Ensnaring His Dark Moon

Aleister couldn't decipher much of the verse written on the parchment because the words were confusing. And if he had to listen to his inner voice, then it looked like a child was babbling random things and ended up writing this. 

But what he understood was that it was connected to blood.

When they went to the church and found that book named 'The Sea Creatures', it had no words in it. The pages were empty but the bookshelf where it was kept had these strange lines carved on it. And since the first time he read it, he knew that the words on the book would appear only by blood.

But the question remained… whose blood?

And it was not answered until Esme talked to him about her dream, where she transformed into something else. A half human, half-fish, into a mermaid. It was only then did he consider the possibility.

Even though the chances were low, it was the only possibility that he could see at the moment. 

The book of mermaids probably could be read with a mermaid's blood. That too depended on what extent of Esme's dreams resonated with reality. 

But what he did not expect was for Leo to point at his blood out of nowhere. 

Aleister massaged his forehead. What connection could he possibly share with the mer people? How would his blood help in reading the book about them?

He raised his finger and aimed it at Leo who was still looking at the parchment.

A golden ray shot out of his finger and Leo growled when he sensed the danger hanging above his head but it was too late because by this time, he had transformed into a furry white cat.

His roar came out somewhat like ''Meow~'' 

''Cough…'' There must be some mistake. With that thought, Leo tried once again, ''Meooowww~'' No mistakes. He has indeed transformed into a feline.

''You will be coming with us tomorrow,'' Although he did not understand how he was related to it, and how his blood could help, Aleister did not take Leo's indications lightly.

The next morning when Esme woke up, Aleister was nowhere to be seen.

Unlike what she thought, her body did not feel weak.

She was fine.

''Is it because of him…?" she mumbled, not certain about it.

Esme took a warm bath and later got dressed with the help of the servants. Usually, she would deny their assistance in getting ready but this time, her Aunt had sent them for her with a handwritten letter..

The words written were as follows:

'You are going to be a Queen or a Princess. It is only right for you to get used to it again.'

The words were simple and precise but the deep meaning behind them made her slightly uncomfortable.

Her Aunt meant that she will become the Queen if she married Aleister but if she didn't marry him, then she will be the Princess of Nevesray. Either way, she should not forget royal etiquettes.

But what made Esme uncomfortable was the fact that her Aunt mentioned Queen 'OR'  Princess. Was she just not certain that Aleister will marry her or did she know something about the truth of their relationship?

Not delving deeper into it, Esme got dressed in an olive coloured elegant gown. Her long wine-shaded hair was let down and her lips were painted with flower extracts, adding a soft pink glow to them.

As she tilted her head, her gray eyes landed on her reflection in the mirror.

The handmiadens glanced at her in awe, ''My Lady, you really are beautiful,'' one of them spoke up.

''No wonder My Lord can't let you go out of his sight,'' another chirped.

''With a face like this, he would of course keep you close to treasure you.''

Esme forced a smile on her lips. To treasure her or torture her? She was so weak yesterday but he was having his own share of fun squishing her cheeks.

''You all can leave,'' Esme waved her hand and all of them left the room at cue.

She walked towards the window, ''Leo, are you there?" there was no response. The beast rarely hovered around in the castle lately.

Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, Esme turned to look at the door.

Adrian walked inside the room.

She walked towards him.

He placed a hand on her head and stroked her hair, ''You look beautiful,'' he said, looking at her with gentle eyes.

''Thank you.''

''Are you angry?"

''I don't understand why everyone keeps asking me the same question. Am I angry?" Esme tilted her head, ''Let me ask you. Did you do something to anger me?"

Adrian sighed. He raked his fingers through hissilver  hair.

Since he did not respond, Esme walked towards the bedside table before she picked up the glass of water from there.

She then walked back and  handed it to him. 

Adrian glanced at the bed quietly for a few seconds before looking back at her, ''Everything was so rushed that I did not get an opportunity to talk to you about it. But it will be fine now. Once, we are back to Nevesray…''

''I didn't say anything about going back,'' First her Aunt's casual words and now her brother's words. Did they not take it in consideration that she was Aleister's lover?

Even if that was a pretense to them but to the outside world, it's the reality.

''Do you intend to keep on persisting about you marriage with him?" Adrian sighed, ''My dear little sister, you can fool the whole world, not me,'' he raised his finger and a purple ray shot out of it, aiming at the place where the bed was.

As soon as the ray hit the invisible barrier, it bounced back and dispersed into air.

Adrian did not stop. This time, multiple purple rays shot out of his hand, transforming into swords as they aimed in the same direction.

As they clashed with the invisible barrier, a golden glow appeared on the surface before it disappeared along with the swords.