𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐄 ★Alastor x fem! reader★🥀

Ch. XLIV ✡Poor Marionette✡

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ONE WEEK LATER...
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(A/n, Y/N's dress in this chapter)

ANOTHER PATRY HELD OUT OF sheer boredom. A party where recently gathered tea is spilt over glasses of wine, secret rendezvous between forbidden lovers' spark within the shadows in every corner, while the pretty soon-to-be princess sits beside her soon-to-be king, displayed for all to be envious over.

A heavy weight falls over your chest yet again. You're surrounded by the faces of strangers you are required to treat like friends and family...all the while your real friends and family remain on the other side of the Pentagram, living their lives, wondering how you're doing.

Your heart suddenly swells when the recent memories of Alastor cloud your distant mind, causing a faint heated blush to appear on your cheeks. A dead-giveaway, or perhaps what will become a large misunderstanding if seen by the wrong eyes.

You mentally try your best to keep your cool and play the act that everyone expects from you, occasionally rubbing your cheek or tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear to hide the blush.

You barely touch your meal knowing full well it won't stay inside your stomach after two seconds of swallowing it, all the while you keep your hands tucked under the table, clasped tightly on your knees for two reasons.

To make sure Andrealphus doesn't grab them, and to brace yourself for the company you're forced to be around.

Zestial sits across the table from you, chatting idly with Andrealphus who continues to boast and brag about something so stupid you can barely keep your eyes open throughout the whole conversation. However, the familiar aura belonging to your father, Zestial, keeps you wide awake and on high alert.

His looming shadow, his cold darkness, the scent of candle smoke and black licorice tea stuck on his clothes...a reminder of your once medieval home far away from this frozen section of Hell you can't get comfortable in.

You'll confess, you haven't seen Zestial since you moved out of the comfort of your own home just to take your place beside a man you were practically given to.

Already, Zestial has glanced your way, concerned and a little curious about your tight-lipped silence.

You refuse to meet his gaze, purposely shielding your eyes away, knowing damn well that all it will take is one second, and your secrets will be laid out on the table for everyone to see.

The thought alone--of being exposed, of someone catching on to your unprofessional relationship with Alastor causes a shudder to run down your spine.