Hellbound Heart

"Why can't I kiss you?" Elle asked. And then abruptly, a forced grin flashed across her face. "Ah, sorry… I forgot myself. I keep forgetting sometimes. It seems like I'm really a little drunk now." r

Sighing loudly, she then arranged his slightly tilted mask as she continued muttering. "Forget what I asked, okay? That's… it is just the liquor working its… uhm… silly magic. Must have affected me more than I had thought. As promised, I'm not going to pry into your personal matters… right, I shouldn't… I won't… so don't you worry, my prince… Elle's a woman of her words. What I promised you, I'd be able to do it!" r

She sprung from the bench and backed up a few steps behind him. After playfully spreading her arms wide, and lifting her face up to the sky, she twirled around before looking back at him. He was already facing her and standing there silently.r

"Let's go, Sebastian! I'd like to explore more. You're not tired yet are you? I'd like to roam around more in this magical place! Let's go! Let's not waste any more time!" And then she excitedly walked forward, humming happily. She had not bothered to hold onto his hand but just walked on ahead, as if she was confident that Sebastian was going to follow after her no matter where she decided to go.r

Sebastian trailed after her. He kept a good distance from her in order to let her freely move around as she pleased. At this moment, he could grant her this amount of freedom to roam and wander as she pleased. But during the entire time, his eyes were glued to no one else but her, making sure that nothing would disturb her bliss. Not even by accident.r

They first walked across the stalls again. Now that the night was deep, the crowd had started to dwindle. The once lively and bustling place had now become quiet. Many of the people celebrating and joining in the festival had already left to go back to their homes. It was still bright out with all the pretty lights, but surprisingly, the vibe had completely turned into something breathtakingly mysterious. r

Elle just continued gushing about how magical and utterly charming everything around then was, completely oblivious to the also changing vibe around her. All she did was appreciate the beauty of the place and its decisions and ambiance. She did not even notice how everyone just naturally made way for her. The few people who were still out and about, stepped aside almost so seamlessly as if there was an unseen force surrounding her that was making them all move out of her way. r

She also did not notice that no one was offering her food and drinks and souvenirs anymore. But she soon heard a soft, mystical music carried in the air and she twirled around and swayed her body to the rhythm as she kept moving forward. She looked like a venerable goddess in the dark, enjoying herself and totally absorbed her very own little world. r

Until they both ended up in a bright empty street. It was so empty and quiet that it almost felt like time had jumped from ten at night to four at dawn. r

Still, nothing seemed to have bothered Elle. She just continued wandering about, occasionally turning behind her to glance at Sebastian, as if to church that he was still following after her. r

"Are you tired yet, my dear husband?" she asked him, giggling mischievously. "You are right, this is me trying to tire you out because you're no fun at all! What a big bore!" She complained and pouted at Sebastian. r

Sebastian's face darkened at her words but the look on her face immediately pushed aside the gloom. Her eyes were sparkling so brightly, and her smile… she looked really happy… almost like a child who was just focused on having fun without any care in the world. And all he could do was stare at her in a daze. He even completely forgot about the fact that she had asked him if he was tired. He had been wondering when she would be getting tired for a long while now. r

She was such an energetic ball of fire the entire day up till now. But he never once thought of stopping her from going about her explorations. Unexpectedly, he found that he liked watching her like this. No, he loved this. For the first time, he was not tempted to grab her and bring her inside a room to do something heavenly and depraved to her. r

Right now, all he wanted to do was nothing else but watch her smile, watch her twirl and sway, watch her wander about, exploring things that caught her interest and watch her keep glancing back at him. He thought that he was currently going through something new and a strange experience once again. r

"Alright, tonight, I've decided! I hereby declare that you aren't my husband but my knight. How about that Sebastian?" she asked him, her expression playful and her eyes twinkling with anticipation. r

"I will be your princess and you… since you did nothing but become my bodyguard…" she pointed at him as she stood straight. "…are now my loyal knight!" r

Rushing back to him, Elle stood up before him with her chin raised courageously at him. "Now answer me, Sebastian. What do you say? Don't tell me you are unhappy now that your position got downgraded?" r

"Whatever you want, princess." He finally replied, deciding to just play along with this little drunk wife of his to quieten her fast. r

Her eyes twinkled at his response. But abruptly, her expression became authoritative. "Now sir Sebastian, my knight, carry me." She ordered, pointing at him and gesturing for him to come stand before her. r

So, it would seem that she was finally tired, he thought and without further ado, he bent to scoop her up. But Elle was quick on her feet and had swiftly stepped back.

"No, no, no. Not like that." She protested, causing Sebastian to shoot her a puzzled look.