Secrets and Confessions

[Nolwenn Thema Lamielle]

Her small, naked feet grazed full of life across the carpet of Nolwenn's massive bedroom. She virtually danced toward her bed, her soft flowy black dress swirling around her and folding back against her slim body every so often. It wasn't too often that she felt in a good enough mood to wear such a piece of clothing, but then again, lately more than ever, she had been in all sorts of unexpected moods.

Nevertheless, her hair was not of it's usual beautiful blonde color. Today, she had decided to change it to a light brown-reddish color --again, one of her strange moods. As she approached the bed, her light body fell upon the soft bed and she plopped her head into her upward palms, her legs rocking back and forth like those of a little girl. In a swift movement, she reached for a little bell and clinged it only once or twice. A few moments later, the head of a young human girl made itself visible through a small crack in the door.

"Yes you're highness, you called?" Nolwenn welcomed her with a polite smile "Would you fetch my sister for me? Tell her I need to speak to her?" the girl nodded and Nolwenn thanked her with a soft smile. "Oh and Elisa?" the girl came back "I hate ringing a bell to call you.... you might be a servant, but you're not quite a slave" she smirked very lightly, but tried to stay polite "Would you have someone come up with a better idea?" the girl nodded again and this time dissappeared for good.

Nolwenn turned over on the bed and sighed, hoping she wouldn't have to wait too long. She was in one of those impatient moods, but she wanted to have a nice conversation with her sister, so she tried to prepared herself for a good listening session. And perhaps some advise giving.

She stood up inaudibly and walked acorss her room with a gentle step. Her pale hands reached for a small glass on a table now before her. Although large, her room was not quite luxuriously ornated. Instead, it contained several relics enclosed behind glass cases, as well as antiques which matched her different and strange, new acquired tastes. She poured liquid into the glass and brought it to her lips, sipping gently as though to try and pass the time.

[Acerina "Ace" Lamielle]

Soft yellow sunlight filtered through the floor to ceiling windows, for once unobstructed by her heavy curtains. Ace was curled up on her bed, Dante beside her. She had been napping most of the afternoon with him there, content to just watch his chest rise and fall rhythmically when she wasn't sleeping. Suddenly a knock awakened her from her slumber, but she only moved closer to Dante, not wishing to answer it.

Then a young female voice caused her to sigh and sit up. 'Your Highness, the queen would like to see you.' Ace rubbed her eyes and crawled off the bed. "Ok, ok. I'm coming." She threw a black robe on over her pajamas and then scrawled a small note allowing Dante to know where to find her if he needed her. She also let him know he could just come see her if he felt like it. Nolwenn deserved to meet him eventually anyway and to Ace's knowledge she hadn't yet.

Then again Ace had been out of the loop on a lot of things recently. Especially dealing with her sister. Ace made her way through the corridors, all unbearibly dark after the light of her room. She arrived at her sister's room and entered without even a knock. For her sake, she was lucky to be the queen's sister. "Nollie." She said lightly, spotting her sister drinking. "What did you want?"

[Dante "Pet" Leo]

Dante felt something stirr next to him, but thought nothing of it and did not move. He had fallen into a deep sleep, somehow soothed --for the first time-- by Acerina's presence beside him. He never thougth that he would actually get used to her enough that he would ever be able to fall alseep next to her. But he had, and it felt good.

His eyes snapped open, and was terribly dissapointed not to find her face on the bed next to him. He sat up quickly and looked around the room, hoping that she had only went into the bathroom or something of that sort.

He stood up from the bed and peeked into the bathroom, and was dissapointed once again not to find her there. It wasn't until then, when he happened to turn around toward the bed again, that he noticed a small piece of paper that he had seemingly, in his search, ignored. He quickly unfolded it and read. He gulped down quickly at the thougth of meeting the Queen. Her sister, if he remembered correctly. He wondered what type of relationship they had. Well, they must be close right?

Without much more thinking than that, he walked to the door and exited Acerina's room for the first time since he had been brought here. When he had first been dragged here, he never really noticed how impressive the palace really was. It wasn't long until he had no idea where he was, and even his attempts to get back to Ace's room, for fear of being found by another demon, failed.

A familiar voice called to him. That young girl, Elisa came running to him. "What are you doing here?" Dante was confused. Why did she seem so worried about him? She took his arm and led him down the hall. "I want to go to the Queen's chambers" he said decisively. She looked at him panicked "Are you crazy?" he frowned and reasserted what he desired. Defeated, Elisa reluctantly walked him to Nollie's room. With a gentle knock, she did not hesitate to open the door, and push him roughly through the opening, only to close the door again quickly.

"Hey!!...." he protested angrily, at least before he realized that Acerina and the Queen were right there. He stood up straight and gulped down. He clearly had no idea what to do. He was her pet...so should he shut up? Or introduce himself. No, that would be stupid Hi, i'm Dante, and I'm Acerina's pet...pfft, yea right.

He stood uncomfortably and silently.

[Nolwenn Thema Lamielle]

Her gaze fluttered toward her much welcomed guest. She smiled softly and gently set down her glass, before dancing toward her bed again and laying down. Resting her head in her palm which was turned upward, she patted the bed for her sister to come sit with her. She did not feel the need to invite her to drink, since she figured Acerina knew that she could do pretty much what she wanted in here.

"Well I wanted to talk to you" she seemed happier than usual. "We haven't had an ice sisterly conversation in quite the while, don't you think? And besides, I hear you've got a new guest in your room." Nolwenn's expression took an innocent air. She laughed lightly.

Her focus was immediately shifted to the door at the sudden commotion. Her expression had lost it's innocence for a half a second, at least until she realized it was a human barging into her room. No, not a human, the human. She grinned and in a swift movement, stepped off the bed and walked toward the man to 'welcome' him properly. "Well then, what good timing." she glanced back mischeviously toward her little sister, a light grin on her face. She allowed a gentle hand on the man's chest and circled around him casually, but too close for comfort.

"I must say dear" she took the man's face with a strong grip on his chin and forced his gaze upon her "You have good taste for humans as far as looks. But I wonder, what about the rest." her shiny blade-like teeth shone through yet another smirk-like smile. And without warning, she threw a very strong blow with her fist, right into the boy's stomach, which could have sent any regular human to the ground. She gripped his hair forcefully and examined his face again.

"Do you think yourself worthy of my sister's attention, human....Or mine, for that matter, so much to dare to come intrude on our conversation." she realized Acerina had probably invited him here. There was no way he would have come if it hadn't been the case. But she wondered...what he would do in this situation. She wanted to 'know' him, know what type of worthless human she was dealing with at least....and what type of human was able to last for days in her sister's clutches.

[Acerina "Ace" Lamielle]

Ace watched her sister, weary of the good mood that exuded from her every pore it seemed. She was just wondering what was making Nollie so happy when the door opened and a scuffle behind her drew her attention. She turned and spotted her pet. "Dante..." She started, but Nollie decided to get to him first.

Her sister meandered around him. Ace tensed and felt jealous as she trailed her hand on him. Ace didn't like the idea of someone else touching her pet. Thus, when Nollie grabbed him harshly Ace started, she moved a step forward. She didn't like Nollie mentioning Dante's good looks. A wave of possessiveness washed over her and she moved closer still.

Then suddenly Nollie punched him and asked him if he was worthy of Ace's attention. She was gripping his hair and Ace panicked. Without thinking she merely reacted. Ace launched herself forward and yanked Nollie's hand away from Dante. She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around Dante, pulling him close. "Nollie, please! You may wonder if he's worthy, but you don't need to hurt him. That's my job."

Ace laughed a little. She was joking of course. After that first day Ace hadn't hurt Dante physically at all. She slipped her hand to his abdomine and rubbed his stomach where her sister had punch him. "I'm sorry." She whispered in his ear, leaning close and resting her forehead against his head.

[Dante "Pet" Leo]

He watched the demoness approach him. Surely this was the Queen everyone seemed to fear. Certainly Elisa feared her, the servants feared royalty period, but they probably had reason to. No, that wasn't the only reason he found himself examining this strange, seemingly happy, and suprisingly...little person. He had heard rumors, vague ones at that, about the Demon Queen who even terrorized her own people. But it didn't seem that way. After all, the demon kingdom --at least to him-- seemed as normal as a demon kingdom could be.

He saw in the Queen the same beauty that he found so attractive in Acerina. Sure, she was pretty on the outside, there was no denying that, but it was the idea that she was so dangerous. She could kill him at any second after all. He shivered under the touch upon his chest. What if those claws dug into his heart right then and there? He gazed at Acerina, trying to conceal his fear but without success. Just the sight of her, however, made him feel a little bit more comfortable.

He gulped down at the sight of her teeth, and wandered, if anything, what she was going to do to him. Was this her way of finding out more about him? He was confused, but then again, he wasn't surprised since Acerina was just as confusing.

He felt pain shoot through his body from his abdomen. How could a little...woman like that pack such a punch? He had briefly forgotten about the demoness part, but certainly he had gotten over his temporary amnesia. He clutched at his stomach and fell to his knees, as though he were to throw up or scream right on the spot. But he didn't.

And suddenly, when he managed to inhale quickly, he smelled her scent. Acerina was right next to him and he hadn't even notice her come. She wrapped her arms around her and briefly was able to piece together that she was defending him against her own sisters. But why? Was he worth the trouble? What would the Queen think? He felt her hand upon his stomach and immediately, it was as though the pain was gone. He was still motionless, but truthfully it was only the relief of having her right there that made him forget about the pain.

It took him a bit to regain his breath. "It's alright" he whispered just as softly in her ear "And didn't I tell you to stop apologizing?" he remembered their earlier conversation. He then stood up and pulled Acerina up by the elbow as well. With an unexpected movement, he took the Queen hand firmly and shook it quickly. "Dante, pleasure to meet you, your highness" he still jerked at the pain that it caused for him to stand up and talk. He couldn't afford to be on the Queen's bad side. He wasn't stupid enough to fathom that he could. Maybe he could be friendly enough to get to the point that...she could maybe stand him.

[Nolwenn Thema Lamielle]

Nolwenn was shocked, and admitedly discontent about the behavior of her sister. Her hand had been pushed away, and at first, it was as though she was offended. She was silent however, impatiently watching what was happening before her. Was she actually concerned about this man? Acerina cared that she had hurt him? And even apologized to someone like him?

She saw the gentleness with which she treated him, and the same attitude returned. So he was used to this....she now doubted that Acerina even hurt him at all. Now that she thought of it, there weren't any marks on his exposed flesh at all. A grin appeared on her face unexpectedly.

I see. She thougth to herself. And suddenly he was up again, faster than she had expected, shaking her hand and introducing himself. Who was this guy? She didn't pull her hand away until he did his, and didn't even seem too bothered by the fact that he was being so foward and in control of the conversation...somewhat.

"I'm sure it's a pleasure to get yourself punched" she grinned and even laughed at him, glancing toward Acerina. "You sure have a strange man in you're posession." she turned around and walked back to the bed. She sat down casually and was silent for a bit, obviously thinking.

She then glanced bak at the two and spoke softly. "Dante, will you leave us?" she smiled lightly and then looked at the door. It was obvious that this was not a suggestion, but the fact that she had called him by his name certainly meant something. She had never called a human by their name, well, apart from Elisa, but that was because she found no other name fit for her.

[Acerina "Ace" Lamielle]

Ace sighed as Nolwenn eyed her suspiciously. Ace knew why too. It was because Ace was being so nice and caring toward a human. No doubt she doubted if Ace hurt the boy at all. Ace knew better though. She had clawed him pretty badly. Now though, for whatever reason, she didn't want harm to come to her pet. As Dante told her once again to stop apologizing Ace blushed.

Yes... Ace... blushed. She quickly returned to her normal color though. Dante was up and introducing himself. Ace also laughed like her sister. He was so sexy when he tried to take control. Ace casually slid her hand into his and squeezed softly before releasing it. It was something to say she thought he did good with what her sister threw at him.

Then Nollie dismissed Dante and Ace frowned, but nodded and ruffled his hair like a little kid before turning her back to him. She moved toward her sister again and stood beside the bed. It was good that Nollie had called him Dante, but it was not so good the way Nollie was acting. Punching him, asking if he was worthy. it bothered Ace, it made her insides curl. She took a seat on the edge of her sister's bed, prepared for a lecture or a million questions.

"So what did you call me here for again, Nollie?" She asked, a bit afraid of the answer. Especially because she was now certain it was solely about Dante. Or well... she was pretty sure it was. Would Nollie ask Ace to give him up? Kill him? Ace grimaced and stared down at the comforter in uneasiness.

[Nolwenn Thema Lamielle]

"It's not what you think"

Nolwenn sort of blurted the comment out, unusual for her since she was usually so careful about what she said and allowing certain words to come out of her mouth. She was now laying on her back, staring at the ceiling for no apparent reason. She didn't bother to look at her sister, knowing full well what she was thinking right now. That she had done something wrong...that Nolwenn was angry at her. It might of seemed that way, but it actually wasn't the case.

Dante was what had incited her to call Acerina to her room. Yes. But Nolwenn was not so foolish as to believe that a man who had survived for days in this castle without being fatally wounded or who wasn't considered a servant did not mean more to her sister than what she pretended him to be. She had suspicions, and she would get to the bottom of this strange turn of events, but subtly.

"I need you're help on something, dear" she sighed, seemingly exasperated with the situation she was about to lay out in front of her sister. But she was a good actress. Nevertheless, she continued. "A few weeks ago" she began, placing her hands behind her head as a cushion as though to prepare herself for a long story "I was informed of a developing friendship between one of our advisers with a human servant in our own castle." her tone became serious. "And now, it seems both have vanished into thin air." she paused for quite a long time, as though to extract a reaction from her sister. But she hadn't gotten to the good part yet.

"Sources tell me that less than a week ago, this adviser and a human girl passed through this Kingdom's gates into the forest under the pretext that I had ordered him to a specific mission." she growled lightly, but she didn't seem too angry yet. "I have already punished the gate keeper for allowing them to go through the gate without my seal of approval. After all, we can't afford to have weak points of a security into our own home not to mention, but I will not stand for the kidnapping of one of our servants right under my nose! I consider this a great disrespect to my authority, not only to have informed me of what was going on, but allowing himself to believe that he would get away unscathed having committed the crime of fraud and abuse of his position!" she had sat up now and was clearly outraged.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and moved closer to her sister. "Now, I am planning on having them found and brought back here to be punished. But I know I've been unfair in the past, and I want to make an exception for these lovers." she smiled lightly again, seemingly having completely forgotten about her anger only a minute ago. "I will give the human a choice. Either to die, or become a demon. Of course, I will inform her of the terrible journey she will need to endure if she chooses to become a demon...and if she survives, I will allow them to be free, whether under my rule or not. But you do know what I am talking about, don't you dear?"

The book. It hadn't come up in conversation since that fateful day when Nolwenn's own lover succumbed to it's devastating power. But it had been in her mind all those years. Not one day passed without her thinking of the manuscript, whether it was to attempt to destroy it or use it for her own purposes.

"I want to know what you think"

[Acerina "Ace" Lamielle]

Ace felt a bit of relief as Nollie said it wasn't what she thought. That she needed Ace's help, she wasn't trying to punish her. Ace let out a sigh and relaxed some. She then waited as Nollie started to get to her point. A demon and a human servant girl? Nollie seemed a bit upset as she spoke of how the demon abused his powers. Ace felt nervous again, but then Nollie once again changed her mood to content.

Ace was confused by her constant changing. She furrowed her brow and then... her stomach dropped. She knew what Nollie was getting at before she even asked if Ace got it. Ace wanted nothing to do with that though. That was Hell Nollie was talking about.

She wanted to send the girl to Hell to try and prove her worth. Ace's heart sank too as that exact line ran through her head. Her worth. Ace shuddered and stood quickly. "Nollie, you know how I feel about that book. Ever since your... I would never wish that upon anyone. I woudn't wish for them to go to Hell to prove their worth and I wouldn't wish for someone to suffer like you did if they didn't come back."

"Why would you ever wish that on someone? After all you've been through?" Ace shook her head, her stomach tightening uncomfortably. Did Nollie intend to ask that of her and Dante? Never. She'd never allow it. She'd never put Dante in that kind of danger. The occasional cuts and bruises, fine compared to him going to Hell. Ace suddenly wanted to find Dante and hug him tightly.

[Nolwenn Thema Lamielle]

Nolwenn understood her sister's worry. It had been such a long time since the book had come up in conversation, and she could see the panic in her expression. She sighed lightly, her expression loosing it's innocent smile which was replaced by a sorrowful, serious one.

"My love" she took her sister's chin into her hand with delicacy. "A life together, as human and demon will be more difficult than anything else. That is what I do not wish upon them. If they truly love each other, and it's not just some fluke to get some sort of attention or disrespect me, then she will come out of it alive and they will lead the happiest life I can offer them." she looked honestly into her sister's eyes. She knew what she was talking about, it was obvious, even though it might not make sense in anyone else's eyes.

She had suffered, and she knew the suffering the human would have to endure if she were to accept the challenge, but she considered it a small price to pay for what may lie at the other end...a life with her love, which would never end.

"The pain of living happily for all these years, if her fragile human life isn't extinguished before it's due time, and having her age and die will be very great for him do you not see? And what is pain when you know that it is worth what is on the other end of the tunnel? Compared to pain that you know will last until you are killed, or maybe even take your own life to be with your love. "

She stood up from her bed and was silent a moment. She was thinking, clearly, but then walked to the door. "I have business to attend to, Acerina. But think of what I have just told you."

ooc: real crap post