One month later.
Things in Lilith were going pretty smoothly.
I kept taking cases as a lawyer, and my name was starting to spread—at least among the devils. No one in my family had ever gotten this kind of reputation.
With the Vergil look plus the natural charisma on top, it was kind of a killer combo.
I was 18 and already successful as hell.
"Cassien, dinner's ready," Valerie called from the doorway.
I was buried in files in my office: "Coming, just give me a couple of minutes—I need to finish looking over this case."
But she stepped in and gently took my hand: "You'll keep reading and end up forgetting to eat again…"
"It's fine. You ordered pizza, right?"
"No… I cooked today," she said quietly.
I looked up at her face.
She looked really shy, cheeks a little pink.
Her emotions were finally starting to come back.
Maybe it was because I'd taken her out around Lilith a few times, or because I sometimes brought her to court with me.
After trials, families were crying, others laughing with relief… a constant emotional rollercoaster.
I stood up and followed her to the dining room.
The table was lit with candles.
There was steak, mashed potatoes on the side… it actually looked really nice.
"Damn, this looks good. But why go all out with the candles and everything?"
Valerie pressed lightly on my shoulder: "Just sit, please, Cassien."
"Alright, alright."
She sat across from me and went quiet for a second.
Then, softly: "Thank you… for caring about my feelings."
I raised an eyebrow: "Why so sudden? I mean, as I said, I was just helping out."
She smiled—a real one this time: "I just wanted to say it. I… I like this life. I used to think you would use me like everyone else, but you didn't."
I took a bite of the steak.
It was actually really good: "I get it."
"Come on, now you're acting more emotionless than me."
I took another bite: "Hmm. So what's with the candles? Don't tell me you're confessing you're in love with me or something."
She laughed lightly: "No. It's just… vampires and dhampirs like eating by candlelight. It feels nicer."
Sounded like an excuse, but whatever.
"Your emotions are coming back. Have you decided yet? Are you leaving, or staying?"
Valerie paused. She looked straight into my eyes. "Would you really let me go?"
"I'm not gonna force someone to stay if they want to leave. Maybe you want to become the Tepes queen, or fix some old regret, whatever."
"…"
She stood up suddenly: "I'm going. I'll be in my room."
"Okay. Good night."
She slammed the door behind her.
I finished the rest of her plate, too.
When I was done, I checked the time—bedtime.
I had a couple of drinks, then headed to my room.
I was dead tired…
Next morning.
Valerie was sleeping right next to me.
I stared at the ceiling.
She'd started sneaking into my room at night lately.
And she was getting really clingy.
Maybe I'd accidentally made her dependent on me.
Might need to figure out some options to fix that.
Also, she was only in her underwear.
Most of her pussy was… very visible.
Right now, she probably sees me as her hero because I saved her, and that turned into a crush.
Or maybe while her emotions were coming back, she latched onto me as a rebound or something.
Worst-case scenario: I've got some kind of unintentional dragon aura thing going on, and I'm not even aware of it.
She wrapped her arms around me tighter, like she wasn't planning to let go anytime soon.
Day by day, her grip was getting stronger.
When I wasn't home, and she was alone, she'd started training too.
"Good morning…"
"Morning to you too…" I slowly sat up and started getting dressed.
Valerie got up too and fixed my tie for me: "There. Much better."
"So… you coming to the courtroom today?"
"I want to try some new recipes at home…"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Do whatever you want."
I teleported out and appeared in Lilith like usual.
Headed straight to the office and dove back into the cases.