Hell Hath No Fury Like the Devil's Daughter Scorned [NaNoWriMo 2013]

Chapter 11: Truth

The room fell silent at Belliah’s arrival and proclamation. Mother was the first to speak. “No, Belliah… What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I will marry Beelzebub, Mother,” Belliah said, coming to put her arms on Mother’s shoulder.

“What? Why would you think of doing that? What is the purpose of me taking you away from Hell then?” Mother asked.

“I understand why you did what you did, Mother,” Belliah said. “But I overheard your conversation. Because of me, Kelafiel has already gone without your love for the past seventeen years. How can I make her sacrifice anything more for my sake?”

“Belliah…” Mother muttered, unable to find the suitable words to say. They hugged each other tightly. “How can I watch you marry him, knowing the kind of demon he is?”

“Then how can you watch Kelafiel marry him, knowing what she has been denied all these years? At least I had a happy childhood with you by my side, Mother, as well as the freedom to live a life I’ve wanted since we escaped from Hell. If it wasn’t for me, Kelafiel would have the same happy childhood too. I’ve already had so much, and now it’s time for me to repay my good fortune.”

Then to my surprise, Belliah came over to me and looked at me from head to toe. “So this is my little sister,” Belliah said thoughtfully, then gave me a smile. “Nice to meet you, Kelafiel. I’m sure you know that I’m Belliah already. I’m sorry you had to live without Mother all these years because of me, and it’s a shame I couldn’t get to know you sooner.”

I was surprised at Belliah’s apology. I didn’t expect her to apologize, or to even understand what she had inadvertently caused. Yet there she stood, gazing at me with apologetic eyes. I had been prepared to hate her, but seeing her like that made me unable to do so. Why does she affect me like that? Is it because she's my sister? Or is it because deep down I know she's blameless, and she seems more remorseful than Mother? I had no answer to my question.

But no matter what, I still wasn't ready to let go of my hatred and anger, and I knew I couldn't say "I accept your apology" and mean it. So in the end, I settled for a nod to show her that I understood, and it seemed enough for her.

"How selfish, Kelafiel," Father, who had been observing our exchange silently, suddenly remarked. "Aren't you at least able to accept your sister's apology? You haven't even thanked her for volunteering to take your place."

I couldn't help it. Father's words made me really angry, and I spoke the words without thinking. "A little pot calling the kettle black here, isn't it? Your own selfishness at wanting to appease Beelzebub and changing the lives of three others closest to you. Even now, after knowing why Mother left Hell in the first place, you still want to marry one of us off to him, not regarding our feelings on this matter. Who is the really selfish one here?"

Mother gasped. "Kelafiel!"

Meanwhile, Oria buried her face in her hands, unable to watch what would transpire later.

Father's face contorted with anger after hearing what I'd said. "What an ungrateful girl, talking to me like this after all these years of providing for you! After defying me and running away from Hell, you should be grateful that I still acknowledge you as my daughter!"

I laughed bitterly. "I should be grateful to have you as my father? I think I'll be far more grateful if I was born as a normal human, free from all the trappings of a demon princess."

Father moved so fast that I didn't see him coming, which was, in retrospect, likely to be because he used his powers, which are far more advanced compared to me, a half-demon Princess. It wasn't until I felt the stinging pain on my cheek that I realized he'd slapped me. My father, who had never laid a hand on me until now, had slapped me. My eyes burned with tears, though more from the realization that he had struck me after I told him the truth that had been in my heart than from the actual pain. Father certainly hadn't held back on his strength when he slapped me.