ตอน 24: 24. Give me the sauce
Beelzebub reclined in the grand chair of her mansion's drawing room, a glass of dark, rich wine cradled in her hand. The flickering firelight cast shadows across the room, highlighting her poised elegance. She swirled the wine thoughtfully, savoring its deep aroma. The tranquil silence was soon interrupted by the soft sound of approaching footsteps.
Pandemonica, her loyal advisor, leaned down to whisper into her ear. "My lady, Sir Stolas wishes to have an audience with you."
Beelzebub raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a slight smile. "Hmm, prepare the room," she instructed with an air of casual authority.
In a short while, Stolas, the high-ranking demon prince, found himself seated nervously in the guest room. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, and the ticking of an ornate clock seemed to echo louder with each passing second.
The doors swung open with a flourish, and Beelzebub made a grand entrance, her presence commanding the room. She wore a smile that was both alluring and intimidating, followed closely by the three Cerberus girls. Their mischievous energy was palpable, though they hesitated at the threshold.
"Cerberus, I told you no one will follow," Beelzebub admonished, her tone firm yet not unkind.
The girls' faces fell, their exuberance dimmed. "But you don't play with us anymore," one of them pouted.
Beelzebub's smile softened slightly as she reassured them. "Don't worry, there will be plenty of fun in the future."
The Cerberus girls reluctantly retreated, leaving Beelzebub alone with Stolas. She turned her attention to him, her smile transforming into a more predatory grin. She took a slow, deliberate sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving his.
"So, little birdy," she drawled, her voice dripping with playful menace. "What do you want?"
Stolas shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his feathers ruffling slightly under her intense gaze. "Lady Beelzebub," he began, his voice carefully measured, "I seek your counsel on a matter of grave importance. The balance of power in Hell is shifting, and I believe we can be of mutual benefit to one another."
Beelzebub's interest was piqued, and she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing in intrigue. "Go on," she said, her tone inviting yet commanding, eager to hear what this powerful demon prince had to propose.
"With you back in Hell, there is a change in the power dynamics," Stolas began, his voice cautious.
Beelzebub, however, was already growing bored of the political talk. She raised her hand to stop him mid-sentence, a smirk playing on her lips. "Stop right there, birdy. This is no fun. Tell me more about your relationship with your wife."
Stolas blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation. Beelzebub leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She took another sip of her wine, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing.
"Come on now," she urged with a playful lilt in her voice. "I want the sauce, the gossip. What's going on with you and Stella?"
Stolas hesitated, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Well, our relationship is... complicated," he admitted reluctantly. "We have been married for a long time, but it's not exactly a loving marriage."
Beelzebub's smile widened, her interest clearly piqued. "Complicated, you say? Do tell."
Stolas sighed, resigning himself to the diversion. "Stella and I have always had our differences. She is quite demanding and... volatile. Our marriage has always been more of a political arrangement than anything else."
Beelzebub chuckled, leaning forward. "Sounds like a real nightmare. Any juicy details? Affairs? Scandals?"
Stolas's discomfort grew, but he continued, knowing there was no escaping Beelzebub's curiosity. "There have been... incidents. Stella has quite the temper, and our arguments often become quite public."
Beelzebub's laughter rang out, echoing through the grand room. "Oh, this is delicious. I had no idea your life was such a soap opera, Stolas."
Stolas shifted uncomfortably again, but he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his beak. "Yes, well, it certainly keeps things interesting."
Beelzebub took another sip of her wine, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Indeed it does. Now, let's move on to something more fun, shall we? What is it you truly want from me, Stolas? And make it interesting this time."
Now Stolas realized what he was dealing with—an unpredictable person who craved entertainment. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves.
"Well, I want to know how I can get more respect from my wife," Stolas said, his voice wavering slightly.
Beelzebub's amusement grew, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Hmm, and why did you come to me with this?" she asked, leaning back and taking another sip of her wine.
Stolas felt like he was being watched by a predator. He gulped, trying to maintain his composure. "Well, you were the one at the party who dismissed my wife without using your authority or power."
Beelzebub's smile widened as she recalled the event. "Ah, yes. That was quite the spectacle. Stella was being particularly insufferable that night."
Stolas nodded, feeling a bit more at ease now that the conversation had shifted. "Exactly. You handled her with such ease, and I was hoping you could give me some advice on how to earn her respect."
Beelzebub chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "Oh, Stolas, respect isn't something you can just earn from someone like Stella. It's a game of power and perception. You have to show her that you can't be pushed around, but without resorting to brute force."
Stolas listened intently, eager for any insights that could help him. "How do I do that?"
Beelzebub leaned forward, her expression serious for the first time. "You have to outsmart her. Show her that you're not afraid of her tantrums, and make her see that you have your own strengths. Confidence is key, my dear birdy."
Stolas nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Thank you, my lady. I'll try to put that into practice."
Beelzebub waved her hand dismissively, the playful smirk returning to her lips. "Don't mention it. Now, let's talk about something more entertaining, shall we?"
(End of a chapter)
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