Chapter 811 – The Sole Holder of Hell

Gula watched that smile with a mixture of disbelief and reluctant fondness. It was soft, genuine, and utterly unguarded, the kind of expression rarely seen among demons, especially those born into the Sin Houses. Lullaby looked like someone who had simply found something she liked and decided to keep it, without overthinking, without strategy. It was both endearing and deeply unsettling.

Gula huffed, crossing her arms as she sank deeper into her confectionery throne. "Fine."

Lullaby blinked slowly. "You agree? Just like that?"

"Yeah," Gula replied, as if it were the most obvious decision in the world. "Besides, I told you... the king is weird lately."

Her tone shifted, sweetness giving way to something more serious. The clouds around them dimmed slightly, reflecting the change in mood.

"I feel like..." Gula hesitated, fingers absentmindedly tracing the frosting of a nearby cake. "...he wants to erase the Houses and make himself the sole holder of Hell."

Lullaby tilted her head, strands of her soft hair slipping over her shoulder. "I’m shocked you can think of that. I mean, you are Gluttony. What do you think should be only..."

"Food," Gula answered automatically, then sighed. "Yeah, I know."

She looked away, her expression thoughtful. "But my parents also think that way."

Lullaby’s eyes softened. She didn’t interrupt. She simply listened, the way Sloth always did, patiently, without pressure.

"Sloth may sense fear, intention," Gula continued slowly, choosing her words with surprising care, "and demons’ inner intuition. But Gluttony... we sense hunger. Hunger for everything. Food. Power. Authority. Desire. Emptiness that wants to be filled."

She huffed again, frustration flickering across her usually carefree features. "And in this case... we sense more hunger from the king than from Greed or even Pride."

Lullaby’s gaze sharpened slightly. "Since when?"

Gula didn’t hesitate. "Since Lux started to raise the Greed House. Since he began gaining fame... more than the king. Since Heaven chose Lux over the king to negotiate and make deals."

Her voice lowered.

"It was interrealms diplomacy, Lulla. And yet, no king. Only... the Hell accountant."

The words hung in the air.

Lullaby hugged her knees tighter, her expression thoughtful. "Lux didn’t want the spotlight."

"I know," Gula said softly. "That’s what makes it worse."

She leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly as memories surfaced. "Do you remember the celestial summit a century ago? The one where Gluttony was invited to ’observe’ but not participate?"

Lullaby nodded faintly. "You ate the decorative centerpiece."

"It was delicious," Gula muttered defensively. "But that’s not the point. The king hates being overshadowed. He thrives on being the center of attention, the ultimate authority. Lux... threatens that without even trying."

Lullaby’s lips curved faintly. "He just works."

"Exactly!" Gula exclaimed. "He works, he builds, he negotiates, he stabilizes Hell’s economy, and suddenly everyone relies on him. Even Heaven trusts him more than the king. That kind of influence creates... hunger."

"Hunger to consume him?" Lullaby asked softly.

"Or replace him. Or erase everything he represents," Gula replied. "Either way, it’s dangerous."

Silence settled between them, gentle but heavy with understanding.

Lullaby finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want him to be alone."

Gula’s expression softened immediately. She wasn’t used to emotional vulnerability, Gluttony was about indulgence, not tenderness, but Lullaby’s sincerity was disarming.

"He isn’t," Gula said gently. "He has you. He has Pride. Sloth. Envy now. Even Wrath, in his own grumpy way."

Lullaby blinked slowly. "And Gluttony?"

Gula hesitated, then smiled, a small, genuine smile that reached her eyes. "And Gluttony."

Lullaby’s face brightened, relief washing over her like warm sunlight. "Thank you, Gula."

"Don’t thank me yet," Gula replied, though her tone was affectionate. "I’m helping because I like you... and because I don’t like the king’s appetite. It’s too... desperate."

Lullaby tilted her head. "Desperate hunger is dangerous."

"The most dangerous," Gula agreed. "It consumes everything and is never satisfied." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

She picked up a piece of candy, twirling it between her fingers thoughtfully. "Lux’s hunger is different. It’s controlled. Purposeful. He wants growth, not destruction."

Lullaby smiled softly. "He also wants coffee."

Gula laughed despite herself. "Yeah. That’s illegal. Bitter liquid without sugar. And also he wants sex. More than before."

"It calm him down," Lullaby said dreamily. "Everyone deserves rest."

Gula studied her for a moment, admiration flickering beneath her playful demeanor. "You know, for someone representing Sloth, you’re surprisingly wise."

Lullaby shrugged lightly. "Thinking slowly doesn’t mean not thinking."

"Fair point," Gula conceded. "So, what’s the plan?"

Lullaby’s eyes half-closed again, but her voice remained steady. "Watch. Listen. And when the time comes... support him."

Gula nodded. "Gluttony can provide resources. Supplies. Safe havens. And information, people talk when they’re fed."

Lullaby giggled softly. "You always think with your stomach."

"It’s a very reliable organ," Gula replied proudly.

They shared a quiet laugh, the tension easing.

After a moment, Gula’s expression turned thoughtful again. "Do you think he knows?"

"About what?"

"That we’re all moving for him. That the Houses are slowly aligning."

Lullaby considered this. "He suspects. But he doesn’t believe it fully."

"Because he thinks everything is transactional," Gula said knowingly.

Lullaby nodded. "He doesn’t realize he’s loved."

Gula blinked at the word, then smiled softly. "That’s going to be a shock for him."

"A good one," Lullaby said.

They sat in comfortable silence, surrounded by drifting clouds and endless sweets, two heirs of Sin quietly shaping the future of Hell, not through chaos or conquest, but through trust.

Finally, Gula stretched, her cotton-candy hair bouncing lightly. "Alright, Lulla. I’ll talk to my parents. Carefully. Gluttony won’t oppose Greed."

Lullaby’s eyes sparkled. "That’s enough."

"And if the king makes a move," Gula added, her tone turning serious once more, "Gluttony will not stand idle."

Lullaby reached out, gently taking Gula’s hand. "Thank you."

Gula squeezed back, warmth replacing her earlier skepticism. "Anything for a friend... and for the hardworking demon who carries you around."

Lullaby giggled softly, cheeks pink once more.

As the dream realm shimmered around them, their alliance solidified, sweet, sincere, and quietly powerful.