Triss Beaumont was a prideful and vain woman, but she was loyal to only one man, Jesup Ironheart, a humble farmer whom she had known her entire life. She was promised to him since both of their families had influence in their small village.
Triss had been helping in the fields The day that a group of soldiers had come up and taken her betrothed, essentially conscripting him into a small military unit. Try as she might, her pleas had fallen on deaf ears as the soldiers started moving further away, taking her lover with them.
Months pass by and no word on her beloved's whereabouts, no letter stating that he was alive and well nor one that stated he was dead. Not knowing what was happening was driving her to the brink of madness. This madness was slowly pushing her to her breaking point since all she did was work and sleep, even when other potential suitors started coming to call.
"Such a lonely beauty." A voice hissed in the back of her mind as she felt a haze filling her mind with many dark thoughts, "I could make it go away…"
"What are you talking about? You're just a figment of my imagination." Triss thought, grabbing her head and shaking it, trying to dismiss the intrusive thoughts.
Masculine and highly Malevolent laughter was her response.
"Oh but I am very real my dear. In fact, I've been watching you slowly slip into madness since they took the human man away. I must say, humans go mad quite easily, which makes our job easier." The voice echoed, taking on a seductive tone as if whomever owned the voice was getting a little bit too excited.
"So what? What are you on about?" Triss thought, feeling her patience starting to run thin.
More laughter.
"You don't beat around the bush. I'll make you a deal." The voice stated as a portal opened up and what appeared to be a male tiefling walked out, his orange eyes looking Triss over he leaned his head to the side with a curious and calculating gaze, "You will do nicely. I can give you all the power at my disposal, in return you give me an heir."
Triss blinked as if she had never heard such a bold proposal before. "What? Have you gone insane?" She asked.
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"Honey, I have been insane. I'm no mortal man after all." He stated, "Make the deal and you can have not only your man back but untold power to make sure it never happens again."
Triss thought about his words,warily watching him. "And all you want is an heir?" She asked, skepticism coloring her voice.
"Either that or your soul, take your Puck woman. You're starting to try my patience." Crimzen replied.
"If I accept, I have one condition." Triss stated, catching Crimzen's attention, his orange eyes now focused on Triss' blue eyes.
"And that condition is?" Crimzen asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That you don't interfere with my life or that of the future child. I have a say over how it will be raised, and I don't want you anywhere near it." Triss replied, sure she had gotten the best of the demon.
Crimzen grinned, knowing that such an action could lead to resentment later on in life. "Sure, knock yourself out, but know this, if and when she finds out the truth, it will be you she comes to resent. I have a couple of conditions of my own." He stated, getting a nod from Triss to continue, "She will have bodyguards and they will be of my choosing. I will also make myself known to her on her 21st birthday when she is technically free of your control. I will summon her to me eventually and then she will make a choice, pure and simple. I want to make this clear, failure to keep your end of the bargain will result in me rescinding your magic and I will claim your soul as well as that of your lover. Do we have a deal?"
Triss thought about his words, but in her mind, she was ready to have her betrothed back. "Very well." She stated, "You have a deal." Crimzen grinned and held up his hand as she felt her temperature spike as he took a part of her soul before she blacked out as Crimzen kissed her lips.
The Following Month
Triss was out in the fields when she heard footfall approaching. She looked up to see Jesup approaching as she ran up and wrapped her arms around his waist, sobbing into his chest.
"What's wrong my little dove?" Jesup asked, a worried look on his face.
"Thank the gods you're back and in one piece! It's been so long since I've felt your arms, But there is something you must know." Triss stated, looking down at the small bump that was hidden behind her dress.
Jesup looked down before his green eyes widened then narrowed as he looked at Triss with suspicion. "Why? Who?" He asked between gritted teeth.
"That's the thing, it was part of a deal to get you back. Otherwise I wouldn't have made it." Triss replied, tears filling her blue eyes, causing Jesup's gaze to soften slightly.
"That answers the why but not the who." Jesup stated, holding Triss close.
"Crimzen Shadowbane." Triss stated. Jesup cursed long and hard, holding Triss tightly.
"We will have to move the wedding up. We will let everyone think it's mine. I'm taking back what should've been mine." Jesup stated, coughing lightly.
"It's for the best before tongues start wagging." Triss stated, starting to walk, Jesup Following her to the temple where they were quickly married, carrying the secret of the baby's true origins between them.
Eight months later, Triss went on to give birth to a healthy baby girl, Jesup claiming her as his daughter despite him knowing the truth.
Jesup quietly held the newborn infant, looking her over to see had humanoid features minus two small horns and a little tail. He felt his heart melt as he stepped into the role of a father to the life that would need a strong male role model to survive.
"My little Lissabat. You now bear such a great burden and you've only just begun to live your life..." Jesup stated, "We will guide you as best as we can Little Lissabat. To the rest of theworld, you're Lissabat Ironheart." The newborn cooed before stretching and falling asleep, clinging to Jesup's shirt, crying when he tried to hand her off to Triss to be fed.