Aurora was with Ilia and the other demon nobility. Mey-Rin was by her side, both of them with a glass of Morning Star Brand wine. Mey-Rin was sipping hers slowly, having seen how Bardory was the same morning. Ilia was babbling, "I can't wait! It's going to be an extravagant wedding!" Vermilla chuckled, "Extravagant yes. But nothing can beat Lord Prince Malphas and Lady Princess Angelica's wedding." Aurora was blushing now, "Well, I wouldn't say that." Ilia nodded, "True. But I'm still Desideriis! Malphas is my twin brother! He'll gladly make the wedding as perfect as I want it! The bride's family pays for the wedding does it not?" Aurora looked confused, "I wouldn't know. I never heard of it." Vermilla waved her hand, "Yours was spared no expense because you and Malphas are the first demon and angel union in millennia. Also he had the ear of Lucifer himself and you the ear of the Angelic Council." Aurora nodded, "That does make sense..." Vermilla went on, "Anyways, Even if Malphas pays or everything, it's up to you to make things perfect. The ceremony is the least important ultimately." Ilia frowned, "What do you mean?" Vermilla smirked, "My innocent little Ilia, the thing that matters is the mating process itself. The more passionate, the better." Aurora hummed in approval, "I will agree with that." Vermilla smirked, "Yes, your mating took quite a long time." Aurora blushed, "Yes! We enjoyed ourselves a little too much." Ilia sighed, "I can't wait for the ceremony. I just wish it would be sooner." Aurora and Vermilla shared a look, "When is the ceremony?" Aurora asked. Ilia hummed, "We haven't decided. Soon. Obviously."
A few hours later, Aurora ran into Malphas and gave a sigh of relief as he smiled and pulled her into a waltz. "You have no idea how much I've missed you." Malphas smirked at that and spun her around, "Have you now?" Aurora nodded, "Absolutely. I'm growing tired of hearing about how great Vapula is." Malphas chuckled, "As have I, darling. As have I." Aurora glanced around the full ball room. "Who are all of these demons? If I may ask." Her mate hummed, "They are nobility of Hell. And because it is my sister who is about to be mated, I won't be surprised if we see Lord Lucifer." Aurora smiled as he spun her around. "What of your mother? I haven't seen her about." Malphas nodded, "She is with Ilia, Ilia will be dressed more extravagantly than she was earlier, while it was strictly family when we saw her earlier, now she will be in the public eye. It is like a coming of age ceremony of sorts." Aurora nodded, "Yes... And her fiancé, do you know him?" Malphas sighed, "Regretfully. The Duke is not quite a high ranking demon." Aurora frowned, "But I thought in terms of nobility a duke outranked a lord?" Malphas nodded, "Somewhat. I have the title, Lord Prince Of Desideriis. Because my father is King and technically the owner of titles of Desideriis and Superbior, Stolas and I both have the titles Lord Prince because until father decides to pass down the title or simply retire." Aurora nodded, "That makes sense." Malphas smiled, "Besides, my current position allows me to form contracts whenever I wish. If I were Prince or King of both Desideriis and Superbior, it would be much more difficult to get away. But as Lord Prince of Desideriis, it allows me some leeway." He pulled his mate into his arms and smiled seductively down at her, "Besides, if I were to become a higher rank than I already am, I might just wind up the King of all Hell, and that is something I most definitely don't want." There was a chuckle from behind them, "I must agree, Prince Malphas. You as King of Hell would mean the worst for me." They turned and Malphas smiled charmingly, "Ah, King Lucifer. Wonderful to see you again, my friend." Lucifer chuckled, "Likewise, Prince Malphas." he looked over at Aurora and bowed, "Lady Angelica. A pleasure as always." Aurora curtsied, "Likewise, your majesty." Lucifer laughed, "Come now! We've no need for such formalities! We are friends!" Malphas smirked, "Quite. How are you, Lucifer? It has been some time." Lucifer chuckled, "Oh the usual, stiff assed court duties and such. How is your contract? Still ongoing?" Malphas nodded, "Yes. Ongoing and growing more and more interesting by the day." Lucifer glanced over his shoulder at the sound of pitched laughter. Finny was chatting away with a few demons and having a good time by the hors d'oeuvres. "I can see that. Why all the humans?" Malphas sighed, "There were complications. It appears little Lord Phantomhive has a twin brother. Who has since taken over all of his assets and such." Lucifer chuckled, "You lucky, lucky demon. If we were not friends, I might demand you give me his soul. But as you are my favorite, you shall keep him. Malphas smiled, "Yes. Keep him I shall." Aurora with held a shudder. Lucifer hummed, "Anyways, I will leave you both to your own devices. I anticipate your public acceptance speech, Lord Prince Malphas Desideriis."
"What does he mean, acceptance speech?" Aurora asked a little later, Malphas having pulled them from the dance floor and to a waiter serving drinks. "I have to make a speech, as the head of house Desideriis. Until she is mated, Ilia is a Desideriis. While father may have given his seal of approval, I am still the head of house. It is I who gets the final say in the matter. Ultimately, I can choose to either accept the bonding, or not. If I do not- the engagement is immediately canceled or put on hold. If the opposing demon, the fiancé or former fiancé, does not approve, the male demon challenges the head of house, that would be me, and the winner determines the result of the bonding." Aurora frowned, "Well what are you going to decide?" Malphas sighed, "I am not fond of Vapula. Not at all. Earlier I merely accepted him as was according. And not to mention his tone was quite mocking earlier." Aurora stood on her toes to kiss him. "Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be the best." He nodded and tugged his arm around her waist, leading them over to where the Phantomhive staff were. Ciel was hanging around as well, but quiet as a mouse. The nobility that he had spoken with the last time he had journeyed to hell were either slightly worried or a little insulted. "Everything is going well here?" Malphas asked them. Bard looked thrilled, "You kidding?! This is awesome! Why didn't you tell us you were a big shot here?!" Malphas sighed, shaking his head, "That was the whole point." He looked over at Ciel, "Are you speaking yet, my lord?" He asked, "There are others that would like to indulge in conversation. Much like the last few times you've met." Ciel didn't react. Aurora sighed and summoned the boy over with a wave of her finger. Ciel stood before them, staring up emotionlessly. "Ciel, you can't be mute forever." She said, "Why don't you come with us-" Malphas shook his head, "Actually, I'm afraid I must speak to my little sister. I need to ensure this is what she wants." He kissed Aurora on the cheek, "I'll be back before you know it my love." Aurora smiled, "Promise me another dance?" Malphas smirked, "But of course."
Ilia was conversing with a few demonesses when Malphas approached her, a charming smile on his face. "Vulpes Ilia, sister," he greeted offering her his arm, "Can I offer you a dance?" Ilia grinned widely, "Of course, dear brother!" She took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. "What is it, Malphas?" She asked teasingly, "You know how horrid a dancer I am." Her brother smirked for a moment then spoke seriously, his face a mask of emotionlessness. "Are you sure about this, Ilia? You want to spend eternity mated to the duke?" Ilia nodded, "Of course, Malphas. I care for him. And he cares for me." Malphas sighed, "Demons can't feel. You know that. It won't be like mine and Angelica's relationship, or even Stolas and Vermilla's." Ilia sighed, "Malphas. I know your my big brother and all- but just being two minutes older doesn't make you the boss of me." He frowned, "I am head of house Desideriis. And before I publicly say anything, I want to make sure your in good care. Me being your brother has nothing to do with it." Ilia smirked, "Really? Because you have been overprotective since the day we were born." Malphas scoffed, "I'm serious Ilia. Do you want this? Do you want to be bound to this demon for all eternity?" Ilia sighed, "What is it you don't like about him, Malphas? Vapula is a duke of hell. He's a higher ranking than you." She added quickly before her brother could correct her, "Legally." Malphas sighed, "You know I am only Lord Prince until father cedes. And personally, I don't want to be King Superbior-Desideriis. If I were, it would rarely let me go out on contracts." Ilia nodded, "Yes. I know. But what of Vapula, brother? You never answered my question. Why do you dislike him?" Malphas sighed, "Vapula is the most vexing demon I have ever met. He's a complete ass, Ilia. I don't understand how you cannot see that." Ilia rolled her eyes, "He's changed since last you met him, Malphas. Please. Just approve the bonding. For me?" Malphas paused as she looked at him with pleading puppy dog eyes. He sighed, "You are sure about this? You have no doubts?" Ilia nodded. "No doubts. I want this, Malphas. Please." Malphas nodded, "Very well. You will have my blessing." Ilia smiled widely and jumped into his arms to give him a bone crushing hug.
"Thank you, big brother."
Aurora was with the Phantomhive staff when she noticed Vapula walking over to her. She sighed and then turned to smile kindly at him, "Duke Vapula. Lovely to see you." Vapula smiled and bowed, taking her hand and planting a chaste kiss upon it. "Lady Angelica Desideriis, it is an honor to make your acquaintance." Aurora smiled, "Yes, a pleasure to be in yours as well, your Grace." Vapula chuckled when he noticed Ciel, "Is this Malphas's little charge? The one I have heard so much about?" Aurora nodded, "Yes. This is." Vapula hummed, "Oh, well hello there little child." He inhaled and licked his lips. "My, does he smell delicious..." Aurora gently pushed Ciel behind her. Vapula laughed at the movement. "Oh you need not worry, Ladyship. I wouldn't dare take Malphas's meal from him." Aurora nodded slowly, still holding Ciel behind her. Vapula chuckled, "I must say Lady Angelica, you truly are as beautiful as the rumors say." Aurora was quickly growing uncomfortable and her eyes were glancing around for Malphas. "Thank you. You're very kind..." Vapula smiled, "You'll have my condolences, Ladyship. I do hope since the incident with that wretched reaper you are well." Aurora's eyes widened. "What?" Her voice was a little strained. Vapula continued, "Your miscarriage, Ladyship. I do hope you are recovering well from it. His Lordship was quite upset when the topic came up." Aurora stared in disbelief, "I- I'm sorry? I don't recall-" Vapula cut her off, "Oh it came up in conversation you see, Ladyship. Stolas was curious as to why you two- with all the times you've been together, haven't conceived a child. I do hope you'll forgive him for bringing the subject up, he was under the influence of Morning Star Brand when we were speaking." Aurora nodded, "Yes. Yes of course..." Vapula hummed, "Such a tragedy, to lose a child. Especially to a reaper of all beings. I am quite surprised you haven't pressed any charges against them." Aurora looked confused. "Press charges?" Vapula nodded, "Certainly. With your status in all realms, you would have both Heaven and Hell backing you if you chose to pursue a guilty verdict. If you were to publicly press charges against the reaper who did the deed, and posted a reward, there would be no where the rogue reaper could run nor hide. You'd choose his sentence and he would be punished accordingly." Aurora thought for a few moments. She glanced at Ciel who was resting his head against her gown. If she and Malphas were to press charges... This entire nightmare could be over. "Your Grace," she began, "You wouldn't happen to know the process of pressing charges, would you?" Vapula bowed, a small smile on his face, "Why of course. In Hell I am what could be considered a lawyer of sorts. I would be honored to take on the case, Ladyship." Aurora smiled, "Lovely, would you mind informing me then on the legalities?"
Malphas was returning back to the Phantomhive group and frowned when he noticed Angelica and Ciel were absent. "Where is Angel- Aurora and Ciel?" He asked Bard and Snake. Bard pointed in one direction. "The guy your sister's engaged to came over and they were talkin' bout legal stuff." Malphas raised an eyebrow. "Legal? Whatever for?" Bard shifted uncomfortably, "Your sister's fiancé might have let it slip that you mentioned the reaper and the Campania..." Malphas growled, "Which way did they go?" Bard pointed, "That way." Malphas quickly went off in the direction and found the pair dancing off to the side. He growled and stalked over. Angelica was asking Vapula about formalities and Vapula was explaining it to her.
"Legally, we can file a lawsuit against the grim reaper division, for becoming too involved in the affairs of other immortals and causing massive disruption. Not only has one of their people been responsible for your miscarriage, but they were also responsible for interfering in matters of a contract and that of an Arch and a Lord of Hell." Malphas stopped glaring.
"Might I cut in?"
Both Vapula and Aurora stopped. Aurora gasped turning to face him. "Malphas!" Vapula smiled and bowed, "Lord Prince Malphas." Malphas violently tugged Aurora into his grasp. "Duke Vapula." Vapula looked at Aurora, "I will take my leave, I look forward to speaking further about you about the legal proceedings if you do decide to press charges, Lady Angelica Desideriis." Aurora smiled, "Thank you, your Grace. Hopefully we will be speaking again soon." Vapula smiled and walked off and Malphas glared down at his mate.
"Care to enlighten me on what exactly that was, Angelica?" Aurora folded her arms across her chest. "The duke says we could press charges against the grim reaper divisions. And in result Undertaker would be captured faster." Malphas chuckled darkly, "Oh yes... Sending countless others to do our bidding, and potentially revealing the secrets of the immortal world to every living being, would be a fantastic idea, Angelica. Why didn't I think of it before?" Aurora flinched at his sarcastic tone and frowned, a solemn look on her face. "I think we should." Malphas cursed under his breath, "Christ... And why is that?" Aurora looked at the floor and felt her eyes fill with tears. "That reaper took our baby." Her voice was soft, so soft it was as though she hadn't wanted him to hear her. Malphas visibly relaxed. "That's what this is about?" He murmured quietly. Aurora nodded and sniffed, "Don't lie to me. You want revenge just as much as I do." Her mate stepped forward to pull her into his embrace, holding her as the dam of tears she had been holding back finally fell. "Shh. Shh. I know. I know. Relax, my angel. Relax." Aurora choked a sob as she gripped his upper arms tightly. "I- I just wanted to be happy. Why does the world have to take it away from me? Is it a sign that I'm not supposed to be happy?" Malphas stared at her as she cried, his crimson coloured eyes softening. "You are unhappy?" He asked, leaning down to her level, his voice soft and quiet. Aurora sniffled and nodded. Her mate frowned, "Is it my fault, angel? Are you unhappy with me? Do you wish to sever our bond?" Aurora shook her head and held onto him tighter. "Then what can I do to ease your worries, my angel? Please, tell me and it shall be done." Aurora sniffed, "I just need you to be there for me. I don't ever want to be away from you. Everywhere you go I want to be. I want our baby, I want you to love me just like you did when we were younger- I can't have any of that though- because it's either in the past or it just isn't possible!" Malphas shushed her gently, "Darling, we can adapt it. For one," he tilted her chin up and smiled lovingly down at her, "I love you far more than I did when we were young. You're my mate, my wife, my angel, my everything. You are my eternity. And two," his crimson gaze filled with pain. "I may be unable to bring back our baby, but we have Ciel and we can always, always try again." He smiled, "Besides, maybe our child's soul will be reborn." Aurora nodded and sighed, "Maybe you're right." Malphas looked at her worriedly, "Do you wish to return to our room? We can leave the party-" Aurora shook her head, "No. I'm fine. Let's go rejoin everyone." Malphas sighed, "We will return to our room after the acceptance speech. Does that suit you?" Aurora nodded. Malphas kissed her, "For any time I need to be away from you, I'd like you to remain with the Phantomhive staff." Aurora nodded, "Alright."
Malphas frowned, "You don't need to agree. I'd like you to voice your own opinions as well." Aurora leaned into him, "I just don't have a lot to say right now." Malphas suddenly swept her off her feet and into his arms. Aurora gasped, arms latching around his neck to stabilize herself. "Malphas! What are you doing?!" Her mate looked over at her, "We're retiring to our room." Aurora shook her head, "No! You have to-" Malphas hissed, "To hell with it. You need comfort. And I intend to provide it." He unsheathed his midnight black wings and flew them up to their balcony, bypassing the party downstairs, and landing elegantly in the doorway to their bedroom. The wind produced by his wings made the curtains blow strongly in the breeze, and he sheathed the beautiful dark wings as he walked towards the bed and set his mate down. Aurora sighed, "Malphas-" Her mate shook his head, "You cannot change my mind, Angelica. You are upset and I intend to do whatever it takes to make you feel better."
It had been a few hours and Sebastian held Aurora in his arms. They hadn't changed from their clothing, and were sitting on the bed, her draped across him, and his fingers threading through her hair soothingly. His eyes were glowing faintly with the flames of anger. He wasn't fond of Vapula at all now. For a demon specializing in philosophy and science, he did none of the sort. Sebastian had never liked the duke. And he knew Stolas hated Vapula even more so.
Vapula had not only been weak, but foolish and arrogant. Vapula was never satisfied with his position. Once he had even gone to King Asmodeous, offering up the title of Duke and all his assets, in exchange for ownership over the Pride or Lust circles' of Hell. Asmodeous had refused, and threatened him. That had been a long time ago. Before Sebastian was ever born.
There was a knock at the door. Sebastian red eyes whipped around to the door as it opened. Stolas entered the room slowly, "Brother? You and the Lady disappeared. Is everything alright? I saw you both speaking with Vapula before he returned to the party." Sebastian glanced down at Aurora. She was sleeping now, resting as peacefully as she could after having had to relive the trauma of losing her child. Sebastian frowned, "He told her about what we spoke of. He brought up the subject of our lost child. He tried persuading her into pressing charges and even offered to act as a lawyer." Stolas scoffed, "Vapula should be expelled from Hell. Lucifer should have killed him eons ago. I don't see why you don't just do it yourself." Sebastian looked up, "I'm not going to accept him." He said, "I might have told Ilia I would, but after this- no. He's hurt my mate, he won't live another day." Stolas nodded, "Understood. Will you and the Lady be rejoining the party? It's near end and the others grow worried as you both disappeared." Sebastian nodded, "We'll be down in a few minutes." Stolas nodded and left the room. Sebastian reached down to gently shake Aurora. "Angelica, Angelica darling it's time to wake up. We need to rejoin the party." His angel stirred, yawning as she did, something that made the demon smile. She was perfect in every way. His perfect angel. His mate straddled him and looked at him, her hair was partially down from it's up do. "Do we have to go?" She asked, "I'd rather not go at all." Sebastian sighed and reached behind her to fix her hair in curls and a partial up do. "I know darling, but you needn't say a word. You just need to stand by my side and look pretty as always." Aurora nodded, "And then we can come back to bed?" Sebastian smirked, "But of course, my mate."
Sebastian and Aurora journeyed downstairs to the party where the Phantomhive staff greeted them. "Where were ya?" Bard asked, "We were gettin' worried!" Finny nodded in agreement, "Are you guys okay?!" Sebastian nodded, "Yes. We are perfectly fine. We just retired to our quarters for a bit. Angelica was tired." He took his mate by the hand and pulled her along behind him to where his family was. Ilia was pacing and gasped in surprise when she saw him, "Oh thank goodness your here!" she cried, "Where have you been?!" Her brother raised a hand, "Terribly sorry, Ilia. We retired to our room for some time. Angelica was a little unwell." Aurora stepped closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. Ilia nodded and looked to her sister in law, "Are you feeling better, Angelica?" Aurora nodded, "Yes. A bit." Lucia came over to inspect her daughter, "Your sure? You don't look well." Aurora smiled, "I'm perfectly fine, mother! Just a little tired." Sebastian nodded, "Once I make my decision public, we'll be retiring." Asmodeous dipped his head to his son. "I trust whatever decision you make, Malphas. I raised you to become king one day, I'm sure you won't fail." Sebastian nodded, "I'm sure I won't."
"Demons and demonesses," Malphas greeted the crowd of partygoers, Aurora on his arm and Ilia and Vapula behind him. "I have made my decision, and I will state it now." Aurora watched as he took a deep breath before speaking.
"I approve of this engagement."