"Ah," Iruma sighed, untying his tie as he sat on his armchair-like throne, in the middle of the East Wing's main living room. "It's finally over."
"How did it go?" Jazz asked as he went through some paperwork on the sofa in front of him.
Every member of the pack was there, even Kalego, who was sitting on his loveseat in a corner of the room. The only exception would be Kerori, IX, and Lied. Both Lied and IX, with the addition of Ameri, were kidnapped by Kerori to train for the Akudol Games. Her team had left her at the last moment, so the ice demon had to improvise. Luckily, she had the backing and the money of the Abnormal Pack. So, all four of them had moved into the East Wing temporarily for training. Because, of course, Sullivan's mansion has training grounds in every wing.
Alice approached his mate with a steamy cup of tea and a comforting smile, before giving him the cup and sitting on his mate's lap. He felt scandalized by the idea of his own 'throne', so Iruma had decided to have him sit on his lap. That way both would share the 'throne'. Though, you would never catch Iruma calling it that. Sabnock was sitting on the floor, leaning against the 'throne', while Purson leaned against the blond demon. Even Clara looked exhausted, having chosen to claim the other half of the sofa, Jazz was working on.
"Soi's father will let him be, he is still the next in line for Clan Head, but when that happens it will become a vassal clan to our pack," Iruma answered. "I have vassal clans... what even is my life?" Iruma moaned at the absurdity his life has become.
"We then went for our last fitting for the 13 Crowns' Dinner," Alice continued for his mate, who was still moaning, face planted on his back.
Many of the males in the male demons in the room shivered at the thought, they had had enough with just one fitting for a suit, let alone two different ones. The pack could barely believe they would be having their Deviculum Debut this weekend, or that their packmates will be guests of honor at the next 13 Crowns' Dinner. They could not even start to think about the hell the four of them are going through (Iruma, Alice, Clara, and Sabnock), after going through all the hellish lessons of Kalego-sensei for the Deviculum... the four of them had to add the etiquette lessons for the 13 Crowns' Dinner.
How strong are they? The pack mussed in silent admiration and horror, for the demons most of the time they go hand in hand.
"How is business going Jazz-kun?" Iruma asked, finally realizing that his packmate was doing his paperwork (which on its own is surprising!).
"Not bad," Jazz chuckled vindictively. "That bastard of the general made us go through hell during training, but I paid him back with interest with the earpieces business!" Jazz crowed in victory. "The deal leans to our favor and doubled our profits. If you add the fact that Azazel-chichi approached us for a deal too, I would say that our profits almost tripled since our firework business started." Jazz smiled proudly, as his packmates cheered and congratulated him. "Don't worry, I wasn't mean to Azazel-chichi. I know that Ameri-senpai is our ally, alongside the whole Azazel family. I would not dare to alienate such a powerful family backing you for the throne."
"Yet, you would allow the army's coffers to suffer because you wanted to be petty," Alice commented dryly, but he was honestly quite proud of the young alpha. Jazz had always had talent, but it was confident that he lacked. However, after becoming part of Iruma's pack he had changed... and for the better. Once upon a time, the general might have had the advantage, even when it came to business, but now not even he could win against Jazz when he was protecting his Head Alpha's interests. "But not bad for now. With this, we will be able to stop relying too much on Sullivan-sama."
"Call him grampa, Alice." Iruma sighed with a fond smile, especially when his omega blushed at his words. "I don't want to have an armful of crying demon in my arms."
"Well, now that this is done..." Kalego-sensei stood, making his students shiver in fear. "... we shall continue with the lessons. The Abnormal Pack's Deviculum Debut will be in less than a week. You are not only representing the future king's court but Duke Sullivan's House. I will beat the manners into you if I have to!" His students turned to him together, making him blink stunned at the synchronicity, which was getting better by the day. They looked tired, but the fire of determination in their eyes had him smiling. These were his students, of course, they would not disappoint. Especially, not when their Head Alpha's pride was on the line. "Let's get started, then."
"Stop," Iruma called out, making everyone freeze, even Kalego. The Head Alpha had spoken and the pack had listened. "Before that... the 13 Crowns' Dinner is a presentation, the best three candidates for Demon King will be there. If it had been up to me, I would not assist and leave it to them to battle out. But it is not... they will desire my blood on that throne." The pack grimaced at the reminder that while for them it is a great honor to be part of the Demon King's Court, it is a position that will be forced upon their Head Alpha. "I would like to stop the 13 Crowns from machinating any kind of plans that will disturb our peaceful high-school life. I have the backing of the Asmodeus Noble House and the Azazel Noble House, two of the 13 Crowns. Not to mention, the support of my Master, who has recently been invited to join them. Many of your teachers were somewhat taught by the 13 Crowns or the Three Heroes, Kalego-sensei assured us that for now, they are more interested in our pack than in playing by the 13 Crowns' rules. So, that's another path that we were able to disrupt. Of course, I have my grandfather's full backing and support, as his heir. Soon, after the dinner finishes, I will also have the other two members of the Three Heroes supporting me. However, that will not mean that their grandsons won't be an issue. They have a right to the throne just for being blood-related to them, even if they do not have their backing. The other members of the 13 Crown might use them for their amusement or their ambition. I would like to make sure the other two realize that we are in equal standing, that it won't be easy to mess with us, without getting repercussions. I would also like to get along with them... I don't believe we could become friends right now, but maybe have this race for the throne done in the most friendly way until we graduate. By then everyone would already know my true nature, so it wouldn't matter."
Everyone looked at Iruma in shock. They've seen the growth and maturity, he has shown his leadership skills... but this was on a whole other level! Such a political point of view of the situation took them all by surprise, they had been expecting Alice to cover that side. Kalego-sensei looked at his student... his son with so much pride. He has truly grown.
"I will blood adopt you," Kalego spoke, shocking everyone even more than before. Blood adoption was not something done lightly. "After all the stress my body went through during my separation from Opera, I know I am not able to bear a child. So, the plan was always to blood-adopt a child. I will go through the mating ceremony with Opera after the Deviculum, and then we will adopt you. It will give you time to get used to it before the 13 Crowns' Dinner. With being part of the Earl Household of the Naberius Noble Family the other candidate will know from the get-go who has the best standing between the three of you. As I am the second-born son, you won't need to worry about inheriting another title." Kalego-sensei explained, blushing a bit when he received knowing looks from his students. "Silence! You should be grateful I chose you!"
"If you had only been Sullivan-sama's grandson, then the standing of all three of you would be the same. With your rankings being around the same level and all three of you have accomplished many things, which had been advertised to the Kingdom's population. Not to mention, that all three of you have a pack of your own." Alice thought out loud. "However, you are also mated, unlike them, and to a Marquise Household nonetheless, a member of the 13 Crowns since the founding of the kingdom! The other only house that has formed part of the 13 Crowns since the beginning, is also allied to you. Not to mention that we have the second son of the prestigious Viscount Sabnock..." as Alice said that he turned to give Sabro a worried look, as they all know he has his issues with his father. "... Viscountess Crocell's most popular daughter is also in our pack, even if people do not know she is Kuromu and the heir for the Baronship of the Gaap Household. Not to mention, the next Clan Head of the ancient Purson House, who could have had an Earlship if they were not so adamant to stay away from all politics and socialization, in general. Also, the first beta of the pack might be from a new Baron Family, but adults know about the strength of Baroness Valac, which gained her the title. Even if it did take me by surprise when I learned about it from mother..." Alice murmured the last part to himself, but by being so close Iruma had heard him and giggled.
"I would advise you to parade your pack during the next Deviculum and show them off. Rumors are going around about the pack, but nothing concrete outside of Babyls. That has to change before the 13 Crowns' Dinner. Maybe we could convince Margrave Azazel to make the alliance public during the Deviculum." Kalego-sensei mussed out loud.
"That's an excellent idea!" Alice exclaimed, really getting excited about showing to everyone that his mate was the best choice out there. "I'll talk to Ameri-senpai as soon as she's done with Kerori's training."
"I was simply planning on having everyone in the nobility circle know about our business, not just about fireworks, but that we also entered in a contract with the army and the Demon Border Control." Commented Iruma, gaining more surprised looks. "Is it that shocking?" The alpha asked with a sigh, thinking that he should have been expecting the shocked expressions.
"Of course not Iruma-sama!" Alice slipped again, as he hugged his mate. "You are simply so brilliant that it takes us a while to admire your brilliance!"
"So cool, Iruma-chi!" Clara exclaimed, jumping on her two best friends.
"We better leave the lessons for tomorrow," Kalego-sensei sighed to himself, as the rest of the pack went on and puppy-pilled Iruma, once they've got him off his 'throne'. He shook his head at his students' absurdity and walked out of the East Wing, towards his house in the garden. "Now all I have to do is tell Opera..."
"Tell Opera what?" The demon asked, from behind him.
Kalego jumped and squealed from the surprise, to then scowl at the demon. He might be expressionless but the elder has known him for a while, and he could notice the amused glint in his eyes. Slowly the scowl turned into an evil grin, knowing that what he would say next would shock him good.
"What do you think of becoming a parent?" Kalego asked with a broad smile. Opera blinked a few times, as if not understanding the question, and then promptly fainted on the spot. Kalego laughed, a true heartfelt laugh. Took out his camera and took pictures for blackmail purposes. "Best day ever!" Kalego sang as skipped towards his house, making Sullivan, who caught him by his office's window, tremble in fear. In what crazy world has he been thrust into?! The Duke thought in fear, crying fat tears of fear as the dog demon continued to skip and sing: "Best day ever!"
Truly what a terrifying and strange day.