When A Ghoul Falls In Love

Calling her a sorceress is not right.

Eli remembers the day he saw her for the first time. Back then, he felt that she was touched by magic.

For the next two years, there was no change. She remained the same. Sometimes, it felt like she was frozen in time. The world went on, but she lived her days in the same manner. He could only watch her. 

Everything changed that day. 

At first, he was surprised. Then, he realized that her magic was also changing. He couldn't see Devil at the beginning. As the seal got weaker, Devil became stronger. The presence of her magic is also getting stronger. 

Without a doubt, the seal is powerful. A powerful seal is needed to seal powerful magic. Amachi also said that keeping the seal intact would harm her because her magic can't be stopped anymore. 

There's no doubt that she will be a powerful sorceress if she chooses to become a sorceress. She might choose to become a priestess. But it doesn't suit her. There are many paths laid out for her. 

Right now, it's not important. 

"You are forgetting that there's something." Eli smiles at his father when his father's face turns paler. "Anyone who can cast a queen level magic can join the Legions of Dark Saints."

Duke Balthier Sanguine chuckles, hiding his nervousness. Why would his son say that? "What are you trying to say? There's no queen or king level sorcerer here."

The Legion of Dark Saints doesn't only consist of the sorcerers from this world. Any magician or sorcerer who has surpassed the king or queen level magic can become a part of the Legion of Dark Saints. These dark saints are quite powerful. They can make or break a kingdom. 

His true rank isn't known to anyone. Eli shrugs. He didn't want to reveal it to anyone. But he has no choice. "Are you sure about that?"

"Are you saying that she's…" Duke Balthier Sanguine looks at Nell with disbelief in his eyes. "She barely has any magic."

That's because her magic is sealed. But Devil is her window. Eli lets out a low laugh. "Father, are you forgetting me?"

"What about you?" Duke Balthier Sanguine narrows his eyes on Eli. Seeing his son's sly smile, his heart skips a beat. The ominous feeling in his c.h.e.s.t intensifies. His son isn't the type of person who would speak anything if he isn't sure. "Are you…?"

"Surprise!" Eli grins at his father. "I am also a member of the Dark Saints Legion. It's been three hundred years."

"..." Duke Balthier Sanguine opens his mouth wide. Three hundred years… This boy didn't tell him. 

"Since I have already surpassed the king level magic, the idiotic laws of this kingdom do not apply to me." Eli pulls Nell closer to him. "The Council is a pain in the arse. Though Nell also has magic, she's human. I have to follow the laws of the human world. In order to get married, all I need is a priest who follows some demonic goddess. And Father, do you know that Nell has a blessing of the goddess of the night?"

Is he boasting about this human female? Duke Balthier Sanguine wrinkles his nose. "Speak clearly!"

"I guess the king can still stop my marriage." Eli lets out a heavy sigh. "I didn't want to get the Dark Saints Legion involved. But I have no choice. Either I do it peacefully or I take the darker route. My wife doesn't like me hurting people. So, I guess that I must choose a peaceful path."

He lets out a heavy sigh. If his wife hadn't decided to follow his father's conditions, they would have been married already. 

His bride quivers beside him. Eli looks at Nell. Her head is lowered and her expression is unreadable. Sometimes, it's difficult to understand her thoughts. Maybe she won't care. Nell is someone who can abandon him easily. But he can't do the same. 

Peaceful path… Duke Balthier Sanguine's lips tremble. He turns his head away as a layer of sweat forms on his forehead. This is unexpected. Bringing the people from the Dark Saints Legion in this world is worse than being attacked by the devils.

If Dark Saints come to this world, there's a high chance that they won't leave. The entire hierarchy of this world would be toppled over. 

"My wife is a sorceress. In the future, she will surpass the queen level magic." Eli continues with an excited voice, "She will be able to join the Dark Saints Legion if she wants. Father, make your choice. Do you want to do it civilly or peacefully?"

His father clenches his teeth. This is a threat. If he says no, his son will invite the dark saints. How could he let that happen? The entire kingdom will fall in chaos if the Dark Saints come here. 

The Duke studies the human female. Does this human female have the ability to become a part of the Legion? If she truly has the ability, then it's not bad if she becomes Eli's wife. Having two high-level sorcerers in the family is enough to take over the royal family. They will even have public support. 

"Fine." Duke Balthier Sanguine fists his hands. "I will talk to the king."

"I do not need his permission to get married." Eli tilts his head. His eyes turn emotionless. "You can reveal it to everyone that I am one of the Dark Saints. Just get me the letter of the claim. Allow me to write an answer."

Duke Balthier Sanguine realizes what his son is trying to say. It's true that Dark Saints are powerful. But Eli wouldn't want a war on this kingdom. The world is unstable. Another war would destroy it. The claim of another king can't be taken carelessly. His son isn't sure about the claim then. Does this human not know about it?

The human female is rather odd. She comes with baggage. 

"Do you want two kingdoms to be at war because of a human?" The Duke scowls at him.

"He won't come." Eli assures his father, "He doesn't have the ability to leave the fae realm yet. Besides, Nell promised to be with me. I also have a claim. We will deal with it in the human world through the Council since it happened in the human world. This world won't be affected."

At least, his son has some sensibility. Duke Balthier Sanguine peers at the human female. "What is your name, Human?"

Nell has been listening quietly. When she's addressed suddenly, she straightens her back in shock. "Umm… I…"

"Tell me your name properly," Duke Balthier Sanguine asks again with a mild voice.

"Nell Solomon," She mumbles. Her head is full of questions. Fae. War. Kingdom. Dark Saints. Letter of claims. Does her promise to Eli also mean that he has a claim on her? Then, how did she become indebted to a fae? 

"Do you truly want to marry my son?" His father stresses each word in the question. "Think carefully. If you say no, I will send you back home safely."

The corner of Eli's lips curls down. Why is his father speaking like that? "Do you think that I forced her to come here?"

"The relationship between the Council and our kingdom is not bad." The Duke explains, "If she marries you, it will also affect the relationship between the fae world and the Council. You will become their enemy. You are still my son. How could I ever wish this for you?"

Nell looks down on her feet. Her heart has doubts. How should she answer this question? 

"If she says no, I will still marry her." Eli's voice is clear and ringing. "Even if I have to force her, I am going to marry her. Nothing can stop me, Father. Prepare for the wedding."

She bites her inner cheek. Marriage. Can she turn away now? How is she going to tell him that she doesn't have much time? And she doesn't want him to be the enemy of some fae king. What if he gets harmed because of her past? Does a simple promise matter more than his safety? 

Baek Joon-Woo also died because of her.

He pulls her along with her. Nell looks at his back. Though he hasn't said much to her today, she can sense his anger. 

This marriage can't happen.