"How does Prince Stolas know about… But… What else does Stolas, and probably the rest of Goetia, know?!" were the only panicked thoughts Charlie allowed herself in that brief moment before nodding eagerly, grasping onto the idea that came to her.
"That's right, Prince Stolas, we met during a walk with my family, where this kind sinner was exceptionally polite and courteous, helping me with my affairs." Charlie spoke evenly, her voice seemingly stripped of its former liveliness and emotion, causing Stolas to briefly look away and sigh. "Do you want to say something?"
Stolas's eyes moved toward an empty glass, his fingers twitched toward it before clenching into a fist.
"You know that your Consort… the sinner who fell under the 'Punishment'?" Stolas spoke slowly, as if ready to back down at a hint of the Princess's anger. "The one from nineteen thirty, which started exactly three days before the Extermination and lasted three to four days?" Stolas's tone became more anxious, the redness gradually fading from his face. Charlie nodded quickly, her face still wearing a forced frown.
…Though inside, the Princess of Hell exhaled, relaxing the burning coil within and letting go of all those fear-driven thoughts.
"Yes, Prince Stolas, I am aware of that 'Punishment' and that Zephyr came to Hell because of it." Charlie smiled faintly, internally torn between making a joke by adding Papa's remark about Seraph Michael's 'help' or continuing the conversation in the current tone… For now, the first option was winning. At Charlie's words, Stolas raised an eyebrow, tilting his head as he looked at her.
"You know he is one of the Changed?" Stolas's voice was filled with genuine concern, despite his earlier words. He seemed like himself again from the beginning of the visit. "One of those sinners whose mind decays, whose purpose becomes absolute and obsessive?" Stolas spoke seriously, dropping any earlier relaxation.
"…Yes, I know." Charlie blinked quietly before tilting her head. "How do you know about their traits? I thought Goetia doesn't allow sinners to rise above servant rank, let alone take care of their health?" Charlie asked with a sincere question and a teasing tone. Stolas sighed, shaking his head, casting a gentle glance at a bottle labeled 'cosmos.'
"Usually, yes, but after the first massacre outside Pentagram City, multiple Goetia branches became concerned about the emerging trend, which is why those souls were… researched." Stolas grimaced at the end, causing a twinge in Charlie's chest and increasing her desire to be more involved with Silence and William, at least for the first few minutes. "Goetia may conclude, Your Majesty…" Stolas's voice repeated that from breakfast, almost exalted, as if showing her Babylon. "The Changed are dangerous, unstable, and uncontrollable, even compared to 'ordinary' sinners." Stolas closed his eyes before snapping his fingers and summoning several stacks of parchment, scanning the lines with his eyes.
Charlie's attention, however, was more on how Prince Stolas spoke of sinners without the disdain, disgust, or suppressed anger she was used to from most Goetia family members Charlie had encountered with her Mother over the years.
"I am well aware of this situation, Stolas." Charlie said evenly, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting as she noticed the demon's attention. "Zephyr and I have been researching this topic for several years, aiming to cure this ailment and prevent potential accidents involving Hell's natives." Charlie spoke measuredly, uninterrupted and unstammering, not allowing doubt or other thoughts to disrupt the tone, which was unpleasant to the Princess.
"You work on this, Your Majesty?" Stolas's eyes widened, and his beak showed a small smile. "Even with your Consort's potential madness, he continues his work?" Stolas tilted his birdlike head, receiving an active nod from the Princess of Hell. "This… this news delights my soul, Your Majesty." Stolas exhaled, allowing a broader smile, although the tone… for some reason, didn't please Charlie.
"Excuse me?" Charlie asked, using her previous voice, trying to hide sudden uncertainty or… an unpleasant premonition. Stolas smiled gently, waving a hand, taking an empty, strangely clean glass and pouring a new portion of wine from an almost empty bottle.
"Oh, nothing threatening to the crown, your honor, or the King and Queen, Your Majesty." Stolas spoke in a laughing voice, taking a small sip, blissfully sighing, savoring the wine's taste with his tongue… at the end, slightly grimacing, casting a sidelong glance at the bottle, then at Charlie, whose smile… became habitually wider. "Just, within Goetia, even my branch, rumors long circulated about…" Stolas looked away, despite Princess Hell leaning closer, her eyes darkening almost instantly as he spoke. "Your…"
"My childhood?" Charlie said unemotionally, enunciating each word as if it were a verdict, at which Stolas's shoulders tensed and his smile twisted. He shook his free hand, setting the glass down.
"Rather… that your attention is excessive… vague…" Stolas said, making Charlie's face sink deeper with a heavy gaze. "Please don't think I supported this slander; I am only relaying what my wife learned attending these… balls." Stolas's apologetic tone quickly shifted to a disguised irritation masked as tiredness from constant work, but Charlie recognized the tone because she used it herself and heard it from Mother and Father.
"So, that's how Goetia views its Princess…" Charlie could only think, looking away and suppressing a sigh, leaning her head back against the chair.
"But I'm glad it was false and foolish!" Stolas raised a long finger, attracting the uninterested gaze of the Princess, still lost in thought. "Especially seeing firsthand how you not only demonstrate your open views…" Stolas spoke sincerely, but Charlie still somehow felt like growling in irritation. "But also strive to seek knowledge and solve the looming problem over your subjects, since the policy of keeping all the Changed in the Cursed City is not a guarantee." Stolas shook his head while Charlie nodded, surveying the spacious room, contemplating Stolas's words, his tone, and…
Stop. Didn't she want to lure out… ask that something from him?
Charlie's body was struck by lightning, and her mind completely wiped other thoughts. Dark claws dug into her palms, and a mental scream drowned out any previous irritation.
"Speaking of which, Stolas…" Charlie began, changing her tone to a more… gracious but not pleading one, remembering her mother's lessons, but was interrupted by the Keeper of Stars raising a hand.
"You want to take the knowledge you need from my home's library for your research?" Stolas asked, his face showing a smirk hidden behind a faint smile. Charlie's cheek twitched, and her head nodded briefly. "Your Majesty, it is an honor for me to assist you with this issue!" Stolas clapped his hands, summoning several books from across the hall, making Charlie's eyes dart wildly. "What exactly do you need? Mortal diseases, mental problems, dark magic, healing magic of Lady Belfegor?" Stolas talked and talked, genuinely happy with the new turn in the dialogue, which somehow unsettled Charlie.
After all, he somehow reminded her… of herself.
And she didn't like it.
"Actually… Zephyr and I need data on Sin." Charlie said slowly but raised her tone to interrupt Prince Stolas, who only raised a brow in surprise. "As a phenomenon, its influence on the human soul…" Charlie's eyes ran over the books, inadvertently touching the view of falling stars seeming to float across the high ceiling, surrounding a real parade of planets swiftly orbiting their axes above them. "And… dark rituals associated with it." Charlie spoke, almost breaking into a voice tinged with usual awkwardness or mumbling.
Though she didn't like to use her title or power much, for this, she was willing to.
Meanwhile, Stolas rubbed his chin, shaking his head, his eyes scanning flying folios, some so old Charlie could truly believe they had been preserved since her parents' "youth."
"On 'Sin,' you say…" Stolas drew out the word, making almost all the volumes quickly but carefully return to their places without a speck of dust. "I'm not sure I have anything dedicated solely to that, but… we could find what you need." Stolas nodded, with a strange ease and nonchalance beginning to "flip" his finger through the air, swapping one flying folio for another as his eyes inspected them.
"And you just allow this?" Charlie said slowly, holding back inner joy at the success, reminding herself of a certain inconsistency. "Can Goetia so easily share accumulated knowledge, especially such ancient?"
Charlie tilted her head, and Stolas just shrugged, waving a hand.
"If I refuse, Your Majesty, your Father will take it as soon as you mention it." Stolas said almost dismissively, causing Charlie's cheeks to flush slightly. "And if not, then the Queen will bind me…" Stolas spoke in a heavier tone, exhaling deeply. "So at least I can avoid the case when my entire library disappears into the Morning Dawn Manor." Stolas sighed again, looking at the faintly smiling Charlie almost reproachfully, to which she shrugged.
…Internally regretting she could have avoided all this personal drama simply by remembering who her Father was — the one who created Goetia's demons.
Somewhere inside, Charlie felt upset that she had received what she desired in the usual irritating way — by birthright, but this time she dismissed it.
"By the way, how is Vi…" Charlie's thought was cut off by a new message from William via their link, causing her eyes to widen in surprise and her cheeks to blush heavily.
"Your Majesty?" Stolas said puzzled, distracted from another tome flying past and landing on the table, watching the Princess, who had previously kept calm and collected, suddenly take…
Charlie's eyes dropped to the floor, and the remnants of… something important struggled not to voice William's words, whose irritation and stress Charlie clearly felt.
It was something only her Father would do, one of the few actions Charlie remembered from the single event when her Father appeared alongside her Mother, where Charlie herself was present.
"Charlotte?" Stolas's voice became more anxious, his gaze flashing with worry. His long fingers lowered, the energy of cosmos and stars leaving his spells… only to jerk suddenly as Charlie couldn't hold back, then watching the thoughtful birdlike face.
"Prince Stolas, tell me, what will happen if Zephyr so exhausts your wife that she falls silent?"
…
Same place, earlier. Eastern part of the House of Stars, living room.
William began to understand Adam.
Not in terms of his fate or life stance on various issues, especially about Good and Evil, for the First did not taste the Fruit, did not experience what Eve now knew, no.
William understood why Adam didn't care about all meetings and events that bore no significance.
He simply took and…
A loud knock on what seemed to be the hard surface of a table in one of Heaven's highest offices left cracks and a dent, causing Archangel Auriel, delivering his report, to fall silent, and the Supreme Seraph, along with her assistant sitting closely, to pay attention to "that very" spot.
Her, her assistant, and a number of other important Archangels from the Second or Third Circle.
"Adam?" The steady, almost emotionless voice of Sera filled the suddenly silent office of one of the Third Circle's spires. Luth, sitting next to Adam, slowly clenched her fists, closing her eyes.
"A-a-a-a!" was her response as she just rolled her eyes, glancing at Virgil, who prudently placed his hand on hers…
William shook his head, grimacing at the oddly vivid but relevant memory.
…Because now, he wanted to do exactly the same.
"…And as I already said, Raizel, who now dwells somewhere in the dungeons of his mansion, has fallen from grace, making him next in line for 'recruitment' and 'agitation' on this chunk of dirt that you sinners call home…" Stella said, lazily waving her hand, holding a small cup of tea in her left. She had been speaking for about ten minutes since she, Charlie, and Stolas had 'splitted."
"…and then, when he finally managed to get under that whore Amira's skirt, then…" Stella spoke, receiving an attentive and polite nod from William, who continued holding his hands atop the cane, gripping the polygon glowing with Quintessence energy.
After the meal, when Charlie excused herself citing an "important matter" with the house owner and they retired into the "vortex," Stella almost embraced the Lord of Silence, instantly shifting them within the house by merely stepping and the crackle of invisible glass, finding themselves…
In a very pleasant, slightly dimmed room where the first thing to catch the eye, besides the usual purple walls, was the red stone or marble floor adorned with golden patterns transitioning into images of sun and flame.
Also, the scent of strange berries with a sweet undertone wafted from a distant passage in a corner archway. Tall stained glass windows were covered with heavy violet-dark curtains studded with shining stars, at the ends of which were golden and strangely glowing ropes, with stars in the middle.
William himself sat next to Stella on the softest couch he could remember. William could not confidently say if there was anything similar in Heaven. The couch, like the chairs in the guest hall, had a similar "buttoned" waved backrest, where instead of gold, some dark material was used. The edges of the purple fabric were entwined with golden metal, which was not cold to the touch but seemed to adjust to the room's temperature.
"…and also, as you may not know, there will soon be a new Grand Ball, rumored to be held in the halls of Lust itself!" Stella allowed herself a small chuckle, pausing to sip the crimson liquid.
…William honestly tried to maintain at least some productive dialogue. First at dinner, where he endured the brazenly insolent looks from the house master's wife, who seemed to be trying to get under his skin.
And now here.
"…Do you know what they say to the God of Death as soon as they meet him?" Adam leaned toward some angel amid a simultaneous sigh from Sera, Virgil, and Luth. Other celestial beings, going about their business, tried to avoid looking at this awkward moment.
"…Lord First?" was all the soul could utter, to which Adam didn't even raise an eyebrow.
"Not today." Adam answered evenly, immediately dropping a small stack of papers on the soul, who tried to hand them over proudly straightening their spine and walking away.
Luth, who had been standing with her hand on her face for a minute, simply sat down and began gathering the scattered papers…
William didn't change his position, only his head moved, and on the mask remained a simple soft smile frozen for almost an hour, only occasionally twitching with bouts of irritation growing more frequent.
At first, William tried to start a simple conversation, but Stella seemed to ignore him, talking exclusively with the Princess of Hell, only paying attention to the Lord of Silence when Charlie deliberately included him in the conversation, even involving Stolas.
That look… Repulsion, hostility, hidden only in a fleeting moment when she simply drank wine without touching her "gift." To William, it seemed the bottle hadn't even been opened.
The elohims flew overhead, Luth and Abel walked ahead, and only Virgil kept talking with Adam, who sipped those strange drinks.
"And then I told him… If we keep putting up with these antics, us simple working class will rot in 24-hour work shifts." Adam nodded, taking a loud, long sip through a straw.
"Adam… We don't have shifts like that. We don't even have the concept." Sera, walking behind, exhaled without opening her eyes, while her younger elohim…
William shook his head, continuing his torture by sound.
…Only after a couple of minutes could William feel something from Charlie, that at least she had achieved something, unlike him, causing him to involuntarily "play" with their mental "channel"…
A few emotions here and there to add either confidence, suspicion, or even courage…
William grimaced when he got an answer from the Princess of Hell, finally letting a more conscious thought pass through their link, catching Stella's displeased look when the pause for his empty answer stretched an extra second.
"So, what was I…?" Stella tapped a finger on her cup, casting a piercing expectant glance, watching the Lord of Silence beside her like a predatory bird. William just shook his head, twitching the corners of his lips into a semblance of a more sincere smile.
"You were talking about the details of the upcoming ball in Lust, Your Grace." William said, suppressing a sigh breaking free, once again praising himself for mastering the streams of thought. Stella, holding the gaze a few more moments, briefly nodded, smirked, and set the empty cup on the table… Did she stand up?
William blinked, lowering his cane and placing it at the corner of the couch, watching as Stella's wide hem sliced through strange particles in the air like nocturnal fireflies accompanying their conversation.
The tall figure, only slightly shorter than her husband, disappeared into the same angular arch leading… to the kitchen, judging by the sounds of cups, coasters, and a teapot or dishes.
"Tea or coffee?" Stella's voice called from around the corner… surprisingly soft or at least not as official and dry. William needed a moment just to refocus on the present, distracted from Charlie. "Zephyr?" Stella's voice sounded again, now more irritated, resembling the tone with which she addressed her husband. The tall demonic bird figure even appeared in the passage, holding a pink cup and a long-handled teapot, scanning with a frowning glance for William's nod.
William… William quickly shook his head, recalling potential reasons for such behavior while analyzing… Why, despite everything before, had she so abruptly changed her approach, to the point that she herself, without calling any servants, went and made them tea.
"Here you go." Stella nodded shortly, setting a tray with cups on coasters on the coffee table next to the couch, first handing the one for William, then taking her own. William sniffed, using his Weaving to check the contents…
It revealed ordinary black tea from Earth, as if from some shop.
"A dark, noble tea from the farthest and oldest places on Earth." Stella stretched the words, slowly sitting back on the soft couch, slightly closer than before. William didn't raise a brow, for that meant the demoness's voice was now a little louder. "As I said, the next grand ball of the noble and pure houses of Goetia will first take place in the Assembly Hall, a little further on…"
William nodded and asked brief, meaningless questions that didn't alter the course of the conversation set by the Princess of the House of the Keeper of Stars.
Something about the ball, which had several stages, first there, then "over there." Another detail about some other ball, one of dozens planned for this year, part of a larger chain.
William honestly tried to keep his mind cold, calm, and restrained… But this woman wouldn't stop talking.
William cast a sideways glance at Stella, sighing slowly, blinking, and…
"…And I'm telling you, Verg, the best way to tell that a woman doesn't have a decent man is that she talks too much and literally screws up your brain, which means…" Adam waved his hand, making some gesture with his fingers. William ignored it.
Right now, Adam irritated William greatly, having again made his week unpleasant because "that very day" demanded a lot, and Adam hadn't done any of what was needed…
Then, in a moment of emotion, William sent Charlie a message, simple and clear in meaning and intent. He didn't care about Stella's husband's reaction then, nor how Charlie herself would respond; he just wanted to vent his irritation, which threatened to grow into something unpleasant for all his plans for this reception…
…And imagine his surprise when, listening to Stella prattle about potential guests for the upcoming ball, William received a reply:
"Stolas says if Stella stops being a 'bitch' for at least a couple of days afterward, then it's possible."
Full of embarrassment, wicked anticipation, malicious delight, and simple fatigue conveyed by Charlie, William… William just wanted to "respond" to Stella somehow, do something, even breaking previously set boundaries.
Simply because he was almost dying from boredom and irritation.
"…then, among all the guests, the host will choose several he likes, allowing them into the inner circle, where… Pardon?" Stella's confident, casual voice distorted with irritation as her birdlike face frowned, watching William repeat her earlier gesture, sitting closer, and using Weaving to set her cup on the table.
He made her shut up, or at least interrupted her train of thought. Perfect.
"I just wanted to express gratitude for all the previous hospitality, Your Radiance." William nodded, trying to give his voice the most natural and soft tone possible. The white irises in her crimson sclera narrowed, Stella's head tilted slightly. "Throughout the reception, you maintained discipline and order, preserved everything a member of the royal family's reception should be, despite… sometimes your husband's excessive enthusiasm." William spoke with sincere admiration and reverence. Stella's eyes, still holding a lightly interested expression, twitched, and the feathers on her "cheeks" subtly shifted color.
Zephyr's words weren't new to Stella, who regularly attended various receptions where such compliments were natural if not necessary, but…
Something in the words of this sinner, this animal that the Princess brought with her, touched the demoness's soul.
"Oh, nothing like that, it's simply my direct duty as Prince Stolas's wife." Stella waved a free hand lightly, not stepping back, sliding a bit closer. "I'm glad the Princess's Consort appreciated the efforts our house put in." Stella shook her head, allowing the smile on her birdlike face to widen and her shoulders to relax slightly.
Stella's face relaxed, her eyes lowered as she finished the last portion of the red liquid, some demonic addition in the earthly tea, setting the cup on the coaster.
"You noticed that too? Honestly, I'm flattered." Stella laughed quietly, covering her beak with her hand while her figure, previously strict and tense, leaned back for the first time that morning. William heard a faint, barely audible sigh from Stella's beak. "My husband barely pays attention to such important details, lost in his stars." Stella waved her hand, irritation surfacing in her voice for the first time that evening. "Even the Princess…" Stella suddenly stopped, blinking rapidly before letting out a small chuckle. William didn't allow her to continue, barely pressing his voice.
"I haven't seen such meticulous attention to detail, neither on Earth nor at a Morningstar reception. Even the Eldritch family…" William's eyes closely tracked Stella's face, which momentarily showed a smirk of superiority before returning to a polite smile. "Was not so… caring and pleasant." William sighed, catching a quick reddening of the feathers on Stella's cheeks.
"Really? The usually noble Eldritch family treats such things properly… but anyone can be wrong." Stella laughed shortly, brushing William's shoulder with the edge of hers, prompting him to place his hand over hers, silencing the demoness at once as she stared at the audacious gesture. Displeasure flickered in her eyes, a slight smile twisted barely noticeable, her head already turning toward the Lord of Silence…
William didn't flinch, leaning in closer, displaying on his mask the widest and most "charming" smile he could muster.
"Honestly, I truly liked how you conducted this reception." William whispered almost, but even that interrupted Stella's word flow, who blinked in surprise, not even trying to remove her hand. "That elegance and precision in every word, hiding so many meanings… The way you played with the Princess was simply a masterpiece, and how you stood out from your husband by your delicacy and majesty." William laughed softly, trying to make the laugh gentle. "Simply incredible." William sighed, looking Stella straight in the eyes, tightening his grip on her hand…
Stella looked away, scanning the rest of the room briefly before hastily returning her gaze to William.
"There's nothing difficult about that for a lady of the House of Stars." Stella laughed, covering her beak and feathers with her free hand as they returned to normal color. "In return, I'd say the Princess chose a wonderful Consort who knows how to handle such delicate and complex matters, where not every soul can maintain the required level of attention." Stella's voice trembled for the first time that evening. Slightly noticeable, but even her posture softened. She still hadn't removed William's hand from hers or moved it, but didn't move away.
William ignored the emotions sent by Charlie, also ignoring the fleeting memories. Now he felt as though struck by adrenaline, descending the waterfall.
"But I insist that you receive due honor, Lady Stella." William nodded, gently stroking the demoness's surprisingly soft and cared-for hand, whose breathing had become slightly ragged. "I simply cannot give all credit to your husband, not after everything you put into this wonderful reception—the best I've seen in all my lives." William said firmly, feeling Stella's soft shoulder almost pressing against him underneath his mask.
Inside, William was still tense, if not stunned by his own audacity. What any proper woman in his time at the end of the nineteenth century, or even the start of the twentieth, would have slapped him for was here, in Hell…
Though yes… These are demons. In Hell.
"Oh, you're spoiling this maiden, sir." Stella waved her free hand at him, placing it on her chest. Her voice softened many times, completely losing those "bitchy" tones she had even at the meal, especially noticeable in conversation with her husband.
Stella… All her upbringing and experience told her that the sinner next to her was deceiving her. That he was just flattering, using sweet words to get what he wanted, but…
He is the Consort of the Princess of Hell.
Stella knew nothing about this young demoness, only what was said by other members of Goetia in her circle, rumors from their sinner servants, as much as Stella disliked them, but…
This sinner was clearly not ordinary.
If only because the Princess had mentioned his visits to her home, where definitely the King and Queen were known for their attitude toward rulers like him.
The King didn't kill him, and the Queen didn't throw him out, forbidding her daughter those relations… At least, Stella thought the Queen of Hell would do so. It was hard to say for sure about the monarch, who hadn't appeared in public for about a century.
"And also, I liked your magic performance…" William exhaled, observing the twitch of Stella's lip corners as she turned away, her hand tightening under his. "Simply magnificent execution without a single unnecessary gesture or word, I'd even say that level was closer to Asmodeus's…" William drew out the words, smiling wider as he felt Stella flip her palm, squeezing his.
"Asmodeus?" Stella echoed, her voice tone becoming… tender. She seemed to imitate Stolas's manner, which occasionally surfaced throughout the reception, especially when he described his garden. "This maiden is flattered by your words, Mr. Zephyr, such a high praise of her talents, which her own husband was not worthy of…" Stella placed her free hand on her cheek, shaking her head, though her eyes didn't leave William's even for a moment.
"Honestly, even after all talks with Lord Lucifer, I still couldn't understand the nature of your magic… Was that 'Time' or 'Ice'?" William tilted his head, hearing only Stella's playful laugh in response. "Oh? Could it be both at once?" William's invisible eyebrows rose, his voice taking on a false surprise mixed with indignation and confusion, amusing the demoness even more.
"Oh, let this lady keep that secret to herself." Stella exhaled, leaning slightly closer to William, who watched her just as intently. "But, since you're so interested, why not…" Stella stretched her words, squeezing William's hand tighter. William supported her, keeping the appropriate tone, growing quieter and more candid with each new twist of the dialogue.
"At least, I managed to shut this talking bitch up…" William suppressed a relieved sigh, continuing the conversation, which seemed to breathe new life.
Stella said something, hinting more than naming directly, while William tried to guess, receiving either Stella's merry laughter or condescending explanations sometimes drifting toward accepting praise.
This was William's new strategy. Praise, elevation of Stella above her husband, acknowledgment of her efforts and various details, from simple compliments toward the servants' work to…
"…and your voice is just beautiful when you don't try to hint at your husband by twisting it into a scream." William's simple words met sincere laughter similar to that from her husband when Charlie joked during the meal. The redness on her cheeks and firmer grip on his hand went unnoticed, while William himself…
Enjoyed a peculiar silence. Not the one in his office, but the one where you don't have to endure something like a boring meeting or report.
Just playing a light game of strange "cat and mouse," trying to learn something from Stella, clearly aware of the Lord of Silence's actions while trying not to let slip himself.
It was something like trying to learn that Stella had a certain kind of time magic. William did not ask or press but definitely caught irritation in her voice when she mentioned her brother, "Master of Ice, Marquis of Hell, True Heir, and other titles…".
William spoke mostly about his own district, the least interesting question for Stella but a story a "common sinner" must tell, trying in return to ask about Goetia and its attitude toward "his kind" in general…
Basically, William got what he expected—the bare minimum he could likely find out in Heaven or ask Zestial about.
Goetia "exercises prudent caution," read: despises sinners. Some families might hire one or two who "stood out," whose strength and power didn't damage their sanity and mind.
Stella poured out a whole tirade about sinners, their "dirt" and "harm," while enjoying a small massage of her forearms from the Lord of Silence.
Only one thing stood out amid the verbal torrent pulling William out of his almost meditative state…
"Sinners can live outside Pentagram City?!" William exclaimed, completely breaking his previous relaxed tone and posture, looking into Stella's laughing eyes, who briefly nodded. "What about the Exte…"
"By some Law from Lord Lucifer, all sinners on the Harvest Day will be moved to the Cursed City." Stella shrugged, examining her grooming claws, leaning on William's shoulder. "But since you're the Consort, just be at Morning Dawn Manor that day." Stella's voice sounded like stating the obvious, though sparks glimmered in her eyes as she watched William's thoughtful face.
"…Thank you for the advice, Lady…" William exhaled, feeling Stella's free hand rest on his shoulder, her birdlike face leaning toward his mask.
"When we're alone, just 'Stella'… Zephyr." Stella whispered, smiling widely, exhaling warm breath on William's mask. The Lord of Silence nodded shortly, letting his hand rest on the demoness's thigh, receiving a contented "purring" from her throat. "Since we've started talking about sinners… Would you care to demonstrate how you spoil your Chosen One?" Stella tilted her head, quickly lowering the upper part of her dress with a swift motion of her left hand… revealing her breasts.
William's breath caught at Stella's pleased laugh as his eyes fell upon… birdlike, feminine breasts proudly standing out beneath Stella's dress.
Large birdlike female breasts, with drawn-in nipples that had no fur or feathers. Soft even to the eye, they playfully bounced barely as Stella turned her torso, smiling broadly, quietly enjoying it.
"Oh, there you are, Prince Stolas and I…" Charlie's loud voice filled the dim room, making William's shoulders twitch, while Stella just rolled her eyes irritably, not even attempting to cover her nudity.
"Oh…" The Princess of Hell drew out, barely needing to look as her cheeks blazed crimson and her crimson eyes roamed between the two seated figures. "Sorry to interrupt?" Charlie's soft voice made William cough, still stroking Stella's thigh under her approving moan before standing up.
"Not at all, Your Majesty." Stella nodded as she rose from the couch following William, placing her hand on her thigh as if mockingly looking at Charlie. "We were just negotiating and getting to know each other better." Stella waved lazily toward William, who had fetched his cane. "I must say, you've chosen a simply magnificent Consort, I can't help but envy." Stella spoke with a trace of irritation in her tone overshadowed again by regained politeness.
"Indeed… Thank you, Princess Stella." Charlie nodded slowly, staring intently at Stella before quickly shifting her gaze between her and William. "Uh… Do you mind if I take my Consort back? Zephyr and I should head back…" Charlie said cautiously to which Stella just waved off, making her chest sway, forcing Charlie to bite her lip, suppressing a familiar feeling.
Seeing this, William gave a short bow to the smiling Stella, then quickly approached Charlie, taking her by the elbow and leaving the room…
Where Prince Stolas was already waiting, holding a large stack of books about waist-high to the tall demon that peeked from behind it, meeting both William's and Charlie's eyes.
"Are you finished?" Stolas asked as if about a meal, but after William shook his head, he sighed quietly, rolling his eyes. "Then I hope you at least managed to satisfy her because enduring Stella when she's aroused is even harder than usual." Stolas said evenly, shifting his weight to conjure a crimson-purple "vortex" with one hand, where William had already seen the entrance to the estate.
"And you can go fuck yourself, dear!" came Stella's shout, to which Stolas shrugged, squeezing his lower books with clawed hands. Charlie did not turn, rather maintaining a thoughtful gaze at William, ignoring the two hosts.
"…At least she's not swearing; that's something." Stolas whispered, stepping after William and Charlie and making last gestures of goodwill before bidding farewell to the Princess and her Consort.
…
The Golden Square swarmed with souls of all kinds, from simple humanoids most resembling humans, with only slight differences like pointed ears or excessively pale skin, to all kinds of abstract variations.
The bird with twenty eyes was the simplest "figure" among them all.
Only five were true elohims among them, which made Virgil feel mixed emotions, still finding this…
William shook his head, shaking off another intrusive memory. Overly persistent, as he noticed.
"Hmm?" was all Charlie could say, actively eating some salad and sweet cottage cheese with strawberries, all from Earth, a stark contrast to her former self at the table in the House of Stars. William laughed softly, waving a hand.
"Just foolish thoughts." William muttered, wincing from a slight headache, trying to hide it behind his earlier dislike of this… machine.
And William was still in a bad mood to resist or grimace at the transport created by Lucifer.
Everything today in Heaven reminded him of this.
Elohims, the Righteous, and those born in Heaven walked hand in hand with children, that impossible reality only possible through humans, who brought all this to Heaven.
Virgil felt an unpleasant sting in his chest, passing a hand over it, walking beside Luth, who cast a worried glance at him, to which Virgil simply shook his head. Luth's comrades, her Sisters of the Shield or Battle, whom Virgil still couldn't remember, walked behind, carrying various ingredients for cooking.
One could skip even this stage in this place, but Virgil wanted to gather everything himself for future dishes…
William opened his eyes, massaging his forehead, nearly tossing the Lord of Silence's mask without remembering the Weaving embedded and long remembered, which could "dissolve" it into a spatial pocket of his soul.
"These… these 'memories,' if not visions, are worsening… Whereas before, they only troubled him in dreams, during rest, and moments of greatest vulnerability." William winced, sighing as he used several consecutive Weavings to ease the aching pain of his shell.
"William?" Charlie's more anxious voice near his head drew William's attention, who barely turned his head toward her, whose crimson eyes were intently fixed on his figure.
"Something's wrong?" Charlie asked softly, her gaze sincere and genuine with care and attention…
William ran his palms over his lowered eyelids, massaging tired eyes with a light Weaving, relaxing them.
"Let's say, some memories bother me more than others." William exhaled, leaning back against the crimson-embossed backrest, closing his eyes just to feel the pain, the aching tooth, and other pricks in his shell gradually recede… At the same time, William felt a soft and gentle hand stroking his dark hair. "Charlie?" William said tiredly, opening one eye to see Charlie, utterly inapproriate in her noble dress, simply climbing onto the couch, kneeling, stretching one hand to his head.
"M." was Charlie's sensible reply, prompting a soft laugh from William, watching as Charlie concentrated on stroking his hair, her face full of affection…
Everything reminded him of himself.
It was taboo, it was forbidden, it was proscribed even among all he knew.
Even Adam simply ignored him.
Even when he cooked for Adam and his women, for their whole large crowd, these thoughts never left him. It was wrong that now he couldn't at least send a message to him that…
William's face twisted again, but this time the pain was barely present. The weaving and, strangely enough, the touch of Charlie helped.
"William…" Charlie stretched the word, simply lowering herself to his feet, utterly ignoring intricate tiny details and strands of her hairstyle, resting her head on his lap. Thankfully, she had removed her small crown and tiny but spiky decorations in her hair.
"What you did with Stella…" Charlie's voice was soft and uncertain, causing William to open his eyes, lowering his gaze onto the face of the Princess of Hell.
"Does it bother you? Disgust you? Anger you?" William said softly, closing his eyes again, preparing for the set of pre-planned options, quietly swearing at his earlier weakness.
Those…actions, that sharp flirtation, that plan quickly assembled from a series of assumptions about Hellish customs. Who knew a demoness of Goetia, in an ordinary arranged marriage, would so easily concede to vows? Though William suspected that Hell's wedding vows differed somewhat from Earth's.
Luckily, all this subdued those visions.
"No, no, I was very much for you shutting that impudent bitch up." Charlie said quietly, matching William's tone filled with all the accumulated irritation, stress, and other emotions too complex for his weary mind to analyze. "Just… it made me think…" Charlie spoke slowly, and if William took her flushed cheeks and averted glance as signs, then…
"You want to talk about us?" William exhaled, to which Charlie, whose cheeks matched the color of her metas, quickly nodded, turning away from his torso, still resting her head on his knees.
"I… I know I'm not that… attractive and I don't have such large breasts, but…" Charlie spoke slowly, still stumbling, her trembling voice falling silent the moment William placed his hand on her head and began to stroke it as usual.
A sharp sound interrupted Virgil's thoughts, who turned to the far corner of the park, where a young seraphim assistant was waving to him…
With an offer to send a message to her son?
William suppressed a heavy, drawn-out sigh, trying not to squeeze Charlie's tender, delicate hair.
He expected this conversation, he had even prepared for the fact that he would have to go through it under the watchful eyes of Lilith, even Lucifer… Fuck, even Asmodeus or any other Sin.
But not when strange visions weakened his mind and his shell was exhausted from the damn reception of the demons of Goetia!
"Your body is beautiful and self-sufficient, Charlie." William closed his eyes, trying to express the thought as well as possible, wincing from unusual weakness bordering on the one he felt immediately after the Fall. William did not see Charlie's neck redden, and her head slowly turned to him. "Don't compare yourself to Stella or Carmilla; you have nothing to be ashamed or afraid of." William exhaled, actively pushing away strangely intrusive thoughts about the naked bodies of a demoness and a sinner.
His hand, resting on the couch, once again lay on Charlie's golden hair, drawing her attention.
"You want to deepen this relationship, even knowing about the other two?" William said, watching as Charlie barely nodded. His voice was quiet, almost a whisper, but somehow perfectly audible in the "machine" full of mechanisms.
"Y-yes. I don't mind those… two, if you don't mind me…" Charlie whispered, finally breaking and burying into his stomach, hiding her face in his coat, beneath William's slight smile.
Instead of answering, he gently lifted her from his lap, receiving an almost hurt-questioning, piercing look from her trembling crimson eyes. William said nothing as he seated her on his knee.
Charlie's eyes widened as William's hands rested on her cheeks, feeling a heat almost unnatural, surely not typical for an ordinary person.
"Wil…" was all Charlie managed to say before their lips touched and her eyes immediately closed.
William's mental and physical strength was just enough for a light, almost innocent kiss, a simple lip touch, nonetheless allowing the sensation of their softness.
"Watermelon… and apple?" William let out a quiet chuckle muffled by Charlie's slightly louder moan, after which William drew away from the breathless Charlie, not so much from lack of air but from flood of emotions.
The "machinery" cabin filled with a duet of ragged, heavy breaths, fitting into the now-muted hum of other mechanical parts.
"R-really?" Charlie blinked frequently, staring intently at William's face, which bore a gentle smile. He nodded, causing Charlie to break into a wide, sincere smile, her trustfulness marked by small tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
"Yes, Charlie." William said, barely having time to breathe before Charlie abruptly closed the distance, pressing her lips to his again, wrapping her arms around the Fallen Archangel's neck.
William smirked, stroking her hips to her approving moan.