“Really?
Dad!
That’s amazing!
I’ll definitely get everything ready!” “Thank you!
I won’t let you down, I promise!” “Okay, okay, I understand.
I’m heading out right now!” In just a few minutes, Charlie’s mood had soared from the depths of despair to the absolute peak.
She hung up and turned around, clutching her phone.
Her golden curls bounced with the movement, and her eyes sparkled like she had hidden two stars inside them.
Wearing a radiant, ecstatic smile, she waved energetically at Vaggie.
“Vaggie!
Vaggie, come here!
I have incredible news!” Her voice was crisp and joyful, instantly shattering the gloomy atmosphere of the lobby.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward her.
Vaggie’s heart skipped a beat as she hurried over.
Seeing Charlie’s face flushed with excitement, a sense of intense unease rose within her.
She knew Charlie all too well, but she knew the nature of Heaven’s residents even better—they were rigid, arrogant, and filled with prejudice and contempt for the demons of Hell.
They would never acknowledge any redemption plan.
This meeting with Heaven’s messenger would, in all likelihood, end in a flat rejection—or worse, ruthless humiliation and a crushing blow to her spirit.
“Charlie, what is it?
What news?” Vaggie grabbed Charlie’s shoulders, her voice tinged with unmistakable worry.
“Is it about Heaven?
I’m telling you, Charlie, Heaven’s messengers won’t listen to anything we say.
They’re stubborn and cold.
Don’t get your hopes too high.” But Charlie was completely immersed in her surprise.
She shook her head, her voice firm.
“Vaggie, Dad helped me contact Heaven!
They’ve agreed to let me meet with an envoy to report on our redemption plan!
This is our best chance!
If we can just convince Heaven, the plan is guaranteed to succeed!” Vaggie’s heart sank.
She wanted to talk her out of it, to tell her how cruel Heaven could be, to keep her from being hurt for nothing.
But seeing the shimmering hope and determination in Charlie’s eyes, the words died in her throat.
She knew her partner’s character too well.
Once Charlie set her mind on something, once she grasped a shred of hope, she would never let go.
No amount of persuasion would change her mind.
Vaggie sighed softly, the worry in her eyes thick enough to touch.
She could only nod helplessly, her voice softening.
“Fine…
since you’ve decided, I’ll go with you.
But Charlie, you have to be mentally prepared.
Those people in Heaven won’t acknowledge us easily.” “I know!” Charlie nodded vigorously and gave Vaggie a tight hug.
“But I won’t give up!
This is our chance!” Their conversation drifted into the shadows, and Spade, listening quietly, felt a faint flicker in his hollow eye sockets.
He had heard the entire call between Charlie and Lucifer.
He saw the irrepressible worry and powerlessness in Vaggie’s eyes, and he knew even better what would happen next.
Adam—that arrogant, crude angel—would use the most biting words to shatter Charlie’s hope.
He would mock her dream of redemption and treat her efforts as worthless trash.
Charlie’s pure, enthusiastic heart was bound to be cruelly pierced.
Spade never meddled in others’ business, nor did he care for their emotions.
He had always been a detached bystander, watching the farces, joys, and sorrows of Hell without ever being moved.
But this time, looking at Charlie’s unreserved anticipation and the way she was pouring everything into her dream, a trace of concern—so faint even he didn’t realize it—surfaced in his cold, machine-like consciousness.
He wouldn’t interfere with the plot’s direction or force a change, but he didn’t want this little sun of a girl to be driven to a breakdown by Heaven’s coldness and arrogance.
After Charlie and Vaggie finished a brief discussion about the hotel’s affairs, Charlie straightened her clothes and walked toward the main doors.
Her steps were light, her heart full of hope for the future.
Just as she reached the center of the lobby, only a few steps from the door, a tall, dark figure slowly stepped out from the shadows of a corner, blocking her path.
“!” Charlie came to a sudden halt.
She looked up at the massive figure that had suddenly appeared, her eyes widening in confusion.
It was Spade.
His five-meter-tall frame stood before her like a silent wall.
The eerie, smiling mask looked down at her, his hollow eye sockets resting quietly on her face.
There was no aggression, yet she subconsciously held her breath.
“Mr.
Spade…?” Charlie tilted her head slightly, her voice full of doubt.
“Did you…
did you stop me for something?” Behind a nearby wall, Vaggie had just turned to grab some documents Charlie needed when she caught the scene out of the corner of her eye.
Her heart instantly leaped into her throat.
She ducked behind the thick wall, her back pressed against the cold surface.
One hand reached behind her, gripping the Angelic Steel weapon hidden beneath her clothes.
Her knuckles turned white from the force.
Vaggie’s gaze became incredibly sharp as she watched Spade’s every move, her nerves pulled taut.
Spade’s identity was a mystery and his power was unfathomable.
He radiated a terrifying aura, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Seeing him block Charlie’s path, Vaggie couldn’t be sure of his intentions.
If Spade made even the slightest move to harm her, she wouldn’t hesitate to draw her weapon and give everything to protect Charlie.
The air seemed to freeze.
In the lobby, Angel Dust stopped scrolling through his phone.
Husk lifted his bleary, drunken eyelids.
Everyone went silent, watching the girl and the shadow in the center of the room.
Spade didn’t speak.
He simply lowered his body and, to Charlie’s shock, knelt on one knee.
His massive frame moved without the slightest awkwardness; instead, there was a strange sense of solemnity.
He lowered his head until his line of sight was level with Charlie’s.
His slender, long mechanical hands—tipped with metallic claws—rose slowly.
His movements were incredibly gentle, as if he were afraid of hurting the girl before him.
Charlie was completely stunned.
She stood frozen, eyes wide, having forgotten even to breathe.
She had never seen Spade like this.
He always hid in the shadows, always cold and distant, always a detached observer without emotion.
Yet here he was, kneeling on one knee, using his razor-sharp metal fingers to gently adjust her messy collar and bowtie.
When the metal tips touched the fabric, the movement was as light as a feather.
There was no sensation of cold, hard metal; instead, there was a clumsy, earnest tenderness.
Spade kept his eyes downcast, carefully straightening her crooked bowtie and smoothing the wrinkles on her collar.
Then, he raised his hand and gently brushed through her golden hair, which had been tossed about by her excitement.
His fingertips moved through the soft curls, tucking the stray strands behind her ear and even smoothing the fine creases near the tips of her ears.
His actions were meticulous and focused.
From the collar to her hair, from her cuffs to the hem of her jacket, he tidied every small, messy detail of her outfit one by one.
He looked exactly like a father meticulously checking his daughter’s clothes before she left for a major event—solemn, gentle, and filled with an undeniable care.
Charlie stood there dazed, looking at the eerie mask inches away and feeling his gentle touch.
A surge of bittersweet warmth flooded her heart, and her eyes began to burn.
Only after every detail was perfect did Spade slowly withdraw his hands.
He remained kneeling as he gazed at Charlie.
His deep, level voice drifted from behind the mask—devoid of its usual coldness and carrying instead a steady, grounding advice that fell clearly upon her ears.
“I heard everything.” “Charlie, remember this: no matter what the envoys in Heaven say to you, you must not waver.
You cannot give up your resolve.” “Do not doubt yourself because of their skepticism.
More importantly, do not let their denial make you question your dream of redeeming sinners.” “Your original intention is not wrong.
Your persistence is precious.
Every demon in Hell deserves a chance at redemption.
Never forget that.” “No matter how ugly their words are, no matter how they treat you, do not cry.
Do not be discouraged.
Do not let anyone shatter your hope.” “You are the Princess of the Hazbin Hotel, the founder of the redemption plan.
The light in your heart should not be extinguished by Heaven’s arrogance.” “Go.
Do what your heart tells you to do.
Speak your mind with conviction.
That is enough.” His voice was low and powerful.
Every word was like a steady stone dropped into Charlie’s heart, dispelling her hidden nervousness and anxiety, leaving behind only warmth and strength.
Behind the wall, Vaggie’s hand slowly loosened its grip on her weapon.
She leaned against the wall, watching Spade gently counsel Charlie.
Her tense expression softened, replaced by surprise and a complex mix of emotions.
She had never imagined that this mysterious entity—always lurking in the dark, always feared—could have such a tender side.
There was no malice, no hidden agenda; he was simply like an elder carefully tidying Charlie’s clothes and earnestly telling her not to give up on her dreams.
Her previous wariness and vigilance vanished instantly, replaced by a faint sense of gratitude.
Angel Dust sat up straight on the sofa, raising an eyebrow at the unexpected scene.
He let out a soft whistle, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
At the bar, Husk stopped wiping a bottle.
He squinted at Spade for a moment, then slowly looked back down and continued his work.
When he grumbled, his voice held less impatience and more of a calm acceptance.
Charlie looked at Spade kneeling before her and listened to his gentle yet firm advice.
She couldn’t hold it back anymore; her eyes reddened, and two crystal tears rolled down her cheeks.
She reached out her small hand and lightly grasped Spade’s metal finger.
Her voice was slightly choked with emotion, but it was incredibly firm.
“Thank you…
Mr.
Spade…
I’ll remember.
I definitely won’t give up!” Spade didn’t say anything.
He only gave a small nod and slowly stood up, retreating back into the shadows behind him.
His tall figure merged with the darkness, returning to his role as a silent observer, as if that tender moment had never happened.
Only Charlie’s tidy clothes, her neatly combed hair, and the warmth and strength in her heart proved the reality of what had just occurred.
Charlie wiped away her tears and looked up, her gaze brighter and steadier than before.
She took a deep breath and turned toward the door.
This time, her steps were stable, without a hint of hesitation.
Vaggie stepped out from behind the wall and quickly caught up with her.
Before leaving, she looked back at Spade in the shadows and gave a small nod, her eyes reflecting a sincere thank-you.
The door was pushed open.
The wind of Hell brushed against their clothes as Charlie’s silhouette disappeared outside, carrying her determination and hope to face the trials of Heaven.
Silence returned to the lobby.
Angel Dust lay back on the sofa and returned to his phone, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Husk picked up a bottle and took a swig of hard liquor, the drunken haze returning.
Spade leaned back in the shadows, his hollow eye sockets staring at the closed door.
There was no expression on his mask.
He hadn’t changed the plot.
He hadn’t interfered with the future.
He had only done one small, insignificant thing.
He simply hoped that when that little sun of a girl had her hopes shattered, she would remember this advice—remember her original purpose—and never let the light in her heart go out.