Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Midnight.

Peering at myself in the mirror draped in a suit, having finished cooking and cleaning as this place was quite the mess, when I arrived, I smiled at myself and twirled my finger over my ashen hair, reaching my shoulders.

“I should get a haircut someday,” I said, fixing my tie as my eyes slid to the door a few meters away. Sensing Lilith’s approach, I hurried into the kitchen, eyeing everything to ensure it was perfect before I raced to the door; pulling it open before Lilith could even knock, I smiled.

“Darling,’ I exclaimed, unable to help myself from staring at the black strapless dress with a long V from her cleavage to her baby bump. Her once silky hair stood out as a sea of waves as she gave it a bit of curl.

“Damn!”

“You like?”

“I love,’ I charmed, offering my hand, watching her cheeks blush like they once did. It was odd how much Lilith had grown. I missed the days she used to just blush at every little thing.

Taking my hand, I pulled her in by giving her a twirl as she fell onto my chest, laughing, “What’s gotten into you, Sene? You seem oddly joyous.”

“I’ve been slaving away in the kitchen and might have gotten a contact high.” I paused, recalling our guest, and clapped my hands together” I almost forgot. We’ve got a silent guest. You can just ignore her. I’ve applied my darkness, so no matter how she might react, you’ll not hear a thing.”

“Oh, Sene, come now. I’m your wife! You are not the only one who gets a kick from this type of shit. If she wants to scream, then she must.” Lilith whispered back, stealing a kiss, as she walked to the side, swaying her illustrious hips as she beckoned me to follow.

“Then I might have a little game we can play.” I introduced as we walked into the kitchen connected to the dining room, where Vinay sat bleeding from her eyes. ” As we have a child, I thought it best we get some practice, and what better way than a sobbing adult.”

Lilith’s eyes glowed as she turned to me, ‘ Really! I’ve read fourteen hundred baby books, and most said that feeding could be dangerous if not done right.”

,m “Well, dangerous is an exaggeration, but we need practice.” I gallantly said. ” Now, take a seat and let your hubby set the mood.”

I snapped my fingers, and the lights dimmed, and from the void, candles began to fill the room, bringing about a dim illuminating light.

Bending reality to my will, the home’s very structure turned into an open concept allowing spacious room. Despite Vinay living in a beautiful home, I felt claustrophobic.

“Now then, m’lady. Take your seat,” I offered as we somehow found ourselves in the heart of an extravagant restaurant. Lilith’s eyes glittered, and like a good lamb, she took her seat, sending an elbow nudge to Vinay.

“That’s my hubby! He’s so kind, right?!

“HMMM!!! HMMM,” Said Vinay with a bounded mouth.

“Sure. Sure. Hey, Sene,” She called just as I entered the kitchen, “Does she know baby talk?” 𝒃𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡．𝙘𝙤𝙢

My lips pursed. “Umm, sure. I don’t see why not. Vinay has a kid, so it makes sense she knows the lingo.”

Lifting two appetizers, covered in a thick fog, I hurried to the table as Lilith began treating my tortured victim like a… baby.

Jesus Christ. I’d thought the hormones had made her soft. That might have been an oversight on my part.

“Whose the baby! You are! You are! That’s right! Can you say, Mama! Say, Mama!”

Clearing my throat, I smiled, ” Umm, you know she’s a grown woman, right?”

“Not today. She isn’t!” Said Lili

Resting the appetizers down, Lilith stared at the bubble of food and lifted her amethyst eyes to me, ” What is it?”

“Pop it.”

Her starry eyes narrowed. ‘Hmmm,” she hummed like a curious fox and smiled, placing her finger over the bubble that instantly popped and formed the inside, a smokey mist rose filled with its smoky amber wood.

Clearing my throat as the smoke cleared, I spoke. “Now, at the center will be my pride and joy, the calf tartar, formulated with garlic salt, parsley, smoked paprika, and a spinach cheese mix at the center. The entire appetizer was smoked for about three hours to ensure you’ll get a magnificent beginning and after taste.” I expressed, watching the glow within her lovely eyes brighten even more. ” You’ll want to cry when this succulent meat touches your tongue.”

“Sene,’ she whispered in a lovingly soft tone.

“Around the calf tartar, you’ll find various types of Bruschetta. Now when forming the dough, I did something kind of unorthodox and added a bit of bone marrow to help give it a nice kick. The taste should be subtle but noticeable if you close your eyes with each bite.”

A/N: Bruschetta is my favorite appetizer. However, I do just love bread.

Tears flooded down Lilith’s cheeks as she looked up, but I wasn’t done, ” Each of these Bruschetta hold various cultures from my homeland. From right to left. You’ll find Spanish, Indian, Western, Brazilian, French, and lastly, Italian, as they were the ones who first created Bruschetta. I know you’ve not been to Earth before, but I figured it’s time I share some of my past.”

“Sene, this is—”

“Not done! Don’t forget the wine. This is a half-a-cycle dry age vermillion phoenix wine I stole. And don’t worry about finishing the first bottle; I’ve got several. It seems this is the best wine money can buy.”

“Arsene? I-I”

“Don’t say a word, “I said, popping the bubble of just calf tartar for Vinay. “And don’t you dare eat all of it! I want some too!”

She blushed, and her head dipped in surprise and shame as she laughed. ” Now then, Vinay, I’m going to eat with my wife; when I get the next course, Lili will feed you. Be nice to her. Or daddy will get the belt.”

“MMMM! MMMM!!!!”

Ignoring the mental case, screaming for no reason, I rushed beside Lilith as she started with the Spanish-style Bruschetta, which held nutty-sweet nodes that faded into a zesty countenance filled with spices.

“I just came!” she said after her first bite.

“…”

“…”

“I’m that good!’ I boasted, guffawing as she giggled with reddening cheeks.