The night had wrapped the world in a velvety darkness, and I had settled into my usual spot, hidden in the shadows beside Merry's house. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting playful patterns on the ground, but I was too tired to appreciate the beauty of it all. My eyelids grew heavy, and soon, the weight of the night pulled me into a deep slumber.
When I awoke, the first thing that I noticed was a sound so ethereal that it felt like a gentle caress against my skin. A melody floated through the air, delicate and sweet, weaving its way into my consciousness. I blinked against the morning light, disoriented but captivated. The notes danced around me, wrapping me in a cocoon of warmth and serenity.
Curiosity tugged at me, and I found myself rising to my feet, drawn toward the source of the enchanting sound. I crept closer to her window. Peering through the window, I caught sight of her—Merry, who had unknowingly ensnared my heart already.
She sat there, completely absorbed in her music, her fingers gliding over the strings of a harp with a grace that seemed almost divine. The sunlight streamed in, illuminating her features and casting a halo around her that made her look like a vision from a dream. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, yet there was a serene smile playing on her lips, as if the very act of creating music brought her joy beyond measure.
I felt a pang of longing, a bittersweet ache that settled deep within me. Here I was, a demon hiding in the darkness, while she shone with light and grace. The contrast was stark, yet it only deepened my fascination. I wanted to step into the sunlight, to be a part of her life. But I remained rooted in place, afraid that any movement would shatter the spell she had cast with her melody.
As the notes flowed from her harp, I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the music wash over me. It was a balm for my weary soul, a reminder that even in the darkest corners of existence, there could be beauty. I could feel the warmth of her spirit reaching out to me, and for a fleeting instant, I dared to dream of a connection that transcended the boundaries of our worlds.
But reality crashed back in, and I knew I had to remain hidden, a mere shadow in her life. I watched her play, entranced, knowing that this moment—this glimpse of her pure essence—would linger in my heart long after the music ended.
As the last notes of Merry's harp faded into the morning air, I watched her rise from her seat, a graceful swan leaving the still waters of a tranquil lake. She moved with elegance, her every motion imbued with a quiet confidence. I felt a pang of longing as she began to prepare for her day; my heart was desperate to witness that up close. But I held myself back, knowing that to intrude would be to shatter the delicate magic of this moment.
Instead, I followed her from a distance. The world around me transformed as we approached her workplace. Angels flitted about the sky like butterflies, their wings shimmering in the sunlight. I felt a strange sense of belonging in this vibrant atmosphere, even as I remained an outsider.
Merry was greeted with enthusiasm by her friends and colleagues, who surrounded her like a constellation of stars drawn to a radiant sun. Yet, as I observed her responses—polite, somewhat measured—I sensed an undercurrent of something more. She was aloof, yes, but there was a grace in her demeanor that spoke of a deeper wisdom.
Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, I noticed a flicker of malice from one of her friends—a girl with sharp features and a gaze that could cut glass. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Merry, and her lips curled into a sneer. I could sense the venom in her words as she whispered to her companions. My heart raced with anxiety for Merry, a protective instinct surging within me.
I followed the girl, my curiosity piqued and my concern mounting. She joined a group of her friends, a gathering of some angel girls and boys, who seemed to revel in their shared disdain. Their laughter was sharp, their words laced with barbs as they bad-mouthed Merry, dissecting her aloofness and grace with cruel precision. A surge of anger rose within me, a fierce desire to defend her, to shield her from the poison they spewed.
As the girl plotted to confront Merry, I felt an urgency to intervene. I trailed her, my heart pounding in my chest, but as we approached Merry's office, a heavy presence loomed ahead. I halted, sensing the unmistakable aura of archangels—powerful beings whose very essence radiated authority and strength. Their energy crackled in the air, forming a barrier I could not breach without drawing attention to myself.
I stood in the shadows, my heart racing as I watched the girl approach the entrance, her intentions cloaked in malice. I could do nothing but observe, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. The archangels were a formidable force, and I knew that any attempt to protect Merry would be futile against their might.
In that moment, a profound helplessness washed over me. I was a demon, a creature of darkness, and yet here I was, yearning to shield an angel from the very world that should have embraced her. What an irony!!!
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the celestial realm, I watched as the girl emerged from Merry's workplace, her expression a storm of rage. She gnashed her teeth, her jaw clenched tight as if trying to contain the fury brewing within her. With a furious flap of her wings, she shot into the air, a streak of white-hot anger against the soft hues of twilight.
A surge of determination coursed through me, and I followed her. She led me to a lavish residence, a sprawling estate. The architecture was grand, adorned with intricate carvings that spoke of wealth and influence.
As I hovered in the shadows, I sensed the presence of aged angels within—beings whose power was palpable, though not quite on par with my own. I settled into the shadows outside, straining to catch the words of their conversation.
Inside, she confronted her father, the tension in her tone cutting through the air like a knife, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Father, she thinks she can just waltz in there, acting all high and mighty!" she spat, her voice laced with venom. "Merry insulted me, your only daughter, today! What a nerve! We can't let her get away with this!"
Her father's voice, deep and resonant, echoed with undeniable authority, commanding attention even from a distance. "Sally, calm yourself," he said, his tone steady and unwavering, a stark contrast to her fiery outburst. "We will address this matter with reason." The air crackled with the intensity of their exchange, and I could almost visualize the imposing figure of her father.
He continued, "Sally, you must be careful. Accusing her without evidence could backfire. You know how the Council of Angels operates. They will not tolerate baseless claims, especially against her, who has the backing of Archangel Uriel."
"But she's so arrogant!" Sally shot back, her voice rising in indignation. "She's been aloof with everyone, has no respect for others, and thinks she's some big shot due to Archangel Uriel's backing. We can frame her for the theft of celestial artifacts—she lives alone, we can hide those artifacts in her house, and tamper with the evidence. She's an orphan; we can easily make her the scapegoat! Uriel won't associate with her once she sees the evidence. It's a great plan. Haha…"
Her father sighed heavily. "You're playing a dangerous game, my daughter. If you pursue this, you must be prepared for the consequences. The archangels will not take kindly to such accusations, especially if they find out you're behind them."
Sally's eyes gleamed with fierce determination. "I don't care! I want her gone. She's such an arrogant brat, despite being an orphan. We have the power to make this happen, Father. We can't let her get away with such an attitude toward me!"
As their conversation continued, I felt a surge of anger boiling within me. How vile, how utterly despicable! The thought of them plotting to frame Merry for crimes she hadn't committed ignited a fire in my chest. I wanted to confront them, to unleash my fury upon their twisted plans, but just as I prepared to make my presence known, a familiar voice echoed in my mind.
"Lord Lucifer," came the voice of my subordinate, a whisper that cut through the tension. "Lord Satan knows of your disappearance. He's about to send his personal guards to retrieve you. You must return to Hell—now."
Panic surged through me. I couldn't abandon Merry to face these vile accusations alone, but the weight of my situation pressed heavily upon me. If anyone discovered me, the consequences for Merry would be dire. I had to act quickly. I turned to leave, my heart heavy with the knowledge that I was being pulled back into the depths of Hell, far away from Merry.
As I flew back toward the gates of Heaven, a sudden, jarring force intercepted me. The gates loomed ahead, shimmering with divine light, but they were now guarded by the very beings I had hoped to evade. The archangel Raphael stood resolute, his expression a mix of suspicion and authority.
"Lucifer," he intoned, his voice echoing with power. "You are not permitted to enter Heaven. How could you be here?"
I felt the weight of his aura pressing down on me, and I knew that my presence here was a danger not only to myself but to Merry as well. I had to find a way to protect her, to warn her of the storm brewing on the horizon.
But as I stood at the gates, caught between two worlds, I realized that I was powerless to help her at that moment. I just wished not to implicate her in my mess further.