Back at the palace in the Duchy of Irkalla, Pallaca once again approached Princess Lamashtu Morningstar with news. Pallaca was glad that it was reasonably good news this time. In many ways, Lamashtu was scarier than Pallaca's old madam from the brothel back when she was still Lucy Watkins the Victorian prostitute.
Kneeling before her lion-headed wife, Pallaca began. "Great Daughter of the Bight Morningstar, Scion of the Devil, Heiress to the Sixth Circle! I come bearing news of Adrammelech's titles."
"Let me guess, Earthling!" Lamashtu sneered rudely, stamping her avian foot. "My 'dear' sister Miasma is Grand Chancellor and her pitiful ex-human pet Tenebra is President of the Senate! We all know that's what Dad wants!"
"Let her talk, darling," Hecate whispered.
"Actually, YOU'RE the new President of the Senate," Pallaca hastily said.
"Well, well, well!" Lamashtu smirked. "Things are looking up. I guess I got through to Dad."
"Did you have to go off on a racist screed in the middle of court though?" sighed Hecate. "Miasma and Enoch were right, you know? Your mother IS human-born."
"Which I try to forget whenever I can!" Lamashtu snapped. "All my childhood, I was mocked and bullied by the children of lords like Beelzebub and Adrammelech for being essentially half-human. That pedigree brought me nothing but suffering, so I'd like to have the luxury of pretending that Mom's... you know... normal." The usually fierce Lamashtu looked oddly sad and vulnerable for a moment. "Believe me, Hecate, Hell would be a much happier place if we all just stopped taking humans as our primary spouses. Human-born demons ought to be pleasure-slaves, not our equal partners or the mothers and fathers of our children!" She was glaring witheringly at Pallaca as she finished the last sentence.
Hecate took Lamashtu's clawed hand in her own. "Try not to dwell on the past, sweetie. Life's getting better. After all, you're the President of the Senate now."
"Yes," Lamashtu said, smiling. "This is a wonderful opportunity to start introducing some long-overdue anti-human legislation. I'm a little surprised that Adrammelech never bothered, but I suppose he was preoccupied with trying to erode the peace treaty as much as he could. Fool! Angels are our equals! It's humans we should be concerned about!" She turned back to Pallaca when she noticed the lesser wife was still standing there. "I suppose you have other news? You didn't say who's going to be the Grand Chancellor."
"That one's still being debated," said Pallaca. "Also, Prince Enoch relinquished his rank of Grandmaster of the Order of the Fly to Commander Baal."
"Good!" Lamashtu said sharply. "Dad always showed that mutt too much favor."
"Beelzebub's ceremonial lordship over the sphere of Pollution has also been granted to Commander Baal," Pallaca went on. "Oh, and Lady Hecate is now the Duchess of Malebolge!"
Lamashtu's eyebrows raised. Her first instinct was to be jealous of her consort, but she did feel some genuine happiness for Hecate. Besides, the wife of a duchess could be very powerful indeed... barring political shenanigans. "I suppose father and Enoch have frozen me out of the governing of Malebolge?" she asked in an annoyed voice.
"Lucifer considered it, but Enoch made sure he didn't actually go through with that," Pallaca responded.
"Hmm... perhaps I misjudged the mutt," Lamashtu laughed. "This day seems to be improving considerably."
"I guess the plot to kill Archduchess Astaroth if canceled?" Hecate asked hopefully.
"For now," Lamashtu smirked. She then turned to Pallaca. "You've done well. You may head down to the wine cellar and treat yourself. Just remember not to drink any of the BEST vintages. Take something appropriate for an Earthling's lips."
Pallaca nodded and scampered out, relieved that Lamashtu seemed likely to be in a good mood for the rest of the day.