Hello there!

No, I didn't forget this story (tho I admit I almost forgot I posted it on ffnet too ^^'). I did warn that I'd be slow.

No warning needed for this chapter, the chapter title says it all I think x)

Enjoy!

Chapter 2 – Meeting Stella

Blitzo never came back to play again, no matter how many times Stolas asked, no matter how well he worked, how quickly he progressed in his studies. It took whole weeks of insistent questioning for Mr Butler to finally answer that it was a special gift from his father for his birthday, and that they couldn't fetch the kid he played with anymore, since his circus left the City, and probably even moved ring. Stolas was disappointed beyond words.

He loved learning about his future duties, about the stars and magic, but he couldn't help but also think about the reason he felt so distressed during his birthday in the first place: the prospect of having to marry and sire an heir, whatever that meant.

Now, Stolas was a smart and curious boy, he had read plenty enough books to grasp the gist of how you are supposed to reproduce. There were plenty of ways to do it, really, but for Goetias it was a bit different from other species, he noticed. Most other Hellborns, along with humans and a lot of animals, be it from Earth or Hell, had a penis for males, and an uterus for females. Avian demons like himself almost all had cloacas, but Stolas felt a bit disturbed at first, worried it would make him look like a girl. But since he was engaged with another Avian Goetia, surely it would be fine, right?

No, the real problem was who he was supposed to marry. He also didn't really want to try anything they showed in the reproductive section of his books, but he read that it was normal, and for once the doctors that came every week also reassured him, saying that he wasn't ready yet. Apparently, thanks to whatever they were giving him and the magic they were doing on him, he would be able to reproduce like a normal male Goetia, which reassured him, even if they would have to supervise everything.

Too soon, he was told that he was going to have to meet his future wife, and he didn't look forward to that. Which was weird, because he probably should. After all, it was a way to make his father proud, so maybe getting along with her and behaving correctly would allow him to see Blitzo again on Paimon's next visit! He knew his father probably wouldn't visit on his next birthday, so he had to do everything perfectly until then, and it probably involved making a good impression on the girl, whose name he learned later was Stella.

After all, maybe the picture didn't do her justice, and in reality they would get along and have lots of fun together. She was his age, surely they could find some common ground, especially since they were bound to live together once they were wed. Stolas didn't know much about it yet, it was still several years ahead, and Mr Butler told him he would be prepared step by step, but that for now he needed to concentrate on his studies and getting to know Stella. It didn't really help to make Stolas any less anxious thought, since despite hoping and praying for the best, he couldn't shake his bad feeling about this, especially when Mr Butler reminded him that he was supposed to keep his secret from her. But it was weird, wasn't it? If she was supposed to help him later, shouldn't they be able to trust each other, to confide to each other? It didn't sound right, but Mr Butler's words always matched what his father expected of him, so Stolas was determined to make it work.

Here he was now, on the morning of his first meeting with Stella. He had great trouble sleeping the night before, and was now doing his best to not let it show on his face as he was making himself presentable in the bathroom.

Mr Butler arrived in his bedroom later, to make sure he had dressed himself properly, leading him to the dinning room to take his breakfast first, since Stella would arrive just before noon. Stolas already wished she would arrive early in the morning like his father did. The wait was killing him, and the anxious ball in his stomach was only growing, making it hard for him to swallow anything. But he had to try! So far, he tried hard to act perfectly to please his father, and he knew that today was important, Mr Butler reminded him a few times already, insisting on the importance of making a good first impression, yet Stolas didn't feel ready.

He couldn't help but think back to his day with Blitzo in the hope it would be the same, but he already knew it wouldn't. Apparently they would be alone, with only the staff to care for them, hence the absence of his father, and he doubted her parents would come either. Mr Butler said they would be officially introduced later, during an official gala, but they had a few meetings scheduled first, the second one being at her place.

Stolas didn't want to do it. He should want to spend time with someone who was actually here to talk to him, but he also knew he would have to follow all the rules Goetias used to interact with each other and other demons, and he struggled a lot with them. He hadn't needed those with Blitzo, and everything went so well! He often messed up during etiquette lessons, and even if he worked hard not to mess up again, he was worried.

He didn't eat much, and the rest of the morning was spent with Mr Butler, repeating how he was supposed to welcome her. When it was finally time, he still didn't feel ready at all.

But he had to. It was his first step into adult Goetia life, Mr Butler had said. It was important, even if it was only Stella and him. Even if they would be alone, it wouldn't be like with Blitzo. Stolas already knew it, he just had to accept it, trying to repeat the fact in his head to ingrain it. He couldn't mess this up.

When it was time, he was led outside by Mr Butler to wait for her on the stairs, like when Blitzo arrived, but this time his father wasn't there. Stolas wasn't sure if he was happy about it. Sure, he was a tad less stressed at the idea that Paimon wouldn't directly witness his failure if he messed up, but he also knew that Mr Butler would tell him right away if things went wrong.

"Shouldn't father be here to welcome her as well?" Stolas ended up asking, even if his curiosity was often ignored. "It would probably give a good impression on her and her parents! I know father probably already met them, but I thought it was important to meet with people to ensure good relationship with others within the Goetia family?"

"You are correct young prince, however this is your first meeting, so you can both get to know each other a bit before your second meeting with her at her place. It is only then that his majesty your father will meet with her parents to formalize your engagement."

"But I thought I was already engaged?" Stolas frowned, trying not to think too hard about the fact that there was still a chance they wouldn't be wed. "Then, what will our engagement ceremony be for?"

The imp stayed impassive but let out a quiet sigh before he started explaining after making sure Stella's car was nowhere to be seen.

"I should probably have reminded you of the importance of such ceremonies along with your etiquette lessons this morning. We will work on that later, there is a lot we will need to prepare young prince. As you probably remember, like there are manners to use when interacting with other Goetias, there are steps to follow when engaging two young people. Your father thought it would be best, for you two, to meet without the pressure of adults. Then, once you already know each other, things will be formalized between your two families. Once this is settled, you will have a few years to prepare for the gala formalizing your engagement to the rest of the Goetia society."

"Oh", Stolas blinked, "I see. It does make sense."

"Good. Please try to pay more attention to these things young prince. It is a good thing to be assiduous on your studies related to your future duties, but you should not neglect the rules to develop in the Goetia society."

"Of course", Stolas assured, trying to muster enthusiasm despite the worry.

All these social rules were always where he struggled the most. It didn't help that he always felt like he was too much even when interacting with the staff. Only Mr Butler seemed able to handle him, being the main person he interacted with daily.

The discussion was cut short as a long car finally entered the patio. Stolas immediately straightened up, trying to remember all the rules he should be using here to welcome his future wife. They went over this all morning long with Mr Butler, it should be easy, right?

"Remember young prince, nothing on your little particularity", Mr Butler reminded him one last time before he slowly got down the stairs toward the approaching car that was circling the fountain to pull over in front of the entrance. The imp immediately went to open the door at the back and bowed to encourage the person inside to step out.

"Welcome to Paimon's mansion lady Stella. I have the honor of introducing you to prince Stolas of the Ars Goetia, your future husband."

Stolas opened his beak in curious awe as a child his age and size got out of the car. She had white feathers, and while most people would consider her pretty, he didn't feel the connexion he hoped he would, especially when her face turned into a scowl at his sight. It's only when Mr Butler cast him a glance that Stolas sprung into action.

"Ah, welcome to your future home! I am prince Stolas…"

"I know, he already said it", she cut him with an angry voice, glaring him up and down as she took a few steps away from the car. "Aren't you supposed to come down to welcome me or are you stuck up there?"

The little owl blinked before quickly running down the stairs to make up for his mistake, bowing to her as well.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you", he added with a flourish and a smile, but she turned her head away from him with a haughty expression.

"Is your butler not teaching you manners? What's this way of running down the stairs like a child? I thought you were big enough for your duties, but you still act like a baby", she snapped, and Stolas winced.

She herself wasn't really abiding by any rule he ever learned about how Goetias should interact, especially betrothed couples, but maybe there were other rules about female Goetias he wasn't aware of? He did remember a few rules he was taught before they started referring to him correctly being different to how he was now asked to behave, so maybe that was it.

He tried to let go of his confusion to fully concentrate on all the rules he was asked, Mr Butler giving him warning looks when he was making mistakes and Stella wasn't paying attention, but even then, Stolas knew he wasn't doing a good job. Soon, they were left alone, and no matter how close he tried to abide by the rules he was told, especially the ones that were engraved into him through physical punishment, he couldn't seem to be able to do well.

Stella didn't like him. Didn't like anything of what he was doing, how he behaved. She always had something to say, and he didn't like how she acted either, walking around as if she already owned the place, but the few things he managed to point out were easily countered by the young girl.

"What? It'll be my home too later, I gotta get used to the idea. Gosh, those decoration choices… Was it your father or yourself who decided on this? It's hideous."

Stolas winced and recoiled.

"It is my father, I'm not allowed to choose the decoration yet…"

"Good", she answered. "The best to put here would definitely be…"

She walked through the palace, saying everything she would change while Stolas followed, trying to stay polite despite not liking any of the modifications she suggested. But saying so out loud got her angry, her voice quickly turning into an unbearable screeching, so he quickly decided to keep quiet.

He had lost hope of befriending her way before it was time for her to leave, and he still didn't know why she had to come on her own. He felt like they didn't discuss anything truly urgent, the only time he tried to mention how they should handle their next meeting with their parents she brushed him off, and they didn't find any common ground, didn't even truly try and get to know each other at all. When they neared Stolas' bedroom and the owlet tried to show her his place, that would be hers too, she made a disgusted grimace and a scathing comment before listing what she'd change, before moving to the next room, and Stolas stood there, frozen, before her yelling woke him and prompted him to follow.

It felt like he had to endure her for hours, and when she left, it was hard to still have any hope of getting along with her. He didn't like the few things she shared about her and her hobbies, and she liked nothing about him or his own hobbies.

"How are we supposed to present a united front to the other Goetias if we can't find common ground?" Stolas asked Mr Butler, dejected, as they were debriefing the day.

"It is irrelevant young prince, you must appear strong and united no matter your actual relationship with her", the imp answered sternly. "Now, tomorrow we will continue with the etiquette lessons. I understand it was a big step for you to meet her, but you will have to do better than that for your meeting with her parents next week."

The owlet's eyes widened.

"Next week?!"

"Of course. Then you will meet once a month to get accustomed to each other and train together for all the future steps I reminded you about earlier."

"Oh… Alright, I'll do my best!" Stolas answered, trying to musted an enthusiasm he knew he didn't possess, not after today and how drained and defeated he felt.

Yet he had no choice. Mr Butler would be strict on the teaching, and the reason he wanted to focus on that rather than letting Stolas study the grimoire was because that's where his shortcomings were. But still, he hoped he would have more time before his next meeting with her, and apparently they would then meet once a month after that…

His only victory was that Stella didn't suspect anything about his "secret", but Stolas didn't particularly feel good about it either. It shouldn't be shameful, it was a part of him, and while he wasn't sure it would have been particularly interesting to tell, especially given her reactions to everything else, knowing he was explicitly forbidden to mention it also felt… Strange. Like it was a part of himself he should be ashamed of. But even without that, Stella's attitude made him feel like he should be ashamed of himself as a whole already.

When Stolas went to bed that night, questions and doubts lingered in his mind, and he didn't look forward more lessons, more punishments and more time with her.

07/03/2025

Chapter 3 is barely started so no promise. I can already tell you it won't be before April, maybe even later, we'll see.

Until then, take care and see you!