Novelle's room.
Such a plain door, such a dull pattern.
Refined craftsmanship. Yet boring.
Approaching with light steps, I gave the door two short knocks.
I'm excited— so excited— my sweetheart did a wonderful job— I must praise her.
"Who is it," Novelle's head peeked through the slightly open door that made not a creek.
I smiled.
"Oh, it's you, Liliath..." her voice trailed off, her eyes opened wide in awe, "If you are Liliath then.."
I understand your confusing Novelle darling, but now isn't the time for it. I'm eagerly awaiting to visit my Liliath.
Novelle pulled the sheets of the bed to reveal Liliath in her beautiful nightgown. I must say, I do look quite alluring in those clothes. This world has some amazing products I have yet to unearth.
"Liliath! Liliath! Wake up!"
Patience, patience..
I must wait until she wakes, then should the show commence.
Liliath rubbed her eyes, her confused face at the sight of the frantic Novelle— what a wonderful sight. I never thought I had such a cute look.
Finally, her gaze met mine.
"Oh, sweetheart, I came to play— do you miss me?"
"N..no.."
"Liliath.. who is that.. w-why are there two of you," Novelle trembled as she spoke.
"Times up, it's my turn to play, would that be alright?"
To my request. I was met with silence. Oh, I suppose I'll have it my way.
First, I shall take care of Novelle. Sorry dear, but I need space with myself so could you die in front of us?
I teleported in front of Novelle and grabbed her by the neck.
Struggle, cry, fight.. the desperation to survive. What a wonderful face, Novelle.
"Uhsghahij.."
I tightened my grip, digging into her flesh. Her eyes slowly rolled back into the socket.
It lacked excitement. I should use magic.
I tossed her to the floor, she started coughing a fit.
It must hurt does it? I understand.. the pain shall last only a little longer— I will liberate you from further suffering.
I pointed my fingers down at the curled up Novelle— however it was met with an obstacle.
"Oh sweetheart. Do you not want to see Novelle die in front of you?" keeping my smile, I turned to Liliath.
"Please.. don't.. I beg you.."
Her sweet trembling plea rang in my ears.
"I will consider that sweety, thank you for the suggestion."
So I decided to use a different spell. I should make it less bloody. It would only dirty our clothes after all.
Jet black shadow tentacles shot out from the ground, wrapping itself around the lifeless Novelle, groping her skin and digging into her flesh, the shadow swallowed her whole.
There. Not a speck of blood to be seen— oops. I was mistaken. I got some of her blood on my hands.
At the moment I noticed Liliath stagger away from me, a pair of hands came holding on my waist.
"Liliath," putting his weight on me, he placed his head on my shoulder.
"Oh Javiel. I miss you too," with my hands, I stroke his gorgeous black hair— this wonderful demon lord, how naive it was of me to think that he could become my one and only, "But do me a favor and die."
I gave him an elbow to his lower chest area, blowing a hole through his upper abdomen. His wrist loosened and his entire body flopped to the ground.
I bent over and picked up a shiny red crystal-- a virgin Philosopher's Stone.
Oh no, my black dress has been stained. How can I approach my darling now? She's afraid of blood.
Troubled as to what I should do, I turned to face my sweetheart who had been tied to the black throne.
"Sweetheart, what should I do? I got blood all over myself.."
My beautiful other-self shivered in silence.
I suppose this means it's alright to get close.
"G-go away.."
"My sweetheart Liliath, you did a good job, a good job," I wrapped my hands around her head and gave her a hug.
In the truest sense, I would advocate that she deserves this reward.
"I made so many mistakes, Noel became wary. But you did well to mend my blunder. If it weren't for you, our plans would have failed. You did well sweetheart, I'm so proud.. so proud," in my arms, her trembling body could be felt.
"D-don't hurt.. him.."
"Noel? Oh don't worry. I vouch for him. He's an intelligent fellow, albeit naive in various respects— I believe he can become a suitable vessel for ourselves."
"N-no.. don't.. hurt him.."
"No, no," I pulled away and traced her tear-streamed cheeks with my finger, "I won't hurt him. He can be a good replacement for Javiel. We don't need someone who would betray us again right?"
My sweetheart stared at me dumbfounded. Even her tears stopped.
I can understand her sentiment. Just earlier we were merely playing around with words. That boy didn't betray us, but rather gave us the beautiful gift of wholehearted support.
"The last thing we need is this," I showed darling the philosopher's stone I got from killing Javiel.
I traced my fingers from her neck, down to her collar bone, to her chest.
The Philosopher's Stone located just above her beating heart.
"Let's work together to achieve our goal sweetheart," her eyes slowly lost light, "I can't do it alone."
I impaled her heart.
And raised my eyelids. There were no tears this time.
I sat up to see Novelle-sama sleeping soundly beside me.
"..."
Another dream.
I looked out the window, the clouds, the moon, shining in the sky. I saw no stars.
I gazed at my hand, the very hand I had used to kill myself.
I fell back onto bed.
"Noel, you have every right to be wary of me."
I prayed.