Barbatos's heart

Part 5: Barbatos

Barbatos had been running around all day, trying to get everything underway for the party. He was distraught when Lord Diavolo had sprung this party on him last minute. He usually needed more time to prepare but he was barely given a week. He had to find an orchestra, plan the food menus, and clean up the ballroom. He was so stressed out by the time the party officially started, but so many things still needed attending to. He hadn't even gotten to chance to greet guests or serve Lord Diavolo.

Barbatos was in the kitchen when another staff member came in and told him that Lord Diavolo requested his presence in the ballroom. He caught a look at his reflection in the window and winced. His hair was in disarray and he had gotten flour on his cheek and his collar from making the cakes earlier. He sighed and went to clean himself up before going to the ballroom.

The ballroom was packed with people shuffling around to get to their seats. Barbatos and a few other servers came in with trays containing wine and small appetizers. Diavolo was just returning to his seat after making an announcement. Barbatos heard the end of it. Something about a new exchange student doing something. He wasn't too concerned at the moment. He had a job to do. "Wine, Lord Diavolo?" He asked, "Of course, thank you." Diavolo smiled.

The music started up as Barbatos was about to fill Diavolo's glass. That's when he heard her for the first time, the alluring sound of her voice reached his ears. He almost missed the wine glass, losing his composure and nearly spilling the red wine onto Diavolo's new suit jacket when he turned to see her. She was beautiful. Her hazel eyes shone like diamonds, her long brown hair blowing with the gentle breeze coming from the open doors of the ballroom. Her voice was mellifluous. She sang a delicate ballad that took the guests' breath away.

He broke free of his trance quickly and came back into reality, cursing under his breath. Diavolo noticed his slip up and tried to hide his amusement. It was rare that Barbatos was caught off guard like that. He had always kept such composure and poise, but Diavolo liked to see this side of him. He liked to see Barbatos have some sort of emotion, some sort of something. He wasn't perfect, after all.

After Elaina finished her song the guests stood and applauded. A standing ovation. Barbatos had excused himself after serving Diavolo and retreated into the servant halls, trying to make sense of the feeling that had washed over him. In all his life he had never felt that way before. 'Who is she and what powers does she possess to get a reaction like that out of me? Did others feel it too? Does she charm people like Asmo?' So many questions ran through his head. He didn't even notice that Lord Diavolo had approached him.

"Barbatos, are you alright? You left in such a hurry. I didn't get a chance to introduce you to any of the new students." Barbatos snapped his head up at the sound of Diavolo's disappointed voice. "I-I'm sorry my Lord, I did not notice you there. I am quite alright. My apologies." He bowed. "Yes, I'm sure you are alright... You know. I would really like to introduce you to her." Diavolo smirked. Barbatos looked stunned. 'Lord Diavolo must have caught my reaction.' He thought to himself. "I guess I wasn't exactly subtle." He admitted out loud. "No, not at all. Luckily, no one else saw. They were too busy watching Elaina. I wouldn't want you to become embarrassed. However, you shouldn't hide away. Let me introduce you to her" Diavolo reached out to place his hand on Barbatos's shoulder.

He couldn't bring himself to face her. He was afraid. These emotions were new to him. He didn't trust them. Maybe he couldn't trust her. He politely declined Diavolo's offer, however, he did not hide from the party either, knowing his place and knowing he was needed to serve the guests. He took a few minutes to collect his thoughts and his trays and went back to the ballroom, making sure to avoid the angel that made his heart beat out of his chest. He made his way around the room, and every time he saw her, he turned around and headed in another direction before she had a chance to see him. "I can't keep this up all night." He sighed to himself. He took a deep breath and turned in the direction he had seen her a few seconds ago to confront his feelings, but she was gone. He sighed again, happy that he had dodged that bullet and went back in the direction he was headed originally when he bumped into someone.

His tray was knocked out of his hands and crashed to the floor, Barbatos grunted and went to go retrieve it off the ground, slightly annoyed at himself for not paying attention to his surrounding. "Oh my! I'm so sorry!" A young girl gasped. "No! No.... It was my fault miss, I should have been more careful. I-". He stopped and then cautiously looked up at the girl. It was her.