In Heart
The two guards stood frozen at the sight before them. Blood was everywhere. Lucifer lay on the ground, soaked in crimson. At first glance, she seemed dead—until a soft groan escaped her lips. In a heartbeat, the guards rushed to her side.
One of them let out a loud scream, summoning another guard from outside. The new arrival, already cradling Lucifer, was quickly questioned.
Guard #1: "What happened?" (he asked, stepping inside while still digesting the shock—especially since Goofy hadn't eaten anything for a day after devouring his prey.)
Guard #2: "She killed it. She's a curse."
Guard #3: "It's impossible to kill Goofy," he replied, his voice trembling with disbelief.
Then, in a sudden and horrifying twist, Guard #3 stabbed Guard #1 without warning. The remaining guards stared, shocked, as Guard #3 turned to them with a chilling smirk before swiftly killing them all in the blink of an eye. He then turned to Vilve, their queen, and bowed before her.
Vilve gave a simple order.
Vilve: "Goofy, kill him."
Goofy lunged forward and devoured the traitor. After finishing, the beast bowed to Vilve.
Introduction of Vilve
Name: Vilve
Age: 35
Power: Minup
Position: Queen of the Minuplians (people who possess the power of Minup)
Traits: Intelligent, breathtaking, powerful. Married to the king of Minuplians.
Vilve: "Good. I want Lucifer to be safe. Goofy, eat her left hand so they don't doubt her."
Goofy obeyed. He bit off her left hand. Despite being dead, she manipulated his mind.
No One's POV
Vilve left. Moments later, someone entered the room, anger burning in their eyes—they were running late for the mansion.
Upon arrival, he found the room drenched in silence. Bodies lay strewn, and Lucifer was missing her left hand. Shocked, he immediately treated her injuries and ordered the guards to investigate. He instructed a maid to change Lucifer's clothes and went directly to Elle's room.
Elle's Room
Elle sat on the bed, fists clenched around the bedsheet, sweat dripping down her forehead. Her mind swirled with dread. Then the door opened.
Ave entered with a warm smile.
Ave: "What is my boba thinking?"
Elle: "Nothing, Dada. Just waiting for my sissy," she said, wiping her sweat with her sleeve.
Ave: "Don't worry about Lucifer. She won't hurt you. I'm here for you, and your brothers are too."
Elle: "What if she hates me?"
Ave: "She can't. You should be the one upset with her, not the other way around."
Elle: "We're sisters. We shouldn't hate each other."
Ave: "Bub, what about the things she did to you?"
Elle: "It's the past, Dad. Let's leave it there."
Ave: "Alright, bub. Let's go. Your Doadi is waiting downstairs."
Elle: "Okay, Dada."
They descended the stairs together.
The rest of the family noticed them. Doung spoke first, eyes flicking toward Simon, who looked regretful.
Doung: "Let's go."
Li & Liam: "Yep, let's go," they echoed.
At the Mansion
Glock: "Do you all want to give Lucifer a chance to become a princess?"
Everyone shook their heads—except Elle. Glock raised a brow.
Glock: "Only Elle nodded? I'm surprised Simon didn't. Alright, then she won't be made princess."
Ave: "We want to observe her behavior first."
Glock: "As you wish. One more thing: the Copuls will soon reveal themselves. Be ready. Bring Lucifer here."
The guards brought Lucifer in. She looked frail.
Suddenly, Vilve entered the mansion.
Vilve: "You called me?"
Abelard: "Why did you summon my queen?"
Glock: "I only summoned the queen, but it looks like the king came along. You two are inseparable."
Abelard: "That's the truth. I love my queen dearly."
Vilve smirked.
Vilve: "If I wanted to, I could kill you right here, Glock. But I won't—especially not in front of my daughter, Lucifer, the future Queen of Heart."
Ave: "With all due respect, she isn't even a princess yet. How can she be a queen?"
Abelard: "She knows that. Let it go."
Ave: "As you say, my friend."
Vilve: "Let's focus on why we're here."
Glock: "I received a message. It said you are half-Copuls."
Vilve & Abelard: "You dare speak nonsense?!"
Their eyes flared red in fury. Abelard lunged, choking Glock.
Glock: "Please! I'm sorry. Let me go!"
Ave intervened, prying Abelard away.
Ave: "There must be a mistake. Let's not escalate."
Simon remained quiet, which was unlike him. Usually, he resolved disputes.
The guards returned with Lucifer and threw her at Queen Sue's feet—but before she hit the ground, Vilve caught her. She handed her over to Doung and whispered:
Vilve: "Take care of her. Don't let her stress. Meet us in the Ground of Horror in one week. We'll reveal secrets. I trust you. Don't let me down."
Doung nodded and hugged Lucifer tightly.
Ave, confused by the exchange, frowned.
Ave: "What are you doing? Stop hugging Lucifer!"
Doung: "Why, Dad? You hug Elle every day. What's wrong with hugging Lucifer? Look at her—she's hurt! Are you even human? You're her father. Her mother sent her to Goofy when she was just four years old!"
Author's Perspective
Doung waited until everyone left before voicing his deepest thoughts. Doubt was seeping in. What if Lucifer had truly been innocent all along? But if she wasn't lying… then Elle was. Yet Elle had been just a child too. It was too complex for children to orchestrate such a scheme.
He feared someone was out to destroy their family from within.