Daughter of Heaven and Earth

16

    I stayed in the east tower of my castle looking at the sky outside. People were cheering and celebrating just outside, waiting for me to come out into the balcony, to address my kingdom. I was a hero and yet my heart felt heavy. I know that what I did was wrong. I know that if I ever face my mother I could never look at her the same. Hell I can't even look at myself in the mirror without feeling the urge to self destruct. I don't want to do this anymore. I don't wanna be the ruler of Hell, at least of this hell. I don't want to claim anymore souls and I don't want to have all this blood on my hands. Who am I to take lives? Especially innocent lives. "Your highness your guests are here." I turn, seeing Erato and Liega dressed for the festivities. Liega is dressed in a navy blue ball gown that hugged her upper body and flared out at the waist, barely skimming the floor. The dress showed her slim collarbones and shimmering diamonds surrounded her waist  like a belt straying above and under the waist just a little. Her hair was styled elegantly on her head .My eyes shifted to Erato who was standing next to her in a dashing all black suit. The suit hugged his physique as the navy blue tie  gave it a nice pop of color. I smiled wide and I felt tears reach my eyes. "Oh my, You guys look so good! You guys look like a great couple! I'm so proud to be your mentor." They looked at each other and stared at each other with wide eyes and I felt love flowing into me. They love each other. I smiled wider and the heaviness in my chest lifted just a little. I smirked as they looked away shyly. I'm so gonna play matchmaker tonight. "Anais you look lovely." My eyes shifted towards the other couple in the room but unlike the teens their love made me feel gross. 

    I simply stared at Kennedy's dress. She looked good but I'd never tell her that. Her dress was made of pink lace and it hugged her figure while her hair was styled similar to Liega. I gave her a nod and then took in Caleb's attire. He was wearing a gray suit with a white shirt underneath. His hair was left as it was and I felt heat pool within myself. "Looking good Caleb." He grinned and I turned away. I took a deep breath and straighten my back. "Liega, Erato please come next to me."  

    In our customs when the royals addressed the kingdom they addressed them by themselves. No one standing next to them or behind them but this time it was different because today was the day I break tradition. I can't keep going the way I am right now. Today, right here and right now I'm naming my succesors, who just so happen to be the kids who I single handedly destroyed their lifes. I took a deep sigh and walked out into the balcony the cheer of the  people growing in volume until the kids took their place next to me, flanking my sides. "My demons, today is a joyous occasion. The empire that my father built with blood and sweat continues on." They stared at me paitiently waiting for my words. I felt so nervous there was no way to know what the people would think how they would react. I stared out making eye contact with a few demons in the front and they nodded urging me on. "As many of you know I do not have any kids. I do not have some one of equal strength to make a powerful heir." Many people looked sad and I winced inwardly. Maybe that wasn't the right thing to say but I already said it there's no way to back out now. "My time will come when I can no longer rule hell and since I have no Heirs I decided to name these children as my succesors." Everything was eeiry quite and I felt awkward. "Erato and Liega may not be blood related to me butthey have my blood. They are strong and brilliant. I believe these kids will bring this kingdom higher than it already is. They will lead as they see fit and I know they will do whats best for the kingdom. Today we celebrate the end of the rebellion and the start of a hopeful new era. Everyone please enjoy the festivities I've provided." People cheered and soon everyone was chanting. "Long live the queen! Long live the crown!" I turned and faced the two kids who's future I decided for them once again. 

     They were looking down at the ground a frown adorning their faces and the joy I felt just before dimmed. I sighed and started talking. Their heads snapped to me and I saw fire in their eyes. "I know that what I just announced is huge and you might not want to do it but I truly believe that you two can turn hell around." I bowed my head and they gasped. For a royal to bow their head to someone who isn't a royal means that you've earned their respect and trust. And they've done more than necessary to earn my respects. They deserved more than I could ever give them and I know I'm being selfish. "I know that you're angry at me and I know that they'll take some time to warm up to you but I know that you'll do your best. You can always reject the position I've given you but for tonight please just enjoy yourselves. Just be kids tonight." I lifted my head again and I straightened my back, shoulders squared. " We shouldn't keep the people waiting." No one said another word as we walked out of the room and heading for the ballroom. The guards opened the ballroom and everyone bowed their heads before going back to what they where doing. I looked around the room and then towards the kids. Their eyes were determined and I knew that I made the right choice. Right now they might feel so pressured but I know with time they'll do whats right. I looked at Kennedy and Caleb, they were talking among themselves and smiling. "You two should go get drinks and something to eat. Mingle it is a party after all." They smiled at me and then went of to mingle with demons. From the corner of my eye I saw Erato ask Liega for a dance and I smiled when I saw her take his hand and practically drag him to dance. 

    "Your highness." A servant of the castle bowed and I acknowledged her. "Your father is in your office." I was shocked. I haven't seen my dad since I showed up and he left me the responsibility of being Hell's ruler. "Thank you. Please excuse me." I turn quickly and I run out of the room, grabbing my dress up to avoid ruining it. By the time I get to my office I'm a little out of breath. I throw the door open and there he is. The devil himself. He was wearing a blood red suit and his wings were on full display. "Dammit I forgot how sore these things get when I don't use them. You look stunning Anais." He smiles at me and I smile back. "You don't look too bad yourself old man." He looks offended and clutches his heart. "My dear you wound your father." I laugh and rush to hug him. My dad and I get along very well. When he met me and found out who I was he cried and let me tell you something seeing the ruler of hell brought down to his knees in tears was quite a sight. "I've missed you old fart." He laughed and pushed me at arms length. "You looked so different than the last time I saw you. You look more lively. What's this I hear about those kids being successors to the crown?" I sigh and sit on the couch. 

   "Dad the truth is, I don't want to rule hell anymore. I'm done with the murder and the mayhem. At first I was proud. I was proud that you thought I was fit to rule hell. You left me your legacy to protect and to nurture but I just couldn't. I'm sorry that I let you down." I hung my head low and closed my eyes. I heard my dad sigh and I felt his hand gently grabbed my shoulder. "Anais you haven't let me down." I looked up at him and saw his gray eyes looking into my blue ones. "I didn't give you the title to stress you out. I mean to make you feel that you were letting me down. I left it to you because I thought that since your mother denied you your birthright that this is what you wanted. I didn't know how to react to your mother leaving you on your own on earth. I just wanted to give you what I thought you wanted but I was wrong." I stared at my father with wide eyes . He looked worn out and I instantly felt bad. 

    "Dad I'm sorry but I know that with me being here Hell is just gonna stay the same. I can't change it not with the things that I've done. I mean I have so many of your subjects just died by my hand. What kind of ruler does that? I shouldn't be doing this to these people. " I stared at my father and he sighed. " I know what's going on now." I stared at him confused. "You see the realms that your mother and I live in is where we're the strongest. But you, you're a part both and it's only natural that whichever realm you're in would draw that side of you. I guess your mother is keeping an eye on you. The very little time you spent here  with me when you first showed up you were withdrawn but now look out you. Pouring your heart out to me. Babygirl, I think you're right. You don't belong here." I looked down, my nose burning and the floor getting blurry from the unshed tears. "I know dad I just, I just don't know where I belong I used to think that being with my mom was where I was meant to be but I couldn't because there was also a part of me that didn't belong and that part that I got from you. I have no place in this world." The tears that were trapped in my eyes fell freely racing down my cheeks. My dad's hand wiped away the tears and smiled sadly. "You do have a place where you belong. You belong on earth. There you can be and act how you want. You can be your authentic self." He smiled at me and I gave him a sad smile.  "You just want me to go away so you can go back to watching your novelas." He huffed and crossed his hands. "Well this castle is the only one that gets good signal." I laugh and stood up to hug him. "Come on dad. Lets go to the ballroom so you can meet my successors and your new students." 

    We both made our way towards the ballroom laughing and teasing each other. Just like the first time I walked in everyone bowed their heads and once it was announced that my father was with me the males dropped to their knees and the women curtsied. "Liega and Erato please come." The teens made their way forward and I smiled. "Kids this is my father and your new mentor. He will teach you everything hes taught me and more. Father these are my successors." The teens looked wary but they bowed their heads while my father smiled down at them. "They look like they could be your kids. You sure they aren't yours?" I laughed and shook my head. "No of course not but they might as well be." He nodded and one of the servants told us that dinner was served. "Please everyone make your way to the dinning hall dinner is being served."