"Of course," he said simply. "Family looks out for each other. Always."
Sebastian leaned back, gave a quick nod, and then smirked. "Alright, with that out of the way, let's talk about the most important thing in a man's life-women!"
I felt my face heat up instantly at where this was going. "I've got plenty of experience with women," I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady.
He snorted. "You've got experience with girls. Women are a different story! There's a world of difference between quick flings and actually building something with them. Do you want to spend the rest of your life bouncing from bed to bed, or do you want meaningful relationships?"
That made me blink. "Relationships... as in plural?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He grinned like I'd just walked into the perfect setup. "Of course. We're devils, Harry. We love hard, but we're not wired for one partner and done. Monogamy isn't natural for us. People call us bats, but we're closer to wolves or lions-we live in packs. We thrive surrounded by our people." He leaned forward, his voice steady and sure. "That's why peerages are such a big deal. They're not just political or power structures. For a lot of us, they're family, lovers, partners in every sense. You build one right, and you'll never be without support-or company-in your bed or otherwise."
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, giving me a knowing look. "So, how do you feel about Lyra and Lyna?" he asked casually, but I could tell from his tone he was fishing for something.
I shrugged, a little unsure where he was going with it. "They're... fine, I guess. Not really used to having maids, though."
"They're more than just maids," he said. "They're branch members of the Sitri clan. The second they found out you existed and your mother asked them, they were eager to serve you. They take that shit seriously." He smirked. "And apparently they both love being maids because they're big fans of Queen Grayfia."
"Who's that?" I asked, curious.
His grin widened, and he leaned in a bit like he was about to tell me a dirty secret. "Don't tell my wife or my daughter, but she's the hottest MILF in the Underworld. By far! Trust me, when you see her, you'll get it." He even gave me a quick wink.
I chuckled, shaking my head, but I couldn't help thinking about it. Considering how insanely sexy every female devil I'd met so far had been, I was more than a little curious to see what made this Grayfia so special.
Sebastian's attention shifted back. "So, have you been spending much time with Lyra and Lyna?"
I scratched my jaw. "Honestly... maybe I've been avoiding them a bit. I'm not used to people waiting on me hand and foot. And they're... a lot. They're gorgeous, they're flirty, and I'm still figuring out how the hell I'm supposed to act around them without looking like a total idiot."
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, giving me a slow nod. "I get it, Harry, but there's one thing you need to know about the Sitri clan-family never betrays family. Ever. That loyalty runs in our blood. Same goes for our closest friends, the Gremory clan and the Phenex clan."
"I don't know either of them," I admitted.
"They're not important right now," he said with a dismissive flick of his hand. "Just keep an open mind. And remember-having reliable servants is a damn good thing once you get used to it. You don't have to rush, but when you do decide, you'll be glad they're there. Your mother's busy as hell, so she made sure to put girls around you she could trust completely."
I leaned back slightly. "I've already got someone I can trust back in London."
That made him grin and lean in closer, his eyes narrowing like he'd just smelled gossip. "Oh? Does my grandson have a proper lover? Because Serafall's been talking. She says you've been exchanging letters with a few women this past week."
I could feel my ears getting hot. "Yeah... I've been getting letters from my new friend Hermione. And, surprisingly, from two French sisters-Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour. I met them at a football game," I explained.
"Three girls and Two sisters? Now you've got my attention."
Hermione's letters had been friendly, nothing sexual-just the two of us learning more about each other, talking about day-to-day things. The Delacour sisters' letters, though, were on a whole other level. Fleur's were flirtatious enough, but Gabrielle's were blatant.
Every line she wrote felt like she was testing how far she could push it before I'd call her out.
The most obvious example came when one of her envelopes didn't just have parchment inside-it had a magically animated photo. The moment I opened it, there she was, standing in her robes, a slow, deliberate smile spreading across her lips. Her hands went to the front ties, pulling them loose. She opened the fabric just enough to flash pale skin before letting it slide off her shoulders. Underneath, she wore a black lace bra that lifted her breasts high, and matching panties that clung snug to her hips. Her stomach was smooth, her legs long and toned. The image looped endlessly, her finger hooking under one bra strap and dragging it down her shoulder as she locked eyes with the camera. Even in a still image, her body language screamed that she knew exactly what kind of effect she was having on me, and she was enjoying it.
I shook my head, pulling my attention away from the thoughts back to my grandfather.
He caught the look on my face and laughed, a deep, amused sound that filled the lounge. "It's obvious you're enjoying the height of your youth," he said, still grinning. "And for a devil, that youth's going to last you hundreds of years, so there's no rush to burn through it all at once."
He pushed himself up from his chair with a smooth motion, straightening his jacket as he moved toward the sideboard. He poured himself a drink, took a slow sip, then glanced back at me. "There's something else," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "Your aunt Sona-who you haven't met yet-will be coming home later today. She's bringing some of her peerage members with her. She wants to meet her new nephew officially." He paused then. "And I know a great way the two of you could break the ice with each other!"
"And how is that?" I asked him.
— Sona —
Sona sat behind her oversized desk in the student council room, the blinds open so the midday sun spilled across the polished floor. Even though it was summer break, she had the same hard, no-nonsense look as always, eyes flicking over neatly stacked papers and a tablet glowing with the day's schedules. She wasn't the type to relax just because classes were out-she expected every one of her peerage members to be here every single day, knocking out chores, honoring contracts, and keeping things running.
Her Queen, Tsubaki, stood at her right, posture straight, hands folded neatly, waiting for instructions. Beside the desk stood Saji, the newest addition to the peerage, looking like he was trying to stand at attention but shifting his weight under Sona's sharp gaze. He was coming with her and Tsubaki to the Underworld.
It would be the first time for him.
She knew that part of him still didn't quite realize that he was no longer human. That he wasn't just some schoolboy that lucked out joining a student council full of pretty girls. But that he was now the eternal servant of Sona Sitri, the future head of house Sitri.
...At least, she hoped she still was. She supposed she'd find out on this trip...
The rest of the peerage lounged nearby, though the moment her eyes swept toward them they straightened fast. "While I'm gone," she said, voice crisp, "I don't care if it's for three days or three hours-you do not slack off. Every contract gets done on time. Every duty gets handled. If I come back and find otherwise, you'll regret it."
One of the girls, Momo, gave a little smirk and said, "Come on, Sona, you think we're that lazy?"
"Yes," Sona replied flatly without missing a beat, making a few of the others chuckle under their breath.
Another member, Reya, leaned back in her chair with a grin. "We'll be fine. You act like we can't handle ourselves."
"You can handle yourselves," Sona said, eyes narrowing, "but I know how easily you get distracted." Her gaze lingered on each of them in turn until they looked away or muttered their agreement. "If you have time to play games, you have time to take another contract. Understood?"
"Yes, President," they answered, some with mock salute, which earned them a small, exasperated sigh from her.
"Good. Now get to it." She stood, adjusting her jacket, and motioned to Tsubaki and Saji to follow her out.
Sona could feel a tight, restless energy in her stomach, the kind that made her tap her fingers against her thigh while she walked.
She hated to admit it, but she was both nervous and excited.
The news that her sister had a child had knocked her sideways. Finding out Serafall hadn't even known about it for nineteen years? That part, she could believe. Her sister was powerful and brilliant, but not exactly the most detail-focused person in the world.
Still, the thought of this young man, Harry, her new nephew, lingered in her mind. She pictured what he might look like, how he might act, whether he carried himself like someone born into devil nobility or if the human world had left him rougher around the edges.
What really gnawed at her was the possibility that his existence, as the son of a Maou, could undercut her claim as heiress to the Sitri house. In their world, lineage and strength mattered, and his mom was a Maou... At that point, him being a half-devil didn't really matter.
She'd already heard the talk about Rias Gremory's position being in jeopardy because Millicas Gremory's talent was surpassing expectations rapidly.
So yes. It wasn't paranoia, it was precedent. And Sona understood all too well that precedent had a way of turning into reality when you weren't ready for it.
...
A few minutes later, they'd arrived in the underworld. Sona was caught off guard by what happened next to say the least.
"Huh?" Sona realized her face had gone still for a moment, her brow slightly raised and lips pressed together as she took in the sight before her.
Standing just a few paces away was a tall, well-built young man-her nephew, Harry-who looked uncannily like her sister would have if she had been born male, right down to the sharp cheekbones, intense blue eyes, and thick black hair that framed his face. His posture was relaxed but his eyes were locked on hers with a direct, almost defiant focus.
"I challenge you," he said again. "I want to see what you're made of...?" he asked, but sounded slightly uncertain.
She had only just stepped off the teleportation circle, the familiar air of the Underworld brushing over her skin, and here he was, already throwing down a gauntlet before she'd even set her bag down!
Her hand twitched slightly at her side, the faint buzz of magic at her fingertips instinctive.
"What the hell did you just say to the President?" Saji barked, his voice rising in disbelief as he stepped forward, his expression twisting in outrage. "You don't just walk up to her and-"
"That's enough, Saji," Sona cut in sharply, her voice crisp and controlled. She didn't take her eyes off Harry, the hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "If he wants to challenge me, I'll oblige. It will be... enlightening to see just what my dear nephew thinks he can do."
Saji's mouth opened like he wanted to argue, but the cold certainty in her tone made him clamp it shut.
She stepped forward until she was standing directly opposite Harry. "Fine. You've got your match."
Sona stood with her feet planted firmly in the vast manicured backyard of the Sitri family mansion, the grass underfoot trimmed to perfection. The space was enormous, ringed by elegant stone walls and dotted with ornate fountains, but all of her focus was on the tall young man across from her.
Harry looked composed at first glance, but her trained eyes didn't miss the faint tremor in his hands.
Off to the side, Lyra and Lyna-her distant cousins, though right now they were dressed in ridiculously revealing maid outfits-were shouting encouragement toward Harry. Their tight tops left deep cleavage on display, their skirts short enough that every step threatened to flash what she suspected was bare skin beneath. They cupped their hands to their mouths as they called out, voices high and enthusiastic.
"You got this, young master!"
"And if you lose, we'll nurse you back to health!"
"We have a lot of sexy nurse costumes in our closet!"
Further back, Saji was shouting, "Kick his ass, President!" Tsubaki, as always, maintained her composed stance beside him.
Sona's gaze sharpened as she caught the subtle shake in Harry's fingers when he raised them into a ready position.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice even but laced with curiosity as she rolled her shoulders and readied her own stance.
Harry hesitated for a second before blurting it out. "I've... never been in a REAL fight before. Definitely not a dangerous magical one..."
She blinked once, her brows lifting. "You've never fought...at all?" When he shook his head, she felt a wave of incredulity tighten her jaw. "THEN WHY THE HELL DID YOU THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO CHALLENGE ME OUT OF NOWHERE!?"
Harry shifted on his feet, his eyes flicking briefly toward the ground before he met her gaze again. "Grandpa said it'd be a good way to break the ice with my aunt!" he admitted, his voice carrying a mix of sheepishness and determination. "Honestly... when I heard the word 'aunt,' it didn't sound like a good thing. I had this mental image of some older woman with a fake smile, maybe nagging me about manners. I definitely wasn't expecting someone my age-someone... well, you."
Sona's brow arched slightly. "Someone... what, exactly?"
Harry's lips twitched like he was trying to find the least embarrassing way to say it, but the words still came out unfiltered. "Someone beautiful. Smart and sharp looking, sure, but-yeah, really beautiful."
She felt a small, unexpected warmth rush to her cheeks at the bluntness in his tone.
Sona exhaled slowly through her nose, her eyes narrowing-not in anger, but in thought.
...Of course her father would put her brand-new nephew up to something like this. It was exactly the kind of strange, borderline reckless 'lesson' he liked to set up. He probably had some weird plan she didn't know if she even wanted to bother figuring out...
She took him in properly now, letting her gaze sweep over him without hiding it. He was handsome in a way that made sense for a Sitri-broad-shouldered, strong build, clearly active. But the faint stiffness in his stance, the nervous flicker in his eyes, told her he wasn't some arrogant upstart itching to show off.
