings. The curtains were shut closed, and only a single candlelight lit up the room.

She moved her eyes slowly to Sorin "Oh, you're here." she said with a lazy drawl. A long intricate holder made of jade in between her painted nails as she took a long drag from her cigarette, tendrils of smoke curling upwards.

"Don't smoke on my bed." he scolded the blonde-haired woman as he stepped closer to the demon, snatching the cigarette from her hand.

Lucifer exhaled the smoke directly at his face causing him to cough at the sudden assault of smoke. She laughed mischievously before grabbing her cigarette back from Sorin's hand.

She sat up, legs dangling off her bed.

『Don't worry, my dear, I won't burn down the bed... It's expensive, isn't it?』

She muttered as she ran a finger through her golden hair, she took one last drag of smoke before putting away the cigarette. The object disappears into thin air without needing to stub it in an ashtray.

『How was your night?』

Sorin grabbed his black nightrobe from the nightstand before placing it around Lucifer, a sigh escaping his lips "It was... eventful." he replied, tiredness dripping in his voice "I feel sick."

Lucifer chuckled as she stood up from the edge of Sorin's bed and removed Sorin's white coat, impressed at the fabric's quality.

『You can't get sick, you're not human anymore, remember?』

She reminded him with a smile, sarcasm could be traced in her voice. Sorin rolled his eyes, he knew that Lucifer liked to ease him. Always determined to unravel his well-built facade.

"Seeing Kieran made me feel like I'm going to snap at each moment." He said to Lucifer "I allowed myself to be deceived by the likes of him."

Lucifer hummed in amusement.

『What did you think of him? Seeing reflections of your past.』

"Strange." He answered, "Even now, I can't see anything that hints at his betrayal."

『Does that affect your hatred toward him? Is my beloved Saint going to show him mercy? Forgiveness?』

Lucifer's smirk was wicked, baring his teeth at him as she laughed. Her voice rang through the air as she stepped closer to Sorin, closing the distance between them.

Sorin's expression dropped as he snarled at the demon "No. Didn't I promise you already? I don't care about those things anymore. The only reason I'm here is to fulfill my desires." he snapped, his tone sharp, rising an octave.

『I know, I'm just teasing~』

Lucifer mused, a mixture of admiration in her voice as she leaned closer to him. Her palms cupped Sorin's cheeks as her face softened when they locked eyes. Sorin leaned closer to her touch, the warmth was something he sorely missed.

『I can feel it, you know. The emotions that run through your veins, your doubt and confusion but there was something I know that wouldn't change. 』

Sorin tilted his head at her words "What is it?" he asked. A smile played at Lucifer's lips, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

『It's your loyalty and devotion.』

Sorin clicked his tongue, removing Lucifer's hands from his cheek as he turned away from the demon "Smug woman." he muttered breathlessly.

『Shy now, aren't we?』

Despite his lack of reaction, Sorin knew it was the truth. The demon was the one who had saved him when the entire world turned its back on him. She was the one who had laid this path of chaos before him.

『I'd like to have a mortal form, one that could stay by your side.』

Sorin moved his attention to the demon "It is hard to keep hiding your demonic magic." he agreed "However, it would take long to find someone suitable for you."

『Sooner or later, you'll meet some of my aides. They'll follow your orders. I'll have it arranged, I can wait.』

Sorin nodded in reply, considering the next course of his action now that Kieran was here. It would be hard to avoid his presence since they were still very close at this point in time.

For a second, the weight of betrayal and deception faded into insignificance when Lucifer placed a gentle hand on Sorin's head. At that moment, he just felt like a human seeking comfort and approval.

『I'll be watching you, my saint.』