Kora

You've never been a big fan of balls. If you could, you surely wouldn't be there, but being a teacher required your obligatory attendance. '

After two friends, Readers, Sophie and Agatha, with their arrival at school, first completely upset the balance of Good and Evil, and then turned it into something like unity, everyone was relieved that the border was finally over. But before anyone could thank them, they vanished, apparently returning to Gavaldon.

It didn't bother you. Moreover, you were perhaps the most grateful person you could have been for breaking that balance and rules. It finally made you believe that someone you couldn't be with because of these divisions would finally have that chance.

And that someone was the Dean of the School for Evil.

Lady Leanora Lesso for whom you had certain feelings. Being a teacher from the School of Good, you had no chance of getting closer to each other than in the relationship of two teachers.

But at some point, this line that was supposed to separate you, started to blur. You started bumping into each other more and more often. You started talking more and more. You started to think about each other more and more and you got closer to each other. Yet both of you were afraid to take that one big step that would destroy the line between you once and for all.

Until someone did it for you. These two Readers.

But despite this, you haven't seen Lesso in some time. As if she was avoiding you. You were hoping maybe it would be easier now. That now that the division has disappeared, something will finally change between you two, but … nothing like that happened.

Clarissa found you in your room as you sadly sat in front of your mirror and stared at your reflection.

"Y/N, what happened, Dear?" she asked with concern in her voice as she walked over to you. You sighed tiredly, rubbing your face with your hand. "You should be getting ready for the ball."

"I know, but … I don't know if it makes sense for me to go there" you replied quietly, turning your head towards her and looking at her beautiful dress with even more sadness. Clarissa has always been pretty, and has been the true epitome of beauty, grace and fabulousness. Sometimes you wanted to stop, be such a grey mouse and be able to shine like that too.

"What are you talking about? Why do you think so?" She put her hands on your shoulders, frowning in worry.

"I… I…" You started, but you didn't know what you were going to tell her. "I think I like Lesso… " You replied softly, looking down and blushing, fearing the woman's reaction.

"I knew it" she muttered, smiling victoriously as if she had won a bet. You looked at her in surprise.

"You knew it?" you asked surprised, and she nodded her head.

"Come on, it was obvious that you were drawn to each other." She waved her hand dismissively, and you parted your lips even more in surprise. "But that doesn't explain why you don't want to go to the ball."

"Well, I don't think Lesso is reciprocating my feelings. It is possible that what was between us until the balance between Good and Evil was broken is gone. She hasn't wanted to talk to me for a few days. I think … I'm not enough for her " you replied sadly, and tears of failure gathered in your eyes. You felt bad. You felt rejected and your heart was broken by Leanora's ignorance.

"Don't you even dare say that!" Dovey snarled quickly, immediately hugging you to her. Her sweet scent, although completely different from Lesso's, allowed you to calm down a bit. "Lesso just needs to open her eyes. And I think I have some idea how to do that" she said, and a sly smirk appeared on her lips.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You felt your nerves grow more with each passing second. The dress, white in a shimmering rainbow glow, trailed behind you with a grace that no one had ever seen in you. Your hair was pulled up in a bun from which a few strands had leaked out. Clarissa even gave you a beautiful make-up that emphasized all your face qualities. When you looked in the mirror, you couldn't recognize yourself. You looked like a real princess. You couldn't believe it.

You were the last to enter the ballroom late, as Clarissa had ordered you to enter. You didn't want to do it at first because you knew it might be too much, but Dovey was very insistent, so you gave up on her again.

When the door opened and all eyes landed on you, you felt that in a moment you would not stop and run away from here. But the moment you saw Dovey smiling at you, and then Lady Lesso standing next to her, her mouth parted, you felt certainty.

Your eyes met and you followed Clarissa's advice and smiled softly. You walked slowly through the room, as if nothing, focusing only on the redhead, who was staring at you in shock.

Clarissa was holding back a laugh along with Anemone as they saw Lesso's face and when her cane slip out of her hand and fall to the ground. Everyone in the room was silent as you gracefully approached her and nodded gently, as befits a princess.

"Lady Lesso, would you like to dance with me?" you asked calmly, still smiling slightly. The woman didn't answer you anything. It was only when an amused Clarissa nudged her side that she seemed to return to the ground.

"O-Of course" she replied quickly and held out a hand that you accepted with satisfaction. She led you to the center of the room, never taking her eyes off you as she was slowly getting used to you. The music started playing and you both started dancing along with the other couples. "Whose idea was that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she turned you around and your dress swirled beautifully around you.

"It was Clarissa's idea, do you like it?" you asked hesitantly, well aware that your confidence was gone, but Lesso had regained it.

"You'll have to apologize to Clarissa because I'm going to rip that dress off you tonight, My Love" she replied, whispering in your ear and sending shivers down your spine.

"You'll have to make it up to me for this waiting" you said, turning your back to her and letting her hands wrap around your waist. Her lips landed on your neck leaving a soft kiss there. You sighed softly, at which she smiled devilishly.

You've been in Endless Woods.

You didn't quite remember how you got here. The last thing you remember is going to bed in your room. Then you woke up in the middle of the night, surrounded by trees and disturbing noises. You were lying on the ground, dirty and wet that soaked through your dark clothes and made you shiver. It was way too cold. You liked this situation less and less.

You didn't recognize this place for a while, but it definitely wasn't the Blue Forest. No, the very energy that hit you when you woke up contradicted it. Everything was so much sharper here, and a few trips to this place let you guess in horror where you have been.

Then you remembered the argument. A few days ago you had an argument with some girls from your year. You didn't like them, and they didn't like you. They hated you for getting top grades in villains' subjects and for being the favorite of the Dean of Evil. Of course, Lady Lesso didn't admit it aloud, but everyone could see that she liked something about you and treated you a little differently from the rest. It made those girls angry.

You clenched your hand with the anger that gathered inside you. They must have sent you here somehow. They've always wanted to get rid of you, and now they've seized the opportunity and somehow managed to do it. Instead of facing you like real villains, they preferred to send you to Endless Forest like cowards, hoping it would kill you.

The sound of hissing nearby made you straighten up and look around, but you couldn't see anything. No path, no lights, nothing but the endless darkness of the forest along with the various creatures that surely already knew about your presence. You rose from the ground, leaning against the tree trunk and still looking around, held up your finger to summon your magic. The problem, however, was that the magic in Endless Woods was often fickle, and after yesterday's class and exams you were exhausted. Even so, you managed to summon a small ball of green light that lit the surroundings slightly.

You had no idea what you were going to do now. The fear that you tried to suppress at all costs grew in you with every moment. The villains weren't afraid of anything, the others should be afraid of them, but you couldn't help that you were scared.

You slowly moved forward, trying to recall all the rules of moving in the forests during training in the Blue Forest. You tried not to touch any branches or bushes, without risking it if it was something cursed and wanting to kill you. Everything certainly wanted to do it. Another hiss closer, only strengthened you in this belief even more. You picked up your pace.

You didn't know which way you were going, but the hisses and broken branches grew closer with each passing moment. Something was chasing you, but when you turned your head you couldn't see anything. Not knowing what to do, you started running ahead, trying to use any spell in the meantime, but you couldn't conjure anything.

You ran out into some dark glade, but before you had a chance to turn around, the thing that was chasing you scratched your arm. You screamed in pain and fell, stumbling over a protruding root. You turned on your back, only to meet the big black monster that was staring at you with its red eyes. Your blood froze in your veins, and your breath and scream got stuck in your throat. Tears filled your eyes from helplessness. You hadn't a chance with him.

The monster was already opening its mouth full of sharp teeth to bite you, and you were getting ready to die, but suddenly a blinding beam of magic hit it and threw it to the other end of the clearing.

"Don't you dare touch her" said Lady Lesso as she stepped into the clearing, whom you thought as soon as you saw her that you were dreaming. How did she get here? How did she find you? You didn't even have to ask that, because all wanted about right now was to be close to her, knowing that she would protect you. She always protected you.

"Lesso…" you muttered between quick breaths, but you fell silent as another beam of magic flew towards the creature again, killing it.

"What were you thinking ?!" she shouted, coming up to you with quick steps. Her hair was disheveled, and so was her clothes, and her breathing was fast, as if she was running here. You saw the worry in her eyes with surprise. "How the hell did you get in here ?!" She knelt down next to you and helped you to sit up. At her touch, as if all the emotions accumulated in you had exploded.

Unable to resist, you hugged her, and she, surprised, grabbed you in her arms, not quite knowing what to do. "The three girls I had a fight with a few days ago… They brought me here… Somehow" you muttered in a trembling voice. The warmth of the woman made you feel safe and you slowly calmed down.

"What?" she whispered in surprise, gently moving your face away from her to look at you closely. Unable to bear the weight of her penetrating gaze, you lowered your head, feeling you blush.

"They took advantage of the moment when I was vulnerable, when I was asleep" you replied with a sigh and being angry with yourself for letting them approach you like that. "They wanted to take revenge on me, to get rid of me, because they were jealous that I was your favorite..." You did not have time to bite your tongue before you understood what you said.

"I will kill them …" the redhead drawled, gnashing her teeth with anger.

You didn't want to be in the three girls' skin right now. If someone made Dean of Evil angry, then he had very serious problems which she solved in one way … in a very brutal way. Although, your heart felt warm with how protective she where towards you. You thought she wasn't friendly enough to anyone to protect and look after him. Nobody except you.

"How… How did you find me?" You changed the subject quickly.

"A necklace" she replied, and you immediately glanced at the small pendant she once gave you as a gift.

"Locator?"

"Something like that" she muttered, nodding her head. After a while, her lips stretched into a small smile. "So, some people think you're my favorite?" she asked teasingly, as if casually twirling a strand of your hair on her finger. You felt you blush again.

"Perhaps?" you replied, feeling even more warmth on your cheeks as her smile widened and her eyes darkened.

"Well, it's better for them not to know about the rest of what you are to me, darling" she said, snorting with a smirk on her lips that she pressed against yours. You returned the kiss with satisfaction at the caress. You missed her closeness in the last few days and wanted so much more. "We have to go back. We've been here too long, and I'm sure some of those damn creatures will be here in a moment."

You nervously tightened your fingers on the sketchbook, shifting from foot to foot. The dress you had patched many times shuffled on the littered floor, and the frightened gaze stared at the tall figure in front of you. Here they were. Lucifer, King of Hell, the Devil and Satan. But they didn't look like a red man with horns and a tail. No, they were beautiful. Incredibly beautiful, as Michelangelo's most beautiful sculpture, or even not. No man-made art could match the beauty they portrayed.

"I don't understand" you finally gasped, swallowing hard and trying with all your strength not to drop the book. They were so tall that you had to look up to meet their electric blue eyes. Their huge black wings folded gracefully.

"You have talent, Y/N" they explained in a calm tone, folding their hands in front of them and giving you a small smirk. "Unfortunately, talent is not enough to exist in this world."

"So please tell me. What do I have to do to exist in this world? To gain fame and fortune? Why my talent is not enough?" You asked questions, felt less panicked around them, and felt more curious. You've always been curious and wanted answers to your questions at all costs. Such desperation in you made the smile on Lucifer's lips widen.

"You see, the thing about talents is that a lot of people have them." they replied, slowly approaching you. You had to refrain from stepping back, but you wouldn't have gone far with the wall behind you anyway. "But to get what you want so badly you need a little help. I'll give you a gift. You will be the best tailor for the rest of your life." Lucifer declared temptingly.

"It sounds beautiful, but what is the price for it? I know there is always a price for these things" you asked, remembering all the stories about making contracts. Nothing ever came for free.

"Yes, there is the price, sweet one" they said with chuckle. You felt your cheeks blush at their description of you. "When you die, you will go to Hell and your gift will be taken back. You will have to deal with it yourself, and we will check if you really have talent not only for sewing, but also for survival." Their hand ran lightly over your cheek, and you held your breath at the pleasant sensation it caused. Well, then you did not think about the consequences they revealed to you and you thought much more about all the riches they offered. This life has not been kind for you, and Lucifer's help to change it was too tempting.

"Then we make deal? Pact?" you mumbled quickly, feeling the urge to have all these gifts taking over you. You knew you were greedy, but you were also sure that this opportunity would never happen again.

"Indeed." they nodded, still calm unlike you.

"Do you need my blood? I mean ... I heard that ... I..." you get caught up in words and stress. How could you suggest something so stupid? But Lucifer only smiled, amused by your nerves. It was pretty cute. Which they would never say out loud, at least not then.

"It won't be necessary." they announced, putting their hand on your cheek. You felt your face flush again and your eyes couldn't tear themselves away from their beautiful blue irises. " A simple handshake is enough for you."

Without a word, they took a few steps away from you, which you accepted with dissatisfaction, and extended their slender hand towards you. Have you wondered? No, you didn't hesitate even for a moment. You shook their hand confidently, which made them smile with a satisfied smile that made you feel a little uncomfortable. It all only took a few seconds, but Lucifer's touch was so pleasant to you that it seemed to slow down time.

"Has anything changed?" you asked looking around you. You glanced down at your hands, but they were the same too, except for the memory of Lucifer's touch. "I don't feel anything special." you added, looking back at Lucifer.

"Touch the fabric, needle or thread and you will feel the difference." they explained. Under their gaze you walked over to the table where various sewing materials were spread out. The first thing your hand touched was a pleasant green velvet fabric. You inhaled sharply, feeling the warmth coming from it. You barely refrained from starting a project that suddenly popped into your head. "Can you feel it?" Lucifer asked, and you suddenly felt their close presence behind you. Their chest was touching your back. You felt the warmth coming from them almost the same as when you touched the material.

"Yes." you swallowed nervously at their proximity. Their breath caressed your neck, making you goose bumps. "How it's possible?" you dared to turn around.

But Lucifer did not answer you. They disappeared just as they came here. Unexpectedly and in flames. Leaving you alone to know your gift and finally exist in the world.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After a life of promised fame and fortune, you landed in Hell. Deprived of Lucifer's gift, you were on your own.

It wasn't easy for you at first to climb the ranks in Hell, but Lucifer must have forgotten one thing when they thought about taking their gift from you. Maybe your mind didn't remember how to do it, but your body did. Accustomed to all the tricks it could do, it learned it, and despite taking the gift, you were still able to sew some wonderful clothes you were known for in your lifetime. So you did what you could do best. You sewed. Surprisingly, sewing for demons was almost the same as sewing for humans. First you sewed for ordinary demons, then for those of higher rank, until finally you were noticed again by them.

"Hello, Y/N." they spoke behind you, their presence unmistakable with any other. You smiled under your breath without turning to face them and still bending over the unfolded red material you were just cutting.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." you replied.

"Why so formal?" They asked, being right behind you and bending down to brush their lips against your ear. You needed all your strength not to turn to them. You would know that you would be defeated by them in this little game.

"Maybe I know you love it when I call you that?" you muttered smiling lazily and with a quick movement cutting the material to the end. It was accompanied by the familiar hiss of tearing seams that was like beautiful music to you.

"Mm... I see. " You felt them brushing your hair back from your neck and kissing you gently, making you feel pleasant chills at the gesture. "Is there any reason why you are doing this?" they whispered into your skin. Slowly sliding their hands over your body.

"I just like seeing that smirk on your lips when I call you that." you responded by allowing yourself to look at them. And you actually did see that smirk on their lips. It made you feel warm inside.

"Clever tailor." they muttered teasingly, allowing themselves to comfortably rest their chin on your shoulder. They did it often, and even more often left red marks on it, which told others very well that you belonged only to the Ruler of Darkness. When they left you in Hell, they thought you couldn't handle it. That you would end up like many like you, that you would only be good with their gift, and talent would be nothing. They forgot about you, thinking you must have become a slave, or worse. They were surprised some time later, when they saw you dressed in shiny new clothes, accompanied by one of the higher demons, during one of the meetings. This demon also seemed to dress much better, which made Lucifer put together the facts. You were still a tailor and you worked for him. And despite taking the gift, you still did well.

They may have underestimated you, but they were not going to give you hope that you are just as good without their's help. They were going to find out for themselves. They wanted you to start sewing for them, and they would be ready to do anything to prove to you that you cannot do it without their help.

But they failed. Or maybe they started to feel more anxious about it when their mask began to fade strangely with you. You started to interest them more and more, and they liked your creations and your presence around them, much to their own dissatisfaction. They didn't control it and at some point they just stopped.

"I know, without it, I would have finished badly a long time ago and there would be no one to sew for you." you snorted with amusement, then began marking points on the material for the next cut.

"Very tragic." Lucifer rolled their eyes at your answer. "Well, I'd find someone else to replace you." they added and watched with quiet satisfaction as you react to their words.

"Do you?" you asked raising your eyebrows. Why were you surprised? The answer was obvious, you weren't the only ones eager for this place. Hell has had a surprisingly large number of interesting talent holders. But for you, they were just competition.

"Probably. But I don't think anyone can replace you in this." they said, then bent to press their lips against yours. You deepened the kiss with a smug groan that made their fingers dig into your hips. You knew that with Lucifer it was difficult to control your emotions, so in order not to end your work prematurely, you broke the kiss.

"Why so nice?"you asked, panting slightly against their reddened lips. Yours probably looked like that too, and you were sure that your lipstick was smudged.

"I just like seeing that blush on your cheeks." they replied, and you felt the warmth on your cheeks as if on cue. "Here it is, my sweet one." They ran a finger down your flushed skin. You could stare into their beautiful eyes for years, for eternity, but the love for your work turned out to be stronger this time.

"All right, Lord Tenderness." you quickly disentangled yourself from their grip to circle the large table and find yourself on the safer side so you wouldn't get dragged back into their next frolics. "I still have a job to do. This robe does not sew by itself." when you said it, you pointed to a red robe spread over a mannequin. Maybe it didn't look good yet, but you already saw in your head how good Lucifer looked in this.

"So dedicated to her art, Y/N." they purred, shaking their heads with a smile. Before you knew it, they were in front of you, pinning you to the table. "When you're done, I think you might need a little rest. And I'll take care of you myself."they whispered in your ear, their wings moved slightly as you kind of innocently ran your hand over them.

"Yes, yes." you nodded, still gently stroking their wings and seeing the reaction it had on them. You knew that was their weak point. "But only when I'm finished." This time it was you who whispered to them and then managed to pull away from them. They have taught you so many tricks that you have turned against them many times. How ironic. "You started by making a pact with me, now let me use my skills and pay you back a little." you added, grabbing the scissors and a set of threads, which unfortunately did not warm your skin like in your lifetime, but the mere feeling of having them in your hands was enough. Holding Ruler of Hell in your arms was so much nicer, so you were able to get over this loss... somehow.

Lucifer didn't speak any more, just smiled and let you help them take off their clothes. Then put them in a red robe and let you work with your art.