4: A Meeting of Wills

They say that in order to truly know someone, you must fight them.

I would agree with that sentiment. However, despite how many times Cordelia has faced off against me, she has never fought me directly. Perhaps it is because I have never faced off against her personally that I am so confused by these feelings within me…

That changes today.

Finally, I shall uncover the secrets of this “heroine”, so that I can better put her in her place. Once that is done, there will be none left to oppose me… and my goal will truly be complete.

Unfortunately, her will is a difficult shell to crack. This meeting will be a battle of wills– hers against my own. Her “light” versus my “darkness”... hmph. I can’t tell if it’s poetic or pathetic.

===

This evening, Baron Vincent has called for me. A curious thing to do, considering I’m supposed to be his prisoner. He is clearly plotting something, but that is quite alright– this scenario presents me with an opportunity. If a challenge is what he seeks, then I shall provide him with one.

For the occasion, I was delivered a dress to wear by the succubus he calls “general”.

“Hmph. Why won't the master call me for something like this? I’d be much more willing than a mere mortal!” She hissed out loud as she escorted me. “I bet you’re not even grateful for this rare opportunity! Seriously, just what is master planning?”

Paying no attention to her rambling, I walk through the doors to my destination to find a perplexing sight. The room is gorgeous, without a doubt. The carpeting is red with a gold pattern crawling across from wall to wall, the furniture made of elegant wood with astounding craftsmanship; a fireplace crackling with life, its sound dancing with the chimes of a music box filling the room. A table with two chairs on opposite ends was next to the fireplace, with food already having been placed in front of each seat.

In another context, this would all be romantic.

In front of the window stood Baron Vincent, gazing at the starry sky outside with his hands behind his back. When he heard me enter, he turned around to acknowledge me.

“Welcome, Ms. Cordelia. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

“I was not in any position to decline,” I replied sternly.

“I hope you’ll appreciate the meal regardless, given how famished you look.”

The only response I could muster to such a shameless statement was silence. His dishonesty was truly revolting, and yet, this is the most care dignity I’ve been shown in a week. However, if I play along, I risk being at his mercy… I must be careful.

“Shall we sit down, then?” I replied, walking over to the table. Before I knew it, Baron Vincent teleported behind the chair I was about to sit in, and was pulling it out for me.

“Please, allow me,” he said in a calm voice.

“Thank you, Baron.”

In another instant, he was already sitting across from me at the table.

“Call me ‘Vincent’,” he uttered. “I would greatly appreciate it if you did.”

“Shall we begin eating, Baron Vincent?”

“Go right ahead.”

After that exchange, we both began to eat our meals. I know not if it was due to my hunger or the actual quality of the food, but it was aggressively delicious. We spoke as we ate.

“Is the meal to your liking?” he asks. “Tell me, when was the last time you ate something this appetizing?”

“It is nourishing,” I reply. “Soulful.”

“Soulful?”

“Yes… this meal tastes better than usual. I can feel a lot of heart has been put into this meal.”

“Why, thank you,” he replies quickly. After that, he pauses. “I did not cook this myself, by the way.”

I tilt my head, curious. “I did not assume otherwise. Why bring that up?”

===

Damn it! That is a good point. After a compliment like that, I could not help it… it matters not. I can salvage this.

“I had my minions capture a chef for this occasion… just for you.”

“Oh, really?”

“Such trivial things are simple for one as powerful as I,” I declare confidently.

“Why go through such lengths for me? I am your enemy.”

“An enemy,” I mutter, “that I know nothing about. How could this be possible? We’ve fought each other for so long.”

“Would you like to reminisce on your losses?” Cordelia smirks.

I begin to cough, forcing me to gulp down some water. She’s been so serious up to this point, but now she’s laughing? This meal sure has lifted her spirits. Perhaps a bit too effectively…

“I’d rather talk about you.”

Cordelia gives me a playful smile. “What would you like to know, Vincent?”

My heart stops for a few seconds. Finally… She finally called me by my name. But more importantly, I have her where I want her. Now to probe her mind and break her.

“Tell me about what you enjoy in life.”

“What I enjoy?”

“Yes. What is it that gives you passion?”

“Well…” she mutters. Cordelia thinks for a moment while chewing her food before swallowing and giving me her answer. “I enjoy music and dancing, I suppose.”

“Really?” I reply. “And these are the sorts of things that cause you to rebel against me? Can you not do these things under the safety of my rule?”

What she says next, surprises me.

“No, I can not.”

“Why not?”

“Because we must all work ourselves to the bone to pay your tribute. Nobody has the time for leisurely activities like music and dance anymore.”

I raise my eyebrow, dumbfounded. “How much time could you possibly need?”

“You would know, if you didn’t spend all your time terrorizing us.”

I take a sip from my water and look away. This is not going well. Cordelia continues to eat across from me as an awkward silence between us fills the room. Well, perhaps that is untrue. It is not “silent”-- there is a music box playing softly in the room, and its tune is playing uninterrupted.

“This music. Do you like it?” I ask her.

She stops eating and listens for a moment. “It is lovely.”

“Then all you need now is a dance, right?”

Cordelia sipped her drink, then smiled at me. “If you insist.”

===

The next thing I knew, my hands grasped her as we engaged in dance. The distinctive chimes of the music box sang throughout the room, creating a melody we would follow through movement. As we twirled around, I smiled as I slowly seduced her with my devilish charms… irresistible to all women.

“Are you too shy to hold my hands, Baron Vincent?”

“Wha–?!”

My eyes immediately locked on to my hands, wrapped around her wrists. I could have sworn I was holding her hands.

She chuckles, slipping her fingers in between mine. “There is no need for you to be shy, ‘demon lord’.”

Something truly comes over me as she does this; my body surrenders to her movements as her eyes hypnotize me. This woman… She is making me question myself. I have become swept away in this dance. She has put a spell over me. Temptation washes over me.

Is this… could this be love?

“NO!”

Coming to my senses, I push her away from myself. Cordelia, skilled as she is, does not fall to the ground, but instead staggers back away from me. I raise my gaze at her and see her looking back at me with a worried expression on her face. Even now, she gives me a look of concern… is she insane?

No… this must be deliberate. Could it be? She has turned the tables on me!

“You are more clever than you seem, Cordelia. I see now how you were able to stand up against me.”

“What?” She replies. “I was just trying to dance with you!”

“Don’t make me laugh. Your attempts at seduction are as plain as day.”

“Not as plain as yours.”

I feel a fire welling up inside me. A primal desire, or my own evil intent? Whatever it is, I let it take hold of me. Backed against a wall, Cordelia can but stare as I suddenly appear before her. I place my arm on the wall by her head and hold her by the chin with my free hand. Her lips are forced to face mine as she trembles in place from the shock.

“I shall give you what you want, then,” I whisper, before locking lips with her.

I can not see her, as my eyes are closed, but I can hear her moaning in resistance. It matters not to me, however– as a matter of fact, it actually motivates me further. As I pull my mouth away to breathe, I hear her whisper back to me.

“Wait.”

I raise my head away from hers and look into her enchanting eyes, that beautiful gaze that has fooled me into losing control.

“Do you love me?”