‘Miina, can I ask you something else, please?’

‘Please Lady Ma-, I mean… Mara, ask me anything.’ Miina’s eyes smiled.

‘Have you ever heard of anyone called Louis here?’

Miina’s eyes went up in thought.

‘I… I don’t know his last name. He would be around our age. Black hair… probably from a rich family? He can use this power, the colours! And he can speak with his mind too.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry Mara, I haven’t heard of him.’

Another moment of silence followed. Hoping to shake her hopelessness, Mara finally acknowledged the dresses. ‘What are those for?’

‘They are for you!’ Miina said, too eager, hardly keeping up the zombie pretence anymore.

‘For me?’

‘They are gowns for tonight’s royal banquet! Mr Mammon ordered us to bring three so you could choose.’

‘A… royal banquet?’

‘Yes! Queen Odiva organises them every month. It is a very high-class event.’

‘Yeah… OK… I’ll not be going to that.’

Miina’s eyes widened. ‘Not going? Are you not feeling well? Was it the food?!’

Mara finished the Miso soup and calmly set the bowl down.

‘It’s nothing like that. My situation is a bit… complicated. I’m here against my will and I’m being asked for things I have no clue how to answer. I’ve not even been outside of this room since I got here… however long that’s been. Perhaps going to this banquet would change the scenery and all, but it would just be another distraction and maybe even send the wrong message about my being here. I have to focus on how to get home.’

Miina nodded ever so slightly and seemed keen to reassure her.

‘Human souls are precious here in Hell. They’re irresistible for consumption. Nobles even use them as part of major negotiations. Major battles are fought because of souls and many die just for a taste one.’

‘I don’t understand... are you saying they brought me here to… consume me?’

‘I don't think so. Lord Lucious and his family don’t need to do that. They are the royal family, pure bloods; they’ve stopped needing to consume souls a long time ago. It’s everyone else around them, nobles mostly. I’m thinking that he’s keeping you here because you are a rare soul and for your own protection.’ Mara didn’t yet know Miina well, but she found the girl observed her with a strange, bewildering look.

‘But then why take me to this banquet? Wouldn’t that be more dangerous to expose me like?’

‘I’m not sure. It is strange. But you would go with master Lucious and Mr Mammon would be nearby too. No noble in their right mind would dare even look at you the wrong way. People will see you as his soul.’

‘Is that why Pox is standing out there? Is it-… is he still out there?’

Miina smiled and nodded. Somehow, it still didn’t reassure her.

‘Miina… why do you say my soul is rare?’

Miina’s expression was serene as she spoke. ‘We all see them differently, but it’s easy to see how unique yours is. It is a flame burning, extremely strong, and has many layers that keep on changing. Not one, but several beautiful burning flames. I’ve not seen one like it before. Most souls that end up here don’t have a flame at all. They are mostly faded and flat.’ Miina’s gaze lingered, as if she observed something in Mara’s core that put her in a trance of sorts.

She slumped. What Miina said would be delightful and even flattering under different circumstances. However, the harsh reality was that she was still being held captive for unknown purposes. Perhaps Lucious saw the same and was coveting her soul and have her reveal secrets she might not even be aware she possessed. Also, if he really wanted to protect her, why bring her to Satan’s lair at all? All of this was hopeless. She just wanted to go home. Her eyes welled up.

‘Mara…’ — Miina tempted, — ‘It will be alright.’

‘We don’t really know that. That man, Lucious, he wants something from me I’m not sure I can give him. He is going to realise that I actually can’t help him and then what’s going to happen? Is he going to have these nobles feed on my soul?’

For a second, Miina seemed lost for words. ‘This man you asked about before, Louis? If he holds the power of the colours as you say, he must be a high-noble.’

‘A high-noble?’

‘If he is, he will be at the banquet. It’s an event for nobility, and if you are looking for him, that is the best place to start!’

Mara rubbed her eyes. Lucious had told her there was no one there by that name. If he was a high-ranking noble, wouldn’t he know about him? Could he have lied? It wasn’t unreasonable to think so.

‘Miina, you’re a little genius!’

‘Lovely! Shall we try some of these dresses then?’

‘Wait, was this your aim all along? To get me to try these?’

Miina’s smile could not hide her eagerness.

‘I wasn’t really made for fancy gowns. — She sighed. — ‘They never fit me well. Can we wait a while longer? I also ate too much just now.’ She said, caressing her stomach.

‘… that was a lot of food.’ Miina nodded.

‘I’m used to curling up with my dog after meals like this. I really miss him. Shiro. This is the longest we’ve been apart. I wish I knew at least that he was alright.’

‘I’m sure he is. Lord Lucious is the kindest in the royal family. He wouldn’t just leave your dog unattended.’

Mara gave her a dubious look. Associating kindness with her captor was something impossible for her. He did not show one ounce of goodwill or concern for her; not at first, and definitely not after the last time she saw him. Worse, he tried to subdue her with his weird power! If he was the kindest one in his family, she hoped she’d never have to meet the rest of them.

***

Mammon stood behind the slightly ajar door, but decided he had intruded enough. He moved away a few steps and held his chin in thought. If Lucious was to get anywhere with Mara, he would have to meet her halfway. Just like them, the girl seemed just as clueless about her mysterious power. Forcing her to cooperate would not get them anywhere.

He finally noticed Pox shifting his weight where he always stood and staring down at his with a raised eyebrow. People used the mind talk secretly, so not to be overheard by others, but Mammon somehow found his way around that. He gave Pox a sunny smile and pressed his index finger on his lips.

‘No harm done. Sometimes one cannot idly wait for the fruit to ripen on its tree.’ — He sighed. — ‘Seems I’ll be making a trip up above.’

Pox grunted.

‘Hmm, unsightly, I know. Alas, it must be done.’