============================================

< > - Telepathy

( ) - Author's Note

[ ] - Actions/Sounds

" "- Person Talkin

============================================

_0Author's POV_0

It took about a minute for the crying Max to calm down from the joy he felt as Gray announced that he was going to adopt him.... He fell asleep on Gray's lap getting tired from all the playing and crying. Gray carried Max as they all said their goodbyes to Queen Nocturra which is actually her first's hidden name she only tells her first name to the ones important to her. It only took a matter of moments to get them all in the limo after all the four of them barely had anything to pack along as all they bought was a single suitcase. Though that's probably not the case cause Gray did have the Spatial storage so he might've used it to carry larger packs from each of their rooms. But, before they said their goodbyes many of the Knights, Servants and the Kids went outside just to see all of them go.

Gray was still able to explain a lot of things to both Goetia Demons inside the limo before they reached the household, one being how Gray met the Queen herself. It wasn't your ordinary generic story, one where Gray was a normal Arcane Knight who suddenly disappeared from the Noble Society since he has already successfully made a deal to gain the Seven Demon Lord's trust by serving them as a Knight to each of them for every one year and a half months (1.5 years) of course it was so that Gray could have access to all the Seven Rings heck he could even go far beyond that he could go to Earth again if he wanted to.

=-Flashback Start-=

After finally fulfilling the promise to all the Demon Lords Gray stayed at the Pride Ring for at least half a year as he bought a piece of land to build an orphanage.... or so he thought he could until he learned that the owner of the land he was trying to buy from was owned by the Queen herself, Gray couldn't buy the land because of she thinks how stupid the Idea was, of course the Queen was a stranger to the man and did not believe such words of a sinner, that he will build an orphanage of course anyone would scoff at such stupid idea especially in Hell. However, Gray didn't let that stop him, he made a deal but this time not using a promise bond but a curse one.

Queen Nocturra would agree to give Gray the land so she made a deal first, for Gray to become her servant, second mask that will be determine by the curse if Gray had any intention of changing or giving up about his ambitions of creating an orphanage he will die. Gray of course a stubborn sinner decided to take it anyway as he has no other options as the rest of the lands in the Ring was deemed impossible to be bought. Over the course of the year Gray has proven himself to be quite versatile at any task he was given by her, may it be killing, gardening, repairing, and driving vehicles and many more unnamed task. Nocturra who was once stern and cautious around the sinner came to slowly soften her view of the sinner. Half a month later she began to respect the sinner's tenacity as she noticed Gray wasn't even trying to do anything behind her back as he had already become friends with almost every servant the Queen had.

One day she finally decided to announce Gray's wish, which was to create an orphanage Nocturra look everywhere for Gray herself to tell him about the news that his orphanage has already begun its construction.... The only problem being that he was nowhere to be found she felt as if something bad has happened to Gray so she did what only to be the only option to find his last known location she called everyone her servants, knights, guards and even the guest she asked if they have seen Gray or the masked person anywhere. Until a few questions about Gray's last whereabouts many were saying that he was planning to infiltrate a gang in the west that once made a mess of the Queen's place.... The Queen could only gasp in regret, at the moment that she heard that Gray was send to infiltrate many others weren't so worried cause he was indeed capable of infiltration very easily so that he could sell information or give useful ones for her, but her senses were telling her something was wrong, so she didn't waste any further and ordered all of her Knights to join her to attack the gang's base.

Her senses were right as they were getting close to the gang's base many people were running away from that direction meaning a fight was happening, after a few seconds they have finally arrived at the west gang's they were all shock as the fortress base that the gang was proud of was now practically a barren waste land.... Before even the Queen could order her Knights to go looking for Gray many of the Knights had already begun rushing to the rubble remains just to find the missing servant. The Queen herself was speechless as she had no idea that Gray had built up such reputation for even her Knights to respect him one who was not even a demon born but a sinner... This was enough of a remark to remind her that Gray was no ordinary Sinner he was different from the rest soon after a minute of searching that felt like forever a single Knight was finally able to found Gray, he was standing in the middle of all the rubble standing unconscious holding his sword while his suit and coat were torn and dirtied by dust from dirt while his mask was nowhere to be found as the last direction of his eyes was looking at the sky with his injuries on his head bleeding a lot of blood.

Many of the Knights didn't take time for sightseeing as soon as they saw Gray's wounds were burning with white light only means one thing. He was hit by an angelic weapons as Nocturra seeing the Gray at that state took every fiber of her being not to panic she began to help by chanting magic to get rid of the angelic weapons, there was so much light forming around her and Gray that it was blinding others around them, needless to say Nocturra began using multitudes of healing, purifying and cleansing magic all at once. For once in her life she was glad she was able to do something.... even if it's not for her son... It was at least to someone else who truly deserved it. It took at least four days for Gray to recover as it was thanks to the Queen for everytime she visits she heals him, in hopes of Gray recovering sooner. After seeing all her Servants visiting Gray every once in a while she couldn't ponder but know something was up. So she asked her servants one by one until finally she asked if they knew about the deal Gray made with the Queen.... and to her surprise they did.... She didn't understand it if they did knew about the deal then why weren't they angry at her? There was only one reason why, it's that Gray asked them all not to blame the Queen.

"Hey, come on, don't blame Lady Octavia! After all, it's common sense not to trust a stranger, especially one with powerful abilities and has the mental capacity of a human who could go insane anytime!"
Those were Gray's own words to each of his co-workers as he tried to calm them all down and not blame her.... Many were saying that he didn't even complain nor talk badly behind the Queen's back.... there was no other reason to why he wouldn't do so..... Gray was just a kind person.... That's all there's to it.

Queen Nocturra... for the second time in her life... She once again felt extreme guilt but this time it wasn't for her son this time it was for a sinner... She was so stressed thinking about how her son was doing, so much so that she tended to forget that her actions were starting to inflict pain around her without even knowing... When she noticed her own actions she couldn't help but finally break down into tears after all the emotion she was bottling up she finally had no strength left to hold back her tears. At the Queen's sudden realization she couldn't bear to meet anyone and locked herself up for two days in her room and didn't even bother to go outside nor even visit Gray, who had already woken up and was waiting for two days in front of her outside room. He took his time waiting for an opportunity for her to stop crying then finally Gray knocked on the door holding a plate with a bowl of soup.

"Queen Octavia?... Can I please come in?"
Gray asked sensing the Queen wasn't even bothering to look at the door.
"I apologize for the intrusion."
Gray said opening the door seeing the Queen sit on her chair looking up in the ceiling. Gray to a moment to obverse and analyze how did exactly did she broke down like this.... He kept looking around until he saw and gazed upon a picture frame on her main table.

(Art is made by the Tea The Kook check out his account on Twitter; or X)

Gray couldn't help but stare at it even longer noticing every detail of her happiness seeing how her son enjoys her magic and the faces of unparalleled joy... was now a face of miserable depression. Gray was quite a nosy guy when it comes to someone's personal life.... especially if he sees that someone was having a hard time.... and of course he did pry on the Queen's personal life one where she was once a True Queen of Goetia one married to a dipshit named Paimon... Gray heard that she left because she couldn't bear seeing her child be a tool for succession, that's all Paimon sees in his children, nothing more than a bunch of objects that would need to carry his legacy. This is one of many reasons why Gray hated the Royal Society... seeing he had already analyze the situation he then place the plate far on the far side of the table next to her bed and not onto her table where she was closed by before Gray would speak again he compose himself calm himself down and finally prepared.

"How long are you going to stay like this... Lady Octavia?"
Gray asked if he got any reaction from her... but she didn't answer so he continued.
"Are you going to stay up here all day and wait for your servants down there to rot? This not you at all... Are you really this pathetic? Maybe King Paimon was right."
As soon as he said that name he finally had the attention of the Queen. She glared at Gray with emotionless eyes. This isn't enough.... even though saying this would kill me ah fuck it I'm already dead anyway, forgive me mother for what I'm about to say. He thought to himself.

"Maybe he was right about you being without him you would be a pathetic woman who had little strength to hold back from those worthless emotions."
Gray continued to annoy her as the Queen muttered something under her breath.
"All those rumors soaring across the Royalty that you were sold by your parents just to be a tool under Paimon.... Yet, you couldn't even be a good wife, only an ambassador... and you also couldn't even be a-"

"Stop-
The Queen finally spoke, trying to stop Gray from continuing further but alas did not stop him.

"Good-

"I said stop!"
She yelled slamming the table in front of her on the verge of tears.

"Mother."
As soon as Gray said those words the Queen snap out of her chair and transformed into her Demonic Form Gray, however, was prepared for this too happened as the Queen was in this form she scolded Gray.

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"

SMACK!

The force of her transformation was so strong that it sent Gray sliding across the room.

"Yes, yes I don't, but what I don't get is why you wanted abandoned your son!?"

Gray responded with a black aura seeping around his body encouraging her to continue.

"I NEVER WANTED TO ABANDONED STOLAS!"

she screamed throwing another down punch at Gray as he blocks it with both arms.

"Funny, last time I checked you couldn't protect him from the forced succession!"

"BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I DEFENDED HIM HIS FATE REMAINS THE SAME!"

Gray stops blocking all the attacks as she notices the Queen going back to her normal form.

"I failed to protect my son. I promised him I'll change his fate to be able to make him happy forever.... but no matter what fate I took it changes nothing! I saw it when I tried to keep him away from Paimon and his fucking succession Stolas would only suffer! But, when I saw him being happy with his daughter, it was enough for me not to do anything or exist in his life....so I did."

The Queen said practically crying and kneeling at the emotional weight she carried over years she left her son.... Even Gray couldn't help but shed a tear as well he knew she was a good mother from the start and she had her own reasons for leaving but he never thought it was this bad.... but that never stopped him from talking her out of it.

"Then are you saying this is what your son would've wanted?! For you to just stay here and to suffer eternally!? You said to yourself that you couldn't do anything back then! But that was the past Lady Octavia! That fate was long gone the moment you let him marry someone he doesn't want to! Tell me how long you are going to keep him waiting!? He only has his daughter to cheer him up and his life can practically be turned upside down at this moment! You can't just abandon someone who's willing to wait for you!"

Gray replied with every word speaking with emotions that Gray himself hasn't shown to anyone for the course of his afterlife.

"How do you know he's waiting for me!? What do you know!?"
She angrily yelled at Gray who knew too well how it feels.

"BECAUSE I DO KNOW!"
This time it was Gray's that snap out emotionally... The Queen who was looking at the ground heard a drip of tears coming from Gray, she looked up to him and saw him crying... She had never seen this side of him before, not even once.

"Were you.... abandoned as well?"

"Yes, but there was a good reason for it.... but unlike your son he still has a mother to wait for.... I on the other hand have none. So please try to meet your son again I know because if my mother were still alive and were to show her face again I would not be angry but rather I would be glad...because I would rather see her again than never at all."
Gray explained with every pause with a sob, The Queen couldn't help but feel bad for Gray now.... The reason why he wanted to create an orphanage in hell was to help kids like him back when he was still alive.

"But what if I never wanted to try. What if the same thing just happens again and I'll have to leave him again?"

The Queen retorted in a crying matter but Gray didn't falter as he respond.

"How will you know if you will never try!"

Gray yelled, yet again didn't get a response so this time he had no choice but to completely open up. He may regret it later but it's better to bring her back than keep his dignity.

"I'm really gonna regret saying this, but, fuck it! Let me tell you, your Majesty, from the first day I met you I felt powerless for the first time in my afterlife not even the pressure from the Seven Lords themselves has this! The moment I met you I respected you more than those Demon Lords of hell who are so carefree and nonchalant with their life didn't even take anything serious! Exception for Satan.... But unlike you, you took serious precautions against me and I wasn't angry at that nor in fact was I happy that finally there was someone with common sense! One that acts like a true Royalty! One that treasures the servants under them and not let others treat them like dogs, one that takes care of his trusted and loyal people that's what true Royalty is! Where's was the Queen that I admired in the past! One that was capable of handling her people and herself, not the one that you are showing me right now! If your son was here he would agree with me on the fact that this isn't who you are!"

As Gray was explaining this the Queen couldn't help but finally understood why the sinner didn't hate her nor resent her but the way he meant every word with emotion Nocturra gain back her strength bit by bit every time he says on how he truly respect her.... a true Royalty, a Queen.... a mother. He was right she wasn't supposed to act like this, if her son were here right now he would be devastated that the mother he once knew is now breaking down in tears just because of him...and would blame himself.

"So let me ask you... Who are you?"
Gray asked with a stern look as the Queen closed her eyes and breath for a moment of fixing her composure she stand straight to Gray and look down at him again acting like a true Queen once again she finally spoke back.

"I am Nocturra Octavia Goetia. A proud Noble daughter of Izelica and Londro. ex-wife of King Paimon, Mother of Prince Stolas the third and Queen of the Goetia Pride Ring!"

She spoke as she stood up saying every word with power and elegance throughout the room so much so that her magic burst into galaxy aura throughout the room Gray was smiling once again at the sight of the Queen he once first met there was only one thing he needed to do now...

Not only did she regain her strength back she doubled her own magic capabilities the bottling up of emotions was weakening her overtime so much so that she wasn't able to gain any progress with training her magic....but now that progress was suddenly broke through twice! It is shown through the number of her wings suddenly grew two more... Gray only had one thing left to do.

He kneeled and bowed to the Queen in front of him.

"Welcome back, Queen Octavia."

Gray greeted the Queen as her depressed state was slowly replaced by commitment and pride she couldn't help but smile at Gray's actions but also felt bad for hurting him...but then again he would do the same for everyone else, suppose it was one way to release every ounce of her bottled up emotion, the amount of gratitude she has for Gray was now beyond words but either way she still wanted to thank him.

"I owe you one Gray, I am so glad to have met you young Arcane Knight."
The Queen said caressing the boy's head.

"One is to be glad of service your Majesty."
Gray spoke with joy he was finally able to help a Royalty... one where he couldn't do when he was still serving the Demon Lords, but now at least he knows that his efforts weren't in vain. As the Queen laughs softly at Gray's actions.

"You know for a servant that acts pretty elegant this side ruins that part of you Gray."
Gray couldn't help but stifle a small laugh at the Queen's joke.

"Oh, I am pretty elegant alright, but I'm not afraid to tell someone to get a grip."
The both of them couldn't help but laugh while it took a moment for them to finally stop Gray took this chance to grab the food he was meant to serve Queen Nocturra he was finally able to give it to her as he put it on the table and grab the chair for her to sit he then opened