Valerie and I arrived at the Gremory estate.
Venelana greeted us right at the entrance and pulled me into a warm hug: "Cassien, it's been way too long. About a year, right?"
"I missed you, too, Venelana. Yeah, it's been a full year."
Sirzechs had brought me here the first time after everything happened, and I ended up staying for two whole years—until the Judex mansion was rebuilt.
Venelana's eyes shifted to Valerie: "So you finally added someone to your peerage? Or is this your girlfriend?"
"I-I'm Valerie Tepes. I'm… a candidate to join Cassien's peerage. There were some circumstances, so I haven't yet…"
Venelana laughed softly: "Haha, I get it. Dealing with Cassien must be exhausting."
We walked out to the garden together.
Servants appeared almost immediately with tea and sweets.
Valerie was staring around in awe: "Cassien talked about you a lot. He even said Sirzechs wanted to marry you once… I didn't understand at first, but now I think I do."
Venelana rested her chin on her hand with a small smile: "I always told him I am married, but he never cared. He even proposed to me when he was little."
God… dark history.
I'm actually embarrassed.
"Hahaha, that sounds exactly like something Cassien would do."
I closed my eyes for a second: "Where's Zeoticus? I haven't seen him."
Venelana sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead, looking genuinely tired: "With his harem again… you know how it is."
"That bastard really doesn't give a damn about you, does he… How long has it been since you two even shared a bed?"
Valerie suddenly pinched my waist hard: "Cassien, stop hitting people's sore spots."
"he's right," Venelana said quietly.
"We haven't been together since Rias was born. Once Sirzechs became Lucifer and Rias was confirmed as the heir, he just… relaxed. Like his job was done. He doesn't care anymore."
She really did look sad.
I opened my eyes and met her violet gaze: "Thank you for sharing that with me. Come by my place sometime. We'll have drinks, just the two of us."
"We'd be happy to host you, Venelana," Valerie added gently.
"Cassien, are you confessing your love to my mom again?" A red-haired girl walked up.
It was Rias—fifteen years old, about to head off to Kuoh Academy soon: "None of your business, potential woman."
She got instantly mad and started stomping her foot: "Stop calling me that nickname!"
"You hate Riser because of his harem, but your dad has one too. And on top of that, I never see you training."
Rias sat down next to Venelana: "Do I have to be a training maniac like you?"
"You need power to protect your peace. And wasting your potential is my problem."
Rias frowned: "Mom, Cassien's bullying me."
Venelana took a slow sip of tea: "He's… partially right."
"Mom…"
The atmosphere was about to get awkward when Valerie stepped in and introduced herself properly.
But Rias just gave a mocking little smile: "I feel sorry for whatever woman ends up with that guy. He's so boring… all melancholy and power-obsessed. What do you even see in him?"
"He's kind, understanding, tells the truth… Everyone abandoned me, but he helped. He was the light shining in my darkness."
I shot Valerie a suspicious look.
Rias narrowed her eyes: "If you're that great, maybe I'll give you a chance, Cassien. At least you're capable enough to deserve me."
"I'd still prefer Venelana."
Rias slammed her hand on the table: "WHY?! I've never understood! Can you give me one real reason?"
"You're lazy, spoiled, and even though you're polite, you're way too young right now. I know you're a good person deep down, but we're not made for each other. You're three years younger than me."
"MY MOM IS FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OLDER THAN YOU!!"
Venelana gave Rias a look like she was about to slap her.
Rias immediately sat back down.
I crossed my arms: "I don't get involved with anyone under eighteen. Underworld marriage age might average fifteen or sixteen, but I'm not interested."
"…"
The silence got weird for a moment, but Venelana smiled again: "What a shame. I actually tried to set you up with Rias back then, but Zeoticus thought she'd be better off with Riser."
We kept chatting for a while longer.
Eventually, Rias left, and we headed home, too.
That girl's still deep in puberty, and since she barely socializes with people, she's nothing like the anime version.
Of course, her peerage acts like family, but Gasper never leaves his room, so it makes sense he hasn't heard anything about Valerie.
I've never really talked to her peerage.
I don't even know what they're up to these days.
There aren't many of them anyway: Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, Gasper.
They've all got their own issues, and as I said, I'm a respectable guy.
Koneko is four years younger than me, Akeno three.
That's why romance was never on the table with them.
My preference is in my age group or MILFs only.
Eh… Rias might look cute, but not right now.
And even in the future, I wouldn't date her.