After erasing Heaven's memory, Lothaire went back to the throne hall and sat on his throne. More than ever, he just wanted to feel powerful and in control for a moment. He opened The Eye with a wave of his hand and watched the world, but it didn't make him feel any better.
Something was wrong with him and he didn't want to admit to himself yet what could be wrong. He was probably just distracted for a moment and would get over it soon.
He was never emotional. How long could he possibly continue being this emotional? Probably not too long.
'Have you ever loved grandma?'
Her annoying voice kept repeating in his head.
'Love is not just a feeling.'
Lothaire shook his head and tried to shut her voice out. Why would he care about what she thought? She was the one who thought that God was trying to give him a second chance.
Lothaire laughed cynically to himself.
"Annoying." He spat.
He knew he was letting her affect him, but he couldn't help it. He wasn't detached as he used to be.
Watching through The Eye, he tried to find Irene.
Lothaire was surprised by what he found. Irene was in one of the scandalous parties in the castle with a male demon in her company. They sat on a couch close to each other while drinking wine and chatting. She had a smile on her face and seemed to enjoy herself. The male demon put his hand around her shoulders and whispered something into her ear that made her laugh.
Lothaire didn't know what had gotten into him, but suddenly he was fuming with anger. What was happening? How could he have missed this?
Heaven. That girl. He wanted to kill her.
After a short while, the male demon asked Irene for a dance and led her to the dance floor. He drew her into his arms and they began to sway to the music. Lothaire clenched his jaw in fury when he saw the lust in the male's gaze. He would kill him later.
Unable to watch anymore, he shut The Eye. Then he became restless, thinking of what they might do next.
Irene wouldn't. She wasn't that kind of woman.
He tried his best to not rush to the party and tear that male's head off. But then everyone would know that he cared for Irene and those he hurt would try to use her against him. Not caring and having no weaknesses was his true power.
His real enemies were mostly ancient demons. Those he couldn't kill unless he found the secret weapon that could kill them. He knew that Zamiel had gone to see one of his oldest enemies.
Euphorion.
Euphorion didn't like land demons because they always caused trouble, but Zamiel was known to be of the good ones. Therefore Lothaire suspected that Euphorion must have agreed to meet him, especially if he knew that they had a common enemy.
Good ancient demons were a threat to his mission. The more demons whom chose to have them as their lord, the fewer demons Lothaire would have to help him with his mission. To mislead as many as possible, he needed to grow his army.
He opened The Eye again. He was letting himself get too distracted with Heaven that he was forgetting to keep his eye on the real danger. What was Zamiel planning? He knew something wasn't right when he just let Heaven go.
Lothaire watched Zamiel, who was going on with his life as if nothing was wrong. He was spending his day working and then relaxing. Lothaire knew that Zamiel had a plan that he was confident about to stay this calm and that disturbing.
Did Zamiel know about Irene? He knew that Zamiel had gone to Irene's room before she left and they had just stared at each other. He knew they spoke telepathically, so he couldn't hear them. What did Zamiel tell her?
Lothaire felt impatient and wanted to compel the truth out of Irene. Maybe he would if he couldn't find out any other way.
After a while he became tired of watching Zamiel and also more worried about Irene. He couldn't stop thinking about her and what she could be doing. He couldn't fight not being obsessed with her, so he went back to see what she was doing. Now she was back in her room and sat near the window. Lothaire couldn't understand why that whole family loved gardens so much.
Unable to restrain himself, he went to see her. He knocked on the door and then she asked him to come inside. When she realized it was him, she turned back to watch the garden, ignoring him completely.
'Have you ever loved grandma?'
He watched her beautiful face. Of course he loved her.
'Love is not just a feeling.'
He clenched his hands into fists.
Love.
Yes. He knew that was the answer. He had brought her here to change her but also remind her of the days they had together. When they shared passionate and loving moments. But he would have to be discreet. He had to make her come to him, or otherwise she would know he wanted her, and then his plan would be ruined.
"I came to apologize." He said, unclenching his fists.
She remained silent and didn't turn to him.
"You don't seem happy here." He continued.
Now he had her attention. "What did you expect?"
"You should go back home if you are not happy."
"And leave Heaven behind?"
"She is an adult. She can take care of herself and I am here for her."
She laughed cynically. "I am sure you are."
She stood up from her seat and walked up to him, this time not avoiding his gaze and looking him directly into the eyes.
"I know you didn't get to hold Lucian when he was born, and you watched him grow from afar. Therefore, I could understand why you two weren't close, but Heaven. You held Heaven in your arms when she was born. Didn't you feel anything while holding her small body?"
Lothaire recalled the moment he held Heaven in his arms for the first time. It was a feeling like no other, and he could still not describe it. It was beautiful, and he felt his heart soften in that very moment. It had scared him.
"Heaven was beautiful." He admitted.
"She still is, and she is still your granddaughter."
She was, but he felt nothing for her now.
Since he was going to change her, he might as well be honest. "I am not capable of feeling what you feel for our children." He said, realizing this was the first time he was honest with her about how he truly felt about their children.
Irene's looked at him for a long moment before she spoke. "It is a sad thing." She said, surprising him. "I feel sad for you."
Sad for him? Why? He felt offended. He didn't want anyone to feel sad for him and her sincerity unsettled him even more.
"You are missing out a lot in life. I wish you could experience those things." She told him.
Was that pity in her eyes?
"I am content with my life." He said.
Irene nodded. "If you say so."
Lothaire became angry, but he tried to hide it. What did she mean? How could she pity him?
He was the most powerful being on this earth. He could do as he pleased, and no one could harm him. He had so many demons obeying his command and so many humans following his path. There was no one like him. But even as he said those things, he felt an emptiness inside.
Lothaire took a step back, feeling overwhelmed by the things he had been realizing and admitting lately.
No! He refused. He refused to feel this way.