***
A few days had passed. Stella still hadn't heard from Moxxie, but she didn't dare to call him either, to a certain extent she resented the rejection and forced herself between tears to hate him, without being able to achieve it.
Was it all her fault that she had unleashed her feelings for him? Or was it specifically everything she said? Her life before Stolas, Paimon's crime, and now Octavia's?
Everyone who knew her could tell you that she was cold and cruel, at least that is what she always appeared to be; so, she agreed with that description. When she asked herself if she was doing all this for the sake of the Goetia name; for her parents or for herself the answer was always no. She would still answer the same as she did before. Even at this point the answer would still be the same. Nothing could move her heart. Few people could bring out the real Stella, Moxxie is one of these people. Stella felt herself coming back to life as she began to relate to Moxxie. This was proof that Stella could be someone happy. Moxxie could save her. "I wish I could talk to him again, talk to him in the warmth of the breeze one more time," she thought constantly. How is she supposed to live without him now?
During this time Andrealphus did not miss the opportunity to tease her, but the truth was that he cared for his sister. He hadn't seen her that way since Andras' death; and though he didn't learn of their affair until after the fact, he could understand exactly how she felt. Andras, unlike Stella, couldn't get his head around the idea of a serious relationship, for him everyone was an object of pleasure or someone to be taken advantage of; and it was precisely because of how Stella was that he did this, he couldn't see himself going through the same pains for unrequited love.
Moxxie tried to make himself understand how he felt about Stella, he didn't love her; or so he thought, but he couldn't stop thinking about her and her well-being, as if he was the only one who could protect her from the dragon in the castle -Moxxie saw himself as the only one capable of understanding and supporting her. He thought constantly of that kiss, how sweet it was and how painful it was for him to break it in the name of what was right. He was married, and infidelity was something that didn't look so good with him. He thought of Millie and how she would react if she saw him in that situation and it made him very helpless. Millie of course; she questioned him over the next few days, but not about infidelity or anything like that -she believed in Moxxie too much to think about that, but since they had long been taught by Stolas that Stella was a dangerous woman, it was logical that she would worry about her husband.
During the time Stella and Moxxie didn't see each other, they slowly rebuilt their relationship through text messages. Very vague and soulless conversations that ran through the same script over and over again -a greeting, asking each other how they were that day and breaking off the conversation after that. From time-to-time Stella would offer to go out for a drink or a bite, but Moxxie would decline again and again using his job as an excuse, but asking her to please not hire him again. That their time would come later.
It was there that the guilt weighed most heavily on Moxxie.
Looking to distract himself, Moxxie set to work on finding out more of what he learned from Stella, but since all he knew was what both Octavia and Stolas let on at the time, there was only one person to ask for more details; Loona. Loona had mentioned knowing about the two of them the day Stolas had spoken on television. It was very likely that Octavia wouldn't tell her anything about it so as not to have any loose ends; but being such close friends, it was even more believable that she was the only one to know the truth; it was his only chance to learn more about it.
As soon as he returned to the office the next day, he waited for some discretion and went straight to question her, Blitzo had left with Verosika; their relationship slowly growing from the ashes of what it had become, Blitzo could see himself genuinely happy and even excited by his sporadic outings with her -even if they had not yet formalised their relationship again. Blitzo was striving for the first time to make sure that things went well regardless of his insecurities, and to do his best to make sure that this second chance would not go to waste.
Millie had gone ahead to the house to prepare the food, she had spent days watching Moxxie act strange and a little melancholic since he stopped seeing Stella, maybe he knew something that she didn't; and this was true, but she didn't know it and therefore it caused her anguish. She hoped that by preparing his favourite food and fulfilling a few whims, the Moxxie she knew would return to her immediately.
Loona however still had work to do and that was when Moxxie saw his chance to reveal himself to her.
—Loona, can we talk? —Moxxie began—.
—What do you want, fatty? I'm busy. —Loona asked back—.
She was looking at her mobile phone without paying absolute attention to Moxxie, as usual; she was leaning back in her chair with her feet up on the desk and a magazine on the side in case she got bored of one thing or the other, postponing her work even more; an excuse not to have to go home yet.
—You knew Octavia and Stolas were dating. -Correct? You said so the day they went on the news.
Loona raised her eyebrow and finally turned her attention to Moxxie, starting to get defensive.
—What do you care if I knew?
—Is it true that Octavia drugged Stolas? Did you know that too? I've been talking t-
—I have no idea what you're talking about. —Loona interrupted in an aggressive tone—.
Loona would gradually become more and more uncomfortable with the conversation that was just beginning. She couldn't explain why Moxxie was so interested in it -until she remembered who had hired him the other time. It was Stella.
She had asked for her details herself and sent Moxxie to do the job after Blitzo had accepted the assignment, whatever it might have been. Did she hire him to tell him the truth and spread the secret? What little they knew about Stella was what Stolas told Blitzo, and there was never a topic that didn't speak negatively about her. So, from her perspective; it was most likely.
Moxxie didn't know if Loona was lying or not, but his desire to believe Stella forced him to keep pushing. Part of him wished it was a lie and that maybe all this time it was Stella trying to manipulate him, but his other half wanted it to be true -not because it would ruin their marriage, but because he couldn't deal with the idea that the Stella he knew, was a lie. He couldn't believe that kiss wasn't sincere.
—Come on Loona, Octavia is your friend, and I don't doubt that you are her only friend. Did Octavia drug Stolas?
—I told you I don't know anything about it, Octavia is not capable of that shit. Are you really going to doubt things at this point and believe that crazy woman?
As they spoke Loona was messaging Octavia. Giving her a short summary that Moxxie was becoming suspicious of them. Explaining that Stella had hired him and that he had probably told her the whole truth, Octavia reacted as expected, imploring Loona not to say anything; and that, if she knew more about Stella and her plans, she should let her know.
Moxxie noticed that Loona was typing on her phone with suspicious speed, every detail he saw in Loona gave him the certainty that he had hit the nail on the head.
—So, who are you writing to with such concern? —Moxxie continued his siege—.
—To your hoe of a mother.
—Wow, how creative.
Loona; unlike Octavia, was harder to break her spirit. But she knew that, if Moxxie got any kind of clue as to what had really happened, Octavia would be in danger, but what she believed would not cause Moxxie to be suspicious; was exactly what would give her away in the end.
Moxxie however could not get what he really wanted, a confession. He knew that "confirming" his suspicions would mean nothing if he couldn't prove it somehow.
In Moxxie's point of view, if he said anything they would believe that he was tricked by Stella, and if he kept quiet as he promised then nothing would change and his conscience would not leave him alone, but having someone like Loona; who knew the situation beforehand, he could take this to its ultimate consequences.
In the end he was unable to get any more information out of Loona, sensing that the discussion was going nowhere he withdrew in annoyance.
He supposed the next thing he could do was to investigate directly the drug Stella was talking about in the article she had published in the newspaper. If it was a drug that somehow worked on people's feelings, he could only think of the Lust ring.
Leaving the office, Moxxie took a taxi to lust. What he didn't know was that Loona would be on his trail from then on.
It took him several hours and several humiliations; demons mocking him, succubus offering their services instead of answering his questions, but somehow, he managed to find the shop that sold the balm. Despite being a powerful product, it was not uncommon for it to be sold; of course, if you were a succubus or an incubus; and certainly, interesting if you were royalty or someone of social standing. But an ordinary imp? Certainly, Moxxie's lack of discretion was beginning to show, the seller of course; she didn't know that all this was swirling around Octavia, but she cared simply for the sake of protecting her business. Her suspicious gaze followed him the whole time he was there, Moxxie of course felt watched and was on the verge of not buying anything, even paying in cash so as not to feel tracked. When he left the shop, he put it away and fled back to pride -the next step was to test it, but with whom?
Loona followed him back to pride with growing concern, constantly messaging Octavia with the progress Moxxie was making. Octavia was beginning to worry more and more. Her nightmare was becoming less and less of a bad dream and more and more of a future reality.
For the rest of the day Moxxie did nothing else and Loona stopped following him when she saw him enter his flat.
The answer to Moxxie's question was easy, and with what the saleswoman told him at checkout; which was the same thing she told Stella and Octavia when they both bought her product, there was no doubt. He would try it on Millie.
Of course, Moxxie's conscience would not allow him to do it on the sly.
—A... love, I'd like to try something if that's okay with you. —Moxxie asked her nervously—.
—What'ya mean Moxx'?
—It's... something I bought in lust.
—Ooohhh… kinky.
Millie was surprised by Moxxie's assertiveness at that moment, but after days of thinking something was wrong with him, a little fun made her think everything was okay again; and it was his way of redeeming himself with her.
To say it was a night of passion would be an understatement, after an awkward description of what he bought, and trying to explain why he bought it (even though Millie didn't care) was what won him over. The difference between a pair who already loved each other wholeheartedly and a pair like Octavia and her father were was clearer than night and day -even Millie was surprised at how turned on she was that night. The sex was so good that even Moxxie was slow to process what they had done. "I'll tell Millie the truth when this is over," he said to himself the next day, despite everything he still felt he used her.
Later that day; Moxxie returned to Loona, this time with the balm.
—This is what she used; I've already checked that it works. —Moxxie confronted her—.
He put the salve on the table and made a victory pose. As if he had solved the case and it was only a matter of time before Loona spoke.
—And you want a medal? Detective Chubby. —Loona insulted Moxxie again—.
Moxxie immediately lost his victorious pose and changed it to annoyance; not only did Loona not care, she mocked him!
—I want the truth, Loona. Did you know about this?
—Look asshole, I don't know what the fuck you're planning. But accusing someone because your new girlfriend told you so isn't going to look very good, and when you see that she played you well, I'll be the first one to make fun of you.
Fear not, Loona doesn't know about Stella and Moxxie yet, it was just another attempt to annoy him; but the fact that, in a way, it was the truth -it was simple poetic justice.
Moxxie, unlike Loona, was a dumbass when it came to hiding things, which is why all this is happening now. Obviously, this made him talk too much.
—Stella.... is not my girlfriend. We're just friends; besides, she's not as bad as you think. —Moxxie defended Stella—.
Loona made a gesture of intriguing doubt. She understood Moxxie's suddenly defensive reaction, especially after being on the offensive for two days, but Loona really didn't care about his relationship with Stella, she was focused on taking care of Octavia—.
—If you don't speak, I'll speak directly to Octavia. —Moxxie continued—.
—Dude, do whatever you want. —Loona replied in annoyance—.
Again, as soon as Moxxie left the office, Loona followed. Always keeping Octavia informed, " he will try to talk to you," she let her know.
***
In an almost religious way, Octavia watched her phone for each new message from Loona. The pressure of the nightmare, and her fear that Moxxie would tell on her, was such that even Stolas was beginning to notice Octavia's strange ways. Days of feeling sick and hiding it from Stolas would bring unexpected consequences.
It was a week since they had been married, and although the first week had gone well, the new one was starting off a little rocky. Octavia looked tired, with some discomfort, some aches and pains. And the stress Moxxie caused her had intensified everything.
When Stolas asked her about it, she would say that she just couldn't sleep well, or that her stomach hurt. And Stolas tried hard to believe her, but it also worried him. Was he being a good husband? Or a good father, giving her her space? Maybe he was never ready for marriage.
Was it that the nightmares were such that they were making Octavia sick, or was there something else lurking behind all this fog of new problems?
Moxxie arrived at the palace, brought with him the balm he had bought, and knocked on the door more than three times. When finally, a clerk answered him; an impish butler, Moxxie demanded to speak to Octavia -and though the clerk refused to comply with his wish immediately, with the excuse that they must first ask her if she wished to see him; Moxxie did the only thing he believed would secure an audience with her. He handed him the balm and asked him to give it to the princess.
The employee obeyed and before long Octavia was at the door, looking furious and throwing the drug on the floor near him. Then with her fire magic she burned the balm, almost burning Moxxie in the process. Loona meanwhile watched from a distance, worried and doubting whether she should intervene to save Moxxie. Doing so would end up giving them both away, but she feared Octavia was capable of harming him.
—Then it's true! —Moxxie shouted back—.
Octavia prepared another fire spell.
—Leave us alone, I don't know what my mother told you, but you are forbidden to set foot in this place again. —Octavia began to delegate—.
Octavia learned from Loona that Moxxie had been dating Stella.
—He's your father. How could you?
Moxxie didn't even worry about it, whether she knew or didn't know wasn't important, Octavia's violent response was enough to prove his suspicions.
Octavia looked increasingly furious, but the flame in her hand was beginning to wane, Moxxie didn't know what this meant, much less bothered to interpret it, simply continuing her siege of Octavia's guilt, questioning her with things like Why? And What for?
Before long Octavia had run out of air, a stabbing pain in her stomach made her collapse. It wasn't long before she collapsed in front of him and immediately Moxxie changed her appearance to one of complete terror, Loona was also shocked from her hiding place, one of the security hellhounds on guard duty immediately went for Stolas. In less than a minute, Moxxie, Loona and Stolas surrounded Octavia who lay on the ground in a fetal position.
They did not even question each other as to what they were doing in the palace at that moment, nor did they have time to notice the burnt patch of grass Octavia had left behind after her attack. Everyone's only concern at that moment was Octavia's well-being.
Luckily Octavia had not lost consciousness, she had only been overcome by pain. So, when they arrived at the hospital it was only a matter of getting Octavia checked out and finding out what had caused the sudden pain.
The wait was eternal for these beings, it was a relief for all to see the doctor, a hellhound whose age was taking its toll, emerge from the room where Octavia was -with a friendly smile inviting them in. Stolas was the first to stand, hugging his top hat as an anti-stress toy, eager to see Octavia and make sure for himself that she was well. However, he thought it wiser to wait for the doctor to speak first, to receive the news, whatever it might be.
—There is nothing to worry about your highness, your wife is in perfect health. She just had a lot of accumulated stress and along with... well... something else. It was logical that the aches and pains would come together.
The doctor seemed to say things with excellent humour, the others did not know whether this was a sign that nothing really bad had happened or that the doctor was simply insensitive to the concern of the others.
—Something else? —Stolas asked—.
Stolas could feel as if something wanted to tear him apart inside, the doctor's good mood did not help him at all even though he clearly did not bring bad news.
—Congratulations. —The doctor continued, handing Stolas a document—.
Stolas was stunned by the revelation, he knew very well what the congratulations were about. The doctor gave a small laugh and continued:
—I just ask you not to put her through any more stress, prepare for what is to come and please no strong emotions for a while.
A tear of happiness came out of Stolas' eyes.
—Dad? —Octavia said, being pulled towards him in a wheelchair—.
The document said:
Patient: Octavia of Ars Goetia
Gender: Female; Age: 18 years old; Species: Demon
"Pregnancy test: Positive"