He hoped they were solved. He didn't know how many of those cringe-inducing statements he had left in him before he physically started dying on the inside. Somehow, that skull of hers had thickened considerably in less than two days.
He hoped his words got through because he definitely wasn't about to continuously spout romance words like those pansy romance male leads in those dramas Shuri loved watching.
.
|DxD|
.
A few dozen minutes have passed since then and now, Igor and Aurelia were walking down the corridor towards Shuri. Privy to her location, Aurelia could feel that she was also on the move towards them, something that slightly concerned her.
She silently wondered what would be going through Shuri's head at this very moment, or how she would react when she saw Igor. She didn't want Igor to know of Shuri's feelings towards him, atleast not yet.
There was no telling how the blonde would take the news. But one thing was for sure. The dynamic between them would never be the same again.
Walking next to him, she figured she atleast had to get one thing out of him right now, a confirmation of sorts. He declined ever wanting one, but she needed to introduce him to the reality of his situation.
"Igor…"
"I'm listening."
"..."
She slowly formulated the words in her head.
"Are you sure you don't want more women? Many would be willing to become yours."
"..."
Stopping amidst their walk, Igor groaned, but his annoyance wasn't directed at her. Instead of brushing her off, he took the time to think about her words. To some extent, she was right. Many women would want him.
But everytime he thought about accepting them, he arrived at one conclusion.
"Sister. Women are troublesome. Yes. That includes you too."
He grinned lightly at the last part as he pulled her towards her.
"Let me tell you something, Aurelia. Women are annoying. Does it offend you? Good. The truth must be spicy and since sweet words don't make you understand, I'll be blunt."
"..."
Aurelia wasn't angry. She was more curious than anything on what he had to say. Though she was a bit miffed at his insinuation that her brain was thick.
"For someone who finds women in general to be annoying, tiresome, meddling, and troublesome, you'd be very, very, very, VERY hard-pressed to find a woman for them. For instance, my preference in a woman is very specific and non-negotiable."
Misogynistic? He didn't know the definition of the word, but it was probably a yes.
"One. My woman must be strong. For me who aspires to become the strongest in the universe, there's no use in having a weak woman. Two. My woman must aspire to get stronger. The world is a dangerous place and I'm a target of that dangerous world. My woman cannot be lazy. Three. This is selfish, but I love legs. My woman must have the best legs in the whole world. Second place can take a hike. Four. I must have known that woman for a very, very long time. Atleast five years minimum so that I know I can trust them."
"..."
He was messing with her, wasn't he? He was definitely messing with her. Here she was being serious in asking for his opinion and he was making jokes. All those descriptions? Of course he meant her…right?
[Especially the last part. No one fits it besides me. And…legs?]
Her mind traversed back to all those moments she caught him looking at her legs. At first he was somewhat shy and subtle. But lately, he never bothered hiding his gaze, even going so far as to compliment them.
"..."
Flush~
"...pervert."
"I never denied it. Though let's be honest. You're more of a pervert than me, sister. You can't deny that with a straight face."
"..."
Now more than ever, Aurelia wished she could fade from existence. That winning grin he had plastered on his face did not make it any easier for her.
"But honestly, I'm serious about what I said. I find women troublesome. Even during my time in the Heavenly Realm, they were more annoying than anything."
Honestly. He was quite shocked that with a bit of fame and power, women were suddenly willing to spread their legs. It was only then that he understood how Atid felt.
"You, dear sister, just so happened to be the very, very, very unique exception that surprisingly fit my desires in a woman. And naturally too."
"Hmph. I'm sure you made it all up."
"Nope. Well, I did make the part about the legs up. But you have to admit."
He leaned in and whispered into her ear.
"You have some really great legs, Lia."
"..."
She was going to die of embarrassment at this rate. She quickly needed to change the topic.
[Quickly, Aurelia. You had questions, questions that needed answers.]
Too much blood was flowing towards her head and his breath on her neck was only making it rush faster. Standing frozen on the spot, it was only thanks to her quick mind that she was able to quickly blurt out a question.
"But what about repopulating our race?"
"...?"
"..."
"..."
She only now just realised what she said.
"?!?!"
In her haste to switch topics, she let loose a question that should've been eased into with preceding questions.
"W-wait. I-I-"
"Pfft…pfft…pwahahahahaha!"
Laughing loudly without restraint, Igor eventually clutched his stomach as he bent hunched over himself. He was absolutely merciless in his laughter. He tried to stop, but just looking at her…
*Glance…*
"Pfft…hahahahaha!"
…sent him into further bouts of laughter. Honestly. If only she could see herself.
"You…hehe…you really worry too much, sister."
Finally standing up straight, he stretched to iron out the cramps in his stomach.
"I mean, come on, sister. We'll live for hundreds for hundreds of years. That's more than enough time for us to form our own little soccer team. Now come on. I want to see the old man quickly before we leave. I already miss my cute little sisters."
"..."
Not daring to look him in the eye, she quietly followed beside him. He put it way too crassly for her liking, but he was right. With their lifespan, they weren't at risk. But…was this really right-
[No. Don't question it anymore.]
What had happened had happened. She loved Igor and he loved her. She wanted a family and he was willing. Confronting Shuri would be a bit difficult, but things happened.
[I'm sorry, Shuri-sama.]
She already envisioned herself being a mother to his children. Even if time were to reverse, she would still walk into that room on that fateful night and share the same bed with him.
.
|DxD|
.
"Brother. Are you…is this really true?"
In Baraquiel's room, Azazel had just finished relaying all the information they had on Igor. To say the old fallen was surprised was an understatement.
"This is no lie, Baraquiel. I fought him personally and if I had not subdued him quickly enough, I would've died before he had the chance to regain control of his body."
"..."
Leaving Baraquiel to wallow in his thoughts, none of the cadre made a sound. All of them were aware of how much impact this little piece of information would have if revealed.
To this day, Penemue was still trying to come to terms with the fact that a powerful monster was contained inside a boy. A powerful boy, but a boy nonetheless.
Slowly, Baraquiel shook his head before his expression steeled. Gripping the blanket over him, he looked at Azazel right in the eye.
"I will let you know right now, brother. If you attempt to eliminate him, I will stop you."
""...""
"?!"
Azazel and Shemhazai widened their eyes slightly at the declaration while Penemue outright snapped.
"Do you realise what you are saying, Baraquiel?!"
He paid her no heed. His eyes remained locked with Azazel's, neither seemingly willing to back down. Eventually, Azazel couldn't suppress an amused grin.
"Relax, Baraquiel. None of us here intend to eliminate him. In fact, we want the opposite. Regardless of his status, we want to ally ourselves with Igor."
"...what?"
For a moment, Baraquiel was thrown in for a loop. There was no denying how dangerous the existence of Trihexa was. It was an entity that even their father couldn't defeat.
So he could understand if they saw this as a chance to eliminate it through Igor.
"You weren't going to eliminate him?"
"Eliminate? Of course not. I'm not sure that's even possible to begin with. Not to mention the backlash we would receive if we even tried, it's simply more worth it to let him be. Igor and Aurelia are a very worthwhile investment. They are not people I am willing to lose simply because of paranoia."
"..."
Standing to the side, Penemue felt a bit conflicted about that statement. Igor was too much of a danger to be left alive. There was simply no guaranteeing if he could keep that beast secured.
[No. I should trust Azazel.]
She didn't hate the boy. But she felt he was too dangerous. Regardless, she would place her trust in Azazel. Atleast for now, she wouldn't do anything to compromise his plan-
"Moving on, Baraquiel. Aside from us in this room, no one else knows of what we know. I would like to keep it that way."
"..."
He caught the underlying tone in Azazel's words. The rest of their brothers were not to be trusted with such crucial knowledge.
"You have my silence, brother."
"Wonderful."
Turning around, he faced Shemhazai with a smile.
"Brother. Can you call them over now? I believe we are done for today."
"At once, brother."
Without hesitation, he vanished.
Su!
.
|DxD|
.
Shuri's mind was empty. Wandering aimlessly down the hallway, she felt neither jubilant nor sad. Just empty. The news of Aurelia sleeping with Igor no longer hurt her. Reasoning had made sure of that. After all, Aurelia was objectively, the better woman and most suited for him.
They were of the same race, meaning she would also live much longer than her. She was strong, certainly much stronger than her. She was talented in the sword and magic. Aurelia even bested her in the rudimentary sealing knowledge she had, making her seem like a complete novice. And those were just the more subtle facts.
The most glaring fact was that she came with her own baggage while Aurelia was practically a clean slate. She, with her luscious silver hair, was an exotic woman with supernatural beauty. Even the most simplest of dresses struggled to hide her perfect figure. Compared to her, she was simple in appearance and lacking in ability.
It was because of these facts that Shuri didn't even feel sad…not anymore. All she felt was emptiness, emptiness in the realisation that she was naive.
[Of course he would choose her. He would always choose her.]
She wasn't mad at Aurelia.
[What made you believe there was even hope?]
Just…disappointed. She felt disappointed in herself that instead of destroying this love while it was still in its cradle, she let it grow and bear fruit. Now, the fruit she nurtured with all her heart and showered with her love would never be given to its intended owner.
Sigh…
This wasn't the time nor the place to wallow in self-pity. She could feel Igor and Aurelia were approaching her. By all means, she didn't want either of them to see her in such a hollow state.
"Haaa…"
Releasing a breath, she had to get her emotions in control. There'd be time to deal with them later. Putting on a smile, she walked towards the corner where they would soon appear. Closing her eyes in her typical closed-eye smile, she demurely clasped her hands over her stomach just as soon as Igor and Aurelia turned the corner.
"Ah. Dimori-kun. Aurelia-san."
.
AN
.
One minute I'm with Baraquiel. The next I'm with Shuri. One moment I'm for team harem. The next I'm team no harem. To put it bluntly, I give up. These chapters messed too much with my conscience. So I'm just going to wait and see what happens. And hopefully, I get to see Igor pop some skulls soon. Things were simpler when it was about killing, eating, training, and fighting.
Thank you and until the next chapter.