Once again, I am not sure how this chapter turned out but hope you guys enjoy it. If I made a mistake feel free to tell me.
I use Ai to fix the grammar. So if something is off, feel free to tell me.
Anyway, please comment and suggest things so I can know what to do next.
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- Zyon -
With that, we finished up the meals, adding the final touches before bringing them out to Sirzechs, Serafall, and Grayfia. The moment the plates were set down, they dug in.
Sirzechs took a bite of his steak, nodding in satisfaction.
"As expected, this is incredible."
Grayfia's expression remained composed, but the slight closing of her eyes as she tasted the salmon spoke volumes.
"You never disappoint, Zyon."
Serafall, on the other hand, was already halfway through her parfait, making exaggerated happy noises.
"Mmm~! It's so good! The perfect balance of sweetness! Zyo-tan, you're the best!"
I grinned, wiping my hands with a cloth.
"Glad you all like it."
With the food served and my job done for the moment, I leaned against the counter, exchanging glances with Hancock and Kie.
"Guess all that flirting didn't slow me down after all," I teased.
Hancock smirked. Kie sighed but shook her head with a small chuckle.
"Fufufu~ I think it just increased his productivity."
I chuckled then went over to ask what the sudden visit was anyway.
"You didn't just visit a friend right?"
"I can't?"
Sirzech jokingly said and I laughed.
"It isn't a problem but I know it's not the only reason."
He then began explained the reason and he simply mentioned that the recent events had resulted in the agreement that I was going to be engaged to Rias.
I blinked, processing Sirzechs' words.
"Engaged…to Rias?"
Of course I already knew this would happen but didn't expect for it to be this quick. Sirzechs chuckled at my reaction.
"You sound surprised. Surely, you knew this was coming."
Serafall giggled, kicking her feet under the table.
"Come on, Zyo-tan, you've practically swept Ria-tan off her feet! And after what you did for her with the whole Riser situation, it's only natural."
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow.
"And what about Rias? Was she fine with this arrangement?"
Grayfia nodded.
"Lady Rias has given her approval. In fact, she insisted on it."
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my head.
"Well…I won't lie, I do have feelings for her. But an engagement, huh?"
Sirzechs smirked.
"If you're worried about the official part of it, don't be. It's not a forced political marriage or anything like that. It's more like an acknowledgment of your relationship—something that allows Rias to be with you without interference from others trying to claim her."
Serafall leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands.
"So, what do you say, Zyo-tan? Ready to put a ring on it?"
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"You guys really don't waste time, huh?"
Kie, who had been listening from behind the counter, smirked.
"I think the real question is, how are the other girls going to react to this?"
Serafall let out a dramatic gasp.
"Oh! That's right! What about Seekvaira, Yasaka, and the others? Are they gonna fight over you? Ooooh, a harem battle for Zyo-tan's heart!"
Sirzechs laughed.
"Now that would be entertaining."
I sighed, though I couldn't help but smirk.
"You guys are enjoying this way too much."
Serafall leaned back in her chair, grinning mischievously.
"You know, Zyo-tan, you're really slow with Sona. I mean, when will you defeat Sona in chess? Tsk tsk, if it were me, I would've had her in the bag already!"
I blinked, feeling my face flush at the comment.
"Sera-tan, can you not?" I groaned, rubbing my temples.
"And I think you're getting the wrong idea."
She just giggled, clearly enjoying my reaction.
"Well, at least it means I get to join the fun! I'm so excited! Zyo-tan's harem is growing!"
I sighed deeply, feeling a bead of sweat run down my forehead as I shook my head in disbelief.
"I won't deny that but please slow down, Sera-tan."
Turning my attention to Sirzechs, I shrugged, hoping to move the conversation forward.
"But as for the engagement with Rias, I don't mind. It's just how things have unfolded, and I'm fine with it."
Sirzechs smiled warmly, clearly pleased by my answer.
"I'm glad to hear that, Zyon. It'll be good to have you officially in the family." He leaned back in his chair, a relaxed expression on his face.
"I guess that makes me your brother-in-law, huh? I couldn't be happier."
I chuckled lightly.
"Yeah, I guess so. Looks like I'm stuck with you."
Serafall gasped, her eyes wide with mock horror.
"Ooooh, come on, let's call Sona and finally get her as well so we can have a date together!" She envious of her friend taking the lead.
I rubbed my forehead, trying to keep the situation under control.
"Alright, alright. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Sirzechs laughed, clearly enjoying the banter, then he slowly stopped laughing, his expression shifting to something more serious as he glanced over at Grayfia. Then, turning back to me, he said.
"Actually, Zyon, there's something else I wanted to discuss. I'd like Grayfia to work for you."
I blinked in surprise, almost choking on my drink.
"Wait, what? Grayfia… your Queen piece? You're offering her to me?"
Sirzechs gave me a knowing smile.
"She's been doing a great job as my Queen, but I know she can help you even more. She's more than capable and I trust her judgment. Plus, it's not like we're tied down. Grayfia's free to make her own choices."
I opened my mouth to protest, but Grayfia, who had been silently observing the conversation, spoke up.
"Zyon, I would like to work with you. It's something I've been considering for a while now."
Her calm demeanor didn't waver, but I could sense a certain determination in her voice.
I was taken aback. Grayfia was one of the most capable and respected beings I knew, and here she was, offering her services to me. Despite the suddenness of it all, I knew it was her choice, and Sirzechs seemed to fully support it.
I scratched the back of my head, trying to process everything.
"Well, if you're sure about it… I guess I'll accept. It's not like you two are married or anything, right?"
Sirzechs grinned.
"Exactly. At least I can move around a lot freely once Grayfia is not around."
Grayfia glared at his joke and Sirzech wryly smiled while a sweat drop from his cheek
I chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease.
"Alright then, Grayfia. Welcome aboard. I'm sure you'll fit right in."
Grayfia nodded, her expression as composed as ever.
"Thank you, Zyon. I'll do my best."
I smiled, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over me. Grayfia is among the ones that I also have been interested in ever since I was young. It was fortunate she isn't married to Sirzechs.
Moments Later, the door rang and Seekvaira, Rias, Akeno, Sona and Tsubaki arrived. Rias and Sona were surprised to see their elder siblings. Sirzech quickly went to greet his little sister, acting rather dotting much to Rias's annoyance but kept it hidden and the same goes for Sona with Serafall.
Sona adjusted her glasses, letting out a small sigh as Serafall practically bounced over to her with a beaming smile.
"So-tan! You're finally here!" Serafall exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Nee-sama… please, not in public," Sona muttered, clearly embarrassed but not resisting too much.
Meanwhile, Rias crossed her arms, looking at Sirzechs with mild exasperation as he ruffled her hair playfully.
"Onii-sama, must you always do this?" she asked, though there was a small smile on her lips.
"But Ria-tan, I must cherish my little sister whenever I see her," Sirzechs replied, dramatically placing a hand over his heart.
"It's a brother's duty!"
Rias sighed but let him have his moment before glancing toward me.
"Zyon, did you know they were coming?"
I nodded.
"Kinda, but they didn't tell me why until a few moments ago."
Seekvaira, who had been quietly observing, turned to me with an amused look.
"And what was the reason?"
I smirked.
"Apparently, I'm now officially engaged to Rias."
The room went silent for a brief moment before Akeno chuckled, covering her mouth with her fingers.
"Ara ara, that's quite the announcement," she teased.
Tsubaki gave Sona a side glance before looking at me.
"Congratulations."
Seekvaira raised an eyebrow, glancing at Rias, who was slightly blushing but not denying it.
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised," Seekvaira said.
"But if that's the case, does this mean you'll also be aiming for Sona next?"
Serafall immediately perked up.
"Yes! Yes! That's exactly what I was saying earlier!" she said, pointing at me excitedly.
"Zyo-tan needs to hurry up and defeat So-tan in chess so we can have a double wedding!"
Sona sighed, adjusting her glasses again.
"Nee-sama, please stop making things more complicated."
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"I think we should focus on one thing at a time."
Serafall pouted.
"Boo! You're no fun!"
Sirzechs laughed, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Well, as I said before I'm happy to welcome you as my brother-in-law, Zyon. Just make sure to take care of my precious little sister."
Rias, still blushing slightly, huffed.
"Onii-sama, you make it sound like I can't take care of myself."
"Of course, you can," Sirzechs said with a playful smile.
"But that doesn't mean I won't worry."
I chuckled at their sibling dynamic before turning to everyone.
"Alright, since you're all here, why don't we have something to eat?"
Rias smiled, nodding.
"That sounds like a good idea."
With that, I guided them to a table, ready to prepare a feast for the group.
Rias's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned toward me, practically bouncing in her seat.
"There's going to be an anime convention soon, and I really want to bring you and Hancock! It'll be so much fun!"
I raised an eyebrow, curious.
"An anime convention, huh? Are you going to dress up as one of your characters?"
Rias grinned mischievously, already guessing where I was headed.
"Well, I was thinking of making Hancock dress up as her empress self! Won't you like that?" she asked, her eyes glinting with mischief.
I tilted my head, half-amused, half-suspicious.
"You really want to make her the center of attention, don't you?"
I glanced over at Hancock, who, to my surprise, was actually giving a slight nod.
"If it pleases you, Zyon-sama," she said, her voice soft and composed, though there was a slight teasing edge to it, as if she enjoyed the idea of indulging me.
I sighed and rubbed my temple.
"Of course, but only if Hancock doesn't mind the attention."
Rias's grin widened.
"Of course! She'll look amazing, just wait! But… if you're going to let her cosplay, then how about we all go together? How about you and I dress up as Howl and Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle for fun?"
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"You know me well, Rias. I should've expected you'd suggest something like that."
Rias chuckled softly, leaning back.
"I've known you since childhood, Zyon. How could I not know what you'd like?"
I smirked, remembering the countless hours we had spent together as kids, and how her love for anime had always been something I knew would eventually influence everything around her.
"Alright, alright. I'm in, as long as Hancock's comfortable with the idea. And I'll have to find a good costume for Howl."
Hancock, who had been quiet up until then, turned her gaze to me with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"I have no objections as long as you are satisfied, Zyon-sama. Though, I admit, the idea of the attention is... intriguing."
Rias beamed, pleased with the approval.
"Perfect! It's going to be so much fun! I can't wait for the convention!"
I sighed but smiled, already preparing for the chaos that was sure to follow. I could already tell that Rias's enthusiasm for this convention would make for an unforgettable experience.
Serafall, never one to miss out on a chance for fun, chimed in eagerly, her eyes sparkling.
"I want to join too! I could dress up as a magical girl! How much more fun would that be?"
Before I could respond, Sona shot her sister a warning look, her tone firm.
"Nii-sama, you have duties as a Maou. You can't just run off to an anime convention whenever you please."
Serafall's face fell immediately, and she slumped in her seat, her enthusiasm deflating like a balloon. She pouted dramatically, looking like a child who had just been denied a treat.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of her.
"Don't worry, Sera-tan. We can do this next time when you're free. You can join us then."
At my words, Serafall's pout disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, and her face lit up with excitement again.
"Really!? You backsies?" she asked, her voice high-pitched with delight.
I smiled and nodded, happy to see her spirits lift.
"Yeah, next time. Promise."
"Yay!" Serafall squealed, clapping her hands together like an overjoyed child. Her mood had shifted from disappointed to ecstatic in an instant, and she seemed to forget all about her responsibilities as a Maou.
Sona sighed, shaking her head but with a fond smile.
"You're impossible, Nii-sama."
"Thank you, Zyon! You're the best!" Serafall cheered, giving me a playful wink, completely forgetting her duties for the moment.
I laughed, feeling the warmth of the moment.
"Of course, Sera-tan. I'll make sure next time we all have a blast."
Akeno, who had been watching the playful banter with a mischievous smile, decided to join in. She leaned toward me, her tone teasing.
"Oh, I see. You're leaving me out of the fun, huh? Well, I suppose I'll have to be compensated. How about you take me out on a date, Zyon? What do you say?"
I raised an eyebrow, catching the playful gleam in her eyes.
"Hmm, a date with you, Akeno? There's still a pending line, though, so you'll have to wait your turn."
She chuckled, clearly enjoying the playful back-and-forth.
"Is that so? Well, I suppose I can be patient, but only if you promise me a date soon. I wouldn't want to feel neglected."
I smirked, leaning closer with a wink.
"Don't worry, Akeno. I promised, didn't I? You'll get your date, just make sure to hold your excitement until then."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and she gave me a flirtatious grin.
"I'll be waiting, Zyon. But don't take too long. I might get jealous if someone else steals my spot."
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"You're one to talk, Akeno. Always keeping things interesting."
"Of course," she replied smoothly.
"It's part of my charm."
I smiled, feeling the easy camaraderie between us all. It was moments like these that made everything feel light and fun, despite the whirlwind of events surrounding us.
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- Zyon -
Standing in the crowd, I couldn't help but smile as I looked at Rias and Hancock beside me. I was dressed as Howl from Howl's Moving Castle, the flowing golden hair of the wig almost blending perfectly with my own, a perfect match for his mysterious aura.
My coat flared out slightly as I moved, giving me a sense of power as I stood next to Rias, who was cosplaying as Sophie.
She looked absolutely stunning in her version of Sophie's outfit, the magic she had used to make her hair shorter and silver just added to her charm. It was her usual beauty, but with a touch of ethereal elegance.
Rias was practically glowing, her excitement contagious.
"Zyon, don't you think this is amazing? Look at how we match!"
I chuckled softly, my gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary.
"You look incredible, Rias. I have to say, I think you pull off Sophie even better than I imagined." I leaned in slightly, my voice low and teasing.
"Though, you're making me feel like I'm not worthy to be Howl."
She grinned, clearly pleased, but she playfully nudged me with her shoulder.
"Flatterer. Just don't expect me to save you from the witch."
My smirk grew wider, but before I could respond, Hancock, who had been quiet until now, caught my attention. She was wearing her snake empress attire—her future self's outfit—and, of course, she looked breathtaking. The way the deep green and gold of the fabric accentuated her curves... I felt a slight flush rise to my cheeks.
I couldn't resist complimenting her, my tone both appreciative and a little flirtatious.
"Hancock, I have to say, that outfit is... wow. I think it's a crime at how stunning you look."
She turned to me with that calm yet intense gaze, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Thank you, Zyon. You always know just what to say to make a girl feel special."
I chuckled, feeling a warmth in my chest as I met her gaze.
"I mean it. You wear that with such confidence, it's impossible not to notice. I'm sure every head turns when you walk into a room."
Her smile deepened, though her voice remained composed.
"I'm sure you're just saying that, but I do appreciate the compliment."
I winked at her, loving the way she responded to my teasing.
"I don't lie, Hancock. You're the center of attention wherever you go."
Rias, who had been watching the exchange with a knowing smile, gave me a playful push.
"Oh, so I'm just chopped liver now, huh? Here I am in my stunning costume and you're over here flirting with Hancock."
I grinned, raising both hands in mock surrender.
"Not at all, Rias. You're both absolutely captivating—how could I choose between you two?"
Hancock chuckled softly, glancing at Rias before turning her gaze back to me.
"You really know how to keep things interesting, don't you, Zyon?"
I gave her a smirk, feeling a playful glint in my eyes.
"What can I say? I try to keep up with the beautiful women in my life."