A/N: To support me, pls donate and subscribe
Patreon: patreon.com/UNLIMITEDPOWER1
______________________________________________
[POV – Yuuki Rito]
The headache had already become routine. Not the kind that goes away with a pill and a glass of water. It was the headache of being… me.
And, that day, the headache had a name and surname: Cerys Agares (Astaroth).
I took a deep breath, rubbing my forehead as if I could massage the confusion away. But the memory always came back, insistent.
First, her son — Diodora Astaroth.
Yes, the same one who tried to use Asia as a chess piece, faking his illness to manipulate her. But I existed. I was there. And I wasn't going to allow it.
So, when Asia reached out, channeling her innocent compassion, I shoved into her all the sacred energy the system could spit out.
Vruuush! — the light consumed everything.
And Diodora… turned to dust. Nothing but ashes scattered on the wind.
The problem is, that left marks. Not only on him — who ceased to exist — but on Asia too. She was branded a "witch," accused of having too much power, as if kindness itself were a sin. It still hurts to remember her confused look, not understanding why saving someone could be seen as a crime.
Then came Cerys' husband. Another Astaroth. Another fool who thought he could face me.
Result? Same recipe: attack, defense, burst of light, and… Pshhh! — evaporated, just like the son.
Now she, Cerys, connected the dots. The equation was simple: Asia with me + husband gone + son vaporized = I'm the culprit.
And, well, she wasn't wrong.
Gid had already left. The King of Deviluke had stuck around just long enough to hear the insanity that came out of that woman's mouth.
— We have a blood feud — she said, staring at me with storm-colored eyes. — This debt can only be paid in blood… or in life.
Up to that point, nothing I hadn't expected. Predictable. Wounded pride, grudge, tradition.
But then came the part that even made Gid raise an eyebrow:
— Then give me two of your children.
…Yeah. You didn't read that wrong. She actually said that. As naturally as if she were asking to borrow some sugar from a neighbor.
The silence that followed was so thick you could hear the tick-tock of Lala's heart pounding faster beside me.
And, to my surprise, Gid didn't laugh. He looked… thoughtful. The corners of his mouth curved into a strange smile. And before leaving, he dropped a phrase that still echoed in my head:
— My wife will love having grandchildren.
"Thanks, father-in-law, very encouraging," I thought at the time, grinding my teeth.
Now, here I am. Alone, facing Cerys Agares, this blonde, voluptuous woman with a body sculpted to make battles lost before they even began. The kind of beauty that's a curse.
She looked at me like she wanted to swallow me alive — and not in a good way.
I shook my head.
Breathe, Rito. Breathe.
Yes, I had sealed all her power. I had turned the former Lady Astaroth into something… ordinary. Well, as ordinary as a woman like her can be. Even without magic, she still radiated presence, still carried the weight of centuries of demonic aristocracy.
But, in the end, that was it: just a woman. Beautiful, dangerous, powerless.
And Lala, with her ever-expanding heart, was already excited about the idea of having her live with us.
I could have said no. I could have just sent her away.
But looking at Cerys, another thought crossed my mind.
A crooked smile escaped.
— You want to live here? Then you'll live… as my maid.
The word cut through the air: maid.
In my head, the image popped up immediately: Cerys in an elegant uniform, something between a classic maid and a lady-in-waiting. Something like Grayfia Lucifuge with her impeccable posture, or even Sakura Isayoi. Maybe even like the twins, Rem and Ram.
I almost laughed to myself. The former Lady Astaroth, reduced to serving tea and fluffing pillows. Just imagining the faces of the devil clan leaders when they found out that one of their "jewels" had become nothing more than my servant was already worth it.
— You've lost your mind — she snapped, her voice grave, a mix of disbelief and fury. — I, an Agares, serve as a maid?
I crossed my arms, keeping my tone calm.
— You said it yourself: blood or life. Well, you chose to live. Now deal with the conditions.
She clenched her teeth, her eyes flashing.
Clac! Her nails scratched the table between us.
But I didn't back down. I didn't need to.
— Better this than turning to dust like the others, right?
Silence.
Cerys took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling slowly, like a beast about to accept a leash.
[Sound of wind — whoooosh!]
I opened the window, letting the night air in. Outside, the stars blinked like mute accomplices. I still thought of Gid, of his smile when he heard that insane request.
It wasn't coincidence. None of this was.
I glanced at Lala, who was already imagining the scene like it was a cartoon:
— It's going to be so fun, Rito! She can help around the house, take care of the garden, and we can even go out shopping for clothes together!
I sighed.
— Lala… you know it's not that simple, right?
She smiled, innocent as always.
— But you always figure things out.
And there it was. The weight of her trust. A sweet weight, but still a weight.
Cerys stood up, adjusting her golden hair that cascaded down her shoulders like molten metal.
— I will accept — she said finally. — But don't think I've forgotten who you are. Or what you've done.
I stared at her, serious.
— Hate me all you want. Just don't forget: I'm the only reason you're still breathing.
She smiled, a venomous smile.
— And maybe that's exactly why I'll stay.
Tac. The sound of her heels echoed down the hall.
I was left alone in the room, looking at the wine glass Gid had left behind. The red liquid gleamed in the moonlight, looking more like blood than drink.
A toast to irony, I thought, raising the glass before setting it aside.
Deep down, I knew that decision would echo. Turning Cerys into my maid wasn't just provocation, it was a move on the bigger board.
And somehow, I was sure: when the devil clan leaders found out, it would be an explosion that would shake the entire underworld.
But, for now, all I could do was sigh, rub my forehead, and accept the new routine.
A new routine that included… a former Lady Astaroth tidying up the house.
Life never stopped surprising me.
End of scene.