“We on the other hand, have to discuss new protective measures for our territories in the human world.”


    It was slight, but Serafall could swear she saw Falbium twitch. Nonetheless, the events of today fogged up her brain and she needed to clear it.


    Grabbing the updated dossier on the table, she stood up as well.


    “Maybe I’ll go visit them after all, Sirzechs-chan.”


    .


    |DxD|


    .


    Kuoh Town, Japan


    .


    It was now nearing sunset in Kuoh. It had been a few hours since Igor and Aurelia returned and a number of things happened since then. Both siblings had decided to split up upon returning. Aurelia had went to Cleria to inform her of what happened while Igor had returned to the Himejima household.


    To say Asia and Akeno were miffed at his disappearance was an understatement. Akeno had continuously pestered him for details while Asia had clung onto him without any intention of letting go. Seeing the two girls after what had been a long and boring meeting was like the first ray of sunshine in the morning.


    He played with them for a while and he was impressed with Asia’s speed during their game of tag. She wasn’t supernaturally fast yet, but he was pretty sure she could run for the olympics.What was even more impressive was that she was able to effectively enhance herself with mana, allowing her to chase them even up in the trees.


    However, even though her stamina was something else entirely, it wasn’t infinite. It wasn’t until she had fallen asleep in his arms when the sun began to set that their game of tag finally ended. When Akeno flew down from the treetops with her wings, he idly noted that he had to ask Aurelia to teach Asia how to fly.


    Since it was already evening, Igor called their playtime to an end. While Akeno had eventually run off to watch some of her anime, he had went to place a sleeping Asia in the room where her scent was the strongest.


    Tucking his little sister into bed, it wasn’t until he left the room that he encountered Shuri who was waiting for him. With her taking the lead, she had led him outside, but not after telling Akeno they were going to talk privately.


    Now, the both of them were standing under a tree, the same tree that three years ago, he and Baraquiel were standing under. The winds themselves were quiet as the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.


    With Shuri right in front of him, Igor was no longer so happy-go-lucky like usual. For her to call him out like this, it would undoubtedly concern the old man. He was nervous about how things would go, but he wouldn’t back down from this.


    Backing out was for pansies.


    “Say whatever you need to say in whatever way you want to say it, aunty. I won’t complain.”


    Be it her yelling or cursing at him, he wouldn’t complain. He would absolutely hate it if someone else did that to him. But considering what he did, he felt he deserved it.


    “...”


    Shuri remained silent as she processed Igor’s words. That seriousness…she could tell he was expecting a violent reaction from her. She could only smile at his futile attempt to take accountability…


    “I’ll hold you to that, Dimori-kun.”


    …because she had a different idea in mind.


    “...?”


    Igor was…confused. When Shuri took a step forward, he thought she would try and hit him. He would never accept such a thing, so he was already prepared to dodge her hits so that she could air out her grievances. But the last thing he expected was for her to wrap her arms around his torso.


    With his hands awkwardly spread out, he didn’t hold her.


    “...aunty?”


    “...”


    However, Shuri didn’t respond. Pressing her head against his chest, she listened to his heartbeat that was about as slow as a snail.


    Badump……Badump……Badump…


    Igor made no moves to remove her. She was in perfect position for a bear hug, but he doubted she would even try. This was clearly a hug, a completely random hug in his opinion. His mind was prepared for a negative reaction from her.


    This…wasn’t a negative reaction.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    “...”


    Looking at her head against his chest, he was about to call out to her again when she quietly spoke.


    “Hold me…”


    To the world, her voice was a whisper. To him, it was louder than a bullet. It sounded more like a plea than a demand.


    He didn’t understand why she would even ask for such a thing, but he slowly circled his arms around him.


    Yet, Shuri wasn’t satisfied.


    “Tighter...”


    “...”


    Igor felt he was crossing lines he shouldn’t be crossing. This moment had already gone longer than what was acceptable.


    “Aunty-”


    “Please, Dimori-kun. I…want to confirm something.”


    “...”


    He didn’t like it, but he silently acquiesced to her request and tightened his hold. His arms went over her shoulders and instead of ending at her upper back, now began sneaking underneath her forearms.


    Shuri felt how close his hands were to the edges of her breasts, yet she didn’t feel revolted at his touch. Slowly, she also tightened her hold and took in more of his presence.


    The feeling of his hardened chest muscles on her cheek, his naturally husky scent that she found very appealing, and his large arms that she could feel enveloping her body…she took in all of it.


    And it confirmed her thoughts.


    [I love this.]


    It was a far-cry from what she felt when Baraquiel held her. It was a horrid thought to have, to make such a comparison when her former husband had almost died. It was even more scandalous when she had considered going back to him.


    To be accurate, she still considered the possibility. But she wanted to be sure. She wanted to be sure of what her heart wanted. She no longer wanted to be on the fence about this issue.


    Feeling his touch and feeling his warmth, she was utterly and absolutely sure of one thing.


    [I love him.]


    Raising her head to meet his cerulean gaze, her feelings were further cemented.


    [I love you, Dimori-kun.]


    Feeling her vision being clouded with tears, she buried her head into his chest.


    [And I hate it.]


    The person she now loved, the person who she was now holding in her arms, was now so far away from her.


    [I hate this.]


    Tightening her hold around him, she knew this may possibly be the last time she may ever get to hold him like this. Because after today, she would once again become the wife of Baraquiel.


    .


    |DxD|


    .


    A few moments prior


    .


    Igor wasn’t comfortable with this. To be exact, he wasn’t sure what to feel. In his mind, Shuri was Baraquiel’s woman. Yes, he viewed her as his aunt and quite recently, a sort of mother too. But he was very well aware that there wasn’t any blood between them.


    This meant that having this kind of prolonged contact with her was something that made him feel a bit guilty. Shuri was a married woman, and he was holding her in his arms. This directly went against what his father taught him.


    [I don’t like this.]


    Igor could admit he was many things, but he didn’t want to be scum. He already hurt the old man prior to this. He didn’t want to become an adulter in his eyes as well.


    He was about to tell her to stop when she suddenly raised her head and looked into his eyes. Amber slowly met sapphire, her eyes slowly clouding up in tears as they gazed into his royal blue.


    [?!]


    Before Igor could properly react, Shuri had already lowered her head. But he was sure of one thing. Those eyes were sad. He had never seen Shuri so sad before, not since she was dying in his arms.


    [I don’t like this.]


    It was the same sentence, but with a separate meaning. Completely different from before, he tightened her hold around her. He wasn’t sure what was making her so sad, but he would give her every single ounce of support he could.


    Only God knew a part of himself regretted leaving three years ago. No, he regretted not coming back. But this time, he wouldn’t leave.


    “I’m here for you, aunty. I won’t ask questions. Just know I have your back.”


    He would never say these words casually, because they implied complete trust. For Shuri, he had complete trust in her and her character. And he would trust her a thousand times before he even entertained the thought of doubting her.


    Shuri didn’t reply to his declaration, nor did she need to. The slight tightening of her hold on him was more than enough for an answer.


    Slowly raising his hand, he cradled it against the back of her head. He softly ran his hands through her hair, his fingers gently scratching her.


    Out of habit, he kissed the top of her head before comforting her.


    “I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”


    “...”


    Shuri couldn’t restrain herself anymore as she silently cried into his chest. His words…his words were making her so happy, and at the same time, so distraught. His words that were making her heart sing with joy were destroyed by the reality before her.


    Before she was a woman, she was a mother. She could not compromise Akeno’s needs for her desires, no matter how much she wanted to. Akeno needed to grow up in a happy family and for that, she would need her father.


    She could only comfort herself that Igor would also appreciate the arrangement, but her heart still felt pain.


    [I hate this.]


    .


    |DxD|


    .


    Aurelia silently watched as Igor held Shuri. She had faint suspicions before during her interactions with her, but now she was sure.


    [She cares for Lord Dimori…more than she should.]


    Although she was far enough for Igor to not focus on her, her eyes were good enough to read their lips and body language.


    Aurelia could admit that Shuri was a good woman and that she could certainly make a very good wife for anyone.


    But not for Igor.


    [With her strength, she will never truly capture his heart.]


    Having stayed with the blonde for ten years, she knew exactly what his fears were.


    [My lord will not accept a weak woman.]


    His fear of losing his closest people was far too great. To be romantically involved with a weak woman was something he would never allow himself to enjoy, because he did not want to bear the pain of losing them. And this fear was further amplified when Shuri herself had died.


    Aurelia neither supported nor opposed Shuri’s veiled desire for her lord. If the woman could somewhat change Igor’s perception of her, then she would not oppose to her marrying him.


    [I shall have a talk with Shuri-sama.]


    But that opinion could change very quickly depending on Shuri’s response. Her lord is destined for greatness. He will not need an unworthy woman beside him. And she would certainly do her best to make sure no unworthy woman sinks their claws into him.


    .


    AN


    .


    A lot to unpack here and if Shuri decides to give her responsibilities the middle finger, then her path won’t be easy. With what we’ve seen, she’ll seriously need to get in shape if she chooses to pursue the blonde.


    Moving along, oyakodon anyone?


    You may or may not find more chapters of it on my patreon. Until the next chapter.