(Beth POV)
I'm hungry.
That simple, desperate thought echoed inside me like a persistent drumbeat. For the last week, I haven't been able to eat my usual amount of food. Ever since mother put me on this strict diet, everything has changed. My stomach constantly twists and churns, demanding more than the tiny portions I'm allowed, but I have to resist. I have to.
Ever since Grandpa Lucifer turned us more human — whatever that means exactly — I haven't been able to change back into my normal form. I used to just roam the hotel's garden, eating the wild grass and herbs growing there like it was the most natural thing in the world. But now, trapped in this human body, I can't do that anymore. I can't feast on the plants that used to sustain me, the way I once did. The hunger gnaws at me from the inside, making every day a battle.
It's been absolute torture.
I stare at the ceiling of my small, dimly lit room, my stomach growling loudly once again, echoing in the silence. I clutch my belly with both hands, trying to hold back the urge to sneak more food than I'm supposed to. But the hunger is relentless. It's like a beast clawing at me, refusing to be ignored.
Yet, despite all this, Plagg has been having the time of his life. Ever since he discovered the cheese mines beneath Springfield, Missouri, he's been sneaking away to gorge himself on all the cheese he can find. Because of that, he's not been scolded by mother. Then again, Plagg never really listens to anyone anyway. He's a wild one, and maybe a little lucky.
I sigh and roll onto my bed, closing my eyes for a brief moment, trying to ignore the hunger pangs. But then, suddenly, I hear a soft knock at the door.
My stomach flips with surprise. Slowly, I push myself up and get off the bed. Each step toward the door feels heavier than the last, but I manage to reach it. I open it carefully.
There, standing on the other side, is a small imp holding a tray of food, balanced carefully on her hands.
"Here you go, miss," she says with a shy smile. "Lady Charlie said you would be hungry, so she prepared a special salad just for you."
I look down at the tray she's holding and see an assortment of fresh fruits and colorful salads arranged beautifully. The colors — reds, yellows, greens — are almost enough to make my mouth water. It's like a rainbow on a plate.
I can't help but smile. This small act of kindness means more than words could say.
"매우 감사합니다," I say quietly to the imp girl, soft but sincere.
She nods and steps back, letting me close the door behind me.
Once inside, I notice a small note tucked under the edge of the tray. A delicate kiss mark is stamped on the corner.
I pick it up and read the neat handwriting:
"Hey baby, I know Vaggie's been a bit hard on your diet, so I made you a little something to help with that."
A warmth spreads through me, softening the ache in my stomach.
I place the tray gently on the small table by the window. I sit down on the chair beside it and begin to eat.
The salad is fresh and light, bursting with flavors. The fruits are sweet and juicy, a sharp contrast to the bitterness I've been feeling inside. I savor every bite like it might be my last. The hunger that has been tormenting me all week begins to ebb, replaced by a comforting fullness.
After only thirty minutes, I've devoured everything on the tray. It was absolutely delicious — like a little piece of heaven in this strange, harsh world.
I reach into the drawer, pull out a soft towel, and wipe the crumbs and juice from my face. As I clean up, I decide I should bring the dishes downstairs myself. It's the least I can do after such a lovely gesture.
Carrying the tray, I make my way out of my room and down the hallway. That's when something catches the corner of my eye.
At first, I think it's a lava lamp glowing softly in the dim light. But as I step closer, I realize it's not a lamp at all. It's a person.
She's sitting quietly, her eyes glued to her phone, completely unaware of my presence. I lean in slightly to get a better look, curiosity bubbling inside me.
Suddenly, she looks up, her eyes locking onto mine. There's a spark of curiosity in her gaze, and then she smiles.
"Hey there, baby. And who might you be?" she asks warmly, her voice friendly.
"내 이름은 베스예요," I reply softly, my Korean accent thick but steady.
Her face lights up.
"Hey, Beth! My name's Beelzebub, but you can just call me Bee!" she says energetically.
I blink in surprise. "너는 나를 이해할 수 있어," I say, a bit shocked.
She laughs softly, like she's known a secret.
"Of course I can. You don't live for eons and not pick up a few tricks," Bee replies with a wink.
As we talk, Mom appears down the hallway carrying a bunch of paperwork, her arms overloaded. Bee notices her immediately and jumps up, greeting her with enthusiasm.
"Hey Char Char!" Bee beams.
Mom looks over and smiles widely.
"Aunty Bee!" she says warmly.
In her distraction, Mom accidentally drops the stacks of paper onto the floor, scattering them everywhere.
Thankfully, the cleaning staff quickly rush over and begin organizing the mess with practiced efficiency.
"How are you doing? It's been ages!" Bee asks, brushing some papers aside.
"Oh, not much. Running a hotel, pegging my boyfriend, the usual," Mom replies with a playful smirk.
Bee laughs, clearly entertained.
"So, where is your boyfriend? I have something to give your son, Geri."
Mom shrugs, "Oh, Stygian's working on something with Geri. Said it's for Stolas."
"That's cool. Also, I have a party coming up in a few weeks. Please tell Geri not to miss it, okay?"
"Of course," Mom agrees.
Bee smiles and starts to walk toward the exit. Just as she's about to leave, she stops, turns back, and grins mischievously at me.
She steps closer and slips something into my hand before disappearing out the door.
Curious, I look down at what she gave me. It's a pair of earrings, small and delicate. Both have sigils I don't recognize etched on them.
I head to Mom, who is now back carrying the neatly organized stacks of paper. I hold out the earrings.
"이 문양은 무엇을 의미하나요?"I ask, looking up at her.
Her eyes widen in shock as she examines them.
"Beth... do you know what these are?" she asks, her voice low.
I shake my head. I had no idea.
Mom sighs deeply and takes the earrings from me.
She waves her hand, and a thick book materializes before her. It's bound in black leather with glowing red eyes surrounding it.
She opens the book carefully and begins flipping through its pages, searching for something. The silence between us grows heavy as I watch her flip faster and faster.
Finally, she stops and points to a page.
I look closely at the illustration — seven figures standing in a circle, each holding a different object. One has a blade, another a clown hat, and... a rubber duck?
My eyes drift to two earrings depicted beside the figures, identical to the ones Bee gave me.
I look up at Mom, confused.
"These... earrings," she begins slowly, "they're the items that show you have the potential to become the next Sin that represents a certain sin."
Her words echo inside my head, making everything spin. Potential to become a Sin? What does that even mean?
I stare at her, completely lost, then find myself blurting out in English, "What?"