The crimson sky of the Underworld cast a warm glow over the Gremory estate. It was a quiet afternoon—peaceful, yet laced with the kind of tension that only came before something important.
In the sitting room of the western wing, the two young devil heirs sat opposite each other, papers and magical files spread between them.
Rias Gremory crossed her arms, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders like a river of fire. "We'll get our Evil Pieces next year. Have you started to think about your peerage?"
Lucien Gremory, born just one month after Rias, leaned back lazily in his chair. His dark crimson eyes shimmered with amusement.
Technically, Rias was his aunt. But growing up side by side made the titles irrelevant. They were siblings in all but name, and everyone in the family treated them as such.
He tapped his chin with mock seriousness. "I've given it some thought."
Rias's eyes narrowed. "So? Who's going to be your first piece?"
Lucien gave a slow, mysterious smile. "I have my eye on a kitty… for my Bishop or Pawn."
Rias blinked. "…A kitty?"
Lucien's eyes drifted toward the nearby lounge, where a petite silver-haired girl quietly sipped tea. She glanced at them, golden eyes unreadable, then returned to her drink.
"Koneko?" Rias asked, confused. "She's already with me."
Lucien stood, brushing off imaginary dust. "Not that kitty."
"Wait, then who—?"
He glanced over his shoulder with a cryptic grin. "Trade secret," he said, knowing full well Rias would try to puzzle it out later.
⸻
Rias had no idea. Koneko was already in her care, but she didn't know the truth—not yet. She saw her as quiet, delicate, and maybe a little odd.
But I knew who Koneko was. Toujou Koneko—Shirone—the younger sister of Kuroka, one of the most dangerous strays in the Underworld. A prodigy. A killer. A runaway.
And she didn't deserve any of it.
Lucien passed the high-arched windows of the estate, his reflection moving alongside the red-tinted glass.
Getting Kuroka isn't just about power. It's about giving her the chance no one gave her the first time. If I can bring her in, I'll not only protect Koneko, but I'll also secure a powerful member with terrifying potential.
More than that, I want to heal something broken in the girl quietly sipping tea back in the lounge.
But convincing Father? That's going to be a nightmare.
He turned another corner, rolling his eyes at the sight of a passing figure.
And there it was again—Father's ridiculous maid fetish.
Grayfia Lucifuge, his mother, walked down the hallway in her pristine maid uniform, carrying a clipboard and a cup of herbal tea as if she were born doing both. She was elegance and cold logic personified—always composed, always precise.
You'd think Sirzechs Lucifer would've gotten over it by now. But no, he married the strongest Queen in the Underworld and still has her cosplaying domestic goddess 24/7. Their bedroom must be a mix of romance novels, a cleaning commercial, and a horror movie starring Lint.
Despite his teasing, Lucien admired her. He'd need both her influence and her strategic mind if he wanted even a shot at getting this idea past Sirzechs.
⸻
[Tea Room – East Wing]
Grayfia and Venelana Gremory, Lucien's grandmother, were seated in the estate's sunlit tea room. The air smelled of lavender, and the table was set with delicate porcelain and silver-trimmed cups.
Lucien knocked gently before entering. "Am I interrupting?"
"Only our break from politics," Venelana said with a sly smile. "But you're just as dangerous as any nobleman I've met, so come in."
Grayfia raised an eyebrow as Lucien took his seat. "What are you scheming now?"
Lucien leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "I want to talk about my first peerage member."
Grayfia didn't blink, but Venelana's smile widened. "Already? That's ambitious."
Lucien gave a crooked smile. "I don't want to wait for someone to be assigned to me. I want to choose. Specifically… I want Kuroka."
Silence fell like a dropped sword.
Grayfia's composure tightened visibly. For the first time, Lucien could remember, her iron facade fractured — a glimmer of something raw and maternal behind those steel-blue eyes.
"You're serious."
Lucien nodded. "Powerful. Smart. Dangerous, yes—but not irredeemable."
Venelana's voice remained even. "She's a stray. A criminal. She killed her master."
"And she ran from a situation no one asked questions about," Lucien said. "You both know that experiment was illegal. If I find her—if I reach her before the Church or the Fallen do—I can offer her something no one else has: a way back."
He looked straight at Grayfia, not with challenge but with conviction. "She's Koneko's sister. Do you think Koneko doesn't wonder? You think she doesn't hurt, deep down, not knowing the truth?"
A heavy silence filled the room.
And there was more to it. Rias had already begun assembling her peerage. Akeno and Koneko were officially hers, and it hadn't gone unnoticed. The other noble houses, and even Sirzechs and Grayfia, were starting to murmur about Lucien's reluctance. As the heir meant to restore the Lucifuge line, his lack of peerage members was beginning to alarm them.
Sairaorg Bael and Sona Sitri, two of their closest noble peers, had even teased him about it at recent gatherings. But underneath the banter was the same pointed expectation: What are you waiting for?
A future Lucifer heir couldn't afford to fall behind.
Lucien knew it. They all did.
"If I bring her in," Lucien continued, "I take responsibility. I train her. I bond her to my peerage, not out of control—but with loyalty. Family."
Venelana nodded slowly, fingers tapping her teacup. "That's a bold move for a first piece."
"It's the right one," Lucien said. "And I'm not asking you to act today. I just want your support when the time comes to convince Father."
Grayfia sighed, long and quiet, shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "You plan too much for someone so young."
Lucien smiled. "That's your fault."
Venelana laughed. "Well said."
Grayfia stood. "I'll speak to Sirzechs with you."
Lucien blinked. "…Really?"
She nodded. "If nothing else, I want to see how you sell this to your father."
Step one: complete, Lucien thought, standing with her. Now the real challenge begins.
And if Sirzechs refused?
Well… there was always Serafall.
And if anyone could weaponize hugs and sparkles into blackmail, it was the Leviathan.