Part I: The House Tour
Rias's residence was... excessive.
A western-style mansion in the upscale residential district, surrounded by magical wards that made mundane humans unconsciously avoid looking at it directly. Three stories. Easily twenty rooms. A garden that probably required a full-time staff to maintain.
"This is where you live?" Caelan asked as they materialized via teleportation circle in the entrance hall. "Alone?"
"Well, my peerage visits often," Rias said, leading him through the foyer. "And Akeno stays over sometimes. But yes, technically I live here alone. The servants are mostly magical constructs—cleaning spells, automated systems. Devils don't really need staff anymore."
"Efficient."
"Lonely," she corrected quietly. Then brightened. "But now you're here! Come on, I'll show you your room!"
She grabbed his hand—and practically dragged him up the grand staircase.
Hoarfrost padded along behind them, sniffing everything with great interest.
The mansion was decorated in that expensive-but-impersonal way that suggested an interior designer had been given a massive budget and zero actual input from the resident. Everything matched. Everything was coordinated. Nothing had any personality.
Except Rias's room, which they passed on the second floor. Through the briefly open door, Caelan caught a glimpse of organized chaos—books, magical artifacts, a massive bed with too many pillows, posters of some human world idol group, Rating Game strategy charts covering an entire wall.
That's more like it, he thought. Actual personality.
They climbed to the third floor—quieter, more isolated—and Rias opened a door at the end of the hall.
"Here! The master bedroom. It has its own bathroom, a sitting area, and the best view in the house."
Caelan stepped inside and had to admit—it was nice.
Spacious. Minimalist. Large windows overlooking the garden. A massive bed that looked like it could fit four people comfortably. An attached bathroom with what appeared to be a luxury soaking tub.
"This will work," he said.
"Great!" Rias beamed. "I'll have the automated systems stock the bathroom with whatever you need. Oh, and—" She walked to the closet and opened it, revealing it was already full of clothes. "I took the liberty of having some things prepared. I wasn't sure about your size, so I got a range. If nothing fits, we can—"
She trailed off because Caelan was giving her a look.
"You prepared an entire wardrobe. Before I agreed to stay here."
"...Maybe?"
"You were that confident I'd say yes?"
"I was that hopeful?" She smiled sheepishly. "Look, I just—I wanted you to be comfortable. Is that so bad?"
He sighed. "No. It's not bad. It's just—" He gestured vaguely. "—you're trying very hard."
"Of course I am! You're—" She stopped herself.
"I'm what?"
"You're family," she said quietly. "And I know you said this doesn't change anything between us. I know you want to keep your distance. But—" Her eyes met his. "But I can at least make sure you're comfortable while you're here. That's not too much, is it?"
Caelan looked at her—really looked at her.
Eighteen years old. Beautiful. Powerful. The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess who commanded respect from ancient devils and young devils alike.
But right now, in this moment, she just looked like a girl who desperately wanted her family to acknowledge her.
We're more similar than I thought, he realized uncomfortably.
"It's not too much," he said finally. "Thank you."
Her smile could have lit up the entire mansion.
"You're welcome! Now—" She clapped her hands together. "—let's get you settled! And then we should have dinner! I ordered takeout from this amazing human restaurant that—"
"Rias."
She stopped mid-ramble. "Yes?"
"You don't have to try this hard."
"I know. But I want to." She smiled. "So let me, okay?"
He didn't have an answer for that.
Part II:
Dinner was... surprisingly normal.
They ate in the large dining room—just the two of them, since Akeno had other plans and the rest of the peerage had gone home. The food was good. The conversation was stilted but not uncomfortable.
Rias asked about his businesses. He gave vague, non-committal answers.
He asked about her peerage. She opened up, talking about each member with genuine affection.
It was almost pleasant.
Then, as they were finishing, Rias set down her chopsticks and looked at him with an expression that made Caelan immediately suspicious.
"I have a request," she said.
"No."
"You don't even know what it is!"
"The look on your face says it's something I won't like."
"It's not bad," she protested. "It's just—I want you to pamper me. A little."
Caelan stared at her. "Pamper you."
"Yes."
"You're the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess. A high-class devil. The heiress of House Gremory. You command a peerage and the respect of—"
"I know what I am!" Rias interrupted. "But right now, I'm not any of those things. Right now, I'm just—" She struggled for words. "I'm just a girl who's scared about her upcoming Rating Game and her forced engagement and everything else. And I—" Her voice got smaller. "I just want someone to treat me like I'm not a symbol. Just for a little while."
Caelan processed this. "You want me to pamper you because you're stressed."
"Yes."
"And you're asking me specifically because..."
"Because you're the only person who doesn't expect anything from me!" The words burst out of her. "Akeno expects me to be a strong King. Kiba expects me to be a noble leader. Koneko and Asia look up to me. My family expects me to uphold the Gremory name. But you—" She laughed, slightly manic. "You don't expect anything! You made it very clear you're here professionally. You don't care about my status or my power or any of it. So, you're the only one I can be... normal around."
"That's..." Caelan trailed off.
"That's actually kind of pathetic." Yeah, he is going to be single forever.
"I know! So will you do it?"
"Do what, exactly?"
"Just—" She gestured. "Treat me like a little sister or something? No formalities. No 'Rias-sama' or 'President Gremory.' Just... be casual. Indulge me when I'm being ridiculous. Tell me when I'm being stupid. That sort of thing."
Caelan considered this. "You realize I'm your nephew."
"Your older by like five years! That doesn't count!"
"It absolutely counts."
"Caelan, please?"
He looked at her—at the desperation and hope and exhaustion in her eyes—and felt something in his chest crack.
Just a little.
"She needs this, little king," Khione whispered. "And you... you need connection. Even if you won't admit it."
"Fine," he said. "But when you're being the Crimson Princess in public, I'm treating you professionally. This is only in private."
"Deal!" Rias literally bounced in her seat. "Okay! So, first—"
She stood up, walked around the table, and before he could react, she plopped herself sideways across his lap.
"—you have to let me sit on you when I want attention."
Caelan looked down at the crimson-haired devil princess currently sprawled across his legs like an oversized cat. "This is ridiculous."
"It's comfortable!"
"It's undignified."
"I don't care!" She grinned up at him. "See? This is what I mean. You're already telling me when I'm being stupid. It's perfect!"
He sighed, but he didn't push her off.
"Also," Rias continued, making herself more comfortable, "you have to give me head pats when I do well."
"I'm not a dog trainer."
"Head pats or I'll pout."
"Your threats are ineffective."
"Head. Pats."
He stared at her for a long moment. Then, with great reluctance, he placed his hand on her head and gave her exactly one pat.
Her face lit up like Christmas morning. "More!"
"No."
"Please?"
"Absolutely not."
"You're mean."
"You're manipulative."
"I learned from the best!" She grinned. "Sirzechs taught me that pouting gets results."
"That explains so much about devil politics."
They sat there for a moment—her sprawled across his lap, him looking like he was questioning every life choice that had led to this moment.
Then Rias spoke up again: "Can we watch the CCTV?"
Caelan went very still. "Excuse me?"
"The CCTV feeds. From the Gremory estate." She twisted to look up at him, her expression guilty but curious. "I know you have them. I know you've been watching. And I—I want to see."
"Why?"
"Because—" She bit her lip. "Because I want to know what's real. What they're really like when they think no one's watching. You said you'd show me the truth. So... show me?"
Caelan studied her face. "You might not like what you see."
"I know. But I want to see it anyway."
He was quiet for a long moment.
Then he pulled out his phone. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Part III:
They moved to the living room—a more comfortable space with a large magical television screen. Rias curled up on the sofa next to Caelan (maintaining what she apparently considered an appropriate amount of physical contact), and he synced his phone to the display.
The CCTV feeds appeared, showing a grid of different rooms in the Gremory estate.
"Where do you want to start?" Caelan asked.
"Lucien's room," Rias said immediately. "I want to see if the rumors are true."
Caelan pulled up the feed.
And immediately regretted it.
"Oh my," Rias breathed.
Lucien's bedroom was currently occupied by Lucien and his fiancée, Seekvaira.
And Seekvaira had a naked Lucien tied to the bed with what appeared to be magical bindings.
She had her hands in his asshole.
"Is she—" Rias squinted at the screen. "Is she wearing a strap-on?"
"Yes."
"And he's—"
"Very much enjoying it, yes."
They watched in stunned silence for approximately ten seconds.
Then Rias started giggling. "Oh my God. Oh my God. Lucien—the perfect golden boy of the Gremory family—is a sub!"
"Apparently."
"This is the best thing I've ever seen."
"Your standards are concerning."
"Shut up, this is hilarious!" She was full-on laughing now. "All those times he acted so dominant and confident—and he just wants someone to tie him up and—" She dissolved into giggles.
Caelan switched feeds before things got more explicit. "Moving on."
The next feed showed Lord Zeoticus and Lady Venelana's private chambers.
They were... also occupied.
"Are they—" Rias's eyes widened. "Is mother bending father over the—"
"Yes."
"Devils are weird."
"You're just now figuring this out?"
They watched for another moment (Venelana was apparently very enthusiastic about whatever she was doing), then Caelan switched feeds again.
This one showed Sirzechs's private wing.
The Crimson Satan was in his bedroom, surrounded by at least five women in various stages of undress. All of them were servants—maids, administrative staff. One of them Caelan vaguely recognized as a low-level noble's daughter who worked in the records department.
Sirzechs himself was lounging on the bed, looking relaxed and content as the women attended to him.
"Consorts," Rias said quietly. "I knew he had them. Brother never tried to hide that aspect of devil culture. But—" She looked at another part of the screen, where Grayfia stood near the door, her expression perfectly neutral. "Grayfia is just... standing there."
"She's the Queen," Caelan said flatly. "She's expected to allow it. To facilitate it, even. Devil culture."
"But does she—does she participate?"
As if in answer, one of the women gestured to Grayfia, clearly inviting her to join.
Grayfia shook her head with a small, polite smile and remained by the door.
"She doesn't engage," Caelan confirmed. "She never has. From what I've observed, she fulfils her duties as Queen in every way except... that."
"Does Brother care?"
"He doesn't pressure her. I'll give him that much. But—" Caelan's voice went colder. "He doesn't exactly pine for her either."
They watched in silence as Sirzechs enjoyed his consorts and Grayfia stood sentinel, looking like a statue.
"That's Something," Rias whispered.
"That's reality."
She was quiet for a moment. Then: "Turn it off. I've seen enough."
Caelan obliged, the screen going dark.
They sat there in the dim living room, processing what they'd seen.
"My family is a mess," Rias said finally.
"Yes."
"Lucien's a submissive. My parents have a kinky power dynamic. My brother maintains a maid harem while his wife stands by looking dead inside." She laughed, but it was hollow. "And they all judged you for being different."
"Ironic, isn't it?"
"It's fucked up is what it is."
"Language."
"I'm eighteen! I can curse if I want!" But she smiled slightly. "Thanks for showing me."
"You asked."
"I know. But still." She leaned against his shoulder. "It helps. Knowing that they're not as perfect as they pretend to be."
Caelan didn't respond, but he didn't push her away either.
They sat like that for a while, the silence comfortable.
Then Rias spoke up again: "Hey, Caelan?"
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something personal?"
"You can ask. I might not answer."
"Fair." She took a breath. "Have you ever... been with anyone? Romantically? Physically?"
"No."
"Not even—"
"No." His voice was flat. "I've been too busy building a territory and a financial empire to worry about relationships."
"That's... kind of sad."
"It's efficient."
"Those aren't mutually exclusive." She tilted her head to look up at him. "Don't you get lonely?"
Caelan was quiet for a long moment.
Then: "Every day."
The admission hung in the air.
Rias reached up and—without asking permission, because apparently that was their dynamic now—ruffled his hair. "Well, you're stuck with me now. So at least you won't be lonely here."
"That's not comforting."
"It's not meant to be!" She grinned. "Come on. It's late. We should sleep."
"Finally, a good idea."
"Hey!"
Part IV:
They went to their separate rooms.
Caelan changed into sleep clothes (simple silk pants and a loose shirt from the wardrobe Rias had prepared), brushed his teeth, and collapsed into the massive bed with a sigh of exhaustion.
Hoarfrost curled up at the foot of the bed, already snoring.
Khione's mist settled around him like a blanket.
"This went better than expected," the entity murmured.
"It went terribly. I'm living with my aunt. I'm going to be a teacher. I've agreed to train a pervert. Everything about this is a disaster."
"And yet you're smiling."
"I'm not—"
He stopped.
He was. Just a little.
"Shut up," he muttered, closing his eyes.
He fell asleep quickly, exhaustion finally catching up with him.
He woke to warmth.
Which was wrong. Caelan didn't do warmth. He was cold. Always cold.
But something warm was pressed against him. Something soft and—
His eyes snapped open.
Rias Gremory was in his bed.
Naked.
The curve of her ass.
The poking of her nipples.
The crimson hairs covering like a blanket.
Completely, utterly, gloriously naked.
She was curled against his side, one leg thrown over his, her face pressed against his shoulder, her crimson hair spread across his chest like silk.
And she was naked.
Caelan's brain short-circuited for approximately five seconds.
Then rebooted in full panic mode.
"Rias," he said, his voice strangled. "Rias, wake up."
"Mmph." She made a sleepy sound and pressed closer.
"RIAS."
Her eyes fluttered open. "Hm? Morning already?"
"You're naked."
"Mm. Yeah. I sleep naked. It's more comfortable." She yawned, completely unconcerned.
"You're naked. In my bed."
"Mm-hm."
"WHY ARE YOU NAKED IN MY BED?!"
She blinked up at him, finally registering his panic. "Oh. Sorry. I got lonely and came to sleep with you. Is that a problem?"
"IS THAT A—" Caelan sputtered. "You can't just—you're my aunt—we're—this is—"
"Devils don't really care about that stuff," Rias said sleepily. "Incest, age gaps, nakedness—it's all pretty normal in our culture. Didn't you know?"
"I—that's not—you can't just—"
"Relax!" She patted his chest. "I'm not trying to seduce you or anything. I just wanted to sleep next to someone. You're cold. It's comfortable. See?" She snuggled closer to demonstrate.
Caelan looked at the ceiling and wondered if this was what an aneurysm felt like.
"Put. Clothes. On."
"But I'm comfortable!"
"Rias."
"Fine, fine!" She rolled away—giving him a very good view of her backside in the process—and padded across the room to where she'd apparently left a nightgown draped over a chair.
Celian never felt an ass so lickable.
She pulled it on with zero self-consciousness, then turned and grinned at him. "Better?"
"Marginally."
"Good! Now come on, we need to get ready. Your first day as a teacher!" She bounded toward the door, then paused. "Oh, and Caelan?"
"What?"
"You're surprisingly ripped for someone who doesn't train physically. Do you work out?"
His face went bright red. "GET OUT."
She fled, giggling.
Caelan collapsed back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Hoarfrost lifted his massive head and gave him what could only be described as a judgmental look.
"Don't start," Caelan muttered.
"This is going to be entertaining," Khione purred.
"I hate all of you."
Part V:
Caelan walked into Kuoh Academy at precisely 7:45 AM, fifteen minutes before his first class.
He'd tied his silver-blue hair back in a loose ponytail, revealing the sharp angles of his face. He wore a formal button-down shirt (white), black slacks, and a vest that somehow made him look even more elegant. Professional. Distinguished.
Also, unfortunately, very pretty.
The moment he stepped through the school gates, conversations stopped.
Students stared.
A girl actually walked into a lamp post.
Two boys started arguing about whether he was male or female, their voices getting progressively louder.
"That's definitely a woman—"
"No way! Look at the shoulders!"
"But the face—"
Caelan ignored all of it and headed straight for the faculty building.
The teachers' lounge was a small miracle of organized chaos—coffee machines, stacks of papers, a few exhausted-looking educators trying to prepare for the day.
Sona was already there, reviewing documents. She looked up as he entered.
"Good morning, Sensei," she said with a slight smile. "Ready for your first day?"
"No."
"Excellent. Your classroom is 3-B. Third floor. I've already informed the students they have a new mathematics teacher. Try not to traumatize them."
"I make no promises."
"I know." She handed him a folder. "Curriculum guidelines, textbook, class roster. The students are... spirited. But manageable."
"Define 'spirited.'"
"You'll see."
Classroom 3-B was on the third floor, as promised. Caelan opened the door to find a room full of third-year students already seated and chatting loudly.
The moment he walked in, the noise cut off like someone had pulled a plug.
Thirty pairs of eyes locked onto him.
Several jaws dropped.
A boy in the back whispered, "Holy shit, she's gorgeous—"
Caelan walked to the front of the classroom and wrote his name on the board in precise, elegant characters.
先生ルシフゲ (Sensei Lucifuge)
Then he turned to face the class.
"Good morning, class."
A chorus of automatic responses: "Good morning, Ma'am!"
Caelan's eye twitched. "I'm male."
Stunned silence.
"WHAT?!" Several students shouted simultaneously.
"That's a dude?!"
"No way!"
"But he's so—"
"Sensei," Caelan corrected firmly. "And yes, I'm male. Now that we've established that, let's begin. I'm Sensei Lucifuge. I'll be teaching mathematics for the remainder of the term. Open your textbooks to page forty-seven."
The students scrambled to comply, still stealing glances at him like he was some kind of exotic creature.
One brave girl in the front row raised her hand. "Sensei, what kind of shampoo do you use?"
"Irrelevant. Page forty-seven."
"But your hair is so—"
"Page. Forty-seven."
She shut up.
The class proceeded with surprising normalcy. Caelan taught calculus with brutal efficiency—no wasted words, no unnecessary explanations. Just pure, distilled mathematics.
And the students... actually paid attention.
Not because the material was fascinating (it wasn't), but because they were too busy staring at their impossibly beautiful teacher to zone out.
Rias sat in the third row, trying very hard not to smile.
Akeno sat next to her, openly smirking.
And when Caelan turned to write an equation on the board, several students in the back row pulled out their phones to take pictures.
He spun around. "Phones away. Now."
They scrambled to comply.
"Thank you. As I was saying, the derivative of this function requires the chain rule, which—"
A hand shot up.
"Yes?"
A boy with glasses spoke nervously: "Sensei, are you single?"
The temperature dropped five degrees.
"That's not relevant to mathematics."
"But—"
"Next person who asks a personal question gets assigned extra homework. Understood?"
Vigorous nodding.
The class continued.
By the time the bell rang, Caelan had covered twice as much material as normal teachers would have, assigned homework that made several students groan in despair, and established himself as simultaneously the most beautiful and most terrifying teacher in Kuoh Academy history.
"Dismissed," he said.
Students fled.
Except Rias, who lingered by his desk with a huge grin. "That was amazing! You're a natural!"
"I threatened them into submission. That's not teaching."
"It's effective teaching!"
Akeno joined them, her smile catlike. "Sensei Lucifuge. I do believe half the student body is already in love with you."
"That's their problem."
"The other half is terrified."
"Also, their problem."
Rias laughed, then hesitated. "So... tonight. Occult Research Club. Everyone will be there. We should probably do introductions properly. You know, since you'll be training Issei and—"
"Fine. After classes."
"Great!" She bounded toward the door, then paused and turned back. "Oh, and Caelan?"
"What?"
"You have chalk on your face."
He reached up and found, indeed, a smudge of white chalk on his cheek.
Rias skipped over, stood on her tiptoes, and wiped it off with her thumb.
The gesture was casual. Familiar.
And it made something in Caelan's chest twist uncomfortably.
"There! All better!" She grinned and left.
Leaving Caelan standing there, wondering what the hell he'd gotten himself into.
Part VI:
That afternoon, after classes ended, the full Occult Research Club gathered.
Rias sat at her desk, looking every inch the President. Akeno stood beside her, serving tea. Kiba leaned against the wall. Koneko perched on the sofa with cookies. Asia sat primly in a chair.
And Issei—
Issei sat as far from Caelan as physically possible, still clearly traumatized from the chest-touching incident.
Caelan stood by the window, arms crossed, Hoarfrost at his feet.
"Alright," Rias said, clapping her hands together. "Now that Caelan is officially part of our... extended team, I think proper introductions are in order. Everyone, this is Caelan Lucifuge. Lord of House Lucifuge, my—" She paused. "—my nephew. Though technically also my elder by five years. Devil family trees are complicated."
"Wait, he's your nephew?!" Issei's eyes went wide. "But you're younger!"
"I'm his aunt," Rias confirmed. "Sirzechs is my brother. Caelan is Sirzechs's son. Therefore, nephew."
"That's so weird!"
"Welcome to devil nobility," Kiba said dryly.
Rias continued: "Caelan has agreed to help train us—specifically Issei—for the upcoming Rating Game against Riser. He's also our new math teacher, so please treat him with respect."
"Or freeze our dicks off," Issei muttered.
"What was that?" Caelan's voice was dangerously quiet.
"NOTHING! Nothing, Sensei!"
Akeno giggled into her hand.
"Right. Well." Rias gestured to each peerage member in turn. "You've met everyone, but formally: Akeno Himejima, my Queen. Yuuto Kiba, my Knight. Koneko Toujou, my Rook. Asia Argento, my Bishop. And Issei Hyoudou, my Pawn."
"The pervert," Caelan added.
"HEY!"
"The accurate description," Koneko said flatly.
"Thank you, Koneko," Caelan replied.
The white-haired Rook's expression didn't change, but there was definite approval in her eyes.
They settled into casual conversation—discussing training schedules, Rating Game strategy, school events. It was almost... normal.
Then Issei, who'd been unusually quiet, suddenly stood up.
"I HAVE A QUESTION!"
Everyone turned to stare.
"What is it, Issei?" Rias asked warily.
"How can Sensei be so smart and powerful and cool but have absolutely no boobs?!" He pointed dramatically at Caelan. "It's not fair! President has amazing oppai! Akeno-senpai has legendary oppai! Even Asia is developing nicely! But Sensei is completely flat and somehow that makes him more attractive?! I don't understand!"
Silence.
Then Issei, apparently not learning from past mistakes, walked right up to Caelan.
And grabbed his chest.
"See?! Completely—"
The world went white.
When the light faded, Issei was frozen solid from the neck down, his hands still outstretched in their grabbing position.
His eyes were very wide.
His mouth was open in a silent scream.
Caelan looked at him with absolutely no expression. "You touched me. Again. Without permission. Again."
"Mmmph!" Issei tried to speak but couldn't move his jaw.
"I warned you what would happen."
"MMMPH!"
Rias jumped up. "Caelan, you can't actually kill him—"
"I'm not killing him. I'm freezing him. There's a difference."
"That's still—"
Caelan flicked his wrist, and the ice shattered.
Issei collapsed to the floor, gasping for air and frantically checking his body.
"My dick! Is my dick okay?! Did you freeze my—"
"It's fine," Caelan said flatly. "This time. Touch me again, and I won't be so generous."
Issei scrambled backward. "NOTED! Very noted! Crystal clear! Won't happen again! I swear on the sacred oppai that I will never—"
"Stop talking."
"Yessir!"
Kiba was openly laughing now. Akeno had given up on decorum and was giggling uncontrollably. Even Asia looked amused, though she tried to hide it.
Koneko spoke up: "I really like him."
Hoarfrost, who'd been watching the whole thing, padded over to Koneko and dropped his massive head in her lap.
The Rook's eyes widened slightly. Then, very carefully, she reached up and scratched behind his ears.
The dire wolf pup made a sound of pure contentment.
"...He's soft," Koneko said, something like wonder in her voice.
"He likes you," Caelan observed.
"I like him too."
And just like that, Koneko Toujou—the stoic, emotionless Rook—had made a friend.
Part VII:
The next few days fell into a strange rhythm.
Mornings: Caelan taught mathematics with ruthless efficiency. The students learned quickly that Sensei Lucifuge had zero tolerance for nonsense but was genuinely brilliant. Test scores in 3-B shot up dramatically.
Afternoons: Training sessions with Issei. They were brutal. Caelan pushed the Red Dragon Emperor harder than anyone ever had, forcing him to dig deep into his Sacred Gear's potential. Ddraig seemed to approve, his draconic voice booming encouragement from the gauntlet.
Evenings: Occult Research Club meetings. Strategy sessions. Team building. Slowly, against his will, Caelan was becoming part of the group.
Nights: Living with Rias.
The nights were... complicated.
Rias had apparently decided that "pampering" meant constant physical contact. She'd sprawl across his lap while watching TV. Demand head pats when she completed paperwork. Insist on sleeping in his bed (Naked. Dear Satan) because "you're cold and I like it."
She was also shockingly bratty in private.
"Caelan! I finished my Rating Game analysis! Pat my head!"
"You're eighteen."
"I don't care! Pat!"
He'd sigh and comply, and she'd beam like he'd given her the world.
Or:
"Caelan, my butt hurts from sitting too long. Massage it!"
"Absolutely not."
"Please? Just a little?"
"No."
"What if I bribe you with information about the Phoenix family's weaknesses?"
"...Fine. But just this once."
She'd lie face-down on the sofa, and he'd reluctantly apply pressure to her lower back (NOT her actual butt, despite her protests), and she'd moan in relief like he was performing miracles.
"Oh God, yes, right there—"
"Can you not make sex noises while I'm doing this?"
"But it feels so good!"
"I hate you."
"No you don't!"
And the thing was... she was right. He didn't.
The peerage had also learned very quickly not to mess with him.
Especially after the "Issei Incident."
The Red Dragon Emperor had tried one more time—ONE more time—to make a comment about Caelan's appearance while trying to grab something.
Khione's Shadow had frozen Issei's dick for exactly three seconds.
Three seconds of absolute terror where the perverted Pawn genuinely thought his reproductive future was over.
When the ice melted and everything was fine, Issei had literally fallen to his knees and sworn eternal respect.
"I WILL NEVER DOUBT SENSEI AGAIN! I WILL TRAIN HARDER! I WILL BE RESPECTFUL! JUST PLEASE DON'T FREEZE MY DRAGON EVER AGAIN!"
It had been, Caelan admitted privately, deeply satisfying.
Hoarfrost and Koneko had become inseparable. The massive dire wolf pup followed the white-haired Rook everywhere, and she seemed genuinely happy about it. They'd sit together in comfortable silence, her feeding him sweets, him resting his head on her lap.
It was... cute. Annoyingly so.
Part VIII:
It was a Thursday afternoon when Grayfia arrived.
The Occult Research Club was in session—everyone gathered, discussing strategy—when the teleportation circle flared.
The Strongest Queen stepped out, her expression professionally neutral.
"Good afternoon," she said formally. "I apologize for the intrusion, but I've come with news."
Rias stood. "Grayfia! What news?"
"Riser Phenex has confirmed the Rating Game date. Two weeks from today. He'll be arriving tomorrow for a formal visit to... inspect his future bride."
The room went silent.
Rias's face paled. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Sirzechs thought it best to inform you personally." Grayfia's eyes flicked to Caelan, who was standing by the window. "Hello, Caelan."
"Grayfia."
So formal. So distant.
"How have you been?"
"Fine."
"I see you've settled in at the academy."
"Yes."
"Good. That's... good."
The awkwardness was painful to witness.
Rias cleared her throat. "So Riser is coming tomorrow. That's... wonderful." Her voice dripped sarcasm.
"I'll be here to supervise the meeting," Grayfia continued. "To ensure propriety."
"Of course."
More awkward silence.
Then Rias, bless her, changed the subject. "So! What's happening at the estate? Any exciting news?"
Grayfia's mask cracked slightly—a hint of amusement. "Lucien has entered the Young Devils Rating Game Tournament. He's expected to do well."
"The tournament?" Kiba looked interested. "That's a major event."
"Indeed. The winner receives a significant boost in rank and reputation."
Caelan spoke up: "I assume I'm not eligible."
"You don't have a peerage," Grayfia said quietly. "So, no. You're not."
"Figures."
Rias bristled. "That's not fair! He's stronger than half the competitors—"
"It doesn't matter," Caelan interrupted. "I'm not interested in Rating Games anyway."
"But—"
"Let it go, Rias."
She subsided, but looked unhappy.
The conversation continued—talk of the tournament, Riser's visit, strategy for the upcoming game. Professional. Polite.
And underneath it all, tension thick enough to cut.
Timepass Ecchi because dxd.
Akeno stood to refill tea and somehow—somehow—tripped over absolutely nothing.
She fell forward.
Her skirt flew up.
And Caelan, standing nearby, got a perfect view of her black lace panties.
With a little pink bow.
Time seemed to slow.
Akeno landed gracefully (because she was Akeno), then turned and saw where Caelan was looking.
Her smile became absolutely wicked. "Ara ara, Sensei. Did you enjoy the view?"
Caelan's face went bright red. "That was an accident—"
"Of course, it was~" She straightened her skirt with deliberate slowness. "But you still looked."
"I didn't mean to—"
"It's okay! Devils don't really care about modesty. See?" She lifted her skirt again, giving him another clear view. "Feel free to look anytime!"
"AKENO!" Rias's face was crimson. "Stop teasing him!"
"But it's so fun! He gets all flustered and—"
Asia, trying to be helpful, stood to demonstrate that devil modesty was different.
And somehow tripped in exactly the same way.
White cotton panties with a tiny cross embroidered on them.
"Oh my!" Asia squeaked, scrambling to fix her skirt. "I'm so sorry, Sensei! I didn't mean—"
Koneko, watching this disaster unfold, spoke flatly: "You're all idiots."
Then Rias, trying to prove a point about devil culture being different, stood up too quickly and knocked over her tea.
The liquid splashed across her uniform shirt.
The white fabric became transparent.
Red lace bra. Very visible.
She looked down, then at Caelan, then sighed. "You know what? Sure. Why not. This might as well happen."
Caelan looked at the ceiling. "I'm in hell. This is hell."
"Actually," Grayfia said, her professional mask firmly in place despite the chaos, "this is fairly normal for devil social dynamics. Nudity and partial nudity are considered natural. You'll adjust."
"I will NOT adjust—"
Issei, who'd been silent this whole time, suddenly shouted: "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
Then paused.
"Wait. Sensei, are you seeing what I'm seeing?!"
"Unfortunately."
"AND YOU'RE NOT GETTING EXCITED?!"
"I have self-control."
"TEACH ME YOUR WAYS, MASTER!"
"Never call me that again."
Hoarfrost, from his spot next to Koneko, let out what could only be described as a long-suffering sigh.
The dire wolf pup understood. This was his life now.
Chaos. Ecchi moments. Absolute insanity.
And somewhere in all of it...
Family.
Even if he'd never admit it.
[END OF CHAPTER 13]
[To be continued...]