Elise closed her eyes when she recalled Carmen had died in front of her eyes. She tried not to think as the memory could trigger many of her emotions that could trigger her power. To see Ian closer helped her to get in check with her emotions and she was thankful at time like these Ian never failed to appear.

Ian touched her cheeks, as if he was trying to shake his warmth for her which she needed the most, "What are you apologizing for?"

"I didn't heed to your words, I thought everything would be okay..." whispered Elise. "I saw a death shadow again from a knitting sticks that I found in Vella's room. I thought I needed to help, but I shouldn't have done that," she squeezed her hands together. "Now I know what I did only made the situation worse."

If she didn't come, Vella wouldn't be harmed and she wouldn't need to bear the guilt of killing her friend. Or perhaps if she didn't come to White Mansion, all of this never would never happen? The Ifs frightened Elise. The more she thought of it, the more she felt herself sinking to a black abyss where everything she did so far was wrong.

"Maybe that was how everything should have gone. She died, which mean the vision you saw turned to reality all according to how her life has been drawn. It's not your fault, Elise. It would never be," he held her hand and although she was afraid to touch him, she saw that her power had closed off. 

Ian could sense Elise was in verge of breaking. To be a reason for another's death was never been easy especially for Elise. If she learn in the future people who are close to her died because of her and the curse of being a Sweet Child, he could see how Elise's heart would break to pieces. Before that happen and before Elise learn her curse, she would need to be stronger.

"But Carmen," said Elise but she shook her head. She didn't like herself drowning in self pity. She was sad, and feels this was part of her fault but she wouldn't let the sadness beat herself into it. "I feel scared."

"What are you afraid of?" Ian came closer, his eyes staring at her blue ones without leaving as if he would afraid that when he did, Elise would disappear, "I'm here aren't I now? I might be late but I promise I will never be late again."

Elise shook her head, "You were not late."

"Then don't be frightened. I can do everything to protect you from whatever that scared you," Ian tilted his head his smile widening, "I'm a Demon did you forgot? It's my forte to grant other's wishes, but for you I only need one repayment."

"I thought you would say you wouldn't need one," smiled Elise.

"But nothing in this life is free, is there?" Ian was correct, she thought. "It's a simple one. Very simple but in this world there is only you who could do this."

Elise was curious with the words Ian said that made it seem like she was the only one for this wish, "What is it?"

"Stay by my side, despite everything," Ian smiled when their eyes met, "That's all, simple and easy, don't you think sweetheart?"

"Despite everything?" Elise questioned his words, "But I will be by your side forever."

"You haven't seen all of me yet, that's why for now all I want from you is that you don't run. That's my only demand for you."

"I will not run," Elise wondered why Ian thought she would run. She felt that there was no way for her wanting to run. It was because she had been captured. Since the first time they met, she felt her heart captured by Ian's red eyes.

"I'll keep your words. Do you know how hurt I was when you backed away earlier?" Ian pouted over her, looking disappointed at the action she made.

"That was because I activated my power without will and I thought it would hurt you," Elise was out if words and she quickly said, "I'm sorry."

"I never knew you love to say sorry this much. All you've been telling me is sorry, you know," Ian pulled her hand. His fingers filled the gaps made between hers and he pulled his hand up, "I would like it better if you say something more lovely, like thank you or I love you. Next time, even if you hurt me don't deny my touch. I told you that I will not die."

"But you can't be sure," she answered. Ian might have the power not to be affected by her power, but she didn't know to what extent.

"It seems you don't understand it yet," Ian hummed, his eyes looking away, "I can show you a demonstration but that would make you traumatized. Just trust in me, okay sweetheart? Even if a sword pierce my heart I will not die and this isn't a metaphor. Feel this," Ian pulled her hand to place it over his chest.

Elise felt the soft touch before she felt that there were no beats over his skin. This frightened Elise and she got closer. Pushing herself she leaned the side of her face to hear there was no sound of heartbeat from Ian's chest. 

"Your heart..." Elise stared at his eyes that curved in a witty smile, "It's not beating."

"That's why I told you I can't die, Elise. I'm cursed, to never die forever, no matter what  circumstances it was." 

"Cursed? Does this have to do with you being a Demon?" Elise's question brought a hint of a wider smile over Ian.

"Hm, it is but that's another story." Once again Elise felt her interested piqued high to her fingertips only for Ian to leave her hanging at the peak without giving her the continuation she needed. "For now you need to sleep," Ian pushed himself from the bed and pulled the quilt to cover her body.

"I don't think I could sleep yet," Elise pushed the quilt back to her knees, thinking that she needed to meet Vella and she her condition.

"And faint?" Ian asked her for Elise to look at him back with a defeated look, "You know I can never say no to you especially with that begging expression you have, but this is out of the question," Ian reached out his hand over her eyes, "Go back to sleep, my love." He whispered the words gently to her ears, and as if Ian had used magic, Elise felt her eyes growing heavy to close shut.

But the stubborn Elise refuses to sleep a little, "How can someone... come back alive?" she asked.

Elise saw the moment she asked, Ian's eyes that she peeked a glance through the gaps of his fingers, flickered, "They can't. Never."

When Elise's head fell to the side, Ian pushed her body, bringing her head up to pull a pillow underneath without forgetting to cover her from the cold, with the quilt. He then stared at Elise's face which looked beautiful to his eyes. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to her forehead before standing up.

Closing the door behind him, his eyes then fell at Maroon, "Where was the magic circle?"

"Inside the maids' room, milord," replied Maroon. The butler had always looked pale and with him standing without moving made him more like the wall.

"Call Austin and Cynthia back. Tell them to stand by and protect Elise." Maroon bowed heeding to his words. Without another word, Ian left.