After finishing work as a Civil Servant,
Erika attended a dinner with colleagues and coworkers at a luxurious downtown restaurant. She wore a knee-length, bright red dress that contrasted with her fair skin. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down elegantly as she smiled gracefully. No one would have guessed that Erika had already reached the age of twenty-nine.
But she was still busy working and chasing her career...
No man dared to approach an independent woman with a brilliant career, wealth, and luxury. Even making eye contact seemed too much for them; every man lowered his head in her presence.
She clutched her purse, stepping out of the restaurant after the dull dinner had ended. She wanted to hail a taxi, having not brought her own car. However, a museum next to the restaurant caught her attention—an art museum filled with intricately carved sculptures.
Erika had once dreamed of becoming an artist, a sculptor, or a painter. But for some reason, the demon preferred her to be in the government system. Perhaps he wanted Erika to collect the souls of those who ruled the world.
The sound of her heels echoed against the marble floor as she walked inside. Only a few people remained in the museum since it was getting late, and Erika was sure it would close soon.
She only intended to stop by for a moment, admire the beautiful artworks, and then head home.
The building, reminiscent of ancient Greek architecture, had white walls that contrasted beautifully with the various art pieces. Busts, full-body statues, paintings, even ancient artifacts from different countries—how those relics ended up in this city, Erika didn't know.
"You look stunning in that red dress," a voice echoed, startling Erika. A cold breeze brushed against her skin, sending a gentle ripple through her hair. A figure approached her slowly as she stood in front of a two-meter-tall statue.
Adzriel smirked, revealing gleaming white teeth and sharp, penetrating eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Erika asked.
"Or at the very least, why don't you dress normally?"
"Ah, where else would I go but to you? And don't mind my appearance—they don't even notice me. You, on the other hand, will look insane to them, talking to yourself." Adzriel gripped Erika's waist possessively, pulling her closer.
"What are you doing here, Erika? Isn't it getting late?" He raised an eyebrow, following Erika's gaze toward the statue that looked eerily like him.
"Is that you? The Prince of Hell? The Prince of Darkness? The one cast out of Heaven?" Erika asked. Adzriel's expression darkened—he clearly didn't like seeing himself immortalized in stone.
"Speaking of which, the question I wanted to ask last night... it's related to this statue." Erika continued. Adzriel growled softly, tightening his grip on her waist.
"Alright, ask away."
"Why do they call you a Fallen Angel? Were you once an angel?" Erika looked up, meeting Adzriel's fiery red eyes. Any other human would be terrified, but Erika had long since fallen into fascination with him.
"Ah, the title of a Fallen Angel… yes, that is one of my many names. And in a way, it's true. Long ago, I was an angel. A powerful and beautiful being, devoted to serving God. But I became prideful and ambitious, craving power and the worship of mankind.
"When I refused to submit to God's will, I was cast out of Heaven, falling into the fiery depths of Hell. Thus, I became the Prince of Hell and the Prince of Darkness." Adzriel's voice was sharp, his expression mirroring the emotion captured in the statue—anger, sorrow, disappointment, and frustration.
"Was it because of Adam? Is that why you became prideful?"
"Ah, my fall from Heaven began because of Adam, the first human. When God created Adam from clay, He bestowed upon him all the blessings of Heaven. And this act—the creation of a being greater than the angels—filled me with envy and hatred.
"I found it unfair that God favored humans over His loyal angels, showering them with His love and attention. In my arrogance, I believed I deserved that same love and devotion. So I refused to bow to His will and chose rebellion instead."
Erika felt a pang of sympathy—pride had caused even an angel to be cast out of Heaven.
"So, in the end, you just craved God's love? Or did you want to prove that you were the greatest of all His creations?" she asked.
"Ah, my dear, it was a mixture of both. I did long for God's love and attention, but my pride led me to defy Him. I thought I deserved more than the humans He had created—I believed I was worthy of my own followers and worshippers.
"In the end, my actions stemmed from a deep need for love and recognition, as well as an overwhelming sense of pride and arrogance." Adzriel gently brushed a strand of Erika's hair aside as she listened, enthralled.
"But I think all of God's creations already acknowledge that you were the greatest among them. You didn't need to betray Him," Erika said, unwavering in her gaze.
"Ah, you flatter me too much, my dear. Yes, many angels and creatures of God may grudgingly admit my strength and intelligence, but that was never enough. I wanted more than recognition—I desired worship and reverence.
"But in my pride, I failed to see the bigger picture. God did not create me to be worshiped; He created me to serve and obey Him. My ambition and arrogance led me to the very downfall I sought to avoid."
A shiver ran down Erika's spine, and Adzriel noticed. He traced a soothing hand over her shoulder as if to calm her.
"I do feel sorry for you… But I can't help but wonder—if you hadn't been so selfish, maybe we wouldn't be living in such a sinful world today. Maybe… I wouldn't be trapped with you like this," she mused.
"Ah, your words are kinder than I deserve, my dear. Yes, perhaps if I had accepted my place and obeyed God, things would have turned out differently for all of us. But my defiance cannot be undone."
His grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, his voice growing colder.
"But don't forget, my dear—even though I have fallen, I still reign over the deepest pits of Hell. And you, my dear, are still bound by the contract you made. Your soul belongs to me."
Erika chuckled at his words.
"Now, let's go home before the museum guards throw you out," Adzriel murmured, wrapping his arm around Erika's waist as he led her out of the museum.