Eternal Melody



LUCIFER 

Things have been too good. Since she came to live with him, there have been no issues. Other than the minor scuffle with Suigetsu's men there have been no dangers.  Even her companions who have been frantically searching for her haven't found her. Even with Toh learning the truth, he hasn't disclosed her location to her other friends. Though Toh's frequent visits bother him, it is only a minor inconvenience. He knew Toh wouldn't jeopardise her safety. 

Recently, their relationship has improved to the point where she is relying on his touches to comfort her outside the bedroom. Even though she is modest, displaying affection in front of the servants. She greets him with kisses, leans into his hold whenever they are dining together. She actively seeks his warmth, even without him doing anything.

'-you will never experience happiness again. No matter what, this curse will follow you. The moment you experience a shred of happiness, the curse will take it from you. This is your fate, for not choosing me. For not sacrificing that woman.'

Even now he can hear that wretched woman's cursed voice in his head. The name of the woman who cursed him, for years he has pushed it to the back of his mind. But recently he has reasons to believe that she is alive. That she is somewhere nearby. 

Ever since he saw those signs, he feared for Sumire's safety more than before. Even before she came to the manor to live with him. He has been secretly monitoring her from afar. 

Nagawa Mira may have access to those beasts, but she shouldn't have been able to control them. The only ones with the power to control that is the woman who cursed him, or her descendants. Unfortunately since he has seldom left the manor, he has been unable to investigate too deeply. 

'Eventually, I will have to personally check on the company. I hate the idea of leaving her. However, I have been overseeing her training. Since she is able to use her ability at will now, it ought to be fine if I leave for a few days.'

But, he is reluctant to go. Things have been far too good between them. He is afraid if he leaves it will trigger something bad. What if she is taken from him? What if Toh goes back on his word and decides it's worth the risk, and during that time Sumire is harmed again? What if he has been delusional this entire time and she isn't enjoying his company at all?

The mere thought that she has been pretending to like him just to appease him made his stomach hurt. More than losing her, the thought of her pretending, just because she is afraid of him hurts him more. If she has been pretending and has been secretly afraid this entire time- perhaps that's the reason why Toh has been visiting frequently. Perhaps he has been mistaking her moans of pleasure, and she has actually been crying in pain instead?

"Lucifer?" Sumire mumbled tugging his hands. "Your emotions seem disturbed." She looked around before leaving him to a bench, in front of a waterfall.  She left him there for a few minutes and he couldn't calm down until she returned to his side with a bottle of water and a towel.

"I bought this from the stand over there." Sumire poured the water into the towel and reached over to wipe his sweat from his face. "I don't know what's wrong. But if you're the one who isn't feeling well, we can head back."

Lucifer couldn't miss the regret in her tone. "The festival will be spread out for the next few days, so there is plenty of opportunity to explore the stalls. However tonight is the only night we will be able to see the star shower."

Her eyes lit up and Lucifer felt his heartbeat speed up. He never thought he would be on the receiving end of this smile. When he has been watching her from afar he has seen her smile like this in front of her friends, and those she was close with. 

"A star shower?"

Lucifer nodded. "Even if you didn't suggest going to the bridge, I would have taken you there."

"But, are you sure you're feeling okay?" Sumire asked.

The next few days, they can take their time and walk around the festival even during the daylight. As long as he is by her side, nothing shall harm her. His mind wandered towards the different places he would show her. Perhaps she would like to visit the museum? Or even stroll around the markets, or go to the park at night and watch the stars. 

Despite his frequent visits to the town, he doesn't know when was the last time he walked around. When was the last time he enjoyed himself? 

None. At least not in this lifetime. In his past lives, he still tried to live a normal life. A life that involved light more than darkness. But, it was futile. That's why when he woke up in this life, he pushed away the light and embraced the darkness. That was when the shadows started to follow him. It took a while for him to adjust but then he got used to it. He is no longer a being of light, he is darkness and the sooner he accepts it, the more control of his powers he will have.

At least that's what it was supposed to be. But the more he embraced the darkness, the more he started to lose parts of himself. He is a shell between his former self. A shell of the man she fell for. Perhaps it is a good thing that Sumire doesn't retain the memories of their past lives. He is no longer the same person. She would be disappointed if she saw him this way.

'No matter what happens, I will never allow the darkness to take over me. I will never let it control me. I am yours, and you are mine. I will not let this get between us.'

Would the old her see this as a betrayal? Would she think he accepted the darkness because he chose that woman over her? Lucifer felt even sicker than before. When she finally remembers everything, he knows they won't have a happy reunion. She will definitely question his choices.