Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Serena POV. – August 24, 2008.
"Again. Whose idea was it to go to a formal party?" I asked wearily. We hadn't even left the mansion yet and I was already tired.
"Yours." Rebecca complained, grimacing and ruffling her hair in annoyance. To my surprise, they had all opted for dresses, including her. Oh, I had assured them many times that they could dress as they pleased, but they were quickly persuaded by Enid and Narcissa to let them wear dresses.
And all the dresses Narcissa created for us were similar to the ones Ravel and I had worn to our engagement party. Tight, revealing, sexy, and adorned with chains or metal ornaments. Apparently, Narcissa, Enid, and Ravel all wanted to maintain the family aesthetic. I didn't even know we had one, but apparently, we did.
So we were all dressed that way, except for Lucius, Narcissa, and Riveria. The first wore a suit, Cissy wore a dress that covered most of her body except her arms, and Riveria, understandably, wore an even less revealing one, with only her shoulders showing.
Even so, all three still wore metal decorations over their suits and dresses. Just like GLaDOS, who wore a sullen expression for being forced to participate, and even more so for being forced to wear a dress. Even something as simple as a fairly ordinary white dress.
"You can't complain, my dear. Now let's go," Ravel said as she straightened up. I just sighed wearily. Now I was jealous of Freya for not being forced to come to the Youth. Devil Gathering. After all, Freya, Ottar, and Horn weren't really part of my Peerage, and they weren't even devils, so that I couldn't bring them to the party.
So they would either stay in the mansion or do whatever they wanted in the meantime.
"Ready?" I asked everyone, and after a round of nods, I grabbed the invitation card, which had a teleportation circle drawn on it. I activated it, and the teleportation circle quickly surrounded us.
A few seconds later, we were in a room inside the mansion that belonged to one of the Satans, and which he had provided for this party. Bella immediately moved to my right and wrapped her arm around mine. Ravel did the same to my left and then began to lead the way.
"Everyone should be here by now. Just blend in," Ravel said matter-of-factly. We continued walking down some corridors before seeing two employees guarding a door. They saw us and opened it immediately.
They didn't announce us, but since everyone turned to look at us, we definitely wouldn't go unnoticed. I looked around and could see that everyone was already there.
"I'll see what they have to drink," Rebecca said simply as she grabbed Lucy and started dragging her along. Lucy just smiled and let herself be dragged.
"I just saw some devils who want to do business with us. This is as good a time as any," Lucius said with an amused smile. "Are you coming, my dear?" he asked, turning to Narcissa. She smiled.
"Of course, although I may have strayed, I see several people wearing my dresses, and they seem to want to approach; we'll form a line quickly." Narcissa said easily; Lucius just nodded.
"Business?" I snorted, raising an eyebrow. "At a party?" I asked playfully.
"That's what these holidays are for, my dear. Business and showing off." Lucius said playfully before they both parted ways with us.
I glanced at the others, who didn't really seem to have any plans, especially not when Sairaorg emerged from the crowd, staring intently at me. He walked confidently in my direction, followed by his Peerage, drawing everyone's attention.
"Serena Prince," Sairaorg said, standing in front of me with a deathly serious expression. I looked at him and nodded.
"Sairaorg Bael, I suppose; we didn't have time to get to know each other last time. A pleasure—" I stopped stiffly when I saw Sairaorg move at a terrifying speed. I was about to react and back away before I stood still and perplexed as I realized what Sairaorg wanted to do.
That brief hesitation allowed Sairaorg to reach my side and hug me tightly. Sairaorg's muscular body enveloped me tightly, then he lifted me into the air and squeezed me even tighter. I was completely stunned.
"Sairaorg!?" I saw Rias in the crowd scream in shock, deeply confused. And I was the same.
"Uh... Sairaorg? I'm completely and totally lesbian." I said without hesitation. Sairaorg didn't stop.
"Thank you... Thank you for healing my mother," Sairaorg said as he finally released me. I stopped and looked at him, confused.
"Your mother?" I asked, completely confused. Wasn't she asleep because of her illness? I didn't remember ever having treated her.
"Yes, my mother, Misla Bael," Sairaorg said with a softened expression. Then Enid gasped and squealed at the same time.
"You're Misla's son?!" Enid asked excitedly. "Oh, she talked about you a lot. She told me you were a small boy, but you're almost as tall as Serena! And three times as muscular!" Enid said in shock. Sairaorg looked confused before his eyes widened.
"You... you're the Angel of Crimea—The Angel of Pentagram City. You're Enid Sinclair," Sairaorg said in surprise, reciting the titles people had given Enid, before moving and attempting to hug her. Emphasis on attempted. This time I moved quickly. I grabbed Enid and pushed her behind me before Sairaorg could reach her.
My skin crawled all over me, and I suppressed the urge to melt his skin, only because I knew he was just trying to thank Enid for saving his mother. Even so, no one touched what was mine. I glared at Sairaorg, but to my annoyance, he just ignored me and continued looking at Enid gratefully.
Enid, on the other hand, only used me as a shield and looked at Sairaorg sticking his head out from the side.
"I'm sorry," Sairaorg said immediately. "I... I have no words to express how grateful I am that you healed my mother," Sairaorg said honestly as he looked at Enid. "Thank you... Thank you so much," Sairaorg said, bowing deeply. I blinked and glanced sideways at Enid.
"Did you heal Misla Bael?" I asked as I tried to understand that. Enid smiled brightly and nodded.
"Yes!" Enid said innocently.
"Did you cure anyone of Sleep Disease? " I asked slowly once more. Enid just nodded.
"Yes! That's what one of the nurses said the disease was called. She said it was an incurable disease, I think? I mean… it seemed like a mild illness; it was actually quite easy to cure." Enid shrugged. "In fact, I was curing a few dozen people with that same disease. I thought it was an epidemic or something, so I made sure to cure them as quickly as I could." Enid said, pleased with herself. I stopped dead in my tracks. And I wasn't the only one.
After all, Enid had just categorized the Sleep Disease, the incurable ailment that had plagued devils for millennia, as 'mild' and 'easy to cure,' all while smiling broadly and innocently. I simply sighed and placed my hand on her head before gently stroking it.
"You did an excellent job, Enid," I told her. Enid just smiled brightly.
"You did it, once again. Thank you for healing my mother," Sairaorg said, still bowing deeply.
"Oh, it's not necessary!" Enid said quickly.
"It is. If you need anything, just ask; I'm indebted to you." Sairaorg said without getting up.
"No! It's just my job! I like healing; I don't need any debt or anything!" Enid said quickly before looking at me almost in a panic. I chuckled.
"Don't worry, Sairaorg, if Enid doesn't want any payment, then don't worry," I said simply. Sairaorg straightened up cautiously and looked at me conflictedly.
"But-" He tried to say uncomfortably. I shook my head.
"Once again, no compensation is necessary. Enid likes helping people, and she'll do it for free anyway, so don't overthink it," I said calmly. Sairaorg just gave me a conflicted look before sighing.
"I'm... fine," he sighed. "But even so, if you need anything, I'll help you with all my strength," Sairaorg said firmly. I just smiled slightly.
"We have it in mind." I said with a nod. Sairaorg nodded.
"Even so, I still want to invite you to our house. I'm sure Mother would like to meet you, or to see her again in your case," Sairaorg said with a smile as he looked at us. I just nodded slightly.
"We'll think about it," I said, not committing. Sairaorg accepted this and nodded. After exchanging a few more words, he finally left. I could hear Enid sigh with relief.
"Wow, that was intense," Enid said. I laughed.
"I thought you'd be used to people thanking you for saving them by now," I said playfully.
"And I am! I mean! I can handle thanks, tears of joy, and conversations, but not someone being indebted to me or anything like that! I have an assistant who takes care of that! And I pay her a lot of money to do so!" Enid said urgently. I chuckled.
"Too bad for you then, because I see more devils staring at you and about to approach you to thank you in the same way," I said playfully. Enid looked at me in a panic. I just shook my head playfully. "Ravel, my love, could you look after Enid?" I asked Ravel playfully; she just smiled and nodded.
"Come on, Enid, just let me do the talking," Ravel said. Enid looked at her like she was a lifeline and clung to her, then they both started walking away. I was left alone with Bella, Riveria, and GLaDOS.
"Serena," Ajuka said, approaching me. I looked at him in surprise. "It's good to see you again," Ajuka said with a smile. I smiled back.
"I agree." I smiled slightly. "Although I should have skipped the party." I said dryly, and Ajuka chuckled.
"I understand," Ajuka said playfully before his gaze shifted to GLaDOS. "I suppose she's your new rook," Ajuka said curiously. "The one in charge of the machines on Distracted Globe," he stated. I nodded.
"Her name is GLaDOS." The present. GLaDOS just looked at Ajuka.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Beelzebub," GLaDOS said, so flatly it almost sounded hostile. I chuckled. It really worked to blackmail her with the threat of not being able to get her machine world if she didn't attend and behave at these kinds of events. GLaDOS just glared at me for my thoughts, and I chuckled.
"Only Ajuka," he said easily. "I'm really interested in your work. I have a few questions if you don't mind." GLaDOS stopped and looked at me. I just nodded.
"It offends me that you're only here because of my Rook, Ajuka, but what bothers me most is not being able to use you as a shield." I said dryly. Ajuka just smiled mockingly.
"It's a party for you to socialize like the young devil you are, not for me," Ajuka said shamelessly. I just rolled my eyes.
"Go with him, GLaDOS. I'm sure you'll enjoy talking to him more than socializing with any of the devils here," I said simply. GLaDOS's eyes flashed, and she walked away with Ajuka. They were already chatting quickly after Ajuka asked a question. I just sighed.
I was about to relax when the next person arrived just as quickly. I almost sighed when I saw that it was actually Sona. She was looking at me intently, almost hopefully and cautiously.
"Did you really mean that?" Sona asked, staring at me without even saying hello. I looked at her curiously.
"About what?" I asked simply.
"About creating a school in your city. Rating Games for commoner and reincarnated devils." Sona said, still staring at me without blinking.
"Oh, that," I said simply. "Of course," I replied without hesitation, shrugging my shoulders. "I'm a succubus, first and foremost. I was telling the truth when I mentioned that I enjoy watching the devils of my city thrive," I said honestly. "Whenever you're ready, just come to Pentagram City, and I'll have a place ready to set everything up for whatever school you want to found."
"Although you're expected to lead it, I wouldn't mind giving some magic lessons now and then if you'd like," I said easily. Sona looked at me, her eyes wide.
"I... oh," Sona said, surprised.
"I suppose you really weren't expecting anyone to offer it to you?" I asked gently. Sona sighed and shook her head.
"No. I know how laughable my dream is to most of the old Devils, but I was prepared to fight tooth and nail for the chance to make it a reality. And for it to fall right in front of me so easily was... disconcerting." Sona said honestly. I just nodded.
"I understand. But I was serious. I suppose you'll wait until you finish your education at Kuoh. I don't know if you'll wait until university too, but the offer will never expire. You can come anytime, and Pentagram City will welcome you."
"You're not the first teacher or scholar who wants to teach lower-class devils. We have some professors in schools and universities that I'm sure you'd get along with, so the offer is genuine," I told Sona. She just stared at me and bit her lip.
"Thank you, Lady Prince. I... I don't know how to repay you." Sona said honestly, and I shook my head.
"I don't need any payment, really. I enjoy helping people in my city, so it's a pleasure to have your help," I said honestly. Sona just stared at me before nodding. She finally relaxed enough for us to continue exchanging words before she left. I finally sighed before wrinkling my nose.
"Kuroka and Bikou seem to be here. Do you want to go stop them?" I asked Bella and Riveria. They stopped, and Bella smiled broadly and wildly. "Without causing any trouble. If you can put up barriers to avoid drawing attention and getting the dance canceled, all the better," I told Bella dryly.
"I'll take care of it," Riveria said enthusiastically. I nodded. They both walked away immediately. I sighed softly when I was left alone.
"Thank you." I heard the soft voice behind me. I turned around to see Serafall with a gentle smile; to my surprise, she seemed to have lost some of her lively personality. I raised an eyebrow.
"Serafall. To what do I owe this gratitude? " I asked, confused.
"For helping Sona-chan," Serafall said honestly.
"You don't need to thank me for that. I meant it when I said I'd help the people in Pentagram City." I shrugged, obviously annoying Honest, but that was a minor detail. Serafall shook her head.
"Even so, thank you," Serafall said with a sad smile. "No one takes Sona-chan's dream seriously, including our parents, even though they both support her... they really don't understand her."
"And I, as Satan, couldn't help her the way I would have liked, so I'm really glad you can help her. Regardless of the reasons." Serafall said, sounding grateful.
"As I said, it's no problem at all," I repeated. "Especially since it's helping me. If the devils in my city get stronger, all the better for me, especially if I don't need to get personally involved. I consider it a win-win." I said with a cheeky grin. Serafall just laughed, amused.
"Good. I'm glad to hear that," Serafall said with a bright smile. Before finally looking me straight in the eye and narrowing her eyes, she continued, "But if I find out this is a ploy to win her over with your succubus or sexy singing demon tricks, you'll have me to deal with," Serafall threatened. Before I could say anything, she smacked herself again, turned around, and started walking away. I could only stare in disbelief before snorting and shaking my head. Yeah, I'd better just ignore that.
I really couldn't wait for this to be over, and I'd only been there for... about 20 very long and tiring minutes. I looked around, but before I could decide what to do, someone else approached me. I almost wanted to groan loudly.
"Lady Prince! I finally have the pleasure of meeting you," Seekvaira said, finally approaching. I stopped and blinked in her direction. She really was much better than any of the other devils. I smiled slightly at her. "I was hoping... we could talk business," she said, her eyes sparkling. Well, let's see how this turns out.