The Ballad of Deceit (YANDERE entity x reader)

The Wounded

"No, no, no....he's supposed to be here!" Leo frantically paced around, still holding me in his arms. I groaned in pain and he instantly laid me down on the small mattress in the corner.

"Don't worry, love. You're going to be okay." He assured me as I heard him frantically rummaging through the trash and strewn cloths in the room.

I heard a splash of water and the flap of a rag before a cool feeling washed over my wound. I forced my eyes to open a small amount and saw Leo pressing what looked like an old shirt against my stomach. He moved it slightly but cursed under his breath.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, moving his attention to my face, and brushing away the strands of hair that cling to my forehead. "What...are you....doing....?" I swallowed as I spoke.

He rubbed a finger against his chin aggressively as he continued to wipe the rag against my stomach. I could feel the skin around the opening closing up, but I was still injured under the surface. I tried to keep my eyes open and hold onto my consciousness, but, in an instant-I lost it.

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I awoke with a throbbing headache, but my side didn't burn anymore. I slowly brought myself up to my elbows, but noticed Leo laying down on the hard floor next to me, his hand desperately intertwined with mine.

He was asleep. It was strange.

I felt the old blanket over me slip off to reveal my right shoulder where the strap had been cut. I would've rushed to cover it back up if I hadn't noticed the torn piece of cloth that was knotted around it. Leo must've tied my dress back together while I slept.

I brought a shaky, rope-burned hand forward and ruffled it in Leo's crimson hair. I smoothed it along his scalp which caused him to move slightly and nestle his face against my hand that he held.

His eyes slowly opened, and I assumed his galaxies saw me awake because he shot up in an instant and clutched my shoulders. "You're awake!" He brought the back of his hand to my forehead, then my cheek and then smoothed his other hand down my arm. "How are you feeling?"

"You saved me." I said, maybe still drowsy. I looked around at the black blood soaked cloths all around and the tear-soaked one that still rested against my side. He shook his head, smoothed the hair off of my face. "Of course I did. I had to."

I knew deep down that he only needed me to find the books. I knew that that was what he meant when he said he 'had to'. But, in that moment, I didn't care, and I enveloped him in a tight hug.

His arms stayed at his sides for a moment before hesitantly sliding them along my back. "Thank you." I said, feeling him nod in response as I stared out the opening where a door should be. My gaze traveled down at it strewn across the floor, hinges scattered all over.

"Maybe we should get out of here." I gulped, feeling him nod again. "Good idea, little queen." He stood up, leaving my legs dangling and my arms wrapped behind his neck. He brought one arm down and cradled it under me to secure me in place, my legs wrapped around either side of his waist. Heat covered my cheeks as I turned away from his face and cleared my throat.

He laughed as he kept walking until we made it to the carriage. "Where do you think Dierdre's gone?" I asked as he carefully placed me in the seat of the carriage. "Somewhere," He replied dismissively before plopping down in the other seat. "But, in any case, he's not worth your worry."

I cracked a smile before looking out the window as the carriage slowly set off. "Do you know where Esmeralda's book is?" I asked, turning to him now. "Yes, thanks to your lovely description." His tone was coated in sarcasm as he smiled. I rolled my eyes and propped my chin on my fist.

"It's at the Tree of Elders." He studied me with a grin as he spoke. "In my vision...I saw people guarding it." I squinted as I racked my fuzzy brain. The potion really did a number on my awareness at the time. "Those are the elders." He said in an annoyed tone.

"They watch over that place with their life." The stars in his eyes dazzled with disgust. "So, will the book be hard to obtain?" I asked, but my question was met with a Cheshire grin. "Not at all. I don't know if you've noticed, but humans tend to cower in fear when they see me."

"Except for the imperial guards." I added. He took a deep breath and sighed. "Quite an annoying lot, aren't they?" He shook his head.

"They might just think the same thing about us." I laughed and he chuckled in amusement. It was a genuine sound that brought a round to my cheeks as I smiled. "What?" He asked but I just pursed my lips. "Nothing." I replied bluntly, but a wide smile spread across his lips.

I forgot he could tell when I lied.

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We arrived back at the castle and I instantly rushed off to 'my room'. I hopped in the bath instantly and examined the skin where my gaping wound used to be. It was a little pink and left a slit of a scar, but other than that, I felt fine.

When I finished my bath, I hurried to dress myself in a flowing black dress with a low neckline. The second I slipped it on, the black cloud of death around me dissipated instantly.

I swung open the door and began to rush down the steps, excited to see Leo for whatever reason, but I stopped when I heard the sound of laughter.

The soulless people of the estate didn't laugh or think or feel. I felt my stomach knot as I recognized the cheery sound to be a woman's.

I slowly walked down the steps where I saw Leo standing before a burly man clad in golden armor and a woman with beautiful, cascading blonde hair next to him. She wore a bright smile across her stunning features as she playfully nudged Leo's arm.

My hand gripped the railing.

Who is she?