The next morning, the aftermath of the intense Romanian operation was confined to memory, but the spoils of war—both political and personal—were evident in the sprawling master bedroom of Algernon's central Athelgard castle.
Algernon slowly woke, the soft morning light filtering through the high, arched windows. The luxurious silken sheets were tangled around him and the three women sharing his immense bed.
Rias lay deeply asleep on his right side, her crimson hair fanned out across the pillows, her arm draped possessively across his chest. Akeno occupied his left, her long, dark hair a sleek contrast to Rias's, her breathing even and serene.
Kuroka was perched on top of him, curled like a contented cat. She was silently muttering in her sleep, a rhythmic, low chant that sounded like a lullaby woven with Senjutsu. She had clearly claimed the most prime real estate for the night.
Algernon's eyes scanned the scene.
A slow, wry smile touched his lips. The political maneuvering and physical exhaustion of the past day had been immense, but the rewards were... really significant.
Seeing everyone safely asleep, resting from the physical exertions of the night, Algernon simply closed his eyes.
Algernon kept his eyes closed, drawing a deep, satisfied breath. The sheets smelled of silk, and the unique, intoxicating scent of the three women who were now tangled with him.
Kuroka shifted slightly on his chest, her weight pleasantly warm and heavy. She opened one slit-like, golden eye, studying his face with the quiet focus of a predator, before letting out a soft, pleased purr. She leaned down and pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to his jawline. She then settled back down, burying her face into his neck, her breathing evening out once more.
On his left, Akeno stirred. She didn't open her eyes, but she reached out a languid hand, her fingertips tracing the lines of his abdomen before settling just above his hip. Her grip was possessive but tender.
Rias, on his right, was the next to stir. She sighed contentedly, pressing her soft naked body against his side. Her hair, the famous crimson shade of the Gremory lineage, tickled his shoulder
He reached up slowly and stroked the back of Kuroka's head, running his fingers through her long, dark hair. A soft, rumbling purr was his only reply.
_____________________________________________________
The silence of the early morning was broken by the gentle rustle of silk as Algernon finally decided to rise. He carefully shifted Kuroka, who grumbled but remained asleep, and slipped out of the bed.
The moment he stood, Akeno Himejima followed, not bothering to cover herself, her focus entirely on him. She retrieved a clean, dark military uniform—Algernon's preferred attire—and began helping him dress.
She was meticulous, fastening the clasps and smoothing the expensive fabric over his shoulders. As she reached his chest to adjust the collar, she was incredibly close, her fingertips brushing his skin, her eyes lowered in concentration.
Algernon, fully dressed save for the final adjustments, stood absolutely still, looking down on Akeno who was truly close to him. Her breath was warm against his neck, and the atmosphere was thick with perfect, silent intimacy.
Then, Algernon spoke, breaking the spell with two crisp, cold words that had nothing to do with the bedroom.
"Fallen Angels."
Akeno's body instantly stiffened. Her hands, which had been resting delicately on his chest, ceased their work. Her head snapped up, and she raised her gaze to meet his eyes, the pleasant warmth of the morning instantly replaced by a sharp, focused intensity.
Her usually playful eyes were now serious, reflecting her history and the deep conflict within her soul.
Algernon looked straight back at her.
"Fallen Angels will be my next target," he stated, his voice low, firm, and entirely devoid of doubt.
Algernon kept his gaze locked on Akeno's, his expression unyielding. He understood the immense internal conflict she faced: the hatred and abandonment she felt toward her Fallen Angel father, Barakiel.
Algernon reached up and gently placed his hand over hers, which was still stiffly resting on his chest.
"Akeno," he continued, his tone softening slightly, recognizing the deep emotional scar he was touching. "I know of your doubts and hatred. I know of the complicated love you may hold, whether you acknowledge it or not. Regardless of whether you love or hate your father—"
He paused for emphasis, his eyes demanding her attention.
"You will be meeting him again. Whether it's as his daughter or as my spouse or both, the decision will be yours, I am with you."
His words didn't offer comfort; they offered a directive, a path toward resolving her most painful history. He was forcing her to confront Barakiel on her terms, as a commanding figure of power, not as the estranged child.
Akeno's breath hitched. She lowered her head slightly, the shock of the revelation—that she would not only fight the Grigori but face her father directly—momentarily overwhelming.
Algernon stepped aside walking out of bedroom.
She remained silent for a moment, processing the immensity of the offer and the demand. When she finally raised her head, the last vestige of the abandoned child was gone. Her eyes, usually so lighthearted, were now a deep, burning violet.
Algernon took only two steps before he heard her voice, softer now, but carrying an unfamiliar weight.
"Algernon," she called, testing the sound of his given name.
He stopped, pausing mid-stride. He recognized the shift immediately. He hadn't heard his name—his personal name—from her mouth in a long time. He turned his head slightly, his eyes holding a sharp, questioning quality.
"Did you forget what I told you?" Akeno asked, her voice low and direct. She walked toward him, the intensity in her eyes—the deep, burning violet—demanding his full attention. She was reminding him of the vow she had made when she first pledged herself to him.
She reached him, placing both hands on his armored shoulders.
"From now, to the day until I die," Akeno whispered, her voice husky and absolute, reciting the vow she'd made to him previously, "everything about me, Akeno Himejima, will be yours."
Algernon looked at her for a long moment. He didn't smile, didn't thank her, didn't offer a gentle reprieve. He saw not the girl confused about her own future but a powerful, willing entity offering her essence to fuel his destiny.
He placed his hand over hers on his shoulder, his grip firm, deliberate, and utterly possessive.
"Then understand this, Akeno," Algernon stated, his voice dropping to a low, powerful register that resonated deep within the chambers, a voice laced with the cold promise of destiny.
"When I claimed you, I claimed your past, your future, and every drop of the power that flows in your veins."
He leaned in, his gaze burning into hers, not as a lover, but as a conqueror laying claim to the most precious of treasures.
"We are not merely taking the Grigori. We are closing the book on the old world. You will not just face your father; you will stand on his broken kingdom, and when the dust settles, the only light they will see in the sky is the light I allow."
"If you still wish to follow me till the end and watch the world break before you. I will always respond and be with you till the END."
He released her, turned sharply, and walked out, his stride echoing with the silent promise of destruction, leaving Akeno trembling slightly, not from fear, but from the terrifying, exhilarating weight of their shared future.
___________________________________________________________
Algernon walked with a heavy, purposeful stride toward the main Throne Room of his castle, the serious intent of action against the Grigori filling his mind.
He stopped just past the massive doors.
He saw Ingvild Leviathan sitting on his throne.
She was settled comfortably, not attempting a regal posture, perhaps still chewing on a piece of breakfast toast. Her purple hair cascaded over the gold and black of the massive seat, and she seemed entirely oblivious to the breach of protocol.
The utterly incongruous sight, juxtaposed with the immense pressure of his imperial planning, was enough to dissolve the tension Algernon felt. He forgot all his emotions—the cold resolve, the strategic focus, the lingering emotional intensity from Akeno's vow—and shook his head, laughing out loud as he strode toward the dais.
As Algernon approached the throne, Ingvild simply slid to the side, giving him space without ever looking hurried or intimidated.
Algernon sat there, the throne molding itself to his power. He settled back, a light smile—a rare expression on his face seen in this room.
"You are the first one to sit here other than me," he noted, his voice carrying genuine amusement. "And you are the only one who can be so relaxed with me when I am in this room. Most of the beings even powerful ones I interact with are paralyzed by the tension here."
Ingvild turned her head, her smile matching his in its lightness and genuine warmth.
"That's because I am the only one who can hear that song of your heart," she replied simply.
Ingvild's blunt, affectionate assessment of him only deepened Algernon's genuine amusement. He threw his head back and burst into laughter once again, a deep, unrestrained sound that echoed briefly in the massive hall—a sound rarely heard by anyone outside his innermost circle.
Before Ingvild could react, Algernon swiftly reached out, picked her up, and settled her onto his lap.
She let out a slight shriek of surprise at the sudden movement, but made no effort to resist. Once settled, she adjusted her posture and looked up at him, her face flushing slightly with a shy, pleased expression.
Algernon held her securely, leaning back against the throne's powerful backrest. "Then you will be with me all day today, listening to this song," he declared, his voice warm with intent. "It's a Knight's duty after all."
He then activated the communication console.
"Sirzechs," he commanded. "Come to the throne room immediately with Valerie."
The door soon opened, and Sirzechs Gremory entered, his expression serious but relieved, followed by his new Bishop. Valerie Tepes moved with measured grace, her five pairs of white wings tucked neatly. She approached the throne and gave a deep, respectful bow.
"Valerie, give me a status report on the consolidated Vampire Faction. I want to know what Carmilla is doing to secure the remaining Tepes assets."
Valerie began to speak, her voice clear and measured, detailing the progress. She reported the formal surrender of the Tepes pacifist leaders, the establishment of the unified Carmilla-led council, and the initial steps taken to root out remaining Khaos Brigade sympathizers.
However, while she spoke of the serious progress on the Vampire side, her focus was visibly fractured. Her eyes, filled with the wisdom of the Graal and the insights of the spirits, were continuously drawn to Ingvild sitting casually, intimately, on the Algernon's lap.
Ingvild, who was still wearing a light, slightly shy smile from Algernon's declaration, noticed the intense scrutiny. Valerie's own light smile, intended to show composure and grace, began to twitch more and more.
Algernon noted the her distraction but ignored it for the moment. Once Valerie finished her report, confirming the Vampire integration was proceeding smoothly, Algernon turned to the Sirzechs.
"Sirzechs," Algernon stated, his voice shifting to address the broader coalition. "Your team did excellent work in Romania. Call the soldier who contributed the most to neutralizing the highest value targets outside the Tepes fortress."
(END OF CHAPTER)
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