C9

As Ramiel perused the pages of the book, his attention was abruptly diverted by a knock on the door.

"Enter," he spoke, directing his focus back to his reading. Skylar entered the room, holding a glass of juice, and immediately discerned the displeasure on his countenance.

"I apologize if I disrupted your studies, but I-" he interjected, cutting her off.

"Place it here," he instructed, without so much as a glance. She promptly deposited the glass, her nerves slightly unsettled.

"I shall take my leave now," she stated, bowing, and turned to depart.

"Did I ask you to leave?" he questioned, his voice cold and stern, causing her gaze to return to him.

"My apologies, your highness," she responded, though, as expected, no reply was given. She regretted coming here; had it not been for Princess Arya's insistence and his insistence on the matter, she would not have bothered to enter this place. Ramiel suddenly cast his gaze in her direction, causing her to start involuntarily.

"Are my eyes deceiving me? His stare is so eerie," she quietly pondered.

"Is something amiss, your highness?" she inquired, feeling a slight breeze brush past her. Ramiel sighed, sensing a presence.

"Hello, Ramiel," a feminine voice emerged from behind. Skylar turned to look, nearly dumbstruck. She beheld a mesmerizing lady, adorned in a crimson gown that bared her shoulders, its thigh-high slit revealing black heels. Her long brown hair cascaded, its tips adorned with luscious waves. Skylar couldn't help but marvel at the abundance of captivating and stunning women present. As she was about to divert her gaze, she froze in her tracks, shocked and terrified. Eventually, she composed herself and shifted her focus downwards as the lady walked past her towards Ramiel.

"Do you miss me, sugar pie?" she cooed, taking a seat at the table, facing him.

"I have explicitly instructed you not to visit me without my consent," he reprimanded, looking up at her.

"I attempted to reach out to you but received no response, and I grew concerned," she replied, displaying a cute expression. She then glanced at Skylar, who had her head lowered.

"And who might this be?" she inquired, her expression exuding disdain and disgust.

"Greetings, I am his highness's maid," Skylar stated.

"Keep quiet, I did not ask you," she snapped, but Skylar disregarded her and averted her gaze.

"Why are you here, Cindy?" he asked, his tone bored and indifferent.

"Of course, I longed for your presence," she murmured while gently touching his cheeks.

"Please go," she commanded, and Skylar was about to leave when she noticed the change in Ramiel's aura. His malicious and chilling energy permeated the atmosphere.

"I'm not in the mood for this," he grumbled, causing her to hastily retract her hands, a look of fear in her eyes. Skylar exited the room without casting a backward glance.

Breathing heavily, she made her way to her room and sat on the bed, memories of what she had witnessed earlier flooding her mind. She knew Cindy, the woman who had caressed Ramiel's cheeks, was devoid of emotions, akin to a lifeless entity, perhaps an ancient demon. Something about her felt unsettling, a familiarity that Ramiel and Damien also possessed. She recalled how Cindy's touch had triggered anger in him.

"It's as if she is his lover. I should have left upon seeing her. They must be engaged in some private affair," she mused, a mischievous smile dancing across her face. Skylar breathed a sigh of relief, removed her shoes, and laid down on the bed.

In Ramiel's study,

"You're still as quick-tempered as ever. Oh, have you suddenly become fond of the timid little creature who fled?" she remarked, her voice tinged with sarcasm. Ramiel wrapped his arm around her waist, pleasing her. She reciprocated by placing her arm around his neck, drawing closer to him.

"Are you suddenly intrigued, my dear?" she purred, her voice husky, her fingers tracing his chest. She smirked, realizing his intentions, and vanished in the blink of an eye. Ramiel closed the book and returned it to the library, then drank his juice in one gulp before leaving. He entered Skylar's room and found her fast asleep, an enigmatic being. He sat on the bed beside her and placed his hands gently on her head.

With a feeble voice, she addressed him as "Your Highness," sitting upright and embracing him. Ramiel was taken aback, well aware of her distress caused by a dreadful dream.

Clutching onto him ardently, she pleaded, "please don't leave," she said sleepy with no intention of releasing her grip.