"I...hmph!"
Akeno slumped on his neck and refused to answer. And so, Igor carried her like this on the way back home. The years may have passed, but...
[Some things never change.]
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|DxD|- Chapter 127- What If I Don't Want To Leave
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The sun cast its rays upon strands of blonde and raven hair twined together. Akeno lay on his back, his steady steps carrying them without rest until the skies turned orange.
From then until now, she thought about Igor's words—about marriage. Her classmates only talked about boyfriends and girlfriends, about hugging and kissing. Some of the braver ones even talked about...that. Marriage was something far away from them. But at some point, it would come.
Akeno was torn between her feelings. She dreamt of finding her prince and having a happy life. The thought alone had her smiling wistfully. But she also didn't want to separate from her family—not even for the princeliest of princes.
By the time her eyes cleared of thought, the forest's shade passed overhead. Igor's steps were unchanged, his pace no different as he walked the tight trail winding through the trees like a needle through seams.
Akeno paused indecisively as her mouth opened and closed. Hesitation stilled her tongue and froze her cords, turning words into nothing more than air.
She lay her head on his back and listened to the rhythm of his heart. Igor had carried her on his back for many years. Her earliest memories were of playing with his hair. It was as normal to her as breathing. To leave that normalcy was something she couldn't bring herself to do.
"Apu?"
"Hm?"
"After marriage, do I have to leave?"
She asked softly, waiting to hear his answer.
"Well, Akeno..."
Igor thought his words carefully.
"It won't so much be about us wanting you to stay. You'll be the one who wants to leave."
"Oh..."
Akeno frowned
"Then...what if I don't want to leave?"
"Then you might as well find your husband here in Kuoh, or at least convince them to live here."
Igor spoke casually. Akeno's words were surprising, but that was all.
"Apu?"
"Yes?"
Akeno nervously tightened her grip on his shoulders.
"What if I don't want to marry at all?"
"..."
Igor sighed. He admitted that the thought was appealing. He spent more years in his life without Akeno and wanted more than anything to make up for the lost time. But her happiness must come before his desires.
"Akeno. Everything can wait until you've become a big chick. Enjoy your youth while you have it. Being an adult isn't all that fun."
Igor joked, but her interest in this topic worried him. He hoped, prayed, she wouldn't stray.
"Apu. If you find someone, will you...will you leave?"
"..."
Igor slowed to a stop. The question came suddenly, and he pondered it deeply.
"Would I?"
He looked into the dense canopy above. It was as tangled as his thoughts. He shook his head and chuckled as he walked on.
"I don't know. I don't see myself finding someone for at least another thirty years or fifty years."
Igor replied honestly. He still had too many things to do. As wonderful as a woman was, his identity was too dangerous to pursue one.
"So you don't have to worry, Akeno. In fact, I believe you'll find someone first. But for now, don't worry too much about these sorts of things. You're still thirteen. There's no rush. We can talk about this when you're forty."
"Forty!"
"I'm almost forty, Akeno, and I haven't given you a sister-in-law. So don't whine. If I have to wait, you will too. Now, if you're really in a hurry, I'll settle for twenty-five and high-class. Nothing less."
"That's—"
"No arguing. If I hear you're messing around with boys instead of training, I'll break your legs and have Lina homeschool you."
"But—"
"No buts."
Igor spoke with Akeno for the rest of the way home. Much of what he said was in jest, but he did fear Akeno becoming romantically entangled before she matured. While there was time to teach her, he needed her to value strength over sentiment. Because the worst thing he feared was Akeno falling for a normal human. In stories, it was romantic. In their world, it was a death sentence.
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|DxD|
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Night fell over Kuoh, and rain clouds gathered. Shuri's home was a beacon of light like it always was. The flowers were in full bloom, and the hedges were neatly trimmed. Inside, the family was settling in for the night.
The little lady of the house clutched the blanket above her chin. She was in bed, and the soft glow of the lamp by her bedside illuminated the looming figure above her. Igor gently pinched her cheek, his expression soft amidst her worry.
"Don't worry, little chick. I'll be gone for a day at worst."
"Really? You won't run away?"
Igor chuckled.
"You should be hoping I run away. Don't think I've forgotten about Issei."
"Hmph! Then go. Shoo!"
"Alright. Alright. I'll leave now. But first..."
Igor leaned over, and Akeno lowered her fists. He gently kissed her on the forehead and pulled away.
"See you tomorrow, little chick."
"Hmph."
Igor smiled helplessly when Akeno covered herself with the blanket. She was very upset during dinner when she learned he was leaving. But it couldn't be helped.
Igor left the room and closed the door behind him. Shuri stood in the hallway, quietly waiting for him to finish.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, aunty."
Shuri held out the cloak.
"Give me the one you're wearing. It's dirty."
"..."
The white colour of his coat had faded somewhat, but it was still presentable.
"Don't dally, Igor. You are not going to Romania looking like that."
"But, aunty—"
"Coat."
Shuri narrowed her eyes, and Igor complied. He unbuttoned his coat and took it off. He then wore the red cloak Shuri gave him.
"There. Look at how handsome you are."
"Thank you, aunty."
Igor pinched the fabric. The cloak sleeves were short, leaving his dark undershirt to cover his arms.
"Then I'll head out."
"What's the rush?"
Shuri stepped closer and gave him a deep hug. Igor returned it and took in her warmth. They held each other for a while until they heard Baraquiel walk up the stairs.
"Honestly, I could've made coffee with how long you two spoke."
"Then go make it and let me hug my little Igor a bit longer."
"Forget it."
Baraquiel dismissively waved his hand.
"Boy. Let's move."
"Alright, old man."
Igor walked over and grabbed Baraquiel's shoulder.
"Aunty. If I don't come back by tomorrow evening, please make sure Akeno apologises to Issei."
"Fufu~. I will. And you behave yourself in Romania."
Igor chuckled.
"I don't know what the vampires will do. But I'll try my best."
*Su!*
Chapter 127
END