The morning sky shone over an elegant palace within the pride ring of hell, it's halls being filled with the all too typical screams and threats between a man and woman. Each insult, each jab and threat filled with a loathing hatred and contempt. As had become routine, a young Stella, little more than a child, woke with a sour disposition. It had been all she had known; the screaming, the hate, the violence. There was no love in her family, not even for her, the discipline for daring to step out of line or not complying with what she was told or expected to do was proof of that.

She had even long since given up even trying to cry for her parents to when she had nightmares, they never came. Instead of them even caring enough to bother, a nanny would come, and even she treated it more like a job than anything, only doing the bare minimum of caring. Stella HATED it, the whole damn thing. She began to resent her family, all of them, even her brother who acted like he was better than everyone. And as the days went by her resentment and anger grew, to the point where she began to take it out on her dolls and anyone that she could and get away with it due to their lower status. Doing so was a release, one she began to enjoy more and more, the dominance and anger she would release on toy and lower class alike becoming an addictive release she began to relish in.

At least when she acted cruel to those lesser than them it gave some sort of approval from her parents and put her on equal standing with her brother, even if it was only somewhat. It all came so natural to her brother, the condescending, the entitlement, the smug arrogance that was rubbed in the faces of others with a veiled friendliness unless he didn't like them. In every way he was what their parents expected from a noble child and more with his proper noble manners and behavior. And yet, for all those aspects he had, he did care for her. Not enough for them to be all that close, but close enough for her to reasonably rely on and for him to not be as mean to her as he could be, which she admitted was probably by his own manipulative nature.

She groaned as she sat up in bed, already dreading what she already knew was going to be another day of having to deal with her parents unreasonable expectations and getting no real love in return for doing what they viewed as expected. She had to, failing their expectations and disappointing them resulted in punishments ranging from mild to severe depending on how badly she did, not that exceeding their expectations yielded any higher praise than meeting them. Still, she had to make sure that she was the perfect noble girl. Not just because she wanted to show up her brother or make her never really happy or caring parents happy, but because she deep down liked the picturesque idea of going to parties and living the life of a princess and feared more than anything losing that life.

Getting out of bed she made her way to get changed as her nanny came in to help her, making sure she looked proper and elegant as it was instilled in her from day one that anything less than absolute beauty was an offense of the highest order. As she finished Stella made her way to the kitchen, passing by portraits of her family at various points before and after she was hatched, not a single smile plastered on any of them, only stern stoic expressions of superior nobility. Like always, as soon as she got near the kitchen the yelling stopped, as though it was an ingrained tradition.

"Good morning." Stella would great as always, making sure that she curtsied and was as proper as possible, the repercussions of failing to do so still burned in her mind.

"Yes yes, good morning, about time you remembered how to do it properly." her father muttered, more invested in other things and his breakfast than her.

"Precisely, I swear if she couldn't remember even the most basic of noble etiquette I don't know what we'd do with her." her mother echoed in the rare moment of agreeing with her husband.

"Honestly, I don't know why it took her so long." Stella's father added.

"Probably gets it from YOUR side of the family." Her mother said snidely.

"Bitch." Her father said blatantly.

"Limp dick bastard." Stella's mother countered.

Although it seemed like they were willing to renew their argument from earlier, Stella's parents seemed to restrain themselves, if only because they were very well likely tired from the one they had finished. It was clear there was no true love between them, only staying together out of obligation and status. Their position and reputation was far more important than anything else, even happiness or love, and anything was fair game to maintain one's social standing and reputation. It was clear that one would happily and willingly kill the other if given cause or reason to that would shield them from any backlash or falling in standing or reputation from the others in the Ars Goetia. They even went so far as to not even hide it from the other, only going so far to say so when no others were around, even though they clearly didn't mind spitefully demeaning and condescending the other in public gatherings.

This was Stella's life, it was all she knew, to her this was normal. Well, for the most part, as Andrealphus was still nicer to her than he had to be. She did appreciate it, even if she did resent the fact that her parents seemed to care a bit more for him than her. Still, she did appreciate it, even if she was never quite sure if it was fully genuine or not.

As the day progressed it was filled with the same things as always; etiquette lessons, dealing with having to hear her parents insult and bicker, being left to herself, and more various lessons on how to be a proper lady. It was as though her parents were grooming her for something, and knowing them it was something to increase their own standing in the Ars Goetia. It wasn't all miserable though, Andrealphus would play with her since they had no one else. And when he wasn't available, she still had her dolls and two pet dogs.

She liked playing with her dolls, it was fun to fantasize about a more ideal life or what it'd be like to be older and of a higher noble standing. In her fantasy worlds she could create any scenario or reality she wanted, though they all involved her being happy. It was as much fun to do that as it was to assert her dominance and will over the hapless toys, having grown to enjoy both being caring and cruel to them as it gave a sense of control and power. As she played with her dolls her parents came into her room, something they never really did.

"Father, mother, do you need something?" Stella asked.

"We have excellent news Stella." Her father said with a rather happy look, something she never really saw before. "You've been chosen to be engaged to one of Paimon's sons!"

Stella's somewhat happy yet neutral look shifted into one of confused shock, "I...what?"

"That's right, Paimon got in touch with us and now you're going to be destined to birth a precautionary air, you'll rise in the ranks and so will we!" her mother said with glee. "He even asked us to take a photo for him to show his son on his birthday."

Stella's shocked look slowly changed once more as the reality of the situation sat in. She was essentially being sold, whored out to just give her parents better standing. She wasn't going to be given a choice, not a say in the matter, even though she was still young. True she wanted to be a princess, hell even a queen, but not like this. Yet again her parents were controlling her, deciding everything, and not even caring. Pure rage and hatred began to fill her as she clutched one of her dog's necks with both hands as she furiously strangled it, stomping on the other with blind rage. Her parents didn't care though, it was just normal, they took the picture and left as abruptly as they came. She stood there, anger subsiding after a few minutes as she realized the new act of cruelty she had just done, her dogs now fearful of her. She began to silently cry, both regretting what she had just did and resining herself to her future…even if she set in her heart she wasn't going to make anything easy.

Weeks passed as the sane routine played out with only minor instances of her parents NOT yelling or threatening to kill each other, even though Stella knew both were too prideful and spiteful to let the other have any kind of satisfaction. Then, one day, her parents had her and her brother get particularly dressed up as they took them to attend a social gathering of the Ars Goetia. They had never done so before, though she figured it was likely not only a test to see how well they took to their lessons, but in case Paimon had his son there to meet her. She wasn't thrilled about the prospect of meeting this prince that she was going to be forced to be with, but she'd grin and bear it, if only to not be scolded.

Despite all her efforts of hoping that this prince she had been forced to be engaged to wasn't there, fate seemed to have different ideas. He was there, standing off to himself, but never too far from Paimon...even if it seemed the king paid about as much attention to him as her parents did her, if not less. A bit of satisfaction surfaced with the revelation that she wasn't the only one that had a rather shitty family life. Unfortunately for her her parents soon started talking to Paimon, the king soon sent his son over to meet her after smacking him on the head after he slightly protested.

"Shit…" She thought to herself as she watched him coming over. He looked so meek, timid, there was a naivety in his eyes as well as...hesitation and fear as he looked at her. Each step he took towards her seemed to be against every ounce of not wanting to be anywhere near her. A small smirk crossed her mouth, realizing it might have been due to that picture her parents took, the picture where she had...hurt her dogs. Regret once more seeped into her, her pets had never been quite as trusting since then. She let out a sigh, deciding to act like the nobility she wished to be, and not just because her parents would punish her if she made a bad impression.

"H-hello...I'm….Stolas." The owl boy said in nervous and timid greeting.

"Stella, pleasure." Stella greeted back, doing a curtsy as had been drilled into her head. She made sure to smile so as to hopefully put him at ease and not scare him off.

Stolas blinked, seemingly surprised at how civil and calm she was. "Oh, right, almost forgot." he said before bowing. "You seem….nicer than the picture I saw."

Stella fought back a frown. "Yes...well, I...had a bit of an off day...my dogs had...eaten one of my favorite shoes." She lied.

"Oh...I see." Stolas remarked. "Weird your parents chose that picture to give my father."

Stella rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, they don't seem to really care about much when it comes to me." She muttered.

"That's a shame. Despite forgetting my name and having to correct me on etiquette from time to time my father's pretty nice. He even got me a friend for my birthday!"

Stella blinked in bewilderment, could this really be the boy that she'd someday be forced to marry? He was so...simple, nothing like any other princes or the like she had seen. It was as if he had no true idea of how royalty should hold themselves or behave. It was both a bit refreshing, and annoying. Still, he was being nice to her, so she'd give him a fair chance. "Really? A friend?" she asked with somewhat feigned interest.

"Oh yes, a nice imp. We played such fun games and other fun stuff, he was very nice. Although I don't seem to recall if some of the stuff we tossed out the window when playing pirates was returned or not…I do hope I see him again though!"

Stella blinked once more, even more bewildered than she was before. An imp, for a friend, not another Ars Goetia? How could he be so happy and OK with being friends with a commoner? They were beneath them, at least that was one of the many things she was taught. He definitely was...unique, and definitely not on the bright side if he couldn't tell he was robbed, what had her parents forced upon her? Oh well, maybe he'd get smarter as he got older.

"I...see...how….nice." She said with some slight force to stay nice and polite, even though she wanted to berate him for being so dense. Thankfully she already thought little of boys other than her brother, so it was easy to not get too annoyed by him.

The two talked some more, Stolas cheerily going on about his imp friend as well as his purpose and interests while seemingly being invested in her own. Despite his naivety he was genuinely nice, and she could at least be grateful for that. The fact he was also willing to put forth a genuine effort to be sincere with her was also appreciated, though she was getting bored nonetheless, hoping that something interesting would occur.

As if on cue the talking and noise of the gathering seemed to hush a bit, though not fully stop, as if something had drawn the attention of all those gathered. Even Paimon had seemingly taken note as he soon motioned for his son to come back to him. Curious as to what could cause a fair number of the Ars Goetia to soften their tone, Stella tried to make her way through some of the others in attendance, not really caring to go back to her parents just yet. She caught glimpses of a figure making it's way through and towards Paimon and the other higher up nobles, the demon seemingly walking with a knowing stride of position and purpose from what glimpses she could get.

She tried to get a better look, trying her best to wedge between some of the nobles only to stumble out and accidentally bump into the figure and falling onto the floor as an audible gasp coming from a number of those gathered. Stella blinked as she looked up at the figure; it was a tall, beautiful woman with bat like features among other certain flying animals, though bat was a bit more dominant. She wore men's formal attire, carrying herself with authority as her arms rested behind her. Her four off white almost static like white eyes adding to her stoic expression.

"Oh, hello there…" The woman said as her attention turned to Stella. "...Stella." She said with a seeming familiarity.

Stella blinked as she looked at the woman who seemed to at least be in her early twenties by appearance alone and yet she had an...older feeling about her. How could this woman, clearly in high standing within the Ars Goetia, know her name? She had never seen her before, and her parents never really spoke of her unless necessary and she doubt they associated with the woman, so how could she speak her name with such familiarity? "H-how do you…"

Before he could get her question out her parents had rushed over in pure rage and panic. "Stella! You insolent stupid child! How DARE you-" Before her father could fully scold and lay into her, hand raised to strike her, he froze in fear along with his wife as the woman turned her attention to them, her eyes as stoic and all business as when Stella had first got a glimpse of her.

"Raising such a scene, over such a trivial little accident? How unbecoming of a member of the Ars Goetia." the woman said as she looked at him,

"I...r-right….accident….they happen." Stella's father said with a slight trembling voice.

"Precisely, we all have...accidents." the woman said in a way that made Stella's father gulp before quickly looking at her mother who had almost started to snicker at her husband getting the focus of the reprimand, causing her to straighten up as well. "Now, I do believe your daughter was in the middle of asking me something, please try not to interrupt again, it's terribly rude and unbecoming."

"Y-yes...sorry." Stella's parents replied.

"Now then, what was it you were asking me, how do I…?" She asked as she turned her attention back to Stella, the stoic look in her eyes a bit softer than just a moment ago. "Oh, and do please stand up, we're still nobles after all." she smirked.

Stella couldn't believe what she saw; this woman, with but a look and how she carried herself had everyone cautious. Or, in the case of her parents, trembling with fear. She would be lying to herself if she said she didn't find immense satisfaction in that, as well as something she admired. She almost got a lost in looking at the woman before blinking. "Oh, right." she said as she stood. "How do you...know my name?"

The smirk on the woman grew as she looked at Stella. "My dear little Stella I know everyone's name, it's my duty to know."

"Your duty?" Stella asked.

The woman nodded. "Yes, well, part of it. I know everyone from the time they are born because I'm in charge of knowing when they die...and ensure it happens. Be it human or demon, no one is exempt from me. That, and I also act as a liaison between hell and the eldritch realm...among others"

Stella looked at her, awe growing on her face. Here was a woman that seemed to not only have one of the highest positions and callings in hell, but carried herself with a refined dignity and grace that demanded all who were near her recognize it and show due respect. She even had the audacity to wear attire more meant for a man than woman, uncaring that it showed off her form more generously. Stella found herself not just in awe, but almost entranced by this woman, enraptured by everything about her.

Stella looked at the woman, awe still on her face. "Wow, that's…"

"Amazing?" The woman asked as she smiled slightly, "I know." she chuckled. "Would you like to know my name little Stella since I know yours? After all, it is rather rude for me to know yours and you not know mine."

"Yes…" Stella replied.

The woman continued to smile, "I have gone by many names; Mictecacihuatl, La Muerte, Mors, Hades, Thanatos, Mot, Mawt, Shinigami, Valkyrie, Yama, Anubis, Hel, Cizin, Xing Yan and so on. But the one I chose to stick with, the one I like the most, is Camazotz, a pleasure to meet you young Stella." Camazotz said as she formally bowed to her like a prince from some fairy tail.

Stella blinked, "Oh, yes, a pleasure." she said as she curtsied.

"Well I must be off now, I need to mingle, perhaps we'll meet again lady Stella." Camazotz said with a slight smile, starting to walk off before stopping next to her parents. "I do hope ALL of you enjoy the gathering and that no more...unpleasantness is displayed." she said before continuing to walk off.

As the gathering went on Stella's parents were a bit more mindful around her, though she knew it would only last for so long, so she decided to enjoy it while it lasted. More importantly, she was completely fascinated by Camazotz, a woman of such prominence and standing that most showed her the appropriate respect, even daring to wear clothing meant more for men. To have such authority, daring, and still have grace fit for a lady was something the Stella herself could wanted. To be the pinnacle of a proper princess of hell and all that it embodied.

She had to see Camazotz again, see exactly how a woman like her acted among her peers, how she handled those that were less than the standards of nobility. She moved about the gathering, watching Camazotz when she could. The woman carrying herself with as much all business as Stella had first seen her, chatting among the other nobility and even Paimon himself on equal footing.

Stella continued to watch Camazotz whenever she could, utterly fascinated by the woman, seeing her as something to strive for. As the gathering seemed to be nearing it's end she happened to catch another glimpse of Camazotz, she was talking to another of the Ars Goetia when someone who had had a bit too much to drink bumped into her, proceeding to hostilely snap at her in his drunken stupor. Stella watched as Camazotz at first seemed to try to handle it diplomatically while still keeping the air of stern authority, only to narrow her eyes more as he went to try and slap her, catching his hand effortlessly.

The act itself causing all around her to watch in slight horror except for Stella, she watched on in fascination. Seeing the drunken noble slightly snap out of his stupor but still act hostile towards her, only to blink as he noticed a cruel smirk form on Camazotz's mouth and then the tips of his fingers start to decay to bone and then scatter to the air at a slow yet steady rate. His eyes went wide with horror as he begged her for mercy only for her to say no with a sadistic, malicious grin. Panicking, the man started to run towards anyone who he thought might help him, the fingers on his other hand and even toes starting to decay and scatter to dust as well.

He didn't get too far from their site before falling to the ground as more and more of his body started to decay away and turn to dust, continuing to beg and plead as others either ignored or turned away. All the while Camazotz watched on with a growing dark amusement, a low chuckle soon forming to a cruel sadistic cackle at the noble's futile efforts to stop his death. Stella herself could only watch on in morbid fascination, finding herself smirking at what the noble had rightfully deserved, finding herself enjoying watching his final moments as she watched him scream as his head, the last bit to start decaying, soon rotted away to bone and then nothing. Stella then blinked as she glanced to see Camazotz giving her a slight approving smirk. Had Camazotz watched her revel in the display as well? If so, for how long? In either case, It seemed to matter little as Camazotz simply went back to mingling after telling the others not to get hung up on the interruption.

When the gathering finally ended Stella let out a slight sigh of relief, glad that the ordeal was over with, though wondering if she'd get to see Camazotz again. Time past and things seemingly went back to how they were, her parents openly hating each other and making disparaging comments out in the open as well as making it somewhat her and her brother's problem, especially her if she did failed in a lesson or forgot certain etiquette. She loathed the whole thing, but as always she still had her dolls and pets. And tea parties, what few friends she managed to have attended get togethers and tea parties among other activities she grew to enjoy.

Years passed and things stayed as they had been, miserable. Still, thanks to her becoming more and more like a proper noble lady the punishments became less and less. As her thirteenth birthday came to pass her parents didn't celebrate it as usual, they never really celebrated her or her brother's birthdays, seeing it as a frivolous waste of time. Instead, they took her to a ball that happened to fall on her birthday, preferring to mingle amongst other other nobility and climb the social ladder over showing any more parental love than absolutely needed.

Stella stood off to the side, watching others dance as she sulked. She didn't care too much, but it still annoyed her and left her stewing in her growing contempt. At least her brother was enjoying himself, being social and dancing with whoever he fancied. She herself meanwhile had no real desire to find someone to dance with or mingle, nor did anyone approach her because of her demeanor, which was fine by her.

"Stella! My, fancy seeing you here." Came a familiar voice that caused Stella look in the direction of it's owner. "My how you've grown." said Camazotz with a smile, she seemed to not have aged a day since Stella had seen her years ago.

"Cama…lady Camazotz." Stella said in slight surprise as she caught herself in forgetting proper etiquette. She found herself a bit entranced with how Camazotz looked, still in attire not suited for a lady and yet looking...lovelier than when she last saw her. "A pleasure to meet you again...what brings you to the ball?" she asked as she not only quickly stopped herself from staring, but fought off a light blush.

Camazotz merely smiled as a light chuckle left her throat, "While I am often busy, I do like to attend social events from time to time. And you?"

"I.." Stella started before sighing, "May I be frank?"

"But of course." Camazotz said with a smile.

"I do like balls, don't get me wrong. I just...didn't want to be here." Stella said. "Today's my birthday and instead of celebrating it I'm stuck here because my parents want to gain clout."

"You're birthday?" Camazotz asked with fained surprise. "My my, and you're just sulking here in the corner?"

"I don't really care for anyone here…" Stella stated with slight resentment.

"Fair enough." Camazotz remarked. "You're…thirteen now right? Well, in human terms."

Stella blinked as she looked at Camazotz."Yes….how did you…"

"I'm death my dear, I know the number of days a person has, and thus when they reach each age. Or have you forgotten?" Camazotz teased.

"Oh...right." Stella said as a light blush crossed her cheeks.

"In any case, it wouldn't do for you to not have some fun on your birthday, you only have so many after all. And considering you're becoming quite the young lady, perhaps you could do me the pleasure of a dance? Most here are either too scared or don't catch my fancy." she grinned as she extended her hand.

"I...of course." Stella replied as she took the offered hand, a smile forming on her mouth.

"Excellent." Camazotz smiled back as she escorted her to the dance floor, taking a slight lead as the two began to dance.

As the two danced Stella found herself enjoying the dance, the fact someone like Camazotz asked her to dance even though she didn't have to made it...special. It made the fact that she was essentially forced here when she'd rather do anything else hurt less and diminished her anger. Instead, she began to feel her heart beat a bit faster and her pulse quicken, but why? Sure she had found Camazotz admirable and a woman to strive to immulate in how she carried herself among other things, but nothing more right? Even if she had thought of her off and on since their last encounter.

She was a lady after all, and expected to marry, to birth a precautionary heir, it was her duty. And yet, now that she had thought about it, she had started finding some of her female friends appealing...she couldn't be….could she? Surely not, as she still found some males attractive. Stella shook her head a bit. clearing her thoughts as she looked up at the ornate ceiling, taking it in and imagining what it'd be like to go to balls like this when she was a princess. Hopefully it'd be every bit as she had imagined with Stolas...it had to be. But for now, she let herself get lost in a fantasy where she was with someone else, someone she actually liked from the start.

"You're not only becoming quite the lovely woman, but you're quite the elegant dancer too." Camazotz commented, bringing Stella back to reality.

"Oh...thank you." Stella replied with a slight blush.

"You're welcome." Camazotz said with a smile as they continued their dance. "It seems your parents have done quite the job raising you, despite their more selfish nature."

Stella frowned, a clear disdain on her face. "Only because if I do anything they perceive as less than noble they reprimand me...harshly."

"I see...well it brings a smile to my face to see how strong it's made you, regardless of how...questionable your parents are in their methods." Camazotz commented.

"I'd rather put up with it than be a lowly commoner." Stella remarked with slight disgust.

Camazotz chuckled. "Spoken like a true noble. Though as death I see all life as equal in the grand scheme of things. You'll all return to the ground from where you came after all, and status won't change that."

Stella blinked slightly. "true...I suppose. But standards must be kept."

Camazotz smirked coyly."That they do."

"By the way...you look the same as you did all those years ago. Are you of the same class as the sins?" Stella asked.

Camazotz chuckled. "They wish. No my dear, as death I am ageless, I am me and forever will be till the end. I have no real family nor parentage."

"So...like Lucifer then?" Stella asked.

Camazotz nodded as she looked at Stella. "Essentially, yes."

"But then why the interest in me?" Stella inquired, unable to see how someone so high up would take such a friendliness to her. "As someone of such status why be so friendly to a lesser noble?"

Camazotz chuckled again. "As I said dear Stella, I am impartial, being death and all. I see all as equal even though I carry on the standards set by noble status because, as you said, standards must be kept. But that doesn't mean I can't acquire an interest in certain individuals, to see how their life unfolds."

"So...I'm just an idle curiosity then?"

"Mmm, not quite. I saw something in you that peaked my interest, a spark of similarity when it comes to what amuses and entertains. I saw in you someone utterly fascinating that I might have a vested interest in seeing where they go."

Stella blinked, blushing slightly more than she had before. "I see…"

"Yes, and I'm sure you'll grow to be an even lovelier woman than you are right now." Camazotz complimented as she smiled.

Stella blushed a bit more. "Thank you...lady-"

"Please, you may be informal with me Stella, I have been with you." Camazotz interrupted. "Or have you failed to notice?" she said as she grinned.

Stella blinked a bit, surprised she was allowed such informality. "Right, Thank you Camazotz."

"Not at all my dear." she said, their dance soon coming to a stop as the ball was nearing it's end. "I wish you well with Stolas."

Stella blinked. "How did you-"

"I have my ways." Camazotz said with a smirk. "In any case, if you should ever want to get together for a day or need someone to talk to, I'd be more than happy to have you as company."

Stella lit up a bit. "Really?"

"Yes, it'd be no trouble at all. Plus, I'm enjoying your company my dear." Camazotz remarked with her ever present smile.

"Thank you! I will keep that in mind." Stella said with a smile before curtsying. "Until next we meet."

Camazotz bowed. "Until next time fair Stella. Oh, and happy birthday." She smiled, pulling out a beautifully shaped obsidian jewel and offering it to Stella. "A gift, since it is a custom for such a special day."

Stella blinked, taking the jewel gently. "Thank you so much, I'll treasure it."

"I hope you do." Camazotz smiled. "Until next we meet."

The two parted ways, Stella feeling a bit better as her birthday wasn't a completely miserable affair. As time passed Stella sought to model herself more like Camazotz, though the influences of her parents and her own innate sadistic cruelty were ever present. Even if she maintained a more lady like disposition and expectations, they were still ever present to those she disliked. She also started to struggle more with intermittent feelings she found herself having towards other girls, shrugging it off as nothing more than her subconsciously trying to rebel against being forced into an arranged marriage and nothing more.

Despite those ever present feelings she'd keep having, she was still bound by expectations and duty to the prearranged marriage to Stolas. An obligation she was non to fond of, but did her best to accept for the sake of rising in the ranks of hell's nobility, not for her parents. At least Stolas wasn't completely insufferable, he had even matured slightly more to her liking over the years, the two meeting off and on somewhat more often, but not often enough for her to really know him.

As much as she would have liked to have seen Camazotz a bit more often, her parents made it practically impossible to, deeming it wasting a very important and high ranking demon's time. She was unable to see her again until her sixteenth birthday, where Camazotz had made it a point before it came to pass to set up a party that happened to fall on Stella's birthday and invite her and her parents. Treating Stella to another dance, which Stella seemed to enjoy more than the last time they danced, and another gift. This time gifting her an ornate jewel encrusted music box, something Stella equally cherished.

More time passed, now of age to marry Stolas, Stella had become accustomed to him, even if he seemed...flamboyant at times. She still had some hope that the marriage wouldn't be too bad, even tolerable, certainly more so than her parents she hoped. Which seemed to be the case as Stolas seemed to be putting in his best effort, so she did her best to put hers in as well.

On the day of her marriage she had hoped that Camazotz would show up, the woman seemingly inserting herself into either milestone or just certain moments of Stella's life. As she sat waiting for the ceremony to began she heard a knocking at the door.

"If that's you Stolas you're not supposed to see me yet." Stella said in a slightly stern voice.

"It's not Stolas, dear Stella." Came an all too familiar voice.

"Camazotz, please, come in." Stella said with some eagerness.

"How are you my dear, nervous?" Camazotz asked as she entered.

"No, if anything Stolas is the one nervous, I swear the man is rather weak when it comes to these things." Stella muttered.

Camazotz chuckled. "From the sounds of it you're not too fond of him."

"He's nice and all, but he's not really my type, not that we haven't gotten close." Stella answered. "Plus he's not that great at courting, although I'll give him credit for trying...even if I don't really want to go through with marrying someone yet." She sighed. "But I have to do this for the sake of the Ars Goetia. At least I'm becoming a princess out of this."

"Definitely not too fond of him it seems." Camazotz chuckled.

"He is nice and does have his moments, hell I'd be lying if I said he hasn't gotten dashing and more proper. It's just...I've learned over the years that most men aren't exactly to my taste." Stella confided. " And like I said, I'm just not quite ready to merry until I feel fully comfortable. But, duty is duty."

"Indeed." Camazotz nodded. "I must say you look exceptional in that wedding dress, and grown into quite the lovely woman as I thought you would."

Stella blushed. "Thank you. Will you be staying for the wedding?"

Camazotz smiled slightly. "I wish I could, but I have some urgent business I need to tend to. I just have enough time to stop by wish you the best."

"Not even enough time for a dance?" Stella somewhat pressed.

"Sadly no." Camazotz replied.

"I see…" Stella said as a bit of sadness flashed across her face. "Thank you for at least stopping by. Although I'm still somewhat amazed that you have such an interest in being on such friendly terms with me."

Camazotz chuckled, "My dear you are a rarity, no one individual has been like you in all the time I've been around. You fascinate me, and will continue to do so with a personality like yours."

Stella felt her cheeks heat up. "I see..."

"Indeed. Now then, I must be off. But if you should ever need me, do not hesitate to get in touch." Camazotz said with a warm smile before pulling out a pair of black arm length gloves "One of my wedding gifts to you."

Stella blinked, blushing a bit more as she took it. "Thank you, what's the other?"

"The other gift is this." Camazotz said as she took Stella's hand and kissed it, causing her to go darker red. "The kiss of death, for good luck." Camazotz smirked.

"Isn't that supposed to be a bad thing?" Stella remarked with a slight smirk.

"It's only bad if I intend it to be." Camazotz winked. "Well, I must be off, hopefully we'll see each other soon...farewell and may you have not just a good wedding, but a good marriage as well."

"Thank you...and I hope to see you again as well." Stella said with a soft smile.

Camazotz smiled as she turned and left, leaving Stella by herself. Stella looked at the gloves she had been given a moment before putting them away for safe keeping, yet another gift she was going to cherish. But as for now, her focus had to be on the wedding and her duties to the Ars Goetia. She just hoped that the marriage would be enjoyable, that Stolas would grow on her, and that she would be happy in the end, letting out a sigh as it came time to head to the alter and her future.