The two's house was only a few blocks away from the abandoned field, a common two-story residence typical of suburban Japan. The facade was simple, painted light beige with a dark roof and small wooden windows. There was a small garden in front, now somewhat neglected, with a few plants wilted from recent lack of care. The iron gate was low and closed.
Inside, the house was cozy, though clearly inhabited by two girls who were constantly on the run. The tatami floor was surprisingly clean, the living room was small, with a simple sofa, a low coffee table, and an old television. The open-plan kitchen was integrated, with few utensils, but organized.
Alear was seated at the light wooden dining table, his legs crossed elegantly. Maria served him a cup of hot coffee with her delicate hands.
"Here it is..." she murmured, placing the cup in front of him. "Sorry for the lack of courtesy. We don't have anything worthy of a noble... just instant coffee..."
Alear took the cup calmly, blowing lightly before taking a sip. The taste was simple, but warm and comforting.
"Don't worry about that," he replied sincerely, looking at her. "Luxury is not something that matters to me. I would have gladly even taken a glass of cold water. Thank you...."
Maria blinked, surprised by the humble response. Was he really an Archduke?
Despite having lived in the human world for some time, she still maintained a certain level of contact with the Underworld, enough to stay updated on relevant events. That was why, when the young man had previously introduced himself as the Lord of the Häagenti and Gäap Family, the information almost immediately connected to recent rumors: a young man of high lineage who had awakened from a coma weeks earlier and, in a short time, become a prominent figure. Even so, she had never imagined that someone with that status would come to the human world, much less that he would be the very person who ended up saving her and Mio.
Even so, she did not let that realization show at the time of their first meeting.
Part of it was to avoid unnecessarily alarming Mio, but it was also part of her own nature. Maria was not the type to be carried away by exaggerated reactions, regardless of the situation. She took pride in maintaining composure and handling interactions lightly whenever possible.
Besides… there was a certain amusement in it.
Taking on the role of an innocent maiden had its charm. A subtle game of appearances, a way to observe without fully exposing herself. A small, shy smile, almost naive at first glance, appeared on her lips as she sat in front of him, her hands delicately intertwined on her lap.
Maria sat elegantly in front of him, crossing her legs delicately while resting her chin on her hand. Her violet eyes shone with a mixture of curiosity, caution, and that characteristic mischievous glint of hers.
"Well... since you were kind enough to introduce yourself first, I suppose it's my turn...." she said, her voice light and somewhat childish, with a playful little smile on her lips. "My name is Maria Naruse. I am Mio-sama's servant and guardian. And, well... I'm also a succubus, as you've probably already noticed."
She tilted her head to the side, her smile becoming slightly more provocative as she watched his reaction.
"Although I imagine you already know quite a lot about the two of us, right? After all, you came here specifically for us. You must have done your homework before showing up like a prince savior out of nowhere~"
Alear took another calm sip of coffee, setting the cup down on the table with a soft clink. His magenta-pink eyes met hers directly, and a faint, almost amused smile appeared on his lips.
"Yes, I did my homework..." he replied sincerely, without hesitation: "I know everything I need to know about the two of you. Although we have not been formally introduced, it's a pleasure to meet you, Maria...."
"The pleasure is all ours..." Maria kept the smile on her face, but her violet eyes gleamed as she said: "So, Lord Häagenti... or should I call you Alear-sama?"
"Call me whatever you like, I don't care much for formalities...."
"I'll call you Alear-sama then.... Alear-sama... Mio-sama has been through a lot, and now that we had regained a bit of normality in our lives, we were targeted again. She must have been quite shaken by all of this, so... please, be gentle with her, okay?" Maria continued, winking in a deliberately cute manner. "Although I don't mind if you're a bit... more direct and rude with me. After all, you saved our lives. I'm quite flexible when it comes to ways of showing gratitude~"
Alear slightly twisted his lips at the blatant teasing of the small succubus sitting in front of him. Her playful tone was so natural that it was hard to tell it was a joke. He let out a short, almost resigned sigh, though with a hint of amusement in his gaze.
"You don't need to thank me for something so simple..." he said calmly, his voice low and sincere. "Saving someone who is being attacked is nothing extraordinary. Any decent person would do the same."
Maria blinked once, twice. Her cheeks gained a deeper rosy tint, and she covered her mouth with both hands, letting out a small, embarrassed, childish giggle.
"Uwaaah~ You're a real prince, huh?" she exclaimed, leaning forward with sparkling eyes. "Such a manly and noble answer! Mio-sama definitely should have fallen in love with you on the spot! A handsome hero appearing out of nowhere, killing all the villains with ease and still being humble... that's unfair, Alear-sama. Any girl would fall for that!"
She laughed softly, clearly enjoying teasing him, though the blush on her face showed that part of the compliment was genuine.
Alear merely massaged his temple with two fingers, resigned.
"...Let's change the subject, I don't want to seem like a hero. I'm a Devil here, okay?" he murmured....
Maria let out one last giggle but straightened in her chair, respecting the request.
Alear placed his hand on his chin, his expression becoming more serious.
"How did you attract the attention of that group of Fallen Angels? They seemed quite organized."
Maria sighed, her playful smile fading slightly as she answered:
"Mio-sama was returning from school. I always go meet her when classes end, just in case. Today, when I approached, I could already sense their presence. I managed to get there in time to protect her, but... there were too many. I don't know how they found us so quickly."
Alear nodded slowly, keeping his hand on his chin.
"I understand the reason. Mio is basically a living beacon. Her latent power is far too intense; I could sense it the moment I got close enough, even with her trying to keep it under control. For other supernatural beings, that presence is even more evident, especially within a kilometer's distance. Added to that is the fact that her identity itself is not something common. Unfortunately, carrying power and an origin of that level makes a normal life practically unattainable...."
Maria lowered her gaze to the table, her shoulders slightly drooping.
"That's true..." she murmured, her voice softer. "No matter how much we try to live normally, something like this always happens. But we can't just give up. Mio-sama deserves a normal life... or as close to that as we can give her."
Silence settled for a few seconds in the cozy room, but it was soon interrupted by the sound of light footsteps coming from the hallway.
Mio appeared in the room, coming out of the bath. Her long crimson hair was loose and still damp, falling heavily over her shoulders and back, with a few strands sticking to the pale skin of her neck. She wore simple, comfortable clothes: a loose white T-shirt that was slightly too big for her, causing one sleeve to slip slightly off her shoulder, and short black shorts that revealed her thick, soft, well-shaped thighs. Her feet were bare on the tatami.
Even without makeup or her uniform, her beauty was striking. Her full, heavy breasts pressed clearly against the fabric of the shirt. Her slim waist contrasted with her wide hips and the roundness of her figure emphasized by the tight shorts with each step. There was a subtle blush on her cheeks, partly from the heat of the bath, partly from something else.....
When her pinkish eyes met Alear sitting calmly at the table, the blush deepened. She felt a sudden discomfort, a strange embarrassment at being dressed so simply and casually in front of him; she oddly wanted him to see her as someone "beautiful." Thinking that far, she quickly suppressed those thoughts.....
She approached the table and, without saying anything, gave a firm tap on Maria's head.
"Ow!" Maria flinched, shrinking her shoulders with an exaggerated whine. "Mio-samaaa, that hurts!"
"What were you saying about me just now? I heard my name being mentioned...." Mio asked, narrowing her eyes with a slightly irritated expression.
"Nothing much! I was just praising Alear-sama for saving us in such a manly way~" Maria replied, laughing while rubbing her head.
Mio sighed deeply, clearly used to the succubus's behavior, and pulled a chair to sit beside her. She looked directly at Alear.
"...Sorry for going to take a bath, I couldn't stay in those dirty clothes. My name is Mio Naruse, as you already know...." she said, her voice firm but with a slight hint of shyness. "Thank you for saving us today. If it weren't for you, we really... would have died."
She made a small bow with her head, her damp hair swaying slightly with the movement. Her pink eyes held his gaze for a second longer than necessary before shifting aside, clearly still embarrassed.
Alear observed the two with his usual calm and serene expression.
"You don't need to thank me so much," he replied simply. "As I said before, it was something natural."
Maria smiled to the side, lightly nudging Mio's arm with her elbow.
"It's genuine, Mio-sama. Alear-sama is a real prince...."
Mio huffed softly but did not argue, the blush still present on her cheeks.
Alear let out a long, visibly resigned sigh, massaging his temple with two fingers while looking at the provocative succubus in front of him.
"Maria... stop that. I'm a Devil, okay? I'll say it again, I'm a Devil...." he said, his voice calm but clearly tinged with amused exhaustion. "I'm not any kind of prince, and I don't need exaggerated praise...."
Maria completely ignored the request, leaning even further over the table with a mischievous, childish smile, her violet eyes gleaming with pure mischief.
"Eeeh? But it's the truth~ A Devil so kind and handsome appearing out of nowhere to save two defenseless maidens... That's fairy tale material, Alear-sama! If you want, I can even call you 'Prince Alear' from now on. Or do you prefer 'My Personal Hero'?"
She winked exaggeratedly, clearly enjoying provoking him.
Mio, who until then had only been blushing quietly, finally snapped. Her face turned bright red, part embarrassment, part irritation, and she gave Maria another firm smack on the head.
"Maria! Enough!" she exclaimed, her voice loud and tsundere, with that characteristic tone of someone clearly embarrassed but trying to mask it with anger. "Stop saying those perverted things right away! We were just saved and you're already... already flirting shamelessly?! Have some shame!"
Maria shrank dramatically, holding her head with both hands while making a puppy-like expression.
"Ow ow ow~ Mio-sama is so violent... I was just thanking him in my own way..."
Mio huffed, crossing her arms under her chest and turning her face to the side, still flushed.
"...Idiot."
Alear watched their interaction with a faint amused smile, waiting for the right moment. When silence returned, he decided to get straight to the point, without hesitation, but with a calm, persuasive, and sincere voice:
"I'll be direct with both of you."
He looked first at Mio, then at Maria, holding each of their gazes seriously.
"Honestly, I came to Tokyo specifically to look for the two of you. I found a lead on the Devilnet, and from there, I followed my own intuitions until I concluded that you would be living here. I am fully aware of your situation: without a truly safe place, with limited resources, and constantly being pursued by different supernatural factions." His expression remained calm, but there was firmness in his voice: "On the other hand, my current position places me in a practically untouchable state. I am an Archduke; my status is among the highest in the Underworld, even with my family's influence in decline. Financially, I still belong to one of the richest noble houses. And as for strength… I am capable of dealing with most threats that could reach you...."
He paused briefly before concluding:
"That's why I came here. I want to extend my hand and help you… in exchange for you becoming part of my peerage. I am not asking for blind obedience or servitude. What I offer is an alliance. You gain my name, my protection, and stability. In return, you assist me when necessary. It is a fair agreement. And, honestly… the best option you have at this moment...."
The two girls exchanged glances for a long moment, a silence filled with indecision hanging between them. Mio seemed hesitant, lightly biting her lower lip, while Maria maintained her light, teasing smile, though her violet eyes held a serious glint.
Maria was the first to speak, turning to Mio with a light but sincere tone:
"To me, it sounds like a good proposal, Mio-sama. He's not lying about the protection... and we really can't keep running forever. If he truly can offer us safety, I think it's worth considering."
Mio remained silent for a few more seconds, processing everything. Finally, she looked at Alear and asked hesitantly: "...If we accept, would we have to live in the Underworld? Or could we stay here in the human world and continue studying?"
Alear responded calmly and clearly, without hesitation:
"At first, I will ask you to stay in the Underworld. But I intend to buy a mansion nearby, something large and secure enough to serve as a base here in the human world. I will also contact the faction of the Japanese Gods to negotiate and claim this city as my territory. That way, you will be able to continue studying normally, without constantly worrying about attacks... But that would be a bit in the future; I need some time to accomplish that...."
Mio's expression became complicated, clearly conflicted. She looked at Maria, seeking support. The succubus simply smiled softly and shrugged.
"The decision is yours, Mio-sama. I will follow whatever you choose."
Mio took a deep breath, tightening her hands over her lap. Her face grew even redder when she finally asked, her voice low and embarrassed:
"I've heard about the Devils' peerage system... If I accept, does that mean I will become... your servant?"
Maria couldn't hold back and let out a mischievous giggle, covering her mouth.
"Uwaaah, Mio-sama has quite an imagination, huh? Already thinking about collars, maid uniforms, and everything else~"
"Maria!" Mio exclaimed, her face burning with embarrassment as she hit the succubus on the head again. "Stop saying perverted things!"
Alear watched the scene with an ironic smile, waiting for them to calm down before answering sincerely:
"Although you technically become my servant within the peerage system, I will not force you to do anything you don't want. You won't just be servants. You will be part of my family..."
His eyes remained fixed on both of them, calm and sincere, carrying an emotion difficult to define—no adjective seemed capable of fully capturing what that gaze conveyed. Even so, both of them felt something warm and indefinable radiate from within: a mixture of relief, gratitude, and trust that settled quietly in their hearts. Each of his words seemed to dissolve an invisible barrier built since the beginning of their pursuit, replacing the void of fear with a concrete sense of security and belonging they had never experienced before.
Mio remained silent, absorbing every word she heard, deeply moved; her face flushed intensely, and for a moment she allowed herself to be completely overtaken by the whirlwind of emotions flooding her heart.
Meanwhile, Maria tilted her head slightly, a satisfied smile appearing on her lips, a clear sign of approval. Even accustomed to masking her emotions beneath her teasing facade, she felt genuine tenderness bloom within her. But she did not stay focused on that feeling for long. Her violet eyes soon fixed on the intense blush covering Mio's face, shining with playful malice she could not contain.
"Mio-sama, your face is completely red! Look at that, you look like a ripe tomato! Are you imagining perverted things with Alear-sama? Like... collars, orders, or maybe something more intimate~?"
Mio turned even redder, her pink eyes blazing with embarrassment and irritation. Without thinking twice, she reached out and grabbed Maria's head firmly, clutching her silver hair between her fingers.
"Maria!!!" she said, her tsundere voice filled with anger. "I'm going to punish you right now! I'll pull out those perverted hairs one by one!"
Maria squirmed dramatically, making a pitiful expression while holding Mio's wrist with both hands.
"Ow ow ow ow! Mio-sama, mercy! I'm innocent! I was just joking! Aaaah, only Alear-sama can punish me now! He's our master! Only he has that right~! Save me, Alear-samaaaa!"
Mio smiled coldly, a dangerous and clearly irritated smile, as she glanced at Alear.
"He won't mind if I do this, right?"
Alear, who was watching the scene with a completely impassive expression, merely shrugged, ignoring the pleading and dramatic look Maria gave him.
"Go ahead."
"Traitor!!!" Maria whined, pretending despair as Mio squeezed her head even more.
Mio huffed, finally releasing the succubus's hair with a rough motion.
Maria dramatically massaged her head, muttering softly:
"Ugh... such violence... Alear-sama is a cruel traitor..."
Mio completely ignored her complaints and turned to Alear, her expression serious and determined.
"...We accept..." she said, her voice firm despite the lingering shyness. "What do we have to do now?"
Alear smiled warmly, a rare and genuine smile that softened his aristocratic features. He looked at both of them sincerely.
"First.... Welcome to the family."
Mio and Maria remained silent for a second, processing the words. A small, relieved smile appeared on Mio's face, while Maria broke into a wide, playful grin.
"Eeeh~ Family, huh? So I can call you 'Alear-oniichan' from now on?" Maria teased, already returning to her usual behavior.
Alear simply shook his head, resigned but without losing his smile. He took out a small ornate box he had stored through magic. Opening it, he removed two Evil Pieces that gleamed under the light: a Rook and a Bishop, both with a subtly different glow from normal pieces.
"These are Evil Pieces; I believe Maria must have explained how they work..." he explained, holding them between his fingers: "The Rook is for you, Maria. And the Bishop for you, Mio. They perfectly match each of your characteristics. With them, you will officially become part of my peerage....."
The two girls looked at the pieces with eyes full of expectation and slight nervousness...
___________________
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