Chapter 2
It had only been a few hours since Lilith’s return and Alastor had already been forgotten. Lucifer and Charlie had been happily crying in the First Woman’s arms as she soothed them.
Why? Why did she have to return now? Couldn’t she have stayed away? She abandoned her family and left them to wallow alone. And now they’re already forgiving her? How merciful were these people?
Naive. Not merciful. Naive.
“So darlings, why don’t you introduce me to your group of little misfits? I’d love to meet them!” Lilith cooed. It was fake. Her smile was fake. Alastor should know. His were fake most of the time.
Except for when he was with Lucifer…
“Of course lovely. How rude of us.” Lucifer chuckled, wiping his glossy eyes before beginning introductions.
Charlie sniffed happily before letting go as well and helped her father say everyone’s names correctly. He always called Vaggie ‘Maggie’ and the same went for the rest of the staff so she would make sure he said the right names.
“Mom, this is Husk, our bartender! And this is Niffty, our maid! She really loves to clean and I can’t begin to describe how clean everywhere looks once she’s done! And this is Angel Dust! Our first and original guest! Oh! And this is Vaggie! My girlfriend!” She excitedly pointed at everyone, purposely leaving Alastor for her father to introduce.
“How lovely! A girlfriend! She's a beautiful darling.” The Queen commented.
Vaggie blushed as she stepped forward. “Nice to meet you, your majesty. Charlie has said a lot about you.”
The older woman chuckled as she hugged Vaggie. “No need for formalities! You’re family now! Call me Lilith. Or mom if you prefer. Your choice!”
Charlie laughed at her mother’s theatrics and then focused on Alastor. “Oh! And mom, there’s someone dad wants to introduce! He’s very special to everyone here! Go ahead dad!”
Alastor smiled softly at the Princess. She always made sure everyone felt included. It warmed his dead heart. Just a little bit.
“Oh…right! That’s Alastor. Our…bellhop boy and chef!” Lucifer chuckled nervously.
And everyone went silent.
Alastor felt his world shatter.
All that effort in making the King happy, just to be called a mere colleague. All those late nights and happy moments. Shared kisses.
All.
For.
Nothing.
Charlie gaped at her father’s response. She was the one who set the two up in the first place. She’d never seen her father more happy than when he was with Alastor. And he had the audacity to call her probably-soon-to-be step father just a bellhop and chef?
Lilith clicked her tongue and quickly brushed Alastor off. “Pleasure to meet you, Alastor.” That was all the attention he got. The only recognition.
Awkward silence filled the room as everyone stared at each other awfully quiet.
“Lily, how about a tour? If you’re planning to stay, you’ve got to know the layout, am I right? Afterwards, we can catch up, okay? And I’ll even make duck pancakes!” Lucifer suggested, watching his ex wife nod and they both waltzed down the hall as the other residents shared a baffled expression.
Niffty inched closer to her owner and climbed onto his shoulder as he stared blankly at the ground. The deer’s mind was spinning.
“What. Just. Happened?” Angel breathed out. Nobody replied. Nobody knew anyway.
Charlie fiddled with her hands as slowly walked up to Alastor. “I’m sorry dad said that. I-I don’t know what made him do it. I’m sure it’s nothing!” She tried easing the tension in the air.
It only got thicker to the point someone could slice through it with a butter knife.
“I think I’m going to retire to my room. Good day everyone…” The Overlord murmured, using his shadows to swallow his frame and dart up the stairs to his room.
“Al wait!-” Charlie tried to grab onto the deer’s arm but he was already gone. “Ah shit!”
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several hours later, even as the residents had gone to sleep, Alastor lay awake on his bed, ring in between his right pointer finger and thumb.
How could he? HOW could he? The one he’d decided to trust. One of the rare people he let in embarrassed him just like that? Threw him away like trash?
Alastor clenched his fists. He stood up and walked up to his desk, throwing the notebook sitting upon it. It hit the door with a thud and fell to the floor. Next was the table itself. He watched the wood splinter.
More.
He needed more.
The raging demon flung his chair next. Put his fist through his full body mirror, revelling in the sound of the shards of glass cascading down onto the carpeted floor.
Then it was his window. He flung a stray shard of the mirror through it, shattering that as well.
He huffed and panted, tired from his impromptu tantrum. Then he unclenched his right hand, staring blankly at the beautifully carved and designed ring. Such a waste.
The tired deer demon sagged over to his closet, rummaging through it until he found the red leather box he was going to propose with. He opened it and placed the ring inside, closing the lid and hiding it once more.
No point chasing after someone that would forget you in the snap of a finger.
Alastor slid into the bathroom, staring at his expression. Sweaty. Tired. Angry. Messy.
Hurt.
It hurt so much. He averted his eyes to the ground, staring at the tiles. Then those red irises fell on the cabinet beneath the sink.
More specifically, where the medical kit was left in case of emergencies. Charlie had ensured there was one overloaded with supplies in every room, just in case.
Funny thing, there was also a revolver under there too, in case someone broke in. With one singular bullet in it. Not angelic though.
‘What a shame…’ Alastor thought.
No point using that. Too noisy. It was always fun to shoot something, perhaps the broken furniture. But if he used it during the night, that would cause chaos.
He pondered for a moment before bending down and opening the cabinet…