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A servant appeared at his elbow, uncovering a plate of what looked like eggs but shimmered with an unnatural blue tint. Another placed a basket of bread nearby, while a third poured something steaming into his cup.
Alexius made a small gesture, and the servants began uncovering dishes at their end as well. The absurdity of the situation struck Dante—three people having a meal while shouting across a football field of mahogany.
He suffered through it for a few minutes, making inane small talk about his health and the weather while servants hovered nervously around them. Finally, he set down his fork with a deliberate clink.
"This is ridiculous." He stood, picked up his plate and cup, and grabbed his chair.
Alexius's eyebrows rose fractionally as Dante dragged the heavy chair down the length of the table, its legs screeching against the polished floor. The servants froze, eyes wide with shock. He placed his chair next to his father's, directly across from his mother, and sat down.
"Much better." He resumed eating. "Now we can have a conversation without throat strain."
Selene's lips curved into the barest hint of a smile. Alexius stared at him for a long moment, then made a sharp gesture toward the servants.
"Leave us." His voice cracked like a whip. "All of you."
The staff practically ran for the exits. Ariel moved to follow them.
"Not you, Ariel." Dante speared a piece of the strange blue egg. "Stay, please."
Alexius's gaze shifted between him and Ariel, calculation evident in his purple eyes. "Unusual request."
"She's been caring for me through my recovery. Anything we discuss will affect her duties." Dante met his gaze directly. "Plus, we both know she reports to Mother anyway. Might as well cut out the middleman."
A startled laugh escaped Selene—a genuine reaction Dante hadn't expected. "He has you there, Alexius."
Alexius's expression remained stern, but something like approval flickered in his eyes. "Very well." He turned to Ariel. "You may stay, but remember your position."
"Yes, Lord Valac." Ariel bowed deeply, then took up a position near the wall behind Dante.
"Now." Alexius took a sip from his cup. "We need to discuss your schedule. Your... incident has forced several adjustments."
"I assumed as much." Dante buttered a piece of bread that tasted nothing like wheat but was delicious nonetheless. "What's on the chopping block?"
"Your meeting with Latia Astaroth has been postponed until next week." Selene's voice remained casual, but her eyes watched him intently. "It's important we don't have another... Sitri incident."
The memory floated up from Dante's consciousness—Latia Astaroth at a formal gathering, blonde hair with those distinctive blue tips, intelligent green eyes assessing him across the room. Unlike the Sitri girl, she'd been physically impressive, but it was her mind that had caught Dante's attention.
He smirked. "That won't be a problem. Astaroth actually has something worth talking to."
Alexius snorted, an undignified sound that seemed to surprise even him. "Among other assets."
"Alexius," Selene chided.
"What?" He spread his hands innocently. "The girl is brilliant. Ajuka's influence, no doubt."
"Of course that's what you meant." Selene turned back to Dante. "The Astaroth connection would be valuable, particularly given their recent efforts to enhance their family name."
"And our need to do the same?" Dante raised an eyebrow.
"Precisely." No point denying the obvious. "Additionally, you'll need to attend Rias Gremory's birthday celebration next month."
"Ah, the famous Gremory princess turns eighteen." He kept his tone neutral, though Dante's memories provided plenty of context. "I'm sure it will be the event of the season."
"It will be more than that," Alexius said, his earlier humor vanishing. "Riser Phenex will likely use the occasion to accelerate their marriage arrangements."
"Poor girl." The words slipped out before Dante could stop them.
His parents exchanged a glance.
"An interesting reaction," Selene said carefully. "Considering your usual indifference to others' marital situations."
He shrugged, covering the slip. "Just seems like a waste. Potential like hers leashed to Phenex's ego."
"Their arrangement is not our concern," Alexius said firmly. "Our focus must be on House Valac's position. Your presence at the celebration is required, but your behavior must be impeccable. We cannot afford another diplomatic incident."
"You mean I shouldn't comment on anyone's breast size this time?" Dante grinned.
Alexius's jaw tightened. "This isn't a joke, Dante. Our standing among the Pillars—"
"—has been declining for centuries because you can't let go of old grudges," he finished, setting down his fork. "Particularly your one-sided rivalry with Sirzechs."
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Actual frost formed on Alexius's cup.
"You forget yourself," he said, each word precise and deadly.
"No, I'm finally remembering what matters." Dante met his gaze without flinching. "House Valac deserves better than being dragged down by ancient history."
Selene placed a hand on Alexius's arm, though her eyes never left Dante's face. "The void has certainly changed you, Dante."
"For the better, I hope." He picked up his cup, using the moment to collect himself. Pushing too hard too fast would raise suspicions. "I just think it's time I took a more active role in our family's future."
The frost receded from Alexius's cup as he studied his son. "And what role do you envision for yourself?"
"One worthy of our name." Dante set the cup down. "Starting with making the Astaroth meeting successful and conducting myself appropriately at the Gremory celebration."
The tension gradually eased from Alexius's shoulders. "Those would be acceptable first steps."
Selene's eyes remained fixed on Dante, seeing more than she revealed. "You mentioned the void was educational. What exactly did you learn during your... absence?"
The question carried weight beyond the words. She suspected something, though perhaps not the full truth.
"That power without purpose is meaningless." He looked between them. "And that House Valac has been playing defense for too long."
Alexius leaned forward slightly. "Meaning?"
"Meaning it's time we stopped reacting to others and started making them react to us." Dante smiled. "I have some ideas I'd like to discuss. When you're ready to hear them."
Selene's lips curved upward. "It seems we've underestimated you, Dante."
"Most people do." He picked up his fork again. "That's always been my best advantage."