Eli, Octavia, and Stolas stood rooted in place, their gazes fixed on Stella as she glared with the intensity of a storm.
"Well, ain't this an interesting development," Eli thought, keeping his expression neutral despite the tension in the air.
Stella marched up to the trio, her sharp eyes zeroing in on Octavia, who instinctively hid her face under her beanie. Stella's gaze then shifted to Eli, sizing him up with a critical glare.
"He looks... presentable." She admitted begrudgingly, her tone tinged with disdain. "But I'm not aware of any royal with your appearance."
Eli didn't know why, but he straightened his posture, standing taller and more imposing. His almond-shaped yellow eyes glinted, giving him an air of quiet authority.
Stella didn't seem to notice, but Stolas did. He stepped forward cautiously, his mind racing. While Eli's transformation gave him a temporary connection to royal magic, Stolas didn't want to risk the boy using a master-level spell in anger. As much as he despised Stella, he didn't wish to see her obliterated.
"That's because he's not a royal—at least, not anymore." Stolas lied smoothly, his voice calm and measured. He had no intention of revealing Eli's human origins.
Stella narrowed her eyes. "What was he? Banished? Exiled? Disowned?" She sneered. "It's bad enough you defiled our family name by fucking with that imp, but now you're letting our daughter associate with some plebeian?"
"Mom!" Octavia yelled, mortified. "He's my friend!"
"I don't care!" Stella snapped, her voice cutting through the room. "I'm doing this for your own good, Octavia!"
Eli, who had been silently watching, suddenly spoke up with a deadpan tone. "No wonder she never talks about you."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Stolas and Octavia both gaped at Eli, their expressions screaming the same question: What are you doing?! Eli himself is asking that question internally.
Stella's attention snapped to Eli, her feathers bristling. "What did you just say?" She hissed, stepping closer.
Eli's instincts screamed at him to back down, but something in him refused. He held his ground, his expression calm but firm. "You heard me. It makes me wonder if you really love your daughter."
"How dare you!" Stella shrieked, raising her hand to slap him.
Before she could make contact, Eli's reflexes—that he didn't knew he had took over. His talon taloned hand shot up, catching her wrist mid-swing. The room went silent again, the tension so thick it was suffocating.
Stella struggled to free her hand, but Eli's grip was unyielding. "Don't question whether I love my daughter." She spat venomously. "Everything I do is for her!"
Eli's steady gaze didn't waver, prompting her to continue.
"I've done everything to protect her." Stella said, her voice trembling as she clutched her dress with her free hand. "To make her happy…"
Her tone softened, surprising everyone in the room—Stolas most of all.
Before she could spiral into another tirade, Eli gently placed a finger on her beak, silencing her. Her eyes widened in shock.
"I'm surprised." Eli said, lowering his hand. "You're quite sincere." He reached for Octavia's hand, snapping her out of her daze, and then placed Stella's hand in Octavia's. "But does she feel the same? Have you ever truly talked to her? Listened to her?"
Letting go, Eli stepped back, standing next to Stolas, who leaned down and whispered, "What did you just do?"
Eli hissed back, "I have no idea!"
"Is it true, Via?" Stella asked, her voice quieter now, almost vulnerable.
"Yeah…" Octavia said softly, her focus on the hand her mother now held. "I was miserable."
Stella's feathers drooped. "I didn't know…" She hesitated, gripping Octavia's hand tighter. "I thought you'd be happy if I divorced your father."
"I wasn't." Octavia admitted, tears forming in her eyes. She remembered the fights, the loneliness, the fear. "I didn't want to take sides. I just wanted… a family."
Tears welled up in Stella's eyes. "I'm sorry, honey." she whispered before pulling Octavia into a tight hug.
Octavia sobbed softly into her mother's shoulder. "It's okay, Mummy." She said, her voice breaking with relief.
Stolas and Eli stood frozen, both completely blindsided by the sudden emotional turn.
"Well, this is unexpected." Stolas murmured.
"You're no better, you know that?" Eli muttered dryly, giving Stolas a nudge forward.
Stolas sighed but approached the pair cautiously. "I suppose I bear some blame as well…" He began, only to be pulled into the hug by both Stella and Octavia.
"I'll accept the imp." Stella grumbled begrudgingly. "But that doesn't mean I have to like him."
Stolas chuckled softly, his smile warm as he hugged them back. "That's… fair."
Eli watched the scene unfold, his stoic mask cracking slightly as he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Just as he was about to leave and give the family their moment, he felt Stella grab his wrist and yank him into the group hug.
"I approve of him, Octavia." Stella declared.
"Mom, we're just friends!" Octavia exclaimed, her cheeks turning bright red.
Eli squawked in indignation, his feathers fluffing up as Stolas hooted with laughter.
A/N: Boom that's right! I'm tired of Stella being the bad guy(it should be noted that there are a few fics with good Stella in it) and I want more fluff, more humor and I made Stella's brother Andrealphus the bad guy cause why not. Also I'm not really good a writing drama stuff sorry if it's a little dissapointing, heck I don't even watch drama, read a few but was never really interested.
Don't worry about Verosika the original plan was to make her Eli's friend, but just like you said she's a succubus so expect some teasing, dirty jokes and some mild lewd interaction... it'll be standard T rated stuff don't worry, in fact it'll be humorous... I think.
The idea for 'good Stella' was from 'Helluva Loud Adventure' I think it was the dream chapters... I don't remember.