Support me on P @t r e o n it helps alot.
P @t r e o n.com/Darking099
For 30+ Advance Chapters
Or
You can buy me a Coffee
ko-fi.com/darking099
For my motivation
---
The afternoon sun bled through the stained-glass windows of the Gremory estate's reception hall, painting the marble floor in shades of crimson and gold. The air carried a faint hum of restrained energy—Rias had warned Kaelthar that her brother would "want to see for himself," though she hadn't said exactly what that meant.
Kaelthar stood quietly near the center of the hall, posture loose but unreadable. He'd met nobles, kings, even gods before, but there was something unique about the power pulsing through the air now—refined, calm, and vast.
The tall double doors opened, and Sirzechs Lucifer stepped inside.
His presence filled the room at once. The crimson-haired Maou wore a composed smile, but his eyes, the same shade as Rias's, carried the weight of a man who'd seen centuries of both peace and ruin. Behind him walked Grayfia, silent and graceful as ever, her silver hair catching the light.
Rias instinctively straightened beside Kaelthar, her expression caught between pride and nervousness. "Brother," she said softly, "thank you for coming."
Sirzechs's smile widened a fraction as his gaze moved to Kaelthar. "So this is the man who's stolen my sister's attention."
Kaelthar met his eyes evenly. "You must be Sirzechs. I've heard a great deal about you."
"I hope only good things," Sirzechs replied, voice smooth. He extended a hand, his aura slipping out just enough to test the waters. "It's not often someone new shakes up our little world."
Kaelthar clasped his hand—firm, steady. For a heartbeat, the air rippled faintly, invisible power brushing against invisible power. Grayfia noticed, her eyes narrowing slightly before returning to their neutral calm.
Sirzechs's smile didn't fade, though his tone sharpened ever so slightly. "You're strong. But strength alone isn't what concerns me."
Kaelthar tilted his head, unconcerned. "Then what does?"
"My sister," Sirzechs said simply. "Her happiness. Her safety. You understand."
Rias opened her mouth, but Kaelthar spoke first. "I do. And you don't have to worry about either."
There was no arrogance in his voice, just quiet certainty. That, more than anything, made Sirzechs study him longer.
"Confident," he said, leaning back. "I see why she likes you."
Venelana entered the hall then, her presence as striking as ever—soft laughter, effortless grace, and eyes that seemed to weigh and appreciate everything they saw. "Now, now," she said, walking toward them. "Are we interrogating the poor man already? Let him breathe, Sirzechs."
Sirzechs chuckled faintly. "Mother, I was merely—"
"Testing him," Venelana finished, smiling. "Which you've clearly done."
She turned to Kaelthar, her voice taking on a playful lilt. "You look even more composed than last night, dear. Did our dinner not intimidate you at all?"
Kaelthar smiled faintly. "If that was meant to intimidate me, then you'll have to try harder."
Venelana's laughter chimed like soft glass. "How charmingly fearless."
Rias sighed quietly. "Mother…"
"What?" Venelana teased, circling slightly to Kaelthar's side. "I'm just talking. It's not every day my daughter brings home someone this intriguing."
Sirzechs's brow lifted. "Intriguing, huh?"
"Oh, come now," Venelana said, eyes glinting. "You feel it too, don't you? His aura—it's not demonic, not celestial either. It's… something else."
Kaelthar didn't flinch at her curiosity. "You could say I'm not from around here."
Venelana stepped a little closer, studying him, the faint scent of her perfume brushing the air between them. "Mysterious too," she murmured, half to herself. "Dangerous men shouldn't look this calm."
Kaelthar met her gaze evenly, tone light. "Dangerous women shouldn't look this curious."
The words hung there, quiet but charged. Even Grayfia's composed mask flickered for a fraction of a second before she turned away, pretending to adjust the teapot on the side table.
Rias cleared her throat pointedly. "Mother. Please."
Venelana only smiled, tilting her head innocently. "Relax, Rias. I'm only getting to know him. Properly."
Sirzechs coughed once, amused despite himself. "Mother, maybe give them some space to breathe."
"Oh, don't act like you're not intrigued," she teased back. "Even you can't deny the presence he carries."
Kaelthar gave a faint shrug. "I'm used to being examined."
"Then humor me," Venelana said, folding her hands behind her back. "Tell me, Kaelthar—what do you want with my daughter?"
Rias tensed slightly, but Kaelthar's answer was immediate. "Nothing she doesn't give willingly."
Venelana blinked. "That's it?"
"That's everything," he said quietly. "I don't need to own her. I just want to stand beside her."
The honesty in his tone made the room pause for a heartbeat. Even Sirzechs's expression softened a little.
Rias's eyes shone, though she didn't speak. Venelana, on the other hand, studied him with an expression that was more admiration than scrutiny now.
"You speak like someone who's lived long enough to see the cost of possession," she murmured.
Kaelthar smiled faintly. "Maybe I have."
"Then I hope you're as good at keeping promises as you are at making them," she said, and for a second, her voice wasn't teasing—it was sincere.
Kaelthar nodded once. "You'll see soon enough."
Venelana's gaze lingered a moment too long before she finally turned away, hiding a smile. "Well," she said softly, "no wonder Rias looks so radiant these days."
"Mother…" Rias groaned under her breath, her cheeks faintly pink.
Sirzechs chuckled. "You really don't make things easy for her."
"Someone has to test his composure," Venelana said with a shrug. "And he passed. Quite spectacularly."
Kaelthar inclined his head slightly. "Thank you. I think."
"Don't worry," Venelana said, her smile returning. "That was a compliment."
Sirzechs looked between them, half-amused, half-concerned. "Just so we're clear, Mother—he's my sister's, not yours."
Venelana laughed, her tone innocent but eyes gleaming. "Oh, please. I'm just admiring the view."
Kaelthar only smiled, the corners of his mouth twitching. "I'll take that as a compliment, too."
Rias groaned again, dragging a hand down her face. "You're all impossible."
Sirzechs smirked. "Welcome to the family dynamic."
Grayfia stepped forward smoothly then, cutting through the growing warmth in the air. "Shall I bring more tea, or has everyone had enough entertainment for one afternoon?"
That earned a laugh from everyone except Rias, who was still half hiding behind her hand.
Venelana took her seat gracefully, the picture of elegance again. "Tea sounds lovely, Grayfia. I think we've all learned what we needed."
Sirzechs nodded, giving Kaelthar a long, final look. "You've got my attention, Kaelthar. I'll admit, not many manage that."
Kaelthar's tone was calm. "I'll take that as a good sign."
"We'll see," Sirzechs said, though his faint smile gave away his approval. "Take care of her."
"I already am," Kaelthar replied quietly.
As Sirzechs turned to leave, Venelana brushed past Kaelthar's shoulder on her way out, her voice barely above a whisper. "Careful, Kaelthar… I might start liking you more than I should."
He looked down at her, a faint smirk touching his lips. "Then I'll take that as a dangerous compliment."
Venelana laughed softly, eyes gleaming. "Good answer."
When the hall finally emptied, Rias let out a long, exasperated sigh, turning to him. "You handled that too well."
Kaelthar chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I told you—I've dealt with tougher crowds."
Rias glared at him playfully. "My mother flirting with you doesn't count as a 'crowd.'"
"It does when she's this persuasive," he said with a grin.
Rias groaned again. "You're impossible."
"And yet," Kaelthar said softly, "you still chose me."
Her glare melted into a smile, small but real. "Maybe that's my mistake."
Kaelthar leaned closer, his voice low. "Or your best decision."
Outside, the light faded into evening, the last rays of sun glinting off the crimson Gremory banners—a perfect reflection of the storm and warmth that Kaelthar had brought into their world.
---
Support me on P @t r e o n
join my patreon for more frequent upload.
P @t r e o n.com/Darking099
For 30+ Advance Chapters
Code:"HAPPY_HOLIDAYS" for 25% discount !!
Or
You can buy me a Coffee
ko-fi.com/darking099
For my motivation
---
For every 50 power stones= 1 extra chapter
And Support my Other Storie