Would you believe he smirked the entire time we had breakfast together? Yeah, me neither. I huffed, tossing over in my bed once more. He even walked me back to my room. And, then, he said we’d have lunch together too! How the fuck am I supposed to face him? There’s only so much awkward silence I can take in a day.

I would have at least attempted to avoid it if Angeline didn’t show up. “My lady…?” She called.

“Come in!” I called from beneath the plush sheets. The door clicked open.

“It’s nearly time for your lunch with Lord Rannon, my lady.” She said it calmly, but her tone was obviously curt.

“You’re mad at me, aren’t you?” I said, finally sitting up.

Her lips set into a line; her brows tensed, but only by a little. “There is nothing I can say on the matter.”

“But you want to say something. Just spit it out.”

She huffed, her nostrils flaring. “You’re going to continue your pursuit until I tell you, right?”

“Of course.”

She sighed, “What you did to Morian—it was wrong, but I understand why you did it. But, Ophiel--” She nearly spat his name before pausing to collect herself. That was the first time I saw a real hint of anger on that placid face. “Lord Rannon is stubborn. So very stubborn, especially when it comes to you.”

“Stubborn about what? Letting me go back to Earth or keeping secrets? Or, no, no, not that. Maybe not letting me even see a phone or having an attendant watch my every move?” I said, a scoff escaping my lips. However rosy that morning had been, I hadn’t forgotten my situation.

She glanced at me, her lips pursed, arms folded over her apron. “I’ve already said more than I should have.”

“Haaa…still not gonna tell me anything, huh?”

“My personal feelings on the matter are irrelevant.” She stepped around the bed, drawing the drapes. The brilliant afternoon sunlight washed over the room. “Now, let’s get you ready.”

…

With the snap of her fingers, Angeline summoned two other maids, one carting in a wardrobe of dresses and the other lugging in a wooden chest. She introduced them as Erlian and Vanris, respectively.

Up until then, I had mostly gone around in a silky white nightgown. I never complained, since it was the softest, most comfortable dress I had ever worn in my life (and it had pockets), but, seeing these dresses, I realised what I had been missing out on.

“These are for me?” I murmured, dumbfounded, stepping out of my bed in a sudden cold sweat.

“Is there another lady of the house I should be aware of?” Angeline scoffed, motioning for the maids to usher the items closer.

“Wow, you can crack jokes after all!” I laughed. I rushed towards the array of beautiful flowing dresses; some had flowers and vines decals while others had golden embroidery or lace detailing.

I changed my mind again: This is definitely heaven.

“You seem pleased, my lady.” Angeline remarked, her tone soft.

“That would be a fucking understatement. Look at how soft these are!” I ran my fingers along the threadwork. I was sure the cost alone would have sent me into cardiac arrest.

“Then I’m sure you will be pleased with this as well.”

Vanris opened the chest, revealing sets of glinting jewels and gems. I peered at Angeline; my jaw nearly fell off its hinges.

“Yes, it’s for you. Pick a set of jewels from the chest and a dress from the wardrobe for your lunch.”

For a split second there, I thought that they would give me all of these luxuries. Ugh, why did I think that? I bet I look greedy as hell to them, digging my way through the chest and all.

“I should clarify, my lady. All of these are yours. You just need to pick for this particular event.”

“Oh…!” Am I really that easy to read?

…

After maybe an hour or so of deliberation, I finally decided on a flowy off-white dress, covered in pale green vines and soft pink chrysanthemum embellishments. From the jewelry, I picked out a rose gold necklace with a pink gem at the center. I felt like a fairy princess.

“Great choices, my lady.” Angeline smiled softly; she seemed pleased with the outfit as well.

With the outfit picked out, my heart began to palpitate, quickening the closer I got to being ready. In my fervor, I had completely forgotten why I was picking out the outfit in the first place. I had seen him plenty of times in a simple nightgown, but I had never felt like this. Is it just because of what he said this morning? I wondered.

Angeline guided me to the gardens outside, away from my usual haunt, the cobblestone paths between rows and rows of garden patches, and towards a plaster white gazebo. Unsurprisingly, it was grandiose; plants and vines cascaded down from hanging pots and intricate carvings of delicate flowers and vines along the gazebo’s arches matched the detailing inside the manor.

Sitting still, pouring over some documents in his hand, Lord Rannon seemed lost in thought, so much so that he didn’t notice me at first.

“Oh, good, you’re here. Please, take a seat,” he remarked, gesturing towards the seat across the table opposite him.

I followed his words, sliding into the seat. The pastries set out on the displays tempted me, but I was too scared to mess up those fine clothes with my messy eating. Now that I was closer to him, though, I realised he was dressed up as well: a stately off-white jacket with golden details and buttons and puff sleeves, off-white slacks and a matching decorative collar. I always thought his usual dress shirt and slacks combo was elegant, but this blew it out of the water.

“So,” he turned to me, laying down the papers on another seat. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel fine. I’m not as shocked anymore. It is what it is, I guess.”

He smiled, “That’s good.” He paused, pressing a finger to his lip. He was thinking something, pondering on how he should tell me. I was glad that I could finally understand some of his expressions. “As you know, the summit will be in 2 days. I won’t be here tomorrow, so--”

“Oh, why?” I interrupted, carefully bringing a teacup to my lips.

“It is part of my duties to help prepare the summit. It’s a long and arduous job, but well worth it, considering the importance of the event. I’ll have to leave early in the morning and return late at night. There won’t be any time for us to meet like this.”

“Ah, right.” I couldn’t tell why, but I felt almost disappointed.

“In any case, there are some things you must know before the summit—about the Etherium and people like myself.”

“So, you’re finally going to start telling me everything?” I would have jumped for joy if I weren’t wearing such an expensive dress.

His features remained straight-laced, only showing the slightest hint of annoyance as his eyebrow twitched. “Humans made up the names ‘angel’ and ‘demon’ to describe us, but that isn’t quite what we are. The people of Etherium are called ‘ethereals.’ Most of us have wings, horns and tails or some combination of the like.”

“Oh, so that’s what you meant…” I said, before raising up a hand, “but, then, when I was dying—er, when I was still on Earth, I heard a voice—your voice, asking for my soul. If you’re not a demon, why would you ask me that?”

He stared at me blankly, his lips setting into a line, markedly different from his usual mischievous smirk. “It’s…complicated. Ethereals will make up the majority of the attendees at the summit, and I don’t want you to be surprised when you see them.”

He’s trying to change the subject? “Yeah, sure, I get that. I’ve already seen your wings, but what about the soul thing? You can’t just--”

“Lady Vivian…” His voice fell low, like he was warning me not to go any further. “Ethereal magic is complex. Allow me to prepare you for the task at hand.”

“Don’t patronize me, Lord Rannon.” I tried to keep my tone even, but anger bit at my words. “Ugh, fine, but you’re acting really fucking suspicious.”

“I apologise for displeasing you, my lady. Now, may I continue?”

“Yeah, sure, whatever.”