Happiness in love in hell (English version)

Chapter 34: Old love rusts

The following day, Shinoa went to the paddock during her lunch break and watched the animals play. Orochimaru noticed her and happily trotted over to her. "Hello, little one. Can I tell you something?" She greeted the griffin, Orochimaru nodded his head eagerly "I think I have a feeling for your owner. I feel so comfortable and safe around him... but... he probably won't have any feelings for a street urchin... I'm just simple footfolk... he'll certainly never accept something like that by his side. Besides, I think I serve more as pacification... like I almost did the other day..."

A guard came out of the castle and walked up to Shinoa "Shinoa" said the guard and took off his helmet. Shinoa turned round and was more than surprised "Kazuto...? You... here... how... where have you been all these years?" She stuttered "one thing at a time my dearest, first I need you to do something for me please." He answered her question. "What do you want me to do?" Shinoa asked, Kazuto smiled "I knew I could rely on you."

He handed her a flask with a pale pink colour. "Mix this sleeping draught into Lucifer's tea today, as soon as he's asleep you open the balcony window in his office." He said. Shinoa looks at him in confusion, "Why would I harm the king?" "You're his maid," he said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face, "only you can get this close to him." He pressed his body against hers and kissed her passionately. He breathed into her ear, "Besides, Lucifer is the reason why I couldn't be there that day. He's to blame for everything. Because of him, I had to leave you without a word and hide underground for all those years. Please, my dearest. Please do it, only then can we be together again." Dazed, Shinoa nodded slowly, Kazuto pressed the flask into her hand "I'm counting on you, my dearest." Shinoa walked back into the castle in love and Kazuto looked after her "the first part was a piece of cake."

Around 9 pm, Shinoa brought the usual mint tea to Lucifer's office. She knocked, waited for an answer and entered. Lucifer and his brother were sitting in the office, both looking at her as she entered. "Your Highnesses," she greeted the brothers and bowed. She placed the tray with the tea on the small side table and poured the tea. She then placed the cup on the desk next to Lucifer.

"Tea for you too?" She asked the prince. He nodded and Shinoa poured him a cupful as well and placed it in Draven's hands. Lucifer looked at his brother, who nodded in agreement. Lucifer took the cup in his hand and smelled it. "The tea smells different than usual today, have you changed anything?" He asked. "No, Your Highness, this is the usual peppermint tea." Shinoa replied. "I see," said Lucifer, "you look exhausted Shinoa, please take a sip, we don't want you to collapse." Draven asked her and held his cup out to her.

Shinoa didn't understand and looked at Draven questioningly. "I'm not slurring my words, am I?" Draven asked ironically. Shinoa took Draven's cup and took a sip, Draven held his hand to the bottom of the cup and pushed it up so that Shinoa was forced to drink more. The cup was empty when Draven took his hand away.

"How are you feeling?" Lucifer asked after a while, "Good?" She replied questioningly. "Not tired?" Draven wanted to know. Shinoa shook her head, she turned away and put the used cup on the tray "I'll bring you a new cup." Lucifer put his cup back on the table, stood up and stepped behind her "I was told that you should mix something in my tea."

Shinoa winced and slowly turned round. "Judging by your reaction, it's true... how can you!" Growled Lucifer and grabbed her by the throat, pulling her up to eye level. Shinoa's legs were a few inches off the ground, she was still trying to breathe somehow "let... me... please explain..." Lucifer growled, squeezing her throat tighter "what else is there to explain?! After Morro and Yukino, I showed you what happens when I'm betrayed! So your constant friendliness and your worries were just an act!" "Lucifer. Let them explain themselves." Draven said, "What for?" Lucifer growled at his brother, "then maybe we'll know who's behind all this and we can end it all in one fell swoop. Put her down." Draven persuaded his brother.