After the tragedy that occurred that night, blinking one bit did not even infiltrate Seraphina's head for her mind still cannot grasp what Zachary just executed.

Even the girls in the boarding school began to detect Seraphina's sudden change of behavior. How her mind can't seem to concentrate much on the orations, how her desolate emerald eyes were fastened on the bland view outside.

When the history professor called her name, asking Seraphina such a question she, with no doubt, can answer even with her eyes closed, Seraphina, laggardly, for the first time, shook her head, her eyes remained on the scenery outside.

They knew something is amiss with Seraphina, the girl who can't seem to shut up during the discussion, whose eyes will always be planted on the professor in front, her journal always crammed. Unquestionably, she is not herself today.

Despite Seraphina's abrupt change of behavior today, not a single girl approached her, asking her what's wrong because they knew what happened to her last friend.

Of course, the news got out. Seraphina's only friend in the boarding school last year suddenly disappeared along with her handsome brother for an unknown reason. Alongside with that, they were no dumb about Seraphina's intriguing relationship with the handsome and rich bachelor Dorian Canning.

They knew Seraphina's not someone you should befriend for she certainly brings trouble.

It was Saturday, the following day when Seraphina was suddenly awoken by her aunt whose eyes were traveling around her chamber, shaking her head in disappointment.

Seraphina felt no energy to argue or even come up with a decent excuse behind her chaotic room. Instead, squinting her eyes, she gaped at her aunt whose arms are crossed. In just one snap, Seraphina hid under her covers, forcing herself to go back to sleep despite her aunt's extensive uproars.

"Goodness gracious, your room looks like a zoo," exclaimed Aunt Veronica, her eyes lingering on Seraphina's garments lying on the wooden floor and the sleeping wears draped in the chair.

Seraphina remained hidden behind her cover, eyes still closed, Aunt Veronica's banters inaudible in her head.

Letting a soft sigh, Aunt Veronica gathered the clothes on the floor, placing it in a weaved basket in the corner near the nook.

"Go and take a bath, Seraphina, today's Jane's death anniversary," was what Aunt Veronica yelled which made her niece's drowsy emerald eyes open wide, and sat straight in that raucous bed of hers.

Mentally denouncing herself, Seraphina cannot believe she forgot Dorian and Zachary's late mother, Mrs. Jane's death anniversary. For the record, this is the first time she forgot Mrs. Jane Canning's death anniversary.

Heading straight to the bathroom, Seraphina already knew where they're heading to.

What Aunt Veronica next pronounced somehow made Seraphina frown yet made her frustrated at herself at the same time.

"Hurry up, Zachary is waiting downstairs," Of course, he's coming. It's his mother we're talking about. How foolish of Seraphina to even think she is coming along with her aunt ever since Mrs. Jane's death, they, together with Dorian and Zachary had been going to the necropolis.

Still dressed in her customary black frock, Seraphina only mustered, tipping her head ever so slightly as soon as she briefly met the devil's stares.

Frankly speaking, she has no intention of acknowledging his presence if only her aunt wasn't peeking.

"Sorry for the long hold up, dear," repented Aunt Veronica to Zachary, accepting his hand to help her ascend the carriage.

When it was her turn, Seraphina's eyes were fused in the ground, feeling Zachary's stares stabbing right into her.

In her peripheral vision, she could perfectly see that extended hand of his yet she deluded not to see it for she huddled her thick skirt in a very unfeminine manner, climbed the carriage all by herself which earned her a sermon from her aunt.

"No wonder you're not married yet, no lady should gather her skirt, her ankles showing and get on the carriage like a barbarian," screeched Aunt Veronica for the whole excursion towards the cemetery.

Seraphina was crouching next to her furious aunt, Zachary sitting right in front of Seraphina.

The entire time, Seraphina's eyes are on outside, her mouth shut, Aunt Veronica's consistent lectures audible, Zachary's stares planted on her.

Not once during the trip did Seraphina leave her eyes on the dull scenery outside and shifted her attention to the devil who kept staring at her. His face was emotionless which made her frustrated even more for it seems like she doesn't even have an ounce of regret for what he did the last time he barged into her unwanted chamber.

By the time the three of them reached Mrs. Jane's grave, it was Aunt Veronica who teared up once again, conveyed a brief prayer. Zachary plopped a customary basket filled with red roses in his mother's grave.

As Aunt Veronica was distracted in her overflowing tears, perhaps in little reminiscing as well, Zachary stood beside Seraphina which stimulated Seraphina to move a bit.

However, he remained annoying and hard headed since he, too moved, pursued her.

With that, Seraphina bestowed Zachary such a mean look, mouthing the words, 'What do you want?'

'Sorry' mouthed Zachary back, arising in an eye roll of Seraphina yet in the back of her mind, she cannot imagine the devil himself had the guts to enunciate such words for she had never seen him apologize ever. Not even when he had quarreled with Dorian and even his mother.

Zachary was about to say, rather mouth more when Aunt Veronica faced the two of them, wiping her tears, declaring today's agenda in the cemetery has come to an end.

Elated, Seraphina flashed a relieved smile to her aunt for she cannot wait to go back to her chamber, escaping Zacahary's intimidating blazing blue eyes.

"But it'll be kind for the both of you to accompany me in the town's market," Aunt Veronica added, her eyes on Zachary, it was as if she practically doesn't care about her niece's say regarding it.

Grunting, "What are you going to buy there?"

"I heard from Mrs. Seymour that there's a new stock of ribbons and laces today," answered Aunt Veronica to her frustrated niece.

"Well, we could buy it tomorrow," proposed Seraphina, urging herself to look I don't know, somehow kind to make her aunt concede.

However, that rotten strategy of hers ceased to function for Aunt Veronica hastily dismissed her, "Nonsense, the others might buy it now, besides, all you do all day is sleep like a cavewoman,"

"Have a little sunlight, dear," added Aunt Veronica and so, the decision of heading to the town's market would wholly rely on Zachary.

Obviously, he'll declare, "It would be a great idea to accompany you, Aunt Veronica,"

With that, Aunt Veronica patted Zachary's arm, saying, "That's my boy," which made Seraphina roll her eyes heavenwards.

The entire time Aunt Veronica was busy scouring the store for such ribbons, the manager attending her, Seraphina was left all deserted with Zachary.

Bluffing to be pretty busy in searching for some ribbons she honestly has no interest in, she could extremely feel the devil's gleaming blue eyes behind her.

That's why it stunned Seraphina why she almost jumped from her spot when she felt a warm hand on the shoulder seeping through her skin.

Seraphina confronted Zachary with such resentment. Perhaps, she couldn't tolerate it anymore since she found herself pulling his waxed blond hair very concisely just to release her stored frustration.

When she glanced at Zachary, his face was filled with regret and amusement. Seraphina doesn't know what to think more of him. Is he sorry or is he mocking her?

She knew Zachary was on the verge of saying something for he opened his mouth when she began walking around the store, pretending to be captivated with the laces and fabrics once again, still hearing Zachary's footfalls behind her.

"I am truly sorry for what I did the other night, Seraphina. It was stupid of me to do that, not only because it's wrong but also because I know you already had a horrid experience of it in the past," apologized Zachary, still walking behind her.

In the mention of that, Seraphina glared at him, surprised how he knew of what arose considering that was maintained as a secret between the Headmistress, her and Dorian.

Fluttering her eyes for a second, Seraphina let out a sluggish and frustrated sigh. Even her aunt did not know of it. She cannot believe Dorian would tell his brother about this since it was Dorian himself who vowed not to say anything about it.

Seraphina ceased in her tracks, her back still facing him, "Mr. Canning, don't you get tired of this endless banter with us? It's best if you would just stay away from me,"

Zachary, as well, halted and was silent for a second when Seraphina heard his footfalls again, felt his warm hand on her black frock on the shoulder, mumbling the words, "I'm afraid I would do no such thing, my love," his parched lips tickling her earlobe, sending chills down her spine.

"Besides, your body doesn't quite like what you just said," added the devil himself, his lips still melted on her earlobe, his calloused hand lightly wrapped around her waist.

"I still haven't forgotten how much of a devil you were that night, Mr. Canning so don't act like this," roared Seraphina, clenching her dress.

Slightly dipping her head, his brow lifted in mockery, his hand still around her abdomen, "like what?"

Eyes rolling heavenwards, "like a hungry sexy lover who is into tempting someone yet would not really force her,"

Seraphina, at the back of her mind, commenced uttering profanity to herself for a thousand times for she cannot believe she would announce such a thing.

She can't believe she just dubbed the man sexy. 'Argh! Lord, please take me with you already,' prayed Seraphina.

Zachary, of course, sexily snickered at what the beautiful woman in his arms declared. Her cheeks in the hue of roses.

"I didn't know you think of me in that way, Sep," murmured Zachary, his calloused thumb running up and down her cheek, heightening her blush.

On the verge of rebutting and definitely slapping him across the face for such ungentlemanly deed, Aunt Veronica came into the view, compelling Zachary and Seraphina to act as if nothing happened, a smile plastered in her face, oblivious of what occurred between her niece and godson.

To begin with, Zachary is far from being a gentleman though those who don't know him as she does, they hail Zachary as nothing but the golden boy. Handsome rich bachelor.

The journey back to the boarding school was excruciating, Seraphina pretended once again not to notice Zachary's gapes throughout the journey despite how she could still feel his lingering hand around her waist and lips on her earlobe. That alone gave rise to her frustration even more.

All this while Aunt Veronica preceded her continual chatter about what she just purchased to herself.

As soon as they reached the boarding school, Seraphina hurriedly planted a kiss on her aunt's cheek, all while Zachary rapidly left the wagon, probably thinking of opening the door for her.

Too bad for as soon as she bid farewell to her aunt, Seraphina quickly unlocked the door, and look and behold, there stood the devil himself tall, extending his hand towards her.

Despite how she knew how Aunt Veronica would react, Seraphina, once again, compiled her black skirt, and got down the carriage all by herself, ignoring Zachary's hand.

Seraphina began strolling towards the boarding school when she felt Zachary's clasp around her wrist, interrupting her for a second, "You can't keep acting like this," his voice filled with authority.

Too bad, Seraphina doesn't particularly care about any of that for she sent such dagger stares to Zachary, replying, "and you can't keep acting like a perverted psycho, Mr. Canning,"

With that, she brushed off his hand and made her way inside, still feeling his touch all over her body, frustrating her. She definitely needs a warm bath later.

If you think Bath had enough of a gruesome murder, the night watch of the cemetery was reported missing. After a few days of searching around the city, who would've thought they'll find him buried right in the very cemetery he is guarding.

When the authorities found him, his eyes were pulled from his eyes. His teeth all pulled out and even his tongue, his gum all bloody and even chopped into half. His head almost broke into two, it was as if his head was repeatedly hit by a shovel.

One of the girls in the dormitory knows the man personally since he had been their manor's chauffeur many years ago.

She also commented on how that man brought chills to her, reassuring the girls that he did not sexually harass her but was ultimately creepy. Always going out with the carriage without her parents' approval and sometimes, when he is driving for her, she would sometimes see dead animals and knives inside.

However, when he went home on a day with a missing ear and was all bloody, her parents fired him immediately.