To His Hell and Back
Chapter 298: The Devil’s Trick-II

Chapter 298: The Devil’s Trick-II

Isabelle stared warily at the creature now inhabiting Arabella’s body. The shift had been so seamless, so terrifyingly subtle, that she hadn’t noticed until the creature spoke. That alone confirmed her deepest suspicion: this was no ordinary spirit. No wandering ghost or whisper of magic. This... was something ancient. Something dangerous.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides. "What promise?"

She didn’t know why she asked. Every instinct screamed at her not to make a deal. Not with something that wore another’s skin so easily. And yet... what if it was necessary?

The creature smiled, slow and languid. "A simple one," it hummed, voice like silk running over a blade. "Promise me you will never harm Arabella."

Isabelle blinked, stunned. Her eyes dropped to Arabella’s familiar face, her pale cheeks, the gentle rise of her chest as she breathed and for a moment, the world felt upended.

"Why would I promise you that?" she asked, her voice tight. "If I were to make a vow, I’d make it to her. Not to the thing wearing her like a cloak."

The creature’s smile widened, teeth flashing with amusement. "But I am her, for now," it said, lifting Arabella’s hand and turning it as if admiring it. "Same lips, same voice, same heartbeat. What’s the difference?"

A beat passed. Then it chuckled, a soft and cruel chuckle. "I’m teasing, of course. Don’t look so grave. But let’s be honest, Isabelle. You could promise it to her... but I don’t trust you."

Isabelle’s jaw clenched. "And I should trust you? A creature who hides behind her eyes and mocks me with her voice?"

The demon leaned in slightly, casting shadows on Arabella’s face that made her look eerily hollow. "Trust is overrated. I’m not asking you to love me. I’m asking for a promise to protect the one thing we both claim to care about. That isn’t so difficult... unless your loyalty is conditional."

Isabelle’s breath hitched at the challenge. Her stare hardened. "You want to talk about loyalty? Then answer me this: what part of you is trustworthy?"

The creature stared at her unbothered then tapped the table in a rhythmic move.

"I don’t need to prove I’m on Bella’s side," the creature said, voice smooth as silk and laced with something ancient. "But one thing is certain: if Arabella is harmed or dies, I suffer the same fate. So tell me, what reason would I have to betray her? You, on the other hand..."

It tilted its head, watching Isabelle like a cat toying with a trapped bird.

"You’re the only one who knows I exist. That puts me in a dilemma. Should I kill you now and pin the blame on someone else? Or keep you alive and hope you remain... useful?" A soft hum. "Honestly, the first option is far more convenient."

The air shifted suddenly, turning brittle and cold. Isabelle sat straighter without meaning to, her fingers twitching ever so slightly toward her waist, where her dagger used to rest.

The creature didn’t move. Its gaze stayed casual, its smile pleasant, as if it were discussing the weather rather than toying with a decision between life and death.

"So," it said with a chuckle, "I suppose it’s not really an offer. More of a threat. I was trying to mimic Arabella’s kindness, but I admit... I can’t quite master the art of being gentle."

Isabelle’s voice was steady, but her eyes were locked, searching for anything human behind that unnerving smile. "If I refuse... will you kill me?"

The creature blinked, and then gave a quiet, clever reply, "I can’t allow you to live."

That sentence struck her like cold water.

Isabelle gripped the armrest. So the demon had known. All along, it had anticipated her visit. Had waited. Had planned this confrontation, this cornering of her into a promise she could not escape.

But what was so wrong about the promise?

She wouldn’t hurt Arabella. Not now. Not ever. She admired her. Cared for her. Liked the way she looked. The way she moved, the way her heart beat, gentle, resilient, so unlike the brittle world they lived in. Arabella pulled people in without even trying.

So why was this promise so hard to make?

Maybe because it wasn’t Arabella asking for it.

But rather than dying now, Isabelle thought about the future. Arabella’s strength that could destroy her kingdom- her father- and even crown herself as the future queen was necessary. Dying now was foolish when the promise was so simple and something she had planned to do from the beginning.

"Alright," she said after a while, "I have to simply promise that I won’t hurt Arabella."

"Yes," confirmed the creature while pulling out her hands to touch Isabelle’s.

For the very first time, Isabelle felt utterly disgusted by the touch coming from Arabella when usually she would be the one trying so hard just so she could touch Arabella’s hands.

"So you will promise to always protect Arabella?" the creature whispered, her eyes seemed to pull Isabelle in when they locked eyes but she managed to held herself back and nodded firmly.

"I promise," said Isabelle, "I won’t hurt her."

"Good," the creature pulled her whisper for a long time, long enough for it to sound like a melody. Then with a hum she pulled her hands away while Isabelle frowned, wondering if the promise was really necessary as she didn’t feel as if something magical had happened from the promise, or maybe deadly since she’s making a promise with an odd creature living inside someone so powerful.

Or perhaps this was just a bad habit of the creature? That it doesn’t really hold any magic?

Then why was it so insistent?

"You can go now," ordered the creature while waving away his hand.

Isabelle frowned at the creature’s demand but saw it smiling and the next words that followed, "You look too pale. Arabella would notice that something is off just by seeing your facial expression and that’s not great."

"Tsk," Isabelle slammed her hand on the table and swiftly turned around, opening the door in front of her only to be startled when seeing Lastor who was standing at the other end, about to walk in. For a moment Isabelle wondered if this servant had heard everything but then saw Lastor’s green eyes and his curious expression which meant he didn’t hear anything earlier.