Hell’s Consort

New Chapter of Highest Tier (May 2021)

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Archdemon Empress Luna

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Without warning, Queen Titania threw the contents of the teacup, splashing pinkish-red liquid in her daughter's face.

  It seemed like Princess Ourania didn't see that coming.

With her fast reflexes, the only thing she could do was raise a hand to cover herself.

  Unfortunately, this wasn't a slap in the face.

Even if she blocked herself from her own mother's assault, that wouldn't mean she was waterproof.

Princess Ourania gasped as she got out of her chair abruptly; the legs of her chair dragged across the floor as it moved backward.

Everyone in the Summer Tea Party froze and sat in their chair with their eyes widening in shock, their gaze shifting back and forth between Queen Titania and Princess Ourania. 

Moving three-step backward away from Queen Titania, Apollyon's mother was as still as a statue for a few seconds as she breathed through her mouth, rubbing the water out of her face and shaking off the wet sogginess of her lace sleeves.

Luna swore she could have seen steams of smoke coming out of Princess Ourania's flared nostrils.

Still, Apollyon's mother was beautiful despite that crazy glint in her air and her wet auburn hair. Luna picked up her spoon and fork for no reason.

Oh no!

This vampire wouldn't dare dig into these fruit cakes.

She just wanted something to hold unto as she waited for their next exchange with bated breath.

It turned out it wasn't only her. 

Apollyon's hand settled on her lower back.

His shoulders were tense. 

Arms crossing over his chest, King Oberon watched his wife and his daughter with slightly narrowed eyes.

There was no anger reflected in that blue-grey of his, but it felt like…his stoic countenance was that of a father who had witnessed his daughter doing something like this before.

Perhaps, this wasn't new to him as well as Princess Sapphire, who continued munching on her chocolate cookies and swinging her legs under the table happily, without a care of what her mother was on about.

Now, even Princess Sapphire had considered this relapse normal, and it made Luna think if there was a point in Princess Ourania wasn't right in the head.

  Lips parting in amazement, Queen Titania carved a unique image in her mind like a written stone tablet.

How can she act so regal after spilling tea all over her daughter?

This wasn't the behavior of a Queen, yet Luna loved it.

Dried hibiscus tea drenched Princess Ourania's closed lids, rolling from her cheeks down to her chin and collarbones.

The bodice and the skirts of her sapphire gown were stained with red.

Princess Ourania should be thankful that her blood wasn't spilled in this summer afternoon.

"Princess Ourania!" Queen Titania called her name out. Two sharp words and teacup were all she needed to call out the bullshit of Apollyon's mother to Luna. "What is your problem, girl? 

She wasn't doing anything to provoke her.

Her mere presence must have triggered something inside Princess Ourania's heart.

Frowning, Luna had this sudden realization.

The idea was like a lightning streak hitting her brain. At the Spring Courts, Princess Alisabethe acted differently around her.

During Ostara, the girl was always fuming with jealousy to the point of desiring a husband that wasn't hers in the first place.

What's worse?

She did that in such a public place while Luna was present with Apollyon, making a fool out of herself with complete disregard of her dignity as a Monarch.

Her greed also made Luna drown in her insecurities, if only for a moment.

Good thing Apollyon was quick to remedy that. 

This triggers envy with herself and the other women whenever Apollyon was concerned…Did this intensify because she hadn't removed Lilith from her body?

Even if the Archdemon of Envy stayed dormant in her body as a vessel, that would not change the fact that she still didn't get rid of this bitch inside her.

Her stomach churned at the thought.

Luna had to do it soon. 

"It's been a long time ever since you behaved like a child, Ourania." The orange cat seated comfortably on Queen Titania's lap was disturbed from its nap since the Summer Queen stopped brushing its bushy fur and placed the stocky cat gently to the ground. Queen Titania held the skirts of her aquamarine gown with gold embellishments as she stood up with poised elegance. "Why are you doing this now? Tell us what your problem is with Empress Luna. And here I thought, the with doctors have cured you of your mental anguish."

Everyone waited for Apollyon's mother to explain herself.

Her chest rose and fell as she glowered at the wet floor, fisting her hands on the flares of damp skirts in a tight squeeze.

"I'm just so angry, Queen Mother." Princess Ourania's jaws clenched, fighting back her tears.

Yet, her teardrops still sparkled like diamonds, washing down small bits of red petals sticking on her flushed cheeks.

Ah.

Luna guessed ugly crying wouldn't work in the summer Royal Family.

"I don't feel mental anguish anymore from my experience with King Gywthyr since I have recovered from it. I am angry and resentful of why you need to humiliate me like this!" Princess Ourania spat with all of her hatred.

Queen Titania's eyes were cold. "You are the one humiliating like this for being unreasonable."

She ran a frustrated hand on her long auburn hair and raised her voice. "I am your daughter. Why are you defending this stranger? This woman is just Apollyon's Empress! She isn't connected to you in anyway! Even you care for that boy, Xerxes---"

"After all these centuries, you still act like a spoiled brat who was deprived of what you want?"

"Did you ask me for what I want, mother?" Princess Ourania gritted her teeth, and her blue eyes protruded as her face contorted with rage.

She enunciated each word properly. "Did. You. Ask Me. What. I. Wanted. Ever In. My. Life?"

Queen Titania tilted her head to the side and crossed her arms over her chest, mirroring King Oberon. "You already have the freedom, Ourania, a long time ago. You are free to do whatever you want. We already apologized for our mistake of allowing King Gwythyr to force you into marriage.  Tell me what else do need from us?"

Princess Ourania shook her head as she flashed her a bitter smile. "Nobody in this god damned family understands me. I'm out of here."

Apollyon's mother stormed out of the gazebo.

'Apollyon, should we call your mother back?'

'No. There was no need.' Her husband was quick to answer in their mental connection. 'We already talked to her for too long. I detest her presence.' Mouth pressed into a grim line, Luna blinked as she listened further, 'It's better to leave her alone.'

'There must be something wrong with her, Apollyon. I didn't  know what I did to evoke such strong aversion to whatever I say.' Luna projected to him, and she could feel quiet violence swirling at the back of her mind, and it wasn't hers. Luna softened to calm her husband down. 'Or at least, I have an idea but I'm not sure if that reason was valid.'