Happiness in love in hell (English version)

Chapter 4: New home

Shinoa went to the window and opened it. She sat down on the windowsill and looked into the big garden. "But don't jump." Said a voice behind her. Shinoa looked startled at the voice, standing in the doorway was Yukino. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I had knocked but got no answer." She apologized. Shinao stood up, "It's okay, I was just checking out the garden from up here." She said, "Ah yes, the garden, it's better up close, of course. Um... the kitchen sent me, they asked if you would like to join them for dinner." Explained Yukino her reason for visiting. "No, I don't eat in the evening, you don't have to prepare a portion for me." Answered Shinoa. "What do you mean, nothing?" Asked Yukino. "For me, a cup of tea and some fruit is enough." Said she. "Well... Fruit, tea, coffee, or small things, you may take yourself. We'll have dinner at 6pm, you can just join us then." Yukino informed her and then left.

Shinoa looked at the clock, it would be a little while before it was time to eat. She decided to take a closer look at the garden, she left her room and went down the stairs to the first floor and then further, out into the garden. She was walking on the sidewalk when she saw a paddock and a stable behind the castle. Curious, she walked closer, but there was nothing in the paddock. The stable door swung open and a demoness came out. "Hello." Greeted Shinoa, "oh a new face." She said, Shinoa nodded, "I'm Shinoa." Introduced herself, "pleased to meet you Shinoa, I am Shaak-Ti." Introduced herself the demoness as well.

Shinoa pointed to the paddock, "are the animals all in the stable?" "Yes, always at this time. Gajeel and Kira always water the plants and the breeds then. As gardeners, they can't stand to see footprints on the wet grass." Answered she. "What kind of animals do you have?" She asked curiously. Shaak-Ti smiled, "I'll show you." She opened the stall door and went inside with Shinoa. In the first five stalls were winged horses with a dragon-like head, pupil-less white eyes, and a skinny, almost fleshless body with black skin. The large, leathery wings resembled those of bats.

"These are Thestrals. Hachibi, Shichibi, Shukaku, Thanatos, and Morpheus. They are valuable animals, they pull Lucifer's carriage and can also be used for flying. Their flight is fast and they reliably find any given destination. Besides, they are carnivores, preferring to feed on small mammals." Explained Shaak-Ti. Shinoa looked at the animals, "the paddock is open, won't they fly away?" Shaak-Ti shook his head "so yes, but they always come back, they are very loyal to their owner." Shinoa nodded and continued walking. In the sixth box was another creature, it had the head, front legs and wings of an eagle and the abdomen of a horse. Shaak-Ti followed her, "this is Lucifer's griffin Orochimaru, he was a gift from his wife Sphinx." She said and continued, "he is also a carnivore, likewise he prefers to feed on small mammals or birds. Handling him requires a certain amount of caution..."

"Do you mean with Lucifer or with Orochimaru?" Asked Shinoa, Shaak-Ti started laughing and answered, "with both. Griffins are very proud animals. A safe approach is possible only after a bow and by reciprocating the griffin, uninterrupted eye contact is very important." Shinoa nodded and looked at the griffin, "he is magnificent." She said.

As if Orochimaru understood her he came to the box and stuck his head out, he nudged her gently. "Don't be scared, I'll open the door." Said Shaak-Ti and opened the box door. "Bow." she said to them Shinoa, Shinoa bowed and Orochimaru did the same. Shinoa rose and smiled, Orochimaru nudged her head again and Shinoa gently stroked his head. "That's amazing. He usually only lets me or Shaak-Ti pet him." Said a voice at the stable entrance. "Your Highness." The two girls greeted the king. "I apologize so much." Apologized Shinoa, "for what? For getting along with a bitchy griffin?" Asked Lucifer. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Asked Shaak-Ti, "I just wanted to check on him again, but he seems to be in good hands." Replied Lucifer and went to the girls. Orochimaru walked over to Lucifer and nudged him as well. Lucifer stroked his griffin.

"I should be going then." Said Shinoa. "You can come here anytime." Shaak-Ti invited her. Shinoa smiled, bowed, and went back into the castle. Shaak-Ti looked at Lucifer, "didn't you?" "I didn't say anything." Said the king and returned his griffin to the box. "But you looked like you did." Pecked Shaak-Ti. Lucifer closed the door "Shaak-Ti..." "I'm already doing my job." Spoke she interrupted him, she bowed and got the food. Lucifer went back into the castle as well.

When it was time for dinner she went to the kitchen where she ran into Juvia and Tayla. "Are you done decorating your room?" Juvia asked her. "Yes, I was just exploring the garden." Confirmed Shinoa. "So ladies dinner is ready." Said Lux and handed Juvia and Tayla a plate each, "aren't you eating?" Asked Tayla, "no, in the evening a tea and some fruit is enough for me." She replied, "Well come on then." Called Zeb to her. He showed her the staff cupboard and fridge, "in here you will find tea, coffee, bread, cereals, honey, jams, spreads, cold cuts, cheese, milk, juice and fruit." he explained. Shinoa thanked him and took an orange from the fridge, she opened the cupboard and looked for a tea.

"What are you looking for?" Asked Zeb. "A fruit tea." She replied, "May I?" He asked and Shinoa walked away from the cupboard, Zeb took a quick look inside and took out a tin, "here, I think this is fruit tea." He said and handed her the tin. "We'll find out quickly." Shinoa opened the lid and looked inside, "looks like herbal tea to me." Said Zeb quickly. Shinoa sniffed "this is..." "What are you doing?" Yukino asked almost angrily, taking the tin from her hand, "this is Lucifer's herbal tea." "Sorry Yuki, Shinoa was looking for a fruit tea I gave her the tin thinking this was one." Explained Zeb. Yukino reached into the cupboard and pulled out a packet, "this is fruit tea. Hands off that tea." She said and put the tin back in the cupboard, she took her food and left.

Saphyra watched the whole thing and went to Shinoa, "she's not usually like this." "Tell me, how often does she give this herbal tea to Lucifer?" Asked Shinoa. "Every morning, one cup... why do you ask?" Asked Saphyra a counter question. "The tea smelled different from the usual herbal teas and the leaves looked different too." She replied. Shinoa took the tin from the cupboard and poured some of the contents onto a plate. "Shinoa..." began Saphyra, but Shinoa interrupted her, "I just want to know what these herbs are. Surely it's not forbidden."

Shinoa put the tin back into the cupboard. She put on hot water for herself and went to her room with the plate, she put the plate on the salon table and went back to the kitchen. She quickly peeled her orange and then poured the hot water into a cup to go with her fruit tea. She then joined her new colleagues in the staff room.

Saphyra also went into the staff room a few minutes later. "Ah good you are all here." She said, "tomorrow I will show you the castle from the basement to the attic. Please be at the main entrance at 9 o'clock." The three new employees nodded.