Chapter 45 – A Deal between Demons

【Elizabeth PoV】

Damn… this Monika never pays attention. She skimps on the tiniest details—as if sloppiness were a badge of honor—and then parades her half-baked schemes in front of me like I’m supposed to applaud. 

Did she really think she could slip a cheap knock-off past the one person who can identify Adriel by the way the air tastes when he smiles? Please. I’ve memorized every cadence of his voice and every tilt of his head; I’d sooner mistake daylight for moonlight than fall for her flimsy deception.

“Have you thought about my proposal, Elizabeth-chan…Liz…Adriel’s future wife… Elizabeth Koiwai…imagine…”

Monika started to walk around me in a circle…

“I know what you’re doing…but what do you’re gaining from this?”

“Like I said, I wanted to show my love to Akuma…and now he kind of hates me…I did what I had to do…but he didn’t see it as a form of love…”

I glared at her as I backed away, my eyes narrowing with pure annoyance. Every detail about this fake school day made my blood boil. The real Adriel is perfect in every way—1.75 meters of pure charm with a vanilla scent that’s nothing short of heavenly. Meanwhile, this cheap imitation of him is a pitiful 1.73 meters, smells like overdone chocolate, and has his hair combed to the wrong side entirely.

Monika’s lack of attention to even the tiniest detail was infuriating. I couldn’t even believe she thought a half-baked version of Adriel could replace the real deal in my eyes.

“You really think this plan of yours is foolproof?”

“Oh, come on, Elizabeth-chan.”

“You know you love a little chaos. And besides, you can’t tell me you’re not curious what it would be like to see Emma and Seda trampled under our boots.”

I scoffed loudly.

“Curious? Ha! My curiosity stops at the boundary of stupidity. If you think I want to be part of your twisted revenge circus, you’re dreaming.”

Monika laughed, a high-pitched sound that went on to grate on my nerves.

“Dreaming, huh? Maybe. But listen, I’ve got a plan that involves taking down Emma and Seda. They’ve been clogging up our lives for far too long.”

I folded my arms and stepped closer, lowering my voice in spite of myself.

“And what exactly do you expect in return? I’m not signing up for another one of your disaster partnerships without something in it for me.”

She paused, her eyes glinting with that infuriating mix of arrogance and desperation.

“I need your help to get Akuma’s forgiveness. You know how much he despises me now. I did what I had to, and I’m sick of hearing about it.”

I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms tighter across my chest.

“Akuma’s forgiveness? You expect me to believe that a deal with you will somehow clean up your mess? You’re a walking catastrophe, Monika.”

Her smirk deepened as she replied, “Oh, Elizabeth, you’re impossible sometimes. But think about it: if we join forces, I’ll help you wipe out Emma and Seda—no more of their meddling—and you’ll steer me right back into Akuma’s good graces. That way, we both win.”

I let out an exasperated sigh, my mind racing as I weighed every terrible option.

“And what guarantee do I have that you won’t screw this up? Your track record is about as reliable as a broken clock.”

Monika rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Guarantees? In our world, guarantees are for people who have nothing to lose. I know you’re smart enough to see the potential here, even if you’re too stubborn to admit it.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Potential for disaster, you mean. Every time I think of your ‘brilliant’ schemes, I end up with more headaches and regrets than I care to count.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially.

“Then let’s seal the deal properly. We make it official—a blood pact, if you will. That way, our fates are tied together and there’s no backing out.”

My stomach churned at the thought of a blood pact, but part of me knew that typical Monika always preferred to seal her deals with a dramatic twist. I looked down at the small cut on my palm from an earlier scuffle, the crimson droplet ready to be spilled.

“I can’t believe I’m about to do this.”

Monika’s voice came out light and teasing.

“What’s the matter, Elizabeth? Scared you might actually enjoy a little chaos without your precious Adriel by your side?”

I shot back, “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not the star here. I’m only in this mess because I refuse to let your insane ideas run wild and unchecked.”

There was a pause as we both regarded the situation. The buzzing tension between us was almost tangible—a mix of mutual loathing and a bizarre sense of camaraderie born from common enemies.

Monika cleared her throat.

“Look, we both know that if we do this right, neither Emma nor Seda will know what hit them. And maybe, just maybe, I can stop being the pathetic sidekick in Akuma’s story.”

I let out a bitter laugh.

“Pathetic? You’re the one who can’t even get your own life in order. I’m just here to salvage what’s left of mine.”

She waved a hand around rather dismissively.

“Oh, please. Your life is far more interesting than you let on, Elizabeth. Admit it—you secretly live for this drama.”

I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction.

“Save your dramatics for someone who cares, Monika. I don’t need to be dragged through your pitiful schemes to prove how important I am.”

Monika’s smirk turned into something that resembled sincerity—or as close as she could manage.

“Alright then, how about this: I’ll take on Emma and Seda with everything I’ve got, and you, Elizabeth, will stand by me to ensure I don’t get completely obliterated. In return, you help me get Akuma to forgive my…little indiscretions.”

I stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. Every moment spent here in this twisted world was another moment away from the real world—and from the real Adriel I cherished so much.

Finally, I met her challenging gaze and spoke, my voice low and resolute.

“Okay…we have a deal.”

The red circle beneath our feet shimmered to life as we both held out our hands, the ancient magic weaving through our veins as if sealing our pact with fate. I felt the sting of cold blood, a reminder that in our dangerous little game, there was no room for second chances or half-measures.

For a long moment, silence reigned between us as the pact took hold. Then, Monika broke the stillness with a laugh that was both manic and oddly victorious.

“Good. Now, let’s see if you can handle the chaos that comes with being tied to me.”

I narrowed my eyes and spat, “If chaos means surviving your every ridiculous move, then call me a hero.”

She chuckled, her voice echoing with mischief.

“You’re impossible, Elizabeth. But that’s what makes you so much fun.”

I rolled my eyes, unwilling to let her words affect me.

“Fun? Fun for you, maybe. I’d rather be stuck in a dull, predictable life than ride your rollercoaster of disaster.”

Monika smirked again and retorted, “Boring is overrated. You know you crave a little excitement—even if you won’t admit it.”

I huffed, stepping back to regain my composure.

“I’d rather keep my excitement on my own terms. And that means not being dragged through a blood pact with you every time you feel like stirring up trouble.”

Her laughter rang out sharply.

“We both know you love this mess, Elizabeth. You’re as addicted to the thrill as I am. Besides, what’s life without a few scars to show for it?”

I clenched my fists, frustration rising within me.

“Don’t you dare romanticize my struggles, Monika. I fight my own battles, thank you very much.”

She leaned in, her eyes glittering with a dangerous kind of affection.

“And that, my dear, is why I need you by my side. Together, we can tear down everyone who’s ever doubted us—even if it means dealing with a few stupid pacts and a lot of blood.”

I sighed, the anger slowly ebbing into reluctant acceptance. As much as I hated to admit it, working with Monika might be the only way out of this endless loop of fake faces and twisted agendas.

I stared at the binding circle one last time, feeling its pull. I knew there was no turning back once the deal was sealed. With the cool sting of the pact still fresh on my skin, I steeled myself for what was to come.