greeds-indulgence

[greeds-indulgence]

You were a gracious host, Josephine, but I yearn for a new home with my Queen. I think I like messes even less than you do, but I've definitely met my match in you.

You were more than free to stay as long as you wanted, Greed. Between your brothers, you kept your room tidy.

[greeds-indulgence]

Ah, Mother. How very Father of you to point out the second place.

It comes with the territory of dying; I don't have anything bogging me down.

Stir crazy, the laziest form of the crazies. Always coming in second best, aren't we?

My, you look refreshed as a daisy, son.

[greeds-indulgence]

Finding something to do with myself before overstaying my welcome is better. Despite the near apocalypse outside the doors, I'm feeling much better, sister.

I hear congratulations are for a whole family, finally.

And the Golden Trio could not have a stir crazy Greed on their hands, could they? Feeling better then, brother?

[greeds-indulgence]

I did like being doted on, but I feel the same way. Though… we may need to get a bigger space than we thought. I have run into two people who have claimed that I'm their father and that I have a mustache, though the very thought makes me want to throw up.

While you have presented a good patient front for your caretakers, I'm itching for a place of our own.

[greeds-indulgence]

So, that was you. Your energy was unmistakable even after life, despite the mere seconds I came into contact with you.

It's very good to see you, despite the circumstances, Celeste. How are you reacclimating?

A relief to see you have healed well. Though, we both know that was not your original path.

Hello again, Greed.

[greeds-indulgence]

Oh, ew. I would not be caught dead with a mustache.

Safe to say that I'm not your Greed. I can't imagine how jarring that must be.

Okay, where the fuck is your mustache?

Mom's going to be so pissed you shaved it or you definitely aren't my dad.

[greeds-indulgence]

You're the second person to claim that I have a mustache, or at least that I should.

Why would I need to hide?

Father, we need to find you somewhere to hide-

You're not him. No 'stache, the fuck?

[greeds-indulgence]

I think if I stayed on bed rest any longer, I would have gone stir crazy.

[greeds-indulgence]

Greed laced his fingers together, listening to his daughter's reasoning, figuring out their next steps. Irradicating speciesism was a long and winding road– one that he'd even tried to spearhead himself since taking King, but it was something that one couldn't do too quickly. He couldn't rock the boat too hard after taking the crown after what the prior King put the kingdoms through, but he'd toiled through the years to be more understanding, more lenient. It was time for those who followed him to follow through themselves. "An overreaction, my darling, would have been to kill her on sight the moment the words passed her lips. Even then, I would have understood that action if you had taken it." The King before him was a tyrant. Greed had worked hard through the years to be a monarchy that the people could trust, but insulting his children and his nieces and nephews was pushing it, even for him. "What she spoke is treason, so I say she will deserve a stricter punishment and become an example. I will talk to the others to see what fits best so it doesn't blow back in our faces." His brows furrowed at Lenore's words. He knew the real reason Alexia was so hard on their daughter, especially when learning to be a Princess in a world full of demons. It was because of the incident that had already occurred, and learning how to curtsy isn't going to help. "I will talk to your mother, Lenny. In my eyes, you don't need a tutor, and if she is dead set on one, we'll see how your Aunt Gianna will like to take up the mantle– we all know she's read every book on every subject, so she's better than anyone," Greed offered before leaning forwards once more, cupping his daughter's cheek with a hand, "you already are the perfect Princess, Lenore, and this isn't me just saying it as your father. You have a strong sense of right and wrong. You pull pranks, yes, but you also have a good head on your shoulders about what actions you should take towards certain things. That displays the grace I know you've had all along."

It's easy claiming she and her father were as thick as thieves when Greed displayed the prime example seamlessly wrapping himself around Lenore's finger, even swearing to weather his own wife's parental storm so he saved her from the lightest of punishments. Len watched the smile drain from the King's face before settling her gaze along her plate, debating whether bringing this up would cast a domino effect over House Greed that topples the monarchy if word of a punishment for her tutor's words bounced between the subjects in wild gossip. "I understand the implications behind what she said." Lenore mumbled, eyes landing on her dear father as the sound of his plate slightly scraping across the table reached her ears. His protectiveness was palpable from where she sat. She will argue having the strict selection seemed pointless when a tutor isn't what she wanted, she only bared the lessons for her mother. The girl silently considered his question deeply. Was she thinking like herself and her own slighted opinion or was it wiser thinking like a Princess for once? Instinctively pulling a prank with Quinn's help wasn't enough. "I do not wish to make a mess of it more than it already is or cause an outrage of an overreaction, Father, but I have seen how hatred can spread like a disease. I'm not naive to believe my tutor isn't the only person in the kingdom thinking such a thing about our family. What she spoke was treason and that deserves something stricter than an insulting rebuttal." Lenore couldn't sit here and allow bygones be bygones while another insulted every member of the royal family so freely. "Call it Uncle Envy's paranoia, but I don't feel safe with outside tutors. Once Mother feels well enough, I will resume them with her should that satisfy her desires molding me into the perfect Princess."

[greeds-indulgence]

Alexia always had a nose for sniffing out when their daughter was up to no good—perhaps it was because the two of them were so similar; once upon a time, she had gotten into a mess of trouble herself. At least there were few things could cause his daughter the same heartache as the prior King had for his wife. "I swear upon my oath as a father that I will not let your mother swoop in and admonish you," Greed offered, a smile tilting his lips until his daughter continued– her words hitting him like a brick. His daughter, and by proxy both her sister and mother, were insulted. In their own home. "She deserved a hell of a lot more than a simple 'suck my cock', Lenore. She insulted not only you and our family, but almost all of the princes and their families." Sloth and Gluttony didn't have a Prince or Queen from the witch lines. However, Gluttony cared for Lust's children just as much as they were his own, and Sloth took sole guardianship of Quinn when Pride stepped away. "It seems I need to be more strict in the selection process for your tutors, but I want you to answer something honestly," Greed said, pushing his plate to the side so he could lean on his elbows, eyes narrowing on his daughter. "Do you think what you said was punishment enough? Or do you think your tutor deserves something stricter? This isn't about me and what I would do as King, as I wasn't insulted straight to my face, but rather what you would need to feel safer in your own home."

Lenore released a substantial puff of air and sent her gaze lifting to the ceiling as her fingers yanked out the various pins keeping her fiery ginger locks in place, silently agreeing that had her mother been present at this particular dinner and not confined to her parents' bedchambers, Alexia would no doubt cast her the signature glare and kindly remind her daughter that she should watch what she says in front of the girl's teachers. Despite the similarities between mother and child, Lex never failed leaning more into the regality of her role as a Queen while Lenore really did not see the significance learning etiquette when their subjects only thought so little of her as the kingdom troublemaker. "Mother possesses the ears of a bat, she will admonish the minute I leave this dining hall." Lenore slumped back in her chair and watched her father fill her plate, satisfied she could make him laugh at her comments, but worried of his reaction when he finds out what provoked it. "She called me a snotty brat with dirty blood and thinks the baby will come out the same way." Plucking her fork from its place on the table, the princess leaned forward and began picking at her food. "Fuck her then, I guess."

[greeds-indulgence]

"Changing what doesn't truly need to be fixed is a useless concept, my son. This is about safety– all of ours. Everyone is a pawn in this game, but we must play to keep ourselves alive." The royal family has been steeped with skeletons in their closet ever since before the war with the witches started all those years ago. The inhabitants of Hell have warped their views of witches so drastically to the point that if it ever came to light that all of the royal family save for the King, himself, had witch blood... it'd be mutiny. Marrying his children off, preserving his lineage on the throne, should something happen to him, was the only way Greed could ensure their safety until there is a time when witch and demon relationships weren't so stigmatized, which may be generations upon generations down the road. "All of those candidates have a title and are aware that there is a give and take, but none will be beside themselves for too long, especially with the opportunity of marrying into the royal family." It was the cold reality of anyone with power; there was the itch deep down to climb the ladder to the top by any means necessary, even through marriage. Greed listened to his son speak, crossing his arms across his chest. The King didn't need to state that Lysander had already accepted the terms of an arranged marriage with little to no persuasion, having had the discussion not long before Aemon. While Lys wasn't the heir, he was Aemon's right hand and needed to follow the example of his brother. Marriage included, which meant Lysander would follow soon after Aemon's impending nuptials. Greed hummed at Aemon's condition. He could have held his power as King over his son's head; his word was law– no one could go against him except the Queen, but that wasn't the family he'd raised and kept on a pedestal. The family dynamic he fostered was open and honest, just as Aemon was being. "Fine. You pick someone, get married, procure an heir, and your sisters are off the hook. No arranged marriages for them– you have my word."

Aemon inhaled through his nose and released the immense exhale through his mouth, mentally listing the people who made him the most happy in his head to calm himself down. It was a helpful trick invented by the Queen when his lineage stemmed from a long line of short tempers. He knew when to hold a tongue in the King's presence and listen, Aemon wasn't completely unreasonable or seconds from going off the rails as one believes, but perhaps renouncing everything he is just to spite his father was a mere product of his flared anger. Overdramatic even. "In good conscience, I cannot forsake you of your successor." He spoke as calmly as he could muster, eyes following his father as the other descended the throne stairs. If Aemon really considered the bigger picture as a ruling King, would he choose the same path of decisions? Force his children to marry a complete stranger for diplomatic purposes or give them a chance to fall in love and spend the rest of their lives with who they wanted? It's difficult to say. "That is not what we are, isn't it? Nothing erases the fact we are your children, but our titles compel us to become a piece in another's game. Maybe that is not of your design, but the rules can change at our own peril if we so wished." The Prince glanced over at the throne, a seat meant for him one day, taunting him almost. His life for the crown, for the Kingdom of Hell. He turned to watch the other slip the folders from his hand, allowing Greed to take them. "I am condemning the one I choose. We cannot be a united front if they resent me as much as they resent the situation. I can't say with certainty if that is the case and we somehow succeed in the relationship, yet, that is never a guarantee." A sardonic chuckle fled from Aemon's mouth at the news his matchmaking uncles produced a list of potentials for his twin. Fucking fantastic. "Alright, fine, I'm sure Lys would accept the responsibility without a problem." He stepped forward, plucking the folders back from Greed's hands, "I will study these files carefully and precisely until I find a match that suits my needs, but only if you promise me something. Don't place my sisters through this. Lenore alone would cause a rampage through the Seven Kingdoms as retaliation and she will never forgive you. Des will despise every second of it. I care more for my siblings' happiness than alliances and political diplomacy. So, Father," He held up the folders, "I'll give you the luxury of choice to make a deal."

[greeds-indulgence]

Getting to where Greed was and achieving true happiness was a long road. From nothing but a Prince pitted against another to King was a tale for the ages, a real underdog story full of tragedy and tears, but ultimately it was precisely what he needed, despite his untimely death and resurrection. Now? He had a family, a beautiful wife and daughter with another on the way, and Hell was once more stable under his command. Now he could only strive to be better than his predecessor, which wasn't difficult. While his duties kept him from his family for most of the day, Greed still made sure to carve out as much time as he could to spend with his family, especially with his firstborn, since Alexia was on bedrest. Of course, the time he allotted was never enough to keep Lenore out of trouble, as she had inherited much of her mother's penchant for troublemaking, despite how much Lex had stated otherwise. That much was confirmed when she spoke after sitting at the dinner table, unable to contain a chuckle of laughter even knowing he'd have to search for a new employee. "My darling Lenny, I know if I don't preface my question with some sort of admonishment, like 'you shouldn't have said that to your tutor', your mother will appear into midair and do it for me," the King said, barely unable to contain his laughter as he reached forward to pile portions of the dishes in front of them onto his daughter's empty plate before placing it in front of her. "So, what did your tutor do to deserve such a comment?"

Lenore never thought she fit into the basic construct worthy for the Princess of Hell. She inherited her mother's sarcastic tongue, carrying a blunt approach while being overly opinionated, and there was never a chance she missed pulling pranks on the palace staff with her best friend and obviously favorite cousin Quinn. No matter how Alexia turned her fiery red locks gray trying different methods getting her daughter to both sit still and show a little more grace during the various manner lessons, nothing would take. Lenore knew she reminded her mother of herself, stubborn and resilient, seeking what she desired, it was how her parents met. A transference of souls after Lexi sold hers to Gluttony, uniting a match made in Heaven and Hell. While she loved her mother dearly and would always share a mirror image carbon copy of her features, however, it was her father who doted on her the most. Lenore would say Greed spoiled her greatly, oftentimes turning a blind eye to her mischief as long as it was harmless. She coveted him as she knew he did the same for her.

Lenore slipped her way into the dining hall, spotting her father seated at the head of the table with the delectable dishes spread along its surface. Typically, meals were shared with her and both parents, but the Queen's pregnancy warranted bed rest per Isabel's orders. Between keeping up with her daughter and helping run the entirety of Hell, the stress caught up with her mother, so it was just her and Greed tonight. Lenore loosened the ribbon binding the outside bodice of her yellow dress with an exasperated huff as she slid into her seat, causing the boon necklace she inherited from Alexia hanging from her neck to slightly shift. "Father mine." The redhead greeted, settling further into the plush oak chair. "I think we'll be needing another studies tutor. Apparently, telling her to 'suck my cock' didn't fly over very well for her poor prudish ears."

[greeds-indulgence]

Greed inclined his head at his son's words, content in the effort Aemon would bring to training the next round of recruits for the war. Gluttony usually would train them himself. However, Greed knows that his son is more than capable in his General's stead, just as much as Gluttony knows. The King sat in silence as he let his son speak until it got to the point that Aemon would start spiraling. "Enough, Aemon," he finally said, his voice curt as he raised his hand to silence any further word vomit akin to his brother. "You will do no such thing as renouncing your title, son, that is your anger speaking. Do not give up everything you've worked so hard for." Greed rose, descending the few steps to stand before his son. "I know you probably feel as though I'm playing with your life like you're a chess piece. The fact of the matter is, war isn't just about the battles and bloodshed. This 'meaningless tactic' concerns diplomacy and morale just as much as securing our lineage to the throne." Greed paused, eyes glancing back to the throne he vacated, illuminated by the light as if it were always pointed with a single spotlight. All eyes were on the royal family. "Your mother and I were not a love match in the beginning, and it would be unfair for me to say that what happened between Alexia and me would happen to you and your spouse, but all else, this is a partnership. Someone to have your back as much as you have theirs; a united front. The best I can do is give you the luxury of choice." At his last words, Greed reached for the dossiers in his son's death grip, thumbing through them as he had about a hundred times already before presenting them to Aemon. He trusted his brothers to consider Aemon's compatibility and what the candidates would bring to the table, but he did have the final say in the selections. At the mention of Aemon's twin, Greed nodded. "Your uncles have a list prepared for Lysander as well. The weight of our crown is heavy, our sacrifices are greater than anyone will truly know, but it is our duty, just as it will be for your sisters. We have a lot of luxuries as the royal family, but there's always a price."

Aemon took the time absorbing the sight of the King's visage, mentally imagining himself one day sitting upon that throne and sorting through a handful of documents containing information pertinent to a leader's decision-making. It's a wonder his father didn't return to his mother's side at the end of the evening cross-eyed from the tedious reading. "Of course, soldiers cannot defend our people if they are lackluster. I won't let you nor the Kingdom down." The war's outcome relied heavily on the battles and if he failed training the army in the General's stead, their lives were in the Prince's hands. He would be the person facing responsibility for losing. Aemon's gaze suddenly found the stack of folders with curiosity, growing suspicion creeping at the back of his neck as he stepped forward to take them slamming the young male like a pile a bricks the minute Greed revealed what was contained in them. "No." He flipped through a few of the files, opening one with a violent shake of his head. "No." Aemon spoke more firmly. "I know you and Mother worked out well with this arrangement, but you cannot force me to marry someone I've never met. I would rather renounce my title and my right to the throne than have that choice taken." The Prince gripped the folders in his hand at his side angrily. This was ridiculous. Madness. "I am begging you, Father, it's a meaningless tactic right now for the war...but if I do not do this, Lys would take my place. Isn't that right?"

[greeds-indulgence]

The war beyond their borders was getting worse and worse by the day, not that he would ever let it show how much it was getting under his skin. No. Greed worked tirelessly, fighting tooth and nail to seize the throne and transform the kingdom. His perfect house of cards, so precariously balanced, all for a few witches and their allies to threaten to bring it crashing down to the ground. The true King should have been Wrath, but when he wanted to walk away, Greed saw his chance... and he also saw the potential that Wrath and Celeste would be squandering by leaving the court and living whatever mediocre life they had planned: their children, Aemon and Lysander. Boys stemming from both demon royalty and that of the First family, with untold power at their fingertips, were perfect for the throne and to lead Hell to new glory, even better than him if they were just allowed to flourish. So he gave his brother and Celeste a choice. They can leave peacefully and leave their children behind, or attempt to leave with the children and lose their lives in the process. They chose the former– not even the First Daughter and Wrath could stand against the might of Hell. Greed wasn't a wicked King. He didn't treat the boys any differently than he would his own children, and it held especially true when he married Alexia and had Lenore and Odessa. All four of those children were his and Alexia's. However, he would do whatever it took to make sure that Hell reigned supreme, even at the expense of himself, but currently? He had to broach a complex topic with his firstborn, knowing it wouldn't go over well at all.

The King sat on his throne, thumbing through the stack of papers that Gluttony had provided him, aptly promoted to General the moment he took the throne. All missives from the war front and thoughts on ongoing efforts. As he finished reading through the last document, Aemon appeared before him– right on time. Nodding in response to the greeting, Greed placed the papers on the side table before clasping his hands in front of him. "He's correct, I don't mind, but I expect you to whip them into shape if any of them are lacking. We can't afford any of our troops not being in top shape, and their failures are yours." The King moved his gaze from his son to the neatly arranged dossiers next to the war missives. Numerous folders were compiled by his advisors to showcase marriage candidates. Greed took them into his hands, holding them briefly before he extended them to Aemon to take. "Here, my son. I've been meaning to give these to you," he said with a sigh. Arranged marriages rarely went over well, and if Aemon disagreed, then Greed would have to shuffle responsibility. The best way to handle his son was the same way Greed handled his birth father. Straightforward was best. "Your uncles compiled those. You're getting married to someone in that pile, it's up to you to choose."

Aemon remembered little to nothing about his birth parents and he truthfully did not care to. It was no secret in the kingdom how Wrath and Celeste sold their own son in an arranged deal that spared their lives while simultaneously abandoning their child. Selfishness beyond measure and a mistake they can never ask forgiveness for when they are met by none. It's quite difficult holding rage against parents he hasn't met yet, but Aemon decided that rather then allow the anger sown deep within his veins inherited from his father's signature sin consume him, he would channel it in combat. The Prince excelled through every vigorous training session, awakening at the earliest morning light since the moment he could carry a sword and becoming a fierce force to be reckoned with. An artist on the battlefield, painting his armor with the blood of the King and Queen's enemies. The weight of his crown and his father's eyes were watching him at every turn, wishing nothing more than proving worthy of inheriting his own kingdom one day.

That type of notoriety caught the attention from those who wished to gain from the crown's power and the King's approval. Many subjects of noble blood and beyond casually threw their children in Aemon's direction hoping to spark a love match. While he politely flirted with both male and female alike, understanding the importance that he would perhaps one day take a Queen or Prince to rule by his side, love isn't in the cards. Maybe this is his internal damage speaking or the fact he was insecure enough to believe no one would ever truly want him for an interest beyond the title, but it did cause him to wonder if Greed will one day begin agreeing. A possible arranged marriage. Aemon banished those thoughts at the bottom of his shower drain before throwing on his casual garb, strapping his sword to his belt, and then proceeded to the throne room for the morning briefing. "Father." The prince formally bowed in greeting. "Uncle has sent a few of the recruits my way to train as needed while he and Josephine take a trip to the mortal realm. He didn't think you would mind."

[greeds-indulgence]

The King was, for lack of better words, a raging dick. It wasn't enough to kill him after taking Lexi from him; his King had to destroy everything that made him Greed. "I'm not too excited about taking stock of what can't be repaired; a lot of that is irreplaceable, but at least there are plenty more things out there for me to collect." It was grossly optimistic, but how could he not be? The laws of nature were bent to allow him to live again, and Greed supposed he could be a little more lenient about losing his collectibles. It was the first step in differentiating himself from the influence of their King– just letting things go. The Prince's fidgeting hands moved from the blanket to begin messing with the pocket watch that Pandora had gifted him to restore the bond lost between him and Alexia, never letting the object out of his sight. He knew what it was like to be without that bond. Greed finally let out a puff of laughter, shaking his head before his blue gaze flicked to his brother. "I don't know, I did die– I think I get to call the shots on what works or not, but if you want a definitive answer, then no. I'm no longer cutting ties with our brothers or you." He hummed lightly before he shrugged. "I think even if you were the same insufferable dolt from before, I'd be inclined to forgive you anyway because of Isabel. Without her, I wouldn't be here. So, by proxy, without you, I wouldn't be here. I won't be admitting that again, either. That was disgusting, and if you tell anyone else, I'll deny it."

"I'm well-aware, I regret to inform you some of your more precious keepsakes did not make it through the King's bull in a china shop moment." Pride couldn't imagine anyone, least of all a very powerful demon royal, entering his home and destroying his cherished possessions just to rub salt in the wound of a kidnapped torture session. Better losing material items than one's own existence, even somebody of Greed's collective nature understood that. This wasn't an easy task for the prince, apologizing and admitting when he was wrong, especially to a brother he did not leave off a best relationship with in the past. "It seems we brothers have a knack for hurting the other where it stings when we have but learned from the best." The King's specialty, punishing the princes where he knew their weaknesses lay. Pride's emotions stole his favorite son, away they went, Sloth's silence taken, and Greed...the possibility of gaining his queen back in jeopardy now that Lexi was a Princess. Pride's eyes bore a hole in the carpet, feeling the uncomfortable awkwardness between them. His gaze finally raised, the smallest hint of a smile touching his lips. "I don't think that's quite how it works, but you are just as infuriating, we all are. Does this mean you are no longer cutting ties with our brothers?"

[greeds-indulgence]

"Knowing her, she's going to find some reason to stay. I've never seen someone so bound and determined to fix things– not that I could hate that side of her." No, Isabel's determination to right wrongs, to essentially stick her nose where it doesn't belong, saved not only his life but also that of his brothers. Punishments were still given out, but it would have been worse had the King not been distracted. "I could almost see her, but I could feel her nonetheless. She was waiting for me but couldn't say anything since I was brought back just as quickly." It was still spotty like a dream fading. If Greed was lucky, he wouldn't remember the moment years later– not that he had to if Envy successfully brought the First Daughter back to life. He wanted to separate himself from the idea of death as much as possible, knowing that it was entirely too easy for them to be taken into Death's arms. "That's what you get for going after someone with overbearing brothers as she has. Knowing the reality of the situation, Kai will die long before he ever approves of the two of you."

He and Isabel didn't see eye-to-eye in the beginning, she was nothing more to him than his brother's queen who wouldn't get away without one of Pride's family members fucking with her to insanity. Over time and with a little dose of empathy coming his way, Envy understood her tenacity and bravery that presented the healer as a viable option to help take down the King. "I'll be chipping in some of my own money if my gift was pushing her through the door towards a vacation. Hopefully, she takes Pride and gets the hell out of dodge." Envy pressed his lips together and shook his head at the thought, eyes wandering briefly before snapping back to his brother in surprise. "You actually felt Celeste. That's...interesting." And potentially useful. The cogs in Envy's mind began whirring at a point where he fell silent from the conversation. Maybe if they tapped into where Greed traveled, they could pull out Celeste's soul easier. Combining the disarray with the planes above and below, it would prove easier for her to slip through. "Her brothers already think of us together as totally disgusting. Azriel and I have an understanding, Kai still looks like he wants me dead and knows every method how to with success. A shame I can't kill him first."

[greeds-indulgence]

Greed narrowed his eyes at Lex, though the small tilt of a smile never left his lips. He was for sure the pot calling the kettle black, and he wouldn't ever stop being such– if he did, he'd be dead for real. There would never be a time that passes where Greed didn't dote on the redhead, making sure she never second-guesses that she is the most important person to ever encompass his life. "Doesn't mean I will stop making fun of him, sweet or not." The Prince chuckled, blue eyes crinkling with amusement as he watched Lex be as greedy as him with shiny things, slipping the ring that fits beautifully on her finger. It held no significance other than it screamed to the world that she belonged to him just as he belonged to her. She may be a Princess of Hell– his Queen no more in name, ripped from him so cruelly, but he would never stop showing everyone they were together. Slipping his own band onto his finger, twisting his hand every which way so that the gold band twinkled in the light, a minute awkward weight on his finger, "at least I'm only half archaic in my thinking." Greed welcomed Alexia's kiss, draping an arm around her to lazily draw circles on her back with his fingers. "I love you, too," Greed didn't hesitate to respond, his free hand moving to cup her cheek gently, "I never want to stop saying it or hearing it from your lips." He fell silent for a moment in thought before speaking once more. "Speaking of finer things– I don't know about you, but I would be fine if I never saw my penthouse again. Now... I own many other penthouses that we could make our primary residence," Greed's hand moved to take hers, fingers playing lightly with the ring that now adorned her finger, "or we could find another place to live. A house in the suburbs with a picket fence that mortals are so excited about, even a mansion that rivals Gluttony and Lust's. We could even go back to my Kingdom in Hell since the curse was lifted. All I want is for you to have a say in where we live for the rest of our days.

Alexia hoped in the event of the King's death, her title as Princess would reset and she'd have a clean slate ready to be crowned Greed's Queen once the next ruler of Hell bestowed the Princes their crowns. Unfortunately, the bond connecting her to the devil disappeared, but the link to Hell coursing through her veins did not. There was a time long ago where Lexi craved the power and would have literally sold her soul to possess a piece of Hell itself, but then she met Greed. She just wanted to be his. "Don't tell me that isn't the pot calling the kettle black, Greed. I find his sappiness with Gianna really sweet." The girl gave him an amused look, an eyebrow lifting. "You mean the very archaic tradition that states a woman cannot ask the man to marry her instead of the other way around." Lex shifted her position to allow the man the extra room, her eyes falling upon the shimmering glow that reminded her of when he weaved her crown, unable to conceal the slow smile cracking her lips. A rush of excitement passed over her as the Prince revealed the two rings, one a beautifully designed band just for him and a sparkling gemstone inlayed piece for her. "You're right about at least one custom, baby." The hybrid couldn't contain channeling her own greediness as she plucked her ring from Greed's palm and slipped it onto her ring finger before holding out her own hand to inspect it. "How much I have missed being dripped in the finer things." Lexi joked with a chuckle, leaning forward to press their lips together in a slow kiss she enjoyed every minute of. "I love you, Greed. I know you know that, but given the past circumstances, I cannot say it enough."