Charlie prepared to leave for her television interview, exuding confidence in her dark purple, shimmering suit. Alastor presented her with black gloves to complete her outfit, while Vaggie skillfully styled her hair. With black heels elevating her stature, Charlie was ready to face the cameras.
Upon arrival, Charlie discreetly signaled Alastor and Vaggie to keep a distance. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Hell were captivated by her presence on their screens. A live audience had also gathered, and among them, one individual commanded attention. A man wearing a black T-shirt with two undone buttons and a striking red earring on his right ear exuded an irresistible charm. His raven-black, shimmering hair and cunning smile captivated the hearts of demons regardless of their gender. Black sunglasses veiled his eyes, adding an air of mystery to his already captivating presence.
Seating arrangements had been made for those who wished to attend the sermon in person. The charismatic man, dressed in his signature style, sat in the last row, exuding an air of nonchalance. He crossed one leg over the other, settling into a relaxed pose. With deliberate slowness, he ran his half-gloved hands through his hair, his eyes fixed intently on the stage.
A wolf demon with piercing golden eyes and snow-white hair occupied the front row, his gaze devoid of interest in his surroundings. His eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness, as if the spark within them had been extinguished ages ago. The numerous scars etched into his skin told a gruesome tale of brutality and suffering. Beside him sat the moth demon, his captivating purple eyes and raven-black hair a stark contrast to the wolf demon's somber demeanor. When the moth demon attempted to engage the wolf in conversation, he was met with indifference, which visibly wounded the moth demon's pride. "You're still the same, even after all this time," the moth demon said, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and frustration. "I've told you before, in Hell, this is the norm."
The wolf demon remained silent, his response limited to a menacing glare and a low, ominous growl. The moth demon's smile grew wider as he said, "You did this to yourself." Meanwhile, Alastor arrived and took a seat beside the charismatic man, who was still wearing his sunglasses. As Alastor began to bow, the man swiftly grabbed him, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't try to humiliate me." Alastor's smile never wavered as he whispered in response, "Your Majesty, may I inquire as to why you're seated in the back?" The man's cunning smile spread across his face. "Know your place, filthy demon." Alastor rose from his seat, his thoughts simmering with malice. "I know you're frightened for your little girl, but don't worry – she'll ruin everyone, just as I planned."
Vox stepped onto the stage, his voice booming as he addressed the audience. "Dearly beloveds and gentlemen, the princess will deliver her sermon in ten minutes. You may wish to use the restroom facilities during this brief interlude." As he spoke, he felt an intense gaze upon him, and his composure began to unravel. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, and he hastily retreated from the stage. Even offstage, Vox couldn't shake off the feeling of being scorched by an unseen force.
Meanwhile, the charismatic man in the back row seemed to be seething with anger. Alastor, seated beside him, wore a knowing smile. "Lucifer will never tolerate a word against his daughter," he thought to himself. "Vox is a fool for daring to suggest otherwise in the King's presence."
After ten minutes, the princess stepped onto the stage. Her confident walk and blazing red eyes immediately conveyed that she was the daughter of the king. Meanwhile, her striking golden hair cascading down her back, combined with her enchanting presence, showcased a perfect blend of Lucifer's alluring charm and Lilith's irresistible beauty.
As the princess appeared, the man in glasses couldn't help but smile. Alastor, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "Not bad for a woman – she's certainly a sight to behold." Meanwhile, the wolf demon's gaze was transfixed on her, his eyes shining with a newfound sense of hope, as if he had stumbled upon something he never thought he'd find.
Valentino, the moth demon, gazed at the wolf with a knowing glint in his eye. "It seems you've found a new obsession to fill the void in your life," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. As he watched the princess, a cunning smile spread across his face. To himself, he thought, "She's truly a marvel – the embodiment of both Lucifer's charm and Lilith's beauty. Her allure is undeniable, captivating all who lay eyes on her."
The princess approached the microphone, her confidence and poise commanding attention. "Greetings, people of this realm," she began. "I am Princess Charlatan Lucifer. As you're aware, I've summoned you here today to address a matter of utmost importance and gravity. A grave concern threatens our realm. Angels from Heaven are executing demons from our world. In response, my colleagues and I have conceived a plan to create a sanctuary that will help you adapt to the ways of Heaven, granting you the opportunity to enter its gates.
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To mark the inauguration of this sanctuary, I cordially invite you all to a banquet. This gathering will provide a platform for discussing crucial matters, addressing your concerns, and answering any questions you may have. You will also have the chance to meet with our representatives and seek guidance on your individual journeys."
As Vox emerged, he bowed graciously to the princess, who gazed at him with eyes shining bright with hope. Vox found her reaction amusing and attempted to kiss her hand. However, before he could, the man in glasses – who was revealed to be Lucifer himself – rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers. The princess tumbled into his lap.
Lucifer patted her head affectionately, saying, "Well done, my dear daughter. I'll take it from here." Charlie's confusion was palpable as she struggled to comprehend her father's sudden appearance. With a snap of his fingers, Lucifer donned a majestic white and golden coat, and a sleek black and golden cane materialized in his hand. He discarded his glasses, unveiling his sly, charismatic smile and his eyes which were more beautiful than ruby itself.
As Lucifer stood on the stage, the crowd's confusion was palpable. His smile faltered, and his expression turned icy. With a resounding thud, he struck his cane on the stage, his voice dripping with disdain. "It seems you've grown arrogant, thinking yourselves worthy of salvation simply because my daughter has taken an interest in your fate. Do not forget your place."
With a snap of his fingers, an unseen force reverberated throughout Hell, exerting an otherworldly pressure that commanded submission. Every demon, regardless of their location, bowed in unison – whether they were watching the live broadcast or oblivious to the proceedings. Lucifer's voice echoed in their minds, a haunting reminder of his unwavering authority.
Charlie approached the stage, her eyes fixed on Lucifer. She bowed deeply, but instead of acknowledging her gesture, Lucifer's face twisted in anger. With a swift snap of his fingers, both Lucifer and Charlie vanished into thin air.
The demons exhaled collectively, relieved that the oppressive atmosphere had lifted. The tension was palpable, and Vox swiftly took the microphone to address the crowd. "People of Hell, as you're aware, our beloved Princess Charlie has a vision for our future. To facilitate this, we've selected representatives to spearhead this endeavor. Valentino and Okami the wolf, will be our esteemed representatives, and I will be leading them. Please, don't hesitate to submit your questions and concerns as soon as possible."
As chaos erupted, Alastor stood lost in thought. He recalled the moment he tried to remove the star-shaped necklace from Charlie's neck, only to be met with fierce resistance. "There's something peculiar about that necklace," he mused to himself. "She clung to it as if her life depended on it."
Meanwhile, Charlie found herself in her father's throne room, confronting Lucifer. "Why did you bring me here?" she asked, concern etched on her face. "I need to calm my people down." Lucifer let out a deep sigh before responding, "They need to know their place, Char. And as for you, I won't allow you to go to Heaven."
Charlie's eyes welled up with tears as she pleaded, "Why would you do that, Father? Do you really want to win that badly?"
Lucifer's eyes blazed with fury as he snarled, "If you think that way, I won't bother clarifying. And if you dare attempt to enter Heaven, I'll chop your legs off!" Charlie gasped, horrified, and fled to her room.
Lucifer's mind flashed back to an earlier conversation with Ariel. The angel had approached him, saying, "Lucifer, your little one is planning to visit Heaven. We'll be ready. I thought I'd ask: how would you like us to return her?" Ariel's smile was unnerving as he whispered, "In one piece or just a few parts?" He chuckled, then added, "As you know, she'll have to abandon everything that resembles you... including her life."
Lucifer's anger erupted, and the air around Ariel seemed to ripple with the force of his rage. Yet Ariel remained indifferent, his expression unchanging. Lucifer seethed, "She will never set foot in the Heaven that her father was cast out of!"
Ariel's hands closed on Lucifer's shoulders from behind, his grip firm. "Lucifer, don't overstep your bounds. Know your place, Fallen One," he cautioned, his voice dripping with condescension.
Lucifer's anger burned hotter, but Ariel merely laughed, his voice dripping with mockery. "Look at me, trembling with fear. Not really." With a parting shot, he vanished, leaving behind the haunting phrase: "No filthy thing can set foot in Heaven."
Lucifer stormed towards Charlie's room, intent on comforting his distraught daughter. However, as he listened from outside, he heard another voice – Alastor's – attempting to soothe her. "Your Majesty, please don't cry. We can still make this work." Charlie's tearful response sent a pang through Lucifer's heart: "You don't know my father, Alastor. He'll do anything to protect his pride, even if it means killing me."
Lucifer's presence outside the room went undetected, but Alastor's cunning gaze lingered on the door, sensing the silent observer. He wrapped his arms around Charlie, offering what comfort he could. Meanwhile, Lucifer retreated to his own chambers, slamming furniture and shattering the picture of his late wife. His thoughts seethed with turmoil: "There's nothing in these realms I desire – not even His approval. All I want is for you to be happy, my Char Char. But you'll never know. I'll never let you know."