Chapter 178: FAR DESPERATE MEASURES

Beelzebub felt extremely excited,

Knowing the feast about to be prepared.

And knowing that it was a ceremony dedicated to the duke of hell,

Many demons decided to gather in the special place.

The spacious room was adorned with red flowers,

As musicians were singing of songs both haunting and harmonious.

Many creatures were dancing, and laughing with joy,

But all stood quiet, when they began to exchange their vows.

155 was nervous, far too nervous to say anything more.

As she decipher the feeling, that in her chest begin to grow.

She looks at the crowd, and though many seemed to be happy,

She knew it was for Haborym,

and for her, were only looks of envy.

Her dress a mix of green and blue,

Made her more beautiful than most,

And though the huge headpiece she was carrying was adorned with pearls,

She felt quite unhappy, overall.

She feels fear, even if it's all she wanted.

A high position, some chance to be respected.

And yet, it seemed like her enemies grew,

Seeing how her fellow maids look.

Maybe it was just her, overthinking?

No, but...it seemed, just like it.

She looked at her husband, who seemed not to mind,

He was calm, didn't even talked to her all that shared time.

"The night is young, what do you want?"

Haborym asked as 155 continued to nudge.

"I don't feel comfortable, so many eyes are looking,"

"Well, that's because you're the Duke's wife, so stop being silly."

"I want to go back, to our room,"

"Don't worry, the feast will start soon.

For now bear with the inconvenience a little more,

I assure you, what awaits you will be comfort."

155 nods. As her worry stirs her back and forth.

She looked more at the crowd, and saw the figure of Asmodeus.

He seemed lonely, looking at the couples dancing in the stage.

His mind, seemingly drifting to something else.

"Oh, he misses Sellena. How...adorable.

Hey, Haborym, have they not yet exchanged another set of letters?"

Haborym quickly leaned closer,

"That topic must be saved for later."

"Ah. Well, alright. But...how long does this...fun occassion take?"

"Heh, fun, huh? Well, usually hours and hours. But just do it for your sake,

Remember your plan," He leaned more closer,

"You're a step closer to escape."

Escape.

Right.

Escape.

Well, does she want to walk away from the chance of eating fine meals for freedom?

Out in the world where she isn't sure if she'd eat anything at all?

She feels conflicted as Haborym tried to read her face,

Until Lucifer clanged his glass, signalling for the maids.

The music changed into a more triumphant tune,

As the doors opened winely, oh the abundant food!

Beelzebub almost rose from his seat,

As his gaze locked on the bountiful feast.

His hunger grew more and more,

That he couldn't think at all.

Asmodeus then felt extremely worried.

Beelzebub is...changing, far abruptly.

He tried to comfort the glutton,

But he didn't recognized his looks,

It was angry, as if Beel refused to be touched,

His growls being more animalistic, and fast.

"Beel? Do you hear me?"

Asmodeus asked, worried sick.

But Beelzebub failed to speak.

Though his eyes tamed a bit.

Asmodeus realized that the curse was worsening,

And he looked quickly at Belphegor, who was almost sleeping.

"Belph, it's Beelzebub. He seems out of it,"

"He probably just want to eat."

Asmodeus wanted it to be the case,

But he had a bad feeling, it wasn't that way.

...

Slave no. 21 successfully placed the poison,

As the drink bubbled up and turned a bit darker.

She wondered if it would get recognized but dismissed it,

"It's just a shade darker," she thinks.

So she told the other maids to deliver it to the front,

As the younger women followed her command.

She leaves, as she asked the blonde,

If she's still up for the deal or not.

"Of course it's still on, I won't trick you at all,"

She comforted the woman, as her body pressed to the wall.

Contented, 21 walked away,

As she wondered, if things will really smoothly play.

And so, the feast began.

And for a moment, Lucifer forgot the war.

He forgot the pressure and all the things he craved,

He laughed a genuine laugh, reminiscient of the laugh he did as an angel.

As Haborym saw 155 devour the food,

He smiled a little, contented she feels good.

He recalls that she just eats scraps of it when a slave,

And he felt a bit sorry, her convenience is late gave.

"You'll choke at that pace,"

"There's drink anyways,

Wait...which is my cup? Is it that big one?"

"Yes, that's the...one,"

He paused a bit and inspected the cup,

Which had the darkest color of all.

The difference isn't that big,

But it rose questions for someone like him.

He looked at the maids behind, and suspected the culprit,

It must be from wherez 155 got her trick.

"Nice, I think I do need a drink,"

"Stop, drink mine instead."

"Why? That's mine, isn't it?"

"Haven't you noticed the color?"

"Well, it's still red."

"There may be poison."

And that was when 155's face showed apparent concern.

"Really? How come?"

"Just sit here, I'll find out who and why."

He stood up, and the demons all looked at him,

"Oh, are you going to say something, Haborym?"

Lucifer asked, as he smiled at him.

But he didn't even replied,

didn't even flinched.

"Who among the maids would like to drink from the cup of my wife?"

He asked, anger stirring inside.

It may not be that he is in love with her,

But felt this way because now he feels he possess her.

Anything his shouldn't be disrespected,

And seeing the worried faces,

He knew that perhaps the maids were aware of it,

And thus, decided to make the closest one drink it.

But it just so happened that it was the blonde's sister,

And feeling frantic she quickly accused another.

"It was 21, sir I saw her!"

"What? Why is it me?"

21 acted flawlessly.

"Isn't it you lusting for the duke of hell?

Why must you accuse me? What's my motivation to tell?"

Haborym didn't believed the blonde,

He owed a lot to 21's son,

And feeling upset he called the woman,

"You, with the golden hair, come in front."

The woman shook and refused,

And thus didn't get close.

But when she did, Haborym walked forward,

The poisoned cup, still in hand.

"You claim your innocence but didn't told anyone about the poison?

Even if it wasn't you, why didn't you warned us so?

You know..lying had been the devil's forte,

But figuring out who's the traitor among the rest,

Well, in those cases,

I sure do know best."

He went to her quickly, as the crowd fell to silence,

The moment Haborym forced her jaw to open.