AStoryForOne
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Chapter 430
🕑 Added 2023-12-28 21:23:57 +0000 UTCWell, I think we off to a good and productive start!
Silence was better than the alternative, I suppose.
“You have a lovely home.” I decided to break the silence.
Zeoticus smiled, completely unconcerned about the awkwardness that was obvious. “Thank you, but I can’t take any credit. My parents were the ones who had it built, and Vene was the one who updated it over the years.”
“I’ll make sure to give you the full tour after.” She smiled happily.
“I believe it’s customary to give a gift in a situation like this?” I mused for a moment. I should have handed it to him right away, but I was…understandably focused on other things. With a thought, I produced a bottle of Firewhiskey. I was thankful that I managed to snag enough that I didn’t waste it all when I got drunk.
I simply floated the bottle over to him.
He happily accepted it. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this brand before?”
“It’s Fire Whiskey, it has a bit of Magic in it, so it has a certain kick.” I explained briefly.
Nothing extravagant, but it should be a novel gift.
Without even a word, the butler from before was behind him holding a tray of glasses with ice in them as he set them about the table.
My Grandfather poured himself a glass of it and he eyed it curiously. He went through the basic motions of investigating the foreign alcohol. Not in the sense that he was skeptical about my gift, like poison or anything, but from the perspective of a connoisseur.
He finally took a sip and finished with a satisfied smile. “What a unique taste. I can also feel some strange force swelling inside of me.”
“First time people drink it, they accidently burp a bit of fire, hence the name.” I replied.
“Haha.” He chuckled. “What a wonderful gift, thank you.”
And now that’s out of the way, I have no idea what else I’m supposed to say.
Thankfully, the butler returned with plates of food prepared.
And it smelled wonderful.
The meat….was not beef, but it seemed similar? Some kind of Prime rib of a creature almost indistinguishable from a cow at first glance. Only a few more moments of inspection could I see the small differences.
"What animal is this from?” I whispered to Venelana.
“Minotaur.” She said simply.
“…….” I…didn’t know what to say to that. I was not against eating creatures with intelligence. Give me a giant crab that could talk? If we ended up fighting to the death, I’d happily eat it. But a more humanoid creature….It made me feel queasy.
“Don’t worry, they’re barely more intelligent than cows.” She said again.
Alright. That makes it Somewhat better.
I cut a piece off and put it into my mouth and it was fucking delicious, which just made me more conflicted.
I just decided not to think too hard about it.
“So, tell me.” Zeoticus took the reins. “I’m curious how you reached the spot you’re in now. I only have the faintest idea of what you’ve been up to since you’ve left.”
The question was obviously directed at me. And it wasn’t really….probing? It didn’t feel like he had a malicious or secondary reason for asking just….almost like small talk.
Well, everyone else seemed interested enough, but I didn’t particularly care too much.
“I went up north, met some people and joined the College of Winterhold.” I said casually. “Learned a bit of Magic there. Then met with my Grandfather and joined the Mage’s Association –“
“I’ve never heard of those places.” My biological Father interrupted.
“What a surprise, you’re ignorant about something.” I replied without missing a beat and meeting his gaze.
“oof.” Venelana’s daughter whispered.
His eye twitched a little. “As Lucifer of the entire Devil Faction, there are very few things I am unaware of.”
“It’s a good thing I wasn’t needed then. Yes, it was certainly a good thing I didn’t need to move twice to rescue my woman.”
“My Mother would have been rescued regardless.”
“I suppose you were simply unlucky that twice in a row landed upon the ‘few things’ you are unaware of?” I snorted. “But I guess, I shouldn’t complain, otherwise, I wouldn’t have met such a wonderful woman and have a child on the way.”
There was a beat of silence as they processed what I said.
“EH!?” Rias blurted.
“Mother!?” Followed her brother.
“Lady Gremory!?” Lastly the maid.
“Oh stop, I’m not pregnant.” Venelana rolled her eyes and playfully swat at my shoulder. “Don’t say that to them just to get a reaction.”
“You’re not pregnant…mom?” Rias hesitantly asked.
“I assure you Rias, I’m not pregnant. Yet.”
“Mom!?”
“And that’s not for a lack of trying, mind you.”
“Mother, please stop!” Her son pleaded.
“Do you want to use the wine cellar?” Zeoticus offered, confusing the lot of us.
“Oh, that’s a good idea.” Venelana’s eyes lit up and turned to me. “That’s where Rias and Sirzechs were conceived. We could never prove it, but that room has to have something special about it.”
“…..please stop.” Rias whined.
“Don’t forget little Sona too.” Zeoticus added.
“Of course, how could I forget about her?” Venelana nodded.
“….mom, please don’t tell me that’s how…”
“It was a relief that Sona inherited the Sitri bloodline…”
“…kill me now.” Rias’s head slapped onto the table.
“….is that why there’s a bed in the wine cellar, Lady Gremory!?” The Maid squawked in realization. “…..now I know why it was always unkept in the past….”
“Well, we certainly aren’t going to do it on the cobble floor.” Venelana shrugged.
One of the few times in my life, I’m utterly speechless.
“My children are such prudes.” Zeoticus shook his head. “I’ll have you know that my parents loved to tell the story of how they conceived me. It was the early days of spring, late into the 6th century –“
“Oh Zeo, they’ve heard this story more than enough times now.” Venelana giggled while her children looked scared for life.
“They are Devils, they should be accustomed to a bit of Debauchery.” He harrumphed. “Back in my day, our fathers would offer us one of his mistresses for our first learning experience! But do you know what happened when I attempted to do the same for Sirzechs?” Zeoticus looked at me. “He ran away crying!”
“The woman I thought of as an Aunt ambushed me and took her clothes off!” The Lucifer squawked himself. “What was I supposed to do? I was a kid back then!”
“You were forty years old!” His Dad shot back.
“Dammit Dad, you promised not to mention that again.” The Lucifer dropped his face into his palms.
….I take back everything I said, I love it here and this is one of the best days of my life.
[I agree, this has been entirely worth it just for this.] Ddraig also seemed to be enjoying himself.
“Atleast my grandson doesn’t have the same hang ups! Look at him, he already has a Harem!” Zeoticus gestured to me. “And he even managed to land your mother! You should take a page out of his book.”
“Actually, she seduced me.” I pointed out, adding a little bit of fuel to this wonderful fire. “She practically tore her clothes off and pinned me down.”
All their eyes snapped to me.
“He’s not wrong~” Venelana cooed.
“See? That’s how you handle it! He didn’t run away crying!” Zeoticus slapped the table. “He manned up, and gave your mother want she needed!”
“Why are you like this!?”
“I’m a Devil!”
“…is this normal?” I whispered to Venelana.
“Oh yes, don’t worry, this is normally how our dinners go.” Venelana reassured me.
Well, okay then.
“What about Rias!?”
“Sirzechs.” Zeoticus’s voice got a little firm. “I told you years ago that your little sister was off limits.”
“That’s not what I meant, dad!”
“Hmm, Rias already started on her own Harem.” Zeoticus nodded to himself.
“I what!?” The Red-headed Girl blurted out.
“Of course, we all know what you get up to with your Queen.” Zeoticus actually sounded proud. “You’re well on your way. Be sure to ask your mother for advice if you need it. She knows how to handle a Harem from the perspective of a woman.”
Rias’s face turned brighter than her hair, and her head fell back onto the table as she began to whimper.
“Dad, this is why we don’t come back for dinner often.” The Lucifer sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“Well, the truth can hurt.” His dad snorted.
“Dammit Dad.” He groaned. “Do you really have to embarrass us now of all times?”
“Alright Zeo, I think their fragile sense of decency can’t handle anymore.” Venelana finally spoke up. “We should probably accept that this generation of Devils doesn’t have the same view as us.”
“Bah, I’ll never accept it. I don’t care about that other nonsense that the Old Bloods spouted, but a Devil should be free to indulge in harmless fun!”
“I think your daughter started bleeding from hitting her head on the table.” The Maid pointed out the red-headed girl that was still whimpering with her head smashed against it.
“It builds character.” Zeoticus was dismissive.
“This is a really sturdy table.” I randomly mentioned.
“We finally splurged on something a bit tougher. You wouldn’t believe how many tables we’ve gone through in the past.” Venelana replied.
Yeah….I can’t imagine why.
I just calmly cut apart my meal and took bites.
“Hmph.” Zeoticus snorted, seemingly dropping the whole argument. “Continue where you left off, my dear Grandson. Tell me of your adventures. How did you meet your harem members?”
“There’s not much to say.” I said casually. “I met Meridia during my time at the College. I met Artoria when I went to the Mage’s Association. Then I went to the Land of Shadows where I met Scáthach.”
“The woman presumed dead.” The Lucifer narrowed his eyes. “Curious how there seems to be many people like that around you.”
“Maybe they’re ghosts?” I hummed.
He scoffed.
“Well, I trained there for a few years. Time difference and all that. Wandered over to Kyoto for a bit, and that’s when I met Yasaka and my Daughter.” I continued. “I also met Izzy – Izanami. Jinn came soon, then I met Salem and Raikou. Last was Venelana here.” I smiled towards her.
She leaned over and we shared a quick kiss.
“But….how did you get so strong?” Rias rejoined the conversation with a noticeable red mark on her forehead. “That can’t be all of it?”
I shrugged. “I fought a lot. Learned a lot. Trained a lot.”
“That’s it….? That sounds so…normal.” She said softly.
“I almost died fighting a dragon when I joined the College. That was….a month or so into my trip.”
“…oh.”
“The Heaven Faction were kicking up a fuss about the Saintess you brought with you.” My Biological Father did his best to look uninterested as he barely looked my way. “They’re wondering where she came from.”
Was he really trying to needle information out of me?
“Presumedly her Parents.” I said without missing a beat. “Assuming you didn’t also run away from the talk, it should be an obvious answer.”
“You would be the expert on running away, wouldn’t you?” His tone was sharp.
Ah, so he decided to press that button, did he?
Well then.
“You can call me Dad if you want.” I didn’t react outwardly much. “My own Dad was a shitty deadbeat, so I think I can atleast do better than him.”
The fork in his hand bent sharply as he tried his best to keep a neutral expression.
“Boys.” Venelana’s voice carried over and I think we both sort of stiffened at her warning.
Ah…stern Venelana.
That’s sexy.
But I would relent. If she spoke up, it meant that we were getting close to the line.
“Hmm, I noticed that all the women in your harem fit the mature category.” Zeoticus possibly decided to change the subject due to the awkward atmosphere.
“I like older women.” I said simply.
“It’s refreshing too because they’ve been so welcoming.” Venelana chimed in. “I’ve never seen any fighting or anything like that and they’ve welcomed me with open arms.”
“How wonderful.” Zeoticus had a big smile as she said that. “We’ll have to get Mother and Father to meet as well.”
“You sure that’s a good idea? Next think we know, Grandma might be screwing him too.” Red-Haired Lucifer snorted.
Venelana gave him a look.
“You know, I noticed that other than a butler, there are no other people working around the Mansion? Especially no Maids. I wonder why that is?” I glared his way.
“What are you trying to say?” He narrowed his eyes.
“Maid Fetish.” I spelled it out for him.
He twitched again.
“Better than an old woman fetish.” He snorted.
“So your mom is an old woman?” I shot back.
That made him stiffen again and not respond. Realizing he just insulted his mom, which I’m currently in a relationship with.
“So….um Wilhelm, what have you been up to recently?” Rias very subtly tried to change the subject from our bickering.
“I was scoping out schools to send Kunou to. Trying to find ones that would fit her well enough. Other than that, I got into a drinking contest with a Phoenix.” Which was pretty much my past week.
“Someone from the Phenex family?” She blinked.
“No, I mean the bird.” I clarified.
“….like the actual mythological bird?”
“Yup.” I popped.
“…..” She seemingly didn’t know what to say to that.
A for Effort, however. She tried well enough.
“Oh, speaking of drinking, the thing you asked me about is almost done~” Venelana clapped her hands.
“Thing? What thing?” Rias lost a lot of her earlier shyness.
“Wilhelm here gave me some interesting and exceedingly rare ingredients. I’ve been making them into a wine.” She leaned onto my arm with a big smile.
“Really, it’s almost done already?” I was surprised.
“I cheated a little with some time variance.” She casually replied. “But that’s not really too difficult. It’s looking good.”
“Interesting, and what’s in this wine?” Zeoticus’s eyes lit up.
“I gave her a Peach of Immortality, and some water from the River Styx to compliment it.” Was there really a reason to hide it? It was a better topic to talk about than whatever was happening before.
“….where did you even get those things?” Rias asked quietly.
“I know people.” I shrugged. “Met Sun Wukong a few times. Izzy knows Hades, so that wasn’t hard either.”
“….yeah, you know a lot of powerful people.” She muttered, soundly oddly defeated for some reason.
“I’m curious about something.” Zeoticus suddenly spoke up again. “What made you get together with Vene?”
Ah, the others were preemptively cringing at the inevitable answer.
“Besides the obvious?” I raised an eyebrow.
Zeoticus let out a laugh. “I’m just a little curious at what about her captured you at first. She has enough good qualities that it would take a long time to go over all of them. Just satisfy an old man’s curiosity.”
“So, what immediately swept me off my feet, as it were?” I summarized. “Well…” I glanced at her rather large boobs.
“Good choice.” Zeoticus nodded sagely. “Vene’s chest is hard to match!”
“Dad, please don’t talk about mom that way!” The Red-Headed Lucifer threw his hands up in frustration.
“There’s nothing wrong with the compliment~” Venelana giggled, intentionally bouncing her chest for everyone to see. “Believe me, I know the looks I get for my boobs, and I don’t shy away from them~”
Why did I enjoy her tormenting her children so much? Their groans were just….so much fun to hear.
Honestly though. I love her boobs, I won’t deny that. Physically, she is everything I want in a woman. But…
“Jokes aside, I think what really tugged at me at first were her stunning eyes.” I turned to her, happily taking her hand. “It might sound a bit cliché to say, but they were so calm and gentle that I couldn’t help but stare at them when we first met.”
Out of all my girls, she definitely wins with the most vivid and hypnotizing eyes.
“It also helped that my clothes were torn and I was practically half naked at the time.” Venelana added.
That may have also helped with her seduction.
Most of the questions seemed to revolve around Venelana and myself, but that was to be expected. This little….dinner was mostly for them to get used to us together, or something along those lines. Among other things of course. The half-assed attempts from him to try and poke at me for certain knowledge was not missed, but it’s whatever.
But even the way we were seating, it was obvious that She and I were sort of on the outside in a sense.
“A good answer.” Zeoticus nodded, seemingly pleased. “Venelana certainly has been much happier in recent weeks. Why, she even used one of her Evil Pieces! I was sure they would be left to collect dust forever. I assume that you have a hand in her new Queen?”
“Mozart.” I mused. “How is he handling being a Devil?”
“Oh, he’s adapted well. It almost makes me question if he wasn’t a Devil beforehand. He took to it like a fish in water.” Venelana replied.
“Someone else that should be dead.” Lucifer snorted. “Care to explain that one?”
“Isn’t Okita Souji listed as dead?” I rolled my eyes.
“That’s not the same thing!”
“How so?”
“I used an Evil Piece on him!”
“Well, so did Venelana.” I crossed my arms.
“That….” He scowled. “Sophistry. Mozart died hundreds of years ago. He has a grave. I attempted to recruit him myself and he rejected.” His expression hardened.
“Well, that sounds like it would be inconvenient for me to answer. So, I’ll just do what you do when something is inconvenient and ignore it.” I just rolled my eyes at his attempt to force me to answer his obvious prodding question.
He shot up to his feet and slammed his hands on the table. It seems like his temper finally flared. “I didn’t want you!”
I felt a old wound reopen, one that I thought had scarred over a long time ago. I found myself mimicking him as I was on my feet and my hands slammed into the table as well. “Well look at that, neither did I! But I was the one who got fucked over because you’re a fucking idiot!”
“You weren’t my responsibility!” He shouted.
“No shit!” I shouted in return. “That’s why I lost my fucking childhood, because you couldn’t be assed to take the bare minimum effort!”
“You had everything provided for!”
“I was a fucking kid who was grieving their dead mom and I had no one, you cunt.”
“…that wasn’t my fault.” He seemed to verbally stagger there.
“No, but you failed every step of the way to do something about it.” My voice lowered back to normal.
I didn’t back down as we stared at one another.
Finally, he pulled away, turning around and marching out of the room.
The Maid also stood up.
She had been…mostly silent this evening, she looked like she was having an awkward time throughout.
But at this moment, she looked at me and I was ready for her to say something.
“Thank you for saving my son.” She bowed her head with the feeling of genuine thanks in her tone.
Why…..did that make me feel good to hear?
I….didn’t know how to reply to her. I was uncharacteristically angry, but I felt weird about the idea of snapping at her in this particular moment despite my dislike for her.
Quickly, she seemed to follow after her husband.
“Come on.” Venelana stood up, tugging at me arm. She didn’t look too upset, almost sympathetic if anything. “Let’s go for a walk.” She smiled gently.
I let out a sigh and allowed her to drag me off.
Some fresh air would do me good.
@***@
A/N
Sorry for the late release, I intended to do this yesterday, but I genuinely had a hard time writing this chapter. For hours, I just couldn’t get more than a couple hundred words down.
Also, for the lewd I promised, it’s still on the table, just slightly delayed. I wrote about 3k words, realized I didn’t like it and want to restart, so just give me a little bit.
Comments
Jamie Lines
I am just hoping that Wilhelm gets to slap him instead. Although, some verbal slapping is very entertaining.
Holosagewolf
Anyone else hoping sirzechs gets bitch slapped by meridia?
Holosagewolf
He went to get the milk
Galius
I think it would have been different if Rias wasn't so much younger than him. Zeo probably wanted to let Rias and find her own thing, rather than be groomed by her older brother into an imouto sex pet.
Galius
Big oof there chief. Imagine being mad at a baby for existing because you were too big a man to use birth control.
Einar Strandberg
Neither Wilhelm nor Sirzechs are being particularly mature about things, but Wilhelm is twenty something so it's more forgiveable. I'm a little surprised Zeoticus is against Sirzechs/Rias; a bit of sibling incest is always great, and Zeoticus was fine with an aunt fucking one of his kids.
Joseph Fera
lol, this late chapter is fine by me, i'll think of it as a birthday gift.
Osiris Sundavr
I don’t know, I can’t see Rias taking Sirzechs side here. I don’t think she will like the fact that the only reason she never got to know her nephew is because Sirzechs just didn’t want him. That would go against her morals and idea of family that has been hinted at so far. Sirzechs can even try to smooth things over with a “it was safer for him to stay in the human realm” but it will not work. All he has done in public is glare and now has stated his true feelings in front of his family. She will most likely just try to not step on this landmine while trying to get Wilhelm to open up to her so she can get to know him. I would almost bet money that Runeas will be pissed that a descendant of hers went unknown to the rest of them just because the father was to cowardly to own up and take responsibility. Especially with the fact that said “father” is a Maou. It’s a direct slap to her face and tarnished the Gremory family’s reputation among the other nobility as a whole.
Pierre laplant
Woo
Peter K
In this story I don't think Asia is even anywhere near Kuoh. She was mentioned by Azazel as living somewhere in Europe during the peace conference, forget exactly where
Stormrall
It was about time father and son had this argument. Now we only need to have the two duke it out to vent all remaining grievances.
Stormrall
No, Grayfia was not the one who wanted to take him in. it was Velenana who wanted to.
Osiris Sundavr
I just had a random thought. Didn’t Venelana mention that Grayfia had tried to adopt Wilhelm but was shut down? I think it was mentioned in the first time we saw her and Venelana drinking together. Quick, someone with a better memory toss me a yah/nah please!
Sephira
Hmm not much of a harem yet for Rias though if it's only Akeno, i doubt she laid hands on Koneko already for being too young and Asia is more into Issei after that Xenovia and Rossweisse never joined her peerage, can't remember how much pieces Issei took though i doubt it was all 8 with him not having boosted gear
striker James
I honestly feel the whole I never wanted you should of made someone mad besides whilem. Also I loved the baby on way joke I was hoping
Osiris Sundavr
The thing is I call imagine him doing it too. Though Rias must be feeling some complex emotions too right now. Didn’t she after first learning about Wilhelm think that Sirzechs must have had a reason to not tell the family about him? Now the truth comes out and it’s just because he didn’t want Wilhelm. I could be wrong and I will admit it has been a long time since I first read the beginning of this story but that was my take from it.
Pure Dingo
Great chapter, loved the dinner with Zeoticus he made me crack up. Sirzechs showed what not to do as a parent, I don't see things ever becoming civil between them unless something drastic happens. Rias at least knows she screwed up and is trying to do something about it but she will most likely take Sirzechs side. Grayfia, who's one of my favourite characters comes off as the scorned woman but instead of taking it out on the guilty party, she is taking it out on the victim. However she has taken a step in the right direction and it will be interesting to see what she will do with Millicas when he asks to meet his brother.
Fire_Fox2590
How DID that happen again? Its been so long since I read the start of the book.
Iori Daemona Angel
Well Sirzech is the kind of dad no one would want lol.
Sonicdude8
You know, I'm sort of disappointed you didn't have Wil use his "I had sex with your mom" answer as a rebuttal... 'You can call me Dad if you want.” I didn’t react outwardly much. “My own Dad was a shitty deadbeat, so I think I can atleast do better than him.”' Nevermind, that was so much better!
Zerlestes
true isnt family everything for the gremory or is that fanon so hard to keep them seperate i mean if servants are treatet like family what about children
Gabriel Rodrigues
Thank you for the chapter, but let me ask you something, will the next chapter conclude the dinner event or will it go into another event?
Asharzal
Thanks for the chapter. It's honestly hilarious to imagine that Rias and Zeoticus are the only people left at the table, with Zeoticus continuing as if nothing had happened: "So about your harem dear daughter...."
xerxes33311
Heavy
Lazy Ghost
Has Wil ever told anyone how he first learned about the supernatural? I feel like that would get an interesting reaction
Orchamus
I'mma say...God damn Sirzechs, way to make your uncle proud. Nice first meeting with Zeo though, and Rias is trying.
Jasticus
For a family that celebrates treating their servants like family, Sirzechs (and by small extention Rias) did a good job of just crapping all over that considering how they treated their actual family member.
thevolunteer
Sirzechs telling his kid “I didn’t want you” to his face is wild. Like it can be true, but it certainly doesn’t need to be fucking said out loud. Great chapter.
Icemoo
This entire dinner gave me The Bear christmas dinner vibes
Nazarickk
Thanks for the chapter
Green One
Oof... that was an awkward dinner... papa Lucifer continues to amass failures of parenting. At least Grayfia had the basic deceny to acknowledge the rescue of her child and express sincere gratitude.
GR_Anonnel
Granddad zeo is the best thing to happen this chapter, that and the casual roast of Baka Red.
Achearon
truly a work of art. Mozart would be proud.
Lazy Ghost
I half expect Runeas to wake up and give Sirzechs some hell, and probably chase after her new wayward grandson.
Son-Of-Scorn
Solid chapter, honestly amazes me how realistic and fluid the characters are, especially when it comes to the emotional parts, conversations like these are honestly so immersive it’s unparalleled
Fire_Fox2590
Ugh I know that feeling, been reading on the Patreon since just before RWBY I think, awesome to see a new fan <3
Laplase
Well, when Raikou sees this I wonder what her reaction will be after the dream cycle? I can't wait for the next part and Sirzechs took the cowards way out by just leaving like that instead of just facing his mistakes and apologizing even if it wouldn't be accepted. Probably Should have snapped at his Maid too just for good measure.
Dillon Kruger
Absolutely in love with this story binged it in a week with a day of no sleep lol but worth it one I got to the end on fanfic I came here dropped 10 and was like give me it alllllllllll
Fire_Fox2590
On that topic, how is he scaling to him right now? Are we gonna find out soon? OuO
Fire_Fox2590
This was great, only way it could have been better was if he managed to magically overpower his dad, like one of those silent mental battles where their aura flares and they stare at each other. I would have loved to see him take a knee as he was overpowered in that kind of battle.
ExodiaTheForbiddenOne
Ngl I was kinda hoping for fight between wilhelm and sirzechs but it honestly feels like wilhelm needs to have a good cry and put it behind him nothing wrong with a good cry to let it all out
Ancalagon
Ahhh daddy issues are great XD
Austin
Love the story
Martian
I really wish that his could take the title of most awkward family dinner I’ve seen
Peter K
There was no way this wasn't going to devolve into a shouting match. Hilarious stuff before that, though, goddamn
Fungame2
Fuck you're fast!
Jason Wu
Nice
