Posh interior of crystal chandeliers, heavy drapes, pristine white tablecloths and polished floor. A platform for the orchestra, which filled the place with a nice slow violin score. Tables laden with exquisite food and drinks. Jun's father spared no expenses when he had to throw a party.
The ballroom gradually filled with guests just as posh during the next half an hour. Jun was standing to the side near the tables and was rubbing his wrist discreetly. He shook a lot of firm grips and exchanged a lot of meaningless words with people that he didn't care for. However, the one that he did care for - his demon servant was nowhere to be seen, nor did he respond to the telepathic messages Jun was sending him. He adjusted his collar and decided to take a sip of the punch. He was barely able to taste the fruity texture when he noticed someone approaching him in the corner of his eye. Her step was fast and her frilly, silky dress rustled with each movement. He emptied half of his glass in a hurry and looked over to his fiancé Amy. She had a frown and her face was red, something must've happened.
"There you are." She huffed in her flawless British accent. "Pour me some as well, please."
"It's nice to see you too..."
Jun mumbled and poured her the drink, which she quickly snatched from his hand. She hesitated for a second before drinking.
"Is it spiked?" There was concern in her voice.
"No." Jun crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned with his back against the table.
"Good."
She took a healthy gulp which was definitely not ladylike as she used to be. She sighed once the glass was empty and put it on the table with a loud clank. It was as clear as a day that she was upset over something. Jun didn't feel like asking her what it was, but he knew she'd throw a fit later about him not caring. Even going as far as to tell father, who in return would lecture him for hours.
"What's wrong? Did a bee sting you?"
He couldn't resist to pick on her. If he had to suffer through her complaints, then at least with a small bite back. She inhaled sharply and for a moment Jun could swear that she looked like a bird puffing its feathers, by how the frills expanded around her chest and shoulders. And then she exploded.
"Very funny! I was greeting McCornick, when he said the pink dress looks lovely on me. Does this look pink to you!? Does it!?"
She grabbed the folds of her attire and shook in anger, as if to show it to him better. Jun already regretted asking, but he had no choice as to play along, as petty as it was.
"O-of course not, it's..."
"Salmon! I'm not a little girl anymore to wear pink! URGH, that obnoxious cretin!"
"Well, you're still seventeen, so maybe-..."
"Don't you DARE to side with him, fella!"
She leaned in closer with her finger pointed at him, which made him raise his arms in a surrendering manner and lean back slightly, like a cornered criminal. He knew what will come next.
"It's bad enough that I can't even wear my high heels in your vicinity, because it makes me look taller than you! And you're 6 years older than me! Who saw a husband being shorter than his wife?"
Amy was throwing a fit over his build like an broken record. Jun glanced to the side and found a snarky comeback line.
"Well hey, look at Mr. and Mrs. Price over there, he's almost half her size and they seem to be very happy together."
He shrugged but that only made her angrier. She stomped with her foot.
"I don't want that!"
Some people nearby looked over at the bickering couple. They both weren't happy with their parents arranging a marriage without their consent, but there was nothing they could do. Once Amy would turn legal, the wedding would follow soon after, which was in less than one year from now on. Jun turned to the punch bowl and poured some in her glass again.
"Shh, jeez, woman... Here, have another sip."
"Why can't you just be taller and dignified like-like... oh my..."
She turned around to find a good example of an alpha male to compare with Jun, when her voice suddenly changed in tone.
"Who's that fine man?"
Amy seemed impressed, and when Jun looked up, he instantly knew why.
There he was, his demon servant blending in with the crowd as if being one of them, and yet his aura was different. And he looked different - his hair was neatly slicked back, with few strands falling free over his right eye, and he was rocking a navy blue uniform with black and golden details, with a white ascot and white gloves. A classy dandy look that could make every woman swoon... and some men too, if not making them jealous.
He was chatting with Jun's father for a moment before he looked over at his master. He ended the conversation with a gentle bow and made his way towards Jun.
"He- he's going in this direction!"
Amy flushed red, flustered and not sure how to react. She looked left and right as if looking where to hide, while Jun just stared at his demonic servant, stunned.
"Good evening, Jun."
Juto said in a calm tone after he approached him nonchalantly and shook his hand.
"G-good evening..."
Jun mumbled back. The demon eyed the young man up and down and smirked, pulling Jun closer and whispering to his ear.
"I'm flattered that you took my advice. Crimson red goes well with that blush."
Jun instantly stepped back, flushing even more red, but he quickly regained his composure. Almost.
"You took your sweet time, didn't you?" He put his hands to his sides, like an angry wife.
"Did you miss me that much?" The demon gave him a cheeky smile.
"Ahem..."
They both looked over at Amy. She took a step towards Jun and held to his arm, but her gaze was stuck on the blonde dandy.
"Um, love, who's that amazing man? Could you please introduce us?"
Her attitude from a moment ago diminished completely, as if nothing happened. Jun cleared his throat and gestured at the tall man.
"Uhh, yes, well... This is Juto L-... Lovarice...?"
"Lovelace." The demon corrected him. Jun quickly continued.
"Right, and this is Amy Williams... my fiancé."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady."
The demon dropped a generic line and bowed, taking Amy's hand into his and placing a kiss on the back of her gloved palm. She sighed quietly and put her free hand on her cheek, mesmerized with the man in front of her.
"I have to say you look lovely in this-..."
"SALMON! IT'S SALMON!"
Jun tensed up and screamed in his mind, hoping that Juto won't make the same mistake and let her blow up all over again.
"...exquisite dress. Salmon is a nice gentle color to go with your lover's aggressive crimson."
"Ooh, what a sharp, charming man."
She was melting from his words alone and Jun exhaled in relief, after noticing he was unconsciously holding his breath.
"Nice save."
The demon sent a mental message to his master.
"Don't mention it."
The young man responded in mind.
"Though I have to admit that Juto is such an... unusual name."
"Yes, well..."
The small talk between the dandy demon and Jun's fiancé continued. Jun wasn't particularly interested, so he just focused on examining the demon's attire up close. Up till now Juto used to wear casual black clothes - pants and a shirt which was embroided with gold threads on the cuffs, pockets and shoulders. And he liked to keep the shirt unbuttoned halfway through, boldly exposing his wide chest. His hair was always a little ruffled in the back and the bangs loosely draped over the right eye. Seeing him so formal and tidy was a pleasant surprise.
Jun looked up again and his eyes stopped on a brooch that adorned the ascot. It was a simple design, with a round gemstone in the center, but somehow once he noticed it, it was hard to look away from it. Actually, the more he did, the noise around started to gradually fade away, multiplied by an echo and the details around began to blur. All that existed in his mind was that brooch that changed colors and seemed to whisper something.
Suddenly he heard an unknown word that felt like a cold slap to the face, and he snapped out of the strange trance, returning to reality. He gasped and looked up at Juto holding his arm, a few steps away from Amy.
"You alright?"
"I... what happened? I feel woozy..." Jun rubbed his forehead, feeling that he broke out in cold sweat.
"You looked at the brooch, didn't you?"
"Y-yes, how did you-..."
"It's enchanted."
The demon let go of his arm and brushed the jewelry sitting on the ascot. Jun blinked.
"Huh?"
"You know how I can't manipulate minds. So I brought this with me to help me influence peoples minds. It's not as effective as a skilled illusionist, but works well enough it seems..."
He paused seeing a concerned look on Jun's face and he knew what goes through his mind.
"Don't worry, I put a spell on you that broke the charm, it won't mess with you anymore, see?"
The demon leaned forward to demonstrate that there's nothing to be afraid of anymore. Jun looked away at first, then reluctantly gave it a squinty look, but Juto was right, nothing happened. It was just a piece of jewelry to him now.
"You spaced out and your eyes were diluted, so I took you to the side. Feeling any better?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"Speaking of which, it was hard to obtain it, which is why I arrived a bit late."
"I see now."
"Is everything alright?" Amy approached them with a concerned look.
"Yes, the champ is all good now!"
He laughed and gave Jun a pat on the back, and the master noticed that the demon is eyeing the food behind him. Like right on cue, a familiar voice called for Jun from the crowd. His father made a beckoning gesture, and the young man hunched a little, rolling his eyes. He had enough of squeezing hands and pretending to be engrossed in small talk for tonight.
"Not again..."
"Stop complaining, it's your duty to be a good host."
Amy slapped Jun's back and he immediately straightened up. She took his arm and pulled with her.
"And as your future wife it's my duty to make sure you do it right."
"Help!" Jun screamed in his mind "And your duty is to save my ass!"
He looked over at his demon servant who was about to grab a bite of the tempting food.
"I'm sorry, but she's right. Do what you have to do, you'll know where to find me."
Juto replied in mind.
"At least take her away from me until I'm back!"
"Alright. Until you're back."
The demon stepped in and put his hand on Amy's shoulder, stopping her. The two humans looked up at him.
"It's alright, he will handle it just fine. Let's not strip him from his dignity."
Juto spoke in a soft tone and had a faint devilish smile when he said the last part.
"...I suppose."
Amy replied after a moment of hesitation and released her lover's arm. Jun squinted his eyes.
"That last part was unnecessary, you know..."
"Let us continue our conversation from before, my lady."
The demon wrapped and arm around her shoulder and bowed forward, flashing his enchanted brooch it in front of Amy's eyes. Her gaze became hollow for a moment before she agreed happily.
"Well then, if you two may excuse me..."
Jun sighed and shuffled towards his parent.
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