The silence that followed Lady Phenex's request stretched uncomfortably long. I stared at her, trying to process what she'd just asked.
"You want to... stay here?" I repeated slowly, making sure I'd heard correctly.
"Yes" Lady Phenex met my gaze with gentle determination "Just for a few days. A week at most"
Ravel's head snapped toward her mother, eyes wide "Mother, what are you—"
"Ravel dear," Lady Phenex's voice carried that soft but firm tone that only mothers seemed to master. She turned back to me, and for the first time since entering, her perfect noble composure showed cracks "I know how unusual this request sounds. But I hope you'll accept this request, Yuuto sama"
I leaned back slightly, keeping my expression neutral "With all due respect, Lady Phenex. You're a high-ranking devil noble with estates and resources most can only dream of. Why would you want to stay in my apartment?"
She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. When she spoke, her voice was softer, carrying genuine emotion.
"It's because of my husband's decision, regarding Ravel"
So, they had an argument.
"When Ravel told us about the wager" Lady Phenex continued, her gentle tone masked with slight frustration "My husband refused to even consider negotiating her release from it. He said it would dishonor the Phenex name to back out of an agreement, regardless of the circumstances"
I could see the maternal pain in her eyes, the kind that came from watching your child face consequences you couldn't prevent.
"He claimed it would be dishonorable" Her voice dropped "I understand that Riser would learn humility through defeat. But Ravel would be learning responsibility by honoring the word that she was forced to. He wouldn't listen to any arguments, no matter how much I pleaded"
"So you came here yourself" I said.
"Of course I did" Lady Phenex's facade cracked further, showing the worried mother beneath the noble bearing "Ravel is my only daughter. My youngest child. The thought of her becoming someone's servant for life, bound by a foolish wager made out of misplaced loyalty to her brother..."
She took a steady breath "I couldn't accept it. So I came prepared to offer everything, Phoenix Tears, political favors, anything, to ensure she wouldn't be mistreated"
Ravel's eyes were glistening now, though she kept her head high, the drill-curls of her blonde hair trembling slightly.
"To both of our surprise, Yuuto sama" Lady Phenex said, and something like wonder entered her gentle voice "You spoke of Ravel's intelligence, her tactical mind, her worth beyond her family name. You refused a lifetime exchange of Phoenix Tears, because you believed my daughter herself was more valuable"
She smiled softly.
"You reminded me that there are still honorable young devils in this world. Ones who see people rather than just political pieces"
I inclined my head slightly, acknowledging the compliment but staying cautious. This was still a high-ranking noble, and years of experience had taught me to be wary of flattery.
"So when you ask why I want to stay here" Lady Phenex continued, her tone shifting to something warmer, almost playful "the answer is"
"I need some time away from my husband to let my anger subside"
I nodded slowly. That made sense. But with my weird luck with women lately, I had concerns that she won't be seeing events play out, the way she is seeing right now. Before I could dwell on any forbidden thoughts, I forced myself back to focus on her next reason for her stay.
"And second" her blue eyes sparkled with mischief that reminded me strongly of her Akeno "If Ravel is going to be living here with you from now on, someone needs to teach her how to properly take care of you and this place"
"Mother!" Ravel's face flushed completely red.
"What? It's perfectly reasonable" Lady Phenex's smile widened, her gentle teasing evident "You'll be staying here with Yuuto-sama, won't you? As his Bishop in future, you'll need to learn how to manage a household properly. Cooking, cleaning, organization..."
"I-I can manage just fine on my own!" Ravel protested, but her voice lacked conviction.
"Can you, dear?" Lady Phenex raised a brow "When was the last time you cooked anything? Or cleaned? Or did laundry without the assistance of servants?"
Ravel opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again before finally looking down in embarrassment. Despite her strategic genius and maturity in battle, she was still a young noble girl who'd never had to manage daily domestic tasks.
I couldn't help the slight smirk "Lady Phenex, while I appreciate your concern, I've been managing this apartment on my own for quite some time"
"I'm sure you have" she said warmly "But a peerage member should know how to support their King in all ways, not just combat. Consider it part of Ravel's training in becoming a well-rounded Bishop"
"This seems rather... unnecessary" I said.
"Perhaps" Lady Phenex's smile turned knowing. "But Ravel needs to learn these skills regardless. And I..." Her expression softened genuinely. "I want to spend time with my daughter before she truly begins her new life. To make sure she's settling in well, that she's being treated properly, and that she knows I support her even if her father doesn't"
Ravel looked up at her mother, and the emotion in her dark blue eyes was pure "Mother..."
The genuine love between them was undeniable.
I stood, drawing their attention.
"Ravel"
She turned to me, attentively, despite her embarrassment.
"Look.." I kept my voice firm but understanding "If you're not comfortable with this arrangement—living here, having your mother teach you domestic skills, any of it—just say so. I can ask Rias to arrange separate accommodations for you. You aren't part of my peerage yet, so there's no need to be forced to do all this"
Ravel was quiet, her mind clearly analyzing the situation from every angle. Then she shook her head, the large drill-curls bouncing with the movement.
"No" she said softly, but with growing conviction "I... I want to stay here. If that's acceptable to you, Yuuto-sama"
"You sure?"
She nodded "You said you see potential in me beyond my family name. I want to prove you right. And I can't do that by running away to comfortable accommodations like a spoiled noble"
Lady Phenex's smile was radiant with maternal pride. So did, mine. Her potential and drive was pure and not annoying, so she will become a fine bishop with correct guidance and training. If someone like Riser can reach that level then she can rise far above than him.
"Well, If that's your decision" I smiled "I welcome you both to my humble abode"
Lady Phenex stood gracefully, along with her daughter as they said
""Thank you, Yuuto-sama. For everything""
I glanced at the clock.
Nearly dinnertime.
"Speaking of taking care of things" I said, "I was in the middle of preparing dinner when you arrived. You're both welcome to join me. I made plenty"
Lady Phenex's eyes lit up with genuine interest, her kind nature showing through "That would be lovely. We wouldn't want to impose, but—"
"It's no imposition" I headed toward the kitchen "Please, make yourselves comfortable"
- Few minutes later -
As they settled at the dining table, I returned to the kitchen to finish plating. The aroma of the grilled meat filled the apartment—rich, savory, with notes of garlic, herbs, and a proprietary spice blend I'd spent weeks perfecting.
The meat itself was premium quality that I'd sourced specifically for this technique. The exterior had a perfect caramelized crust, dark and crispy, while the interior remained tender and juicy, cooked to exact medium-rare perfection. I'd paired it with roasted vegetables glazed with a red wine reduction and fragrant rice cooked with aromatics.
This was one of my signature dish. My own original creation, representing the endless potential of perfect ingredients prepared with heart and technique.
When I brought the plates to the table, both Phenex ladies stared in awe.
"This is..." Lady Phenex's gentle voice trailed off, her blue eyes widened slightly.
"Please, eat while it's hot"
I said, setting the plates down.
Ravel leaned forward, her mind momentarily overwhelmed by the sensory experience "It smells incredible, Yuuto-sama!!!"
Lady Phenex picked up her knife and fork with practiced noble grace, cutting a delicate piece of the meat. The moment she brought it to her lips, her eyes went impossibly wide, and she made a sound that was completely inappropriate for a high-ranking devil noble.
"Oh my~" she breathed, and immediately took another bite, all pretense of slow, refined eating abandoned within seconds.
Ravel had a similar reaction. Despite her attempts to maintain composure befitting a Phenex daughter, she practically melted in her chair as the flavors hit her palate, her tsundere facade crumbling completely.
"Yuuto-sama" Ravel said, voice slightly awed as her genius intellect struggled to comprehend what she was tasting "Where... where did you learn to cook like this?"
"Self-taught, mostly" I said, watching their reactions with deep satisfaction "Cooking is about understanding three things: ingredients, technique, and heart. Master those, and you can create anything"
Lady Phenex had already finished a third of her plate, eating with enthusiasm that completely contradicted her usually gentle, refined demeanor. When she finally paused to breathe, she looked at me with something approaching reverence.
"Yuuto-sama" she said seriously, her kind voice carrying absolute sincerity "I have employed the finest chefs in the Underworld. Elite Chefs who have cooked for centuries. Chefs who have cooked for the Maou themselves, who have won countless competitions, whose reputations span the Three Factions"
She took another bite, closing her eyes in bliss.
"And I can say without any exaggeration whatsoever, none of them, not a single one, has ever created something this delicious"
I blinked. That was extraordinary praise from someone of her status and experience.
"The texture is beyond perfect" she continued, her gentle enthusiasm bubbling over, as she explained her euphoric experience "The seasoning is complex but perfectly balanced. The meat practically melts on the tongue, yet has enough structure to satisfy. And there's something else, something I can't quite identify, that elevates it to..." She took another bite, savoring it "Divine"
Ravel was nodding enthusiastically, too absorbed in eating to speak, her usual strict and strategic demeanor completely abandoned in favor of pure enjoyment.
"Not only, in the combat and negotiations" Lady Phenex repeated softly, her kind eyes studying me with new appreciation "You put your heart into your cooking as well"
We ate in companionable silence after that, both Phenex ladies too absorbed in the meal to maintain much conversation. I noticed Ravel occasionally glancing at me between bites, probably planning to ask how to learn these skills herself.
When they finally finished, both looked simultaneously satisfied and disappointed there wasn't more.
"That was" Lady Phenex said slowly, her gentle voice carrying absolute conviction "the finest meal I have had in my entire life"
Ravel added, still looking slightly dazed, her tsundere nature completely overwhelmed by the experience "I... I had no idea food could taste like that"
I collected the plates, hiding my smile "There's dessert too, if you're interested"
Lady Phenex actually made a small sound of excitement, then immediately covered her mouth, embarrassed at her breach of composure "That would be... delightful, Yuuto sama"
I brought out the soufflés—perfectly risen, dusted with powdered sugar, with the raspberry reduction artfully drizzled around the plate. The reactions were even more enthusiastic than before.
Lady Phenex abandoned all pretense of noble restraint, practically moaning with each bite. Ravel wasn't much better, though she tried to maintain some dignity before finally giving up and simply enjoying herself.
By the end of it, Lady Phenex was leaning back in her chair with a contented expression that made her look even younger than her early-twenties appearance.
"I'm going to gain weight staying here" she said, not sounding remotely concerned about it "But it will be absolutely worth it"
"Mother, that was embarrassing" Ravel mumbled, face red "You were..."
"I was appreciating exceptional cuisine" Lady Phenex said with a smile, then ruined it by adding with gentle teasing, "Besides, you were worse, dear. I saw you lick your spoon completely clean"
"I did not!"
"You absolutely did"
I watched them bicker with amusement. This was a side of the Phenex family few ever saw—the genuine warmth between mother and daughter, freed from noble obligations and political masks. Lady Phenex's kind, gentle nature paired perfectly with Ravel's mixture of Tsundere and stubborn, childish moments.
After cleaning up, I showed them the guest room, they were staying in.
I said, opening the door to reveal a well-appointed room with a double bed "It should fit you both comfortably. There's a closet and desk if needed"
Lady Phenex examined the room with approving nods, her kind smile warm. "This is perfect, thank you Yuuto sama"
"Training will start at 5am" I said with a slight smirk.
Lady Phenex laughed at her daughter's expression, the sound gentle and musical "This will be good for you, dear. You've been sleeping until noon far too long. A proper routine will help develop your discipline"
Ravel protested weakly, but agreed to it nonetheless. She groaned, but there was determination beneath the discomfort to wake up early.
As the both Phenex settled into the guest room, I retreated to my bedroom. Sitting on the bed, I pulled out my phone.
I should probably inform Rias about this.
I typed: I think The Phenex situation has gotten... complicated
Her response came quickly: How complicated?
Lady Phenex and Ravel are staying at my apartment
Long pause.
Then her reply came : ...What????
I will explain tomorrow. But all I can say, they are quite satisfied with my hospitality
You cooked for them, didn't you?
I smiled.
She knew me too well.
I replied : Goood night
I set the phone down and laid back, staring at the ceiling.
Issei was training in the Infinity Castle with my clone. Ravel was now officially joining my peerage in future. Lady Phenex was sleeping in my guest room, having defied her husband to protect her daughter.
And somehow, through cooking and genuine respect, I'd turned a potential political disaster into an opportunity.
. . .
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