After the intense sex together, Arthur and Grayfia lay in the dimly lit bedroom on the second floor of Celestial Brews, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence. The air around the room carries a faint scent of lavender, the sheet rumpled from their activities from earlier.
Grayfia rested her head on Arthur's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The sound was calming, a quiet reassurance that, in this moment, nothing else mattered.
She absentmindedly traced slow circles on his bare skin, her fingers gliding lazily across his toned chest.
A moment of silence passed before she finally spoke.
"I heard that you've come into contact with Rias-sama." Her voice was soft, but there was a hint of curiosity in her tone.
Arthur smirked slightly, opening one eye. His purple-colored eye glows in the dark. "Who told you that?"
"Rory-san," Grayfia answered with a small smile. "She called a meeting with all your wives to inform us."
Arthur let out a small chuckle. "Of course she did." He sighed, knowing Rory's tendency to stir things up.
Maybe it's because of Arthur's long life he lived; he really loved some family drama, and because he has a big family, there is no shortage of this.
And even if his family is a little messy and possessive, he really loves them. He could pull the craziest shit on others; Nazarick still backed him up no matter what.
Perhaps it's because of that that at some point in Arthur's long life, he stopped caring about what others were talking about.
Even when most of the supernatural world started to say he was weak. Arthur didn't respond to anything.
Because he knew that if he wanted, he could end all those little shit lives from where he is standing, he wouldn't even need to move a muscle; his killing intent alone could kill most of the gods and demons alike.
Heck, Arthur could just say as a joke to his guardian and co-guardians that he wishes to find his rumor-spreading cowards. They would raze this whole world to get them in front of him.
But he didn't do that.
If you are strong, why do you need to hear the words of weaklings who don't even have the guts to stand in front of him? And everyone who tried to test his strength is now history; no one knows how they became one.
Most of the sentimental beings trust the words of someone without verifying whether they're true or false.
He is strong; he didn't need the certificate. He can live the way he wants; that's the benefit of being strong. He can do and live whatever and however he wants.
Anyway, back to the present.
"And what exactly did she say?" Arthur asked Grayfia.
"That you've taken an interest in Rias-sama," Grayfia said as a matter-of-factly. "And that you helped a certain Holy Maiden find the church."
Arthur sighed, brushing his fingers through Grayfia's silver hair. "So, is that why you're asking me directly? You don't trust Rory's words?"
Grayfia shifted slightly, adjusting her position so she could look up at him. "Rory loves to dramatize things. Hearing from you directly is different."
"If Rory heard this, she really is going to be pouting." Then he continued, "But it's true, Grayfia. I met Rias and her peerage. In fact, I can say Rias and I currently have a close relationship." He paused for a moment, then asked, "Are you against it?"
Grayfia arched a delicate eyebrow. "Why would I be?"
Arthur smirked. "Well, you do consider her like a little sister, don't you? So shouldn't you try to keep her away from me?"
Grayfia didn't answer immediately. She lowered her gaze, contemplating his words.
"I do consider her as a little sister given that she is Sirzechs-sama's sister," she admitted after a moment. "But Rias-sama is still young, and she has yet to understand the depth of the world she lives in. But I also know that she is headstrong and determined. I am sure she didn't even fully understand what it means to have someone like you as her ally."
Arthur nodded. "She has potential, Grayfia. Given time, she'll be able to stand on her own, even in a world like ours. And I did promise her to make one of the strongest in this world."
Grayfia's eyes widened slightly at Arthur's words. She knew all too well the weight of a promise coming from him. Arthur was not a man who made empty declarations. If he said he would make Rias one of the strongest, then it was not a matter of if, but when.
She lifted herself slightly, resting her chin against his chest as she studied his face. "You really are serious about this, aren't you?"
Arthur smirked, running his fingers through her silky silver hair. "I don't say things I don't mean, Grayfia. You know that."
She nodded, her expression thoughtful. "If you intend to truly support Rias-sama… then I hope you also understand what comes with that responsibility."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
Grayfia sighed, sitting up slightly and crossing her arms over her chest. "Rias-sama is still bound by her engagement to Riser Phenex. If you intervene too deeply, it could lead to a political dispute. Just like what happened when Serafall-sama and I accepted becoming your wives."
Arthur's smirk widened. "And when have I ever cared about devil politics? The only reason I even tried to patch things up when I was married to you guys was because Serafall and you insisted that the underworld was not up for another war after the civil war. And you know how I hate politics."
Grayfia sighed again. "That's exactly what concerns me. You never take these things seriously. But this isn't just about you. If you disrupt the engagement, you won't just be angering the Phenex family—you'll be going against some of the most stubborn noble houses in the Underworld."
Arthur chuckled. "I'd love to see them try to do something about it. The only chips they can use against me is Serafall and you, and they know if they use you guys against me then that's their last day on earth."
Grayfia shook her head. "You're impossible."
Arthur reached out, pulling her back down onto his chest. "Grayfia, you worry too much. I'm not saying I'll destroy the Phenex family tomorrow. I just plan to make sure Rias has the strength to choose her own future."
Grayfia relaxed slightly at his words. "And if her choice leads her to you?"
Arthur smirked. "Then I'll welcome her with open arms."
Grayfia let out a small breath, shaking her head. "You truly are incorrigible."
Arthur laughed, pulling her closer as the night continued.
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