Even her feather-light touches sent a shot of desire through him. Queen and he had never been close, he admired her from afar as she belonged to the King. No matter her cowardice and decision not to stand up as Queen of light, she was fiercely loyal to ones she loved and she loved the King.

And yet here he was sitting next to Delia as she added few last touches to the painting. It was four in the morning when they both completed the work. In contrast to him torturing her, he was helping her complete her project and sacrificing his sleep.

But never had he felt so refreshed without the sleep. He noticed the slightly chirpier Delia around him, the one who hummed and smiled, the ones whose eyes sparkled, the one who momentarily forgot all the pains and burdens in the world.

And at that moment, his gaze was stuck on her. All his thoughts focused on one thing: kissing her.

Just maybe, maybe this was insanity.

When the painting was then, her hands, her clothes were stained with colors and Devian couldn't help but imagine her as a canvas splattered with random colors surprisingly set right and made it look beautiful.

As she admired the work for a moment, a smile formed on her face and she turned to Devian, "You are amazing."

Obviously, that was meant as a praise to his paint technique in such a short period but her compliment made his stoic heart flutter inside him just like the time when Queen was in awe of his impeccable archery skills.

"It's your idea, Delia, I just painted it." He said modestly.

She just shook her head with a small smile at his modesty on his talent.

"You still don't think I am weird." She confirmed not meeting his eyes and busying herself with the cleaning instead.

And Devian thought for a moment how he should answer that. Why would she think that she is weird?

"Why would you ask that Delia?" He asked in a soft tone that he used only with her.

She shrugged.

"Delia, please." He always said her name with different meaning and each time it sent warmth through her whole body.

He already saw her break down several times and knew most of her faults and yet he is here.

"Well, let's just say that I have never been people's favorite." She put it mildly.

He knew she was a loner but how extreme it was, he had no idea.

"Friends?" He asked to continue the talk.

"I don't know, I repel people. No one likes me, let alone help me. So you are a miracle." Devian gritted his together as felt the familiar ache in his chest.

She considered him a miracle and not a curse. If only she knew.

"Can you tell me your whole story." Devian found himself whispering to her.

He saw the blush rise in her cheeks as she met his eyes and look genuinely surprised as was he at his words.

Seconds ticked by and finally, she said with a smile, "It's too painful and boring."

"Painful?" He wanted her to elaborate.

"I am stretching my luck here Devian, I don't want to tell you because you might leave too." She shared her fear and her eyes widened at what she did.

And something hit Devian at that moment, she was similar to him in some cases. 

"I am glad you like art and we could connect." She had a happy smile now.

How naive of her to think that he was here for the art.

~*~

After a few hours, Paulo came back with information about Delia.

And just like she mentioned, it was painful. It amazed him how she still smiled and trusted people after the treatment luck gave her all her life. She literally had never been taken care of or even paid the slightest attention to.

He was probably the first to be this kind to her and she completely placed her heart in his hands.

His hands curled into a fist and he punched the table in anger.

Why was he grieving her bad life, shouldn't he be happy?

"Sir, calm down." Paulo sounded stressed and Devian looked up at Paulo who usually looks bored at his tantrums.

And then he noticed. The darkness spreading like branches in his veins on his neck and arms visible in the glass table. His anger multiplied and he felt throbbing in the back of his head.

"Sir?" Paulo asked not sure how to help with this new problem.

"Go now, Paulo," Devian warned him and Paulo hesitated for a minute before leaving as he saw the flash of black orbs replacing the grey ones.

~*~

Delia felt overwhelmed as the class applauded on seeing the painting and she scored the top marks. It felt like Devian was her charm to cure bad luck.

Her feelings were a little more than gratefulness now but she had no expertise in the department and she was a big coward when it came to sharing her feelings.

Also, it scared her that her confession would scare Devian who might just be doing this out of his good heart and nothing else. But sometimes his actions gave her hope.

"Have you dated anyone?" She asked Melaney during lunch.

"Yes, twice. Why?" Melaney answered.

"So how do you like--maybe try to see if the other party is interested?" She asked and Melaney looked up from her food at Delia with a raised eyebrow.

"Who is it?" She asked.

"The one who found me the job at the gallery," Delia answered truthfully.

"They guy with rumors? Cool, I approve." She said surprising Delia.

"So?"

"So, you need to know what he likes or dislikes. Then work your way around that. Like if he like sports, get him tickets to a match and you both can go on a date." Melaney made it sound like it was easy.

Delia nodded noting down the tips just in case.

Her next option was asking Wendy. It was ten when she returned back to the room and Wendy was lying with a face mask and Tear playing on her speaker. She was in an aggressive mode but Delia decided to take chances.

"Wendy, I need to discuss something important." She said carefully.

Immediately Wendy turned the music off and took off the mask paying all attention to Delia.

"What?" She asked.

"Can you give me dating advice?"

Wendy gave an excited yelp, "Finally."

"Is the gorgeous making no moves?" Wendy asked like a doctor asking for the problem and ready to give a prescription.

"Not really so I just want to make sure if he likes me."

"Okay, I assume you have zero dating experience so I will be your guide."

Wendy was too serious on this and pulled out a whole detailed flowchart kind of thing.

"From what  I have observed he likes you. But if you want to know how much let's start with making him jealous."

"I can't do that. And no boy would talk to me anyway."

"Okay, then try cooking for him?" She said.

"Fail," Delia said with a sigh.

"Trying using seduction?" Delia looked so horrified at this option that Wendy had to laugh.

"Listen, Delia, how would you want any male to approach you?" Wendy asked to get an answer from Delia herself.

For a moment Delia contemplated the question and then answered, "I want him to be caring and understand my life and emotions."

"There you have it, try the same on gorgeous."

A big smile spread on Delia's face. She is going to combine advice from her two friends and use it hoping that she was not wrong about her intuitions about his feelings for her. He was just too good to be true.

~*~

"Sir, you have a guest." Paulo walked in the home office of Devian who was looking through the account sheet of almost half the town he owned and several other properties he garnered over the years. 

"A guest?" Devian never had guest, Delia being the only exception.

Paulo nodded with a grim expression on his face.

"Let them in." He said knowing too well by Paulo's expression who it might be.

His time was numbered in this town as well. Like always, his presence was making the place unsafe and dangerous. His warning has arrived.

As expected in walked a well-built man, his cocoa skin glistening in the light. He had a shocking grey hair color unlike last time and Devian can't help but feel amused at new hair color on an angel of heaven.

"There have been three murders past month Devian, don't you think it's time to move." The angel said a gruff tone.

"Crocell, I am flattered with your concern. They didn't send Aarin?" Devian asked leaning back into his leather chair.

"She seems a little enchanted by you, it's the looks I guess. I am here as your first casual warning." He chuckled.

"I am not planning to move this time. I found a solution."

"The incarnation?" Crocell smirked.

"What is so amusing Crocell?" Devian asked with a frown on his face.

"You think she can end your misery Devian?" He asked.

"Can she not? Is she not the Queen herself?"

"Oh, no she is the Queen without any past memories. But she is not going to end it, she is just going to increase it, tenfold."

Devian felt his nerves tick in anger.

"Elaborate please."

"Let's just say she can make you the light guardian again and grant you the freedom you desire for so long Devian if she retains her memories but only you can end your misery."

Just like always his answer was ambiguous and baffled Devian even more. But as always he vanished after giving the warning.

He did nothing wrong, ever. He was loyal, good and pure and even though he was not at fault he was paying the price for what Queen did. He was facing the punishment for being naive and it turns out Delia was here to increase his pain tenfold.

~*~*~

*sigh* while Delia is trying to charm Devian, his fate is making him hate her more.

On a personal level, I love angst filled tragic romance with a happy ending, so I don't mind the hate ;)

What about you guys? A romance with sarcastic banters or romance with pain?

DAMN! I hate the weather change, I am down with fever. But anyway your comments could work like medicines so share your thoughts! :)

NEXT UPDATE: SATURDAY