Blood Princess // Diabolik Lovers Fanfiction

dark 08

     "Hime-chan! Let's go to a dress shop! Hurry up!"

     She really hated running. She felt like a rag doll being dragged all over the place by a 5 year old kid. While walking around the carnival with Yuma, they ran into Azusa and Kou who asked to exchange his companion for her. Obviously it ended with her being kidnapped by the blond idol; she didn't have time to voice out her concerns---as if she had a choice.

     They stopped in front of a huge dress shop. The color palette of the store was fairly good, not as disgusting as the ones she saw before. This one seemed homey and cozy.

     Not to mention, the clothes looked expensive.

     They entered the shop, Kou immediately browsing through the clothes. There were gowns, dresses and many attires for both genders and ages. The one who created these must be really talented.

     Her eyes caught a mannequin wearing a dress with a corset, the arms were covered with a long piece of clothing, the skirt reaching to the knees. It looked like an elegent gothic dress. It was very beautiful.

     "Do you like it?"

     She was startled by the sudden voice of a female. She had dark curly hair and was staring at her with a warm smile on her face.

     "Welcome! I'm Elizabeth, but you can call me Eli. I'm the owner of this shop. I also design these dresses! That one is my particular favorite, you know? Do you wanna try it on?" Somehow she felt like it wasn't the first time she heard this woman's voice. She acted cheerful as well, but when you're a dress shop owner maybe it's natural to be hospitable and to tend to your customer's needs.

     "I-I'm not – well..." 

     "Hime-chan?"

     "Kou!" She had never been happier to see a familiar face. The woman wasn't even making her uncomfortable, Lilliane just felt awkward and did not know how to respond to her kindness. But instead of the usual smile on his face, he was glaring at the shop owner. Elizabeth didn't seem to like it as she reached out to pinch both of his cheeks.

     "What's with that attitude, huh brat? Want me to kick you out of my store?"

     "Ouch! Ouch! Let go, you--!" He had to pull himself away from her, Lilliane noticed; it must be really painful as Kou even stared at her with crocodile tears. She giggled a bit at his reaction but gave in and patted his head as he leaned down on her chest.

     "This old woman is mean Hime-chan. Let's get out of here."

     "Excuse me?" Elizabeth reacted immediately, taking offense on being called out about her age. She did not even have any wrinkles on her face, as she made sure to take care of it every day. He had no right to call her old.

     "Kou, did you find me a dress?"

     As if remembering his mission, he once again surged through the multiple dresses lined up on the rack and kept himself busy.

     "Well, your child looks occupied. Would you like some tea?"

     Lilliane nodded, accepting the offer. Elizabeth led her to a lounge area and went to the backroom to fetch their drink. Her book was hung on her shoulders with a strap she borrowed from Ruki, so she can carry the object with ease.

     "Here you go. I hope it's to your liking."

     "Thank you. Since when have you been designing clothes?"

     "Ever since I was a kid. My parents didn't support it, but I was stubborn. Kind of like your boyfriend over there." She choked on her drink when she heard the word boyfriend.

     "You mean Kou? Oh no! He's not—I mean, I just live with his family."

     "Hmm. He looks really attached to you though."

     She wasn't wrong. Kou was like a brother to her. There were times when he acted like a kid; but she knew that his real face was the sadistic one she saw in the alley. He showed her pure and raw emotion back then, but it didn't scare her. If he was comfortable enough around her to reveal his true colors, then it was a good thing.

     "That dress was something I created for a very dear friend. It's a shame she never got to try it on."

     "What happened?" She took another sip from her tea, the warm taste making her feel relaxed. And somewhat sleepy. Was she that tired? To be fair she had been running around with Yuma, and now with Kou all night. It's pefectly reasonable to be this tired. Right?

     "She disappeared."

     Her vision was getting blurry. The sound of a cup falling on the floor made her ears ring. And now she's getting dizzy. What was in that tea?

     "I'm sorry, Hime. Sleep for a while, okay?"

•••

     Lilliane was nowhere to be found. And to think that he really put an effort into searching a dress that would look good on her. Her scent and presence disappeared. Where did she go?

     "Hmm. Hey you! Do you know where Hime-chan went?" Elizabeth looked up from the magazine she was reading and gave him a scowl for interrupting her.

     "Oh. She left just a few minutes ago."

     "Eh? Are you lying? Hey. If you are, I'm warning you—"

     "Brat."

     Kou suddenly felt cold. There were no open windows and the door was closed. So it wasn't the wind. His hands were shaking. The woman in front of him was no doubt more than just a dress shop owner in the demon realm. Her bloodlust was something he can consider to be on par with those Sakamaki purebloods. No. Maybe even stronger.

     "You don't threaten me in my own store. Now get out before I force you to."

     He had no choice but to leave. If she did left before him then she'd be alone in a place full of vampires. Her blood must be precious enough that Karlheinz, the vampire king even arranged for her to be the Queen of this carnival. With that thought in mind, he ran towards the opposite direction and decided to find one of his brothers.

     Back in the shop, Elizabeth sighed before going inside the backroom where Lilliane was sleeping deeply. She was finally back, however she did not expect her to be with a vampire.

     "I got the thing you asked for."

     "Oh Kira. Welcome back."

     "I postponed my precious sleep because of this." He said, holding up a vial of red liquid. "It was really troublesome running after some bloodsucker aristocrat."

     Just a bit more. She did see the eyepatch on her left eye. It seems she did take precautions after all. She tapped the pocketwatch hanging on her chest.

     "Zaphkiel." The necklace glowed, transforming itself into the shape of a man. He was wearing a coat and tie with a top hat, gloves adorning his hands.

     "Did you know this would happen?" 

     "She predicted it. Our contract was nullified. I kept her eye safe." Elizabeth's ears perked up at the mention of the artifact. "You'll need to redo the spell on it."

     "Is it really safe for her to have such a dangerous treasure?" She asked. She had witnessed the eye consume the lives of its beholder in the past, and one of them was someone very dear to her. "She's walking on a tightrope."

     "You are aware, that the purpose of our contract is for me to protect her?"

     "Yes. That's what I'm worried about. You only granted her the contract because Gareth asked you to. I'm still questioning where your loyalties lie until now, Zaphkiel." Elizabeth held her ground. Her stare was firm. Even as a God, he knew that with his current state; without a vessel, she can kill him in an instant.

     "Very well." He said. "For the Princess."