Morning light spilled gently through the window, casting a warm glow over the room.
I stirred, blinking against the brightness, still feeling the warmth and closeness from last night.
Beside me, Rias was curled up peacefully, her hair splayed across the pillow and her face soft in sleep.
A quiet smile tugged at my lips.
Last night… everything had been overwhelming, nerve-wracking, and yet… perfectly ours.
I carefully shifted not to wake her, my mind replaying bits of last night, the blush returning to my cheeks despite the calm morning.
It was surreal—and yet it felt completely right.
Rias stirred slightly, letting out a soft murmur before nestling closer, still half-asleep.
My heart skipped a beat.
Yeah… we're really together now.
The room was quiet, save for the gentle rhythm of our breathing.
Outside, the world moved on, but here, in this small, warm space, everything felt suspended—like time itself had decided to hold its breath.
Last night… was incredible.
Being with Rias for the first time, sharing something so intimate, was beyond anything I could have imagined.
Because devils aren't very fertile, we didn't have to worry about protection, and… well, you can probably guess just how intense and amazing it was.
The bed was a complete mess by the time we were done, but somehow… I loved every bit of it.
Every mark, every movement, every heartbeat shared—it was ours.
Even now, thinking about it makes my heart pound and my cheeks warm.
Rias stirred beside me, and just seeing her there made my fondness for her grow even stronger.
I gently stroked her hair, feeling an almost overwhelming sense of gratitude.
To think I have such an amazing girl who loves me… I'm really blessed in this life.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, still naked—but honestly, at this point, I didn't care. Growth!
Not flustered, just… content. Growth!!
I loved seeing her like this. Growth!!!
She stretched her arms above her head, letting out a soft yawn, before looking at me with a gaze full of affection.
"Good morning, Zevion~"
I returned her smile, my heart warm.
"Good morning to you, too, Rias. You look so lovely~"
I nuzzled gently against her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
"I love you, Rias," I whispered gently.
She stroked my head tenderly, her fingers weaving through my hair as she looked at me with a gentle, sincere smile.
"I know, Zevion… I love you too. And honestly… last night was the best decision I've ever made. Thank you… for making it my best decision."
Her words sent a warmth through me that went beyond anything physical—this was love, trust, and intimacy all wrapped into one perfect moment.
She gently pushed me off, a soft smile on her lips.
"Okay, Zevion… let's go to the bathroom and wash up. We're all sweaty and messy. Also… do you want to join me?"
I blinked twice, barely able to process the invitation, before agreeing immediately.
"Of course!"
We slid out of bed together, completely at ease, walking side by side toward the bathroom.
Rias leaned lightly against me, her warmth pressing close, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment.
But the moment I opened my bedroom door to head toward the bathroom…
I froze.
Standing there was an unfamiliar woman with silver hair, dressed in a pristine maid's outfit.
I had no idea who she was.
I mean… in this house, the only one who should have a maid is Rias—she's the noble heir of her clan.
And… why was she here, of all times, after Rias had just… well, spent the night with a human?
The maid's sharp gaze swept over us, from head to toe.
We were naked.
Messy.
Still very much… a product of last night.
CLANK.
Suddenly, a loud metallic sound echoed through the room.
"?"
My mind scrambled.
What just happened?
"Grayfia! Zevion, are you alright?!"
Before I could respond, Rias stepped in front of me protectively, her eyes scanning my body as if checking for injuries.
"???"
Wait… what's going on?!
Then, she spun on her heels and fixed the maid with a cold, commanding glare.
"Grayfia… what do you think you're doing?!"
While I was still too stunned to understand what was happening, the maid spoke, her voice cold and formal.
"Lady Rias… doing such a thing with a lowly human commoner… His Lordship and Master Sirzechs would be greatly disheartened to learn that you surrendered your chastity to someone so beneath you."
Hearing those words—uttered with such authority and disdain by the woman I assumed was Grayfia—only made Rias's anger flare even further.
Her eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line, and the air around her seemed to grow heavier with her fury.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that, Grayfia! My chastity is mine and mine alone! It's up to me to give it to someone I love!"
Rias snapped, her voice sharp and full of righteous anger.
Grayfia's expression remained calm and composed, her tone formal and unyielding.
"In any event, Lady Rias… you are the heir of the House of Gremory. Please do not carelessly expose yourself to random gentlemen. That applies even in the… best of situations."
The cold precision of her words only fueled Rias's fury further, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to contain the storm of emotions building inside her.
Although I had no idea what was really going on, I wrapped my arms around Rias from behind, gently stroking her hair.
"Shh… Rias, calm down. You look way cuter when you're not angry," I whispered gently.
Rias paused for a moment, taking a deep, steadying breath. Her voice was low, almost trembling as she spoke.
"But… Zevion… she attacked you… she tried to cut off your legs…"
"? …!!"
What the hell?! That clank—so that's what happened?!
It finally clicked.
The maid had tried to strike me, probably with lethal intent, but Giratina must have intercepted the attack so quickly that I hadn't even seen it happen!
My heart raced as adrenaline and disbelief coursed through me.
I let out a slow sigh, forcing myself to stay calm.
Rias was already furious… all for my sake.
"It's fine, Rias. Look, I'm completely okay. That's all that matters."
A single tear slid down her cheek, and my chest tightened.
"But… but… Zevion… if you hadn't… I would have lost the most important person to me… and watched him be crippled…"
Well… true. Even with my powers, if your loved one were a normal human… I guess I'd be just as furious.
"But still, Rias… I'm fine. So please… calm down, okay?"
She nodded slightly, then spun to face Grayfia, her eyes blazing.
"Grayfia… you are a maid. You have no right to interfere in my life! I order you, as the heir of the Gremory Clan, to return to your duties and repent for your mistakes! Do not speak to me again until you have repented enough!"
For the first time since her appearance, a look of shock—and even a trace of sadness—crossed Grayfia's face.
She bowed her head deeply.
"I apologize for my rudeness and for stepping out of my bounds as a maid… I hope that later we can have a proper conversation to make amends. For now, I will take my leave, Mistress Rias. When you have calmed down, I would like to apologize again in person."
Then Grayfia turned her gaze to me.
"I am sorry to you as well… Master Zevion."
With that, she bowed once more and vanished in a swirl of magic, the teleportation circle fading behind her.
Finally, Rias let out a long, relieved sigh and wrapped her arms around me, holding me close.
"Thank… thank goodness you're not hurt," she murmured, pressing her face against my chest.
I hugged her back gently, feeling the warmth of her body and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
"It's alright, Rias… I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."
The tension from earlier slowly melted away, leaving only the quiet comfort of being in each other's arms.
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