Chapter Text
Once upon a time, very long ago lived a beautiful and charming prince in an enormous castle in France. Not only was he such a sight, but his words made even those with hardened heart sway.
Although he had everything his heart desired and spoke with such ease when times we're convenient, he was selfish and unkind. Only seeking power, to his name, position and his castle.
The castle was full with all the most beautiful objects, and his parties with the most beautiful people.
Then one night, an unexpected intruder arrived at the castle seeking shelter from the bitter storm. As a gift, she offered the prince a single rose.
The Prince's laughter filled the room, followed by many others that found the action repulsive and immediately turned the women away.
But she told him not to be deceived by appearances, transforming into the most majestic women the man had laid his eyes upon. For beauty, is found within.
The prince begged for forgiveness, bit it was too late. For she had seen that there was no love in his heart.
As punishment, she transformed the prince into a hideous beast. Casted a spell on the castle, and all who lived there.
As days blend into years, the prince and his servant's had been forgotten, for the enchantress erased all memories of them from those who had loved them.
But the rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose. If he could learn to love another, and love in return by the time the last petal fell, the spell would be broken.
If not, he was doomed to remain a beast for all time.
As years passed by, he fell into despair and all hope seemed to be lost.
For who could ever learn to love a beast?
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The first rays of sunlight rose over the horizon, bathing the small city in light.
From the shadows of a small house, emerged a cheerful woman with golden streaks and fancy attire. A pair of red, prominent cheeks and sincere smile.
Next to her, a shorter woman with long and grey hair that covered her eye, gaze calmer and somehow sharper, the frantic screams of her partner could be heard all throughout the town.
"Hun, don't you think it's too early for this?" The shorter woman asked, trying to keep up with her partner's sudden burst of energy.
"Cheer up, Vaggie! This is the perfect time to greet everyone!" "Good morning!!" The blonde shouted to a woman across the street, waving her hand frantically as she then turned to find her next victim.
"Charlie, I know you feel that you have a bit of responsibility over the people here but it's been barely a few days since we arrived. Maybe try to take things more... Slow?" Asked Vaggie, trying to sound as comforting as possible, taking one of her partner's hands in her own to stop the blonde that was at the moment almost sprinting through houses.
"I can't! The people here have been on their own for long enough. Besides, we need to meet everyone if we are going to stay here!!" Charlie squeezed her girlfriend's hand, hoping to be reassuring.
"Good Morning!!" The pair of gentlemen that were passing by merely shrugged and waved their hands towards the girl.
"I promised mom I would take care of everyone here in her absence. It's been seven years..." She stopped abruptly, footsteps coming to a halt. Her gaze dropped to the ground, cheerful manner disappearing.
"That's what mom would have wanted, I just... Want to make her proud." She whispered. Vaggie walking at her side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure she's very proud, honey."
"Thanks, Vaggie." It had been hard, having the courage to leave the once home where she thought she would accomplish her dreams and come back to a town full of old memories. Memories of her mother. When she had divorced and decided to start again in a place smaller. Somewhere cozy and easy where she could raise her only daughter.
"Dad doesn't seem interested in this place, someone has to fill the hole mom left behind." And how could he? This place was only hers and her mothers after all. A place where she escaped from him, wanting to leave everything behind and start again. Lucifer was only here now... Because she had asked him, she needed support and maybe even the paternal figure. She would take anything at this point.
"Your dad is trying, give him some credit." Her girlfriend chuckled, offering tender and grounding touches on her shoulders.
"I knowww, but he's so... "
"I know."
Charlie sighed closing her eyes, feeling tired and slightly guilty. The sudden hand over her cheek making her hum, leaning to the familiar touch.
"We'll handle it. Together, like we always do." The blonde opened her eyes, being met with the softest, most endearing smile she had ever seen. With no hesitation, she leaned forward, kissing the wrinkles by the side of her girlfriends lips, earning a lovely chuckle in return.
"Char-Char!"
The all too familiar nickname made her step back abruptly, watching behind her as a smaller figure approached all but dashing towards the pair.
The man was shorter, evidently so. Dressed even more fancy than her daughter, blonde hair and a pair of red cheeks showing the resemblance of both Morningstar's.
Their smiles, however. Vaggie could tell the difference. Her partner's was bright and confident, it never faltered despite the people that gave her a hard time. Lucifer's was awkward and too wide. As if he was faking it, trying to give a good impression to his daughter.
"Speak of the devil..." Vaggie murmured, Charlie only beamed by her side. "Morning, Dad!!"
"Morning to you two! I was just taking a walk, getting to know the place." The man said, elbowing his daughter in a playful manner that was met by merely a slight smile.
"Hey, did you know they have a whole library here? It's magnificent! I had no idea." Lucifer's smile finally turned realistic, the prospect of having new books to read and pass the time seeming truly delightful for him.
Already with a book tugged at his chest, ready to be consumed.
"That's great, Dad! I'm sure you'll have fun with them. Just don't... You know, hide in your room reading again." Charlie laughed, but it seemed more broken. Nervous, afraid. Lucifer's heart sank, he raised his hands in a defensive manner, waving them around in desperation.
"No, no! Of course not, hun! Never again." Sighing, he felt the guilt that once consumed him in the loneliness of his room invading his mind. He took his daughter's hand, he wouldn't allow it. The thoughts that made him paranoid, fearful.
"I said I would be here, for you. And I will be." He smiled, softly. A unique and sincere smile that was only meant for his daughter, his most valuable treasure and the only thing in his life full of mistakes that he would never regret.
It seemed his choice of words were right, for Charlie gave him a smile of her own.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing here?" The sudden shout made the trio frown, a voice all too familiar, even for Lucifer. Who hadn't even been a week in the damn place, but this guy made much of an effort for everyone to know just how much the man found him hateful.
"It seems the Morningstar's are having a family moment, sir." Said the woman by his side, gaze disinterested and resentful. Not to Lucifer himself but towards Vaggie, who eyed her with the same annoyance.
"Yeah, no shit. Oh no! Are we interrupting?" Asked Adam, with a tone that gave the impression he was not interested in the slightest.
"Don't you have a deer to haunt or something?" Was Lucifer's answer, taking everything in him not to simply just tell the man to piss off.
"Oh, I'll catch something fucking bigger than that. Someone has to contribute with at least something around here other than giving good mornings." Adam spat at them, aiming directly for Charlie. Lucifer wouldn't stand for it.
"At least my daughter has manners, watch it or I'll teach you some too."
"O-kay!! That's enough!" Charlie interrupted, stepping in between both men. When did Adam get in his face?
"What do I need to do so the people here can take me seriously?" A genuine question, asked with such eagerness and interest. It made Lucifer's blood boil hearing Adam's laughter as response.
"I just want to help, like my mother did."
"You wanna help?" More laughter, each high pitched squeak making the short blonde's fits clench. Biting his tongue for control, he can't be impulsive.
"There is a way you can help." Adam's companion (partner?) spoke. Allowing Lucifer and Adam to finally breathe for completely different reasons.
"I'll do it! Whatever it is, you can count on me." Oh, his daughter. So naive, so pure and kind hearted, it only filled him with more rage.
"There is a castle, not far from the town. Rumors say that it's cursed, but no one has ever had the guts to verify for themselves." Lute continued, her gaze falling upon Adam, whose grin only grew wider.
"Oh yeah! They are just shitty rumors tho, no threat." He clarified, as if it was no sweat.
"You wanna really help? Maybe there is someone in the castle who needs it. The snow is very heavy in that place, and someone could have gotten caught by it."
Vaggie clicked her tongue, already disagreeing at the petition. Lucifer couldn't agree more with his soon daughter in law. But Charlie... Charlie seemed to actually be thinking about it. Considering the idea of traveling to an abandoned (and probably cursed) Castle??
"There could be someone there... Maybe even the owners of the castle..." She kept thinking, a thumb now on her lips as she stroked her chin.
"Honey, no." Vaggie warned, already taking a step closer to her. Adam and Lute's chuckles could be heard, silent but all the more teasingly in the distance.
"Imagine all the parties and festivities we could have there!! And the valuable objects that must have been left behind! We could sell them and earn money for the town from it!!" Charlie exclaimed, jumping on her feet as she took her girlfriend's arm.
"Come on, Vaggie!! Let's prepare everything and visit the castle!!" Without a second thought Charlie had pulled Vaggie along with her, and as the pair faded into the distance Lucifer was left speechless. It was that easy to convince her?
Adam and Lute weren't people to be trusted with, but could the castle really be cursed? Lucifer didn't think so, didn't believe it even. Maybe this was just what Charlie needed, so she could learn. She would arrive at the castle, find nothing and come back with a new perspective on people. Maybe he just... Needed to let her learn on her own.
"Oh Lilith, I don't know what I'm doing." He whispered to himself.
The danger duo left with a trail of chuckles.