Chapter 51:
This one's a bit longer than normal and does have a short naughty scene.
– Valerie –
I sat quietly on the edge of the hotel bed, staring blankly at the tacky wallpaper. Honestly, I didn't know what I was feeling right now. A knot twisted tightly in my chest, making it damn hard to relax.
Had I overreacted earlier back there in Kuoh, with Rias and her queen?
I frowned and shook my head immediately. No—no way had I gone too far. I knew exactly how I felt the moment I'd seen those goddamn yellow "KEEP OUT" signs plastered all over Gasper's room. Maybe his little prison cell in Kuoh Academy had been nicer than the dungeons beneath Tepes Castle, but that didn't mean it wasn't still a fucking prison. A cage with prettier bars was still a cage.
I sighed deeply and lay back against the overly stiff mattress, my long blonde hair fanning out around me. I ran my fingers carefully through the messy strands, wincing as they snagged on a few split ends. Great—stress was literally ruining my hair now, too.
I wasn't going to let it.
Turning my head slightly, I looked across the bed at Gasper. He was curled up on his side, sleeping quietly—still knocked out cold from the powerful dose of Alucard's blood I'd given him. His breathing was gentle and steady, chest softly rising and falling under the thin hotel sheets. At least he looked peaceful.
My chest tightened again, and I felt a pang of guilt. Had I really done the right thing, forcefully pulling him out of Rias's peerage like that? No, fuck that—I absolutely had. Even if Rias had seemed genuinely sorry, it didn't erase how she'd handled things. Gasper deserved better, and I intended to make sure he got it from now on.
I rubbed my temples with my fingertips, frustration mounting inside me. Dwelling on it wasn't helping either of us. Gasper would probably be asleep for a good while longer anyway—Alucard's blood tended to be pretty potent.
Deciding I couldn't just sit around stressing myself out any longer, I pushed myself up from the bed and stretched my arms above my head. My shoulders popped softly, releasing a little bit of tension. A shower—that's exactly what I needed right now.
I reached over to the bedside table, double-checking that my revolver was safely in reach just in case—paranoia was basically second nature by now. Then, casting one last glance at Gasper's peacefully sleeping form, I stepped into the small hotel bathroom, shutting the bathroom door behind me with a soft click.
—
I tilted my head back, letting the hot water wash over me. The sensation of droplets cascading down my skin, easing away the tension, felt amazing. I sighed, long and deep, as my muscles relaxed under the spray.
Damn, I'd really needed this after everything today.
But of course, being a dhampir always complicated shit—whenever I was worked up, stressed, angry, whatever, it inevitably left me frustratingly horny.
Sure enough, glancing down at myself, I noticed how my nipples had hardened into sensitive little peaks, pink and stiff against my soaked, flushed skin. Warmth bloomed in my core, pulsing insistently between my thighs, leaving my clit swollen and aching.
I bit my lower lip, hesitating for just a moment.
Ah, fuck it. I'd earned this.
I closed my eyes, leaning against the cool tiled wall behind me. My left hand slowly slid up my torso, cupping one breast firmly, my fingers teasingly circling the hard nub of my nipple. A soft groan slipped past my lips, echoing softly against the bathroom tiles.
My other hand moved downward, slipping easily between my thighs. Heat immediately radiated from my pussy as my fingertips brushed over my already slick folds. A soft gasp escaped me as I gently rubbed circles around my swollen clit, my hips instinctively rocking into the touch.
My breath quickened, small shivers running through my body as pleasure started to build steadily, my fingers moving in familiar, practiced patterns.
As my hands roamed and teased my body, my thoughts drifted—back to Rias and Akeno.
God, I was still pissed at those two, but even I had to admit—they'd been hot as fuck! The image of their curvy, voluptuous bodies beneath those ridiculously sexy school uniforms filled my mind. I imagined how they'd look naked, blushing and needy, their soft curves pressed tightly against my own bare skin…
"Fuck," I breathed out, my voice husky and filled with growing arousal.
My finger slipped carefully inside my wet pussy, exploring until I hit my sensitive g-spot. A sudden jolt of pleasure surged through me, forcing out a low, throaty moan. My legs trembled slightly as my fingers began to move rhythmically inside me, quickening their pace, each tiny thrust sending pleasure radiating through my lower body.
"Fuck yes, right there," I groaned softly, tightening my grip on my breast. I squeezed harder, pinching my sensitive nipple between my fingers. Intensifying my pleasure.
My breathing turned into heavy pants as my thumb rubbed insistently against my clit, sending ripples of delight throughout my entire body.
The water continued to pour over me, hot and steady, it felt like it was heightening every sensation. My skin flushed hotter, tingling deliciously beneath the spray.
"Shit, gonna cum," I gasped quietly, my movements becoming desperate, frantic. My fingers pumped into my pussy faster, harder, the slick sounds mingling with the noise of the running water. My thighs shook as I flicked and teased my throbbing clit urgently, desperately chasing my orgasm.
Then it finally crashed over me!
My entire body stiffened, pleasure tearing through me in hot, pulsing waves. My knees buckled slightly as I leaned harder into the wall, breath hitching sharply, a long moan filling the small bathroom.
"Oh fuck…fuck yes," I whimpered breathlessly, shuddering through each wave of my climax. My pussy clenched rhythmically around my fingers, every muscle taut as I rode out the sensations, lost completely in the pleasure.
Slowly, I came back to myself, still leaning heavily against the cool tile, water dripping steadily down my flushed skin. Gradually, a soft, satisfied smile curved my lips.
"Fweh… That was good…" Yeah. I'd definitely needed that…
—
After my "longer-than-usual" shower, I finally stepped out feeling much calmer and more relaxed. Grabbing a large fluffy towel from the nearby rack, I carefully dried myself off, gently rubbing the soft fabric across my sensitive skin. I took my time, enjoying the comforting sensation as I dried off my breasts and then moved slowly down to my hips and backside. I was still feeling pretty damn horny—honestly, being half-vampire made things complicated, and taking care of it myself only went so far. Still, at least now my head was clearer, and I could think straight again.
I slipped into some fresh clothes I'd packed in my shrunken suitcase—black jeans, a tight black shirt that hugged my figure nicely, and my favorite red leather jacket. Feeling a little more like myself, I stepped out of the bathroom and back into the main hotel room.
My eyes immediately landed on Gasper. He was still out cold, sleeping peacefully in the middle of the bed. Whatever the transformation from Alucard's blood had done, it obviously needed time to settle. No way was I going to leave him here alone. I moved over to him quietly, checking on him closely and brushing a gentle hand through his messy blonde hair. He looked peaceful enough, breathing soft and steady.
I sighed softly and carefully settled down onto the mattress next to him. Grabbing the TV remote from the bedside table, I switched the television on, lowering the volume so it wouldn't disturb him. I leaned back comfortably against the headboard, deciding to just wait until Gasper woke up.
Hours passed like that, slow and uneventful, until suddenly I felt the mattress shift slightly next to me. I turned my head, immediately alert.
Gasper's eyelids fluttered gently before snapping wide open. He suddenly sat up, looking around the hotel room in a frantic panic. His red eyes searched wildly around before finally landing on me.
"So…it wasn't just a dream…?" he mumbled nervously, his voice still groggy from sleep. He seemed scared, unsure if he should believe his own eyes.
I gave him a gentle smile, warmth spreading in my chest at finally seeing him awake again. Without another word, I reached over and pulled him into another careful, reassuring hug. "Hey, calm down, little brother," I whispered softly, stroking his hair gently. "This is real, okay? We're both alive, safe, and together again. I promise."
His thin shoulders trembled slightly beneath my fingers, but eventually he relaxed and leaned his head against my shoulder, accepting my comfort. After a quiet moment, he finally spoke again, voice muffled into my jacket. "Valerie… What… What happened back there? Where are we right now?"
I eased back just enough to meet his nervous gaze. "We're at a hotel, still in Kuoh," I explained gently. "After I saw how Rias was keeping you locked up, there was no way I could leave you there. So I brought you here instead, where you're safe with me."
Gasper's eyes widened, shock and confusion clearly visible on his face. "You took me away from Rias…?"
"I had to," I told him firmly. "No way in hell was I letting you stay locked in that room like some damn prisoner."
He looked uncertain, shifting uncomfortably. "But Rias—she was nice to me. And… I was scared of hurting others…"
My heart squeezed painfully at his anxious expression. "Listen, Gasper," I said gently, reaching out to hold his hand. "I know this is a lot to take in right now, but there's something else important you need to know. We're actually real siblings now."
He stared at me blankly, clearly lost. "Real siblings? But…how?"
"That vial you drank back there—it contained blood from my father, Alucard," I explained patiently, watching his reaction carefully. "That blood removed all of your old, disgusting father's DNA from your body. Now you and I share the same father. Alucard is your father now too. We're real blood siblings, Gasper."
He blinked slowly, still looking confused. "Alucard? But…I don't even know who that is."
"Right, sorry—I know this is happening fast," I said, squeezing his hand gently in reassurance. "Alucard is my father back home, in England, with the Hellsing Organization. He's…well, he's quite a character, but he's good. I think you'll like him." A playful grin slipped onto my face. "And I saw all those video games stacked in your room back there. You know, Alucard's actually a massive gamer too. You two already have something in common."
Gasper bit his lip nervously, clearly still hesitant. "Okay…" he said quietly, uncertainty lingering in his voice.
"It's alright if you're not sure yet," I assured him, squeezing his hand again gently. "We have plenty of time. We'll take things slowly. I promise, you don't have to be afraid anymore—I'll protect you no matter what."
Gasper still looked nervous as we sat on the hotel bed together, quietly watching some brightly-colored Japanese magical girl anime on the TV. I didn't recognize the show myself, but Gasper was clearly enjoying it—his red eyes lit up excitedly whenever the characters did something cool, and a couple of times he even bounced a bit on the mattress, clapping his hands together and cheering adorably.
I couldn't help myself and started giggling at how genuinely cute he was acting. Gasper suddenly froze in embarrassment and turned to face me, blushing bright red.
"S-Sorry…" he stammered shyly. "Valerie, is…is it weird that I like this stuff? And, um, girls' clothes and everything?" He asked softly, eyes dropping nervously to the bedspread. "Rias said it was okay, but…I don't know. It's not normal, is it?"
I shook my head firmly—so fast that my blonde hair whipped around my shoulders. "Absolutely not, Gasper!" I said without hesitation, leaning in close to gently pat him on the shoulder. "Listen, you can like whatever you want and dress however makes you happy. Who cares what other people think? You're a proud dhampir and my awesome little brother—so screw anyone who tries to judge you. And if anyone gives you shit about it, you can just shoot them!"
"S-Shoot them!?" Gasper sputtered in shock, his eyes going wide in panic. "Valerie, that's crazy!"
I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud at his adorable reaction. Ruffling his soft blonde hair playfully, I smirked down at him. "Relax, little bro, I'm kidding…mostly," I teased. "But seriously, we'll definitely get you your own gun eventually."
Gasper stared at me with wide eyes. "Wait, really? A gun?"
"Yep," I nodded confidently. "But only after you pass weapon safety class first. It's mandatory for everyone who joins Hellsing. Safety first, Gasper."
He looked a bit overwhelmed by the idea, but there was curiosity there too. I smiled reassuringly, suddenly thinking about the mercenary group Integra mentioned was coming soon. Maybe they could teach Gasper some basics, get him comfortable and confident enough to properly defend himself. That could definitely help boost his self-esteem.
We quietly watched another episode, and just as it finished, Gasper suddenly froze next to me, his eyes widening dramatically.
"What's wrong?" I asked quickly, turning toward him with concern. "You okay?"
"Valerie…" Gasper whispered in shock, lifting his hands and staring at them. "I've…I've been sitting with you this whole time, and my Sacred Gear hasn't activated on its own. I haven't accidentally frozen you even once! And…wait, I think…" He swallowed, visibly excited but nervous. "I think…I can actually control it now!"
A wide grin immediately broke across my face. "Gasper, that's fantastic news!" I exclaimed happily, reaching over and squeezing his shoulder affectionately. "That must be because of Alucard's blood—it strengthened you more than you realized."
He stared at his hands again in wonder, visibly happier than I'd seen him yet. "If I really can control it, then…then maybe I can finally start going outside again without worrying about hurting people," he said softly, voice full of cautious optimism.
A warm sense of relief flooded through me hearing those words from him. Just the fact that Gasper was even thinking about venturing outside again was a huge step forward. After everything he'd been through, after being isolated and locked away for so long…this was amazing progress.
I gently wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him into a playful side hug. "That's the spirit, Gasper! In fact, this calls for a celebration." I declared enthusiastically. "How about we go out for dinner tonight? Just you and me. We can celebrate you finally having control over your powers—and us being together again."
He bit his lip nervously, still looking a bit hesitant about actually going out somewhere public—but I saw determination slowly replace his fear. After a few quiet seconds, Gasper nodded shyly, offering me a small, brave smile. "Okay. I think…I think I'd really like that," he whispered softly. "I'd love to spend more time with you, Valerie."
I smiled warmly, heart feeling full as I hugged him a little tighter. "Perfect. It'll be fun, I promise!" I declared.
—
Well… it had been fun for a while, at least. Until it suddenly wasn't.
I'd been enjoying myself with Gasper in this fancy Japanese restaurant I'd picked out. I had a good chunk of cash from all the dangerous missions I'd done for Hellsing—and a healthy donation courtesy of Charles Xavier—so splurging a little wasn't exactly breaking the bank.
Besides, after everything Gasper had been through, he deserved to be spoiled a bit.
The food was incredible too. A perfectly cooked, rare wagyu steak was exactly the kind of delicious luxury my dhampir palate craved. Gasper was equally excited, eagerly digging into his own portion with wide eyes and happy little noises of appreciation.
It felt damn good to see him smiling again.
Then, of course, the universe decided it hated me. Right when I'd started to properly relax, in walked Rias Gremory and her queen Akeno.
But they weren't alone either.
With them was a woman I instantly recognized—Grayfia Lucifuge, the queen of Sylvana Lucifer herself. My cheeks immediately heated as I remembered the last time I'd seen Grayfia. It'd been in that damn club, and things had gotten…well, memorable, to say the least.
Grayfia's piercing silver eyes locked onto mine instantly, her elegant lips curling into a small, teasing smirk.
My heart started beating faster, but I ignored it, frowning instead as the three beautiful devils approached our table.
"Good evening," Grayfia greeted smoothly, her voice calm, polite, and way too composed given the awkwardness of this whole damn situation. "Would you mind if we joined you?"
"Yes," I said bluntly, not missing a beat as I returned to chewing my steak, purposefully avoiding their gazes.
My outright refusal seemed to catch all three devils off guard. Akeno's lovely violet eyes widened slightly, and she let out a gentle sigh. "Ara ara…"
Rias, on the other hand, looked genuinely saddened, her pretty blue eyes dropping to the floor for a moment in quiet embarrassment.
But Grayfia apparently didn't give a damn about my answer. Without another word, she calmly slid into the booth opposite Gasper and me, smoothly adjusting her maid uniform as she did so.
Rias and Akeno exchanged an awkward glance before quietly following her lead, both settling in beside her.
Sigh…
Gasper immediately grew tense, nervously glancing back and forth between me and his former King. I set down my utensils a little louder than I needed to, giving the devils a pointed glare before stubbornly continuing to chew my expensive steak. It was still tasty, despite the situation…
An uncomfortable silence settled over our table, broken only by my deliberate chewing.
Eventually, though, Rias seemed to gather enough courage to finally speak up. "Gasper," she began softly, her voice hesitant and filled with sincere regret. "I'm…I'm so sorry for everything. I know how awful your childhood was, and knowing that, I should never have locked you away. I—I thought I was protecting everyone…but I should have found another solution. I should've asked for help instead of isolating you."
Akeno gently placed a comforting hand on Rias's shoulder, looking just as remorseful. "I'm sorry too, Gasper. At the very least, as Queen of Rias's peerage, I should have been there for you more. Visited you more often. Honestly, I haven't been doing my job very well these past few years. Please forgive me."
My teeth clenched. Despite their genuinely apologetic expressions, part of me still burned with frustration. It wasn't that easy to fix the kind of pain they'd caused my little brother.
But Gasper, ever the kind and forgiving soul, looked at them both with genuine sympathy, his voice soft and hesitant. "I—it's okay. Really," he said, giving them a small, reassuring smile. "I understand. I don't blame either of you. I know you were trying your best…"
I barely held back an irritated sigh at how quickly he forgave them. Gasper was too sweet and gentle sometimes, but if forgiving them made him feel better, I'd bite my tongue.
For now, anyway.
Still annoyed, I finally turned my gaze fully onto Grayfia, meeting her intense silver eyes. "And you?" I asked bluntly. "Why exactly are you here?"
Grayfia gave a small, composed nod, her expression calm and graceful as always. "I'm here to mediate the situation and ensure things don't escalate unnecessarily." She paused, her elegant fingertips lightly tapping the table before she continued softly, her voice becoming surprisingly gentle. "And…I'm also here because I wanted to personally apologize to you, Valerie Tepes."
My eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Apologize?"
Grayfia sighed softly. "For my King's behavior towards you. Sylvana Lucifer's… spontaneous marriage proposal was inappropriate and unbecoming of a Maou of the Underworld. She allowed her impulsive nature to override common sense and courtesy. She was supposed to ask your permission to court you first."
Rias blinked in surprise, her blue eyes widening as she stared at Grayfia. "Wait, my sister Sylvana actually wants to court Valerie? Why in the Underworld would she…?"
Grayfia hesitated, clearly weighing how to respond before finally letting out a resigned sigh. "Because Valerie Tepes is the daughter of Dracula."
The silence that followed was so heavy I could practically taste it. Both Rias and Akeno immediately paled, exchanging nervous, wide-eyed glances as they looked between me and Gasper.
I almost laughed at their expressions.
"Dracula…" Akeno whispered softly, her voice shaking slightly. "You mean the King of Monsters Dracula? One of the most feared beings in the entire supernatural world?"
Grayfia nodded gravely. "Exactly."
Rias swallowed hard, her eyes suddenly locking onto Gasper with a new kind of apprehension. "Wait—does that mean Gasper is Dracula's son too?"
Grayfia opened her mouth to deny it. "No–"
I cut her off! "Actually, he is now! I fed Gasper Alucard's blood, which changed him. He's officially my blood-brother now!"
Grayfia froze, her eyes widened. "What?" She looked genuinely startled—something I didn't think was even possible. "I…was not aware of this development."
Next to me, Gasper was having a full-on panic attack. "D-Dracula!? The king of vampires? That's who our father is now? Awa-wa-wa-wa!" He waved his arms frantically, his eyes practically spinning in his skull.
Oops. I guess I hadn't really explained Alucard's true identity to him yet. Probably should've mentioned that earlier…
Grayfia quickly recovered her composure, though…
I leaned forward slightly, giving her a hard look. "So, tell me the truth, Grayfia. Why exactly does Sylvana Lucifer really want to court me? Is it just some dumb political marriage thing because of who my dad is now? Because I'm not interested in being a pawn for supernatural politics."
No way Alucard would accept that either!
Grayfia's silver eyes softened slightly, and she sighed again, folding her hands gracefully in her lap. "To be completely honest, yes—part of it is political. An alliance with the House of Dracula through marriage would be incredibly valuable to the devils."
I snorted bitterly, but she wasn't done yet.
"However," she continued smoothly, her lips slowly curling into a small, seductive smirk, "that is only part of it. Sylvana found you remarkably beautiful and enticing from the first moment she laid eyes on you at that club." Grayfia paused, her gaze becoming noticeably heated as she deliberately ran her tongue across her lower lip in a slow, sensual motion that made my heart flutter and my core tighten involuntarily. "As did I," she added softly.
I felt my cheeks warming instantly and quickly coughed, trying to hide how flustered that look made me. Damn it, why did all these devil women have to be so ridiculously hot?
"Yeah, well…" I stammered awkwardly, looking away. "Thanks, I guess. But I've already got three girlfriends back in London. I don't exactly know if I could handle more relationships on top of everything else." A brief, steamy memory of my recent encounter with Ororo Munroe flashed through my mind—a very hot, unforgettable one-night stand. "Even that thing with Ororo in America was just a one-night kind of deal."
Grayfia smiled knowingly. "Exactly why Sylvana was supposed to approach this differently. The idea was to suggest courting slowly and respectfully. We are all extremely long-lived or even immortal. There was never any reason to rush into things as quickly as my dumbass king attempted to."
Rias and I both snorted loudly at Grayfia's calm, deadpan delivery of 'dumbass.'
Grayfia then turned gracefully towards Gasper, bowing her head slightly. "Prince Gasper, on behalf of House Gremory, I humbly apologize for how we have treated you. If you would consider forgiving us someday, I could also suggest a marriage between you and Lady Rias as a gesture of reconciliation."
"Ehhhh!?" Gasper squeaked out, his face instantly turning bright red.
"N-Nani?!" Rias spluttered, equally shocked, her cheeks flushed. But after a second she spoke up. "Well…I mean, as long as Akeno can marry Gasper too, I would gladly accept that! It certainly beats being forced to marry that arrogant jerk Riser Phenex. Besides…" Rias smiled softly at Gasper, her eyes sparkling playfully. "I've always preferred girls over boys, but Gasper is so cute and adorable—and he already dresses like a girl most of the time anyway—I think I could genuinely be happy married to him."
Akeno nodded eagerly, her own beautiful eyes fluttering flirtatiously at my bewildered brother. "Ara ara, I certainly wouldn't object to marrying Gasper-kun either~"
Gasper's face had practically turned crimson now, steam almost visible as he blushed furiously at their sudden enthusiastic proposals. "I-I…um…I don't…I mean—"
"Okay, stop!" I raised my hands quickly, cutting off the increasingly chaotic conversation. "We are not discussing any more marriage stuff right now, and we're definitely not agreeing to anything without seriously thinking it over." My tone turned firm and protective. "Besides, Gasper is coming back to London with me. He's not returning to your peerage, Rias!"
Rias's expression quickly shifted to disappointment, her eyes downcast. "I understand…"
Grayfia nodded thoughtfully. "That is understandable. Honestly, Lady Rias, this might be for the best. You still need significant training. Gasper's current power has grown far beyond your ability to reincarnate him again—even with your mutated bishop piece. His strength now surpasses your own significantly."
Rias bit her lip, clearly saddened, but she didn't argue the point.
…Things were… calmer after that. It's not like I'd immediately forgiven the girls either, but I didn't want to upset Gasper when he already had.
Annoyingly…
So I was doing my best to be civil. For now…. But the matter of how Gasper had been treated wasn't even close to resolved. And I didn't know if I was a fan of the proposed marriage between him and Rias… Although it was blatantly obvious Gasper was crushing on her…hard!
I just wanted him to be happy.
The waiter eventually came by our table again, politely asking if we'd like to order dessert. Before anyone else could answer, Rias spoke up with an eager smile. "Please, everyone, order whatever you want! It's on me tonight—consider it a small apology for everything."
I instantly perked up at her words, shamelessly turning toward the waiter with a wide grin. "I'll take one of every dessert on your fancy menu, thanks!"
The poor waiter blinked at me in surprise, clearly unsure if I was serious. But after I just smiled sweetly at him without saying anything else, he awkwardly nodded and scribbled everything down.
Soon enough, I was happily digging into the decadent desserts spread across the table. Chocolate fudge cake, strawberry shortcake, matcha parfait, cheesecake—I tried them all enthusiastically. The chocolate cake especially was amazing, though I couldn't help but think it'd taste even better drizzled with blood…
Halfway through a particularly rich bite of chocolate fudge, I casually glanced over at Rias. "Hey, by the way, did you get a chance to talk to Sona about that psycho stray exorcist guy running around your territory?"
Rias froze, fork halfway to her lips. Next to her, both Akeno and Grayfia also looked genuinely confused. Great—so none of these devil girls actually bothered to communicate with each other?
"What crazy exorcist?" Rias asked cautiously, lowering her fork with a worried frown. "Valerie, what exactly are you talking about?"
I sighed and put my spoon down. "Seriously, how are none of you aware of this? When I first arrived in Kuoh earlier today, this crazy bastard named Freed Sellzen showed up and threatened to chop my head off."
Grayfia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Freed Sellzen has a massive bounty on his head in the Underworld," she said gravely. "He never appears anywhere without leaving death behind—devils, humans contracted to devils, anyone unfortunate enough to get in his way. The fact he's openly moving around Kuoh Town now is very concerning."
Before anyone else could respond, a small, surprisingly fierce voice spoke up beside me. "H-How dare he threaten my big sister!" Gasper declared, his usually shy red eyes blazing with indignation. His fists trembled a bit, but he continued bravely, "I-I'm gonna—I'm gonna bite him!"
My little bro was seriously adorable when he tried to act tough.
Rias leaned forward over the table. "I can't believe an insane exorcist like that is actually running around freely in my territory. I need to deal with him immediately!"
Yeah, no shit…
"Ara ara…" Akeno practically purred, a disturbingly eager smile on her face. "It sounds like things are about to get…quite violent around here soon. How exciting~"
Grayfia shot them both a stern glance. "Lady Rias, please think carefully. He might be human, but he's dangerous enough to have slain multiple high-class devils. I'd rather you not risk your life confronting someone like that recklessly."
Rias hesitated, clearly conflicted between responsibility and caution. Before she could say anything though, Gasper spoke up again, his voice stronger and clearer this time. "I want to help!" he said decisively, his small hands clenched into determined fists. "I won't let Valerie—or Rias-sama—be threatened by some evil, crazy exorcist guy. I won't just sit by anymore!"
A surge of pride swelled inside me as I watched him stand his ground, showing bravery I never would've imagined even hours ago. I reached out, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're pretty badass when you wanna be, huh Gasper?"
He blushed furiously, looking down shyly, but didn't take back his words.
…It was decided that Gasper would join Rias and Akeno to hunt down Freed. They quickly said their goodbyes and headed out.
Had I known Freed was so dangerous in hindsight, I wouldn't have let him get away and would have tracked him down myself. But honestly… I'd thought he had just been some random crazy guy talking smack at the time. Him running away as soon as I literally showed my claws had reinforced that theory.
Soon enough, I was left alone at the table, face-to-face with the just Grayfia Lucifuge.
She smirked at me across the empty plates, her silver eyes sparkling knowingly in a way that instantly set my nerves on edge. "You know, Valerie, I've spent many centuries around women. Long enough to read quite a lot from just one glance."
I shifted in my seat, suddenly feeling exposed beneath her gaze. My voice came out slightly defensive. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean…?"
Grayfia's smirk widened into a playful smile. Her gaze deliberately traced over my face, lingering on my cheeks before meeting my eyes again. "It means the faint rosy flush on your lovely half-undead cheeks and that… relaxed posture tells me you've clearly enjoyed yourself today. Perhaps with an orgasm or two in the past couple hours?"
I nearly choked, heat instantly rushing up my neck. How the hell did she know that?! And who just says something like that out loud? Stuttering awkwardly, I shot back, "W-what—excuse me? You don't just casually point that out to someone!"
She simply laughed softly, amused by my obvious embarrassment. Leaning closer across the table, she lowered her voice. "No need to be shy. So what if I'm right?"
My cheeks burned hotter. Still, I wasn't about to back down that easily. Scowling slightly, I grumbled, "So what if you are? That's nobody's damn business but mine."
Grayfia laughed again as she gracefully rose from her chair. She walked slowly around the table and slid smoothly into the seat right next to me.
My breath caught as she leaned in close, her soft, warm breath tickling my sensitive ear.
"Tell me, Valerie," she whispered, her voice dipping low, sending a shiver racing down my spine. "When you were enjoying yourself earlier…who exactly were you thinking about, hm? Your beautiful girlfriends back in London?" Her voice dropped even lower, her lips brushing dangerously close to my earlobe. "Or were you perhaps a naughty little vampire thinking about other women—Lady Rias, perhaps? Maybe lovely Akeno… or perhaps even both of them?"
I squirmed a bit, my thighs pressing together instinctively as her seductive words heated my core. Damn this devil maid—she knew exactly what she was doing to me, and I was absolutely falling for it.
Grayfia chuckled knowingly, clearly aware of the effect she was having. Her voice stayed a seductive whisper, her delicate fingers suddenly brushing gently against my thigh, rubbing lightly up and down the denim. "It really is a shame I only just arrived in the human world earlier today. Had I arrived sooner, I could have sought you out myself. Properly taken care of you, as a good maid should~."
My heart pounded harder as I felt warmth pooling between my legs. Still, stubbornness made me mutter weakly, "You're…you're not my maid, though."
She hummed thoughtfully against my ear, her voice a silky promise. "Ara, true enough… but I very much could be. If you chose to accept my King Sylvana's courtship, I would become yours as well. Much like how Rias and Akeno come as a package for your adorable brother Gasper, Sylvana and I are inseparable." Her lips quirked into a playful, irresistible smile as her fingertips trailed slowly higher on my thigh. "Doesn't that sound enticing?"
Damn it, it really did. Too enticing.
I swallowed thickly, desperately fighting to keep my composure despite the intense desire swirling through my body. I barely managed a stubborn sigh. "Fine, Grayfia. I'll… I'll think about it, okay? Happy now?"
She smiled triumphantly, withdrawing her hand from my thigh and leaning back comfortably into her seat again. "Very much so, Lady Valerie."
Taking a deep, shaky breath, I fought down my flustered blush.
Grayfia eyed me with an amused glint in her silver gaze before smoothly changing the subject. "Shall we head out now and perhaps… spy a little? Just to make sure your brother Gasper and Lady Rias are alright, of course."
I stared at her in mild surprise before chuckling softly. "You know what? That's exactly what I was planning on doing anyway."
Grayfia rose gracefully, holding her hand out toward me with a knowing smirk. "Excellent. After you, my lady."
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