The Seven Princes of Hell

Chapter 11

Lucia's point of view

I rested a bit at home for quite a while, and all of the confusion inside my head still keeps bugging me. I have to do something about this, I have to find the bride and keep her away from Phoenix.

But how? Come to think of it, if Phoenix's mission is to kill her she would've hundred percent done it if she already knew who was it. I have to find the bride first before she does, and I have to corner Phoenix to ask her why she's doing this.

First thing's first, if Dark knew who it is and is still confirming it. I have to keep an eye on him.

"Where are you going?"

Angelique asked as soon as I got out of my room.

"Headquarters" there's no way I'm gonna let her join me, it will only get her in danger. "I'll be right back"

I tapped her shoulder before leaving, and quickly head my way towards the car that we steal yesterday-no i mean earlier to head back home. I don't know if hell forbids anyone to steal something, this is hell after all. Where all bad things happen.

Now, I wonder where Dark is. Is he at the Malvido? Or is he at the headquarters?

I took a look around the car and fortunately I saw a walkie-talkie radio that probably belongs to the owner of the car. I pressed one of its buttons and listened to the voice of someone who's talking behind it.

"Some of the princes will arrive at the headquarters to see the test results of the newly developed weapon, while they are there you should strictly secure the whole City. Do you copy?" I'm pretty sure that's Avarice.

The radio vibrated and another voice talked.

"Roger that"

"Copy"

Now that I knew where they are heading, I quickly hit the gas pedal and drove my way towards the headquarters.

-

When I get there, I can see through the glass window that Killea together with Dark, Cloud, and 2 of their brothers are inside the meeting room. I saw Bliss, Killea's assistant at the distance taking notes and some kinds of stuff. I decided to approach her and asked if I can help or something since she doesn't look fine cause it is obvious that she's not.

I know I've only seen her once, and we did not even have some sort of conversations but it seems like she's a good person.

"You should've rested a little more Colonel," she said smiling fakely in front of me.

"I'm fine" I stated. "I should be the one telling you that, you look tired"

"I'm okay" she answered which made me look into her eyes. "But I'm tired of the never-ending pain"

I don't know how painful it is she was bearing, but I know Bliss had been through a lot. I see it all through her eyes full of sorrow.

"Time will come, that the pain you are feeling right now will turn into a hope Bliss" I stated. "No matter how million years you wait for it to fade, it will never hundred percent disappear" I faked a smile. "But you can turn it into a bad memory and replace it with a good new one"

Bliss looked at me with confusion. I tapped her shoulders and chuckled.

She may be a billion or even a million years old devil, but for me she still a woman with a good heart.

After some minutes, the meeting is finally done. I quickly hid in some of the room to avoid having contact with the princes, Dark shouldn't know I'm keeping an eye on him. Some of the princes immediately left to head back at Malvido, but Dark and Cloud remained at the headquarters for some reason.

I saw the two of them walk their way towards one of the corridors and talked to some staff over there.

Is the bride here? Is she one of the staff?

I lie my back behind the walls trying to avoid any suspicious actions when some of the soldiers greeted me, I acted like looking for something but in fact I'm really nervous right now.

I once again glanced at them and saw that they are now currently talking to Avarice.

Is she the bride? Is it her?

"Are you looking for something Colonel?"

I flinched as Killea suddenly appeared behind my back, massaging her temples.

"I-um.."

"Or are you looking at them" she grinned.

Shoot. I gasp and fake a laugh.

"Yeah, they're both quite handsome. So I'm looking at them" I stated.

"Yup," Killea crossed her arms. "The princes really do look like an innocent angels, especially Death. The bride sure is lucky"

-

I got out there as soon as Killea approached them, I hope she won't tell those idiots that I'm watching them in the distance. I decided to hop inside the car and wait for Dark outside, I really do hope I can figure out who is the bride so I can finally protect her away from Phoenix.

Now that I mentioned it, Dark suddenly walked his way towards his car that had been parked not so far away from my location. When he starts the engine, I also get mine ready. I guess Cloud still remained at the headquarters since he's the only one who got out of there.

Dark started to drove his car and so do I, I distanced myself a meter to avoid being so suspicious. I know I'm being a weird stalker right now, but this is the only idea I have to figure out the secret.

It's been a long ride, Dark visited lots of places probably just running some errands. I followed him wherever he heads but I did not see anything that can lead me into the bride. The last place that we got through is Riverdale, where the accident between us had happened. The memory is still fresh to me, but I'm glad he's alive after that.

I don't know what is the feeling I am having for Dark, but somehow whenever I am with him I always feel safe. Maybe because he's been a good friend to me, or maybe because that is just how he is to everyone.

"Lucia?"

A familiar voice suddenly appeared and the second thing I knew it was the woman that Angelique introduced to me at the headquarters.

"Sadira, am I right?"

"Y-yeah" she quickly agreed. "What's with you? Why are you hiding here?"

"Nothing" I lied. "Just running some errands"

Sadira slightly nodded her head, confusingly agreed to my statement.

As I turn my head at Dark who's now walking away from his car, I quickly bid goodbye to her. This is not a time for chitchatting, I am still not giving up with the bride. As soon as we reached an alley, he secretly walks his way through it. I hid behind the garbage bin as possible to keep myself hidden, and slightly glancing to where he was heading. To my surprise it was not that long, a woman suddenly appeared after hiding behind the wall of the building beside us.

And I quickly gasped as I viewed her face with my own two eyes, that I saw not so long ago.

Is she the bride?! But why? How?

Am I not imagining things?

"Angelique?"

-

After what I saw there, I decided to head back home. As I expected Angelique was not there, and her chains were the only thing left on the floor.

I sat down on the sofa trying to sink all of it in, what would Phoenix do if she figured out that the bride is one of her friends? Would she change her mind and let Angelique live? Or be selfish and continue her mission?

"Ugh" I groaned.

I hundred percent wanna slap myself right now.

I can't let the both of them die or get hurt.

"Lucia, what are you doing?"

I looked at Angelique who's standing at the front door of my house. She looks tense and breathing heavily, probably want to reach home before I do.

"Where have you been?" I asked.

She shut the door and sat down beside me.

"I meet up with Sadira, why?"

I sighed.

She may not be lying since I also met her earlier, but she's still not gonna say anything to me, is she?

"Angelique" I held her hand and swallowed the lump on my throat. "Is it you?"

Angelique furrowed her brows.

"Me? What?"

"Are you the devil's bride?"

A minute of silence passed, both me and her not shifting our gazes. We stared at each other and breathed heavily.

"I am not" she answered.

I stood up and took a deep breath.

"I saw you with Dark!" I exclaimed. "What's going on?!"

Angelique looked down and fidget her pants.

"What is it?! Tell me!"

"It's you!"

"What me?"

Angelique looked at me with her teary eyes.

"You are the devil's bride..."