(✔︎) ❝𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐑❞

100 | Shock the Heart

*Chapter check, 100, how many of you still survived the lengthy chapters?

*Me: putting random lore (but it makes sense) for Barbatos

*Also if I stop updating, who'll be willing to continue this?

- Scarabia Dorm, Hallway -

Kalim was yawning as he and Jade are walking down the isolated corridor, which made the obedient twin feel sorry for waking up the dorm leader of Scarabia because of a selfish request (going back to the treasure vault again to explore) since the vice dorm leader of Octavinelle didn't know he was already sleeping...

     "It's fine~! What'd ya wanna see again if I may ask?" Kalim asked the obedient twin. Jade smiled, "I'm fascinated with the clothes and carpets inside the room for a merfolk like me. After all, the desert is the complete opposite of my hometown," he replied.

     Kalim snapped his fingers, "Ah! I think I have the perfect carpet that matches your dorm. It's only a random thing here in our dorm, so you might as well take it!" He told the twin.

     "Are you sure it's fine...?" Jade hesitated.

     The dorm leader of Scarabia laughed and patted Jade's back, "Don't worry much~!"

- Scarabia Dorm, Storage -

They entered the treasure vault of the dorm again, making Jade amazed at the sight of a lot of gold in this dorm. That's when he caught a peacock-like, green cloth nearby, which he inspected because it perks his interest. He called for Kalim's assistance, asking what kind of silk this...

     "Oh, that's woven silk. It's said from an ancient story, during royals can only marry royals, the princess married a street rat she fell in love with. That's the color she always wore before," Kalim told Jade. "That color's pretty famous to the boys and girls back in our hometown!"

     "Truly fascinating! I feel like I understand why the Mermaid Princess is fond of man-made things," Jade stated as he praised the history behind the woven silk. "Speaking of this treasure vault, I wonder how everything is neat..." He remarked, checking the items.

Kalim started to tell Jade it was Jamil who was taking care of the items here, cleaning them at certain times when it gets dirty because of the clouds of dust lingering inside the room. Jade seems amazed that Kalim praises his Vice Dorm Leader, and he added that Azul also admires Jamil's hard work...

Kalim added that Jamil's amazing since he's the one who taught him magic and he can even compete with his tutors about how he's more reliable in teaching him academics. He's also a great dancer, but he's too shy to show it to everyone...

     "And you dare not betray Jamil-san?" Jade asked. "It's a long holiday and the students of Scarabia are in here to train to improve. I know for sure you're not the type to do something like that, hm?" He tilted his head to stare at the Scarabia dorm leader.

     "It's... It's because we needed more training! I think...?" Kalim answered, hesitating. Jade pinched his cheek, "Isn't it your decision? Why do you have second thoughts?" The obedient twin asked.

     Kalim nodded vigorously, "I know... I know it's my decision, but lately, I noticed I always leave my consciousness all of the sudden... Jamil said something about me getting tired from all the duties as the dorm leader," he replied the obedient twin's tricky questions. The obedient twin raised an eyebrow, "I mean, I've been having a bad sleep schedule maybe because of the difficult tasks. Jamil and my tutors told me that..."

     "Do elaborate on those difficult tasks..."

     "The Magift and the exams, we didn't get to be in the ranks. We... I decided to improve more, so we won't tarnish the Sorcerer of Sands' honor! Every time I think about it, my head always hurt like I'm being hopeless..." Kalim said.

     "I thought it was your idea about training the students this winter break?" Jade told the dorm leader. Kalim nodded, "It is... I think?"

Jade turned his face into a sour one, annoyed by another hesitating answer from the dorm leader of Scarabia. Without any choice, he immediately made a hurting expression and asked for Kalim's help. He motioned him to look at his eye, his left eye—once Kalim looked at it...

There is no need to be afraid, I want to be of help to you.

Shock the Heart.

- Palace of Afterglow Savanna, Infirmary -

The demoness is waiting for someone once dinner was finished—Leona's brother and sister-in-law truly adored her because of how sweet she is towards them. They were glad that Leona finally found someone he can finally cherish his life with and it irritated the lion, making him go back to bed...

     "Hello, (Name). Are you alright?" Instead of hearing Barbatos's voice, it was someone else's—someone she knows very well. She turned around to see Diavolo in his RAD uniform, "Unfortunately, my wife is unavailable right now. I decided to check up on you instead since you're her past self," he chuckled.

She covered her mouth after months of not seeing that face, it was a relief to see the Prince she was always with. The future Diavolo hugged the demoness, patting her head as if he misses her...

     "I'm so glad you're alright. (Name)—I mean, Barbatos told me about the incident," he stated and touched her wound. The demoness couldn't help but snuggle her head to the Prince's head, sobbing silently because of how she missed him, "Oh... (Name), don't cry, please. It's fine, don't cry..." He whispered, patting her back.

     "I'm sorry, Lord Diavolo. I left without you knowing," she apologized and hugged the demon Prince tighter. Diavolo heartily chuckled and held her cheek, wiping her tears, "It's alright, (Name). I understand why you got teleported here in the first place and it's partially my fault for not giving you the letter."

     "Letter?"

     The future Diavolo nodded, "Yes, here..." He handed her the teared-up letter from the school. "I found it after a few weeks of your disappearance. I'm glad you came back... I was worried sick about you before," he stated.

The demoness squinted her eyes, examining the letter. For some reason, the handwriting is familiar—terrifyingly familiar and she looked at the future Diavolo in front of her and then back to the letter. Something is wrong and the timelines seem to be unstable...

     "I forgot to tell you. Barbatos told me that someone is tampering with the timelines and destroying some of it," the future Diavolo told her. He lovingly caressed her cheek, "Please be careful and we'll handle it—"

     "No, Lord Diavolo. I think I have an idea who's the one behind the tampering and it's unpleasant if you find it out yourself," (Name) firmly said. She was gonna stand up, but the sharp pain occurred again and Diavolo held her arms, "You don't need to force yourself again. I know that attack is painful..."

     "I'm alright, Lord Diavolo. You don't need to—"

     "I'm worried, okay? No matter who you are, you're still here," the future Diavolo remarked and carried her back to bed. "Barbatos is proud that you managed to escape him, but she's still worried about your condition. Like... uh Leona, right? He'll take you to the school tomorrow."

     "I'm pretty capable going to the campus myself, Lord Diavolo..." She sighed. He immediately placed a kiss on her lips, surprising his past demoness butler, "I hope I removed that guy's kiss from your lips and no you're going with that Leona. I'm still your Master, (Name)!" He turned back into his strict, but soft self.

     She scratched her cheek, "Oh... Well, alright, Lord Diavolo. As you wish."

     "Good."

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

(バルバトス)