Chapter 1: Prologue I: A Defiled Dame's Distress
Notes:
Edit 6/11/25: Edited the chapter title. Just felt like this one fit better.
Chapter Text
It always started with the creaking of a door. As the purple light seeped in and the violet-clad figure slowly approached the extravagant bedroom, he marveled at his “prize”, a lady suited perfectly for him. Gumina wanted to run, scream, do anything that would help her out of there! But the demon’s curse forced her to smile and continue lying in a seductive position. Each time, she was hopeless to do anything as the man unrobed her like he was peeling a ripe fruit.
“Come, shall we dance?”
Their wicked dance always brought the pair around the room and it always ended back below the blankets of the bed. All the while, Gumina is helpless, trapped in her own body. Her mind tries to escape, but it always ends up at the worst place: the cursed memory of that fateful day.
The day when women left the manor in flocks as the demon’s spell broke. It took Gumina longer than the rest to regain her composure, which was just more time for her eyes to linger on the collapsed man before her. She could always remember the exact moment just before she was about to leave when that man called out.
“Wait, don’t go!”
When Gumina looked back, her eyes widened at the unexpected sight. Looking at the man’s cheek, that’s when she finally noticed that her captor was not who she thought he was. The realization was more piercing than the thrust of a sword. And as he slowly choked to death on his own venomous blood, Gumina could do nothing but watch. She could never tell: was the sensation she felt each time she witnessed this awful sight from the sins crawling on her back, or from the demon’s hands tracing her naked body?
That’s right. Gumina was back in the bedroom again. Pushed onto her back, the man’s face was close enough that their noses were nearly touching. He was slowly leaning in for a kiss, but he was not the man she should’ve kissed all those years ago. Nevertheless, she was always powerless to do anything but push her lips as the demon continued laying its claim to her body. And at the very moment when the discomfort grew most unbearable...
Gumina woke up again. She was inside a bedroom, but not the same one. As shock and sweat overwhelmed her, a lone thought crept into her mind:
If only I hadn’t rejected his love, none of this would’ve happened.
Chapter 2: Prologue II: Life Without Love
Notes:
Edit 5/26/2025: Removed the first paragraph for less redundancy.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
I thought of myself as someone always facing forward, so why did I decide to look back? It must’ve been that very moment, when I forgot how to look forward. If only I hadn’t looked back in that moment, where would I be now? — Gumina Glassred
It’s been 5 years since the Duke of Lust died. His name was Sateriasis to the public, but one sole woman knew him as Cherubim.
Gumina Glassred was one of Venomania’s victims, and much like the others, she now lives far away from where those awful memories originated. In a peaceful town within Elphegort, she lives a mundane life with little else but housework and painting. It's a stark contrast from the bustling environment of the Duke’s mansion. One could look at how much at this drastic change and admire how quickly she’s move on from such traumatic events. Yet the beads of sweat that collect on her forehead each morning she wakes up shows that she’s still escaping.
Today, it was just another ordinary morning. Gumina was asleep, though she was about to wake up. The idea of someone sleeping is so peaceful that it’s hard to imagine how much of a relief it could feel for them to finally regain consciousness. Relief was exactly what Gumina felt, as she sat up from her bed. That relief would disappear quickly however, because although bad experiences were painful, lacking good experiences wasn’t much better. And “lacking” was the perfect word Gumina would use to describe her current life.
“Gumina, can you get the mail for me please?”
A man who lived with Gumina called out to her from outside her room. As a child, Gumina sometimes dreamed of something like this—a life where she could be greeted every day in the morning by her beloved. It was a common dream of female nobles—to be given attention by her prince charming. Unfortunately, the man who called out to Gumina wasn’t her prince or lover. He was just the man she was forced to marry after her previous fiancé and lover both died. This man was someone Gumina felt nothing for, just like the rest of her boring life. She got dressed and exited the room without a word.
There was a mailman waiting outside with an envelope when she arrived and opened the front door. Gumina silently took the envelope from his hands and read the contents inside after closing the door. It didn’t take long for her to grimace as she instinctively crumbled the letter into a ball and threw it into a nearby trashcan.
The letter was a death threat—a very graphic death threat written with very vulgar language and gruesome description. Normally, a person would probably be horrified to receive such a letter, but Gumina barely felt anything. She felt more annoyed by what she heard right after reading the letter than the letter itself.
“Mommy, I’m hungry! Where’s my breakfast?!”
The squeaky voice immediately gave her a headache. “How many times do I have to tell you to be patient?” she groaned.
That voice came from her husband’s daughter, Cherry. She was someone Gumina never particularly liked. It didn’t really have anything to do with Cherry’s behavior, but something about her always triggered a slight sense of anger or jealousy whenever Gumina laid eyes on her.
Cherry was seated at the dining table, right next to her father, Harold, who was reading a newspaper.
Harold was a short and stout man from the noble Aspen family, though he had an aura somewhat unbefitting of a noble. That was because Harold was a bit infamous for being the “unremarkable” one in comparison to his siblings. Harold wasn’t particularly smart, good-looking, nor did he have any traits that endeared people to him. For someone of the esteemed Aspen name, Harold was, quite frankly, a disappointment. People often referred to him as the “crumbs of the Aspen family” and “someone perfect to marry Duke Venomania’s leftovers.”
Whenever Harold wasn’t out at work, he often enjoyed reading newspapers just like now. “My, my, these incidents keep on happening...” he murmured. “What has the world come to all of a sudden?”
Gumina ignored Harold’s comments and went into the kitchen to cook breakfast. Cooking was something Gumina was decently good at. Not by choice, but by necessity, as her father had made sure she was good at cooking in order to be a suitable wife.
Gumina worked away silently for a little while, and then she brought out two plates filled with eggs, sausages, and toast to serve to her husband and his child.
Then she headed back in the direction of her bedroom. At least, she was about to do that when—
“Mommy, aren’t you going to eat too?”
...The shrill voice of a child pierced Gumina’s ears. She stared back at Cherry, who looked innocently at Gumina, and then said to the child, “I don’t need breakfast. Just be quiet and leave me alone.”
Cherry flinched and her expression saddened. Gumina could immediately tell that her words came out harsher than she intended. But she didn’t particularly care and just continued walking.
Harold pat his daughter on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Cherry. Your mother is just in a bad mood today.”
“B-but... mommy’s always in a bad mood...” said Cherry.
When Gumina was sure she was out of hearing distance of the other two, she let out a big sigh. How was it that she already felt so exhausted, when absolutely nothing has happened? Something about the air in this house was suffocating. She couldn’t take it anymore.
So let’s go, Gumina thought. To the one place at home where I can be at peace. She entered a room adjacent to her bedroom, the place where she always painted.
Notes:
Next chapters should come out quicker. Hopefully.
Chapter Text
Compared to the drab atmosphere outside, this place was heaven on earth. A large canvas sat in the center of the room, bathed in rays of light seeping through a slit in the curtains. Upon that canvas displayed a stunning portrait of a smiling man with long violet hair and a distinct mark covering his cheek. And sitting on a chair in front of the painting, was Gumina Glassred.
Whenever she felt overwhelmed by her life, she would enter this room and sit in this very chair. She would close her eyes and take a deep breath. And she would talk. Talk to the one man she treasured more than everything.
“…Welcome back… Cheri,” Gumina whispered.
At first, nothing happened. But then, ripples began to form in the painting. Was it a trick of the morning light? No, the man in the painting, Cherubim, clearly started moving. Then… he spoke.
“Hello, Gumi. How was your day?”
Gumina’s face always lightened up when she heard that voice. “It’s been rather… rough. But at least I have my meetings with you to look forward to.”
“Hahaha… I’m glad to hear that.”
The two talked for several minutes, laughing and smiling all the while. Gumina didn’t care what they talked about, she was simply glad to be able to converse with someone she loved like this, even if the topic of said conversation wasn’t exactly cheerful.
“And that’s pretty much the state of affairs at the moment,” said Gumina.
“My, I’m sorry to hear that,” said Cherubim.
Gumina nodded. “Sorry if I soured the mood.”
“No, no it’s not a problem. Say, why don’t we focus on some… happier memories instead?”
Gumina smiled. “I would love that.”
In fact, I have the perfect place for our trip down memory lane, Gumina thought.
“Do you remember when we played in the forest on the night of our first New Year’s festival?”
“Of course, I’d never forget that day.”
As Gumina imagined that memorable day nine years ago, the world around her began to fade. It gradually faded and faded to white until there were just the two figures of Gumina and Cherubim standing side by side. Then, outlines began to materialize, and those outlines formed shapes. Those shapes filled with colors and the world became 3-dimensional. Before Gumina knew it, she was standing inside a painting of the past.
In a large forest clearing illuminated by moonlight, the translucent figures of Gumina and Cherubim could be seen standing next to each other. The faint sound of festivalgoers talking mixed with the chirpings of nocturnal critters to create a melody that could only be heard once a year. Gumina looked around, marveling at this world that looked and sounded exactly like she remembered from her childhood.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said Cherubim. “I wish I had the opportunity to experience a night as breathtaking as this again.”
“Me too…” said Gumina, still looking around in awe.
She was still lost in wonder when the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps and childish giggling confused her and caused her to turn around. That’s when a green blur rushed right through her, causing her to spin in startlement like a character from a comedy. The sight looked so silly that Cherubim couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahaha! You know they can’t touch you right? See?”
Right after he said that, more footsteps could be heard followed by another blur rushing through Cherubim’s ghostly figure. Unlike Gumina, he did not faze.
Gumina looked toward where the two blurs were headed. That’s when she saw a hooded boy chasing a girl dressed as a peasant from across the forest clearing. Seeing it from this perspective was surreal, but the identities of those two children were unmistakable. They were the younger forms of Gumina and Cherubim.
“Running around with you, it was so much fun,” said Gumina.
“Mmhmm. It was truly a thrill, like always,” said Cherubim.
Gumina stood smiling, watching her past self. And as she kept staring, something strange happened. Gumina began to enter a trance. The feeling was foreign to her, but also felt so natural that she didn’t question it. It was like… the present Gumina was merging with her past self. Gumina was no longer watching a girl run, she was the girl running. Or at least, that’s what it started to feel like. This strange sensation became stronger and stronger until, eventually, Gumina was no longer an onlooker. She was reliving the scene exactly as it happened in the past.
Notes:
I know I also said this last time, but the next chapters should hopefully come quicker! I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of writing done more consistently.
Chapter Text
Forest trees flickered past me as I ran. Fatigue filled my body, and my legs were aching. However, this game was simply too fun to stop early. With power surging through my veins, fueled by the wind’s embrace, the experience was absolutely exhilarating. Here in this large, leafy labyrinth, I was unchained. Uncaged. And allowed to run wild.
"Hurry up, you laggard! You’re never beating me at this rate!”
I glanced back and grinned mischievously at Cheri as I ran. He seemed exhausted, but also determined, extra determined to secure his victory.
“I’ll… hah… I’ll get you this time…” he said.
“I’d enjoy seeing you try!” I said.
I winked at Cheri to taunt him. Then I tripped on something and fell.
“Ahh!”
Something under me snapped as I collapsed with a thud.
“Ughhh… stupid branch…”
The fall wasn’t particularly painful. But now Cheri was certain to catch up to me! If I lost, I swore I was going to smash that branch into a million pieces…
Should I just forfeit at this point?
Looking back, he seemed distant enough that I could still outrun him if I got up quickly. It would’ve been easier to let Cheri tag me, but…
“Hey, get back here!” said Cheri.
“Not a chance!”
I wasn’t going to give up easily. I got up and kept running. Even if my legs were starting to hurt more, the pain would eventually end if I just kept running!
The finish line crawled into sight: the light of the festival seeping through the trees marked the exit. Just three more steps, then two, then…
“Another victory for Gumina Glassred!”
I pumped my fists in the air as I dashed into the bustling streets of Lasaland. On this special day, there were more people than ever to witness my victory.
Cheri stumbled in soon after, panting heavily. He was clearly exhausted.
“Can’t you let me win… just one time?”
I grinned at Cheri. “No way! You’ll have to improve if you want to win!”
Really, I was every bit as exhausted as him, but pretended I wasn’t. My façade only lasted a few seconds.
“Hah… Say, why don’t we grab some food?” said Gumina. “I could rather use it now…”
Cheri nodded. “Same here…”
We started to stroll down the busy streets, searching for a place to eat. Various food stalls were spread amongst the other vendors, games, and attractions in the city. Oftentimes I smelled something appetizing, but none of the food really caught my eye visually. Cheri was the first to point out a place that he liked.
“Ooh! Let’s eat at this one!”
I looked to where he pointed to see a stall selling baba ganoush.
Seriously? Baba ganoush, of all things?
“Cheri, are you certain you want to eat here?”
He nodded enthusiastically while jumping up and down. “Yes! I used to look forward to eating this all the time back at home!”
“Wait, really?” I said. “Then let’s order some!”
As a noble, I was initially apprehensive about eating food meant for commoners, but after hearing what it meant for Cheri, I couldn’t refuse.
Before I knew it, we were sitting down at a table, in front of a plate filled with a generous portion of bread and baba ganoush. I stared at it for a while before lighting dipping a piece of bread and taking a small bite. It tasted rather… simple. I wasn’t exactly enthused to finish it. But what does Cheri think of it? I glanced across to see Cherubim wolfing down food, leaving crumbs all over his mouth and on the table.
“Mmmm, this tastes shooo good!” he said.
To me, it was a rather bizarre sight. None of the people in the Glassred Mansion, servant or family, ate food the way Cherubim was eating. I couldn’t help but giggle at how ridiculous it looked.
“Huh, whas sho funny?” said Cheri.
“Hehe, nothing,” I said. “I’m glad someone is enjoying the food, at least.”
Even if the food wasn’t great, Cheri made it worthwhile. What was it about him that always made me smile? That question lingered in my mind even after we finished our food and began to explore the city.
“Ooh! Ooh! Let’s play this one!”
For the rest of the night, Cheri kept getting distracted by various games, dragging me on for the ride. For this night only, Lasaland was his personal playground.
“Gumi, look! I won! I won! I hit the bullseye!”
Whether it be archery, stone throwing, jousting, or anything else, Cherubim was having a blast.
“Yesss! I won again! Oooh—I wanna try this one next!”
How was it that even though I kept losing, I was having so much fun? As long as I was with Cheri, not a single second of our time together was ever boring. I was content to tag along with him, just moving about and playing games. It’s what we did for a while, until Workshop Street came into view and something caught Cheri’s eye.
“Look over there!”
In front of the smithy, a crowd was roaring with enthusiasm. As we moved closer, it became clear what the cause was. One of the blacksmiths was throwing flaming swords into the air!
“Wow, it’s so cool!” Cherubim exclaimed.
The sabers spun and sketched miniature suns in the air as they rose and fell back into the blacksmith’s hands.
No doubt did the crowd find the scene very impressive. No doubt did I find it very impressive. Yet what I was enamored with most weren’t the juggling swords, but the sparkle in Cherubim’s eyes as he watched. In that moment, those eyes shined with an intensity no fire could match. Just like Cheri with the swords, I couldn’t look away.
Eventually, the ringing of a bell could be heard reverberating throughout the city. It was a sound that signified the start of the New Years’ fireworks show. Everyone around me instantly started scrambling about for the best spot to watch as soon as they heard that bell. But I, on the other hand…
“C’mon, I’ll show you a display more stunning than even what you just witnessed,” I said to Cherubim.
“W-wait, where are we going?” Cherubim was flustered as I dragged him by the hand.
“To our usual spot, of course!” I said.
We headed back to the forest, a private viewing area reserved just for us.
Inside the forest clearing, blue moonlight from above mixed with the orange fireworks in the distance to form a beautiful kaleidoscope. The townsfolk neither saw nor knew of this stunning display, for they were within the city polluted by street lights. So the only people who witnessed this special show… were us: me and Cheri.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I said.
We sat on the grass, shoulder to shoulder, gawking the sky.
“Wooooow…” said Cheri.
I wonder what was on his face at that moment? I wish I could see it, but that would require looking away from the beautiful fireworks. So I let my imagination do the seeing for me. I’m sure it was a wonderful expression.
What would be the expression of someone who saw light after living in darkness? I wouldn’t know, and even if I’ve seen it, I wouldn’t know the meaning behind that expression.
All I knew, was that even after all our fun games, on the most exciting and eventful day of the year, this must have been the highlight for the man known as Cherubim Venomania.
Without averting my eyes from the sky, I spoke, “…Hey Cheri, did you enjoy today?”
Through the explosive sounds of the fireworks… I could still hear a faint “Mhmm” from Cheri. The sheer awe emanating from that affirmative answer was louder than a thousand firecrackers.
“…I’m glad to hear it.”
Those were the only words we spoke throughout the whole show. We mostly spent the duration in silence, watching the sky explode.
Eventually, after a time that felt all too fleeting, the moon returned to being the sole source of light in the sky.
Still sitting under the moonlight, I turned to look at Cheri. He was looking at me back, though when we made eye contact, he blushed and looked away.
“T-thank you for letting me join you today,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure.”
His figure looked ethereal under the blue moon. I wished he didn’t have his hood to partially obscure his face in that moment, but I supposed that was too much to ask for.
“Don’t thank me,” I said. “If anything, I should be thanking you for joining me tonight.”
“Haha…”
Cheri laughed nervously as he lifted himself off the grass. I did the same.
“Well then, shall we head back?” I said.
Cheri nodded… and smiled. It was a beautiful smile that I would remember dearly.
As we departed the forest, I felt the blue moonlight surrounding me beginning to dim. Looking up at that moment, I saw thick clouds gradually eclipsing a full moon, like curtains closing in on the conclusion of a grand performance. So then marked the end… of this long, eventful night.
“And that’s the end of the memory. Did you enjoy your reminiscence?”
Cherubim spoke. Not the Cherubim of the past, but the Cherubim of the present.
Even though “I” had already left this now-dark forest, I was still standing in the clearing, in front of the translucent figure of a familiar man with long, purple hair.
“Yeah, I did enjoy it…” I muttered, staring in the direction of where the me of the past left.
“Do I sense a bit of sadness in your words? What’s wrong?” said Cheri.
I sighed and took a moment to collect my thoughts before speaking. “Well… I was just wondering. When I asked you if you enjoyed that night and you said “yes”… were you being entirely truthful?”
I glanced back to look at Cheri. He had a puzzled look on his face. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be truthful? This night was the happiest night of my life. You showed me what it was like to live as a human and I swore I would never forget it.”
I shuddered. Something about Cheri’s words instantly triggered a negative reaction in me. You never forgot? Well, that’s a lie. Or was it?
…Huh?
My head started to hurt. It was an unbearable, throbbing pain. Pain from trying desperately to remember something but being unable to. Or perhaps… I just didn’t want to remember.
“Gumi, are you alright?! Look, if I didn’t enjoy this night, would I still be here with you, alive and well?”
…Alive… and well?
“Yes. I fell in love with you on this night. It’s why I will stay with you forever and ever.”
…Stay with me… forever… and ever…
The pain gradually subsided. Something still bothered me, but I’m sure that would eventually end if I ignored it.
For now, I was okay. I leaped into Cheri’s arms and cried.
“I’m so glad… sniff… that you’re here with me, Cheri!!!”
Cheri patted me on the back. “There, there, my love. I wouldn’t dream of ever leaving your side. So don’t worry, my dear Gumi.”
What has gotten into me? This was meant to be a happy memory, but it turned into pain and tears.
But with Cheri’s warm touch… it returned to being a happy memory. Because he wouldn’t lie. I trusted him.
On the night of our first New Year’s Festival, Cheri discovered the happiness he had been missing his whole life. He held onto that infinite happiness all the way until today, where he’s still as happy as can be, alive with me. He may not have a physical form like other people. He may not be able to communicate with anyone except me, but that’s okay. Anyone who judges us… are probably the same kind of narrowminded people to jeer at Cherubim for his looks. He may be a strange being, but that’s okay. I love him, and that’s okay. That’s okay. That’s okay.
…
…That is okay… right? You didn’t change, right? You didn‘t forget your happiness, right? You’re still alive, you’re still here, you still love me… right???
“Hey Cheri, everything you’re saying is true, right?”
I asked him a simple question, but it took him an unusually long time to answer.
The air stilled. Cheri’s lips budged. Slowly and gradually like he was going to say something but the words didn’t come out yet. I tried to open my own mouth to talk, but when I tried to speak, my mouth was still opening. Time… had slowed down.
Cheri, are you telling the truth? You’re telling the truth, right?
If I can’t speak my thoughts, then I desperately hoped my thoughts themselves can get through to him. And then… he spoke.
“ O f c o u r s e I ‘ m t e l l i n g t h e t r u — “
Knockknockknock
Creeeak…
A loud knock, then the opening of a door.
Huh?
Huh? Huh? Huh?
We’re outside. What doors were there to open?
“Gumina, did you pack your bags for your trip tomorrow?”
That voice sounded familiar. But we’re alone in the forest. Where did it come from? I didn’t know anyone with that voice anyway, so who was i—
Wait.
A realization hit me. Then it happened all at once.
One moment, small tendrils became visible in the sky and formed shapes like miniature spiderwebs. The next moment, the entire world was covered in spiderwebs. And then—
SMASH!!!
It fell apart. The world fell apart. What Gumina was left with afterwards… was a cramped room filled with paintings. And a door ajar, with a middle-aged man she knew peeking through.
“I said, did you pack your bags for your trip tomorrow?” That loud voice came from Harold Aspen, the man Gumina has been arranged to marry after her former fiancée died.
“Get out…” Gumina murmured.
“I’m sorry, what did you sa—”
“I SAID GET OUT!!!”
“Eek! Sorry!” Harold promptly shut the door.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to peek inside my room?!”
“Sorry, sorry! Don’t worry, I didn’t see anything. Just got a glance of the fireplace, that’s all!”
Gumina was heaving furiously. Why did that man have to ruin… my precious memory?
“Sooooo about my question earlier,” said Harold awkwardly from behind the door. “What’s your ans—”
“I’ll do it later! Now go away!”
Harold scurried anxiously away without saying anything.
Gumina sighed. Just a few moments earlier, she had been inside the lively and wonderful world of the first New Year’s Festival. Now, she was in the lifeless and boring world of the present. The present where her childhood friends are dead and she’s forced to be wed to some man she doesn’t love.
In the moment when Harold opened the door, Gumina’s surreal, fantastical world—no—illusion had been shattered like glass. What was left was harsh, cruel reality.
Still sitting in the same chair she’s sat in for a while, Gumina stared at the lifeless portrait of Cherubim in front of her, which was still. Inanimate. Unmoving.
A single tear fell down her cheek as she asked a single question inside this silent room.
“Oh, Cheri… why did you have to change?”
The portrait of Cherubim responded in a manner typical of portraits:
With silence.
Notes:
Next chapter probably won't come out for a while because of school.
song_of_the_stars on Chapter 1 Wed 12 Mar 2025 02:09PM UTC
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Reddi (Reddi_6411) on Chapter 1 Tue 15 Apr 2025 11:35PM UTC
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KamiMoth on Chapter 3 Mon 21 Jul 2025 06:15PM UTC
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