Talking

The world was spinning, and, soon, everything became black. 

Mia could hear murmurs in a distance, and within seconds, she was finally able to understand what was being said. 

“She needs to rest!” that was Lily talking. 

“I know, but the Grand Duke is still…”

“I don’t give a damn about him!” Lily said between greeted teeth, irritably. 

“What should I tell him, then?” Mr. Gordon asked, panicking. 

“I…” Mia tried to speak, but someone’s hand was on her shoulder. 

“No, Mia! Stay there!” 

Mia opened her eyes and her vision was still blurred, but she could tell that her little sister was worried. 

“I have to talk to him,” Mia said, and despite her sister trying to hold her in bed, she sat up. “Sorry, Lily, we cannot leave the Grand Duke waiting now, can we?” 

Lily made a face and crossed her arms in front of her chest. 

“He is inconsiderate. He saw you were unwell and yet stayed around. He should have asked someone to come check on you later. That would be the right thing to do!” 

“Unfortunately, Lily, that is not something we can tell him,” Mia said and she got feeling weak, but she had to do what had to be done. “He is not only a noble, but the King’s brother.”

“And that makes him what? God?” Lily didn’t like anyone that could make Mia unhappy, uncomfortable or uneasy. If anyone, no matter who, even the King himself, ever bothered her sister in any way, she would dislike the person immediately.

‘God’. Mia wanted to laugh, but not because it was funny. It was tragic. He was not a God, but another one. But then, how could it be? His parents were humans, his brother was human. And the Devil was far older than humanity. 

“I’ll see what he still wants,” Mia said and left the bedroom. Lily helped her go down the stairs, but as soon as they were on the first floor, Mia turned to Lily and held her hand. 

“Honey, have you seen him?” 

“No. I was at the flower shop when you arrived and I was just drinking something in the kitchen, when Mr. Gordon told me about your fainting. I came directly to your room, but the Grand Duke was not here anymore.”

Mia shook her head, frowning. 

“Oh, My… He was in my room?” 

“Of course. He was the one who carried you there,” Lily said. “At least that bit of courtesy he had.”

Mia felt as if the air in her lungs were not enough. The Devil entered her room? It would be bad enough that a man would enter her private chamber, but not only a man, the Devil himself? Her head was throbbing. 

“True.” She gave her sister a weak smile. “Well, stay here while I deal with him,” Mia asked, because she didn’t want her sister anywhere near the creature. He’d already asked to marry the girl, without even seeing her; if he saw her… his resolution would be far stronger, then. 

“With pleasure. But..” Lily put a hand on Mia’s shoulder and narrowed her eyes. “If he does anything, I’ll teach him a lesson!” 

Mia held back a laugh. Lily was a sweet girl, but if anyone did or said the wrong thing to Mia, she would become a lioness.

“Thank you, my dear.” Mia put her hand on top of Lily’s and patted it, before walking away and entering the living room. 

The Grand Duke was drinking what seemed to be wine and didn’t even look in Mia’s direction. She squinted her eyes at him. 

“Your Grace,” she said and tried to remain sober, keeping her voice neutral. 

“Finally. Not dead, as I can see.” He put the glass on the tea table in front of him and looked at Mia. “That would be a pity.”

‘Don’t roll your eyes, don’t roll your eyes,’ she repeated in her head. 

“Yes. I am quite alive. I believe I should thank you for helping me.”

“Again.”

She swallowed the non-existent saliva inside her mouth. 

“Yes, again.” She still had hopes that she had heard him wrong, before, that what she had heard had been just some tricks played by her own troubled mind, and that he was not the Devil. ‘Not so lucky,’ she said to herself. 

“Ms. Chapman, please. No need for animosity.” He smiled and Mia had to avert her eyes. The bloody creature had a very handsome facade!

She sensed a warmth near her and when she looked forward again, the Grand Duke was there, as charming as one could be, looking at her with his different eyes. 

“I don’t want to give my sister to you. Is there anything else you want?” He smirked and looked her up and down, licking his lips. “I am talking about the deal!” she said, breathing heavily, feeling ashamed. 

“Oh, too bad. I wouldn’t mind being more… friendly with you.” 

Mia inhaled deeply and looked at him seriously, with her chin as high as it could be. 

“Your Grace, or… whatever it is how I should address you as. Can’t we make another deal? I must say that my sister wants to marry for love, and, believe me, she herself is not very fond of you at the moment.”

He put his hand under his chin, as if thinking, and then, he sat back on the sofa. 

“Another deal… I love deals, you must know that. Hmmm.” He seemed to be lost in thoughts for a few seconds, then he looked at her as if he had the most brilliant idea. “I know what we could do. Listen: you said she is too young, then I would wait until she is eighteen; you said she wants to marry for love, then I’ll have to win her heart over. I’ll have two years until she is eighteen to make her like me and be open to accept my official courtship. If she does, I’ll follow tradition and marry her after one year of engagement. How does it sound to you?” 

Mia could hear he was regarding that as a game. Of course, how could it be any different? 

“Sounds fair, but…” She raised her hand to indicate she was not accepting it yet. ”But I have to clarify some things, first.”

“What…things?” 

“First, you cannot use your magical charms on her.”

“‘Magical charms’—I love it.” Mia looked at him with a frown and he closed his mouth, looking at her more seriously. 

“Second, you won’t lie or make any deal with her. Create situations in which you could trick her.”

He narrowed his eyes on her. 

“And you must not try to manipulate her to turn her against me. Which means we must let things follow their natural paths, according to Lily's own choices. You can answer her questions, of course, but never try to make up her mind or beg her not to accept me.” The Devil explained, and Mia thought that was good enough. 

“If you fail, you’ll leave us be, forever.”

“If I win, I’ll marry her, and you, Ms. Chapman, will be the one leaving us.” The Devil smiled at her. “Ah, and one more thing: if you cheat, I’ll make sure you lose everything you hold dear, including your sister, your money and your little orphanage.”

Mia swallowed hard. She couldn’t risk the orphanage. She was not a woman who loved luxury, but the money was essential for her to keep taking care of those poor souls. Helping them to live better. 

“And what if you cheat? May I say I want you to… undo our previous deal?” 

“Fine,” he said and offered his hand for her to shake on. “Deal.”

“Deal,” she said and put her hands in his. His warmth was too much for her. It was like the flames were running through her whole body, under her skin. She saw something flashing in his eyes, but it was so quickly that she told herself it was just her imagination.