Ryan walked down the stairs with hands in his pockets. His dark brown hair was styled in right parted curtain bangs slightly beneath his brows. He wore a white long sleeved turtle-neck shirt due to the weather, and black trousers.
Zariel was standing at the dinning, her hands clasped and rested on her belly.
"Breakfast is served, young master" she said, clearly feigning a smile.
Ryan drew a seat and sat down. He looked at the dish on the table. Cream tea for breakfast wasn't a bad idea. He loved it, but his face said otherwise. He took a fork and began to eat .
Zariel stood there watching him. Questions going through her mind, she didn't know which to ask first. She was a bit angry he didn't open up to her. What if something had happened to him throughout the night? What if he had caught a cold? Too many what ifs in her head. He barely even look at her.
"Young master!!" the voice sounded like thunder, echoing through the walls and it sounded frightening, like a roar.
Ryan lifted his eyes from his plate and looked at her. Her face was like that of a she-bear whose Cubs had been taken away. Like a mother snake hissing loudly to protect her eggs. She looked fierce, like a Tigress ready to pounce on its prey.
Ryan took a sip of the tea, and drop the cup back on the table.
"And how may I be of help to you, Ms. Jung?" he asked. His voice stern yet calm.
Zariel's mood changed. Her lips stretching into a smile. Finally, he had given her audience. She took a breather.
"Where did you go last night?"
"And why do you bother?" he asked. His eyes never leaving the food.
"Because you never slept outside." Zariel replied. Affection and care could be heard on her voice. Like she was his mother. "What were you doing out so late that you couldn't return home?"
"What else?" Ryan asked in between meals. "The usual" he said
That could only mean one thing. Saving humans.
"Well, it wouldn't take you a whole night to save someone, would it?"
"She was badly injured so I took her to the hospital." he stated "I didn't see the the attackers but she had claw marks on her."
"Goodness" she exclaimed "It's them again"
"There are your people, right? Talk to them." His voice was getting louder by the minute.
"You're one of us too, young master" Zariel said.
"Except being an outcast " he yelled, already getting annoyed.
"You're not. So stop beating yourself " she said.
"That's it, I'm done with this." he shot up from the chair that it fell backwards with a thud .
"Have Leonel come check the files in my study. I want nothing but to sleep, is that clear?" he ordered.
"Yes, young master " she gave a bow as Ryan walked out of the dinette.
"Rest well, young master.
Zariel cleared the tables and headed towards the living room. Dragging her feet on the floor, she said
"Aigu! I'm so tired. I could use some sleep." She yawned. Her eyes took a glimpse of Leonel. She's not seeing clearly, is she? Is Leonel with a bowl of ice cream? She rushed to the refrigerator with a flash, opened and scanning through, and then she gasped. Soon she was front of Leonel.
"Y-You did take from the fridge, did you?" She asked. Tension filled her her voice .
Leonel looked up at her. This wasn't the first time he was taken one of her ice creams, right?
"I did" he replied. Eyes scanning her up and down.
"Leonel" Zariel screamed, causing the walls to shake. If sound could kill, Leonel would have been longing dead.
Terrified, his voice came out "What?"
"That's Lord Ryan's ice cream!" She clarified.
"What?!" Leonel exclaimed, already on his feet. He gasped. He'll have his head. Ryan would surely have his head.
"Hey" Zariel called "You have to make another bowl, right now!" She ordered. Her voice so fierce and frightening. Her eyes tinted with anger and fear.
"But I don't know to make one" he confessed. He wasn't made for the kitchen.
"But young master would kill you if you don't."
Leonel dropped on the couch. The room grew hot as he could feel beads of sweat on his forehead. He could feel his heart I his throat, ready to be puked out. He gulped down hardly.
"This isn't the end of the world, Leonel" Zariel's mocking tone came. "It's easy to make just as it's easy to take."
Leonel could feel his head spinning. He looked at Zariel who's ushering him to the kitchen.
"Hurry up" she said "You also have to check the files in his study. So don't waste time." She pulled him towards the kitchen.
Dear Lord, save him from the wrath of young master.
*...*....*....*.....*...*...*....*....*
Ryan laid on his bed, waiting for sleep to come take him. Everyday that passed was a torture, and he couldn't wait to be free. But how long would be keep waiting? How long before she'll finally appear? He has been waiting for over four centuries, yet nothing. He longed for freedom. Freedom from aching heart and terrible headache. Freedom from ringing echoes in his ears. Freedom from hurting one to save another. He's tired. So tired yet she won't appear. If only someone else could break the curse and set him free. But clearly it would never happen.
*....*.....*...*FLASHBACK*...*.....*.....*
Ryan stood at the middle of the throne room. His eyes fixed on the ground as he was drenched in his own sweat. Before him was his father, Leon, the King of five kingdoms in the demon world. By his left and right were Dukes, Knights and ministers. Each and every pillar of the kingdom were present. He couldn't predict what was going on, but one thing is sure. It wasn't going to be good.
"Your majesty" one Duke began "Your half breed of a son is clearly committing treason"