Plan of Deceit
Leia is faced with two options: She can tell her family about her relationship with Hades, the Grim Reaper, and risk losing their support and her place in the dynasty in the middle of her pregnancy... or she can arrange for a way to cover it up. And after her Aunt Arabella's recent expulsion from the dynasty, the latter option is sounding quite appealing...
Winterfest was over, and things were looking like they would settle back to normal. Thursday would be Leia's first day back at work since they had discovered the pregnancy, and she was eager for the diversion. She still didn't know what to do about her family, and was hoping to talk to Hades about it that evening.
Her shift didn't start until 10am, though, so she still had a couple hours to kill. She hadn't had time to do cross-stitch in what felt like forever, and now she could finally start her next project! She'd been wanting to embroider a pumpkin forever, and had picked up some lovely orange thread at one of the local businesses in Newcrest.
It was business as usual that day at the Netherworld Department of Death. When Leia arrived, she went straight to the scrying bowl to get her assignment for the day.
Maybe if she finally met her soul quota, she'd get promoted to Collections Agent. She was a little bit tired of chasing lost souls and sealing rifts. But alas, that was more of what laid in store for her today, as her scrying revealed to her a house in Brindleton Bay that was infested with Netherworld rifts.
Brindleton Bay was beautiful this time of year, with the snow coating the ground. Leia wondered why she hadn't come here more often- this was the kingdom where Aukai proposed to Liliana. Maybe she'd have to visit the lighthouse sometime.
For now, though, she had work to do. There were many souls to collect and rifts to be sealed before the owners of the house got home.
When she returned to the Headquarters, Leia released the lost souls into the underworld, where they would be able to find rest. This was probably her favorite part of the job- seeing the worldly troubles and sorrows of this life melt away into the veil of the portal, granting the souls their eternal peace.
It saddened her a little to know that Hades would never know such rest, as an immortal.
While in Brindleton Bay, Leia had managed to find a Grimbrosia source, which was a pleasant surprise this time of year. This was used to make Ambrosia, which the Reaper then took with him for reaping's where he felt benevolent. Such instances were rare, since the Grimbrosia itself was, and he did not care to waste it unless he felt the unfortunate Sim to be deserving.
Or if they had something of equal value to trade.
After that, it was typical office work. Reaping schedules, ordering office supplies, checking quotas... there was a surprising amount of paperwork that went into the running of the afterlife. Maybe when she moved up to the next level, she could pass a little more of this off to her colleagues.
Leia and Hades usually kept things professional at work. He was still her boss, after all. Today, though, all she could think about was when they would go home later.
She'd finally had an idea of how to deal with their scandal, but she needed to talk to him about it first. The thoughts kept her preoccupied, making it hard to focus on the paperwork, even when it was the papers for her long awaited promotion.
Just a couple more hours...
Finally, evening came, and Leia met Hades back at her house. She had framed the ultrasound of their baby and hung it up on the wall, which she pointed out to him.
For a little while, they just enjoyed each other's company. Leia couldn't wait to welcome their child into the world... but first...
"I need to talk to you, Hades."
"We can't tell my parents about our relationship." Leia told him. "The scandal will have me thrown out of the dynasty for certain, and I need that family support. Not to mention the trouble it will cause for you, if it spreads."
"Then what do you propose?"
"I suggest that I find someone who will be willing to enter a marriage of convenience with me. I will pass our baby off as his, but I will make sure it's someone who will allow us to keep seeing each other."
"And you are certain you are alright with this plan?"
"I'm sure. It's the best option for both of us."
"Then we will do as you suggest. I will continue to restrict my visits to the hours of the night when the neighbors will not see us."
"Thank you." Leia answered, relieved he wasn't angry at her suggestion. "I love you, Hades, I really do."
"And I you, my dear."
Hades left not long after, and Leia spent a couple hours sitting by the fire, working on her cross-stitch. He had approved of her plan, and now there was only its execution... and that was the tricky part, wasn't it? She now had to find someone who would be willing to keep her secret and claim her child as his own... a daunting task, it seemed.
The next morning, while Leia was feeding the chickens, her phone started to ring. The number was one she didn't remember exactly, though she did get the sense it was familiar. "Hello?" She answered.
"This is Leia Constantin, right?"
"Yes, it is."
"This is Eugene Blackwood. Sorry to call so early."
Eugene, of course! He had been a good friend of Leia's in high school, though they'd lost touch after he started preparing for law school. "Eugene! No, no, it's good to hear from you, I was up anyway. How are you?"
"I'm doing well, thank you. I wondered if you might want to grab a cup of coffee with me? I'm going to be in Crow's Crossing later today."
"I'd love to! I'll meet you at the Floral Cafe."
"That sounds great. See you soon, Leia."
Leia met Eugene at the cafe a couple hours later, and the two shared a warm reunion. Eugene had rarely been able to meet her outside of school, something about restricted travel from Strangerville, but they had always enjoyed each other's company in the limited time they shared between classes.
"It's been lovely catching up, Eugene, but I get the feeling you didn't call me just to chat." Leia told him after a while. "Is something on your mind?"
"You caught me there." Eugene smiled ruefully. "I did genuinely want to see you again, but I need a favor."
"What is it?"
"I need to get out of Strangerville." Eugene lowered his voice slightly. "I don't know what's going on, but people have been acting very oddly recently, like they're possessed. Mom and Dad are wrapped up in the middle of it somehow, I'm almost sure. I need to leave."
Leia frowned. "That does sound concerning. What do you need from me?"
"A place to stay, just for a couple nights while I find an apartment. Then I'll be out of your hair. I'm sorry to call you up out of the blue like this."
"No, no, don't be sorry." Leia was quick to assure him, a plan slowly forming in her mind. "I think I could even do you one better, if you can help me in return."
Taking a breath, Leia began to explain her situation to Eugene. She told him about the family argument at Harvestfest, and Aunt Arabella being all but expelled from the dynasty; about her relationship with Hades and how much joy it had brought her; and lastly, about the pregnancy, and her plan to cover it all up.
"If you would be willing to pose as my fiancé, then you can stay with me for as long as you need. There's openings for File Clerks at the Crow's Crossing Courthouse."
Eugene was quiet as he thought it over, and Leia waited with baited breath for his answer. Would this work? Or had she made a mistake?
"It's not what I was expecting, but I think you're right, it'll be the best thing for both of us." Eugene agreed. "Very well. I will be your fiancé, Leia."
Leia breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Eugene. I'll get the guest room ready for you, and you can move in as soon as you can get your things from Strangerville. I really appreciate you agreeing to do this."
"You're welcome, Leia. And congratulations, by the way- on the baby, that is."
"Oh, thank you." Leia beamed. "I'm very excited."
Leia's neighbors were watching, so the two shared a kiss to seal the deal. Gossip would start flying about Leia's new boyfriend, and Vanessa would already know by the time Leia broke the engagement to her in a few days time.
She could rest easy, now. She trusted Eugene, he had as much to gain from this charade as she did, and of course she wouldn't expect him to give up on any relationships of his own. Her secret, and her baby, were safe.
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