Grail of Sin Chapter 2
An unexpected proposal
Charlie is speechless, her eyes locked onto Zefriel's. Her mind was racing all over the place at the implications. Emily cast a sad gaze onto the floor, as if she couldn't bear to look Charlie in the eyes, her hands clasped together.
"A…are you suggesting marriage between your prince and me?!" Charlie asked, wide eyed.
"Yes, however please understand that this is nothing but a political scheme" Zefriel said.
"What do you mean 'a political scheme'?" asked Charlie.
"The engagement would be the public declaration, but we do not expect you to go through with being married to the prince. You will have the ability to cancel the wedding, with no penalty, at any time during the engagement. All that would result from this is the return to the status quo leaving you in no worse position than you currently find yourself in." Zefriel explained. "The wedding, as per the prince's instruction, would have to be presided over by his father. This would mean that when your wedding is to take place, the regent council would have been dissolved due to lord Yeshua's return and you will no longer have to fear Exorcist retribution as the prince is certain his father would not allow them. In the meantime, the engagement would give you some semblance of protection from Heaven and the Exorcists as any attacks upon you would put them into conflict with their own prince, with whom you would have an alliance of sorts. This arrangement is designed to buy you valuable time to aid in the redemption of more sinners."
"But is there really no other way?!" yelled Charlie as she began pacing around frantically, thinking to herself.
"Regrettably, the prince is unable to unilaterally stop the council or the Exorcists. That is to say, he is not able to stop them in a conventional sense. However, should their target be his future bride, they would surely refrain from attacking as coming into direct conflict with the prince would be suicide…politically speaking that is." Zefriel explained.
Charlies stops pacing, looks at Zefriel and Emily in turn. She opens her mouth to say something, but changes her mind unsure of what to say.
"You have nothing to lose by accepting the proposal…and everything to gain." said Zefriel.
"I DO have something to lose! I have a Girlfriend. A Girlfriend that I love! I don't want to put her through this!" snapped Charlie.
"You can continue your relationship with her all the same. Again, I repeat, this is nothing but a ploy to buy you time. We frankly do not care if you continue to pursue your relationship with your girlfriend." Zefriel added. "In fact…this might be your best course of action to keep her safe, if you cherish her."
"And your prince doesn't care about his reputation? Doesn't care how he would be viewed when I break the betrothal on the final day? Doesn't care if I am seen kissing MY girlfriend on the side of the street?" asked Charlie, there was anger in her voice, almost venomous.
"If reputation is the price to pay for one's duty done, then so be it. Sure, there will be salacious tabloids in both Heaven and Hell, but we must all make sacrifices for what we believe to be the greater good if we wish to see change. My lord is dead set on this course of action, he is set on doing whatever he can to lend you aid." Zefriel stated firmly.
"You must understand that we are on the same side here Charlie" added Emily. "We want to help you! It's just that, this is the only way we see forward."
"The only problem would arise if you fail to aid more souls to reach heaven." Zefriel said.
"No. The other possible problem is that the Exorcists attack again even if we manage to send more souls to heaven. What if lord Yeshua returns and simply orders the Exorcists to attack us again. How would the prince protect us from his father?" Charlie shot back, she was becoming annoyed.
"I understand your concern and frankly the chances of that are not zero." Zefriel responded after taking a moment to think. "However, your primary concern at the moment should be the belligerent regent council where the majority wish to pursue further attacks upon Hell. Far be it for me to know what lies in the heart and mind or lord Yeshua but any soul you manage to aid to reach Heaven would be a multiplicative force in favor of stopping the attacks all together.I know you have had to deal with Exorcists, most likely, your whole life. But despite that, do not think Heaven is cruel. If they believe there is a reliable chance to save sinners from damnation, they would not allow their extermination."
"How could I not think Heaven is cruel? They came down here to slaughter everyone, including children just for the FUN of it!" Charlie replied, the anger in her voice was growing.
"No, if they came down here, they came for the mercy of it." Zefriel said.
"What?! What mercy?!" Charlie asked.
"Death is preferable to eternal suffering, is it not?" Zefriel said.
"Are you fucking serious?!" Yelled an Infuriated Charlie, eyes red once more, horns protruding.
"Charlie! Charlie…please." yelled Emily, jumping from her seat. She clasped Charlie's hands in her own as she looked her in the eyes.
"Zefriel, do not say another word!" snapped Emily, looking at Zefriel and then back at Charlie.
"Charlie, please remember that we are friends. I know this is incredibly difficult for you, but we are on the same side. We want the exact same thing as you, to help people." Emily said in a reassuring tone, trying to calm Charlie down.
They were all silent for a few moments, giving time to ease the tension again. Charlie and Emily sat back down. Charlie returned to her normal form, but was looking elsewhere, holding herself, seeming to be making herself as small as possible.
"May I?" asked Zefriel, using a polite tone.
Emily looked at Charlie, who nodded in agreement. "Yes, please continue." Emily said.
"If you choose to accept, I have been instructed to remain here at your hotel. This will allow me to protect you more directly and report back on your progress to my liege. The prince will also provide you with any resources you would require to continue your mission." Zefriel stated.
"My father, Lucifer, has and is providing us with anything that we require. Funding is no longer an issue." Charlie said.
Zefriel gave her an incredulous look. "You mean to say that Lucifer is actively attempting to help sinners go to Heaven?"
"Yes!" replied Charlie.
Zefriel wanted to challenge that, but thought better of it. His words had already upset her enough already.
"I don't know what to say." Charlie said, as she got up to pace once again. "I feel like my back is up against a wall!".
"Charlie, we don't need an answer now. You can have time to think about it." Emily said.
"We shall return in one week to hear your response. Would that be sufficient time for you?" Zefriel said.
"Y…yes. I will have an answer by then." Charlie said, reluctantly.
Zefriel nods "Then we take our leave, thank you for your time."
Emily summoned a portal to Heaven. She then proceeded to hug Charlie as hard as she could.
"We will be in touch, no matter what you decide". Emily said in a comforting voice.
"Thank you." said Charlie giving the warmest smile she could muster under the circumstances.
Emily then passed through the portal.
Zefriel looked back at Charlie and gave her a respectful nod, before passing through the portal as well, leaving Charlie alone in the room.
Vaggy awoke suddenly, the morning light in her eye. She sat up in bed with a great sense of unease, even fear…but she couldn't understand why. Her mind felt foggy.
"Wh…what happened? Did I have a nightmare?" Vaggie thought to herself as she looked around the couple's room to find nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, Charlie was not there.
"Where is she? She never wakes up first…"
"CHARLIE!" she yelled as the memories of the past night finally flashed through her mind.
Vaggie grabbed her spear, and dashed through the door. She did not run down the stairs, but flew down with the greatest haste her wings could muster, completely uncaring of any damage she might cause on her way down, be it to the furniture or herself.
She landed in the lobby with a great thud, and quickly scanned the area. Her heart was beating so rapidly she could feel every pulse, her mind fraught with fear of what she might find.
"CHARLIE?! WHERE ARE YOU!?" she yelled as she looked for any signs of a struggle or a battle…or worse.
"...over here." She heard faintly, coming from the adjacent room.
Vaggie burst through the door, spear in hand, ready for battle. To her surprise, she could only find Charlie sitting by a window, looking out, with a cup of coffee in her hands.
"Charlie, are you ok? Are you hurt? What did he do to you?!" Vaggie yelled as she ran to Charlie, she could see bags under Charlie's eyes, she had not slept all night.
"No..no, im ok. Don't worry." Charlie stated, but Vaggie was not so sure that was the truth, her voice sounded strained. "Vaggie, please. Get the others. I have something very important to tell you. I want everyone present."
"But…" Vaggie protested.
"Please Vaggie, it's important." insisted Charlie.
Without saying a word, Vaggie stood up and flew up the lobby stairs.
"Get up and get to the lobby, NOW!" She yelled as she pounded on Husk's door, then proceeded further up the stairs and did the same at Angel's door.
"Holy Shit! Was I on drugs or did that actually happen last night?! Where's Charlie?!" Angel yelled as he exited his room.
"Charlie is uninjured, but i'm not sure what has gotten into her. She wants us to meet downstairs. Right now!" Vaggie replied as she flew back down.
"Uninjured?! But is she Ok?! Vaggie wait up!" Angel yelled as he followed Vaggie back down the stairs. He ran as fast as he could, doing his best not to trip over any furniture Vaggie knocked over in her haste downstairs.
Vaggie, Husk and Angel entered the room where Charlie was still sitting by the window. She stood up as soon as she saw they had arrived, her mood seemed to change for the better.
"Guys I have amazing news!" Charlie said as she stood in front of them.
"Charlie, who was that guy? What happened?" Interrupted Angel.
"That was an emissary from Heaven! Vaggie, Emily was with him too!" Charlie explained as she looked at Vaggie.
"An Angel in disguise, now it makes sense." Vaggie said pensively, considerably relieved to hear that Emily was with the Angel. She had not known Emily for long, but she never had a bad feeling about her.
"Emily? The Seraph you met in Heaven? That Emily?" asked Angel.
"Yes, she brought me amazing news! Sir Pentious is alive! He has redeemed himself. He is in Heaven right now!" Charlie replied.
Vaggie drops her spear at the shocking news while Husk and Angel stand with mouths gaping.
"You did it!" yelled Vaggie as she lunged at Charlie, hugging her as hard as she could.
"No! No no no! WE did it!" Charlie yelled in reply, a huge smile on her face.
"No way…holy shit. T..That crazy fucker actually made it." said Angel, as he moved in to hug the girls.
"This changes everything." Husk said, preferring to remain stoic.
"But there is more, isn't there." Vaggie said as she released her hug. "I saw your eyes, you were upset at something."
"They also brought other news…" Charlie replied, subconsciously beginning to hold herself.
"The Exorcists might return…soon…stronger than ever."
The group exchanged concerned looks.
"They are not going to stop." said Vaggie with a scowl on her face.
"It doesn't matter, we beat them once, we will beat them every single time with Lucifer on our side." said Angel.
"No. My Father may be able to win us the battle. He might win us ALL the battles, but we would still take losses. We might lose more of our family and friends. I cannot allow more fighting." said Charlie.
"But what are we supposed to do then?" asked Husk.
"We may have people in Heaven that might be able to help us. They gave me a proposition that could protect us from future Exorcist attacks, at least for now, but It is a difficult decision to make." Charlie said, looking at Vaggie, pain in her eyes.
"They have proposed a betrothal between their prince and myself."
"W…what?" Said Vaggie, unable to contain the lump in her throat.
Charlie is silent for a moment, then continues her explanation.
"This betrothal, if I accept, should put a pause on further attacks for the duration of the engagement giving us time to aid more sinners to reach Heaven. We would be under the direct protection of their prince. The Exorcists would not dare attack, or so I am led to believe."
"B…but, what about us?" Vaggie interjected..
"Don't get this wrong." Charlie continued as she took Vaggie's hand. "This changes nothing between us. This is a sham, through and through. This is only so that we would come under the protection of their prince, who is the one that supposedly wishes to help us. There is never going to be a marriage between us. I love you and that will never change."
"C..Charlie, think this through." Vaggie said.
"I have. All night. I can't see a better solution to our problem. I would still be your girlfriend, your love." Charlie said as she placed her hand on Vaggie's face cheek. "But this is my duty for my kingdom, only so far as it does not interfere with our relationship. If they expected me to leave you, they could roll their offer up and stick it up their butts!"
"Oh, she almost said a swear word. She is serious." Vaggie thought to herself with a faint smile as she placed her hand on Charlie's, still on her face cheek
.
"I understand, but I think you should speak to your father about this. This is a serious decision to take…real or not." Vaggie concluded.
"I know, it's probably a good idea." Charlie replied. "But, in the meantime, what do you all think I should do?"
Angel rubs the back of his neck, a sad expression on his face. "I really don't know what to tell you Charlie."
"It may seem like you are holding a good hand princess, but remember they are the ones who dealt you the cards and you don't know what cards they are holding." said Husk.
"He is right. We don't know if they are actually trying to help. We don't even know if they are telling the truth about Sir Pentious." Vaggie added.
"Whatever you choose Princess, we will be right by your side" Angel said.
Husk and Vaggie nodded in agreement.
"Thank you all so much." Charlie said with a faint smile. "Now please excuse me, I really need some sleep."
Vaggie watches Charlie walk up the stairs towards the rooms. She wants to do something to help her, but can't think of anything she could do or say.
"Vaggie, do you know who this prince guy is?" Angel asked.
"There were rumors starting to spread amongst the Exorcists about a supposed son of Christ not long before I met Charlie. They described him as some sort of giant running around the Holy Palace. But no one ever confirmed anything, at least not while I was still there. I always assumed it was gossip made up by bored minds, but now I'm worried there was some truth to it."
"What do we do now?" Asked Husk.
"We can't do anything yet. We need to let Charlie rest. When she feels better, we can discuss the situation with clearer minds. We will also have to prepare for a meeting with Lucifer about this."
Angel and Husk nod in agreement, before going their separate ways.
"Fucking hell, I hate this the more I think about it." Vaggie thought to herself as she walked up the stairs towards their bedchamber.
End of Chapter 2