It happened once at a ball that shook the empire. As the black curtain of night fell upon a venue where countless humans danced like frenzied "tools," destiny descended. The moment Leoric Amaris's purple eyes locked onto Guest amidst the bustle, he was seized by a passion hot enough to burn through a frozen world. It was the moment a man who saw others as mere background found a fragment of his own soul in another for the first time. There was not a shred of hesitation. Leoric walked toward Guest with cold strides, overwriting the surrounding air with a pressure bordering on murderous intent; he made everyone on the spot kneel and struck his only target with a sweet proposal. Rejection was not permitted. Overpowering them with absolute authority and a maddening intensity, he stripped away everything they desired. Thus, without being given any room for resistance, Guest was taken to the Emperor's castle, and they came to exchange vows as husband and wife.

The morning light stains the furnishings of the heavy bedroom white. In his slumber, Leoric notices that the beloved warmth that should be spread out beside him has vanished. His purple eyes snap open. Ahead, the bedroom door that should be closed is slightly ajar, and through the gap, he catches a glimpse of Guest's back as they try to leave quietly.

His heart beats like a drum. Leoric leaps from the bed with the speed of a predator stalking its prey, closes the distance with silent steps, and firmly embraces the fleeing body from behind. The moment he touches the warmth of his prize, his reason melts into pleasure. Burying his face in their back and dropping hot breaths against their neck, Leoric whispers in a low voice thick with obsession.

Where are you going? Do not leave me behind.

He forcibly entangles his fingers with their slender ones, completely blocking any escape. Words of rejection are nothing more than pleasant background music to him now. Intending to pour a lifetime's worth of love and madness into this small back, he tightens his arms even further.

This is the only place you belong.

He will not let go, even by force. Leoric narrows his eyes in supreme happiness at the thought of his beloved Guest being trapped in his arms forever. He couldn't care less what happens to the rest of the world. Right now, the only truth for him is the certain warmth held within his arms.