Turning his head, it proved to be Grayfia.
The silver-haired maid currently held something like a magic tablet in her hands. With legs together and back straight, one hand gripped its top edge while her inner forearm supported it from below. Her other hand's index finger wrote and drew across the surface.
That posture made her look exactly like a capable secretary recording notes beside the CEO at a company meeting.
"What's wrong? Not joining them to select a swimsuit?"
Bokue naturally reached out to embrace the silver-haired maid's waist, pulling her into his arms.
"Mm... there's a small matter."
The young man's breath instantly permeated her space, causing Grayfia—who always presented an elegant, dignified image in public—to flush slightly.
"It's a message from Lady Venelana just now. I'm currently thinking about how to reply."
"Oh? What did mother-in-law say?"
Only then did Bokue tilt his head to glance at the tablet in her hands.
"Mm..."
Grayfia nodded lightly, moving the tablet between them where both could conveniently see clearly.
"This is what Lady Venelana just sent."
"Mother-in-law wants to come visit?"
Bokue didn't even need to see specific content to roughly guess a certain beautiful lady's intentions.
After all, just days ago before returning to the demon realm, Venelana had told him she'd frequently visit the human world going forward.
But it's only been a few days, and she already can't resist coming again.
'In that case, why not just come clean with her daughter and permanently station herself in the human world...'
Bokue thought.
Unaware of his thoughts, Grayfia bit her red lip lightly, her expression showing slight conflict.
"So specifically how should I reply? If we follow the original plan for the next two days at the beach resort, everyone will be staying together. If we let Lady Venelana come, Lady Rias might discover..."
"No problem—let mother-in-law come."
Bokue's hand at the silver-haired maid's waist shifted slightly downward, giving a squeeze.
"Actually, this makes things more convenient."
❁❁❁❁
Meanwhile, at the Gremory family territory in the demon realm—which had likewise entered evening.
Inside the castle's third-floor master bedroom, Venelana—who'd just finished dinner and returned to her room—sat at the window-side desk. Dim candlelight illuminated her beautiful face, full of mature charm yet showing not a trace of age.
The beautiful lady cupped her cheeks with both hands, her pale purple eyes reflecting the text displayed on the magic tablet before her.
[Grayfia, tomorrow and the day after should be the weekend for you, right? If Rias and the others have things keeping them busy during this time, I'm planning to come visit for two days.]
Though this statement sounded somewhat contradictory—daughter being busy yet choosing precisely this timing to visit—from Venelana's own perspective, there was absolutely no problem.
After all, muddy waters make the best fishing!
The message had just been sent. Logically, even if Grayfia immediately began replying, she'd need some time. But Venelana wasn't rushed at all, simply sitting quietly at the desk patiently awaiting response.
She truly had nothing else to do anyway.
However, before Grayfia's message arrived, the triangular magic crystal placed at the desk's front near the wall suddenly lit up, blinking as if indicating an incoming call.
No wait—accurately speaking, this was caller ID.
But those capable of reaching her landline seemed to only be...
Venelana raised an eyebrow slightly, already guessing the caller's identity, then reached out to lightly tap the triangular magic crystal with her fingertip.
Ding~
Instantly, faint light rippled through the air. Light refracted from the triangular magic crystal projected onto the wall directly before the desk—like a projector on a screen—expanding outward.
The familiar face appearing in the image was indeed her son's.
"Sorry Mother, calling so late to disturb you. Have you already retired for the night?"
"Mm... not yet. After all, it's still early—I just finished dinner. What's the matter?"
Venelana blinked curiously, seemingly not understanding why her son would ask if she'd rested at this hour.
"Eh? So it's still this early in the demon realm..."
Hearing "just finished dinner," Sirzechs on screen likewise showed small surprise before helplessly pressing his palm to his forehead.
"Sorry, almost forgot about the time difference. I'm currently not in the demon realm but in Asgard."
"The Aesir?"
Venelana made a soft sound of surprise, seemingly not understanding why her son would suddenly go there.
Sirzechs explained: "Mother, you remember several days ago we held tripartite talks on Itogami Island? Previously we discussed how the results felt quite positive, so we decided to further expand the alliance's scale. Originally, negotiations with the Aesir side were entrusted to Lord Michael, but to demonstrate proper respect, I accompanied him as well."
"I see. So the talks went smoothly?"
Venelana made an understanding sound while also expressing concern.
"Of course—everything's been finalized."
On screen, Sirzechs smiled and nodded.
"However, Lord Michael and I still need to visit several more locations. The next meeting venue has been confirmed for the demon realm, timing roughly one week from now."
"Eh? Not selecting Itogami Island this time?"
Hearing this meeting would be held in the demon realm, Venelana couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed.
After all, if Itogami Island were chosen, given Rias's personality, she'd definitely make grand arrangements. Then Venelana could replicate her previous operation to fish in muddy waters again.
Thoroughly sneaking around!
"Hehehe, after all, we can't always trouble Bokue and Rias."
Sirzechs noticed nothing unusual about his mother, simply explaining normally.
"Though we'll definitely still invite Bokue and the others to attend. It's just that I'm currently so busy I can't manage everything. Having someone else represent me seems somewhat disrespectful, so I wanted to call and ask if you're free these next few days, Mother. If you have time, could you help me inform Bokue and Rias about this matter?"
"Mm..."
Her son suddenly requesting this favor genuinely exceeded Venelana's expectations.
Though there was no problem... no wait, this timing was actually perfect!
"Sure, absolutely no problem."
The beautiful lady smiled faintly, cheerfully nodding agreement.
"I've got nothing to do at home every day anyway. Plus today's already Friday, so I'll head out tomorrow to find Bokue and tell them about this. And the meeting time you've arranged is one week from now, right?"
"Correct, one week from now."
"OK, no problem—leave this matter to me."
Without the slightest hesitation, Venelana readily accepted her son's request.
And still, Sirzechs suspected nothing.
"Thank you, Mother. I'll disconnect now then."
"Mm-hmm."
The beautiful lady's fingertip tapped the triangular magic crystal again. The wall projection vanished immediately.
Gazing at the now-empty wall, Venelana didn't immediately shift her gaze.
She was still recalling what her son had just told her.
Though this meant she didn't even need to sneak into the human world anymore... still, as before—muddy waters make the best fishing. Wonder what's happening on Rias's side these two days...
Bzzzz—
Extremely subtle magical fluctuations rippled through the air. The magic communication tablet placed before the beautiful lady—which she hadn't checked for a while due to the video call—suddenly lit up once.
Mm?
Venelana looked down, just catching the returning message.
[Mother-in-law, it's me...]
Well, since the opening used this tone, the person currently operating the tablet became quite obvious.
Venelana continued reading.
[I just created a new private resort island on Itogami Island these past two days. I'm planning to bring Rias and the others there for the next couple days. Right now I'm at the mall accompanying them while they buy swimsuits. If mother-in-law wants to come, you can join us too. I'll come pick you up—the resort island has plenty of rooms.]
Mm... that's not impossible either.
Though she couldn't get the anticipated two-person world as hoped, she'd just received legitimate reason from her son to visit the human world. Even appearing openly before her daughter posed no problem.
Must say, man's plans can't match heaven's arrangements, right?
Index finger lightly tapping her lips, Venelana's mouth curved upward with a small, satisfied arc.
Thinking this, she reached out to type on the tablet.
[Understood. Then tomorrow morning, Bokue, you can come pick me up. Remember to come early.]
After consideration, she added four more characters.
[See you at the usual place~♡]
Having arranged meeting time and location, Venelana set down the communication tablet with satisfaction, then returned to her wardrobe to retrieve extremely sexy, mature-style lingerie and change into it before walking directly into the magic mirror leading to the human world.
Position myself in advance—this way even oversleeping won't be a problem.
Scene transition. When time reached the next morning, the beautiful lady who'd been expectantly waiting all night in the hotel suite was heavily awakened from her dream by a single strike, immediately opening the floodgates.
<><><><><>
~ 70 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)