Before the Rating Game started
Grayfia's heels clicked softly against the polished marble as she guided Arthur and the Pleiades to their private viewing box. The massive Underworld coliseum roared with excitement, crowds already taking their seats as floating screens flickered to life, projecting the battlefield far below.
At the center of the balcony, Sirzech sat already—relaxed, composed, and with a glass of wine in hand. When Arthur approached, the Maou lifted his gaze and smiled warmly.
"Ancient One. I heard rumors that you were personally training Rias and her peerage," he said. "But I honestly didn't expect you to attend the Rating Game yourself."
Arthur shrugged lightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Why not? I was invited, after all. And more importantly…" He leaned slightly over the railing, looking down at the shimmering terrain as it took shape. "...I want to see what they've become with my own eyes."
Given that Kouh Academy is under the Underworld's jurisdiction, Arthur wasn't surprised by Sirzech's question.
Sirzech chuckled, swirling his wine. "In other words, you're invested."
"I prefer the word 'interested," Arthur replied. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something. Why did you give Albedo the Kouh Academy?"
"Oh, that. She came to me with a battle axe and said to hand over the place because you are planning to study there or something." Sirzech said.
Behind him, the Pleiades lined up in their usual perfect formation. Yuri Alpha stepped forward and bowed.
"Shall I prepare refreshments for you, my lord?"
Arthur opened his mouth to respond—
"There is no need," Grayfia said crisply as she placed trays on the table with immaculate grace—coffee, tea, juices, pastries, everything one might want. "I anticipated your preferences. Preparations were finished beforehand."
Yuri blinked once. "I was not aware refreshments were already arranged. Had I known—"
Grayfia raised a hand with perfect poise.
"A competent maid must not wait for instructions," she said coolly. "She must understand her master's needs before they speak."
A faint crack of tension rippled across the booth.
The Pleiades, almost in sync, took one discrete step back.
Sparks—actual magical sparks—crackled subtly between Grayfia and Yuri.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Yuri's pleasant smile stiffened.
Lupusregina made a tiny gasp.
Narberal's brow twitched.
Even Solution's eyes narrowed a fraction.
As if by instinct, all five Pleiades and Sebes took a synchronized half-step backward.
Oh no, it's happening.
The generational feud.
Yuri Alpha's glasses glinted dangerously. She flicks it upward.
"With due respect, Grayfia Lucifuge," she said in a voice as smooth as polished steel, "a good maid does not presume. She ensures she does not overstep her master's wishes by acting prematurely."
A tiny crackle of aura snapped between them—like lightning trying to leap from one perfect servant to another.
Grayfia's expression remained cold and elegant, and so was Yuri's.
Sebas sighed quietly behind them, the universal "butler watching maids try to kill each other" expression on his face.
Arthur placed a hand on his forehead.
Of course this would happen.
Sirzech, meanwhile, looked like he was trying not to laugh.
"Ah, delightful," he murmured. "It's been a while since I last witnessed this."
Even the audience below seemed to sense the tension, an imperceptible chill running through the air.
Finally, Sirzech cleared his throat. "Grayfia, shouldn't you go and bring Rias and her peerage for the battle?"
"Of course, I will depart right away. Meanwhile, please enjoy the refreshment, Ancient-sama." Grayfia said as she departed.
After Grayfia left, Yuri bowed immediately. "Please forgive my rudeness, My Lord."
"It's alright, Yuri."
Even though Grayfia is my wife as well as my maid. She serves the Gremory family; the reason for that is the promise she gave to Sirzechs 'Gremory,' now Lucifer, for sparing her brothers back in the Civil War between the Devils. When she became my wife, the only thing she asked me was to allow her to keep her promise. Given that Grayfia's brother, Euclid, caused a lot of massacres, the new devil society after the civil war was determined to kill him. But Sirzech spared him, but there was a lot of backlash.
Given that Grayfai was acting as a maid, with Yuri being my head maid, she didn't like that. Yuri thought that maids should serve their master, to whom they swear their loyalty, not a fake master.
Given that, if Nazarick and the Underworld ever go to war, Grayfia will be forced to pick us because she is married to Arthur; otherwise, she will be killed for the suspicion of being a spy. It is also true for Serafall.
"I told Grayfia so many times that she had already fulfilled her promise and she should stop working as a maid. But she never listens to me." Sirzechs said as he looked at Arthur. "Maybe you should tell her to come back."
"I actually asked her that; she said, 'Only after, Madem Rias's wedding.'"
"Oh, then that should be fairly soon." Sirzechs said as he looked at Arthur with a knowing smile.
"Please don't give me that creepy smile. It doesn't match your face." Arthur said with a disgusted look.
"Oh, don't say that. Serafall told me that someone is interested in Rias, and he is pretty serious and complained about why that someone didn't like her 'Sona-chan,' and so on. Since you are going to the same school as Rias, do you know that someone?" Sirzechs said.
"Sirzechs, when did you start gossiping? And I have no idea of who that someone is." Arthur said.
"Should I call you Brother-in-law from now on?" Sirzechs said.
Hearing that, A chill travelled from Arthur's spine to his brain.
"I told you, I didn't know who that someone is. Please stop calling me that. It's creepy as fuck." Arthur said.
"Ok, then. If you meet that someone, do tell my brother-in-law that he at least needs to ask my permission to marry my sister; it is customary, and I hope he has some knowledge about devil society as well." Sirzechs said.
Just then, the announcement of the rating game was heard, indicating the start.
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