Monkshood

A deep echoing knock broke through the silence in the paradoxical gardens. A shadowy silhouette of a temptation and mischief, turn to the sound. Calling for those to enter in a voice heavenly while haunting.

"Madam, you have a visitor."

"Of what nature?"

"An old friend of your husband, so they say. He said his name is Hesediel and wishes-"

"Send him in and have tea ready for us here at the west gazebo."

"I-I... of course, Your Highness."

The enchanting unholy goddess strolled through the gardens, wistful of the plantation around her. Ghosting spider thin fingers over the leaves that curl around her in gratitude. Humming to herself, of a soft lullaby in what soothed her and the garden. Happening upon the gazebo, seeing her servants preping the area while a golden skin being stood nearby. Unseen gaze eyeing the apple orchard in all its grandness.

"Don't you look dashing." The horned woman greeted, looking to the smaller demons with a hooded glare when catching the unease glances were giving the visitor, stating. "You may all leave now. I'll send word if needed. Go."

The servants vanished before knowing what wrath their queen could bring.

"No need for the harshness there. They are just doing their job. I'm sketchy as it comes, you know that, Lilith."

She quietly hushed the other, before pulling him into a short embrace, humming lowly. "It's good to see you after so long, Hesediel."

"Same Lilith. You look as lovely as you did at the dawn of creation." He said, breaking apart from the hug and miracling a bound of flowers like a tacky magician. Working well in having her laugh at his rare playfulness, saying. "For you, my lady of brimstone."

"Monkshoods, you remembered. Thank you."

"Thought I try in looking harmless with this gesture. But still, you are most welcome."

The queen look to the other, displeasure gone and in shining amusement weening the tall being having her seat out. She releases a chorkle, smiling at his kindness before sitting and saying. "My home, my rules. You're a guest and in better nature a friend of the family. No one is to give disrespect to you."

"I think in the matter of my visit, it might be best."

"Reason?"

"I will do so now." He said, once in his seat, all friendliness set to a pause.

"Yes, straight to business after formals as always with you. I'll start first. What is the reason of your visit, Hesediel?" Lilith asked, halfheartedly as she pour tea for themselves.

"I was asked of your husband to do something, it involves your daughter, Charlotte and this passion project."

"Odd. I take it you wish to help but excuse me to think that my husband would ask anyone after his little show."

"Private matter. I do know he is guilty of the terms he left between him and Charlotte. So, you could say I'm his message of forgiving."

"You don't always have to clean up his messes, you know."

Hesediel nodded in understanding while sparing a moment to drink his tea. Saying after. "While true. It's just how we were. Habit. But besides that, I do wish to help your daughter. I find her ideas on this fascinating though flawed. I thought in trying to be her middle ground."

"It's fruitless, but I don't always have the heart to tell her."

"Lucifer said the same thing when he visited me."

"Forgiven me if I still find that laughable."

"She's takes well after Lucifer. Good or bad, it's her choice. The cards we play are either against or for the cause at hand. I'm not going to fill your daughter's head of fantasy, but truth. Be the guide to better others if they wish but not force them into becoming something they are not."

"Either way, I do not see how the higher ups would allow you to do this. As a top Dominion, you putting a lot at stake for such a small thing, as they would see it otherwise."

"Personally, Lilith, that wouldn't be a problem. Given that I and a few others are now in works within Purgatory. Whatever we do is not of any Almighty or followers concern."

"Purgatory? When did this happen?"

"After a few events, do not worry yourself about it, Lilith-"

His words were stopped when the clatter of silverware and a chair falter to the ground. Hesediel looked up in time to see Lilith standing beside him, reaching for him. Hesediel grabbed her hands, face void of emotion but the words were firm yet so hollow.

"That's not needed, Lilith-"

"Let me be the judge of that."

He looked away from her. Shoulders still but the grip around her hands never tighten. Showing his frustration wasn't at her. An airy sigh came next.

"You don't need to."

"Let me have my own at peace then. Let me be your first patient and worry of another freely. That's what your job is now, isn't? "

"That is not what this is, Lilith-"

"Please." The word was barely a whisper, almost sounding hurt and sadly nostalgic to the other.

"Very well." He said, finally releasing his hold on Lilith's hands.

The coldness of her hands was sharp against his heated flesh. Eyes closed and downcast as he couldn't face Lilith as she found the truth. The tips of her fingers giving soft caresses from his cheeks to his slight pointed ears. Another sigh left his being when she was done ans she pulled him closer. Her words light yet held bad omens.

"Why... just why, Hesediel?"

"It does not matter-"

She forced him to look at her, as the words came. "How could you say that?! You worked so hard to be with the great and they just... those mo-"

"Lilith." He held his voice light, reaching for her hands again, calm as he can be, saying. "Don't worry about it. It's in the past. Leave it there."

"But... how could Lucifer not even see it?"

"Easy." Hesediel started with as he set her back in her seat, lowering down to clean the mess and pour her a fresh cup. Adding. "I hid it when he asked and try do as you did. He doesn't know and I would prefer to keep it that way. Despite how he would think. What happen then wasn't his fault and I don't want him thinking that. He doesn't deserve that, after all this, he just want you two to be happy. You two are his whole universe. And I will honor that."

"What of your happiness?"

"Happiness will come to me when it does and what I have now, is enough. Trust me."

Lilith looked to crescent angel, dark eyes hidden under a dull pale film and rimless glasses, stare back into her cosmic ones. A silent plea and something else that curled a smirk on her dainty lips. She reached out to carded his wild thick dark curles as a mother would comfort a child. She sigh only a little afterwards.

"If that's what you wish for, my brother-in-arms. But..."

"Out of everything that I could have ask for, let it be this. Please. Do not let Lucifer know."

"I will." Her voice say in kind, compare to eyes of a new flame burning.

"And speaking of Lucifer. For your daughter's sake, let us not tell her that Lucifer is a part of this. I do not want her thinking that I was sent for his personal reasons in ruining her dream. Will you help me with that?"

"Of course."

"My thanks there, Lilith. More tea?"

"Might as well, I have to get you ready before throwing you out to the dogs."

"You're too kind."