Chapter 5 (~9300 words)
– Harry –
A high-powered spray of water burst violently from my palm, the pressure so intense that it sliced clean through the thick straw target twenty feet away. The two halves flopped apart and hit the training yard floor with a soft thud. My arm tingled from the force of the release, and my breathing was ragged. I'd been at it for about an hour straight, sweat soaking the back of my shirt, my hair clinging to my forehead. My shoulders ached and my hand felt raw from channeling so much magic.
Off to the side, standing in the sun, were the devil maids my mother had assigned to me—identical twin sisters named Lyra and Lyna. They were gorgeous in an almost distracting way, with matching long black hair, pale flawless skin, and huge breasts straining against tight low-cut blouses. Their short skirts swished when they moved, and I was certain there weren't any panties under there. The way the fabric clung and lifted when they shifted their hips left little to the imagination.
They clapped and cheered like I'd just won a tournament. "Good job, young master!" Lyra called, her voice lilting and playful. "Such power, you're improving so quickly!"
"Yes, that was incredible, young master," Lyna added, flashing me a sultry smile. "You make it look so easy."
They praised me like they both weren't secretly High Class and could wipe the floor with me.
"Uh, thanks," I said, trying not to stare at the deep line of cleavage between them. My face felt hot. It was awkward having two sexy women fawning over me like this, especially while I was dripping sweat and trying to focus on training.
They exchanged a glance and then approached me in perfect sync, their hips swaying. Lyra stopped on my left, Lyna on my right, close enough that I could smell their perfume—sweet, heavy, and intoxicating.
"You've worked hard, young master," Lyra purred, letting her fingers trail lightly over my forearm. "Would you like dinner first?"
"Or maybe a nice bath?" Lyna suggested, her hand resting briefly on my shoulder as she leaned in just enough for her chest to brush my arm.
Lyra's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Or…" she drew the word out, her voice dropping lower, "…maybe you want us?"
The way she said it left no doubt she wasn't joking. My stomach did a weird flip, and I could feel heat rushing to my cheeks. I opened my mouth, trying to sound casual, but my voice cracked slightly. "I'll, uh… I'll take a bath. By myself."
Both of them pouted immediately, their matching lower lips jutting out as if I'd just denied them something important. "Aww, you're no fun," Lyna teased, but there was still a glint in her eyes that said she'd take me seriously if I changed my mind.
I chuckled awkwardly and stepped back, needing some space before my brain stopped working altogether. "Seriously. Just the bath."
"As you wish, young master," Lyra said, though the playful tone in her voice told me they weren't done teasing me yet.
They trailed after me as I headed toward the Sitri estate.
…
I finished cleaning up and ended up running into my new family in the hallway.
"There's our favorite grandchild!" a deep, confident voice called out toward me as soon as I stepped into the main hall of the Sitri estate. I turned toward the sound and saw a tall, broad-shouldered man who didn't look a day over thirty despite the fact that he was supposedly my grandfather. This was Sebastian Sitri—my mother Serafall's father. His black hair was thick and perfectly groomed, the same deep shade as mine, and his bright blue eyes were unmistakably the same as mine too.
Standing at his side was a strikingly beautiful woman who could have passed for Serafall's older sister. She was tall, elegant, and held herself with a poise that radiated authority. Her medium-length black hair shimmered, but unlike her husband's and mine, her eyes were a vivid pink that stood out immediately. This was Selene Sitri, my grandmother.
Selene's expression softened even further as she stepped forward, her arms already spreading wide. "Come here, Harry," she said in a warm, inviting tone. "Let me have a proper look at my favorite grandson."
I hesitated a second—this was still pretty surreal—but stepped forward. Her arms wrapped around me in a firm, affectionate hug. I caught the faint scent of her perfume, sweet and floral. Behind me, I could hear Lyra and Lyna, my assigned maids, quietly cooing and whispering like this was some adorable family reunion scene from a drama.
"I'm pretty sure I'm your only grandchild," I said with an awkward smile as Selene finally let go of me.
"That doesn't mean you're not our favorite, dear," she replied immediately.
Sebastian chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. "She's right. We just came back from vacation a few days ago, and Serafall drops the biggest news possible on us—that she has a son. You. I'll admit, it was a shock."
Selene nodded in agreement, her smile never fading. "A shock, yes. But once we got over the surprise, we were nothing but happy. You're family, Harry, and we're not letting you feel otherwise."
"Guess I should say… thanks," I said, still adjusting to being welcomed so quickly into a family I hadn't known I had until recently.
They both grinned and said, "Of course," in unison. Then Sebastian's expression shifted to something more serious and he gave me a small gesture with his head. "Come on, Harry. I want to have some proper man talk with my grandson," he said in a low, confident tone.
I glanced over my shoulder at Lyra and Lyna, who were instantly curious and ready to follow.
Sebastian cut them off with a simple raised hand and a firm look. "You two wait outside."
They both pouted, their lips pushing out and their eyes widening in mock sadness. Lyra even crossed her arms under her chest, pushing her tits up deliberately like she thought it might change his mind.
It didn't.
I couldn't hide my small sigh of relief when they finally turned and stepped out, the sway of their hips lingering in my peripheral vision as the door shut.
Sebastian led me into a side lounge off the main hall. The place looked like something out of a royal palace, all polished wood, gleaming floors, and a massive window letting in warm light. He walked straight to an oversized, high-backed chair upholstered in dark blue velvet and sat down like he owned the place—well, he did.
I made my way to the plush couch opposite him and sank into it, the cushions swallowing me a bit.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his sharp blue eyes locking onto mine. "Alright, Harry. Let's talk," he said, his voice calm but deliberate.
"About what exactly?" I asked, trying to read his expression.
Sebastian leaned back slightly, studying me with that piercing stare. "I want to make sure you're actually doing alright here in the Underworld," he said plainly. "You spent nineteen years thinking you were just some human kid in London. That's a hell of a thing to have flipped on its head."
I scratched the back of my neck, feeling the weight of his words. "Yeah… it's been a lot to take in," I admitted. "Everything's so over the top here. The place is gorgeous, the food's insane because you have like 100 personal chefs, everyone's dressed like they're going to a ball all the time… I'm still not sure I fit in."
He nodded slowly, with his elbows resting on his knees. "That's normal. You grew up rougher, without all this flash and pomp. Doesn't mean you don't belong. You're a Sitri!" he said proudly.
"I mean," I continued, glancing around the pristine lounge, "I'm not gonna lie, the luxury feels weird. Back home I had a bed that was barely bigger than me and an aunt who would've lost her mind if I tracked dirt into the kitchen. Here I've got maids bringing me wine if I even look thirsty."
Sebastian cracked a small grin. "Could be worse problems to have."
"True," I said with a short laugh. "But the nice part is… I can actually use my magic here without hiding it. No worrying about someone freaking out or calling me a freak. That's… nice. Really nice." Also just being able to let my wings out once in a while and fly around, that's a Godsend—OW—I mean devil-send…
After mom unsealed my devil powers, I can't say Big G's name anymore. I rubbed my temples for a few seconds. The pain didn't linger which was nice.
"That's how it should be," he said firmly. "You've got power—don't be ashamed of it. Learn to use it well, and the rest will fall into place."
I met his gaze, seeing the seriousness there. "Thanks. I appreciate you checking in. It means a lot."
"Of course," he said simply. "Family looks out for each other. Always."
Sebastian leaned back, gave a quick nod, and then smirked. "Alright, with that out of the way, let's talk about the most important thing in a man's life—women!"
I felt my face heat up instantly at where this was going. "I've got plenty of experience with women," I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady.
He snorted. "You've got experience with girls.Women are a different story! There's a world of difference between quick flings and actually building something with them. Do you want to spend the rest of your life bouncing from bed to bed, or do you want meaningful relationships?"
That made me blink. "Relationships… as in plural?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He grinned like I'd just walked into the perfect setup. "Of course. We're devils, Harry. We love hard, but we're not wired for one partner and done. Monogamy isn't natural for us. People call us bats, but we're closer to wolves or lions—we live in packs. We thrive surrounded by our people." He leaned forward, his voice steady and sure. "That's why peerages are such a big deal. They're not just political or power structures. For a lot of us, they're family, lovers, partners in every sense. You build one right, and you'll never be without support—or company—in your bed or otherwise."
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, giving me a knowing look. "So, how do you feel about Lyra and Lyna?" he asked casually, but I could tell from his tone he was fishing for something.
I shrugged, a little unsure where he was going with it. "They're… fine, I guess. Not really used to having maids, though."
"They're more than just maids," he said. "They're branch members of the Sitri clan. The second they found out you existed and your mother asked them, they were eager to serve you. They take that shit seriously." He smirked. "And apparently they both love being maids because they're big fans of Queen Grayfia."
"Who's that?" I asked, curious.
His grin widened, and he leaned in a bit like he was about to tell me a dirty secret. "Don't tell my wife or my daughter, but she's the hottest MILF in the Underworld. By far! Trust me, when you see her, you'll get it." He even gave me a quick wink.
I chuckled, shaking my head, but I couldn't help thinking about it. Considering how insanely sexy every female devil I'd met so far had been, I was more than a little curious to see what made this Grayfia so special.
Sebastian's attention shifted back. "So, have you been spending much time with Lyra and Lyna?"
I scratched my jaw. "Honestly… maybe I've been avoiding them a bit. I'm not used to people waiting on me hand and foot. And they're… a lot. They're gorgeous, they're flirty, and I'm still figuring out how the hell I'm supposed to act around them without looking like a total idiot."
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, giving me a slow nod. "I get it, Harry, but there's one thing you need to know about the Sitri clan—family never betrays family. Ever. That loyalty runs in our blood. Same goes for our closest friends, the Gremory clan and the Phenex clan."
"I don't know either of them," I admitted.
"They're not important right now," he said with a dismissive flick of his hand. "Just keep an open mind. And remember—having reliable servants is a damn good thing once you get used to it. You don't have to rush, but when you do decide, you'll be glad they're there. Your mother's busy as hell, so she made sure to put girls around you she could trust completely."
I leaned back slightly. "I've already got someone I can trust back in London."
That made him grin and lean in closer, his eyes narrowing like he'd just smelled gossip. "Oh? Does my grandson have a proper lover? Because Serafall's been talking. She says you've been exchanging letters with a few women this past week."
I could feel my ears getting hot. "Yeah… I've been getting letters from my new friend Hermione. And, surprisingly, from two French sisters—Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour. I met them at a football game," I explained.
"Three girls and Two sisters? Now you've got my attention."
Hermione's letters had been friendly, nothing sexual—just the two of us learning more about each other, talking about day-to-day things. The Delacour sisters' letters, though, were on a whole other level. Fleur's were flirtatious enough, but Gabrielle's were blatant.
Every line she wrote felt like she was testing how far she could push it before I'd call her out.
The most obvious example came when one of her envelopes didn't just have parchment inside—it had a magically animated photo. The moment I opened it, there she was, standing in her robes, a slow, deliberate smile spreading across her lips. Her hands went to the front ties, pulling them loose. She opened the fabric just enough to flash pale skin before letting it slide off her shoulders. Underneath, she wore a black lace bra that lifted her breasts high, and matching panties that clung snug to her hips. Her stomach was smooth, her legs long and toned. The image looped endlessly, her finger hooking under one bra strap and dragging it down her shoulder as she locked eyes with the camera. Even in a still image, her body language screamed that she knew exactly what kind of effect she was having on me, and she was enjoying it.
I shook my head, pulling my attention away from the thoughts back to my grandfather.
He caught the look on my face and laughed, a deep, amused sound that filled the lounge. "It's obvious you're enjoying the height of your youth," he said, still grinning. "And for a devil, that youth's going to last you hundreds of years, so there's no rush to burn through it all at once."
He pushed himself up from his chair with a smooth motion, straightening his jacket as he moved toward the sideboard. He poured himself a drink, took a slow sip, then glanced back at me. "There's something else," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "Your aunt Sona—who you haven't met yet—will be coming home later today. She's bringing some of her peerage members with her. She wants to meet her new nephew officially." He paused then. "And I know a great way the two of you could break the ice with each other!"
"And how is that?" I asked him.
– Sona –
Sona sat behind her oversized desk in the student council room, the blinds open so the midday sun spilled across the polished floor. Even though it was summer break, she had the same hard, no-nonsense look as always, eyes flicking over neatly stacked papers and a tablet glowing with the day's schedules. She wasn't the type to relax just because classes were out—she expected every one of her peerage members to be here every single day, knocking out chores, honoring contracts, and keeping things running.
Her Queen, Tsubaki, stood at her right, posture straight, hands folded neatly, waiting for instructions. Beside the desk stood Saji, the newest addition to the peerage, looking like he was trying to stand at attention but shifting his weight under Sona's sharp gaze. He was coming with her and Tsubaki to the Underworld.
It would be the first time for him.
She knew that part of him still didn't quite realize that he was no longer human. That he wasn't just some schoolboy that lucked out joining a student council full of pretty girls. But that he was now the eternal servant of Sona Sitri, the future head of house Sitri.
...At least, she hoped she still was. She supposed she'd find out on this trip...
The rest of the peerage lounged nearby, though the moment her eyes swept toward them they straightened fast. "While I'm gone," she said, voice crisp, "I don't care if it's for three days or three hours—you do not slack off. Every contract gets done on time. Every duty gets handled. If I come back and find otherwise, you'll regret it."
One of the girls, Momo, gave a little smirk and said, "Come on, Sona, you think we're that lazy?"
"Yes," Sona replied flatly without missing a beat, making a few of the others chuckle under their breath.
Another member, Reya, leaned back in her chair with a grin. "We'll be fine. You act like we can't handle ourselves."
"You can handle yourselves," Sona said, eyes narrowing, "but I know how easily you get distracted." Her gaze lingered on each of them in turn until they looked away or muttered their agreement. "If you have time to play games, you have time to take another contract. Understood?"
"Yes, President," they answered, some with mock salute, which earned them a small, exasperated sigh from her.
"Good. Now get to it." She stood, adjusting her jacket, and motioned to Tsubaki and Saji to follow her out.
Sona could feel a tight, restless energy in her stomach, the kind that made her tap her fingers against her thigh while she walked.
She hated to admit it, but she was both nervous and excited.
The news that her sister had a child had knocked her sideways. Finding out Serafall hadn't even known about it for nineteen years? That part, she could believe. Her sister was powerful and brilliant, but not exactly the most detail-focused person in the world.
Still, the thought of this young man, Harry, her new nephew, lingered in her mind. She pictured what he might look like, how he might act, whether he carried himself like someone born into devil nobility or if the human world had left him rougher around the edges.
What really gnawed at her was the possibility that his existence, as the son of a Maou, could undercut her claim as heiress to the Sitri house. In their world, lineage and strength mattered, and his mom was a Maou… At that point, him being a half-devil didn't really matter.
She'd already heard the talk about Rias Gremory's position being in jeopardy because Millicas Gremory's talent was surpassing expectations rapidly.
So yes. It wasn't paranoia, it was precedent. And Sona understood all too well that precedent had a way of turning into reality when you weren't ready for it.
…
A few minutes later, they'd arrived in the underworld. Sona was caught off guard by what happened next to say the least.
"Huh?" Sona realized her face had gone still for a moment, her brow slightly raised and lips pressed together as she took in the sight before her.
Standing just a few paces away was a tall, well-built young man—her nephew, Harry—who looked uncannily like her sister would have if she had been born male, right down to the sharp cheekbones, intense blue eyes, and thick black hair that framed his face. His posture was relaxed but his eyes were locked on hers with a direct, almost defiant focus.
"I challenge you," he said again. "I want to see what you're made of…?" he asked, but sounded slightly uncertain.
She had only just stepped off the teleportation circle, the familiar air of the Underworld brushing over her skin, and here he was, already throwing down a gauntlet before she'd even set her bag down!
Her hand twitched slightly at her side, the faint buzz of magic at her fingertips instinctive.
"What the hell did you just say to the President?" Saji barked, his voice rising in disbelief as he stepped forward, his expression twisting in outrage. "You don't just walk up to her and—"
"That's enough, Saji," Sona cut in sharply, her voice crisp and controlled. She didn't take her eyes off Harry, the hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "If he wants to challenge me, I'll oblige. It will be… enlightening to see just what my dear nephew thinks he can do."
Saji's mouth opened like he wanted to argue, but the cold certainty in her tone made him clamp it shut.
She stepped forward until she was standing directly opposite Harry. "Fine. You've got your match."
Sona stood with her feet planted firmly in the vast manicured backyard of the Sitri family mansion, the grass underfoot trimmed to perfection. The space was enormous, ringed by elegant stone walls and dotted with ornate fountains, but all of her focus was on the tall young man across from her.
Harry looked composed at first glance, but her trained eyes didn't miss the faint tremor in his hands.
Off to the side, Lyra and Lyna—her distant cousins, though right now they were dressed in ridiculously revealing maid outfits—were shouting encouragement toward Harry. Their tight tops left deep cleavage on display, their skirts short enough that every step threatened to flash what she suspected was bare skin beneath. They cupped their hands to their mouths as they called out, voices high and enthusiastic.
"You got this, young master!"
"And if you lose, we'll nurse you back to health!"
"We have a lot of sexy nurse costumes in our closet!"
Further back, Saji was shouting, "Kick his ass, President!" Tsubaki, as always, maintained her composed stance beside him.
Sona's gaze sharpened as she caught the subtle shake in Harry's fingers when he raised them into a ready position.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice even but laced with curiosity as she rolled her shoulders and readied her own stance.
Harry hesitated for a second before blurting it out. "I've… never been in a REAL fight before. Definitely not a dangerous magical one..."
She blinked once, her brows lifting. "You've never fought…at all?" When he shook his head, she felt a wave of incredulity tighten her jaw. "THEN WHY THE HELL DID YOU THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO CHALLENGE ME OUT OF NOWHERE!?"
Harry shifted on his feet, his eyes flicking briefly toward the ground before he met her gaze again. "Grandpa said it'd be a good way to break the ice with my aunt!" he admitted, his voice carrying a mix of sheepishness and determination. "Honestly… when I heard the word 'aunt,' it didn't sound like a good thing. I had this mental image of some older woman with a fake smile, maybe nagging me about manners. I definitely wasn't expecting someone my age—someone… well, you."
Sona's brow arched slightly. "Someone… what, exactly?"
Harry's lips twitched like he was trying to find the least embarrassing way to say it, but the words still came out unfiltered. "Someone beautiful. Smart and sharp looking, sure, but—yeah, really beautiful."
She felt a small, unexpected warmth rush to her cheeks at the bluntness in his tone.
Sona exhaled slowly through her nose, her eyes narrowing—not in anger, but in thought.
…Of course her father would put her brand-new nephew up to something like this. It was exactly the kind of strange, borderline reckless 'lesson' he liked to set up. He probably had some weird plan she didn't know if she even wanted to bother figuring out…
She took him in properly now, letting her gaze sweep over him without hiding it. He was handsome in a way that made sense for a Sitri—broad-shouldered, strong build, clearly active. But the faint stiffness in his stance, the nervous flicker in his eyes, told her he wasn't some arrogant upstart itching to show off.
He was nervous because of her. And, damn it, she found that endearing.
The tension she'd been carrying since hearing about his existence loosened almost instantly. This wasn't the scheming rival she'd built up in her head, the one who might somehow undercut her place as the family heir.
No, this was just… Harry. A new family member who had been dropped into her world without a guidebook.
…She could be that guidebook.
Her lips curved into the faintest of smiles as she straightened her posture. "We're not going to fight for real," she said firmly.
Harry blinked. "We're not?"
"No," she said, shaking her head just enough for her hair to shift across her shoulders. "But you're my nephew. You're part of this family now. And you should at least know the basics of magical combat. You clearly don't have the experience, and that's not your fault—but we're going to fix that!"
His brows furrowed slightly, like he was trying to decide if she was letting him off easy or setting him up for something worse. "So… training instead?"
"Exactly." She let a trace of amusement into her voice. "Think of it as me making sure you don't embarrass the family name the next time someone throws down a challenge."
Harry gave a quick, lopsided smile. "Fair enough. Where do we start?"
"Right here," Sona replied, her tone all business now. She stepped closer, the air between them humming faintly with the magical energy she was already calling up. "First, I need to see what you can actually do without hurting yourself."
He swallowed, then nodded. "Alright. Just… go easy on me."
Sona's smirk widened a fraction. "We'll see."
– Serafall –
Serafall stood on the wide marble balcony of the Sitri estate, her hands resting on the cool railing as she leaned forward slightly and watched. The warm Underworld air carried the faint scent of damp grass from the estate's backyard below, where Sona was guiding Harry through the first clumsy steps of combat worthy water magic.
Beside Serafall were both her parents. Serafall's eyes tracked the way Sona adjusted Harry's stance, the way Harry's brow furrowed in concentration, and she took in the whole scene piece by piece, committing each precious detail to memory before finally glancing toward her parents.
Serafall turned her head toward Sebastian, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You're devious, you know that," she said, her tone a mix of amusement and accusation. She knew exactly what he'd done. "You set them up perfectly."
Selene's gaze shifted from the yard to her husband, one dark brow arching. "Do you really think this will work?" she asked.
Sebastian didn't look away from the training below. "I think it will," he said simply.
Serafall chuckled under her breath, leaning an elbow on the railing. "Of course it will," she added, answering for him.
Sona had been drifting further from the family for years, and Serafall knew exactly why. Everyone was buried in their own work, wrapped up in obligations, and Sona had been left without anyone who truly depended on her.
No one leaned on her for guidance, no one looked to her as the person they needed.
Now, though, she had Harry—a brand new family member who was so clearly out of his depth in the Underworld that it was almost painful to watch. He could throw water at a straw dummy, sure, but that was a far cry from standing in front of someone who meant to kill you and holding your ground.
From her vantage point, Serafall could see the way Sona was fully engaged, stepping in close to adjust his stance, explaining in short, firm sentences, and watching him try again. And there it was—an unguarded smile tugging at Sona's mouth, the kind she probably didn't even notice.
Serafall recognized it instantly. Her sister was already investing in him, already becoming closer to family again and it had barely been 20 minutes since her sister returned to the underworld for the first time in months.
And it was all because of Serafall's amazing son!
And speaking of her amazing son, Serafall's attention sharpened on the yard again as Sona moved in close to Harry. She circled him once, her eyes running critically over his posture before she stepped in to correct him. Her hands went straight to his forearms, lifting one and angling it just so, then sliding up over his biceps to his shoulders to adjust their height. She didn't stop there—her fingers skimmed down his sides to nudge his hips into position, and she gave his back a firm press to straighten it. Harry's cheeks flushed deep pink almost instantly, the color creeping up to the tips of his ears. From up on the balcony, Serafall caught the faint warmth in Sona's cheeks too. Her sister kept her face composed, but Serafall had known her long enough to recognize the signs.
Sona liked this—liked him?
Serafall let out a low, amused giggle, the sound slipping past her lips before she could stop it. She'd seen her sister fuss over people before, but never like this.
She glanced toward her parents, catching the small, knowing smiles on their faces. Selene's pink eyes softened, and Sebastian had approval in his expression. They didn't say anything yet, but she could read them like a book—they saw it too. This was exactly the kind of spark the three of them had hoped for when Sebastian cooked up this whole "challenge your aunt" idea. Sona, who'd been growing distant for far too long, was actually connecting with someone again.
Serafall turned her gaze back to the yard, watching Sona give Harry's elbow another quick nudge before stepping back to assess him. Her voice carried just enough for Serafall to hear the calm authority in it. Harry responded with a clipped "Yes, ma'am," his tone a mix of respect and determination.
"Looks like your plan's working faster than expected," Serafall murmured to Sebastian without taking her eyes off the pair.
He didn't deny it. Selene simply let out a quiet hum of agreement. And Serafall, feeling a surge of pride, thought to herself that this was the first real step toward pulling her sister back into the heart of the family.
...But then Serafall also caught something that killed the playful mood instantly. A sharp pulse of killing intent cut through the air, subtle but real enough to prickle at her skin. It was radiating off the dark-haired kid standing with his arms crossed near the edge of the yard. Sona's new pawn. His eyes weren't on Sona at all, they were locked onto Harry with a cold, unblinking focus that made her jaw clench.
She didn't like that. Not one damn bit. She flicked her gaze to her parents to see if they'd noticed, and the look in their eyes told her they had.
Selene's voice was quiet but firm. "Oh dear… that will be a problem in the future."
Sebastian's tone was just as even, but there was a warning in it. "This is why it's risky for a female devil to keep men in her peerage. Strength is one thing. Pride, jealousy, and all the mess that comes with it… that's another."
Serafall kept her eyes on the pawn, already filing the moment away. This wasn't something she'd let slide. If that kid thought for a second he could aim that kind of intent at her son without consequences, he was going to learn how fast she could make him regret it!
– Harry –
After my second magical workout of the day, I was sweaty, sore, and—honestly—feeling pretty damn good about myself. Sona might've been a gorgeous hardass when it came to training, but every tip she drilled into me actually made casting smoother. I was still catching my breath when Lyra and Lyna came jogging over, their tits bouncing in those ridiculous maid tops as they waved a pair of fluffy towels.
"Let us wipe you down, young master," Lyra said, her tone syrupy-sweet. "Go on, take your shirt off for us."
I blinked. "Uh… what?" Before I could protest properly, they were already tugging at the hem, yanking it up over my head. The shirt hit the ground a second later, and cool air hit my bare chest.
The twins didn't waste a second running the towels over me.
"Damn, you've been working hard," Lyna murmured, grinning as she dragged the towel across my shoulders and down my arms.
"Indeed he has, sister…" Lyra added.
From off to the side, I heard a quick, surprised squeak. I glanced over to see Sona staring, her cheeks faintly pink. "You two are shameless! What do you think you're doing?"
"We're helping wipe down our master," Lyra said matter-of-factly without pausing her work. "Mistress Serafall told us to always look out for his needs."
I just stood there, not sure whether to laugh or feel even hotter in the face.
Then Lyna glanced over at Sona with a sly smile. "We can do the same for you, Mistress Sona."
Sona's blush deepened instantly. "That's not necessary!" she said sharply.
I was doing my damnedest not to pop a stiff one while Lyra and Lyna rubbed me down like I was some prize stallion fresh out of the race. Their towels moved slow enough to make me suspicious, gliding over my pecs, across my stomach, and lingering just a little too long near the waistband of my pants. I could feel Sona's eyes on me the whole time, and when I finally glanced over, her face was flushed a bright, obvious red.
She opened her mouth and spoke up, her tone sharp but not hiding the heat in her cheeks. "You did very well today, Harry. We can have another lesson tomorrow," she said, straightening her jacket like that might distract from the color in her face. "But for now… how about I take you out for a reward? There's a great ice cream place in the nearby town."
That actually made me laugh, even with the maids still making me the center of their personal softcore show. "Ice cream, huh? You sure you don't want to see your family first? You literally just got back."
Her head shook quickly, almost too quickly. "No. I need… more time to mentally prepare before seeing my sister," she said, looking away. The slow speed of her answer told me there was something there, but I decided not to push.
Meanwhile, Lyra's towel was tracing dangerously low on my abs, and Lyna's hand was creeping around my lower back. I felt fingertips skim the top of my ass and that was my cue to shut it down. "Alright, that's enough," I said, swatting at them.
They yelped like I'd caught them doing something scandalous—which, to be fair, I had—then giggled and bolted toward the mansion, their skirts riding high as they went.
I rubbed the back of my neck and turned back to Sona, who was still watching me with that mix of composure and… something else I couldn't quite place. She didn't push, just stood there, waiting for me to answer her offer.
I shot Sona a teasing grin and asked, "So… is this you asking me out on a date?" Which wouldn't actually be that weird for Devils in the underworld apparently. A lot of pureblood Devils apparently still married brothers and sisters to keep bloodline powers strong, so my aunt asking me out wasn't abnormal.
If she was…?
She froze for a second, her eyes narrowing even as a faint flush crept up her cheeks. "I—um—That offer just slipped out and—" she muttered, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. The way she avoided eye contact told me even she wasn't totally convinced by her own answer.
"Sure doesn't sound like a no," I said, smirking.
She turned her head sharply toward the far end of the yard, clearly looking for something else to focus on. Her hand came up and she gestured toward the only other two people still hanging around. "It's definitely not a date," she said firmly. "Because my Queen and my new pawn will be coming with us. Their names are Tsubaki and Saji." She changed the subject.
Tsubaki gave a small, polite nod when I looked over, but Saji's response was nothing like hers. He just stood there with his arms crossed, glaring at me like I'd kicked his damn puppy. The guy's eyes were locked on me, sharp and cold, and I could feel the hostility dripping off him even from several yards away.
I lifted a hand in a casual wave, trying to be civil. "Hey," I said, remembering that I'd pretty much skipped proper introductions earlier when I decided to open with challenging Sona in front of everyone. "Sorry about before."
Tsubaki's nod didn't waver, but Saji didn't return the greeting. His jaw flexed, and his glare stayed fixed on me. For a second, I thought he might actually say something, but he didn't. Just stood there, silent, radiating dislike.
"Friendly guy," I muttered under my breath.
Sona glanced between us. "They'll both be joining us!" she repeated, maybe trying to convince herself.
"Great," I said, letting my voice go neutral even though I was already wondering what the hell his problem was. Maybe it was about the fight challenge earlier, maybe it was something else entirely. Either way, I made a mental note not to turn my back on him until I knew for sure.
…
Over the next two weeks at the Sitri mansion, my days fell into a rhythm—training, eating, getting teased by the maids, and more training.
I spent most of my time with Aunt Sona and her Queen, Tsubaki. At first, Tsubaki had been polite but distant, all formality and perfect posture. But after spending hours sweating side-by-side in the training yard, she started opening up more. She wasn't just some elegant silent servant—she could handle a weapon like a pro. Most of them were Japanese styles—katanas, naginatas—but she had a solid grip on Western swords too. She even took the time to teach me the basics so I wouldn't slice my own arm off the first time I tried.
I'm not sure if I would ever be a true sword guy though.
Sona, on the other hand, was relentless when it came to magic. Every single day, she drilled me until my fingers ached from spellcasting. She was sharp, demanding, and had zero tolerance for laziness. But she also explained things in a way that actually made them click. When I wasn't getting turned on by how "hands on" her explanations were...
My control got better, my spells hit harder, and I stopped feeling like I was going to pass out after five minutes of continuous casting.
Somewhere in that first week, I figured out why she'd been dodging her sister Serafall. Serafall was just as clingy with Sona as she was with me—maybe even worse. She'd sweep into a room, hug Sona like she was never letting go, and gush loud enough for the whole house to hear. And she had this obsession with trying to get Sona to dress up as a magical girl. It was like watching someone try to force-feed a cat medicine.
Honestly? I found the whole thing hilarious… and, yeah, I'm not gonna lie—it was pretty hot.
Especially when I accidentally made an offhand comment about how "she'd probably look good in one of those outfits."
Sona froze, glared at me, and then the next thing I knew, Serafall had roped her into actually wearing one. Full frilly skirt, stockings, wand, the whole package. And because Serafall is Serafall, she turned it into a "modeling show" for the family. She even joined in herself, twirling and striking ridiculous poses next to her sister while I tried to keep a straight face. Sona's cheeks were burning the whole time, but she didn't quit, which only made it better.
Not everything during those two weeks was perfect, though...
About a week ago, I was walking through the gardens with Sona on one side and my mum, Serafall, on the other. It was a warm, calm day, the kind where you'd think nothing could ruin the mood—until Saji came storming up the path. His face was bright red, like he'd sprinted the whole way, and his eyes were locked on Sona with this pissed-off determination.
"President, I want to go home," he blurted out before he'd even caught his breath. "I'm sick of sitting around all day watching you fawn over this pretty-boy loser." He jerked his chin toward me like I was the last person on earth he wanted to see. "You deserve better than that!" And because apparently he didn't know when to shut his mouth, he kept going—throwing a couple more cheap insults my way.
I actually had to put a hand out in front of my mum, because I could see the way her magic flared. She was about half a second from turning him into an ice sculpture right there in the middle of the garden.
Sona's whole body went stiff. Her mouth pressed into a hard line, and the glare she fixed on Saji could've stopped him dead in his tracks if he had any sense. "Saji," she said, her voice sharp enough to cut glass, "you are home."
He blinked at her like she'd just spoken a foreign language. "What?"
"Your home in the human world was given up when you joined my peerage," she said, each word slow and deliberate. "You go where I ask, when I ask. You wait as long as I tell you. That is how this works. You knew that when you agreed to become my pawn."
Saji sputtered, his bravado starting to crack. "That's not true! We should just go back to Japan already and get back to our normal lives!"
"Normal?" Sona stepped toward him, closing the gap. "You are not human anymore. You don't have a 'normal life' to go back to. This—" she gestured to the grounds around us "—is your life now. The sooner you accept that, the better."
He looked like he wanted to argue, but one glance at her expression made him hesitate. For a moment, the only sound was the wind through the hedges.
Serafall tilted her head, her voice deceptively light when she finally spoke. "You've got a lot of nerve, talking to my son like that. And even more, talking to my little sister like that..."
That wasn't the last time Saji decided to run his mouth around me and Sona. A few days later, he outdid himself and interrupted our training session. I'd just finished nailing a solid water blast into the target when he stomped across the yard, face twisted like he'd smelled something rotten.
"President, you're wasting your time teaching a weakling like him," he said loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
My mum wasn't here this time, but my maids looked like they wanted to murder him...
I'm usually a pretty calm guy. I can shrug off insults from idiots without letting it get under my skin. But hearing the same crap, day in and day out, for over a week? That's not just annoying—that's begging for a beating.
"That's it," I said flatly. "You and me. Right now."
Sona looked like she was about to shut it down, but before she could, Tsubaki spoke up from the sideline, her tone steady. "Let him. Saji needs this."
That little bit of support wiped the smug look right off Sona's face and planted it firmly on Saji's. He strutted across the grass to face me, cracking his knuckles. "Finally," he said. "Sacred Gear!"
A gauntlet flashed into being on his arm, ugly and clunky. I probably should've asked Sona what his Sacred Gear did before throwing down. Too late now.
The fight started fast. A glowing rope of energy shot from the gauntlet on Saji's wrist, lashing out and coiling tight around mine. The magic bit into my skin with a weird, draining sensation.
"You're done for now!" he barked, grinning like he'd just won. "My Sacred Gear can bind your magic and siphon it into me. You can't use any spells—"
He didn't even get to finish. I surged forward and closing the gap between us in seconds. "I don't need spells to kick your ass," I snapped, and drove my fist straight into his face. My knuckles connected hard, the satisfying crack echoing across the yard as his head snapped back. He stumbled, the smugness wiped clean in an instant, and I was already lining up the next hit.
I didn't give him a chance to recover from that first hit. The moment his head snapped back, I yanked hard on the glowing rope between us, pulling him straight into another punch that smashed into his jaw. He grunted and stumbled sideways, trying to tighten the rope's hold on my wrist, but I ripped against it with everything I had. The magic in it faltered just enough for me to get in close again.
Saji swung at me with his free hand, but it was sloppy, desperate. I ducked under it and drove my shoulder into his chest, sending him back a few steps before hammering my fist into his gut. The air rushed out of him in a loud, ugly wheeze. His knees bent, and I grabbed him by the front of his shirt to keep him from falling before slamming my forehead into his nose. There was a wet crack and his head snapped back again, blood already spilling down his face.
He tried to lift the gauntlet between us again, but I'd had enough of that thing. I caught his arm, twisted it hard until the ropes slackened, then shoved it away and landed another clean hook across his cheek. His eyes went glassy for a second, and that was my opening to drive him down to the ground.
Tsubaki was calling something I didn't hear, Lyra and Lyna egging me on like it was the best show they'd seen all year. I planted a knee in Saji's side and grabbed the gauntlet, ripping the rope completely off my wrist before tossing it aside. Then I hit him again, and again, each strike landing with the dull thud of knuckles on flesh. He flailed, tried to buck me off, but I wasn't letting him up until I made my point.
Finally, when I felt his resistance start to fade, I pushed off and stood over him, breathing hard. His face was a mess—swollen lip, bloody nose, red marks blooming across his jaw. He coughed, tried to glare at me, but it didn't have the same bite anymore.
"Next time," I said, shaking out my sore knuckles, "keep your mouth shut unless you're ready to back it up."
Sona jogged across the yard toward me the second I stepped back from Saji's limp form. Her eyes swept over me fast, checking for injuries, and then her hands were on me—gripping my arms, sliding down to my wrists, brushing across my sides, and patting along my chest like she was making sure I hadn't been hit anywhere serious. The warmth of her touch and how close she was made my face heat up immediately. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice sharp but laced with concern.
"I'm fine," I said quickly, though I wasn't sure if I was more rattled from the fight or from having her hands all over me in front of everyone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Saji still sprawled on the ground, breathing heavy, face swollen and bloodied. His glare was pure venom, but he couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice. "I want to go home," he whined, his tone pitiful compared to the bravado he'd had before. "I'm done with this."
Sona's head turned toward him slowly, her expression hardening in an instant. She didn't say anything right away, just stared at him for a moment like she was weighing the situation. Then she straightened and crossed her arms. "Fine. You can go back to Japan," she said flatly. "Clearly, you're not ready to be here."
Saji didn't argue, just looked away, the defeat settling in as Tsubaki moved to help him up. Sona, meanwhile, kept her focus on me.
The next few days were surprisingly calm. Training sessions ran smoother without Saji mouthing off, and Sona seemed more relaxed. We'd gotten into a good rhythm—magic drills, sparring, some flirtatious conversation here and there that was starting to feel less stiff. But then the day came when she had to head back to Japan. She'd been away from her peerage longer than she'd planned, and from the way she talked about it, there was a "firm conversation" with her pawn waiting for her the second she arrived.
In the teleportation room, she stood a few feet away from the glowing platform, looking composed but with just the slightest hesitation in her stance. I could tell she didn't really want to leave, even if she'd never admit it. When she stepped toward me, I expected a quick handshake or some formal goodbye. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me in a firm hug, pulling me in close. The contact caught me off guard—the warmth of her body pressed against mine, the faint scent of her hair, the strength in her arms that made it clear she wasn't rushing this moment. I hugged her back, holding for a second before she pulled away.
Her eyes met mine for just a beat, then she gave a small, almost imperceptible smile and stepped up onto the teleporter platform. The magic flared, and in a blink, she was gone.
The sudden quiet in the room felt heavier than I expected. I turned and found myself standing there with my grandparents and my mum.
My mum already had tears streaking her cheeks. She was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, her bottom lip trembling. "I miss her already!" she blurted out, voice cracking like Sona had moved away forever instead of taking a quick trip back home. She sniffled loudly, then looked at me like I was supposed to join her in moping.
I was bummed that Sona was gone. We'd gotten close over those two weeks—between the training, the little moments where she'd actually laugh, and even the occasional lingering look, I felt like we'd crossed that awkward "getting to know you" phase. Still, I knew I'd see her again soon enough. No point moping like my mum, who was still sniffling like she'd just lost her sister for good.
"I can't believe she's gone already!" Serafall whined, wiping her eyes dramatically. "She didn't even let me braid her hair before she left!" She sniffled hard enough to make Selene glance over with a raised brow. "And she didn't say yes when I asked if she'd wear the magical girl outfit for me again! What if she never does it again?!"
I shook my head, trying not to laugh. "You'll live, Mum."
I had other things on my mind anyway. Tomorrow, I'd be heading back to London to meet up with Hermione. And it wasn't just her—Dumbledore had sent me some letters too. The old man apparently had a phoenix for a familiar, one that could travel anywhere it damn well pleased. He'd sent it to deliver a letter right in the middle of a family dinner, and the thing had scared the hell out of everyone.
I could still see it in my head—the blinding flash of golden light filling the dining room, the red and gold bird materializing in the air with a piercing cry.
Serafall had practically leapt into my lap. "What the fuck is that?!" she'd shouted.
Sona had been halfway out of her chair, hand glowing with magic. "Is that thing hostile?!" she demanded.
Selene, completely unfazed, had just sipped her wine. "It's quite beautiful," she'd said.
Sebastian had nodded in agreement. "Elegant creature. It's quite rare. Too bad they can't live in the underworld, it's too full of dark ambient magic for them to thrive."
Meanwhile, Serafall had been peeking at it over my shoulder. "Harry! It's staring at me…"
"Probably because it's a light magical creature and you're an "evil" Maou..." I'd told her.
The phoenix had dropped the letter in front of me, ruffled its feathers like it was smug about scaring everyone, and then vanished in another burst of light.
Dumbledore's letter had said the Weasley family I'd mentioned before would be happy to host me, and that they'd all be going to the Quidditch World Cup like I would. I'd promised to go with the Delacour sisters, and Hermione had already said she wanted to come too. But I wasn't about to turn down a chance to make more friends—hopefully.
I'd been feeling a bit down about how my guy friend count was sitting at a solid zero. I'd stopped hanging out with anyone from secondary school months ago, and the only one left in my life was my cousin Dudley. That ended the second my aunt found out I was magical—she'd fainted in her own living room and then probably told him not to answer any letters I sent. And I had sent around five or six so far…
So yeah, no male friends.
Dumbledore's letter mentioned the Weasleys, who apparently had three sons around my age at Hogwarts. Hopefully we'd click, and if not, at least I'd tried. I figured there'd be a few decent blokes at school once I finally got there after the Quidditch World Cup.
For now, I just needed some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be big. I stretched out in bed, a grin creeping onto my face at the thought of seeing Hermione, Fleur, and Gabrielle again. My mind drifted a little on what exactly that reunion might look like, and yeah, it warmed me up in more ways than one.
Just as I was getting comfortable, there was a knock at my bedroom door. I cracked my eyes open, already suspicious, and sure enough, Lyra's voice came through, dripping with playful teasing. "Master, do you want us to help you warm your bed tonight?"
"We could give you a very peaceful night's sleep!" Lyna chimed in a second later, her tone matching her sister's.
I rolled my eyes, but my face heated instantly. "No thanks," I called back, trying to sound flat, but I could already feel my cock twitch at the thought. It wasn't like this was new—they pulled this kind of thing at least once or twice a day—but it still caught me off.
From the other side of the door came a pair of muffled giggles, the kind they did when they knew they'd scored a reaction. "As you wish, young master," Lyra purred, before I heard their footsteps retreating down the hall.
I let out a slow breath, staring up at the ceiling. I was getting more used to their antics, but not enough to stop them from messing with my head.
Oh well, tomorrow, I would be back in London… And I could leave them here in the Underworld.
XXX