King of Spades

Recovery

After everyone pulled through the surgeries, a semblance of normalcy began to return to The Cat's Den. Husker, deeply relieved but still anxious, chose to remain by Angel's side. Melora, ever dependable, took charge of the casino floors, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Cherri and Arackniss shared a room to recover together, finding strength in each other's company. Meanwhile, Blitzo and Loona moved in with Stolas and Octavia. The palace was filled with laughter and warmth as the four of them spent time together.

One day, as they enjoyed a peaceful afternoon, Stolas' butler imp approached with an urgent message. "Marquis Andrealphus requests an audience with you, Prince Stolas," the butler announced. Stolas felt a wave of nervous tension wash over him. Andrealphus had always been a distant figure, and their relationship was neither warm nor hostile. But after everything he had endured with Stella, Stolas couldn't help but feel a knot of apprehension tightening in his stomach.

Drawing in a deep breath, Stolas instructed the butler to prepare tea at the garden table outside. He dressed meticulously, donning his crown to present himself as the royal figure he was. Stolas made his way to the garden, where the ice peacock statue of Ars Goetia gleamed under the sunlight. Staring at its icy elegance, Stolas felt a pang of envy. Andrealphus had always seemed so composed and in control, a stark contrast to Stolas' own tumultuous experiences.

Sitting down at the garden table, Stolas greeted Andrealphus with a formal nod. "Andrealphus, welcome. To what do I owe this visit?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.

Andrealphus, ever the picture of icy composure, sat down gracefully. "Stolas, I came to apologize," he began, his voice surprisingly sincere. "Initially, I intended to contest your decision regarding Octavia's custody. While I understood the necessity of the divorce given the scandal, I believed that Stella, despite everything, was still Octavia's mother."

Stolas stiffened, his feathers ruffling slightly. "And what changed your mind?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Andrealphus sighed, a rare display of emotion crossing his usually stoic features. "I realized that Stella never mentioned Octavia in our conversations. Her focus was solely on the loss of her title and status. She didn't even seem to remember Octavia's name at times. It was as if Octavia was an afterthought, a mere inconvenience in her life."

Stolas' eyes widened in shock and anger. "She didn't mention Octavia at all?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Not once," Andrealphus confirmed. "It was then that I understood. Stella had become our mother—a cold, unfeeling woman more concerned with appearances than her own children. You made the right choice for Octavia, Stolas. No one should endure the kind of maternal neglect we experienced."

Stolas felt a mixture of relief and sadness. Relief that Andrealphus understood his decision, and sadness for the sibling bond they both had lost to their mother's indifference. "Thank you for telling me this," Stolas said softly. "But what do you want from me, Andrealphus?"

Andrealphus leaned forward, his gaze intense. "I want to be a part of Octavia's life. She deserves to know her family, and I want to help her however I can. To prove my sincerity, I'm willing to make a deal. I'll never try to take her to Stella. In fact, I've already taken steps to ensure Stella can't harm her. I've kicked her out of my home and stripped her of the protection of our household."

Stolas' eyes filled with tears of gratitude. "You... you did that?" he asked, his voice breaking.

Andrealphus nodded. "Yes, Stolas. For Octavia's sake and for ours. We've suffered enough. It's time to break the cycle."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Stolas reached across the table and took Andrealphus' hand. "Thank you, brother," he whispered. They might be ex-brothers-in-law, but Stolas had always wanted to get close to the cool icy marquis. "For Octavia, and for this second chance."