AN: Okay, so this chapter is being done different then what I originally planned. There is a lot of Stella's six months with the Hazbin crew that I want to cover, but its not enough for two chapters. So, with the help of my friend FaroeKing I was able to figure out a way to showcase her past over time while still continuing the main story. Whenever we switch to an important part regarding Stella I'm going to show flashbacks of her time at the Hazbin Hotel. That way we keep things moving without staying too long in the flashback part.
Hope you liked this chapter and have a Happy New Year!
As always, please help out at the Salvation Series TV Tropes Page
Disclaimer: I do not own Helluva Boss or Hazbin Hotel
***Six Months Ago***
"Am I seriously doing this?" Stella Goetia asked herself once again.
It had been a question she had been repeating over and over again ever since she made the call to the Hazbin Hotel about two weeks ago. A part of her wondered if she was just rushing into this, but considering all that had happened in the past few weeks, perhaps it was just best to get it over with. She had nothing left in her life save for the chance to redeem herself. Her ex-husband and her daughter had utterly rejected her over her actions. Actions that lead to the suffering and near death of an imp that, admittedly, she didn't like. Yet, for all her dislike of the assassin, she never wanted him to suffer as much as he did. There was also the fact that she gave her mother and brother a means to almost commit genocide on a scale never seen before in Hell since Christ's descent to free the souls of the dead to his father's kingdom.
But most importantly, Stella couldn't look at herself in the mirror for what she had done. She had done terrible things before, especially since it was required both as a demon and of the nobility. However, this went too far, and Stella lost everything she cared about. All she had done since losing her home and family was sitting in her old childhood estate, eating ice cream and watching TV, while sometimes wondering if it would have been better if Stolas had killed her. At least she wouldn't feel the deep-seated pain of self-hatred in her heart. But seeing Princess Charlie's commercial, hearing her belief about how anyone can be a better person, and awakening a desire to be better than she was had kept Stella going.
Now, here she stood in front of the Hazbin Hotel. Ready to start again.
It wasn't like she had anywhere else to go. Stella sold everything she had and liquidated every possession save for a few. Her remaining friends and family said she had gone crazy, but when Stella stated her intentions were honest, they just gave up and abandoned her. This wasn't a surprise as nearly everyone saw the Hazbin Hotel as a joke. Nobody believed demons could be given redemption anymore. Stella didn't even thoroughly think it was possible for her if she was being honest.
Yet, what do I have to lose? Stella thought as she took a deep breath, held her bags tight, and walked to the front door. She knocked and waited for someone to open the door.
BOOM!
A large explosion nearly made her jump out of her feathers as she looked up to see one of the higher floors explode as smoke and fire erupted. Something was also coming down screaming, not in terror, but with joy.
"WEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Before Stella knew it, she dropped her bags and caught the tiny creature, covered in soot and ash, that had fallen from a great height. It blinked its one eye a few times before shaking the dust off and looking as clean as a washed floor. "Hi! I'm Niffty! Thanks for the catch!"
"Niffty" was a sinner demon that had to be almost as tall as an elementary school child, yet it was clear by her voice that she was an adult. She was wearing a red dress with a white maid's outfit that appeared to have dried blood, and her limbs were as thin as sticks. Her pale face was almost corpse-like, yet she had fiery red hair with a shade of yellow that screamed with as much living passion as possible.
The doors to the Hotel soon opened, and out came Princess Charlie herself, entirely out of breath as she held a hand to her heart. After collecting herself, Charlie quickly took Niffty out of Stella's hands and checked on her. "Are you okay, Niffty?!"
"Yeah! It was fun! But I'm okay!" Niffty said with a such childish cheer that it made Stella tilt her head.
"What were you thinking about using grenades to blow up mice?" Charlie scolded.
"Alastor gave them to me for Hellmas, so I figured it would be a good time to test them out," Niffty answered, which made Charlie rub her forehead.
"I swear he's going to destroy this hotel he helped build," Charlie muttered to herself before noticing a stunned Stella standing there. "Oh! Princess Stella! You're here! It's great to see you again! S-S-Sorry! We were just cleaning things up, and we...kinda...got a little out of hand."
"R-Right," Stella said before clearing her throat. "Um, it's just Stella, by the way. I renounced my royal titles officially a few days ago."
"Oh, okay. That's fine," Charlie said with a sunny smile. "Here at the Hazbin Hotel, we don't care where you come from or your past. We're here to ensure you become a better person with smiles and lots of love."
"Right," Stella replied as she picked up her bags. "Shall we get inside?"
"Yes! You have to meet everyone!" Charlie said with stars in her eyes as she guided Stella into her new home.
Stella had to admit that it looked like a decently made hotel. She heard that the Radio Demon had personally spiced it up with some of his own funding combined with Princess Charlie's treasury to make it look nice. She did like the blood-red color mixed with gold and bronze. It reminded her of some of the hotels from the upper echelons of Hell's society. Entering the main lobby, Charlie whistled, and two ram-like demons flew into the room with smiles. They were both dressed in tuxedos with bat wings and furry lower bodies, making them appear to be some kind of demonic satyr. Stella couldn't tell the difference between the two, but clearly Charlie could as she independently addressed them by naming them. "Razzle? Dazzle? Please take Ms. Stella's bags to her room."
The two saluted before taking the bags from the former Goetia princess and sped out of the room while passing by a white-haired sinner demon who walked into the room with a crossed expression that stood between curious and annoyed. She wore a short sleeve red shirt that was short enough to expose her belly button. Below the shirt was a black sailor fuku skirt, while her legs and arms were covered by black leggings and arm tights. Her white hair was long with a red bowtie with big ribbons that held it, and it covered half of her eyes which were also protected by an eyepatch with a red "X" on it.
"Niffty's still alive?" The sinner asked to which the said maid demon happily waved her hand in greeting. "Well, Husk will be pissed. He just lost twenty bucks to Angel."
"You know he's not allowed to gamble while working, Vaggie" Charlie chided with a frown. "It's part of his rehabilitation efforts."
"He says he was on a break which he says counts," Vaggie answered, rolling her eyes. "And I'm not in the mood to argue with him."
She noticed Stella standing there and asked, "This is the new guest?"
"Yup!" Charlie then let Niffty get out of her arms before introducing Stella as if she was a guest at a show. "This is former Princess Stella Goetia! I babysat her daughter, Octavia, when she was a little kid. She's our newest resident!"
"Right," Vaggie said, crossing her arms and looking at Stella with suspension. "What would a so-called former Goetia princess want to do with our Hotel? We've never had one of your kind here, so what's the real reason?"
"I'm here for personal redemption," Stella answered with a glare of her own. "Why are you here?"
"I'm Charlie's girlfriend," Vaggie answered, which widened Stella's eyes.
Turning to Charlie, the swan demoness asked, "Your father is letting you date a sinner?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Vaggie growled.
"Vaggie, it's okay," Charlie said with a reassuring smile as she turned to Stella. "Dad knows that I'm dating Vaggie. Despite his disagreements, I'm perfectly happy with her. He disapproves, but I don't need his permission to do everything. I am free to make my own decisions."
Charlie then walked over to Vaggie and placed an arm around her before kissing the blushing sinner, who was doing her best to still look intimidating but failed as she looked away with a small smile. "And Vaggie's been really helpful in supporting me through this. I care about her greatly, regardless of her status in Hell."
For a moment, Stella saw Blitzo and Stolas replacing Vaggie and Charlie and took a deep breath. If she was going to get over her disagreement on certain "behaviors" when it came to forbidden romances, she would have to start somewhere. Clearing her throat, she replied, "I apologize if that sounded rude. I was...just surprised, is all. I'm glad you two are happy together."
Vaggie's eye widened for a bit before relaxing and nodding. "Well, I guess welcome to the Hotel."
"We're just about to give her the tour," Charlie chirped. "Come on! We'll show you around, and you can meet the others."
"Does that include the Radio Demon?" Stella asked with a growl and a hint of fear.
"No, Alastor's out for a few days, so we have some moment of peace," Vaggie grumbled. "But I dread to think what he's planning."
"Well, then, I guess you can lead on," Stella said as the two took the lead and further led their newest resident into her new home.
Charlie and her lover showed Stella around the place for half an hour. She learned about how there were a lot of floors for guests, but there was only one guest besides herself. Hell's most famous porn star: Angel Dust. Until Stella, there hadn't been any others, so it was often just a quiet day (when chaos wasn't happening) of waiting for someone to come in. A few did, but mostly to get free food or shelter before leaving. Some came in to check the place out before deciding it wasn't worth it and never returned. However, to her credit, Charlie never gave up, hoping someone would permanently come like Stella, and was ecstatic about it.
"We have a recreation center, a gym, a spa, a pool, and tons of other fun rooms for you to relax and have fun with," Charlie replied as he exited the elevator and walked down the hall of the floor they stopped. "Of course, we'll also be working on a program to help you with your redemption. Here at the Hazbin Hotel, everyone is honest about the sins they've committed. So you'll need to be honest with yours."
"I...I have to tell you what I've done?" Stella asked, although, deep down, she already knew that was obvious. She couldn't get the help she needed until they knew what she did.
As if sensing her hesitation, Charlie quickly said, "There is no rush, and I can understand how hesitant you can be to tell us. But you can tell us when you are ready. Just know that, even if it's illegal, you're free from punishment so long as you remain under my care. It was one of the things I negotiated with my father on."
"I see," Stella replied with relief. If Lucifer knew what she had unknowingly played a part in doing, then it didn't matter if she was ignorant. Her head would roll. "That's good to know."
They had then stopped in front of the lounge area, where Charlie opened the doors to one of the grandest rooms. It had large fluffy, clean sofas, a billiards table, TVs, and a coffee station. But the most considerable notice was the bar being handled by a winged cat sinner demon. He was a black and white cat with red wings and a feathery tail with black and white stripes and card symbols like a heart or spade on them. Clearly, a sign that he was sent to the Ring of Greed upon his mortal death. Even his fur had some poker symbols in areas like his ears or palms. He wore black overalls but nothing on his chest save for a red bowtie, and his head was covered by a classic black and red striped top hat. Stella figured that this was Husk, the bartender that Charlie had talked about when she explained the staff members earlier in the tour.
Sitting on one of the bars was a figure that Stella knew very well from his fame or infamy, depending on who you asked. While Stella herself never really was into porn, even she knew about Angel Dust. He wore a pink and white striped shirt that barely went down to his black short shorts where the chest area was open like that of a heart where his fuzzy chest popped itself out almost as if he had breasts. Angel wore red velvet gloves and long black pants with gogo boots. Appearance-wise, he was probably wearing more makeup than any of the women here, including Stella. Yet despite his pretty face, nobody could miss the pure black eye he had with a red pupil and the golden tooth among his many sharp teeth.
Upon seeing the group appear, Husk cursed and handed a grinning Angel Dust a twenty. "Damnit, why do I keep making bets that are obvious to lose. I swear that little thing is invincible."
"Love you too, Husk!" Nifty said as she zipped over faster than Stella could see and sat next to Angel Dust. "Now for my share."
"Here you go," Angel Dust said, handing her ten bucks as Husk stared at them in disbelief.
"You two hustled me?!" Husk growled.
"More like we just had a side bed with our bet," Angel Dust replied with a wink. "I'd be down for giving back my ten for ten minutes with ya?"
"Go suck your own dick," Husk growled as he returned to cleaning glasses.
"Sorry, but seeing that kind of show is only for high-paying customers," Angel Dust replied before looking at the others. "What's up, toots?"
"Angel. Husk. This is our newest resident of the Hazbin family, Stella!" Charlie replied as she introduced the nervous demoness.
"Um, hi," Stella replied, waving her hand.
"What's your poison?" Husk asked nonchalantly as he continued his work without looking.
"Excuse me?" Stella asked, eyebrow raised.
"Your favorite drink. Name it," Husk explained.
"Oh, umm, Screwdriver?"
In less than a few seconds, Husk had the drink on the table and presented it with a dull expression that never seemed to change. "There. Easy. Did my good deed of the day." He then took the vodka bottle he used for it and started drinking it off the top.
Taking it, Stella sipped it before nodding in satisfaction. "Wow, this is good."
"Husk's great at the bar. Even my Dad thinks he can make a fantastic Old Fashioned," Charlie said.
"If only he stopped drinking half the liquor we have so we don't run out," Vaggie complained as she glared at the winged cat, but his response was to give her the finger without putting the bottle down.
"So we got another guest this time. She's going to be here for a few days or what?" Angel Dust replied as he drank his beer before looking over at Stella. "I mean, did the hotels around us get full or credit cards rejected?"
"No, I'm here permanently. Or at least as long as I need," Stella answered firmly with determination.
"Really?" Angel Dust asked, snorting. "You really want to get to Heaven?"
"Isn't that why you are here?" Stella asked.
"I'm just here for my own reasons," Angel Dust replied almost too quickly in Stella's mind. "So why are you really here?"
Stella looked at her drink and thought about it. She really didn't have any desire to go to Heaven, if she was being honest. Even if they had all but disowned her, Stolas and Octavia were still here in Hell, and Stella wanted to still be there with them. They were all Stella had left and all she cared about. Everyone was waiting for an answer, but Stella took a deep drink before answering honestly. After all, what do I have to lose?
"I want to stop hating myself."
That made the room instantly go quiet as everyone just stared at her. Husk even stopped drinking as he looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Realizing that they needed more, Stella just decided to fuck all and prepare to tell them everything. "Everything I am about to say is not to be spoken of to others, right? All of it? Even if it might have nearly killed millions, if not billions, of demons of Hell?"
Now the others were fully eyed to her, with some in disbelief. Charlie quickly looked at them and took a deep breath. "Yes, no secrets are spoken of outside of this place."
"Alright," Stella replied as she sat down. "I...I can't tell you everything because I need to protect my family...but it all started with my ex-husband having an affair with an imp named Blitzo."
"Woah! Woah! Woah!" Angel Dust sat up and held his hands in a "timeout position." "Your husband, a Prince of the Goetia line, was fucking an imp?" He then turned to Husk and held out his hand. "Husk, get the good stuff! This is gonna be sweet!"
Rolling her eyes, Stella just decided to go from there. She talked about her relationship with Stolas and Octavia. Despite neither loving the other, the former was her friend and partner. Both did their best to keep their family ahead of the endless deadly game of Hell and took care of their loving daughter. It was a good life, and both were fine sleeping with other demons for company. A mutual agreement. And then it all changed when Stolas met him.
Blitzo.
Then she talked about Blitzo and his company, I.M.P. (which everyone soon remembered upon her playing the jingle they had and complimenting it) and how Stolas and Blitzo soon became part of a love affair with the former helping the latter with his business. However, she made sure to say nothing about the book, as she wasn't ready to tell them about how I.M.P. went to the human world. Not that Charlie, with stars and pleading, didn't endlessly ask how since she always dreamed of going to Earth.
However, Stella admitted she was worried about their affair ruining their status if it got exposed and how it would affect their daughter. Stella admitted that she had a prejudiced view of the lesser classes, like imps and hellhounds. She didn't even approve of her daughter hanging out with Blitz's daughter, Loona. If word got out about Stolas having a love affair with an imp, the lowest of the low, the entire nobility would descend upon them like vultures to a dead lamb.
So she went to her mother for help, leading to the kidnapping incident, which led to Stella ordering something harder from Husk to get through this part. She had to lie about a few things, mostly about how it was related to the Grimoire of Worlds, but she didn't hide the terrors the kidnapping had brought to Blitz, his family, and her own family. She told about how her mother, brother, and their mysterious friend decided to use this incident to steal the Grimoire. Stella told them of the torture, the abuse, the rape, the...Nightmare Parasite.
"The fuck?!" Vaggie looked at a shamed Stella in disgust. "Your family used a Nightmare Parasite on him?! How the fuck is he even still alive?!"
"Because I told them where he was, and they rescued him. They managed to get the parasite out, but the damage was done. I don't know how bad he's suffered since, but if you know of those things, you know it's beyond horrible. A living hell even for those in Hell," Stella admitted. "I never wanted this. What happened to Blitz was something I never wanted. I didn't like him, but I didn't want him to suffer like that. I never ever wanted it to go this far. By the time I found out, I was already too late to do anything, so I told Stolas and everyone the truth...especially when it was clear what they wanted to do with the Grimoire."
All of them were looking at her in surprise and mixed emotions. Vaggie looked at her in disgust while Husk was silent, but his eyes were focused on Stella intently. Angel was quiet and frowning, but there was sympathy in his eyes. Even Niffty wasn't smiling anymore. If anything, she looked ready to cry.
"What did they want to do?" Charlie asked in a severe tone that made everyone look at her in surprise. It was rare to see the Princess of Hell look so serious. "Tell me. I know that book. It had spells unlike anything seen before. It's so dangerous that there is a reason only three were made. What did they want to do?"
Stella finished her glass and told them their plans: wipe out most of Hell's lower class populations to end the Exterminations. A horrible and terrible way to free Hell from Heaven's wraith. Needless to say, everyone took a drink upon hearing this as horrifying expressions were shared.
"Christ," Husk muttered, looking horrified. "That's just fucked up."
"And I thought Val was bad..." Angel Dust muttered in disgust as he rubbed his eyes. "I'm not a bleeding heart kind of guy for strangers, but that's just...wrong...seriously wrong."
"I know," Stella whispered, shaking her head. "I agree with you, but it doesn't change the fact I helped play a role in nearly causing billions of deaths, even if I was ignorant of it. Once Blitz was rescued and my family dead, I...I was cast out by my husband and daughter. Neither of them wants anything to do with me anymore. I'm dead to them. Worst of all, I can't blame them."
She saw a tissue in front of her, held by Niffty, and soon realized that she had been crying. For how long, Stella didn't know, but she accepted the tissue paper and dried her eyes. "Look, you don't need to call me out on my actions. I already know what I did was horrible. Not just to Biltz and his family but to my own as well. I nearly caused my husband and best friend to lose the one demon he loves, and my daughter had to watch her best friend go through shit worrying about her father. I made an imp suffer in ways no one should ever go through. And I nearly caused the biggest holocaust in Hell. Everyone hates me for it, but you know who hates me the most?"
Stella pointed to herself. "It's me. I hate myself and cannot even wake up without trying to punish myself. Sometimes I wish they killed me. Maybe that would have been justice. But living with this guilt, knowing that I hurt those I loved and the actions I did? Not to mention what could have happened had I not done anything? That is more than punishment enough, and I want redemption for it. That's why I am here. Maybe this won't work, but I want to try."
There was a long silence in the room before Stella finished her drink and wiped her mouth. "I'd like to go to my room now if that's okay."
"O-Oh, of course," Charlie said, getting up from her seat. "Please follow me."
Stella nodded before turning to the others. "Well, it was nice meeting you all. I'll...see you around."
Nobody said anything as the two left the room.
"Here you go," Charlie said, opening the door and handing Stella the key. "Do you like it?"
Stella had to admit that it wasn't bad as far as hotel rooms go. The blood-red decor with golden lacing was everywhere, from the furniture to the curtains. A queen-sized bed with fresh colors and fluffy pillows was already prepared for her, along with Stella's bags on top of the mattress. There was a small couch and coffee table right in front of a grand TV and a smaller desk with an empty bookshelf. Other rooms, a bathroom, ample closet room, and a private wired phone room with a list of numbers to dial for specific services were also open to her.
"Is there anything you'd like added? You are free to customize your room or request anything that might make your stay more comfortable," Charlie explained. "Will you be needing anything?"
"No, I'll just take a nap and sleep early," Stella admitted.
"Okay," Charlie looked ready to leave but soon paused in her step. Stella was about to ask her what was wrong before she was nearly tackled by the princess who wrapped her arms around her waist. Despite their height difference, Stella felt small compared to the much more powerful demoness who looked at her with something she hadn't seen in a while.
Kindness.
"Listen, I promise I'll do everything I can to help you," Charlie whispered with a tiny smile. "I believe you when you say you want to change. Even if you don't want to go to Heaven, just wanting to be better, in general, is the reason why I made this hotel. I believe that everyone can unlock that true smile inside of them."
"Princess..." Stella whispered in surprise.
Ending the hug, Charlie proudly stood with determination written all over her face. "I'm going to make you love yourself again, Stella. And I'll do what I can to get your family to love you again. That's my promise as a Princess."
She then clapped her hands and smiled. "Anyway, I'll let you settle in. Ask us if you need anything."
With one last smile, Charlie waved goodnight, and Stella replied the same before the door was closed. With a heavy sigh, Stella fell onto her bed and took a deep breath. "Well, I guess this is it. This is my life now."
A knock on the door made her quickly get up and wondered if Charlie had forgotten to tell her something. She walked over and opened it, but to her surprise, it was not the Hotel's manager, but her fellow guest Angel Dust standing there with a frown and his hands in his pockets. Well, two out of the four of them. She blinked in surprise upon seeing him as the porn star used his second right hand to rub the back of his neck. "Hey."
"Um, hi?" Stella asked, confused as to why he was there. "Do you need something?"
"Well, no, but..." The spider took a deep breath before looking at Stella with a slightly nervous smile. "What you said out there? That took moxie. Seriously, I don't think anyone's ever been that open about their issues like that in this hotel. Not Vaggie, Husk, or even me."
"O-Oh, I thought everyone here had told each other..." Stella blushed with a deep red glow on her cheeks.
"Well, we're supposed to do it, but many of us really don't follow the rules," Angel Dust replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Charlie is a lot more patient than you think. If you didn't need to tell her, she would have understood. But I guess you doing so means you're serious about this, huh?"
"Well, it's not like I got anywhere else to go," Stella admitted with a shrug. "Plus, I don't know how to change, so I figured this was the best place to do it. But I am serious about changing. Not just for myself but for my daughter. She...she hates me. And she has every reason to do so."
Stella did her best to fight away the memories of her beloved Octavia disowning her and outright stating she never wanted to see her again. However, Stella loved her daughter too much to do it. Even if she had to wait an eternity, Stella would do everything to get her daughter's forgiveness and love again.
"But if doing this can get her to open up to me one more time? If I can make up for my past sins? I'll do whatever it takes," Stella said with a small smile.
"...Do you really think it's possible to look at yourself in the mirror and not hate yourself every day?" Angel Dust asked, with a tone of bitter sorrow in his speech.
When she heard this, Stella then saw his fists clenching themselves and then relaxed. For a moment, Stella wondered if maybe she wasn't the only person who hated themselves so much in this hotel. With a smile, she put a comforting hand on his shoulder, much to his surprise, and said, "I think it's better to try and achieve such a feat than not try at all and live with that pain. Don't you?"
"...Maybe, but I can't say that I know," Angel Dust said as he started walking down the hall. "Anyway, I won't take up any more of your time. Night, Princess."
"Um, Angel?" He paused and looked at her as Stella leaned back against her door. "I don't know the area that well. Since you've been here awhile, can you show me around the neighborhood? I'll pay for lunch?"
"Eh, why not? A free meal is a free meal," Angel Dust said with a grin. "Just let me do a few rounds on my block, and then I'll take ya to the best burger joint around."
Stella nodded and soon closed her door. She then wondered. Did I just make a friend? Hmm, I guess I'll see.
***Present Day***
Prince Stolas had gone through this moment in his head multiple times. Deep down, he knew there was going to be a significant chance that he and his ex-wife would meet one day again. This was especially evident considering she was now living in the Hazbin Hotel and one of his deals with Metatron was to help out with said establishment. Ever since Stella officially joined the Hazbin Hotel, Stolas had been wracking his brain to figure out what scheme she was pulling.
Whatever it was, it was good because not only had Stella publicly and officially removed herself from her title as part of the Goetia family, but she sold practically everything her family owned in her name. Their homes, business, ownerships, interests, investments, and more were all sold, exchanged, liquidated, or cashed into her personal bank account. It was enough money to buy a small army or a powerful league of assassins from Excelsis Mors. But Stella had only used her money to support the hotel, buy food and belongings, and donate to several charities for orphans. All of which were clean and not fronts for something else.
Stolas knew Stella. She was not one to quit. Whatever revenge or means she was planning to take back Octavia was something Stolas wanted to know and confront her about. Now it seemed he was getting his chance, only now it was being done over a set of tea and crumpets in the same room he and Princess Charlie were talking to one another not long ago. Although, the crumpets are much better this time. Delicious.
"So," Stella said after a small sip before looking at Stolas, "I was wondering when you were going to show up again."
"I take it you knew of my previous visit?" Stolas replied as calmly as possible.
"Charlie didn't tell me if that's what you are wondering," Stella answered with a shrug. "I found out on my own. And for the record, I knew you were spying on me. Some of your spies aren't as good as you think."
"Noted," Stolas replied dryly.
Putting her teacup down, Stella sighed as she closed her eyes. "Before we get to the questions we both want to ask, I just want to know two things. And I swear, Stolas, please be honest." She then opened her lids and glared at Stolas. "Are Octavia and Blitz okay?"
"...Not great, but better. Especially since you are not around to hurt them any more than you already have," Stolas replied with a little more venom than he intended, but quite frankly, he didn't care. "Octavia's still hurting because of what you've done, but we're doing what we can to help her. Blitz has...gone into some dark moments thanks to that Nightmare Parasite, but we have a means to helpfully cure him."
"The angel, right?" Stella said, which made Stolas narrow his eyes and debate killing his ex-wife now or interrogating her to find out her secrets before keeping her silent forever. However, before he could do anything, she held up her hand. "Before you ask, nobody told me. I figured it out on my own; the only person who knows is Princess Charlie. She'll never tell. Neither of us has any intention since it would bring all of Hell upon you."
"How did you figure it out?"
"Well, I've been trying to figure out a way to cure a Nightmare Parasite-"
"Why? When you are the one who wanted him to get infec-"
SLAM!
Stolas nearly jumped upon hearing the impact of Stella's fist slamming into the table and making the china tremble. She glared at him with glowing eyes that reminded Stolas just how many bites Stella's barks could have. "Stolas, you can blame me for what happened to Blitz. But don't you ever fucking accuse me of wanting him to get infected by that monstrosity or doing it myself! That was not me!"
Stella took a few deep breaths before slowly sitting back down. "I accept that I am to blame for the whole thing happening in the first place. I accept that I unknowingly caused him to suffer. And I live with that guilt of hurting Blitz and everyone associated with him-including you and Octavia-everyday. But to accuse me of putting that thing in his head or wanting it? No. Never accuse me of that. I never wanted this to happen to him. Despite what you might think, I never wanted this."
There was a long silence as Stolas frowned and felt very uncomfortable. Deep down, the situation had gone entirely awkward, and he didn't want to admit he felt a little guilty about what he had said. Deciding to retake the conversation, Stolas continued, "Fine. But how did you come to the realization that I was using a Spirit Healer?"
"Well, I didn't know you were going to get a Spirit Healer," Stella whispered with a bit of surprise in her tone. "Though that does make sense. They are the best healers in Heaven."
"Just answer the question."
Sighing, Stella replied, "It was just by deduction. I know you have a connection to Heaven, and I learned through multiple sources that the only time anyone has ever been cured by a Nightmare Parasite was by an angel. How or why, I was never able to find out, but after Charlie told me how you would help out with the Hotel, I figured that the higher-ups in Heaven agreed to give you one of their healers in exchange for helping out here."
Narrowing her eyes, she then asked, "But there is more to this, isn't there? You made a large deal with them and I can only assume that it cost you something."
Stolas gripped the cup on his teacup.
"I already know what you are doing is dangerous and can get everyone back at the palace killed if you are exposed," Stella put down her teacup and looked Stolas straight in the eyes. "So I'm going to ask one simple question. Did Octavia agree to all this?"
Stolas took another sip of his tea and snorted. "Do you really think I would do this without consulting her? I love Blitz, Stella, but I love Octavia more. She is my daughter, and I would never put her in harm's way if I could. However, told me to go through with it. Everyone in our...my household agreed to it. Every worker, guard, and so forth. I know what I am doing, Stella. I am doing whatever it takes to cure the love of my life from the actions of you and your family."
Stella took a deep breath and seemed to relax, much to Stolas's surprise, as she nodded. "Good. Good. I wish I was the one fixing this problem, but I suppose I should be happy a cure is in reach in general."
She picked up her tea and asked, "Do you have backup plans in case this goes wrong?"
"Yes, and backups for the backups," Stolas replied, rolling his eyes. "I'm not an idiot, Stella. I know what is at stake. Both for Octavia and me."
"Good," Stella whispered as she shook her head. "I just want to be sure. Sometimes you don't plan well enough."
"Well, now that I have satisfied your curiosity, I would like mine to be next," Stolas said as he put the cup down and stood up. Glaring at his ex-wife with his cape flowing behind him and his eyes glowing red, he all but demanded, "What are you planning?"
"Excuse me?" Stella asked, eyebrow raised.
"This!" He raised his hands and directed them at the Hotel. "All that you have done since our divorce? Selling everything you own? Disowning yourself from your title? Living here in the Hazbin Hotel for six months? What are you doing tell me right now because I will not have you risk-"
And then Stella laughed.
Stolas blinked as Stella covered her mouth to stop herself, but she shook her head and smiled weakly at him. "Really? Do you think I have some grand revenge scheme on you? Let me guess? You think I'm planning some long, complex plan to kill you, your lover, and steal Octavia from you while getting back your riches and power? Is that it?"
"Um, well..."
"Stolas, that's so cliche," Stella muttered, rolling her eyes as she slowly stood up. Crossing her arms, she shook her head. "Stolas, I'm not planning anything. I'm not here for revenge. I'm here because I want to be a better person. I'm here for redemption."
"You want to go to Heaven? You?" Stolas asked in disbelief.
"No, nothing like that," Stella said, waving her hand in dismissal. "I don't think Heaven would take me. I mean for myself."
Walking to the window nearby, Stella rested her shoulder on edge and sighed. "Stolas, I've told you and Octavia many times that I am sorry for what I did. And I mean it. I know it means very little since words are just words, so I'm doing this to prove it. Not just to you two, Blitz and his friends, but also myself."
Wrapping her arms around her, Stella looked down with shame. She seemed so feeble in Stolas's eyes that it was hard to believe that this was the same Stella he had known nearly all his life. "I can't help but wake up every day and hate myself for what I've done. Not just to you two but to everyone else as well. All I wanted was for my family to be safe from your affair, but in doing so, I risked them and the lives of innocent demons from the insane actions of my mother. I brought the worst pain a demon could go through, and when I learned the truth of what my fears had done, I was too late to stop it. Worse, I can't defend myself from my actions because regardless of whether I wanted it to happen as it did, it doesn't change the fact that it did happen."
Turning to Stolas, she continued, "I want to make up for what I've done, Stolas. I do, truly. Not just to you and Octavia but also to Blitz, his daughter, and his friends. I want to fix what I've done and make things right. Even if it never becomes the same as it was, I just know that I have to do something to try and earn your forgiveness."
"Do you really think we can forgive you like that after all you did?" Stolas asked harshly.
"No, and I'm not ready to try because there is one person out there who hates me more than any of you, and that is myself," Stella said, pointing to her chest. "I can't even begin to describe what I feel other than utter disgust when I look back at the old me. The old me had issues. Not just with you and your affair with Blitz, but with lesser demons too. I've learned that my prejudices and fears of them helped play a role in that day. I'm learning to overcome those issues. Thanks to my friends here at the hotel, I've also learned how to better connect with people. This place...it's like home to me now."
"Really?" Stolas asked in surprise.
Stella smiled warmly. "Charlie is an angel of herself, and she tries hard despite all the odds against her. Vaggie took some time to warm up to me, but she's a loyal friend when you win her trust. Niffty's a sweetie and adorable in her own way. Husk and Angel? The three of us have a connection. We understand each other. I would even say they are my best friends. They deserve a better life than what they have now. Especially Anthony.``
"And Alastor?" Stolas asked.
Stella growled. "No, fuck him. In fact, beware of him, Stolas. He's interested in you, and I don't like it. I swear I will find out what he is planning and alert you of it the moment I know."
"I see. Thank you," Stolas said and found himself believing her. I knew he was up to something...
"Anyway," Stella said, clapping her hands, "I've said enough. I'll go get Charlie to let her know that you are here. But trust me when I say this, Stolas, I will not tell anyone about the angel in your house. I want him to cure Blitzo; even if I didn't, I wouldn't risk Octavia by telling anyone. Just please be careful. All of you."
"As careful as I can be," Stolas replied as Stella nodded. Sighing, Stolas rubbed his forehead. "I honestly didn't expect this to be our conversation. I'm not sure I hundred percent believe you in what you are saying."
"I know, but I'll prove it. Even if it takes me hundreds of years," Stella said as she shook her head and started to leave. "I'll go get Charlie. It was...nice talking to you, Stolas. And I'm glad you like the crumpets. I made them myself."
"Wait, you made these?" Stolas asked in surprise as he held one up.
Smirking, Stella answered, "I'm the head chef of the hotel. I have to be good at what I cook and bake."
Stolas just stood there, full of mixed emotions, as she left. He looked at the crumpet in his talons, slowly took a bite, and sighed. "I might not fully believe her, but I can believe her when she says that. Bloody hell, these are good."