#shugarl

As neither of them knew the nature of the ‘contract’ that summoned him to the mortal realm, Shugarl wasn’t one to take unnecessary risks. An assassin had made their way into the castle and there lay in wait a Shinigami that they couldn’t see. Only those contracted to him or those he allows to see him were able to bare witness to his visage.

Without knowing what had killed them, the assassin dropped to the ground with very little sound. With a beating heart clasped firmly in hand, Shugarl wraps a handkerchief around it and tosses it aside before he wipes the blood off his hand.

The heart was tossed unceremoniously onto Nunnally’s bed. This felt more fitting for a Demon, wouldn’t you agree? Bored, Shugarl leaves through the window to admire the moon from a higher vantage point.

Something wrapped in the handkerchief on her bed? The princess is interested. Excited even. Has Shugarl finally decided to give her something…? A present in return? For the White Day? Though the gift looks suspicious… Is that blood on the handkerchief…? But that doesn't stop Nunnally. Although perhaps it should. She opens the present (yes, she still thinks it is what the packages is), and sees…

…Nunnally screams…

…one time…and then again and again…

“Is that a…heart…!?” – she feels a knot forming in her stomach; whatever that is now is tossed on the floor. Nunnally's hands are red...

Nunnally starts to shiver. Frantically. Her breaths are quick and shallow. Perhaps she should have guessed this is a present from a certain demon, but this possibility doesn't come to her mind. Not now anyway.

She wouldn’t expect him to simply leave something…like that on her bed.

Her chambers are soon filled with guards, and soldiers, and she is being temporarily placed in another part of the palace. Guarded. She is frightened. The princess wonders ‘who’ and ‘why’ is trying to send her a message. Tears roll down her cheeks; what has she done? Yes, she is aware that might have happened anytime in her life. In theory she has been prepared, but in reality…?

…in reality she is curled behind the big bed in her new bedroom; the curtains drawn. It’s dark. No lights. She doesn’t want it. Her slender body is shaking in the silent sobs. Why does she feel like a hunted animal?

And where is Shugarl? She’s not sure why she thinks about him? He’s a demon that doesn’t really want to have anything to do with her. But, somehow, she’d feel safer if he were here with her. Probably he could protect her. But would he? Wouldn’t her death end their weird bond and he’d be free to go back to…to wherever he belongs…?

She is so lonely. Protected. But always lonely. She should probably call her maids. Take a bath. Clean her face. Show the brave princess to the world. She’ll do it. Surely, but just in a few moments. She just needs a few more moments to gather her courage back. Nunnally knows that. She is not ready. But she will soon be.

She has to. SHE HAS TO.

Continued // @mathlovershugarl

“So I’m not even the tiniest bit special to you?” – the princess asks, pouting  –  “After all we’ve been through, after you've saved my life, that’s hurtful. It stings deeply.” – Nunnally’s annoyed, but less than she’s showing him. Part of her knows she means nothing to a demon like him; another part, odd as it may seem, regrets it, because Shugarl is her way out. Her only friend. Someone who won’t sell her out; someone she doesn’t have to pretend in front of (though she still sometimes puts on an act; like now, out of habit).

“And people are less fragile than they appear. Yes, an individual is easy to lose, but we are durable…as a whole.” – she folds her dress to make it look pretty, a gesture meant to hide her embarrassment.

The Demon reads the handwritten note and raises an eyebrow. What a silly human celebration. What an interesting celebration that he could consider bringing back to Hell. Imagine bestowing a heart to someone you’re indebted to? The fresher the heart, the better. Removing his cigarette from his mouth, he uses the smoke to ‘write’ in the air. It was one of his abilities, to run calculations based off coordinates and the movement of energy to summon a portal. Unfortunately, he couldn’t pass through the portal back into Hell given he was bound by contract, but he could toss the gift through the portal so it would be waiting for him back at home. A reminder to adopt the celebration in Hell when he’s finally free from his Demon obligations here.

When Shugarl sees her again, he makes no mention of the gift he received. It wasn’t very Demon-like to give thanks for such trifles. Besides, she said to not twist the meaning of the gift, and the best way of doing so was to simply pretend it didn’t happen.

She is disappointed when he chooses to ignore her gift and her kindness. Because that was an act of kindness and good manners, wasn’t it? No matter that it was also a joke (or a tease, but that is not something the princess would admit). Nunnally is not going to allow that her actions (or her kindness or playfulness) to be met with such an (insolent) silence.

So, she sits and looks at him; pretending to be busy with reading a book. But, indeed, Nunnally is idly turning its pages. Finally, the princess looks at "her Demon"; at this creature connected to her in a way she doesn’t understand: --

“I trust you enjoyed your gift…” – her voice is soft, and no! there are no undertones in it. No irony, no sarcasm, no nothing. Just honest curiosity. Nunnally flips another page of her book – “So, what do you think about such a celebrations?” – she isn’t going to tell him that - as a princess - she doesn’t truly involve herself in it. If she was to give a card, or a box of chocolate, or anything of that sort at all, the courtiers would try to look for a secretive meanings; messages that are not there. So it’s easier not to. Gifting a card to demon like himself was the first time Nunnally could join the celebration. But Shugarl is never to learn about it.

Nunnally is excited; but she again turns a few pages before she finally finds the right words to continue.

“But it is only the first part of it. The second is actually funnier. You are to give me a gift back in exactly one month. As a thank you gift for what you have just received.” – that is not completely right, but he would not know. And she wants her gift! She truly does! Again that would be her first time, if he wishes to entertain her.