After talking to his parents, Zaydas left 500 full-healing potions, a thousand Golden Wines, and ten thousand Golden Fruits.
"We're heading back to the Underworld now. Send my regards to the girls for me," Zatanna said from within the magic circle.
"I will."
───────────
A cloudy day that looked like it could rain at any moment.
Rurushi, Tia, Shion, Shuna, and Ria went out with Grayfia to the shopping mall.
Their curiosity was obvious—everything was new to them.
Shuna, in particular, was mesmerized by modern clothing. Her eyes sparkled every time she saw a different clothing store.
"A store that sells only shoes?" Shion pointed out.
"Yes." Grayfia nodded.
Although not exactly surprising, it was still something new for them.
By the way, Shuna and Shion were using a small spell to hide their horns, while Ria and Rurushi concealed their ears. Even though most people would probably just think they were cosplay accessories, it was better to avoid unnecessary attention. After all, their group naturally attracted plenty of stares, as each of them was more beautiful than magazine models.
"Shuna, what do you think of this?"
In the fabric store, Shion held up a piece of silk and asked.
Shuna touched her lips and said thoughtfully, "Honestly, none of this has even 10% of the quality of the fabrics made from Zaydas and Jade's silk threads."
It was the absolute truth—whether in softness, elasticity, or even durability, everything was superior.
"Then why are we here?" Shion was confused.
"Even though I wouldn't buy this, I can still get some inspiration, you know?" Shuna replied.
"Umu, like how the linens are woven and such?" Shion asked.
"Exactly, even the colors." Shuna responded with a gentle smile. "Some colors are something I've never seen on clothing before."
"I agree."
They weren't the only ones impressed—Tia, Ria, and Rurushi felt the same way. Even among the fabrics used by nobles, the quality was inferior to those in this store. And as Shuna pointed out, she saw some fabric colors that were very unique and interesting.
...
While eating ice cream in the food court, they sat around two shared tables.
Shion suddenly asked rhetorically, "By the way, you three are romantically involved with Zaydas-sama, right? How envious..."
Shuna perked up her ears—this topic had long piqued her curiosity.
'Romantically involved?' Although she had a vague idea, hearing this, Grayfia glanced at the three girls Shion referred to, not revealing what she was feeling at that moment.
"Not exactly," Rurushi smiled. "Ria and I are, but Tia isn't yet."
"Not yet?" Shuna tilted her head cutely.
Rurushi said, "Yes, I don't think it'll be long before she ends up with Zaydas."
"I..." Tia didn't deny it, though she seemed to try, while a blush colored her face.
"Then, I have a chance." Shuna's voice when she said that wasn't just sweet—it was also cute and determined.
───────────
At Kuoh Academy, during a free art class on campus, Akeno followed Zaydas to a secluded area surrounded by trees to the southeast.
When she saw him focused on drawing, she found herself mesmerized by the scene.
The truth was that, although she wasn't attracted to people just because they were beautiful, at that moment, she simply couldn't look away.
With her sharp vision, she could see his drawing.
'He's good...'
Drawing well was easy for a Devil, but most of the time, it lacked soul—almost like a photocopy.
However, Zaydas's drawing strokes brought an unparalleled realism.
For example, if she tried to look from a different angle, it almost seemed as if the bird in the image on the white canvas was alive, or as if the leaves of the trees were swaying.
Only when she saw him pause did Akeno dare to step closer.
"Akeno, sit with me." Without turning around, she heard him speak to her.
Approaching and standing beside him, she placed her hand behind her skirt and then gracefully sat down next to him.
"Ara. Then, if you'll excuse me~" she hummed.
Akeno held her own canvas and painting case in her other hand.
However, she made no move to use them. Instead, she set them aside, resting her hand on her chin while gazing at Zaydas with an intriguing and seductive look.
Looking at Akeno, Zaydas thought of her mother. No, not in a strange way. He simply wanted to test whether it was possible to bring her back to life.
However, he apologized to Akeno in his mind beforehand as he invaded her thoughts in search of the location where her mother's body had been buried.
When he finished, Akeno came back to herself and didn't even notice that he had accessed her memories. Of course, he had only limited himself to what he wanted to know—he hadn't gone too far in invading her privacy.
"Did you say something?" Akeno asked.
"I said that you're beautiful."
When she heard that and saw his smile, a flirtatious grin formed on her lips while her violet eyes shimmered with seduction.
"You, Zaydas, always know just what to say~" she hummed, lightly tapping his arm before sliding her fingers down to his hand and resting hers on top of it, never breaking eye contact.
"I only stated a fact."
Her actions were a clear sign. Only fools and cowards wouldn't make a move. Fortunately, he was neither. He set the blank canvas and paintbrush aside. Leaning forward toward her, their faces were only a few centimeters apart.
Soon, their lips met. Akeno's lips were wet, and when she parted them, Zaydas tilted his head slightly, making their lips fit together.
...
'Rias, Rias… If only you knew…'
Thinking about Rias while kissing Zaydas was incredibly thrilling.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, curving her hand into his hair and caressing it, she moaned into his mouth as his tongue invaded hers.
Knowing he was searching for her tongue, Akeno felt playful and, instead, bit down on his tongue while opening her eyes and gazing at him smugly.
...
Zaydas, with his tongue caught between Akeno's teeth, saw her smug smile and could only think about how adorable she looked.
His heart pounded harder as his possessive side burned with the desire to paint her with his color and make her his—forever.
"Zay-kun! Akeno!!"
With a sharp jolt, their lips separated as they turned toward the source of the loud voice calling their names—it was none other than Rias.
"Rias-nee," Zaydas said, without letting go of Akeno's slender waist.
Though surprised at first, seeing that Zaydas wasn't trying to hide anything, she smiled. "Ufufu. We got caught—so, what should we do, Zay?"
On purpose, she even said his name in an incredibly affectionate and flirtatious tone.
This only fueled Rias's anger further, making her face nearly as red as a ripe tomato.
"What are you two doing!?" Rias demanded.
"Huh? That's a strange question, Rias-nee," Zaydas said as he stood up and took a step toward her. "Obviously, we were kissing until you interrupted."
"Zay-kun, you…" Rias gritted her teeth before saying, "She's my Queen, and you have a fiancée!"
"And?"
"And?" Seeing him respond with such indifference left Rias speechless.
"Yes, I have a fiancée, but who said I want a monogamous relationship?" Zaydas raised an eyebrow at her, closing the distance between them even more.
"That… But something like this, you need to think carefully about," she tried to argue.
At that moment, Akeno also stood up, watching with an intrigued smile. She seemed curious to see how this would unfold, and most of all, she was eager to know how Zaydas would respond… And he did not disappoint her.
"Of course, I know. I like Akeno," he said as if stating the obvious. "Isn't it normal for me to kiss the girl I like if she isn't against it?"
"That…"
Seeing that she still wanted to argue, Zaydas pressed her against the tree beside them, cutting off her escape route and forcing her to look into his eyes.
"You're being strange," he said, bringing his face closer to hers, making Rias blush even more. "I may have been raised in the human world, but in essence, I am still a Devil. And as a Devil, I will do as I please, and Akeno is someone I appreciate and desire. Just like…"
He leaned in even closer, his lips now just two centimeters from Rias's, making her hold her breath.
"I am your aunt," she finally managed to let out.
Zaydas smiled predatorily. "And do I care? Even if you're my aunt, that doesn't change anything. After all, we are Devils. And don't think I don't know, Rias-nee—the reason you were so upset just now is that you have feelings for me, isn't it?"
She turned her face away, denying it. "No, I don't…"
"Really?" His lips brushed against her cheek, moving to her ear. "Are you really going to deny it? Are you sure?"
...
'What's wrong with him today?' Rias was on the verge of complete confusion.
When his lips grazed her face and she heard his whisper, a shiver ran electrifyingly through her entire body. And hearing what he said, she couldn't refute it—nor could she agree.
When she thought he was going to kiss her, her gaze became pleading. But perhaps that was a mistake, because he pulled away.
"Don't worry, Aunt, I won't force you into anything." Saying this, Zaydas took a few steps back and simply disappeared before her eyes.
"Zay-kun…!" She called out to him, but he was already gone.
As it happened, the strength in her legs gave out, and she slid down to the ground.
'Did… my cowardice push him away? Was he upset? Will he stop thinking of me that way?'
These doubts tore at her heart, squeezing it tightly.
Just moments ago, she had been daydreaming about his lips almost touching hers, but now, she watched everything crumble.
Akeno, who would normally tease her, instead approached with sympathy, embracing her.
"Rias… Normally, you're so smart, but why were you so foolish just now?" Akeno said with a helpless sigh.
As for that, even Rias wanted to understand. And if she connected it to what Zaydas had said, she knew he was right. Incestuous relationships were not the proper term among Devils—after all, they were not human and did not follow human rules. But maybe, just as Zaydas had said, she had lived as a human for so long that she had forgotten she was a Devil.
───────────
Read up to chapter 118 on Patreon. At least two chapters will be updated daily, with one free chapter every day.
P-atreon.com/Zaydas
Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.