"Then I suppose you can stay. You don't have to stay with me, you can leave to do whatever you please." He offered generously.
It didn't matter much to Dulce either way, the Incubus was reasonable and seemed like pleasant company. But it wasn't one he wanted, it took nothing out of him to let the Incubus stay.
Ruoxi smiled in that way that never touched his eyes, gold eyes dim. He had no plans to let the Vampire out of his sight, not while things were so delicate.
Kath'tan's jaw clenched at the foolish Vampire's offer, keeping an Incubus around? How stupid...
His anger slowly dissipated, a little thought forcing its way into his mind like a tendril breaking free from the earth. Could he also stay? He had nothing to return to but what would also be the use of remaining?
He glanced at the assassin out of the corner of his eye, the only thing that awaited him was death.
The Shadow Demon didn't notice his pensive glance, pale gray eyes watching the Vampire who had taken a book out of his travel bag and currently had his head buried in the pages.
Asael always kept to his word, but that only happened when he gave it... and he couldn't remember the last time he did. Yet a feeble request from this Vampire and he had generously given his word.
He stared at the strands of tousled hair framing the Vampire's pale face, not a thought behind those eyes. How foolish... how foolish of him.
The carriages arrived at their destination long after the sun had set. It was a pleasant, spring evening. The air still bordered on bitingly cold, early blooms filling the air with pleasant, floral scents.
The manor stood tall in a well off estate, fountains softly bubbling and rushing, the scent of spring blooms getting thicker amidst the well kept shrubs and gardens.
The strange Vampire who had invited them was already standing by their carriage when the door opened. He had taken off his mask and lost his umbrella, red eyes sinister as they peered into the carriage.
The Vampire looked young and had generic features. They weren't bad to look at but they were easily forgettable.
His eyes widened in fearful shock when he saw Lord Montesserrat seated on the wooden ledge while the Demons took the more comfortable seats. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so careless with them, they clearly held some importance to the noble Vampire.
Kath'tan kicked the Vampire out of the way without remorse, "Move."
The Vampire landed on his feet some distance away, taking this treatment in stride. "This way, Lord Montesserrat." He gestured affably, having the air of a dedicated butler.
Dulce felt obligated to apologize for Kath'tan's brashness but he really didn't have a favorable opinion of Vampires.
"I'm afraid I didn't catch your name," He said instead, making some effort by way of apology.
The strange Vampire's red eyes widened slightly and although he hadn't said his name before, he introduced himself. "Lord Rochefort."
"Thank you for your generosity once again, Lord Rochefort." Dulce said stiffly, unable to find a smile for the Vampire.
Behind them, all three Demons walked quietly. They made the manor seem small, their differing features and personalities contrasting.
"It is an honor," Rochefort said politely, scheming in his eyes. "Here are your quarters," He stopped in front of double doors, opening them to reveal a truly lavish room with a rather impressive bed.
Dulce couldn't help but be grudgingly impressed by the decadent comfort of the room, reminded of his mistakes at the last moment. "And where will they stay?" He asked more out of worry than anything else.
Rochefort scowled, glancing at the Demons who watched him closely. He knew that they would go for his throat at the first opportunity they were given, yet he didn't care, about to have them sent to servant quarters before he was questioned.
"In the rooms next to yours," He forced out, reminding himself that this was for the sake of getting on Dulce Montesserat's good side.
Dulce was satisfied with that, he had the responsibility of summoning them, so he was obligated to make sure they didn't rise up the next morning to a destroyed manor and bloody limbs.
"Thank you," He said again, his words more genuine this time.
Rochefort could relax slightly at this, "Freshen up in your rooms, and I'll return to inform you of dinner." He said ingratiatingly, ignoring the dangerous monsters breathing down his neck.
Dulce had already wandered off to explore the room, he hadn't been living well off these past years, he rather missed the life of luxury. Getting his Hellhound would have been an easy task in the past.
But even in the golden age of magic, he had never thought about summoning a Demon. Miss Moira had been the one to put the idea in his head... he sighed as he picked up a glass figurine on the mantelpiece.
He had sounded very confident while they were still at the witch's shop but he couldn't be more uncertain. The witch could very well be dead and they could be embarking on a fruitless journey.
The wardrobe were filled with clothes roughly his size, Dulce's eyes lit up at the sight of them, he missed having decent clothes the most.
He went right to the bath after acquainting himself to the room, sinking into the scented bath.
-+-
"How do you know Dulce?" Ruoxi asked as soon as the doors to the pale-haired Vampire's room shut close.
Rochefort shot the lecherous Incubus a dark look over his shoulder, uninterested in Demons. He hadn't so quickly forgotten though, that this Incubus was the reason Lord Montesserrat had deigned to accept his offer.
So he forced himself to be polite, perhaps he could use the Demons to sway Lord Montesserrat's opinion of him. "We have had chance meetings a handful of times-"
"Where?" The Fiend with anger burning endlessly in his eyes cut in with a growl.
Rochefort glanced from Demon to Demon, they all seemed to be individually interested in his response. He smiled, a wicked expression. "It might be better to find out from Lord Montesserrat himself."
He stopped at the next door, adjusting the lapels of his overcoat. "There are five other rooms in this wing, take your pick." He said to them, leaving in a blur of black clothes.