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The Empress Luna

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They arrived at Sloth's Castle safely, and it wasn't located at a higher altitude like Ravin's.

It was a surprise to see that not everything in this place was dark and gothic.

It was the shocking opposite instead.

Fire torches were magically lit up in quick successions as they passed some wide tunnel.

The cavern walls seemed like it was made of compacted sand and bricks.

After about three minutes of the pegasus trotting towards the entrance, Luna could see the dark sky again, but it was unusual how the rain didn't infiltrate the open courtyard.

They were greeted by two of Sloth's servants as they held the rainbow egg for her and assisted Luna as she got off the pegasus.

"Please keep the baby dragon safe, Simone," Sloth said as he flapped his Archdemon wings a little and got off the Pegasus after her.

Narrowing her eyes at Sloth's wings, Luna pursed her lips as she observed how he used them so easily so that she could learn from him.

Luna attempted to stretch her Archdemon wings outward, but Luna tucked them back when she couldn't even move them aside from that.

She sighed a hopeless sigh.

"I need to nap for an hour." The Archdemon of Sloth had muttered under his breath as he tried his best to keep his eyes open.

His deep voice had sounded gravelly as he ordered the other servant, "Philip, entertain my sister-in-law while I'm gone."

+++

"This is the Library of Congress, My Lady." One of Sloth's butlers, who had a shiny grey head, lowered his head in respect and opened the door to a whole new world Luna didn't expect.

Her heart had seemed to freeze before it pounded harder.

"Prince Sloth had been a collector of books related to sorcery and healing from all over Realms so that he could read them to sleep."

"Wow." Luna blinked rapidly, followed by her open staring at the massive room.

Sloth's butler was amused at her reaction and proceeded to brag, "The number of books in this Library owned by the Young Master surpassed the famous sinking Library of Alexandria."

The Archdemon of Sloth was a book collector like her husband, and he was interested in medicinal healing similar to the High Priest Fei at the Vampire Realm.

It was strange for an Archdemon to have those kinds of interests.

Luna wasn't sure what to make of Sloth since he hadn't felt evil so far, which was suspicious enough.

Ever since she had met Luxen, Lilith, and Ravin, she knew she couldn't trust anyone in Hell.

"I think I would like it here." She crossed the threshold as she glanced up, up, up, to the ceiling, craning her neck at how the old and polished mahogany bookshelves almost reached the transparent dome, which showed her the dark blue clouds and the yellow lightning flashes.

Luna might have gained Archdemon wings, but that didn't mean she could use them right now if she wanted to check the books at the top shelves.

She had an inkling that those were forbidden.

If she would stay here for a while, Luna had to get used to the thunderstorms.

Luna still had the flimsy gown, which showed her non-existent cleavage.

The heels she had worn at the Vampire Realm click-clacked noisily into the quiet Library.

The trails at the back of her gown had been tattered from her struggle with Lilith at Luxen's Kingdom in addition to the flames that had burned the hems of her dress.

Also, it felt like she was inside the quietest chamber in Hell.

She could hear her own heartbeat and her own breaths as she crossed over the threshold.

Shivers ran down her spine as she felt the cold breeze blowing at the nape of her neck.

Luna felt overwhelmed.

She rubbed one hand at the back of her neck as the other one clutched a hand over her chest.

Luna didn't know that the Archdemon of Sloth had a thirst for knowledge that would rival a sage.

Shaking her head vigorously, Luna watched the Library of Congress.

The chamber was ginormous and full of books of all shapes, sizes, and contents that all Luna could do was look at it the moment she entered--with eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

Luna walked towards the nearest book she could have a hold of.

"Don't touch them yet, my Lady." The butler had warned her with concern as if it was a life-and-death situation.

Looking over her shoulder at the servant, Luna paused before her forefinger could touch the small book's spine.

Frowning, she put her hand down and clenched her skirts awkwardly. "What is wrong?"

"Let us wait for the young master in his study and talk for a while."

+++

Philip didn't only entertain Luna, but he told her what to expect from the Archdemon of Sloth while she waited for him.

According to him, Sloth was like a child because he was unbothered, radiant, and fearless.

He sought joy above all else at any cost.

Sloth was the type of Archdemon who struggled being bound to a persona that demanded his attention of wickedness and without guilt.

Sloth was an eternal child who wanted to nix all the rules and responsibilities as an Archdemon.

Luna could tell that he was rebellious in his own right and wanted his freedom so badly that the King and Queen of Hell must have let him be.

Somehow, he reminded her of the story she had heard once, about Icarus, who perished by flying near the sun with waxed wings.

Sloth was a young man who had blonde hair and forest-green eyes, and despite the hint of ruthlessness in his lean face, which was smooth as porcelain, there was no mistaking the power of his male form.

He might have that lazy charm along with that innocent, childlike character who just desired to sleep the moment he was awake but Luna might be a fool to let her guard down.