09:49 pm, June 26, 1378 ASV
"How do you know that?" Eros was shocked, he had been sure not to reveal his identity to Amelia in the past month. There had been times when he wanted to tell her, but Lucerio had warned him not to.
"I'm not an idiot, Eros. My father created a social network capable of finding anyone and their history. You don't think I wouldn't do a little research on the people I'm hiring? I saw the footage from that day… of what Velvo did to your mother."
"And you're okay with it?"
"Okay with what? You being a slave? An Empyrean? Or an Eldritch?"
"All of them."
"I couldn't care less about what you are. I only ever cared about who you are." Amelia's hollow amber eyes searched Eros'. She nudged closer to him, grabbing him by his arms with tears streaming down her face. "You're a person, just like me. Do you really think I would like you any less because of where you came from? Did you think I would call you a monster? Who am I to judge you? How could I? I myself am a monster from a family of even greater monsters!"
Eros did not know what to do. He did not know how to comfort her in this situation. What he had expected was for her to be disgusted by him and hit him a couple of times before screaming for help. But this… this was not what he had foreseen.
Amelia's mascara began to smudge down her face, leaving long dark streaks across her cheeks. The uncontrollable sobbing led to snot bubbles popping out of her nose. Yet despite her messy state, Eros still found her beautiful, even more now that he had seen her true self. This is who she was, who she had buried deep beneath her fancy facade.
Eros hugged Amelia, softly pressing her head against his chest. She continued to sob into him, messing up his brand new change of clothes.
"Let it all out, Amelia... I don't hate you, not in the slightest. You're nothing like your father. You're kind and loving, and you see people for who they are regardless of where they come from. I'm sorry I lied to you."
"Don't apologize, Eros; I understand why you kept it from me. If it was any other sponsor, they would've sold you out in a heartbeat."
"Yet, you didn't."
"Because I-I love you, Eros..."
Eros remained silent, unsure of what to say. He was unsure of how he even felt. Amelia came from a different world then him, from a world where people like Eros were treated as less than dirt. Yet, this affectionate young woman had fallen in love with Eros, despite his identity, despite his status, despite all his lies. She loved him; she genuinely loved him for who he was.
The elevator door opened; they had arrived at the 140th floor, where the VIP room was located. Many staff workers hustled by, carrying trays of half-eaten food back to the kitchen.
Amelia's eyes searched Eros' for a sign of affection, for a sign of disgust, for an answer, any answer... Eros had nothing for her, no matter how hard he tried to get his mouth to work, he could not bring himself to say anything. There was silence. All he could hear was the sound of her beating heart pounding its way out of her chest.
"I understand then..." Amelia whispered dryly as she wiped the tears off of her face. She walked out of the elevator past Eros, giving him the cold shoulder. "Excuse me, I must freshen up."
"Amelia, wait, I-I..." Eros grabbed her wrist, stopping the heartbroken young woman from leaving. She didn't turn around to look him in the eyes, simply staring forward. The nearby staff workers began to stare at them, prompting Amelia to reply flatly:
"Unhand me slave."
"Yes... Mistress Amelia..."
Amelia walked away without looking back once. Eros knew after that brief moment, he had lost her.
I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Amelia...
***
[Lucerio]
"Are you sure we shouldn't wait for Eros and Amelia?" Bobby asked, terrified as he walked between both Jester and Lucerio.
"I don't have time to wait for the lovers. I need to find out who hired you... and then kill them." Lucerio replied flatly, his hand resting on the hilt of his right katana, Despair. Although he had crafted two black katanas, he only used the left one, Death, when he has set his heart on killing a target. Despair was only used for breaking the morale of his enemies.
"I don't know if you'll be able to do that..."
"Just be silent, Bobby; I don't need you to talk until we're in that room."
The three men were walking towards the VIP room on the 140th floor. Occasionally, a staff member carrying a heavy tray of half-eaten food would walk by Lucerio and ask him to carry it back to the kitchen. Each time it happened, Lucerio threw the tray into the nearest garbage can.
I don't have time for this. What a waste of food though...
"So Jester, why are you so quiet?"
"Hmm? There's nothing interesting going on." The jester yawned, stretching his arms into the air. Lucerio did not trust him; there was something off about his demeanour.
I don't understand why that idiot didn't just kill him. There's something wrong with him, he pretends to be human but he's not. He's a killer at heart, like me... Every action he takes, he's constantly analyzing his nearest escape routes and the fastest way to kill us. It's only a matter of when. I should kill him now before he gets the chance to act on his impulses.
"Jester, why did you help Eros back in the bathroom?"
"Yeah, I've also been wondering that. There was no reason for you to interfere back there." Bobby added on, rubbing his chin as he tried to uncover the mysterious intent behind Jester's actions.
"Call it a whim, I guess." Jester replied lazily.
There's a reason. I know there is. Every action he takes has a reason. But what does he want from Eros?
"You joined a battle between Astral Artists on a whim? You're insane..." Bobby muttered under his breath. Jester laughed at this remark, giving a creepy smile to Bobby, who nudged himself closer to Lucerio.
"I appreciate the compliment!"
Lucerio drew Death within a split second, its blade was a millimetre away from slicing Jester's throat. Bobby yelped as he fell back, inching away from the two of them.
"Bobby, don't move, or you're next..."
Jester remained still, staring down at the beautifully crafted black blade as it was a flick of the wrist away from ending his life. But he did not look terrified; he did not plead for his life; he did not utter a word. Rather, his bright pink eyes were lit up with curiosity, curiosity in how far Lucerio was willing to go. He wanted to know whether it would be fun for him or not.
"Now answer me honestly, Jester. What do you want from Eros?"
"As of right now, nothing." Jester replied casually, ignoring the blade at his throat. He glanced at Lucerio, trying to read what was going on behind his black ominous mask. Then he tilted his head slightly and smiled, as if he already figured him out.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Belief is a funny thing, my dear masked friend. It's a matter of bias, you see. The moment you drew your sword on me, you had already made up your mind about me. Haven't you?"
"I'm the one asking questions here, Jester."
"And I have answered, yet your blade remains at my throat. Like I said, it's a matter of bias. Even if you had asked me if the sky was blue and I responded yes, your blade would remain at my throat regardless. Not because the answer was wrong, but because you yourself don't believe that my answer is the truth. You'd think I actually think the sky is red, that I'm lying so that I might live."
Jester turned his neck against the blade, drawing a thin line of blood to the side of his neck. He walked along the blade until he was face to face with Lucerio.
"What are you doi—"
"My dear Lucerio, I have lived through far too much. A blade won't scare me. Taking my life is completely meaningless. But if you do decide to take it, I have but only one humble request. Make it a grand show!"
His golden mask, which only covered the upper half of his face except for his eyes, revealed a devious grin spread from ear to ear. Using his fingers, he traced them against the line of blood and licked them, satisfying his quench for chaos.
Bobby was right. He is insane. I doubt he's ever been sane...
"But since you've amused me. I will tell you why I helped him."
"And why's that?"
"Because his fate interests me..."