Chapter 24: The Demon Knows

YUKI returned to her room with a slight wound on her neck. The tip of the Katana was sharp, and luckily it did not go through her neck. Should she feel like she was fortunate to be spared? Or should she be mad because she almost lost her life? Yuki could not explain her feelings at the moment. That demon made her froze and nearly drove her insane. That demon guy called Damien, or whatever his name, harmed her physically and exhausted her emotionally. Her emotions mixed up like a mess.

Yuki was tired.

She did not realize how hectic the situation in her room was, but the maids were busy running around, getting something to treat her wound. The maids cleaned the wound and rinsed it with warm water. They applied an herbal ointment that smelled and looked like an antibiotic and covered her wound with a two-inch rolled gauze bandage. The wound on her neck was not deep or dangerous, but if the Katana went a little deeper, it might have cut her veins.

Yuki was utterly dumbfounded! A few minutes ago, her face was pale like wax and as white as a canvas. She nearly died in that room. And almost got killed in the hand of that demon!

If Grace did not stop her brother on time, what would happen to Yuki?

After what felt like a long time, Yuki finally spoke as her mind started to function. But her voice trembled. "I am sorry, Grace. But I want to be by myself right now." There was a brief pause. Yuki wanted to be alone. "Please understand." She needed time to fathom her condition and current situation.

Grace nodded. She told the maids to go out immediately after treating the wound. And they left Yuki unaccompanied in the room.

After they left her alone, Yuki jumped out of her bed and ran to the bathroom. She opened the water tap hurriedly and washed her face with cold water. Again and again. When she finally calmed down, Yuki stared at herself, looking at her defenseless reflection through the big, rectangle-shaped mirror.

She touched the newly bandaged wound on her neck. It stung. And hurting. Feeling the pain, Yuki returned to feeling nervous and frightened!

Suddenly, there was a whispering voice speaking to her. The voice inside her saying that it was okay to cry. It was okay to be scared. Just shout and mourn, and let it go. The voice kept telling her that if she did not feel tough, she could cry. It was alright.

Yuki saw her locket twinkling in the mirror. And she took it off and opened it.

She stared at the photo of her parents. With teary eyes, Yuki opened up. "Mommy… daddy. I am scared. I am not strong. I want to go home." Her body began to quiver, and tears filled in the corners of her eyes.

Yuki could not understand that man! Damien. But more importantly, Yuki could not believe herself. The thought of dying in the hand of that man appeared like a flash. Yuki almost considered dying back then. Fear enveloped her. Her heart pounded. And her throat constricted. It was painful to speak or cry.

Yuki felt her body weakened, and she fell onto the cold floor. In this dimly illuminated bathroom, she clenched over her ears as she recalling that nightmare. It was scarier than having a murderer going after her.

As Yuki closed her eyes and ears, she could hear someone whispered, "No matter where you are, we are always with you."

Yuki felt calm and sheltered in serenity. And she fell asleep. Inside the bathroom.

___

"MILORD, please forgive this lowly knight, as I only speak from my point of view." Ryan started to speak. He looked at his master, the one he swore loyalty and devotion, with an urgent voice.

"What is it, Ryan?" Damien was not in the mood for dilly-dallying.

Ryan went straightforward. He spoke directly, "Milord… I believe you were too harsh to the human. Can I say that you were cruel back there?"

Damien snorted. "I suggest death. I am not harsh, but I am being nice and kind. And I was speaking of the truth. She wants to go back to her family, which I am very confident that they are already dead, and now, they are in front of the gate of Heaven, waiting to move in. And I want to grant it. This great self of me, the future lord of the whole Underworld Realm, wants to grant her request personally! But, she said no." Damien did not finish his sentence there. He continued, "It is not my fault that this human is weak. Humans always terrified of death!" His voice was loud, as he expressing his dissatisfaction.

Ryan was speechless! His master said he suggested death, but he literally swung the Katana and almost slaughtered the human inside this study. Roughly half an hour ago.

"You almost killed an innocent human being, milord," whispered Ryan. But Damien heard it loud and clear. He squinted at Ryan.

Then Damien crossed his arms. "What we discussed today will remain only in this room. Never speak about this matter outside. And make sure no one knows, especially the Duchess," said Damien. "You know what will happen if this secret is exposed, right?"

The head knight cleared his throat and said nothing except, "Yes, milord."

Damien could speak with his eyes. His killing glare said if others found out about this secret, Damien would not hesitate to kill anyone who knew about it. Start from Ryan.

BANG!

The door of the study opened. And Grace barged into the room. Again! There was frustration and anger in her eyes. "See what you have done, brother! How could you do that to my savior?"

Ryan stood up and ran to the door. He closed the door tightly. Others could not hear this conversation. It was super confidential, and his life was in jeopardy.

"I am not continuing this useless conversation, little sister. Go to your room," said Damien without looking at Grace. His eyes started reading the documents on the table. And his hands were suddenly busy signing some arrangement papers that needed approvals.

Grace laughed in tension. "I know you could bring her back to the Human Realm, brother. But you don't want to dirty your hands by doing so. Or more likely, you don't want to bother yourself with other people. You fear if others know about this matter, and it will intrude your way into becoming Hades. You think I won't know about it?" Grace was truly disappointed with her brother.

"YES! Why should I bother about a mere human? She is not worth it. You said yourself," expressed Damien. He stopped writing and put his works aside. "I might know a way to send her home, which seemed like impossible. BUT! I will never do it."

"Even though she saved my life?"

"Come on, dear sister. I can see through your eyes. You adored her! You wanted her to stay. Stop lying to yourself. You are attracted to her, and she is the only one who wants to befriend and talk to you." Damien affirmed his judgment.

"But I sincerely want Sister Yuki to go back to her realm. A human cannot stay in the Underworld. Her life can be in great danger!" Grace yelled.

And all of them became inaudible. Yeah. Grace, Damien, and Ryan could not deny that fact. A human staying in the Underworld? Not a good idea. Her life would be miserable. She would be a perfect victim to other evil creatures, like becoming a living sacrifice to mad witches or food to vampires. Or other monsters might devour her flesh and body. There were so many negative possibilities. But Damien did not care. It was not his problem!

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Their heated argument and conversation ended there. A servant suddenly reported, "The guest passed out!"