The Ballad of Deceit (YANDERE entity x reader)

The Ability to See

I slid on the knee-length black dress that laid on my bed and was surprised at how strangely soft it was. The neckline of the dress was high with fluffed short sleeves and it cascaded past my waist in delicate layers. I tied its accompanying black boots securely to my feet before rushing out the door.

I did not want to keep Leo waiting any longer than I should. Besides, I had many, many more questions that I needed to ask.

But, as I made my way down the spiraling, charred steps, I smelled something savory in the air. That was when I realized how shaken from hunger I had been. I had assumed it was a part of the constant agony I felt in my core, but not eating anything for one-hundred years with only a curse keeping you alive might definitely be the cause.

I stepped into the main hall and saw a large table with food sprawled across the entire surface. Leo sat at the chair on the very end looking....bored? "Ah," He perked up, a Cheshire grin grew on his lips. "I assumed you would be hungry."

"Did you make this?" I quickly sat at the opposite end and instantly chugged the goblet of water nearest to me. He chuckled and shook his head. "The day you find me in the kitchen must mean something monumental has happened." He stood up, made his way over to me. "Besides, why cook when I have other people to do it for me?"

I looked around once more and saw dead-eyed men and women sauntering around the kitchen. I almost sighed until I saw his fingers snapping in my face. "I already told you not to feel bad. They brought this on themselves." I stared at him once more, my mouth full of food but I halted my chewing. He was truly soulless.

He grinned at me, his brows raised and his galaxies for eyes twinkled a little bit more brightly than usual. He was amused. "Don't tell me you've grown feelings for me now." I practically choked. Glared at him. "Quite the opposite," I swallowed, "I was just wondering how someone could be so soulless."

"Soulless? Me?" He pointed to himself as if he were shocked, "You must be mistaken. I'm full of souls." My heart plummeted once more as I watched him smile without a care. He had stolen countless souls heartlessly and even had the gall to make jokes about it.

"Well, that's no way to look at your savior." His brows furrowed at the sight of my changed expression. "You said yourself you didn't 'save' me." I countered. He sat down in the chair closest to me. "Looks like you can listen after all." I ground my teeth but refused to speak further.

"Stuff yourself. Please." He said, hands gesturing to the food. "You won't be getting a moment of rest from here on out."

I swallowed and fixed my expression to show I was intently listening.

"For me to reach my story, the other Legends must as well." He waved his hand as if the very thought of helping them disgusted him, "but, they don't like me very much," his eyebrows raised in annoyance, "Why?" I asked and he turned his full attention to me with a smile. "They blame me for their upbringing. They say if our 'mother' never died, they wouldn't have to go through all of this."

I furrowed my brow. He was clearly talking about Angel and how she sliced her own neck upon receiving the prophecies, but it made no sense to solely blame Leo. "That's foolish of them." I said honestly.

"There's no need to seek my approval." His eyelids lowered. "I'm not." I stated, "You're the King of Deceit, can't you tell?" And then he stared at me for a moment, tilted his head before sighing and grinning again. "Well, anyway, it doesn't matter much if it's my fault or not. I would be the reason they're even alive then." He looked down. His expression was something I couldn't read, but then he smiled again. It didn't come close to reaching his eyes.

The life that teemed in them seemed to briefly diminish and the dazzling stars plummeted in his gaze. I decided now was the time to speak again. "So, I need to what? Round up all of your buddies and convince them to let me help?"

He laughed a loud laugh and banged his fist on the table. "No, little queen, not at all." He straightened up. "I won't be letting you get near them." He was serious now. "Your curse may grant you immortality and a fraction of understanding but, our powers still affect you." His eyes dazzled once more with an eclipse of somber blue. "You are still human after all."

"I don't understand how I would be of help then. If I can't go near The Legends, how can I find the end of their story? And how can I be near you then?"

"I am an anomaly in itself," he added, his tone was proud but his face was disgusted. "If only you knew how hard it is to not deceive you right now," he intensified for a moment before relaxing once more, "The other Legends aren't so lucky. They are destructive to humans without trying. I am destructive all on my own."

I wanted to say he was lying but I could tell he fully believed what he said himself. A pang of fear ran through me-then longing. I needed Charleon and I needed to remind myself that all of this was necessary to have him. "What happens once we complete the stories?"

He sat still for a moment-possibly conjuring up a lie. But, was the King of Deceit, so he was most likely trying to force himself to tell the truth. "Peace." Was all he said. His tone was sad yet cruel. He appeared jealous. Maybe of the ordinary lives humans live. But I had no way of knowing.

"And as for how you'll be of help..." He trailed off before sliding his hand over mine, he turned it so my palm was facing up and then pulled my arm towards him. "What are you doing?" I asked, he lowered his gaze slightly. "Shh, you'll see."

And then he pulled out a dagger and sliced the center of my hand. I reeled back and clutched it to my chest. "I thought you wouldn't hurt me!" I practically screamed. He worked his jaw and appeared very annoyed at my behavior. "I never said that." His tone was cold, his face was cruel and he practically demanded me to give my hand back to him.

"Tell me what you're doing!" I ordered. "I told you to wait and see." His eyes were dead and cold-pitch black and not a single star in sight. He snatched my hand and held it in place even as I struggled.

He slid the empty goblet that used to house water across the cloth on the table and under my hand. He squeezed my palm and let a few drops drain into the cup. "Pour it over your eyes." He commanded, he wasn't the least bit forgiving.

"What...my eyes..." I was shaken with fear now, not hunger and he was staring at me with an unrelenting gaze. "You heard me." He said and drastically released my hand. "Or would you rather me take your soul? You owe me for waking you, remember? So either listen to me or suffer by my hands."

He wouldn't do that. I knew it. He wouldn't. He needed me to help him. But, the way he spoke convinced me otherwise. And I had a thought then that maybe the curse would be passed on to someone else once I died. I couldn't let that happen.

So I brought my trembling hand forward and clutched the goblet with fear. I raised it up and pressed my eyes shut. "Keep them open." He ordered. I took a scared, deep breath and forced my lids apart. I slowly tilted the handle until I could see the liquid just at the rim, begging to spill over.

And then it did.

My eyes burned as the black blood washed over them. It had a sickeningly sweet smell. I hadn't remembered my blood looking or smelling like this before.

But, now it was coating my eyes and drying over them as it dripped down my cheeks. I couldn't tell if that was solely blood or my own painful tears mixed in as well.

"Now, look at me." I heard him say when the last of the blood emptied into my pupils. I brought my head back down and my blackened gaze instantly met his. His eyes were dazzling once more, but I could see-I could SEE.

The burnt castle faded away into a beautiful, green valley. Leo was still there, but around him were blooming flowers that surrounded a paved path. My eyes trailed along the red dirt until they landed upon a gazebo. It was white with vines clinging along the wood. In the center was a glass case with a blood-red book inside.

"Tell me what you see." His voice echoed through my trance that no longer included him anymore. "Tell me, y/n." I tried to form words but I was too focused on the scene before me.

"It's where they've locked away my book."