Arthur gently shifted Asia's sleeping form in his arms as he made his way towards the back of the shop. Issei and Kiba quickly followed, understanding Renner's subtle glance.
As they walked deeper inside, the cozy atmosphere of Celestial Brews wrapped around them more warmly. Soft instrumental music played in the background, and the sweet scent of pastries and coffee grew smaller.
Arthur turned into a small hallway leading to the private quarters upstairs. Just as he reached the staircase, a small figure appeared at the top, peeking down curiously.
It was a young girl with sharp crimson eyes and long silver-blonde hair. She wore a simple white dress, and her bare feet padded quietly against the wooden floor. She looked around twelve years old.
Of course, looks can be deceiving.
Issei's eyes immediately lit up. "Ohhhh, who is this little cutie pie?" He completely misjudged the situation.
He dashed up a few steps and crouched down in front of her, smiling in a way adults usually reserve for toddlers.
"Hey there, little one! What's your name? Do you like cookies? Want me to get you a plushie? Or maybe some candy? Goochi goochi goo—"
No, he's done it. Arthur thought to herself.
Before Issei could even finish his sentence, the girl's first rocked out.
Thud!
A clean, sharp punch landed squarely in Issei's gut. The impact knocked the air out of him with a loud "Gah!" And he collapsed to his knees, coughing violently.
"Damn, it seems Issei has become stronger than before." Arthur said as he saw Issei didn't lose his consciousness after getting punched in the gut by EvilEye.
EvilEye looked down at Issei with an unimpressed glare. Her crimson eyes practically burned a hole through him.
"I am not a child," she said coolly, her voice carrying a hint of maturity far beyond her apparent age. "The name's Keno Invern. I'm Renner's adoptive daughter."
{A/N: "Keno Fasris Inbern' was EvilEye's human name before she became Vampire in overlord.}
Cute.
That's what Kiba and Issei collectively thought.
And Arthur was already in front of her, picking her. "Oh, Keno-chan, you're so cute today. Did you miss me?"
Asia, who was in his arm previously, was currently floating beside him.
Keno—no, Evileye—struggled fiercely in Arthur's arms, her tiny fists pounding weakly against his chest.
But no matter how hard she glared or how much she pouted, she couldn't erase the crimson flush slowly spreading across her cheeks.
"Put me down, you big dummy!" she snapped again, her small hands gripping the fabric of his shirt.
Arthur just laughed, holding her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing at all. "But you're so cute when you're angry, Keno-chan."
"Idiot! Stupid Arthur! Pervert! Baka!" she muttered, her face burning hotter by the second.
Despite her protests, she didn't actually try very hard to escape. Her kicks and punches had lost their edge, and she just squirmed uselessly in his arms.
Issei, who was still kneeling on the ground, coughing, stared up at them in shock. "S-So strong… So scary... yet so... moe…"
Arthur then put Evileye down.
"Don't be cute in front of me, or I will again pick you up." Arthur said with a smile.
Because Arthur is hiding the fact that he is Ancient One and is trying to get close to Rias. It was Renner who suggested that they make Evileye her adoptive daughter but didn't hide the fact that they are supernatural.
Since Evileye looks like a child, Konoke like, it was easier. So Arthur also agrees.
She crossed her arms and looked down her nose at the wheezing Issei. "Don't treat me like a kid again."
She's acting cute again.
Issei, still on the floor, gave a weak thumbs-up. "N-Note taken…"
Then she looked at Asia, who was floating beside Arthur. "Who is she?"
As if just noticing, Issei looked at floating Asia. "Dude, what did you do?"
"Oh, this, I just use some magic to float her." Arthur said.
Kiba didn't say anything as he had seen Rias doing something similar. Since Arthur has confirmed that he is from the supernatural side, there is nothing to be surprised about.
Then Arthur turned to Evileye and said, "This is Asia. She will be here for a few days. And by the way, Keno, Renner is with the Friend (Rias) I told you about."
Evileye hasn't met with Rias, so hearing Arthur, she decides to meet her. After all, she needs to see this Rias, who became a recent topic in Nazarick after all.
Before going downstairs, Evileye gives Arthur a look.
You better behave. Don't make me remind you who you belong to.
She said what Albedo often tells him.
Not that he blamed them.
After all, they are his wives. And he was trying to get close to Rias. It only made sense they'd be jealous.
Arthur only gave her a calm, knowing smile in return, easily interpreting her silent language. He subtly tilted his head toward the unconscious Asia in his arms, silently saying, 'I'm busy right now.'
Her eyes narrowed just slightly, but she huffed, looking away with a very dramatic air of disinterest.
Satisfied for now, she floated down the stairs with a surprising amount of grace for someone acting like a child.
Kiba, carefully helping Issei back onto his feet, muttered, "That… is no ordinary child."
"You have no idea," Arthur said, keeping the amusement out of his voice.
Together, they climbed the stairs. Arthur led them into a quiet, modest room with a large bed by the window. The curtains were drawn back, letting in the moonlight.
He carefully laid Asia down, pulling a warm blanket over her. Her face was peaceful, her breathing steady now.
Arthur couldn't help but brush a lock of hair away from her forehead. After everything she had gone through tonight, she deserved this small comfort.
Behind him, Kiba and Issei watched in silence.
After a moment, Issei asked, "She's going to be okay, right?"
Arthur nodded without looking back. "Yeah. She just needs rest."
❌❌❌
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