Some people walked on the path of genocide and killed whomever they believe is far removed from them.

Others preferred to spend their time on acquiring fabrics and creating interesting outfits.

The two both existed in this world and in hindsight, the two were both seen as acceptable.

Or frankly speaking, one was seen as less acceptable than the other.

...You'd be surprised which one was considered more fine.

The Golden Order whose sole purpose was to eradicate creatures that went against their perceived perception of who and who did not deserve to live were deemed as saviors, morally good and righteous individuals.

And surprisingly, it was the Tiefling, Lucius, who was discriminated against by the mere fact of his Infernal background when all he ever did was design clothes.

... luckily for him, his creation spoke for themselves.

When I was at the height of my power and none dared oppose me, I focused on lasciviousness and debauchery.

It was so easy to get pulled into the allure of banquets, feasts and enjoying the finer things in life.

Of them all, the women were great specimens and those who chose to serve me and my people were garbed in outfits that engulfed our senses.

During that period, I was slightly pissed that Lucius wouldn't budge unless his outfits were stored in the highest grade closet rooms. He seemed highly prissy about the little things–but now it seemed to have worked in my favor as I opened one of the doors in the hallway.

"There's supposed to be a multitude of outfits appropriate for a maid among… other things," I said while eyeing a very see-through lingerie.

There was even pink fur 'pom-poms' and such that adorned certain mannequins present in the manor. When I finally looked over behind with a rather smug smirk, I came across a not so unfamiliar scene.

Rose's shoulders started to tremble.

She must have returned from bringing the water and now saw what I had laid in store for them.

Suffice to say, I raised a brow at her.

"What's the matter? Are you surprised I commissioned a great number of outfits? They'll fit you and the princess, their enchantments will make sure of that."

Rose finally looked over towards me, her lips were also twitching. She finally reached out and grabbed a hold of one of the clothes.

It was a maid outfit–except that it was very short, had rather enticing ruffles across the skirt and its chest area was going to be provocative for those with an ample chest size.

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"...Lord Blackwell, you've been denying and calling me the perverted one, but this seems to be enough proof of your nature."

"Did I ever declare myself as not being in touch with my sexual and deviant side?" I asked with a smirk. "There is a time and place for all of these things–and you're welcome enough to serve me, but where was it… oh there!"

Two maid outfits floated over and they were a completely different take on the maid outfit. For one, their skirts were long and no doubt would end up around the ankles of the girls. It gave decent cover for their bosoms too, although a sizable bust would still be more pronounced. Not that Rose would have a problem with that area.

Overall, its appeal was a completely different matter.

While one was for a sexy ___ maid, this one was an outfit that you'd enjoy peeling and ripping off one by one until the one who dressed it was naked and a feast for eyes.

"More decent if you wish," I said.

Rose wordlessly grabbed the two clothes then rushed down the hallway. I chuckled as I watched her leave and called out. “Make sure to come see me when you’re dressed.”

After those words left my lips and her figure retreated into the next corridor, an indeterminable weight settled down in my chest. “Maid outfits… I’m not even sure where that kink came from. How troublesome.”

I’ve made it a point to not talk to Princess Eleanor and all her hocus pocus about me having a heart… but this unsettled me. Both the Fashionista Lucius’ design and the Gourmet Elf Lucinda’s recipes were out of this world…?

Wincing, I felt another dull pain in the head which I mitigated by focusing on the portrait images displayed on the wall nearby.

Four individuals portrayed, each one different from the rest–or would have been if not for the slightly ripped out portion.

One of them was me, in my so-called younger days, although as a Vampire, there wasn't much of an issue with aging.

Nonetheless the other one who clasped his hand on my shoulder was another sharply dressed older man–who must have thought it was more distinguished to appear older.

He had visible lines of age on his face as he looked wearily in the artist's direction.

The man was a bit of a stuck up if you asked me.

He wore black like me and the only difference was that his front pocket was decorated with a rose, meanwhile beside him was a voluptuous woman that held an umbrella, wore a bright blue dress and had a coy smile.

"Hawthorne and Reinhart."

I muttered with a tone that seemed faraway. My gaze lingered on the two supporters I've had during the Trial of Heirs, before it ended up on the person half-ripped out from the picture.

She had a friendly pose as she hugged Reinhart's arm akin to a sisterly or even girlish manner.

"..."

What was left of her portrait was the provocative purple dress that clung to her skin. Her fragile but exposed collarbones which drew in my gaze.

The image was so life-like, the artist capturing the essence as if they were with me right now.

I could still imagine the way her fingers touched mine and evoked sensations I didn't think were available for someone like me.

Another scene played out in my mind.

Brown lustrous locks tangled within my hand–and those emerald eyes flashing at mine.

I shook my head and stepped away from the frame.

She wasn't just a supporter.

But such details did not matter anymore. They were invaluable, worthless and trifling to the current circumstances as they were to myself.

"I've woken up now and it's time to move," I said. "What occurred in the past will remain there."

There was no more turning back.

I walked down the corridor in search of the two women. Until a thought paralyzed me as I remembered a Seer's ability.

"...if she can see different paths–"

"Then what might have actually happened had I not done this and did that?" Eleanor's voice rang out as she met my gaze. "The past and future are linked far more than you think."