Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Once the questions were over, we headed to my office to sign the necessary papers finalizing the betrothal contract. I dismissed Maomao and the others to the main hall while the Phenexes and I entered my office. Inside, Lucius was already waiting with the contract in his hand, a smile on his face, along with Bella, Enid, and Narcissa.
"Sera, Ravel, Lord Phenex. I saw to it that everything was in order," Lucius said with a smile as he showed the three copies of the betrothal contract. Lord Phenex grimaced but strode forward, grabbed one of the copies, and began to scan it quickly.
"Everything seems to be in order," Lord Phenex said, nodding and putting down the copy. I'd already read the contract, and thanks to Lord Phenex's concessions regarding territory and other benefits, it was practically unbreakable on my end. There was a very small loophole, and it could only be initiated by the Phenex, especially Ravel, while I didn't have that option, so the contract was as good as being married. Lucius smiled widely.
"Now, if you could sign here, here, and here. Sera and Ravel, please sign here. Lord Phenex, please sign on this side, and Bella will also sign as witnesses." Lucius said, quickly pointing at the pages. Ravel and I took a deep breath, which surprised Ravel, who gave me a nervous smile.
She didn't seem the least bit sorry—in fact, she seemed to be buzzing with excitement—but I guess nerves were quite normal in this situation. I leaned forward first, grabbed the fountain pen, and calmly signed all the required places in impeccable handwriting before handing the pen to Ravel.
Ravel bowed and, with a firm fist, signed all the required places next to my signature. Ravel released a final shaky breath as she signed the last corresponding place before standing up and smiling widely at me. I smiled back. We stepped back, and Lord Phenex took the quill as he signed on the witness side, and Bella was last.
"Very well, everything is in order. Before we finish, please place the family seal on this last page." Lucius pointed out. I rolled my eyes but placed my thumb over it, and with a minuscule display of magic, the harmonium symbol implanted itself in the paper, and I repeated it on the other two copies. I saw Lord Phenex move and pressed my thumb as well. Next to my symbol, the Phenex symbol was created. "One copy is for you, Lord Phenex. One is for us, and we will present one to Lord Lucifer to show that everything is in order. Congratulations to you both." Lucius congratulated us with a smile as he looked at us.
That finally broke the office's silence when Lady Phenex shrieked loudly and launched herself at her daughter. However I was surprised when she hugged me tightly as well. I winced when I felt the company phone vibrate even from a distance inside the inventory. I'd have to check on that later.
"Oh Satan, congratulations, darling, you're already becoming a woman," her mother sobbed over Ravel. "I hope you'll take care of my daughter, Serena," Lady Phenex said tearfully before releasing us. I nodded.
"Oh, Em, Gee! OH, EM, GEE! Welcome to the family, Ravel!" Enid squealed as she ran toward us and hugged us tightly. Ravel laughed happily.
"T-thank you for the welcome, Enid." Ravel said demurely.
"Congratulations, Ravel." Ruval approached us and congratulated his sister with a soft smile. Enid finally let go of us. Ravel hugged her brother tightly, surprising him, but he hugged her back immediately.
"Haha! Congratulations, sis! " Revive exclaimed as she hugged both siblings. Ravel laughed happily before looking at Riser and giving him a pleading look. Riser blushed and huffed but took a step forward. When he was close enough, Revive grabbed him and pulled him into a group sibling hug. Ravel squealed in joy. Beside me, I could see Lord Phenex with a slight smile while Lady Phenex tried not to shed tears.
"Listen to me, Ravel. If that witch does anything, tell us immediately, and we'll beat the shit out of her." Riser growled, crushed by the hug. Ravel laughed lightly.
"Don't insult my fiancée. She's good, I promise." Ravel said happily with tears in her eyes.
"No, no, no, Riser has a point, sis. We couldn't give your fiancée the shovel talk. It's our duty as older siblings to threaten her." Revive said with a huge smile. Ravel sighed exasperatedly and looked to Ruval for help. He just shrugged as best he could.
"Don't look at me, Ravel, I'm with them." Ruval smiled mockingly.
"Now! Let me go! Enough! " Ravel snorted before pushing her three brothers away from her, making them laugh. Ravel adjusted her dress and hair before returning to my side and finally facing her father. "Father," Ravel said with a smile.
"Congratulations, Ravel," Lord Phenex said softly. Ravel smiled tearfully before hugging him back. Lord Phenex gently hugged his daughter while smiling. After a few seconds, they finally broke apart. Lord Phenex looked at me, still smiling. "Congratulations, Lady Prince," He said simply, holding out his hand.
"Thank you, Lord Phenex." I smiled at him as I took his hand and shook it tightly. He nodded as he returned to his wife's side.
"Congratulations and welcome to our family," Bella said with a smile as she approached. Ravel smiled and nodded. To my surprise, Bella hugged Ravel before hugging me. Narcissa excitedly walked over and hugged us both at the same time.
"Congratulations, girls!" Narcissa exclaimed happily before releasing us and sticking beside Lucius with a huge smile. Lucius cleared his throat loudly and gave us an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry to interrupt these celebrations, but it's almost time for the guests to arrive. We need to go greet them," Lucius said, looking at the clock on the wall. Everyone stared at it for a few seconds before sighing and nodding.
"Very well, Lord Malfoy, thank you for the heads up. I take it everything is in order? " Lord Phenex asked as he looked at Bella. After all, after me, she was the highest-ranking member in my Peerage. Bella nodded.
"Of course, Lord Phenex, we will welcome all the guests. In about half an hour, when most guests are here, we will introduce Sera and Ravel as planned." Bella said calmly, and I wrinkled my nose.
It wasn't something I wanted to do; I wanted to get it all over with, be in the main hall, and be done with it. But apparently it was decided that, as my "first" public appearance in front of the pillar demons, I had to be introduced as a debutante alongside Ravel. Outrageous.
"Excellent, if you would lead the way," Lord Phenex said, nodding. Bella nodded and started walking out of the office, followed by the rest of my peerage and then the Phenexes. Lady Phenex was the last to leave, turning and winking at us. Ravel, beside me, grunted. I finally sighed once we were completely alone in the office.
"Hello, fiancée." I purred in Ravel's direction. Ravel blushed and looked at me shyly.
"...hello, fiancée," Ravel replied. I smiled widely. I quickly began guiding Ravel to one of the comfortable seats in the office. I sat down next to her and relaxed.
"The party hasn't even started yet, and I'm already exhausted." I groaned tiredly, Ravel laughing lightly beside me.
"I must say, unfortunately, that it was your fault for giving that potions test before the party," Ravel said without showing mercy, and I groaned loudly.
"Yeah, I know, don't remind me." I groaned once more. Ravel blushed and looked away.
"Though I must say… I didn't expect you to be such a good teacher. It's like this isn't your first time teaching potions. Even I understood how to brew it. I couldn't brew it as well as the other girls, but I'm sure I could manage." Ravel said shyly. I laughed lightly, if only you knew.
"If you want to try, I won't stop you. Though I don't recommend it if it's not something you enjoy," I said simply with a smile. "I know potions aren't for everyone." I shrugged. Ravel gave me an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry," Ravel apologized. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Don't worry," I said simply. Ravel sighed.
"Is everything ready to found the city?" Ravel asked almost excitedly. She was genuinely thrilled and eager to participate in a project of such magnitude. I hummed softly.
"Your father has to submit the paperwork for the territories to transfer, but we can practically start without any problem tomorrow if necessary. As you know, everything is planned, and each sector is designed so that it won't take me long," I said easily.
"I still don't understand the design you chose," Ravel said honestly. I laughed lightly.
"You'll understand once you see me fight your brother. I won't hold back, so I'll use several tricks that I've left up my sleeve. It'll all make sense." I said with a mysterious smile. Ravel wrinkled her nose but nodded.
We sat in a comfortable silence as Ravel leaned on my arm until I remembered the notification on my phone. I pulled out the company phone with my free hand. I was still curious about the notification that had arrived. I hadn't been expecting one at all.
Companions captured +70 [101]
Ravel Phenex(T6) from High School DxD
My eyes opened wide.
Oh.
The engagement contract was unbreakable and long enough to be accepted by The Company's lawyers and go into effect. I had captured Ravel and hadn't realized it. I was going to tell her about all this after the engagement and then move forward after that.
It even gave me 70 credits when capturing it should only give me 30. The difference was the refund for the defenses provided by The Company, as the defenses are shared, when a new waifu is added to the retinue with a previously purchased defense, a percentage of its original value is refunded until it becomes free if there are several Waifus with the same defenses and you get all the credits back.
It is practically an incentive to keep accumulating waifus.
"Everything okay? It looks like you got some bad news," Ravel asked, worried, looking at her phone. I immediately blocked it and smiled nervously at her.
"No, not at all, just... unexpected news." I said honestly. To do it or not to do it? I sighed deeply. It was better to do it. After all, I'd have to do it sooner or later anyway. "Actually, there are several things I have to tell you," I said with a shaky smile. I swallowed the Bendalloy and wrapped us in a time bubble. This would take a while. Ravel looked at me questioningly.
For the next few long minutes, I practically told her everything about The Company, and its ins and outs. I told her about how we're from another universe, that the profiteers of The Company forged our identity, and that Enid had practically been a reward for a mission.
And how we could stack powers one after the other. I also showed her where my metal arts powers came from. To my surprise, Ravel only frowned slightly but didn't interrupt me; she simply continued listening and asked questions when she had any doubts.
Finally, we get to the part about contracts, the seal, and the compulsions Ravel should now be feeling. Ravel hummed softly.
"You're taking this much better than I thought," I said honestly. I honestly thought she'd be more upset. Ravel leaned toward me and hummed.
"I've been thinking about it a lot, and this… doesn't change anything," Ravel said honestly. She looked me straight in the eyes. "It might change your past a little, but it's not like I know enough about it to say that you cheated on me in some way. The betrothal contract would still have been given, and I would have insisted even more," Ravel said simply.
"And what about acquiring powers? About being a 'series'? About 'mind control'?" I asked simply. Ravel was silent for a few seconds before adjusting her position and dropping her head into my lap. Ravel stared at me.
"About powers? Not really, you just... got lucky, and that's not a bad thing. It's like complaining about humans for getting a Longinus-level Sacred Gear when they didn't ask for it. They were just born lucky... As long as they live, they're practically destined to be far more powerful than the average person; greatness is guaranteed, and that's fine. The same goes for pure-blooded Devils. You're the same. You just got lucky to have been granted this... system."
" And in fact, it's interesting and exciting to know that you'll become more powerful and, not only that, that you can make me stronger. I am a devil, after all." Ravel smiled mischievously at me.
"Whatever you want," I said immediately with a smile. My hand immediately moved to her hair, and I stroked her gently. Ravel would have practically purred if she could, considering how her eyes closed in pleasure. "Think of something you want, and I'll think of something that suits your request. I'd have to show you a few to choose the right one. After all, there are hundreds of thousands of powers available." I said honestly.
"I'll leave it in your hands." Ravel hummed with her eyes closed.
"...and about the other thing?" I asked softly, still playing with her hair. Ravel sighed in pleasure.
"And what about it being a 'series'? Not really, you didn't do anything special, at least not in the way of going into great detail about things you shouldn't know and pushing all my weak spots or anything like that. I doubt poisoning my brother is a requirement to woo me. So no, I have no worries about that.
"I mean, I have many questions, and then I'll want to see and read all the information I can. But other than that? I have no worries."
"And finally... the contract would have been carried out the same way. I liked you, Sera, enough that I didn't mind marrying you and spending our immortal life together, in addition to helping my family. I thought carefully before offering myself to you. I'm not foolish or impulsive. I firmly believed that it was possible to end up loving you later on."
"This… just speeds things up. And that's a good thing. It means I can enjoy this whole engagement and marriage while completely in love with you from the start. It sounds wonderful," Ravel said as she opened her eyes and looked at me with a loving smile. I could feel my heart pounding as I smiled back.
"You're too good," I murmured in her direction. Ravel laughed lightly. I sighed, placed my hand under Ravel's head, and gently lifted her up. Ravel seemed to understand immediately. She wrapped her hands around my neck for support, and we kissed.
Our kiss was chaste; we simply joined our lips gently before Ravel pressed her lips harder against mine, and we melted immediately. We both moved our lips over each other's and-
"Chocolate-flavored lipstick? I thought you were just using lip gloss? " I couldn't help but ask, immediately separating myself from Ravel. Ravel blushed slightly.
"I-I had it specially prepared, y-you said it was your favorite flavor." Ravel explained shyly. My smile grew wider. I kissed her lips, still smiling, tasting the chocolate flavor on her lips.
"So that means you were expecting something like this to happen?" I purred amusedly. Ravel blushed, but to my surprise, she stared at me.
"Of course I did. You're my fiancée now, and it's your duty to kiss me." Ravel demanded. My smile grew.
"Ah, what a cruel fate that has given me such a difficult task. I hope I'm up to such a quest." I said patiently. Ravel grunted before pulling me into a kiss. I couldn't help but laugh lightly against her lips, but I quickly fused my lips with hers.
"r-break the time bubble." Ravel moaned against my lips. I did as she ordered and dropped the time bubble before kissing her once more. Neither of us deepened the kiss, but we did make out vigorously. And while there was no tongue involved, I did bite, suck, and play with Ravel's lips.
She said she had made it for me, and I would take advantage of it.
"Ahem!" A voice made us separate and we looked towards its source, only to find Lady Phenex with a huge smile in the doorway.
"M-mother?!" Ravel squealed as she got up from a slightly recumbent position and stood up while fixing her hair and dress. "W-what are you doing here? And why didn't you knock?! " Ravel squealed, Thoroughly blushing. Lady Phenex raised an eyebrow.
"I knocked three times. Miss Sinclair assured me you were in here, so I went in to look for You." Lady Phenex laughed with a mocking smile. Ravel blushed even more. I just rolled my eyes in amusement. I would have to punish Enid somehow for this.
"Any reason you were looking for us?" I asked as I stood up next to Ravel.
"It's time to introduce you," she said simply, pointing at her watch. Both Ravel and I opened our eyes slightly. It had really been half an hour since we started kissing.
"Oh, I didn't realize it's been so long." I gave her an apologetic smile. Lady Phenex smirked at me.
"I guess I didn't have to worry about my daughter being well cared for." Lady Phenex laughed.
"Mom!" Ravel exclaimed, embarrassed. Lady Phenex laughed amusedly.
"As much as I'd like to continue teasing you, darling, we really do have a schedule to keep." Lady Phenex said as she approached Ravel.
"W-what's going on?" Ravel asked in confusion. Lady Phenex simply walked over to her daughter, took a handkerchief out of her pocket, and gently grabbed her very confused daughter's chin before cleaning up all the mess she had left on her lips as if she were a little girl.
"Now, Ravel, I didn't take you for a sloppy kisser. You've got lipstick all over your face," Lady Phenex chided with a smile too huge to be a real rebuke.
"I-I can do it!" Ravel squealed as she tried to separate herself from her mother, but Lady Phenex had a firm grip on her daughter.
"Ah, what memories? It seems like only yesterday I was wiping food off your face the same way." Lady Phenex said nostalgically.
"Mom! Enough! " Ravel squealed, finally freeing herself from her mother. Lady Phenex laughed as she put away her handkerchief before turning to me.
"I expect you to behave like a lady to my daughter, Lady Prince. Next time, please clean up your mess." Lady Phenex scolded me.
"Okay! Enough! Let's go! We have an engagement party to attend! " Ravel exclaimed, blushing as she pushed her mother out of the office. I burst out laughing and followed Ravel. I pulled out a mirror and noticed that my lipstick was also stained. With a flick of my hand, I fixed my makeup and quickly joined Ravel, who was still trying to silence her mother.
Well, we had an engagement party to attend.