Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 197 - Masquerade

Opening his eyes wide, Trygve gasped, "When Arsene said he had a wife, I did not think she would be this sweet and innocent. Lady Freya must have surely blessed you. " He complimented as various onlookers sent a glance towards my wife.

"Surly you jest, Lord Trygve." Lilith humbly exclaimed as she tightened her arms around mine.

"I'm afraid not, my dear." The familiar voice of Kandis rang as I turned to his lion shape mask. "In all my years, I have never heard such a voice. Lord Snow, you are quite a lucky man."

Giggling, Lilith turned to me, "He sure is,"

"Hmph, it's the other way around; she should be honored to even bask in my presents. This lord, is the second coming, it...."

BANG~

Stepping ruthlessly upon my toes, Lilith innocently glared into my teary eyes, "You sure are lucky, dear."

"Quite... Quite right, my dear." I weakly said in a high pitch tone as Kandis and Trygve laughed.

"Strong will too, Marvelous, but Lord Snow, I must apologize for not welcoming you. It seems someone told our staff that you would not be making it tonight." Kandis said as Trygve sent him a cold glare.

"Worry not, Zanris, my servant, was more than enough to take care of those that attacked, but she may have left a little mess within the northern district." I lightly said as I saw a few people shiver.

Narrowing his eyes, he turned to the evil gleam within Lilith, shivering as he quickly turned away. "It seems someone didn't wish for my husband and me to join this little event.

"My apologies, my lady, but I assure you the Jarl had nothing to do with such." Kandis quickly said as Lilith released my arm. Her body beginning to pulse with a royal decorum.

"I surely do hope so. Because not only was I onboard, but so was the princess of the Scara family. Should something happen to her or me, this entire city would be wiped out." Lilith announced before turning to me, "Sene, I will go get some drinks. It seems this ball is rather low class. Not one servant walking around with food or drinks."

I could practically see the shame within Kandis's eyes as a ruthless light filled his gaze when he turned his head towards a particular someone.

"Please excuse me, Lord Snow, Lady Snow." He quickly said, leaving with a heavy heart in his step.

"I'll go with you, Yura," I quickly said, turning Trygve. "If you will excuse us."

Walking a few feet away, Lilith giggled as I rolled my eyes, "Yet another person emasculated by you. You seem to like fooling around with people more than I."

"Please, there is a massive difference Sene. You like to piss people off; I like to prank them. Although in this case, I think someone is going to die because of me." She brightly said as we arrived at the bar, passing the band playing various instruments and a rather beautiful piano, flashing her two fingers to the bartender; she turned to me, "Have you ever been drunk?"

"When I was young, when my cultivation was small." I slightly voiced as Lilith smirked,

"You're a demon Arsene, they live to enjoy the sins of man, and my body cultivations will not rid you of any pleasure. It's not some low-grade technique that makes it impossible for you not to enjoy all life has to offer."

Watching as the bartender poured us two amber-colored glasses, I smiled, taking it as Lilith took hers, "THan will my wifey be teaching me?" I voiced in a charming tone as she blushed beneath her mask.

With my mask only hiding the top part of my face, I took a sip as she took hers. "Shall we see who gets drunk first?"

"Don't you have work to do?"She questioned, not truly caring.

"There will always be more work to do," I replied before tapping my head suddenly; an influx of information filled me as I smirked, "That's it?" I asked as she nodded.

"I am trying to understand the Mortal Dao of Wisdom, so such things are clearer to me." Lilith quickly said, "You know not all Soulbenders can increase their comprehension like us. I'm sure some do, but the majority don't know-how. It takes time and effort; if you don't have a good master, many would be closed-minded. on how to use their power."

Smirking, I whispered, "then does that mean there will be a day you are better at me in schemes?" I asked as she shrugged.

"Wisdom doesn't constitute intelligence. I just see the world differently. But I will not be surprised if you also become a Lord of Deceit like some of the princes within the nines."

Closing my eyes, I stared at my blackened soul as I gently held it. Pushing my will into it, my body began to warm up as my eyes went wide.

"See? You can already feel its effects. It looks like you are more of a lightweight than I thought." Lilith mocked as I glared daggers into her.

"Shall we see?" I challenged, swallowing the entire glass with one fell swoop. With a mocking light, Lilith's eyes grew wide, swallowing hers just as quickly.

"I'm no pussy."

Breaking into laughter, a battle intent began to fill the ballroom as many turned towards us in both shock and disgust. "Fill her up," Lilith demanded, glaring at the bartender sweating bricks.

Quickly swallowing down a few more bottles, I smirked, feeling my vision turning blurry and my body beginning to feel numb. Chugging down another glass of fire, Lilith easily met with the challenge as she raised her head high.

"HEHEHE, Yura is winning!"

Hearing her giggle, I couldn't help but feel a little humiliated. Staring down at my hands, I gritted my teeth, "It's not over." I childishly slurred as she broke down in laughter.

"Come, Aunty Yura will help her baby!"

Hearin her laughter, Lilith smirked, handing me another glass, "You little minx, you want me to get... Wait, I call bullshit your cheating. I remember you getting red from the class of wine we had in pendragon. "

Opening her eyes, wide Lilith turned the other way, "No, she's not."

"SON OF A BITCH"

"Such a disgrace. This is some low-class antics. Who allowed these animals in?" An elderly man with a large stomach demanded, pointing at us. "This is a ball, not some bar."

With a strong hic-up filled with the stench of liquor, I spat, "Fuck off, you fat fuck. Go find yourself a quick whore and leave. Maybe you can have some high-class sex if such a thing is even real," I shouted as the man froze.

"This...."

"Come on, no servants, the music is boring, and more importantly, where the fuck is the food? This is no ball but a gathering of pretentious shits believing they are above the rabble they are. "

Pulling Lilith's arm, I approached a grand piano glimmering in silver. "Can you play the violin? Let's show these fuckers what real music is."

"Violin?... that's no... whatever, yes I can," she said as I nodded. Suddenly two flashes appeared as Silvia and Zanris arrived.

"You two are on vocals. I will transmit the lyrics; it's is called Lacrimosa. " Pushing soul force into their heads, I pushed the entirety of the memory of the song I once heard into their souls.

(A/N: Youtube it, one of my favorites - also in Hunter x Hunter)

With widening eyes, Lilith beamed, "WOW!!!!"

Nodding, the drunken gleam began to fade as the entire party slowly grew quiet. A look of disdain and contempt could be seen. However, that quickly faded as Lilith began.

A faint shiver slowly began to echo out as a sad, distant melody rang across the strings of the violin. Leaving some with a chill while others trembling in excitement.

However, as my fingers pressed against the keys, a hollow melody filled the air as memories of war flashed through my mind. Memories of screams, memories of hate. Filling the entire audience with anticipation as Silvia and Zanris began.

"Lacrimosa dies illa

Qua resurget ex favilla

Judicandus homo reus."

Hearing the perfect replication, my smile began to reach my ears as tears began to fall by some. Like they were witnessing the saddening memories of Zanris past. Silvia slowly fell back in pitch, allowing Zanris to hold the candle. I could feel the sadness as she would beg for the answer she sought. I could feel her wishing to be forgiven and mercy but never getting the chance. I could see it all as she sang.

"Huic ergo parce, Deus:

Pie Jesu Domine,"

With the saddening song of Zanris encompassing the audience came my blood and Ash. Infusing the audience with despair and heartbreak. As if they were in the middle of my carnage, I could feel the cold sweat upon their brow as I gazed out with dark glimmering eyes. This was my song; this was my Requiem.

"Dona eis requiem. Amen."