—Cole POV—
Using Rewind to undo Lilith's extensive injuries, as it was the easiest method, Lilith quickly regained consciousness and lashed out at me. Swinging her fists around as if her life depended on it, clearly, she still thought she was under attack from her unknown assaultant. Smacking her across the face as she went to use a magic spell, Lilith quickly snapped back to reality. Rubbing her cheek as she started to berate me for striking her, she stopped the second she realized it was me.
"Cole!? Why are you in my son's laboratory!?", Lilith demanded before looking around the room, "Wait, where are we? Did something happen to me? What is going on here!?"
"Lady Lilith, we are so relieved that you are healed!", Lord Lucifuge proclaimed as he ran over and grabbed her hands, "We have been overwhelmed with worry after those bastard Grim Reapers nearly killed you. Lord Phenex and Ajuka have been doing all they could to heal you but were unfortunately unable to. As a last ditch effort, we asked Cole for assistance and he was gracious enough to aid us."
Taking a few moments to think about what he was saying, it seemed like Lilith had a vague recollection of some of those treatments. Asking him for details on everything since the attack, Lord Lucifuge filled her in on all the details without caring I was there. Carelessly revealing military movements in front of me, much to the dismay of Zekram and Lord Phenex, I tuned him out and walked over to the two lovebirds. No longer seeing a need to hide their feelings, as I had exposed them in front of their parents, the two were making up for lost time very quickly.
"I would say get a room, but we are already in one.", I chuckled as I teased them, 'Damn, it sucks being on the other end of this dynamic!'
"Lord Cole, thank you for telling our parents about our relationship. Both of us have been trying to find the best way to brooch the subject with them. Given our family politics, we were concerned our parents would not understand and force us apart.", Grayfia told me with a warm smile, "How did you come to find out about us? We have been very careful not to expose it, only a few of our closest friends knew…"
"Do not tell me…did Serafell blab about this?", Sirzechs said turning to her, "She has always been loose-lipped, especially when alcohol has been involved."
"I did not tell anyone!!", Serafell protested, "That only happened once and that was several hundred years ago. Please cut me some slack already and forgive me!!"
Chuckling to himself, I faintly heard Ajuka mutter that it was more like a dozen times. Hearing him as well, Serafell turned around and punched him in the arm telling him to not correct her so blatantly.
"To be honest, Lord Lucifer was well aware of your relationship. Grayfia is the only daughter of his right hand man after all, he kept tabs on both siblings.", I lied, "There are a lot of things he knew that I was made aware of because of his memories. All that said, Grayfia, I highly recommend that you do not give this poor man another heart attack like that. If you had made that offer to one of the many Pantheon Gods, you may have wound up in a very shitty situation. You have an excellent man here that wants to give you the world and would move heaven and hell to do so. Make sure you hold him tightly and do not let him go."
"I am well aware, he is stuck with me for life.", Grayfia laughed as Sirzechs turned a bit red with embarrassment.
"Another thing…keep an eye on your idiot brother. If left to his own devices, he will go down the same path Rizevim did and cause the Underworld many problems. Unlike your father and everyone else, he will listen to what you tell him without any deceit.", I warned her, "If you do not, one day I may end up having to take his life."
"We have already been keeping a very close watch on my brother. Father and I have been worried about him since he has not left his room since Rizevim died.", Grayfia stated with a serious expression, "I will make sure to talk with him, and steer him away from going down that path…I do not want to lose another family member. Losing our mother was already enough heartache for me."
Thanking her for heeding my warning, I was about to leave when Lilith called out to me. Looking a bit flustered for some reason, she pointed at me and started acting like a Tsundere for a moment.
"What makes you think I want to go on a date with you!? You brutally killed my husband, and now are trying to court me into your bed!", Lilith proclaimed, "While I am grateful that you saved my children and my life, there is a proper order to these things. I am not some sort of whore that will spread her legs for just anyone!"
"Wow, is that how Devils court one another?", I asked with a smirk, "I thought all of you would be a bit more civil, and at least have a few casual dates first. All I wanted to do was take you out to eat, do some clothes shopping, and enjoy a few confectionary sweets together."
"That is all?", Lilith asked skeptically.
"I have a harem of beautiful women, do you think I am desperate for sex?", I commented with a confused look, "I am trying to get you out of this place because it is going to be the death of you. Even though I healed the wounds Pluto gave you, your body is still on the brink of dying from centuries of overuse."
Staring into my eyes for a brief moment, she looked for any ulterior motives I might have. After a few seconds, Lilith closed her eyes and asked me why I was helping her. She had been nothing but rude to me from the get-go so she saw no reason for me to help her. Walking over to her, I told her she would need to figure that out on her own.
"Again you are dodging my questions…", she complained with a smile, "I will agree to your request for a date, hopefully this time I do not get stabbed."
"Haha, I promise you will not be harmed.", I chuckled, "Alright then, I will be back in a few days to pick you up."
Bidding everyone farewell, I teleported back to the Youkai Village to help out with the renovation.
—Shinto Pantheon. 3rd Person POV—
Standing in her office, overlooking the main courtyard, Amaterasu looked out her window at the blossoming trees. Enjoying the beauty that she had helped create, she almost lost herself in the scenery when a knock came from her door. Snapping back to reality, she walked back over to her desk and took a seat.
"You may enter.", she stated in a calm tone.
"My Lady Amaterasu, your servants have returned from their mission. Would you like me to send them in?", her maid asked.
"Yes, please do so.", Amaterasu ordered, "Also, please ask Lady Inari to come here as well. Depending on what happens, I may have need of her assistance."
"Of course my Lady.", the maid acknowledged before walking away.
Having noticed a sharp decline in tributes, offerings, and prayers to her Pantheon, Amaterasu was worried something happened to their most devoted group, the Youkai. Having had a close bond with them for generations, she knew that something must have happened to them to cause this sharp decline. Having tried many times to go and visit with Yasaka for answers, Susanoo conveniently always needed her aid just as she was about to leave. The first few times she let it slide, but after that, she grew suspicious that he was purposefully trying to stop her from meeting with the Youkai for some reason.
'There have been rumors going around that he made a pass at Yasaka, and she turned him down. If he has done something to them as retribution, I will make him rue the day he endangered our Pantheon. They are our biggest supporters, and even though they are small in number now we still need them to survive.', Amaterasu thought as her upper lip twitched with discontent.
Hearing her servants approach, she quickly put the thought to the side and greeted them as they entered her office.