Care and Command
Narberal moved like quiet lightning through the west wing. Her steps were both precise and silent. Her presence was always unnoticed, yet every action was calculated, an extension of the discipline that made her a perfect servant to House Lucifuge. One hand steadied on the half-open door to Grayfia's suite, and she paused, her golden eyes briefly catching the light of the early morning.
Inside, Grayfia reclined against goose-down pillows, the warmth of the room a gentle balm against the cold bite of early winter. Her silver hair framed her face with its usual elegance, but the weariness that clung to her was faint but unmistakable, telling a different story. The toll of motherhood was written in the soft lines of her face, her complexion a muted shade beneath the customary composure.
Grayfia took the broth from Narberal, the scent of the mint rent filling the air. She smiled faintly, though her eyes were clouded by exhaustion.
"Thank you, Narberal." Her voice was calm and steady, but there was an undercurrent of fatigue, the kind that couldn't be hidden beneath even the most perfect mask of calm.
Narberal nodded, her expression unreadable as she quietly adjusted the rune cooling the room, ensuring Grayfia's comfort was as paramount as her well-being.
Outside, Lucien and Souma strode along the windowed corridor, their footsteps a muted rhythm as they moved through the heart of the estate. Lucien's crimson gaze lingered on the door to his mother's chamber, his steps slowing imperceptibly, a soft shadow of concern passing through his eyes.
"Is everything in order?" Lucien's voice was low, steady. He didn't need to ask, but he did anyway, his worry for his mother a constant, buried beneath the weight of his responsibilities.
Narberal, ever attentive, turned from the doorway, her voice crisp with professionalism. "I already have a midwife cadre on standby. I've also prepared the ginger tonic that your mother requested earlier." Her gaze flicked briefly to Lucien, catching the faintest trace of the worry that still haunted his features.
Lucien's expression softened for a moment, his lips twitching in a subtle sign of gratitude. He nodded once, his focus returning to the larger picture as his gaze shifted back to Souma, whose eyes tracked the unfolding scene with quiet understanding.
Lucien sighed, the weight of his position pressing down on him, but he remained resolute. "Thank you, Narberal." His voice was firm, but there was a rare softness to it, a rare vulnerability that only those close to him would hear.
Lucien turned toward the council chamber, his thoughts briefly lingering on Grayfia. "One more thing."
Narberal raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by his tone.
"Can you please serve my mother personally, Narberal?" Lucien asked, the request coming naturally, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. He caught the edge of her surprise in her eyes, but his gaze was unwavering, his expression a mix of affection and responsibility.
"She's always been strong, but with the baby, she needs care beyond just the practical. I want you to make sure she's comfortable and has whatever she needs."
Narberal's lips pressed together for a moment, calculating, before she nodded with quiet understanding. "Of course, my lord. It will be my honor."
Lucien gave a brief nod of appreciation, his crimson gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned back toward Souma, who had already resumed walking, leading them toward the council chamber.
As they continued down the hall, Lucien's thoughts remained with his mother, a quiet vow swirling in his chest. Nothing would harm her. He wouldn't allow it. Not now, not ever.
A Mother's Inquiry
Later, in the quiet of her private chambers, Grayfia summoned Kuroka, Velzaria, and Albedo to her room. She sat with deliberate grace, her hands folded carefully over her still-flat abdomen.
"Sit, all of you," she commanded softly, her voice carrying the firm but tender authority of a mother who had long balanced the scales of power and care. "I wish to speak as both your mother-in-law and as a mother."
Albedo glided to the left seat, her posture immaculate, a stark contrast to the wild energy of the other two. Her golden eyes remained fixed on Grayfia, her gaze unwavering and filled with an almost zealous devotion to Lucien. She was the embodiment of the succubus, a force of passion and control, yet the way she regarded Lucien was different. It was more than love; it was reverence.
Velzaria took the opposite seat, her draconic gaze cool and calculating, but beneath the armor of her pride was respect. Her tail coiled lazily around the seat, but her attention never wavered, her sharp eyes locked on Grayfia. The proud dragon queen, like her fiery lineage, had her own unique form of admiration forged through the heat of battle and tempered by the bonds of loyalty.
Kuroka lounged gracefully in the middle seat, her posture lazy yet assertive, the soft flick of her tail betraying her inner energy. Her golden eyes gleamed with playful mischief, but beneath that playful exterior lay an unwavering loyalty and ferocity. She was wild every inch the Nekoshou ideal: raw, unrestrained, driven by instinct. But her love for Lucien cut deeper than devotion; it hovered on the edge of possession, fierce and unyielding. Her gaze held an intensity that was both gentle and powerful, like a lioness protecting her pride. Her love for Lucien wasn't just affection; it was a primal connection, a bond that ran deeper than even her teasing words might suggest.
Grayfia folded her hands over her belly, the weight of the moment pressing on her. "Do you women truly wish to marry my son for love, or do you wish to gain something else?"
The question hung in the air, poised and unyielding, as Grayfia's gaze shifted between the three women.
Albedo was the first to respond, her voice smooth and unwavering. "I exist only for his joy," she said, her words dripping with sincerity. "His happiness is mine, Lady Grayfia. I will do anything to ensure that. I am willing to stand as his strongest support."
Velzaria's response was slower, more deliberate, but it rang with the clarity of tempered steel. "I will temper his fire with my own," she said softly, but the weight of her words carried. "Together, we will forge an empire. After losing our duel, I promised to be Lucien's mate to the day I die. That promise is sacred." Her eyes, blue and deep as the vast sea, met Grayfia's with quiet determination.
Kuroka was the last to respond, but her voice held more conviction than the others. Lucien made his move when everyone else saw me as just another stray. But he didn't care about that; he helped clear my status as a stray and gave me the chance to be by my little sister's side again. If not for him, I might still be running, being hunted, lost… or worse. He gave me more than safety. He gave me a place to belong. And Koneko probably would still hate me if not for his help. That gamble wasn't just bold. It was the beginning of everything. That's why I chose him.
Grayfia's stern façade softened, and she allowed a small, knowing smile to curve her lips. She leaned back slightly, her eyes drifting to the distant memory of Lucien as a young boy. Kuroka and Velzaria exchanged a glance, sensing the shift in atmosphere, the quiet tenderness Grayfia reserved only for those she cared for.
"I have heard you," Grayfia continued, her voice gentle now but still with an edge of authority. "But you must understand, Lucien is not just any child. He was stubborn even as a boy. Do you know how he used to hide lost kittens in the library? He'd duel the shadows in the courtyard, and when he was younger, he'd sneak cookies meant for Sirzechs. The boy never rested. He burned with purpose, even then, even when he had a fever, he insisted on training."
Kuroka couldn't help but smile at the thought, her playful side evident in the soft twitch of her tail. "Sounds like he's always been a handful," she purred, her voice filled with affection.
Velzaria, ever the proud warrior, allowed a small grin to tug at her lips. "He's always had the heart of a king," she murmured. "And he's carried that fire into everything he does."
Albedo, her usually stoic demeanor softened, let a soft laugh escape. "I believe I've seen that determination firsthand. There's something in his eyes, something that calls to me. He's not just a prince; he's a force of nature."
Grayfia chuckled softly, the sound warm and full of nostalgia. "He was a stubborn child. He wouldn't stop training, even with a fever. He burned with purpose, even then. And now, as a man…" Her gaze softened, her eyes distant as she glanced toward the window, lost in thought. "I see the same drive in him. But it's deeper now, more complex. He isn't just chasing a dream anymore. He's building one. One that will reshape the future."
The room grew quiet, the weight of her words settling over the three women. Kuroka shifted slightly, her gaze softened with understanding. "We see it, Lady Grayfia. We understand him in ways even you might not. He's our king… and we stand by him."
Grayfia's expression shifted, her eyes warming with pride and the rarest tenderness. "I know you do, Kuroka," she replied softly. "I see it in the way you look at him."
Her gaze moved to Velzaria, and then to Albedo. "You will all have my blessing," she said, her voice unwavering. "Lucien is not just my son. He is the future of our family, of House Lucifuge. If you are to be with him, you will not just be partners, you will be pillars upon which his future stands."
Albedo bowed her head, her golden eyes glinting with renewed fervor. "We will support him, Lady Grayfia. With everything we have."
Velzaria nodded, her draconic gaze sharp but respectful. "I will stand by him, Lady Grayfia. Not as a consort, but as a partner in every sense of the word. I will fight with him, for him."
Kuroka, ever playful, leaned forward with a mischievous smile. "And as long as he keeps feeding me cookies, I'll be here to support him too, nya."
Grayfia's lips curled into a genuine smile, and for the first time in a long while, her heart felt lighter. "Thank you," she said simply. "For loving him as he deserves."
And with that, the unspoken bonds of their shared future were sealed in silence, and Grayfia, ever the protector of her family, knew that Lucien's future was in capable hands.
Dungeon Baptism
Meanwhile, Rias led her peerage, Akeno, Koneko, Gasper, and Yumi through the portal to the Eternal Vault. Lucien's peerage flanked them for added security. Their presence was like an unspoken shield. The Vault was not a place for the faint-hearted, and every step into its shifting corridors felt like they were stepping deeper into a trial that would test them all.
Floor One greeted them with spectral wolves that were immune to fire and lightning attacks. Their eerie howls echoed as they charged. Akeno attempted to neutralize the pack with her holy thunder, but the force faltered as the wolves shook it off. Before she could brace for another attempt, Yamato slammed into the group of wolves with a Ryuo-infused kanabō strike, shattering them into embers with raw power. Leaving only power crystals behind that can be used to enhance equipment or sold for system-created skill books.
Floor Two twisted the very mana currents around them, nullifying size-changing magic and amplifying the senses of enemies lurking in the shadows. Gasper faltered as panic crept in, as the altered mana threw off his balance. But before the situation escalated, Kuroka's shadow seals flared around him, dispelling the field with an effortless motion. The ease with which she handled the situation left Gasper blinking in awe, her calmness radiating confidence. Yue did her best to help build up Gasper's confidence.
Rias ' eyes shone with the light of determination as she unleashed the Power of Destruction onto a stone guardian. Its form crumbled under the weight of her strike, sending a shockwave through the air. Velzaria gave a sharp nod of approval, the dragon queen clearly impressed with Rias's mastery of her power.
By the time the team returned to the entrance, Rias's cheeks flushed with triumph, her respect for the Vault's cruel trials evident in the gleam of her eyes. She was different now, having been honed by the struggle, and was more confident in her strength. Her team had pushed themselves beyond their limits: Yumi tanked twin ogres with sheer will, Gasper supported with dark shields, and Akeno and Koneko synchronized their attacks with tactical precision.
Lucien's Eternal Dusk Domain exploded on the third floor's boss, consuming the Lich-Root's necrotic reinforcements in spiraling shadow. The eerie, haunting energy of the floor was nothing compared to Lucien's power, and as the echoes faded, the boss was nothing but ash.
As they exited the Vault, the interface appeared as silver light showing the vault run and their experience gained.
[SYSTEM – VAULT RUN COMPLETE]
Yumi Yuuto – "Unyielding Blade" Title Acquired
Gasper – Shadow Bloom Crystal (+15 mana regen in dark zones)
Rias – Power of Destruction Resonance +3%
[EXPERIENCE DISTRIBUTION]Rias Gremory — ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░ Level 38 → 41 (+3)
"Determination forged in flame. Power refined through purpose."
Akeno Himejima — ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░ Level 37 → 39 (+2)
"Lightning tempered by restraint."
Yumi Yuuto — ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░ Level 39 → 41 (+2)
"Steel remembers every strike."
Koneko Toujou — ▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░ Level 35 → 36 (+1)
"Silent strength grows steady."
Gasper Vladi — ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░ Level 33 → 35 (+2)
"From fear, focus."
Lucien Lucifuge — ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ Level 49 → 50 (+1)
"The shadows evolve."
Loot Box: Flamewoven Cloak of the Flameborn mage [Unbounded equipment]
Increase the magic casting speed of all mages. The wearer becomes one with flames. All flame-based attacks are increased by 50%.
Four Maou on the Guest List
A crimson crow familiar landed on Lucien's desk, unfurling a scroll. It was his father Sirzechs' handwriting:
Your banquet intrigues all realms of hell, my little prince.
Expect not only me, but also Serafall, Ajuka, and Falbium, to appear at your banquet.
Lucien's pulse spiked. He rang a bell; Narberal, Souma, and a phalanx of maids formed a triangle formation in seconds as they all waited for his orders with baited breath.
"Perfect is no longer enough," Lucien declared. "The Four Maou are attending, plus half the noble houses."
Souma merely adjusted his glasses. "Understood. Contingency tier upgraded to 'Divine Cataclysm.'"
Nerbal's face was calm, " I will make sure all maids have the manor in tip-top condition, my lord. I will also ask master Grayroad to heighten security measures."
Lunch, Tonic, and Twins
The afternoon light streamed into the intimate dining nook, where Venelana carefully sliced honeyed fruit while Lucien poured a dark, shimmering tonic into a crystal cup.
Grayfia took the cup from him with a soft smile, sipping the brew. The lavender mana sigils beneath the glass pulsed gently, a silent testament to the tonic's restorative properties.
Lucien watched her intently, his voice tinged with concern. "What's troubling you?"
Grayfia set the cup down and turned her gaze toward him, her eyes warm but filled with something deeper, something he hadn't seen in her before.
"My dear son…" she began softly, rubbing her abdomen. "You're going to be a big brother."
Lucien froze. Shadows rippled around his boots instinctively, responding to the excitement that swelled inside him.
"I'm having twins," she continued, a slight tremor in her voice, but a soft joy clung to her words. "We don't know the genders yet, but they're already as feisty as you were."
As if in response, a pulse of mana fluttered from her womb, a soft, playful burst that Lucien's own aura responded to. A shadow thread snaked from his body in a playful arc before settling back against him. Venelana laughed softly, clearly delighted.
"They already know their big brother."
Lucien smiled, his heart swelling with love for his mother and the unborn children. He had been dreading the responsibilities that would come with his legacy, but in this moment, the weight seemed lighter. He had something far greater, now new family members.
Draconic Pride vs. Demonic Possessiveness
That afternoon, a light snow fell in lazy spirals across the Lucifuge estate, dusting the training grounds in a veil of white. Each crunch beneath Albedo and Velzaria's boots echoed like a war drum muffled by silk. They stood opposite one another, blades drawn, no powers permitted, only steel, instinct, and pride.
Lucien stood off to the side, arms folded, breath misting in the cold. His sigh was long and weary.
"These girls will be the death of me."
Ghislaine passed behind him, her katana resting casually at her waist, expression unreadable. "That's the cost of having warriors as your brides."
Kuroka strolled beside her, tails flicking with feline amusement, her grin wicked. "Or they'll bond over sparring and decide to double-team him in bed, nya~. Luci's at that age, isn't he? Young devils burn hot."
Lucien groaned, dragging a hand down his face as the duel began. Velzaria's blade gleaming with draconic precision, Albedo's stance coiled like a predator in silk."Do you know why they're fighting, Kuroka? Why are you the only one of my fiancées not trying to stab someone today?"
Kuroka tilted her head, ears twitching. "Because I already marked you, silly. No need to prove anything. Besides…"
She leaned in, her voice dropped to a low seductive purr.
"I like watching the others fight for you. It reminds them who you belong to."
Lucien blinked. "I belong to myself."
Kuroka's smile widened. "Exactly. And that's why they chase you."
Sparks danced in the air as Halberd met Dragonsteel Katana. Albedo's eyes glowed a fierce gold, her body a perfect mix of seduction and power. Velzaria's flames curled at her lips, her pride radiating like the heart of a volcano. The duel ended in a draw, both women holding each other in a standstill, a grudging nod of respect passing between them.
Lucien turned back to the duel, muttering under his breath.
"I need stronger wine and maybe a referee with divine authority. I am too young for this shit. "
From the balcony above, Rangiku raised a goblet. "I volunteer. But only if I get to wear something scandalous."
Yamato crossed her arms beside her. "You always do."
The battle continued as the steel rang against steel.
Velzaria's blade swept low, forcing Albedo to pivot with a dancer's grace. Snow scattered around them like ash. Their duel was elegant, brutal, and strangely silent; neither woman spoke until the fourth exchange, when their blades locked mid-air.
Velzaria's eyes narrowed, breath steady. "You fight with devotion. But where is your will?"
Albedo smiled, golden eyes gleaming. "My will is his. That is the nature of love."
Velzaria pushed back, breaking the lock. "Love without sovereignty is servitude."
Albedo twirled her blade, stance fluid. "And sovereignty without love is isolation."
They circled.
Velzaria's voice was low, but sharp. "I was born to command. To rule. I do not kneel."
Albedo's reply was soft, but unyielding. "I was born to serve. But only one. If you claim not to kneel, then why did you tell our soon-to-be mother-in-law that you would stand by Lucien? "
Their blades clashed again, this time harder, faster. Sparks flew. Snow melted. The watching peerage fell silent, sensing something deeper than rivalry.
Lucien stepped forward, shadows coiling at his feet, frost blooming across his fingertips.
"Enough!"
His voice was quiet, but absolute.
Ice surged from his palm, forming a crystalline wall between the two women. Shadows followed, wrapping around their blades, freezing them mid-motion.
The snow stopped falling.
Velzaria and Albedo stood frozen, not by magic, but by the weight of his authority.
Lucien's eyes glowed faintly, with a piercing ice blue chill. "You are both mine. Not by ownership. By choice, and I will not have you bleed for pride when you were meant to build beside me."
The ice cracked, dissolving into mist. The shadows receded.
Velzaria lowered her blade first. "Understood."
Albedo bowed her head. "As you command, my love."
Lucien turned away, his coat billowing behind him. "Then let's prepare for the banquet. The world is watching."
Behind him, Velzaria and Albedo exchanged one last glance not of rivalry, but of recognition.
They were more than rivals; now they were two queens.
Who were following two paths that were following the same king.
Lessons of Heart and Crown
Rias wandered into the lounge where she found Venelana and Grayfia sitting. Her steps faltered just enough to reveal the tension that she was carrying. Her usual confidence, which she wore like armor, had cracked, now replaced by an uncertain vulnerability.
"Am I wrong for rejecting Riser?" Her voice wavered slightly as she met their eyes. "For staking everything on my own choice?"
Venelana set down her tea as she stared deep into her daughter's blue-green eyes. Her voice was warm but steady. "You're not wrong, Rias. Riser is an arrogant child. He sees you as a prize to be won, not a woman to be understood." Her eyes softened as she reached for her daughter's hand. "You will know real love when it terrifies and empowers you in equal measure, when it challenges your very limits, but never makes you feel less than yourself."
Grayfia's voice, as cool and composed as ever, held a gentle undertone of maternal pride. "Strength and heart are not opposites, Rias. Your brother reigns because he wields both power and compassion and because I refused to let him forget either."
Rias's breath caught, and a small smile tugged at her lips, her cheeks flushed with quiet relief. Their approval didn't erase the weight of her choice, but it softened it. Grayfia and Venelana's words settled deep, like armor she hadn't known she needed.
Eyes on the Frozen Horizon
Crystal orbs shimmered atop the council table, displaying the incoming titans that would attend the Lucifuge Revival Banquet. The air grew charged as the figures of legends and living storms appeared in the glowing spheres.
Esdeath, the Ice General, chuckled wickedly, her laughter carrying through the orb as she froze a mountain peak into a jagged ice sculpture because a subordinate questioned her attire.
Makima, the devil of control and manipulation, casually read her invitation. A nearby devil fainted from the sheer aura of pressure she emitted. Her presence twisted the very air around her, an invisible weight that could bend wills.
Mio Naruse, the fiery heir to the Naruse family, twirled her invitation, her sharp gaze blazing with curiosity as she pondered what was to come.
Magik, with a flick of her Soulsword, sliced open a portal, her expression one of indifference, though her calculating eyes shone with careful interest.
A gray-skinned girl emerged, her midnight-blue cloak wrapped tightly around her lithe form, violet irises glowing beneath her hood. A six-point sigil pulsed on her forehead and then vanished. "Let's get this over with," she muttered, her voice a low, resigned sigh. "Father insists I evaluate this… fiancé."
The orb sparked with red static, and for a brief moment, a horned, fire-wreathed, four-eyed figure loomed behind her. Trigon. Souma froze mid-sentence.
"Please tell me that was just a Lilith: 'Projected paternal presence. Classification: Multiversal Cataclysm."
Lucien groaned, rubbing his temples. "First Makima, now Trigon. Next thing you know, someone's going to invite Azazel."
Kuroka grinned from where she lounged. "Want me to check if he's free, nya?"
Snowball Truce
Later, outside on the estate grounds, Kuroka coaxed Lucien into the fresh powder that had fallen overnight. She pelted him with a snowball, laughing as it splattered harmlessly against his chest.
Lucien retaliated with a well-aimed snowball of his own, and soon the quiet of the winter morning was shattered by a full-blown snowball fight. Yamato, Rangiku, Ghislaine, Yue, and even Albedo soon joined in, turning the pristine landscape into a battleground of laughter and flying snow.
"This is ridiculous," Lucien muttered, ducking behind a large snowbank as another snowball whizzed past his ear.
Ghislaine, grinning ear to ear, called out from across the field, "Get used to it, kid! This is the family you wanted!"
Culinary Catastrophe
Evening fell, and Rias, eager to contribute, decided to try her hand at cooking for the group. The result was a catastrophic attempt at a traditional stew that hissed ominously when exposed to air, the contents congealing into an unappetizing sludge.
Everyone scattered at the first whiff, but Lucien simply sighed, resigned. He grabbed his interface and made a few quick commands. Moments later, a gourmet meal from a befuddled human chef in Rome was on its way to the manor.
"Add hazard pay," Souma murmured dryly, adjusting his glasses as he scanned the incoming receipts.
"I knew I should've just ordered delivery," Lucien muttered to himself, watching as everyone returned to the table, now holding their breath in expectation of what the next disaster might be.
Watching the Dragon God
That night, high in the void-lit chamber of Ophis, the Infinite Dragon watched Lucien through a floating scrying mirror. Her gaze was cold and emotionless, as always, yet there was a strange warmth in her observation. Lucien was laughing, his mother by his side, Albedo's wing curled around him, and Velzaria standing at his back, a steady protector in her own right. Grayfia's protective shadows cradled the unborn twins.
Ophis's voice was a whisper, a ripple through the void. "This is why I marked you, young one. Show me what change a mortal can bring with calamities for companions."
A flicker of emotion passed through her twin void eyes, a flicker of something deep, long buried, perhaps.
As snow fell silently over the Lucifuge estate, a sense of quiet anticipation settled. Far below, beneath the spires of the manor, destinies tightened like bowstrings, ready to snap at the banquet's first note.