Death Defying Book: The Devil Watches

Darius spent his days idly, uneventful thankfully.

His mind drifted from one thought to another. But as the silence stretched, he realized he missed something—Angelina's company.

Tired of these brief greetings... Maybe something more meaningful, something useful, he thought. Resolving to seek her out, he set his plan into motion after breakfast.

---

Downstairs, in a modest kitchen, Angelina stood by a wooden sink, her hands submerged in steaming water. The soft hum of her voice filled the room as she washed dishes, her raven-black hair falling gracefully over one shoulder. The gentle crackle of a nearby hearth added warmth to the scene.

Darius entered quietly, the sight of her catching him off guard. Her porcelain skin glowed in the firelight, and for a moment, he hesitated.

"Darius?" Her voice, gentle yet surprised, broke his trance. A faint blush crept to her cheeks.

"Apologies for intruding," he said, bowing slightly.

She chuckled softly, waving a wet hand dismissively. "It's no intrusion. How are you feeling?"

"Better, much better," he replied, his gaze falling to the pile of dishes. "But... why are you doing this yourself?"

Her smile faltered. "The maids have fallen ill—both of them," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "They were the last."

Darius frowned, stepping closer. "What happened to the others, if I may ask?"

Angelina hesitated, her hands pausing in the water. Darius noticed her unease and reached out instinctively, his hand hovering near her shoulder before withdrawing.

"You don't have to tell me if it's too much—"

"No," she interrupted, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're all in danger. Kragnir itself is in danger."

Her words sent a chill down his spine. Darius remembered the strange darkness he had encountered, the visions of an ominous book.

"It'll be alright," he said, though his voice lacked conviction. "Father's here, and the paladins too…" He trailed off, his own doubts gnawing at him.

Angelina's eyes filled with a quiet sorrow. "The others… They were marked and— taken. By the book."

Darius froze. "The book?" he asked, his voice trembling. "It came through dreams, didn't it?"

She nodded, her worry evident.

Darius exhaled slowly, passing her a glass of water. "Here, drink. You need to keep your strength up."

Angelina shook her head, refusing. "I'm fasting today," she said softly.

"Fasting? Why?"

"To protect you," she replied with a faint smile. "I prayed all night, and I will continue to pray. I cannot allow harm to befall you."

Her words stirred something deep within him—gratitude, warmth, and an ache he couldn't explain.

"Thank you," he murmured.

She simply smiled, turning back to the dishes. But before she could resume, Darius rolled up his sleeves and plunged his hands into the water beside hers.

"What are you doing?" she asked, startled.

"Helping, of course."

"Darius, you'll catch a cold!" she protested, trying to shoo him away.

"And you'll wear yourself out if you keep doing this alone." He smirked. "You've got me now. And no more fasting—you need your strength."

Angelina huffed in mock annoyance. "Which self-respecting woman calls her man to help with dishes?"

Darius chuckled, unfazed. "The kind who knows she deserves a partner, not a spectator."

She stopped her protests, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "Fine, but don't blame me if your hands freeze."

"I'll survive," he said with a grin, working beside her.

As their hands brushed occasionally as they washed the dishes, Darius did his best to keep the mood light. What had once been a mundane chore now felt intimate, a fleeting moment of peace in his— no, their troubled lives.

'I never thought dish washing could be this fun...' He smiled at the thought, wishing this peaceful state will last forever.

The warmth of the water contrasted with the frosty air outside, and the snowfall visible through the window added to the cozy atmosphere.

When the last dish was done, Darius turned to her, bowing dramatically. "It's been an honor working with you, milady."

Angelina laughed, a sound that lit up the room. "What will you do now?" she asked.

He shrugged, leaning against the counter. "How about we have a chat?"

She nodded, and they moved to a small bench near the window, the snow falling softly beyond the frosted glass. For a while, silence reigned, broken only by the crackle of the fire.

"You're truly beautiful, you know," Darius said, breaking the quiet.

Angelina blushed, looking away. "Don't tease me."

"I'm not," he said earnestly. "I know I'm not much right now, but… one day, I'll take you away from this cold place. I'll take you to Witford, where it's warm and full of life."

Her eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. "Witford? Do you promise?"

"I promise," he said, his voice firm. "No matter what, I won't forget you."

She chuckled softly, her eyes glistening. "Then I'll hold you to that promise."

They sat quietly for a moment before Angelina spoke again, her tone serious. "Darius, can you promise me one more thing?"

"Anything," he replied, leaning closer.

"No matter what happens," she began, her voice trembling, "don't let the darkness consume you. Don't… leave me."