A strangled noise came from above her, causing the young woman to momentarily freeze before lifting her head.

Luther’s gold eyes were nearly glowing in the darkness, filled with power as great as the sun itself as he gazed down at her. “...You are something else,” he slowly whispered. “Any other requests?” he asked, not promising anything at this point.

Coughing, feeling a blush color her cheeks, she straightened back up. “Um, y, yes. I would like to return to my home and say goodbye to my family, as well as pack a few things. I cannot...I cannot arrive at your home in nothing but my chemise,” she explained around a blush. “I, if possible, I would request the allowance of one servant from my father’s household to attend to me.”

This time Luther’s expression soured, his lips pulling down in a frown. “Hmmm...no servant, but the rest I’ll allow,” he reluctantly agreed. “I will ensure you are properly taken care of,” he promised firmly.

Swallowing back the weak protest she had to his words, the young woman nodded before moving to the last thing. Considering she had no idea what Luther’s status was in his world, though he did seem like he would be of the nobility at the very least, his decision made sense. There was no need to bring outsiders who would be nothing but spies into your household like this.

“I do not have a name, since I have given it to the Go...t, to you,” she awkwardly corrected herself. “I do not particularly care what name you choose to give me, but I request it is one from your own lips, Sir Satanael. I will take it as a representation of our bond,” she explained as eloquently as she could manage.

Releasing a soft breath, she straightened her posture and tried to wait patiently for his response. Inside, her heart was beating wildly from nerves, not helping the blush coloring her cheeks and ears as she kept her head lowered modestly.

The pale golden crown of her head presented to him filled Luther’s gaze as he stared down at the young woman. Tense silence immersed the cell for a full minute before he managed to pry open his lips and speak.

“We will discuss the marriage topic at a later date, but I will gladly give you a name. I request time to think upon the matter, though, so that I may choose wisely.”

In the back of his mind, Luther mocked his own words.

Acting as if you don’t already have the name picked out, what an ass!

His lips briefly twisted in irritation at himself, before he smoothed out his features. His internal thoughts only grew louder, banging at the door to be let out and expressed.

It was too soon, though. Much too soon. He had to wait until he had this little creature completely in his grasp; until she had no escape left.

Lucia, my light, my brilliant star.

His heart’s words sang out secretly, desperately wanting to tell her the name he’d had in mind since he’d first gazed upon her face.

Exasperated with himself, Luther reached down to force his dear little dove to look into his eyes.

Aww...she really blushes so often. So innocent and pure, my little Lucia.

There was no denying that, over the course of the rest of their lives together, Luther was going to thoroughly enjoy tainting that innocence bit by bit.

Her cheeks were flushed, while a small light of disappointment haunted her blue eyes. “Y, yes, of course,” she responded softly.

Watching her lush, pink lips shape the words, Luther had to wrestle down his urge to bruise the lips he’d healed earlier with a forceful kiss.

The young woman felt a bit dizzy as she stared up at Luther. There was a slithering darkness in his bright, golden gaze that made her stomach twist in nerves.

To be perfectly honest, she didn’t feel completely confident in her choice. But, no matter what, she’d already said the words.

A chance to live would always beat certain death.

"Good," Luther murmured, releasing his hold on her chin slowly. "Now that we're decided, we'll drop by your family home."

The young woman flinched, starting to speak, but Luther was faster. His arms came around her in a hug. "Close your eyes," he whispered into her ear, leaning down to speak.

Squeezing her eyes close on an instinctive reaction to the tone of Luther's voice, a swelling wave of confused displacement caused her stomach to twist and heave.

Nauseous, the young woman pressed a hand firmly against her mouth, trying to stop herself from throwing up.

"...You can open your eyes now," Luther said, his voice sounding almost bored.