"Tenra-kun, and all your companions—please treat this as your own home. Don't be shy."
The Gremory Duke's voice was warm, his smile easy as he sat at the head of a massive dining table laden with extravagant dishes.
Yubelluna and her group dined with quiet elegance, every gesture refined. Asia, though a bit nervous, managed to keep her composure; after all, she'd once been a saint revered by thousands—this sort of occasion was nothing new.
But Gasper, seated beside Tenra, looked ready to bolt. His face was drawn tight, eyes darting anxiously, as if the plush velvet chair beneath him was made of needles.
"Uu… Tenra-sama, I'm so nervous…"
The sheer size of the table and the opulent dining hall were overwhelming enough. But what really did Gasper in were the hundreds of attendants and maids, led by Grayfia, standing at attention along both sides of the room. Dinner? He'd rather crawl under the table and disappear.
Tenra could only sigh, exasperated but amused. "If you're that nervous, just sit quietly and don't eat. It'll be over soon."
"Oh… okay…"
Gasper obediently set down his utensils, but couldn't stop glancing around, half-expecting someone to leap out and snatch him away.
The Duke took a sip of wine, turning to Tenra. "By the way, Tenra-kun, how are your father and mother these days?"
"Thanks for asking, Uncle. Both my parents are well."
"Hehe… Tenra-kun, you'll be officially engaged to Rias soon. You should start calling me Father, just like she does."
"Cough, cough—!"
What began as casual conversation turned awkward in an instant. Both Tenra and Rias choked at the Duke's sudden suggestion.
"Dear, don't rush things," Venelana chided gently. "There's an order to these things."
Rias finally recovered, standing up in a huff. "Honestly, Father! Mother! You're impossible!"
Embarrassed beyond words, she left the table. Tenra could only wipe his forehead, speechless—this Gremory patriarch was certainly laid-back.
Venelana smiled at Tenra. "We've spoiled Rias rotten. Don't mind her, little Tenra."
"Not at all. I actually love how straightforward she is."
"Hahaha! Good, good. That's what matters between fiancés."
"Sirzechs…"
The conversation flowed easily, laughter and gentle teasing passing around the table. The Duke, Venelana, and Sirzechs were all cultured and intelligent; Tenra, though not raised with the strict rituals of noble life, had traveled widely and could hold his own on any topic.
The Gremory couple exchanged approving glances, and even Sirzechs seemed increasingly satisfied with Tenra.
After dinner, Sirzechs excused himself to attend to his duties, promising to return for the engagement ceremony. His enthusiasm for his little sister was almost more than Tenra had expected from a Maou.
The bath was enormous, the water perfectly warm. Tenra stretched his arms, sinking deeper with a sigh of contentment—the day's fatigue melting away.
But—
"Gasper, what are you doing over there?"
Wrapped in a towel, Gasper hovered at the edge of the bath, refusing to get in.
"I-It's so embarrassing, Tenra-sama… No one's peeking at us, right?"
He hugged his flat chest, scanning the room with a nervous, bashful look.
Tenra's mouth twitched. Did Gasper really think the Gremory household was full of perverts like him?
He'd long since given up trying to "save" this kid, who seemed determined to walk further down the path of pseudo-girlhood. If Gasper wanted to be weird, Tenra would let him.
After a drawn-out inspection, Gasper finally convinced himself no one was watching and slipped into the bath.
"Tenra-sama, this bath is huge—way bigger than ours at home."
"Tenra-sama, when you become the Gremory son-in-law, will we live at home or move here? This place is nice, but I still like our house better."
"Tenra-sama…"
Around strangers, Gasper was shy and withdrawn. Around Tenra, though, he became a nonstop chatterbox—Tenra-sama this, Tenra-sama that, never pausing for breath. Tenra was used to it by now, responding with the occasional lazy remark as he enjoyed the bath.
"It's really great that you'll be engaged to Rias-san soon."
"Yubelluna and the others are so kind, Ile and Nel are adorable, Mira and Bülent make amazing food every day, and there's Shuriya, Isabella…"
Gasper's voice trailed off, growing softer and sadder. Though he spoke of happiness, his face slowly clouded with sorrow.
Tenra opened his eyes, sighing. He knew exactly what was on Gasper's mind—Valerie.
Years had passed, but Gasper couldn't let go of what happened to Valerie.
She'd sacrificed her freedom so Tenra could rescue him from that prison of a vampire castle. Now Gasper lived each day in comfort, surrounded by friends, but the thought of Valerie suffering alone in that castle filled him with guilt and self-blame.
Tenra walked over and gave Gasper a firm smack on the head.
"Quit sniveling. We'll rescue Valerie soon, you hear me?"
"R-Really, Tenra-sama?!"
Gasper's head shot up, eyes wide with hope and disbelief.
"Yeah. Just hang in there a little longer. This time, we won't leave her behind."
Tenra nodded, voice steady.
"That's wonderful, Tenra-sama! Really wonderful!"
Gasper's relief burst out in wild tears and laughter. He'd waited so long for this day, haunted by guilt every time he thought of Valerie.
Tenra let him cry it out, soaking quietly in the water.
Eventually, Gasper calmed down, wiping his eyes, and tiptoed over.
"What now?" Tenra asked, cracking one eye open.
"Um… Tenra-sama, can I… scrub your back?"
Tenra raised an eyebrow. "Scrub my back? You don't have to act so weird about it."
Gasper fidgeted, face bright red. "Raynare-san said if I use my chest to scrub Tenra-sama's back, you'd be really happy, so I… I…"
He started to untie his towel, and Tenra's face went dark. Without hesitation, he kicked Gasper straight out of the bath.
"OUT! NOW!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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