When A Ghoul Falls In Love

"Why didn't I think like that before?" Eli runs his fingers through his hair. "Nell is human. She has moon magic. She must have been going through an awakening period back then. She must have started seeing things. Baek Joon-Woo could have found out about the fae world because of her."

That's why she thinks that it's her fault. But she doesn't know about her father yet. 

Revenge.

Usually, the Fae don't go this far. Breaking the peace treaty. Unleashing the satyrs. Ruining the relationship with the Council. If Nell has been targeted from the beginning, why did that person hurt the people around her? If the fae king had enmity with…

"Zachary Krauss was in hiding." Eli knits his brows. "Fae King… did he put that spell on Nell because of Zachary Krauss?"

Devil remains quiet. But he's wagging his tail. 

"What's the connection between the seal and Zachary Krauss?" Eli cups Devil's face. "Answer me now. I already know everything. You don't need to hide."

"Little Marshmallow, you are hurting my face." Devil yells, "You should pay attention when you hold Nell's hands."

"Oh…" He releases the cat. "Tell me, Devil. I want to save her."

"Fine, I will reveal everything about the seal since you have guessed it already." Devil sighs. "Little Marshmallow is too smart. I am proud of him."

If Nell had said those words… Eli clutches his c.h.e.s.t. His journey of love is full of thorns. 

"It's forbidden magic." Devil explains to him, "To be exact, it's lost magic of the fae realm. The bastard found it and used it on Nell. The time limit was a decade. But there was another trigger. That was Nell's father. If Zachary Krauss has met her now, the seal would break right away."

Eli purses his lips. That's highly dangerous. But Zachary Krauss is in this world right now. Nell isn't safe.

"But there is a limit to the seal." Devil continues, "The fae also paid a price. That's why he can't leave the fae realm yet. After the seal is broken, he can leave the fae realm. Some victims might be alive. If Nell remembers everything, she might look for them."

Eli has considered that possibility. But it's the fae world. It's hard for a human to survive there without changing. When humans live in a fae world for a long time, they also change. The victims won't be able to leave even if they want. They will become a part of the fae world. 

"But the real reason is that he wants Zachary Krauss to go to him." Devil glares at the floor. "I wish I could kill Zachary Krauss but he's a semi-mortal sorcerer. I am too weak."

A semi-mortal sorcerer was in hiding for a time. What kind of enemies did Zachary Krauss have?

"I wouldn't be surprised if the entire fae realm is his enemy." Devil seems to have guessed Eli's thoughts. "Isn't he similar to you?"

"My enemies are dead." Eli pauses for a moment. "Most of them."

Back Joon-Woo was the only normal one. Devil shakes his head. "Because there is no moon in this world, the seal is weakening faster. Blessing of the goddess can't extend to this world. The seal will break tomorrow night. She doesn't want you to see her when that happens."

"How could I let her be?" Eli creases his forehead. "I am a doctor. I can help her."

"Would you be okay when you see the wounds of that time?" Devil blinks his eyes. "The time when the satyrs…"

"No, don't say it." Eli raises his hand. He doesn't want to hear about satyrs again. It has been mentioned too many times. He can't bear it anymore. 

"See." Devil chuckles. "You can't even hear it. How would you see her like that?"

"Then, why would you want her father to see it?" Eli snaps at him. "Does Nell know you are planning this?"

"If he doesn't see it, there is no end." Devil scowls darkly. "I have observed the seal for a long time. I know it the most. Even if it breaks tomorrow, the next part of the spell will activate itself after it's over. The bastard would be free but Nell would never be free. The pain of that night will come back to her every night until Zachary Krauss sees it."

Eli's heart skips two beats. Just how much does the fae king hate Nell?

"That's why I wanted her to kill herself." Devil releases his breath. "She will be living in hell if she survives the seal. The fae king will do anything to capture her, even if Zachary Krauss sees her in that state."

Devil curls his ears, looking depressed. "Ugh… I don't want to suffer yearly. All of them deserve to die. What did Nell do? What did I do? I only want to eat and sleep."

Eli takes Devil in his arms. This cat is also stressed. He pats Devil's back. "I will protect you."

Devil closes his eyes, feeling like his bones would melt under Eli's c.a.r.e.s.ses. Little Marshmallow is turning into a better servant. But he isn't sure if Little Marshmallow is a good father. Having a servant is better than having a father. 

"Will you also suffer when the seal is broken?" Eli asks the cat. 

"I can't feel her physical pain but…" The cat rubs his head on Eli's c.h.e.s.t. "Her mental agony gives me stress. I will lose all my hair at this rate."

But Devil isn't a real cat. Why is he worried about losing hair? Eli pats his head anyway. Some questions shouldn't be asked. 

"It's not bad if Zachary Krauss is there." Devil looks up at him. "It will be over in a night. She will remember. I won't need to bear this burden anymore."

It has been hard on Devil since he has known everything since the beginning. Devil is stuck between wanting to kill Nell and trying to save her. If she survives, the future is indeed dark. Dying wouldn't be bad. But he also wants to live. 

"Where is he staying?" Eli leans against the door. "It's best if I talk to Zachary Krauss before the seal is broken."

Nell doesn't want to meet Zachary Krauss. Should he tell Eli? Devil muses in silence. After she regains her memories, he won't be able to do anything without her permission. She's the stronger one. The favourite child of the moon. 

"He's at…" Devil reveals the location to Eli. "Are you still going to force Nell into marrying you?" 

"I am thinking about it," Eli replies calmly. "Maybe I should take her to the temple after she wakes up."

"I also think that it's a good idea." Devil squints his eyes. "She doesn't want to marry you because she's worried that you would be hurt like Baek Joon-Woo. Doesn't it suggest that she has more feelings than she admits to herself?"

The ghoul widens his eyes. His cheeks turn red. "Feelings for me?"

"Didn't she say that she likes you?" Devil smirks at Eli. This ghoul is so easy to read. "It's true that she will abandon you if you tick her off."

Eli slumps his shoulders. "Being abandoned… forcing her to marry me would tick her off."

"Yes, you have already done it once. I suggest that you don't overdo it." Devil raises his paw and lightly slaps Eli's cheek. "Get engaged to her. It's best if the engagement ceremony is acknowledged by the head priest. Nell won't say no then. If you stay beside her like a shadow, I believe that she will reciprocate someday. Isn't it best if she comes to love you like that?"

Engagement ceremony acknowledged by the head priest is enough for a claim on her. But Eli wants to be married to her. "I can just get our marriage acknowledged by the head priest. That's fast. Isn't it better if she starts liking me after I am married to her?"

Devil shakes his head. "Even if you force her to marry you, I don't think that you will force her to consummate the marriage… Will you?"

"I will never do that to her." Eli raises his voice. "At most, I will try to seduce her."

"You haven't been able to seduce her into sleeping with you." Devil tsks disapprovingly. "I wonder what makes you so confident that you can do it after you are married to her."

Eli pouts. Why must this devil say these brutal words? He has been doing his best to seduce her since day one of their relationship.

"If the marriage is forced and it doesn't get consummated, it can be annulled even if it's acknowledged by the head priest. If you marry her today, you won't have enough time to seduce her since the seal will be broken tomorrow night. You have zero chance at seducing her at the moment since she doesn't even want to get married to you." Devil says, "That's why you shouldn't aim for marriage. Engagements can't be broken easily, especially if she gives her consent. She doesn't need to know this fact. Hold an engagement ceremony tomorrow."

It's not a bad idea. Eli nods his head. Then, he realizes that Devil knows too much about this world. Did this cat wander around to find out information on the law? 

"I will hide inside her mind until you resolve the assassin problem." Devil jumps out of his arms. "If Nell is accused as an assassin, it won't be good for you."

An assassin… Eli inhales sharply. He should have kept an eye on this damn cat.