Chapter 4: Meeting the Council

The family gracefully entered the great council hall, and it took a lot for Dante to not book the hell out of the room. Vera held him and shared a look with him. With a heavy sigh, Dante calmed and faced the members in white robes.

"Lords, Lady and Scion," The eldest member addressed them, bowing politely, in which they nodded in response. "Welcome to Fortuna. Lord Dante, we are here to discuss the finer points leading up to your coronation as Lord."

"I understand and thank you for meeting with us." Dante said politely, surprising Sparda and Nero. "May we sit down?"

"Oh, most certainly My Lord." The elder said, gesturing to four seats that had been set for them. They sat down and nodded.

"Lord Sparda, as the elder, you can assist your son. As you are aware there are not many Lords since your reign."

"Yea they farted to death," Nero whispered causing Dante to snicker. Vera giggled behind her fan but shushed them.

"So many traditions went up in smoke." The elder said. Both Nero and Dante laughed at that statement. Again, Vera had to shush them, but she had a smile on her face. Sparda groaned. He had his work cut out for him.

"For our young Scion, it'll be easier for there are many younglings." The elder said. "But they're more concerned with modern things."

"Told you you're old." Nero whispered teasingly. "Old Man,"

"I'll show you Old, Kid!"

"Will both of you simmer down?"

"Sorry Mother,"

"Sorry Babe,"

"Lady Vera seems well versed on the practices. She can assist." The elder said. "Also, there will be a traditional dance…."

"Dance?!" Nero and Dante asked wide eyed. Nero gulped. He never danced!

"Scion, we understand your plight. You will be dancing with one of the ladies of the court. Your Lady Mother will be with your Lord Father." Dante blew a sigh of relief. He really didn't want to deal with other women who may try to grab his assets. A stern woman with dark hair came in through the door and the Sparda men heard Vera growl softly. Dante chuckled and held her hand.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

"That's my teacher."

"Oh woof."

"Until a young lady is assigned, Madam Demona has agreed to aid in your education young Scion." Nero gulped and Dante felt bad for the boy. He saw the look in her eyes and had to grin. Oh, she's a cougar! Yea, I'm going to have to save Nero's young bacon!

"Sir, if I may, why not Father and the Madam demonstrate?"

"That is an excellent idea My Lord." The elder man said and Sparda yelped.

"Why me?"

"You said you wanted to help…this is part of it." Dante said with a smirk. Sparda glared at his younger son but rose and bowed holding a hand-out in silent invite, which was accepted. The younger group watched the older couple dance and all was going well until they heard Sparda yelp.

"Madam! Kindly keep your hands at a respectable level!"

"Forgive me Lord Sparda my hand slipped." Madam Demona said with blush. Dante and Nero snickered.

"Slipped my ass." Dante whispered.

"She copped a feel! OMG!" Nero laughed. Vera giggled but rose to her feet to 'rescue' their father. She gracefully walked over, tapped Sparda on the shoulder and curtsied.

"Begging pardon, may I cut in?"

"Yes, you may," Sparda said gratefully as he easily switched dance partners. Vera danced with the elder, but she saw the look on her teacher's face of silent anger. Dante knew he had to rescue his future wife. Got to take one for the team. He made his way over to the irate woman and bowed.

"May I?"

"Oh, Lord Dante of course." She addressed with a soft laugh. They danced and surprisingly, Madam Demona kept her hands to herself! They finished the dance with a flourish, and everyone applauded.

"Well done My Lord!" The elder councilmember praised. Vera smiled and held her fiancé's hand.

"That was a magnificent job My Rogue."

"Thanks Babe."

"Yea, I was even shocked. Where did that come from Old Man?"

"Oh, your father can dance." Vera said with a smile, fondly remembering their first date. Dante chuckled.

"Good, help me."

"Sure Kid, not a problem. Just don't step on my feet, ok?"

"You got a deal Old Man."

"And don't worry I'm not grabby."

"Best not be I'll sic Mother on you." Nero warned. Both blinked before laughing. Sparda and Vera listened patiently as they returned to their seats.

"The dance is traditional at the Festival of the Sword." The elder member said. "But that will happen after Lord Dante's coronation."

"Psst Old Man, don't eat burritos that day." Nero whispered warningly. Dante gaped.

"That wasn't me, that was Morrison."

"Sure, Old Man sure!"

"Oh, get stuffed!"

"The coronation will open with a mass then Lord Dante and Lord Sparda will come up to the front and after a ceremony, Lord Dante will be ordained. After the festival, we will plan your Lord and Ladyship's wedding."

"Awesome." Dante said. "But we don't want a big bang wedding…"

"My Lord, it is tradition…."

"Oy, all this tradition is killing me!" Dante groaned. Nero snickered.

"The young Scion must be prepared as well."

"Say what?"

"HaHA!"

"Shut up Old Man!"

"Well, that was an interesting meeting," Sparda said as they finally returned home and sat to eat. Vera nodded and looked to Dante and Nero who looked stressed.

"We will get through this."

"Babe, I'm dying to just put my feet up on my desk and chug back a beer."

"Oh," Sparda remembered. "You can't drink that anymore." Dante shot up shocked.

"No beer?!"

"And no pizza." Sparda grinned. Dante looked terrified. Sparda leaned in for the kill.

"And no more strawberry sundaes…"

"WAHHHH OH HELL NO!" Dante shouted. Nero dropped down laughing. Vera giggled behind her fan. Although the beer part was true, the pizza and sundaes being forbidden wasn't true.

"Father, stop it." She scolded gently as she comforted a nearly in tears Dante. Sparda sighed.

"Son, I was joking."

"That's a bad joke." Dante whimpered. "Revenge will be mine you wretch!" Nero watched he saw the look in Dante's eyes. Grandfather is in deep shit…