Chapter Text
The Morningstar Castle has long seen the days of galas, holidays, and children’s laughter. A majority of the rooms in the palace are covered in a thick layer of dust, untouched for the last seven years. Alex softly pads down the chilling hallways, as the array of family portraits pristinely lined along the walls torturously mock her. While Alex is usually a stoic being, as her appointed career requires an inscrutable demeanor, a sliver of her naive self begs to live in these portraits and bask in their memories. From her many birthdays, the birth of Charlie, holidays, and royal parties, she cannot help but feel the yearning to rekindle what is left of her desolate bloodline.
The parlor room is dark, with only the flicker of a fireplace illuminating Lilith’s figure as she paces vehemently. Lucifer is slouched in one of the many upholstered armchairs, preparing himself for what is to come.
“ How could you?! Lucifer these are your people! We are the reason these wayward souls are banished to an eternal damnation - and you want to cull them?!” Lilith growls out, fists clenched, horns extended, hatred-filled eyes focused on her husband.
“What was I supposed to do?! All I wanted was for you and the girls to be safe - and they granted me just that! I tried and tried and tried to have my siblings hear my request for redemption, that worthy souls are lurking in Pentagram City. And you know what? I was instantly shut down - so I cut my losses. Adam could exterminate an eternity’s worth of souls…all I desire is my family moving forward.” Lucifer defeatedly admits.
“Lucifer, how are we supposed to rule a kingdom if there are no citizens to heed our decrees?! Who will listen to the symphonies?” Lilith seethes, as her motives slowly unveil themself. She chucks a vase across the room, “Was our falling for nothing ?!”
“ You are the reason they wanted exterminations!” Lucifer exasperated, letting go of his locks of hair that he had been tugging at subconsciously. “Did you seriously think that they would not catch wind of your theatrics? Your talent is truly divine, but your words can cause imminent danger for Heaven, and you and I both know well enough that they do not tolerate any insubordination!”
Lilith slinks back into her normal form, her mouth agape. She wipes away at a stray tear, utterly stunned by her usually docile husband’s taut words. “Our girls and I will be in the West Wing, I do not desire any reconciliation moving forward.”
That was the day Alex’s parents decided to live on opposite ends of the palace. They were only ever seen together for royal affairs, and of course the yearly family portraits. Oh, how the facades faltered behind closed doors. As time marched on, there was an unspoken reconciliation between the two lovers. They were able to tolerate each other in passing, allow gentle brushes of arms and hands, and benevolently discuss their daughters’ affairs. Lucifer yearned for their severed bond to be mended, but he knew any attempt would push Lilith farther away, and he could not handle any extra distance between them.
Charlie enters her eldest sister’s room. She holds another creation of their father’s, a tiny jewelry box adorned with intricate golden ducks. Charlie plops on the floor of the room, with her back leaned against the foot of Alex's bed. Alex lays across her bed on her stomach, swinging her feet in the air.
“Why do you spend so much time in the East Wing, Charlie?” Alex absentmindedly inquires as she flips through her textbook.
Charlie’s doe eyes turn to look at her sister, unsure of how to tread on the topic. “W-Well, Dad invites me over to see some of his new inventions and we just catch up on…stuff.” Charlie, while young, is the most caring being in Hell and treasures her sister’s feelings. She looks down at her gift, mindlessly toying with the box to distract her from the tension.
Alex continues her deadpan expression, only nodding in agreement. While the jealousy pangs through her chest, she knows she is guilty of the same crime. Their mother spent copious amounts of time with the eldest Morningstar compared to little Charlie, and while Charlie was naive, she was not a fool regarding the previous.
Charlie envied their connection, as Alex and Lilith shared similar abilities, and bonded over their use of music in persuading the masses. Lilith would do weekly singing lessons with Alex, harnessing her ability to hypnotize her foes whilst barely whispering a few words.
Charlie and Alex’s relationship always harbored tension, but when the occasion arose, they would defend and care for one another till the end of time. Alex would viciously protect Charlie from anyone, and Charlie was always the best shoulder to cry on when Alex needed it. The girls were all each other had at times, considering the mental state of their father, and the shrouds of mystery that engulfed their mother.
Lilith’s bedroom, usually adorned with various hues of purple, is oddly empty. Pictures, decor, and her closet full of luxurious clothing…are gone. All that is left is desolate furniture, as she is packing her last few things in a small carry-on located on her bed. Alex is looking at herself in her mother’s vanity mirror, unsure of how to respond to the information just told to her.
“W-What? Mother, you can’t do this to me!” Alex begged, as she wrapped her arms around her small frame, tears freely flowing down her face. “What about Charlie? Dad? Me?”
“Dove, I have to leave. I have important business to attend to…and it is unclear when I will return” Lilith quietly admits. She continues to pack, laser-focused on the tasks at hand instead of the discussion unfolding.
Alex shakes her head in disbelief. Nothing she says or does will change her mother’s mind. “Take me with you then.” She urgently demands. Lilith stops what she is doing, and she quietly shakes her head. “You will not come, and you will not try to find me! You have a kingdom to oversee, Alexandra, you cannot run away from your royal duties.” Alex’s brows furrow, annoyed by her mother’s hypocritical statement, yet too upset to argue back.
“ I will be back soon,” she lifts Alex’s chin to look her in the eye, “Take care of your father and Charlie. You will not breathe a word to anyone of anything that has transpired.” Alex lowers her head, “Yes ma’am.”
Alex turns her head away as her mother enters the portal she summoned, and with a flash, she is gone. Leaving Alex to pick up the shattered fragments. It feels like an eternity passes before Alex removes herself from the vanity, as she awaits for the realization from her sister and father that Lilith has left.
That was seven years ago.
Alex finally reaches her father’s chambers, and there is a bright golden glow emanating from behind the door. She cautiously opens the large door, and peers in. In the room, she sees mounds of variations of rubber ducks…oh Dad. As she continues scanning the room, her eyes land on his desk. His frame is hunched over, taking quiet, even breaths. She rolls her eyes and walks farther into her father’s room. She looks around his chambers and pulls out a velvety throw blanket, draping it around her father’s sleeping form. “Goodnight Dad,” Alex whispers, as she gingerly dims the candles shrouding his desk. Alex slinks back to the door and gently shuts it.
Out of everyone, Alex's father was having the most difficult time with her mother’s disappearance. Lucifer still donned his wedding band, and talked about Lilith as if she was still residing on the other side of the palace. To add salt to the wound, Charlie recently moved out to pursue her next venture in their family’s old hotel. Lucifer was practically inconsolable, now losing two pieces of his heart.
Their departures left Alex to care for their broken father, making sure he stayed afloat. In addition, Alex took over all of the family’s royal functions, and occasionally, would summon Charlie as well due to the extreme caseload. Alex was trapped in an opulent prison, constantly putting on the bravest of faces for everyone, never giving into her weakening facade. Alex was tired, she needed a change.
As she leans onto the railing of her bedroom balcony, she sees a small, glowing red orb. The lights of the Happy Hotel. So close, yet so far away. So many fond memories of her childhood originated from that hotel. Alex’s mind wanders, thinking of Charlie. Charlie’s project had become quite the laughing stock recently in the Pride Ring, and it caused even more distress for her never-ending work week.
The ominous light routinely taunted Alex, it seemed so inviting, but yet also very daunting. She was curious to see how Charlotte was doing, but did not want to foil her venture. Charlie was adamant that she was going to make it work on her own, and Alex respected that. Alex’s devil dingo, Bravo, senses her turbulent thoughts and pushes his head into her hand. She absentmindedly begins to thumb through the large canine’s jet-black fur, grateful for his comforting presence. “What would I do without you, huh Bravo?” Alex coos.
She is pulled out of her trance as her phone violently vibrates.
Incoming call…Duckie.
Alex’s eyes widen, and she mentally prepares to answer the phone call. Her hands shake as she swipes the phone open.
“Duckie, i-is everything alright? You usually never call at this hour.” Alex winces, bracing for impact as she hopes this is not an urgent matter.
“Dovie! I am so glad you answered! I figured this would be the best time to reach you…you know with everything going on…” Charlie awkwardly trails. “But anywayyys~, I need to talk to you about something, b-but please just hear me out, and then I-I can answer any questions!” Charlie blurts through the phone. Alex swore she heard snickers in the background.
“Of course, Duckie, anything for you.”
And with that response, Alexandra launches herself into an extensive phone call with her kid sister and a request that requires great deliberation.