The Ballad of Deceit (YANDERE entity x reader)

The Opening Festivities

Leo abruptly snapped his neck away so I couldn't see his face, but I already had. Blood-red tears his dripped from his eyes and stained his moon-pale cheeks. My brows stitched together as he brought a hand up to cover his face.

"What happened?" I asked, wondering if he had a vision of a lover as well. My chest couldn't help but tighten at the thought. He just shook his head and pushed me off of him. "Go back to the carriage." He turned away, "And don't leave this time."

He tried to walk away but I reached out and held onto his fingers. "Something happened." I said firmly. I saw his shoulders shake as he silently laughed before pulling his hand away. "I never told you to worry about me." His voice was harsh and cruel.

"But, I am." I said as I watched his fists clench. "You shouldn't be." His knuckles whitened but his tone was dismissive as he stomped off into the woods.

"Where are you going?" I asked in desperation, my feet rooted to their spot. "I'll be back soon enough." He replied before disappearing into the trees.

I heard a voice telling me to follow him, but I forced myself not to and just sauntered back to the carriage. The door was open but the hinges were intact and the horse remained in its place. I really had imagined it all-how embarrassing.

But, I didn't waste another second before climbing inside and promptly shutting the door.

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I must have slept nearly all day since it was approaching evening now. I fiddled with the torn fabric on my dress and tapped my feet against the floor as I waited for Leo.

I jolted as the door swung open and Leo stepped inside, lowering his head so he could stand. "Leo!" I practically yelled before shying away in embarrassment. "Sit still." He said, plopping a basket down next to me. It contained bandages and a bottle of wine. "How did you get this?" I asked but he looked nervous to answer.

"Don't tell me you went into the town? I thought you couldn't let anyone spot you-"
"Hey, calm down, I'm fine." He said with a chuckle before gently lifting my arm. "You really did a number on yourself, didn't you?" He grinned which caused me to work my jaw in annoyance.

He was very careful with how he bandaged me. I only winced a few times when he'd pour alcohol on my cuts. He was silent and focused, but I couldn't help but notice the red rim around his eyelids.

"Why were you crying?" I sucked in a breath at my sudden bold question.

"I wasn't."
"Yes, you were."

His hands grew rougher and tense as he applied the last bandages. "It doesn't matter-"
"It does." I furrowed my brow at him.

"No, it doesn't." He stated firmly this time.
"Why not?" I asked with a shrill of frustration in my voice.

"What?" He faced me now with a taunting expression. "You think I was hallucinating like you? Are you jealous that I was imagining a lover?" He leaned closer to my face now with a cruel grin, "Because you know it wouldn't be you."

I huffed but my words were caught in my throat. "Can you not just let someone care about you? Why do you have to be so cruel when all I did was worry-"
"It's your fault for ever assuming I was anything but cruel, queenie."

He knotted the last bandage and ripped it with his teeth. "I am the death of all good things," He stated, putting the wrap away, "You get it now, don't you?" As he asked, a grin curled along his lips, "Or do I have to keep reminding you?" He lifted his hand and grazed my jaw before gripping my chin.

He tilted my face to the side and raised himself up so he was towering over me. His free hand planted on the back of the cushioned seat and his face grew dangerously close to mine. "What do you think? Hm?" He asked in a rude and teasing tone. But, unknowingly, my eyes had glanced down to his lips and I assume his galaxies did the same to mine.

He stared at me for a moment as his mouth straightened out and his face grew serious. He leaned even closer now but paused just in front of my mouth. I just hoped he couldn't feel my heartbeat pounding throughout my body.

"I think...." I started, not even realizing I was speaking. "You do." His thumb slid up from my chin and brushed my lower lip. I slowly shut my eyes as his breath drew closer. I could feel his soft skin ghost against my mouth, but in an instant, it was gone.

When I opened my eyes, he had already moved across the carriage, his face resting against his hand. It shielded his eyes and was placed along his forehead as his elbow propped up against the window. "We should go now." He said, and the horse set off in an instant.

I lowered my head and shied away on my side of the vehicle, not daring look up in fear that I would meet his eyes.

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We arrived in town shortly and halted behind a small wooden building. Leo rushed to the back of the carriage and pulled a mask from the trunk. It was black and gold with swirling floral decorations that, at a closer glance, looked like rigid hands with curling dead fingers.

He pulled it over his face and his hair instantly faded into a dark brown color. There were no visible holes in the mask for his eyes but he carried himself as if the world was just as clear as before. "Can you see?" I asked, waving my hand in front of his face. "Yes." He snatched my hand and swatted it away. I slightly laughed in embarrassment.

He pulled out a second, matching mask that was smaller and did, in fact, have holes in it, as well as a silk, form fitting black dress that sparkled in the moonlight.

"Here." He handed it to me and I eyed him as my cheeks flushed crimson. "You want me to change....here?" I pointed below me as if I needed to remind him where we were.

"I'll be outside." He said nonchalantly, but I could tell he noticed my eyes fixing on the window facing the open street behind him. (The other side of the carriage was against the wooden building.) He sighed for a moment before stepping out, shutting the door, and standing in front of the window. He extended his arms in an attempt to block any view inside.

I wanted to laugh to myself but the events of earlier replayed in my mind. "Hurry up." He called back and I scrambled to undo my torn dress.

When I was done, I knocked on the door for him to let me out and he instantly stepped aside. The long, shining dress clung to my figure and flowed down to my ankles. I changed into the pair of slightly raised slippers that had been wadded in with the dress, and my arms were almost fully covered with elegant, lacy, black gloves.

I couldn't see his eyes, but I assumed he was eyeing me up and down to take in my appearance. His hand raised up to brush against my exposed shoulder. "Good, you can't see the cuts." It ran down over the fabric of my gloves until it reached my hand. He gently held my fingers and helped me out of the carriage.

"I thought the event wasn't until tomorrow?" I asked with a tilt of my head. "It's not, but the town's festivities begin the night before." He led me forward until bright lights came into view.

People marched around wielding torches with multi-colored fire. They all wore masks and danced around in front of Esmeralda hall. There was a large chain covering the door to the marble building and a man stood before it on a pedestal counting down seconds. "3,600..3,599..3,598.." he continued and I couldn't help but quirk my brow at the sight.

"How peculiar." I giggled to myself as I felt Leo nudge my shoulder. "Not impressed?" He asked, leaning near my ear so I could hear him over the commotion.

"I haven't decided yet." I smiled as we made our way to what I assumed was town square. "So, what? They just party all night to prepare for the event tomorrow?" I asked as I passed through the dancing bodies.

Leo nodded as he continued to lead me. "But, we're not here for that, are we?" I asked and a Cheshire grin curled on his lips. "I'm glad you catch on quick, my queen." He said as we drifted away from the dance floor and neared a darkened alleyway.