Vox struggled to catch his breath, his chest heaving with exertion. He rose to his feet, his hands clenched into fists. Lucifer's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he turned to leave the throne room. "Once you've composed yourself," he said, his voice dripping with an unsettling calm, "attend to the task my princess has entrusted to you."

  Vox's eyes blazed with anger as he seethed in humiliation. He stormed back to his office, slamming the door behind him. Just as he was about to unleash his fury, a moth demon fluttered in, its wings beating rapidly.

  "Hey, Vox, my old buddy!" the moth demon said, oblivious to Vox's dark mood. "You don't seem to be in a good mood. Did someone steal your lunch money?"

  Vox's fury boiled over, and he slammed his fist on the table, making the objects on it tremble. "For the lord's sake, don't humiliate me too, Valentino!" he thundered.

  Valentino, the moth demon, gazed at Vox with an unwavering stare, his purple eyes shining like amethysts in the dim light. A mesmerizing smile spread across his face, so enchanting that even the most cautious of creatures might find themselves entwined in its beauty.

  "Vox, my old friend," Valentino said, his voice as smooth as silk, "I know exactly what you're going through. And I think I might have an idea..."

  Vox's confusion deepened as he stared at Valentino, unsure what to make of the moth demon's enigmatic smile.

  Meanwhile, Charlie felt a wave of misery wash over her. Alastor, however, seemed to sense her distress and glided closer, his movements eerily silent.

  "My dear Charlie, don't worry," Alastor whispered, his voice low and soothing. "Just rest for now. Your father will handle everything."

  Charlie's gaze met Alastor's, and she shook her head. "No, you're wrong. You don't know my dad. He'll be thrilled if he finds out my proposal was rejected."

  Alastor's expression transformed into one of amusement, and he spread his signature creepy smile. Leaning in, he whispered in Charlie's ear, "You really don't know him, do you? But I know him better than you."

  As Alastor pulled back, his smile never wavered. "He is our great king," he declared, his voice dripping with reverence. "He does not forgive anyone. You see, Charlie, his mercy is as rare as a sunset in Hell."

  Charlie had a nightmare in her sleep. She saw the armies of Angel Adam slaughtering demons, their cries echoing through the desolate landscape. And then, a masked angel appeared, its sword flashing in the dim light as it struck her down. Charlie's own scream was trapped in her throat.

  She woke up with a start, gasping for air. Her heart racing, she was drenched in sweat. Alastor sat beside her bed, his eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity. He crossed his legs, the soft thump of his stick on the ground echoing through the room. A sly, mirthless smile spread across his face as he said, "Good morning, Princess. Did you have a pleasant dream? You look... hellish today."

  Charlie tossed off the covers and called out for Vaggie, but there was no response. Her trembling grew more pronounced as she stood there, feeling vulnerable. Alastor's gaze remained fixed on her, his eyes lingering on her trembling legs. A hint of disdain flickered across his face, as if he found her fear humiliating.

  Without warning, Alastor's hands closed around her shoulders from behind, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "Charlie dear," he whispered, his breath caressing her ear, "how do you plan to save the demons when you're consumed by fear?"

  Charlie's voice trembled as she replied, "I-I don't know why I'm scared."

  Before Alastor could respond, a maid burst into the room, curtsying hastily. "Mr. Vox has arrived to meet with you, my lady."

  Charlie gently but firmly pushed Alastor's hands away, leaving him momentarily stunned. His eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued by her sudden display of confidence.

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  With a newfound sense of authority, Charlie turned to the maid and issued her command. "Tell Mr. Vox that the Princess will be with him in ten minutes."

  As the maid scurried off to deliver the message, Charlie swept out of the room, leaving Alastor to his thoughts. A slow, enigmatic smile spread across his face as he murmured to himself, "Perhaps Lucifer's punishment was more inspired than I initially thought..."

  As Charlie finished preparing to meet Vox, Vaggie slipped into the room. Charlie departed, and Alastor swooped in, his eyes glinting with curiosity. He sidled up to Vaggie, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone.

  "She was calling for you, but you didn't respond," Alastor said, his gaze piercing. "Where were you, hmm?"

  Vaggie remained silent, her expression unreadable. She attempted to brush past Alastor, but he snagged her arm, his grip firm.

  "Vaggie, the angel," Alastor sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You can fool Charlie with your fake sympathy, but I see right through you. You're not sympathetic towards her, especially. But I find it mildly... entertaining. She's more naive than I gave her credit for."

  Charlie settled into the chair beside Vox's, her eyes never leaving his face. Vox rose from his seat and bowed deeply, his voice dripping with deference. "Greetings, shining star of Hell. May your radiance illuminate the underworld."

  As he straightened, Vox took Charlie's gloved hand and pressed his lips to it with exaggerated passion. Charlie's glare intensified, her voice laced with disdain. "What brings you here, Vox?"

  Vox's expression transformed, his demeanor becoming more subdued. "First, let me apologize for my earlier rudeness, Your Majesty. I overstepped my bounds." He paused, collecting himself. "Secondly, I've arranged a public sermon for you to announce your plan to the demons. Additionally, I've established communication with the Angels. You'll have the opportunity to visit Heaven and share your plans with them as well."

  Charlie nodded graciously, her expression softening. "Alright, I forgive you. Now, when is the sermon?"

  Vox's face lit up with a relieved smile. "Tomorrow, Your Majesty!"

  Charlie's expression turned dismissive. "You may leave now."

  Vox bowed deeply, his movements swift and precise. He backed away, then turned and departed, closing the door behind him.

  As soon as the door clicked shut, Charlie's demeanor transformed. She let out a triumphant scream, her eyes shining with excitement. With abandon, she began to dance around the room, her laughter echoing off the walls.

  In the underworld, excitement buzzed through the demonic realm. Whispers of the princess's upcoming sermon spread like wildfire, as the royal family's public appearances were a rare occurrence. Demons of all ranks eagerly anticipated Charlie's address, their curiosity piqued.

  In stark contrast, Heaven's inhabitants seethed with discontent. Angels and righteous humans alike protested the notion of a "hellish creature" desecrating their sacred realm. The atmosphere was charged with indignation.

  Angel Ariel stepped forward, his voice calm and soothing. "My dear people of Heaven, let us not forget that Princess Charlie comes in peace, bearing a message of redemption for the demons. We Angels have long struggled with the burden of slaying our demonic brethren. This may be an opportunity for us to showcase Heaven's purity and compassion."

  Ariel's voice cracked as he continued, "I am deeply disheartened by your reactions, for it seems that Lucifer's influence has reached even our sacred shores. I will grant Princess Charlie permission to speak, demonstrating that the people of Heaven cannot be swayed by Lucifer's darkness. We, too, are beacons of purity."

  Angel Adam approached Ariel, his expression laced with confusion. "My lord, I mean no disrespect, but we had planned to eliminate the princess. Now, you're choosing to welcome her. Do you intend to kill her here, in Heaven?"

  Ariel's gaze turned cold, his eyes flashing with disdain. He sighed, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Adam, you fool! If we were to kill the princess here, Lucifer would unleash his wrath upon Heaven, and none of us would be able to stop him."

  Adam's expression remained resolute. "He's a demon, my lord. We can defeat him. We have God on our side."

  Ariel's smile was tinged with sadness. "If God wished to destroy Lucifer, He would have done so long ago. Instead, He gave Lucifer a chance. Lucifer was once the most pure and powerful Angel, praying in every corner of the Earth. He was God's most beloved. If he were to ask for forgiveness, it would be granted. But I don't want him to realize that. That's why I'll ensure his pride and joy is destroyed – but by someone else's hand. That way, he'll be powerless to speak out against it."

  Adam's expression remained perplexed. "My lord, why permit the princess to enter Heaven if our intention is to harm her?"

  Ariel's smirk hinted at a deeper scheme. "To humiliate her before the entire heavenly host, Adam. You see, you bear the name of the first man, but few know the truth – that the original Adam abandoned Heaven without explanation, never to return. Yet, everyone will listen to you, believing you to be the first man. If you expose the princess's supposed plot, she'll be reduced to a typical, malevolent demon in the eyes of Heaven. We can then justify an early invasion of Hell."

  Adam's eyes widened, his silence a testament to his astonishment. He bowed deeply, acknowledging Ariel's cunning. "Excellent strategy, My Lord."

  Ariel's smile grew, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "This time, we can also target the demonic royalty, claiming they plotted against Heaven. It will be a victory on all fronts for us."