Hell's Consort

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The Empress Luna

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When Sloth had mentioned that his Kingdom was the Land of Storms, she wondered if there would be a time where the thick dark clouds and the strong winds would go away, and the perpetual darkness would be replaced by bright sunshines.

Luna had sat on the most comfortable chair that had cushioned her Archdemon wings as she reclined on it and sunk on the backrest.

She was sure that this chair was specifically made to accommodate Archdemons because it definitely felt like she was in a bed of clouds.

Despite this bleak stormy night, the brilliant stars and constellations twinkled like a smattering of snow in the vast sky.

She wasn't aware of each Kingdom's astronomy, but she could see one that appeared like a moon with a bluish tint around its light, two orbs larger than the white stars: blue and orange, and one was yellow.

She could also see a rainbow on the edges of the clouds.

Every Circle of Hell was different in its own way, but so far, the Seventh Circle was the most bizarre.

Phillip, who wore a simple aquamarine tunic, was shorter than Luna.

He appeared human with his full beard.

At the same time, the other servant Simone, whom Luna assumed as a low-level demon, had a huge, long head, and he had red scales all over his body.

He wore a gold tunic.

"I have placed the dragon egg back to the ground and buried it in dung heaps, My Lady." He informed Luna and respectfully bowed his head with a white-headed eagle on his arm, its sharp talons digging into his skin.

Simone had followed them at Sloth's study and sat beside Philip. "This is one of my Young Master's pet. He loves animals, and we took care of them when he was too tired."

"The Archdemon of Sloth sleeps all the time, huh?" Luna showed her palms in front of her in a 'keep-that-away-from-gesture' and shrugged, "How would he take care of them and recognize him as a master if the animals are used to you, Simone?"

"The animals love Young Master," Simone stated as if that answer was satisfying enough.

Luna opened her mouth to argue that logic but decided not to because that was a discussion for another day.

Simone reached out his hand as if he wanted Luna to touch the eagle and take care of it for a while.

"Uh—" Luna shook her head in refusal, but her outstretched arm had told them otherwise.

Staring at her involuntary hand in accusation, she nodded in agreement, "Alright."

The eagle with its dark brown feathers and whitetails slowly hopped into Luna's arm.

Limbs shaking, her eyes widened when its beak neared her face and almost poked her in the eyes.

Gasping, she threw her arm upwards to get rid of the eagle's claws on her skin, and they both screamed into the quiet chamber.

Luna gulped down her breaths to stay quiet.

When she finally calmed down, Luna glared at the servant and said, "Well, that was nice."

Philip had sensed her sarcasm and one corner of his lips curved, "The messenger can fscent your fear. That is why it was afraid too."

Swallowing hard, Luna tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips. "How many pet animals does the Archdemon of Sloth have?"

"I have another one here." Simone's eyes sparkled as he caressed his neck to his chest repeatedly with both hands.

As she settled one hand to the table, Luna leaned forward and squinted to search for the servant's robes to check out if he had hidden something.

His robes suddenly morphed into something daunting as the creature turned off its camouflage.

It turned out that it was a small and slender snake with red scales and black and yellow stripes.

Luna screeched when it hissed and flicked its tongue, positioning to strike at Luna.

"Take that damned snake away from me. I had enough of them." Luna shrieked as she recoiled back to her seat.

She inhaled and exhaled to relax her beating heart.

Luna waved a dismissive hand to show that she was unbothered. "I remembered my husband killed a snake with bare hands, and now I had to deal with two snakes in Hell."

"Is it, Master Gluttony or Lust?"

"Neither." She muttered in her cushion with a disgusted shudder. "One snake in Hell is enough."

+++

Phillip had chattered non-stop after that.

Luna had wanted to tell him to shut up, but she knew the servant was doing his job to entertain her.

She was a guest, so she had to put up with this until Sloth had rested.

Philip's dry voice echoed through the chamber so loudly it grated her nerves while Simone played with the red snake in silence.

Luna watched the tremendous storm outside.

The clear red blooms of climbing roses were detached from its vines and green foliage on the garden's walls due to the whirlwinds.

The golden wheat which initially covered the fields from the horizon was destroyed.

The only thing that could withstand this violence was the huge oak tree.

From her spot, she could also see a lotus-filled pond with murky green and blue waters while old skulls and bones were scattered on the side.

Philip, Sloth's butler, had kept her entertained by his Young Master's antics that she didn't notice that she had covered her mouth in a yawn, tucked her legs under her gown, and closed her eyes.

She hadn't intended to sleep, but, goddess, she did!

It wasn't a good idea, true, but her mind and soul had unconsciously registered that she wasn't in danger anymore.

It was nice to have this experience of not being so vigilant all the time, constantly looking behind her back.

Luna didn't feel like a prisoner at all.

It was ironic how Luna swore to herself that she wouldn't let her guard down but look at how she had fallen asleep in her chair by the window.

Sloth would probably take a really long nap before they had that conversation, so Luna might as well rest.