I'm The Devil - Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Lucifer’s Arrival

The party continued in full swing, with the celestial hall pulsating with life and energy. The divine guests marveled at the beauty of the decorations, the richness of the food, and the palpable aura of joy and reverence that surrounded Exousia, the woman of the hour. She moved effortlessly through the crowd, her ethereal presence commanding attention and admiration.

Gift-Giving and the Archangels’ Oversight

As the festivities reached their peak, the moment of gift-giving began. One by one, the celestial guests stepped forward to present their offerings to Exousia. Gifts ranged from radiant celestial gems to rare artifacts that shimmered with untold power, each carefully chosen to honor her stature.

Ophiel stepped forward gracefully, holding a small, intricately crafted box. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her expression was calm yet filled with warmth. “For you, dear sister,” she said softly, handing the box to Exousia. Inside was a delicate pendant, its gem swirling with faint hues of silver and gold—a treasure that radiated serenity.

Exousia accepted it with a radiant smile, her hands brushing Ophiel’s briefly. “You always know how to touch my heart,” she said, her voice soft and genuine.

Adriel followed, his tall, noble frame exuding quiet strength. His dark eyes held a steady light as he approached, holding a scroll wrapped in gilded ribbons. “A gift of wisdom,” he said simply, handing it to her. Exousia’s smile deepened as she accepted the ancient scroll, bowing her head in gratitude.

Meanwhile, the other archangels—Bariel, Coriel, Amiel, Asmodeus, and Moronuel—stood together slightly apart from the main proceedings, an unspoken awkwardness lingering in their group.

Bariel crossed his arms, his brow furrowing as he shifted his weight uncomfortably. “Gifts?” he muttered under his breath. “This wasn’t mentioned.”

Amiel snorted, brushing a strand of black hair from her face. “As if Exousia would care,” she said dismissively, though a flicker of doubt crossed her dark eyes.

Moronuel tilted his head slightly, his silver eyes glinting with faint amusement. “It seems our dear Ophiel and Adriel are making the rest of us look bad,” he said, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. His fingers tapped idly on the back of a nearby chair as though pondering some mischief to deflect the situation.

Coriel remained reclined against a column, her posture deceptively relaxed. Her purple eyes were half-lidded, giving her an air of aloof detachment, but there was a subtle tension in her shoulders. “She won’t hold it against us,” she said finally, her voice low and smooth. “But she’ll remember.”

Asmodeus leaned in slightly, his usual smirk in place, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Relax,” he drawled. “We’re family. That’s the real gift, isn’t it?”

Coriel’s lips twitched faintly, but the smile never fully formed. “If that’s what you need to tell yourself.”

Celestia’s Late Arrival

As the gift-giving concluded, a ripple of energy coursed through the hall, catching everyone’s attention. The golden light dimmed momentarily as Celestia entered, her presence a blend of elegance and exuberance. Her golden hair flowed like sunlight, and her emerald-green eyes sparkled with life. She moved with a graceful urgency, her steps light but purposeful as she approached Exousia.

“Mother,” Celestia said, her voice warm but tinged with apology. She clasped Exousia’s hands in her own, her gaze earnest. “Forgive my lateness. I came as quickly as I could.”

Exousia’s expression softened, her radiant smile returning. “You’re here now, my love. That’s all that matters.”

Celestia laughed softly, her cheeks flushing faintly. “I brought you something,” she said, retrieving a glowing crystal from her robes. “A shard of the Aurora Obelisk—rare even among the stars.”

Exousia’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as she accepted the gift. “It’s beautiful,” she said, her tone filled with wonder. “Thank you, my dear.”

The two embraced, their moment shared with quiet reverence as the party resumed around them.

The hall grew louder, laughter and music mingling in a harmonious cacophony. But then, an unsettling silence fell like a shroud, rippling outward from the grand entrance. The air grew heavy, charged with an unfamiliar tension.

A deep, resonant thrum echoed through the hall, the sound of reality itself trembling. The grand doors opened with a deliberate slowness, revealing Lucifer.

The moment the grand doors opened and Lucifer entered, Ophiel froze. Her silver hair shimmered as she turned to face the figure stepping into the radiant hall. Her sharp eyes, so often calm and discerning, softened immediately, the faintest shimmer of emotion breaking through her composure.

Lucifer’s white wings unfolded slightly as he stepped inside, their pristine feathers catching the golden light of the hall. He carried himself with an air of quiet authority, but his crimson eyes, sharp and knowing, softened briefly when they landed on Ophiel.

For a heartbeat, the room held its collective breath.

Then, Ophiel moved. All at once, the formalities and poise she had carried throughout the evening dropped away. She dashed across the hall, her movements swift and graceful. Her arms flung around Lucifer as she reached him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

“Lucifer!” she exclaimed, her voice breaking with emotion. She clung to him as though afraid he might vanish, burying her face in his chest.

Lucifer’s crimson eyes flickered with surprise for the briefest moment before they softened further. He wrapped his arms around her, his white wings curving slightly as though to shield her. His expression—so often unreadable—was touched with warmth.

“Ophiel,” he said softly, his voice rich and steady. “It’s good to see you too.”

The tension in the room shifted, the charged atmosphere relaxing slightly at their reunion. The archangels watched the exchange with varying degrees of reaction.

Bariel scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, his gaze darting between Ophiel and Lucifer. “Well,” he muttered, his gruff voice low, “someone’s happy to see him.” He approached more hesitantly, his broad frame stiff with a mixture of respect and unease. “Lucifer,” he said, inclining his head. “It’s been a while.”

Lucifer turned his gaze toward Bariel, his expression once again composed but not unkind. “Bariel,” he said, a faint smile touching his lips. “Still as straightforward as ever, I see.”

Moronuel followed, his steps deliberate and his silver eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Lucifer,” he greeted with a sly smile, dipping into a slight bow that was more mocking than respectful. “You’ve certainly made an entrance, as always.”

Lucifer’s gaze lingered on Moronuel for a moment, his faint smile deepening into something sharper. “And you’re still playing your games, I see,” he replied smoothly.

Amiel stepped forward next, her arms crossed and her black eyes narrowed slightly. Her expression was more neutral, but there was an edge of wary respect in her tone. “Lucifer,” she said curtly. “You look… unchanged.”

Lucifer tilted his head slightly, his gaze appraising. “And you still carry that spark of defiance, Amiel. Don’t lose it—it suits you.”

Coriel approached last of the siblings, her movements unhurried and deliberate. Her purple eyes, half-lidded as usual, betrayed nothing but quiet observation. She stopped a few paces away, leaning against a nearby column. “Lucifer,” she said simply, her voice low and steady.

Lucifer studied her for a moment, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly, as though reading the depths of her guarded demeanor. “Coriel,” he replied, his tone carrying a rare hint of fondness. “Still as enigmatic as ever.”

And then there was Adriel. He stood apart from the group, his dark eyes hard as he watched Lucifer. His jaw was tight, his broad shoulders squared as though bracing himself for an unseen battle.

Lucifer’s gaze inevitably turned to him, and the faintest shadow of amusement crossed his features. “Adriel,” he said, his voice steady and calm, though it carried a subtle weight.

Adriel’s lips thinned into a grim line. “Lucifer,” he replied coldly, the word clipped and devoid of warmth. He didn’t approach, his distance and rigid posture speaking volumes.

Lucifer didn’t push. Instead, his attention shifted back to Ophiel, who still lingered near him. His expression softened again as he addressed her. “I’ve missed you, Ophiel,” he said quietly.

“And I you,” she replied earnestly, her silver eyes shining.

Exousia stepped forward then, her regal poise intact despite the lingering tension. “Lucifer,” she greeted warmly, her golden eyes meeting his. “Thank you for coming.”

Lucifer inclined his head. “Of course,” he said, his tone smooth but sincere. “Family is family, after all.”

With that, the festivities resumed, though the dynamic had shifted. Lucifer’s presence was both a comfort and a challenge, his interactions weaving a complex tapestry of affection, tension, and unspoken history. Each sibling carried their own thoughts and feelings, but for now, the reunion held sway, and the night continued with its own celestial rhythm.