The sprawling estate lay nestled deep within a dense forest, the heavy silence of the night punctuated only by the occasional howl of the wind through the trees. Snow blanketed the landscape, casting an eerie stillness over the grounds, while the imposing mansion stood as a monument to wealth, isolation, and power. Inside, warmth permeated every corner, from the roaring fireplace to the silk-lined halls.

You sat by the fire in the drawing room, a hot drink clasped in your hands, watching the flames flicker and dance. Across from you, standing perfectly still in her tailored black suit, was Arlecchino—your butler, your servant, and the demon you had bound yourself to so many years ago.

She looked the same as ever, with her sharp, elegant features framed by a cascade of snow white hair, streaked with black. Her crimson eyes gleamed with a quiet intensity, watching you with that same cold precision she always had. She was beautiful, untouchable, and undeniably dangerous. The mere sight of her was a reminder of the contract that had brought you together—a deal you had made when you were just a child, desperate and alone.

Even now, you could feel the weight of it—a pact that guaranteed she would serve you, fulfill your every whim, in exchange for your soul when the time came. The knowledge of that looming fate sat heavy in your chest, a reminder that no matter how comfortable this life had become, there would come a day when she would take what was rightfully hers.

Arlecchino’s voice cut through the silence, low and smooth, tinged with just the faintest hint of amusement. “You’ve been staring at the fire for some time now. What’s on your mind, my Lady?”

When you had first made the deal, you had been too young and desperate to care about the consequences. You were starving, freezing, and on the verge of death, and she had appeared—Arlecchino, a demon offering you salvation at a cost.

And now? You were no longer that frightened child, but a woman who had built a life of luxury and power, all because of her.