The Ballad of Deceit (YANDERE entity x reader)

The Grief

"Your book...?" The beautiful field began to fade away and my sight returned to the main hall of the castle. Leo stared at me intently. "Yes, it's where my story is. Now, tell me what you saw."

"I...saw a garden among a field," I pieced together my memory and shut my eyes, "there was a white Gazebo with a crimson book in the center. It was on a pedestal and encased in glass."

My eyes shot open at the sound of his fist slamming on the table. His hand raked through his hair as he gritted his teeth. "What's wrong?" I asked and he scoffed at my words. "Of course that's where they'd put it...." He trailed off. "Who?" I was desperate for information.

"The Temple." He sighed, "I see they've guarded my story with their life." My brows furrowed. The Temple. He could only mean the Holy Temple of the Southern Kingdom. The most powerful kingdom known for its magic. (unlike Rosemary Cove which is known for its curses.) But, I know The Temple to be a place for good deeds-for the good of the entire world. Why would they lock up his book if not to protect people?

"Why would they do that?" He looked up at me, his face was blank and his tone was blander. "The people over there don't like me very much. You saw the suffocating mask they tried to force me to wear." Yet he wore it. But, I won't mention that.

"You're a Legend, aren't you? Why can't you just walk in and take it?"
"Oh, how I wish it were that simple." He chuckled but it wasn't joyful in the slightest. "There's a door to that field that even I can't enter. It requires the other three books to open it." He noticed my puzzled expression and sighed before continuing. "Let's just say, they used all the magic they could muster up just to stop me from getting my happy ending." He lingered on happy as if it were an awful thing.

"So, we have to find the other books to get to it..." I stated, my tone was tired in anticipation. "It appears so." He shook his head before examining my plate. "Did you enjoy the food?" He switched the topic, his eyes sparkling in anticipation.

I nodded, still afraid of him. But who wouldn't be? I surprise myself by simply sitting calmly in his presence.

"Good, because I'm afraid we must leave now."
"Why?"
"Lilith." He spoke calmly, it wasn't a call or remotely a yell. A frail woman with midnight black hair rushed to his side. Her eyes veering on the edge of death and her cheeks sunken in. "Tell her what you told me, please."

She gulped a dry gulp. It was as if it took all of her strength to speak. "To our solemn surprise," her voice was monotone, "the girl who carries the curse of Rosemary Cove, y/n l/n, has awoken from her slumber," She didn't meet my eyes, but it was clear these weren't her words. She was reciting something she had seen verbatim, "but she has not gone missing, the skies have told us that she has wed The King of Deceit. Please peel your eyes for the girl who carries the cloud of death and notify the Kingdom. Otherwise, lock your doors and run away if you catch sight of her or The Legend who owns her. Our imperial forces are working tirelessly to capture her for the safety of the world."

"That sounds like a Royal decree." I gasped and caught my mouth with my hand. "Well, that's because it is, little queen."

"But, you're stronger than them." My voice was suddenly hopeful. "And, how would they know where to find us?"

"Little queen, if I am the death of all good things then the temple is surely the opposite. It takes hundreds of their men to amount to my power," he stood up from his seat, "but they have thousands at hand." He extended his arm to me, "Together, with the imperial army, they can surely storm my castle if they wished." I took his hand hesitantly.

"I have no question about the extent of my power, but I do wonder about yours." He slightly tugged me to stand up. "But, you can just protect me." I felt stupid as I spoke. "And that I will do. But, that may cause me to shed blood."

My brows stitched together as he spoke. He laughed briefly as he led me forward. "My blood contains a deadly poison accumulated from millions of lost souls." He didn't face me now as we walked. "If one drop spills, it may poison the ground beneath me and split the earth in two."

I froze. He froze too in response. Then a smile formed once again. "But, don't worry, little queen, we just can't let me get cut." I gaped for a moment, my stomach churned and I was sure it would strangle itself in the process. "But, I've read...I've read how many times they've tried to kill you. People WANT to kill you. Don't they know-"
"They know." He cut in.

"Then, why...?"
"Why?" He replayed my question as if to clarify it for himself. His smile remained unwavering. "Because, once I'm dead, the poison dies too. And then-poof-no more destruction-no more broken world."

He began to walk again and tugged me along against my will. I forced my legs to move but I had so many other questions. Did he want to reach the end of his story so he could be free from it all? Would he become human and no longer worry about his poisonous blood? But, if he hated his blood so much, then why did he take souls?

"I can see you thinking, little queen. Stop that, it won't do you any good."

And my mind went silent all the way to the silver carriage. "Where are we going?" I finally asked once we both sat down.

"To Dierdre." He rested his chin against his palm. Grinned. "But, I believe you know him as The Grief."