Ian knew what answer Elise wanted to hear which was the truth. He can hear the sound of her heartbeat, beating irregularly in both nervousness and anxiousness while waiting for his reply. 

"I don't know," Ian honestly told her, confessing the truth. "It is difficult to know whether or not you are cursed. But we do have to look back to the origin of demons to know this answer. Most demons are cursed. Some hold a terrible curse like Caleb or Beelzebub did but most of the time, the lesser demons had a simple curse that won't affect their life. To know whether you are cursed is difficult because only a few high demons are aware of their curse and others doesn't— such as you father and your grandfather."

Elise narrowed her eyes and gave him a slow nod. "Father and grandfather doesn't know their curse?"

"You can ask them but it is known that the king of the kingdom never notice what he had been cursed with. There are many speculations and some times it is said they cursed can be inherited through blood which also mean you have that curse which they have as well. But there is also a possibility that you don't have any curse with you. Considering your maternal's side."

After some silence, Elise said, "It's hard to trust people and it has become more difficult to trust myself. I am not sure if the choices I took was correct or if I had only made a worse future for us."

"Isn't that's why I am here?" Ian held her hand, placing her fingers over his lips, "We can make mistake but we can also fix them together. What makes you ask about the curse?"

"Ernest or was it Apollyon, he spoke about the curse that affect me where everyone around me would die," Elise squeezed her hands together. In her life, she had lost many people she treasured, there are also more people who betrayed her. She wondered if the deaths around her was truly the doing of her curse? What if she had been the one who took their life?

After all, she had done what the oracle told her by killing Ian with her hand. 

Remembering the sight of her bloody hands, Elise shivered and Ian caught her by her shoulders, then leaning his head over hers.

"That's not your curse. Trust me," Ian whispered to her, looking at her eyes to steal her attention from whatever she had imagined that made her fingers tremble. "You know, I am always worried about you, Elise. The moment you became stronger, you always shine the brighter but I always know how the brighter you shine it's caused by how much pain you have suffered and bottled inside you. Your strength doesn't change how much heartbreak you feel. You numb yourself from the pain and seeing that break my heart as well. When I had left, it was the only worry that stayed in my mind. I had to come back to you, that's my definite promise. People can betray us and that's just how cruel the world are but trust in me, trust in yourself for only us who won't betray each other."

Elise felt her heart torn knowing the affection she thought as the sweetest part of her life turns out to be a large lie. But the time she spent with Ian had never once been a lie.

She pulled a wide smile on her lips, "Yes," how can she not love Ian, the man who trust in her more than herself?

"Let's go and find Apollyon. I will proof it to you that you aren't cursed, Elise," Ian had kissed their wedding ring as if putting an oath over it.

On the other side of the castle, Esther sighed while seeing Gabriel. To think Heaven and Hell would be at throat against each other. She walked over Gabriel, her blue eyes studying the angel, "You still look the same," she then whispered.

"I didn't know you know him. Friends?" Beelzebub who had stood against the wall spoke, surprising Esther as she didn't suspect there would be a second person anywhere near her.

Esther turned and looked at Beelzebub who looked annoyed, "Why are you angry?" She questioned first as the anger on his face was severe.

As if her question only further annoyed him, Esther saw him crossing his arm. When he was about to say something he then huffed, "I'm not angry."

"That's precisely what an angry person would always claim like how a drunk person demanding more drinks while stating they aren't drunk yet," remarked Esther before walking nearer toward Beelzebub, "What? Did you see something you don't like?" 

Beelzebub stared at Esther where his red eyes looked deep at her blue eyes, "I see something very pleasant to stare at but heard something very annoying earlier. Answer me. Are you friends with Gabriel?"

Esther frowned. Did this man step on his own toes? Or rip his pants while jumping? His basis to be angry was a puzzle and then he asked about Gabriel, when the angel doesn't concern him.

"Not exactly friends—"

"More than friends?" Beelzebub interrupted, "I remember once hearing about how Gabriel was in love with a demoness but due to his situation, he had to separate with her."

Esther took her time before grasping what was said by Beelzebub. Her heart ache but she didn't question the pain, dismissing it aside before staring at Beelzebub, feeling accused. 

"Are you saying that I am that woman? First it is rude for you to accuse me out of nowhere like that," Esther threw a more annoyed look toward Beelzebub. She didn't understand but hearing Beelzebub's accusation, made her felt deeply angered. "Second, what is it that would become your problem if I am the demoness in question? I don't see how it is any of your business. You should cool down your head," Esther warned him, walking out of the room, feeling gradually more and more angry.

Beelzebub reached out his hand only to stop it and sighed. He narrowed his eyes when a voice spoke beside his ears, 'She ran away.'

Many voices haunted next to his ears, some playful words were thrown, 'Careful, Beelzebub. If she runs away, it might be your last choice.'

And at another time, a darker voice persuaded him, 'Don't you just want to posses her entirely? Body, soul, ah, perhaps killing her would make her forever yours—'

"SHUT UP!" Beelzebub slammed angrily his fist to the wall, creating a dent on the wall. "I don't need and nor do I want her," he chanted as if it was the only way to persuade himself from chasing after Esther. 

Meanwhile Esther who had left the room bite her lips. She could have solved the problem calmly but somewhere along the line, what Beelzebub told her had angered her so much.