helluva girlboss

starla in hospital

[This is one of my 1st times drawing Starla, and my art prob isn't as good as the other fem!Stolas artists I've seen]

"Look at the time. Visiting hours are almost over." Starla said, although she wished more than anything her daughter could stay with her longer.

The two princesses had been watching a movie on Octavia's phone, Starla on her hospital bed and Octavia on a chair next to the bed. Cassian had been with them earlier, but Andrealphus had called him and furiously shouted at him to "get home this instant, your damn aunt isn't going to die if you leave her side!", so Cassian left and they were alone.

Octavia put the chair back against the wall and grabbed her backpack to leave. But as she moved, Starla could see how her brows knitted together and her jaw tightened.

"Via, I know that conflicted look on your face. What are you fretting over?"

"Mum, are you sure you don't know who sent the assassin after you?"

Shit, Starla thought. Octavia really did know her too well. She could tell that Starla was lying when she claimed she had no clue who sent the assassin.

Yes, Starla had told Octavia exactly what the assassin looked like and that his name was Striker, because she worried Striker might come after Octavia next, so Octavia had to know what he looked like to be prepared for him. Starla wanted to believe Stellan would never send anyone to harm their daughter, but she can never be too safe when it comes to her owlette.

But she pretended like she didn't know who sent Striker, because she didn't want Octavia to know her own father had done this. It would shock, sadden, and confuse the teenager if she learned just how awful her father was. Octavia was already going through a divorce between her parents. Sometimes Starla just couldn't resist babying Octavia and shielding her from the dangers of reality.

Apparently, Stellan had the same urge about babying and shielding Octavia, because he also didn't tell Octavia he was the one to send Striker. Maybe he did care about their daughter a tiny bit (or maybe he was just using this for his own advantage. Starla wouldn't be surprised).

"Via, it could've been anyone. Many demons dislike me. Us royals aren't always well-liked by the public, that's why I always tell you to be careful."

The younger princess narrowed her eyes. "Why do I feel like you're lying, Mum?"

"I'm not! I would never lie to you!" Except when it's for your safety.

Octavia kept glaring at her mother for a minute. Then she sighed. "I just don't want that cocksucker to send any other hitmen after you. I'm scared for you, Mum. You literally would've been murdered if it weren't for... her."

Starla smiled at the memory. "Yes, my sweet Blitzy was the one to save my life! I always knew she'd come through for me in the end!"

Octavia rolled her eyes, smiling. "Here I am, worried for your safety, and here you are, just being a hopeless romantic again."

Starla blushed and chuckled. "Sorry. I suppose this isn't the best time for that."

"Well, I should go now."

She came over, gave her mother a hug while being mindful of the IVs connected to her, kissed her forehead, then headed towards the door.

"Remember, darling, be wary of anyone wearing hideous cowboy clothes or riding a horse." The older princess reminded.

***

Starla was scrolling on her phone when someone knocked on her door. She thought it was just a nurse coming to check her vitals again, but she was surprised to see a familiar parrot-demon come in.