The Ballad of Deceit (YANDERE entity x reader)

The Search For the Brokenhearted

I sat in the same lavender-walled room he had brought me to when we first arrived. I laid on the soft bed and stared at the ceiling in awe. I couldn't quite wrap my head around what had just happened.

He looked like he was in so much pain....like his eyes were about to burst. I wondered in that moment if he felt that way all the time.

I jolted into an upright position when I heard the room door open. Leo stood in the doorway for a moment before silently closing the opening behind him. He just stood there with his back against the door-not saying a word.

"The...imperial soldiers?" My eyes darted around in search for words. "They're gone." His head leaned against the wood and his eyes stared above him somewhere.

"They weren't dead?"
"No," he chuckled in irony, "Anyone who trespasses in my home falls unconscious. It's a spell I've put on this place..." His finger ran down the lines of wood on the door.

"About earlier..." he started. "I don't need to know." I said with a hand up. "You don't have to tell me." He smiled a weak smile for a moment before gently shaking his head. "But, I will." He looked down for a moment, "And you don't get to tell me what to do."

He took a breath before pushing off the door and walking towards the large window. "I'm immortal." He started, "I live forever," His tone was mocking, "But, there's a cost to that." He hovered his hand over the glass, finding something to do so he didn't have to turn and face me.

"My entire existence is fueled on souls. But, if I take too many, I might just burst." He laughed painfully, "You're not the only one who's cursed, you know.." He finally turned around and met my sympathetic eyes. "Sometimes I lose control and the hunger gets too painful to bear....I'm not myself at those times." The way he spoke made it sound as if he was apologizing-something I never thought he'd do considering what I, and all the people of the world, assume his character to be.

"What happens if you don't eat?" I gulped as I spoke the last word. It felt so wrong to say. "It wouldn't be very good for this fragile world if I did." He grinned painfully and I nodded in a fraction of understanding.

He had gotten closer to me now, so I slid off of the bed and made my way to him. His arms were crossed, but I still placed one of my hands onto his forearm. "I....forgive you." I sucked in a breath.

He stifled a laugh and moved his arms away. "I wasn't apologizing, little queen." His cruel expression resurfaced, "I was just letting you know so you don't act so foolishly the next time this happens."

He promptly crossed the room but halted at the door. "There's food if you want to eat. But, other than that, rest. We're leaving first thing tomorrow."

And, just like that, he was gone and I was all alone once again.

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I couldn't sleep-not a wink. So I made my way to the wardrobe across from my bed. When I opened it, I was greeted with the sight of multiple different pieces-all made of the same dark fabric I wore now. It hit me that I had been wearing my dress for two days now.

The carriage rides were long since we had to cross kingdoms and oceans. Just the thought of it all made me grow weary. I shuffled through the hangars until I saw a thin dress of soft material that must've been for sleeping.

I grabbed it and made my way to the bathroom door that was connected to my room. There was a large copper tub and basin accompanied by intricate white tiles and more wooden beams across the ceiling.

My eyes softened at the sight of multiple fragrances along the bath's wall. I promptly went towards it, but then I noticed the tub was filled with hot water already. Curiosity danced across my eyes. I had never seen so much magic around me in my entire life-until now of course. It was a rather refreshing yet terrifying experience.

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I startled awake at the sound of Lilith's monotone voice. I hadn't noticed how sprawled out and comfortably I had positioned myself in sleep, but I grew embarrassed instantly. I shot up and fixed my position, all the while Lilith repeated the same thing. "Breakfast is ready." She repeated it for what felt like eternity until I finally got up and rushed her out of the room.

"Thank you very much." I said but she didn't register any of my words. She continued to speak from beyond the door and I rushed to change into something more practical.

I made it downstairs wearing a long gown this time with a low and folding neckline. I hurried to the table and gaped at the sight of the delicious food. There was bread, fruit, jam and butter, and kettles and kettles of fragrant tea.

I promptly sat down and began to eat when I heard shuffling footsteps behind me. Leo's hair was still perfectly kept and his outfit was neat and professional. He wore a black shirt with golden floral imprints in lines down either side of the low V-neck line with the sleeves folded past his forearms. His pants were black as well and tucked into shining boots.

"You like that color, don't you?" I eyed him as he went to sit down. He raised his brows, surprised I was speaking to him first. "Of course," he smiled, "it reminds me of devastation." He extended his arms in gesture to his burnt castle. I stifled an "oh" and looked back down at my food.

He broke out into a fit of laughter and shook his head in amusement. I stuck out my jaw and furrowed my brows, not able to tell if he was joking or not. "What? Are you messing with me?" I asked and he nodded weakly as he laughed. "I've never met a human so dense."
I fumed slightly. "You can't blame me for misunderstanding."
"Oh, but I will."
"Sorry for expecting a Legend to be a little bit more professional." I remarked and he placed his hand over his heart. "That's putting a lot of pressure on me, you know." His expression was mockingly earnest. I rolled my eyes and continued to eat.

"Where are we going today?" I asked and he grinned a wide grin. "Where else than my old friend Esmeralda?" He smiled and I looked up in search for that name in my mind. "Of course, you know her as The Empress of Broken Hearts." I dropped my fork and my jaw along with it.

"You know where she is?" I was surprised given the fact that we found Dierdre out of pure luck. "Of course I do," he waved his hand in annoyance-but not at me, "She's the only Legend who pretends to be human."

And that's when the name Esmeralda finally clicked in my mind. "Esmeralda hall..." I gasped and looked up to meet Leo's knowing expression.

"That's right, sweetheart." He grinned.

Esmeralda hall was an esteemed event hosted once a year for as long as I can remember. The hall itself remained dormant year round save for the special day that was announced at random.

Invitations fluttered out to lucky few from each kingdom (usually the rich), and everyone wished to be one of those few.

The reason I was so shocked is because it is no ordinary event or ball that takes place-it's a matchmaking event.