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The old wooden door of the Occult Research Club closed with a soft thud, sealing the silence between Rias and Algernon. Rias's peerage was gone, but the heavy scent of their auras still lingered in the air, a silent testament to the shock they had just witnessed. Rias stood motionless, her hands still trembling from his touch, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and panic.
"What was that? You just came back and… and said something like that! My heart almost stopped!" she stammered, her voice a mix of awe and a breathless panic. Her crimson eyes, usually so full of command, were wide and searching, trying to find the familiar man she knew within the commanding figure who now stood before her.
Algernon walked toward her with a deliberate, confident stride. The air around him seemed to thicken, a palpable pressure that was both familiar and new. He took her hands in his, his touch steady and grounding. His skin was warm, his grip firm, a stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions swirling within her.
"Rias, look at me," he said, his voice a low, intimate rumble that vibrated through her. "I came back to claim what's mine."
Rias's heart pounded, a frantic drumbeat against her ribs. She looked into his eyes, and what she saw there sent a shiver down her spine. The crimson irises were the same, but the look within them was different. It held a chilling, possessive intensity, the loving gaze of a conqueror.
He spoke of purpose and ownership. "I was out of contact with you because I had a new territory to build," Algernon continued, his voice as smooth and relentless as a glacier. "I wasn't going to be a branch house demon anymore. I wasn't going to live in anyone's shadow. I took my time and established my power. Now, I have my own clan, my own city, and my own peerage."
He lifted her head with his hand on her chin and gently kissed her lips, a gesture so tender it melt her heart. "I've returned for you. The fights in the arena, the founding of the Azeroth Clan, the rebuilding of the Elias territory… it was all to prepare for this. Now, I am a King, a Pillar, with a city and a peerage of my own. I can now approach your parents, not as a suitor for your hand, but as a equal."
Rias's mind reeled. He hadn't been proving himself worthy of her; he had been proving his dominance. His ambition, once a quiet, almost charming trait, was now a tangible, overwhelming force.
"My parents? Algernon, this is so sudden," she said, her voice a mix of shock and confusion. "What will they say? They'll never agree to something this fast."
Algernon's expression hardened, a look of unshakeable resolve. "They will agree because they must," he stated, now his voice firm and playful. "Anyway, you are already mine. I have marked you everywhere"
Rias was already blushing making her face's color same as her hair.
He held her gaze, his crimson eyes filled with a fierce determination that brooked no argument. "I am here to ask for your hand in marriage, Rias. I am asking you to be mine, to stand by my side and help me. I am offering you a place not just in my heart, but in the foundation of a new era for our people."
Rias's heart swelled with overwhelming emotion. This wasn't a simple proposal. It was a declaration of intent, a testament to his ambition. Her initial anxiety was now replaced by a fierce sense of determination.
"We need to leave now, Rias," Algernon said, looking at the setting sun outside the clubroom window. "It's getting late. We'll rest at your house tonight, and we'll visit the Gremory Estate tomorrow morning."
Now, Rias's expression took a sudden turn. She stood on her toes and whispered in his ear softly. "it's my turn now". and teleported him straight to her room.
(A/N: no sex scene for same character, new R-18 chapter would be here soon)
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The first rays of the Human world's sun cut through the curtains of the master bedroom, painting the room in a soft, ethereal glow. Algernon opened his eyes, the weight of a warm body a familiar comfort on his chest. He lay still for a moment, listening to the soft, rhythmic breathing against his skin. A faint smile touched his lips as he looked down.
Rias's crimson hair was a silken waterfall over the white sheets, her head nestled securely on his chest. Her arms were wrapped loosely around his waist, holding on even in her sleep. The vulnerability in her posture was a stark contrast to her fierce moves last night. She was peaceful, her expression serene. It was a private, intimate moment, a stark contrast to the Underworld's environment he was so used to.
He gently shifted, careful not to wake her. He took a moment to simply look at her, to appreciate the quiet intimacy of the morning. It was a simple, tender moment of quiet solitude. He had a city to run, an empire to build, and a rival to outmaneuver. But for now, he had this. He had her. And in that moment, that was enough.
He stayed like that for a few moments more, cherishing the quiet intimacy of the morning. Then, with a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips, he gently stirred. Rias groaned softly in protest, burrowing her head deeper into his chest, her hair tickling his chin.
"Come on, my sleepy queen," he whispered, his voice a low, teasing rumble. "I have a busy day planned, and you need to get ready for our little visit."
Before she could fully process his words, he was already moving. In one fluid motion, he sat up, lifting her with him. Her eyes fluttered open in surprise as she found herself cradled in his arms, her body a feather-light weight against his.
"Algernon? What are you doing?" she asked, a sleepy, confused smile on her face.
He just smirked and began walking toward the bathroom, a look of mischief in his crimson eyes. "Just getting a head start on the day."
A moment later, Rias's surprised protests turned into a playful gasp as he pushed open the bathroom door and expertly maneuvered them both into the large shower stall.
The sound of water hitting the floor was followed by a shriek of delighted protest from Rias, her playful screams echoing through the silent halls of the house. The quiet serenity of the morning was shattered, replaced by the happy sounds of laughter and splashing.
After their playful start to the day, Algernon and Rias quickly got ready. The air in the house was still filled with a lighthearted energy as Rias chose a simple yet elegant crimson dress and Algernon opted for a sharp black suit, a stark contrast to his casual human-world attire.
With their appearance befitting the seriousness of their upcoming meeting, they made their way to a hidden room in the basement of the house.
Rias's family magic circle, a complex sigil of crimson energy, was etched into the floor. It shimmered with an elegant, powerful aura that felt both ancient and deeply familiar to Rias. Algernon looked at it, his crimson eyes calmly analyzing the intricate design and the power flowing through it. He could create a gate of his own with a thought, but this was a family matter, and they would do it the traditional way.
"Ready?" Rias asked, her hand extended toward him. Her earlier nervousness had been replaced by a quiet, determined resolve. She knew the magnitude of this meeting. This was not just a visit; it was the moment that would change her life.
Algernon took her hand, his fingers lacing with hers. "More than ready," he replied, his voice a low, reassuring rumble.
With a focused expression, Rias poured her demonic energy into the magic circle. The sigil on the floor flared to life, its crimson lines pulsing with power. A whirlwind of demonic energy erupted, swirling around them in a vortex of light and sound. The air grew thick and heavy, and for a moment, Algernon felt a gentle tug on his very essence as the circle began to pull them across dimensions.
The sensation of travel was instantaneous and surreal. One moment, they were standing in the basement of a quiet house in the human world; the next, they were standing on a manicured lawn under the eternally twilight sky of the Underworld.
The air here was different—rich with magic and the scent of earth and brimstone. Before them stood the Gremory Estate, a magnificent mansion of gothic design with towering spires and ornate facades. It was a perfect blend of modern opulence and ancient nobility, radiating the power and prestige of one of the Underworld's most prominent families.
Algernon stood beside Rias, his hand still holding hers. He didn't show any sign of being impressed or intimidated. He had built his own city, a testament to his own power, and this estate was simply a different kind of monument.
"Welcome," Rias said, her voice a mix of nervousness and pride as she gestured toward the estate. "Welcome to my home."
Algernon gave her a calm, confident smile. "It's even more impressive in person," he said. He squeezed her hand gently. "Let's go. Your parents are waiting."
The air of the Underworld, thick with ambient magic and the scent of brimstone, settled over Algernon and Rias as they walked toward the Gremory Estate's grand gates. Their footsteps on the cobblestone path were the only sound, a sharp rhythm that echoed in the preternatural quiet.
The ornate iron gates, massive and imposing, parted with a soft hum of magic, revealing a spectacle of silent, perfect discipline.
Two impeccable lines of Gremory maids, dressed in crisp black-and-white uniforms, flanked the path. They stood motionless, their heads bowed in a show of silent respect, creating an almost unsettling sense of order. This display of controlled power was the Gremory way, but it was at the head of the line that the true force of the family waited.
She was the embodiment of elegant grace. Her flowing, light brown hair was styled with a wild, yet sophisticated, elegance, a single strand of hair pulled back from her forehead. Her gentle, yet intelligent, purple eyes held a soft warmth. A simple red choker with a silver cross pendant stood out against the high collar of her pristine white dress, which left her shoulders bare. This was Venelana Gremory, and the aura of serene power that radiated from her was both undeniable and comforting.
"Mother!" Rias cried out, her composure completely shattered by the sight. She released Algernon's hand and ran, the distance between them closing in a single, desperate moment. Venelana's serene expression softened into one of pure maternal love. She held her daughter in a tight, loving embrace. "Rias, my dear," she murmured, her voice a soft, loving melody. "It has been too long. It seems you've made quite the surprise visit."
After a long, heartfelt moment, Rias pulled back, her eyes shining with happiness. She took a step back, slipping her hand back into Algernon's, and proudly brought him forward. "Mother, I want you to meet someone. This is Algernon Azeroth."
Venelana's gaze, filled with both love for her daughter and the sharp intellect of a Gremory matriarch, shifted to Algernon. She took him in with a single, comprehensive glance, her eyes assessing him with a keen intensity that saw more than just his outward appearance.
"Algernon," she said, her voice warm and welcoming, but with a subtle note of powerful knowing. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have, of course, heard a great deal about you from our daughter." A small, knowing smile touched her lips as her gaze flickered between the two of them.
"And from the rest of the Underworld, as well. A new Pillar House, and one that has become so famous so quickly? You have become quite the topic of conversation, not just for your strength, but for your boldness."
At her mother's subtle, teasing comment, Rias's face, already flushed with happiness, deepened to a vibrant crimson. She shot Algernon a quick, embarrassed glance, as if to say, 'I told you so'.
After the initial greetings, Venelana led the couple toward the mansion's grand entrance. The line of maids silently parted, their heads still bowed in respectful deference. Inside, the Gremory Estate was even more magnificent. The grand foyer, with its towering ceilings and polished marble floors, was bathed in the soft glow of magical light. The air smelled of old paper and refined magic, a scent of established power.
Venelana walked beside them, a warm and disarming presence. "It's a relief to see you, my dear," she said, her voice a soft hum. "Sirzechs told us you were taking a short break from your... studies. He certainly didn't mention your return would be so eventful." She glanced at Algernon with a knowing smile.
Algernon met her gaze directly. "The Underworld can be a very small place when a new Pillar House is formed, Lord Gremory."
Venelana's smile widened. "A new Pillar House head that has Gremory scent on him?" she asked playfully, a hint of steel beneath her gentle tone. "You're a bold one, Algernon. I'm afraid you've stirred up quite the storm."
Rias's face flushed again, a mix of pride and mortification. "Mother, please," she said with a soft groan.
Venelana chuckled, a sound like tinkling bells. "I'm only teasing, my dear. I'm just happy to see you. Now, I suspect you both must be famished. I've had a special breakfast prepared for you."