Chapter 54: Courting Devils
As we walked, Ranni's arms in mine, I could feel the gazes we attracted. It was only fair after all, being an object of mystique as we were. Thankfully, we were in a rather high class area of Lilith, so the people around us were much too prideful to lower themselves to approaching us unprompted. They have dignity to uphold, as imaginary as it was.
"Mine understanding is that the purpose of a visit to an establishment like the one we are attending is to demonstrate one's wealth and prestige to a prospective partner." Ranni spoke, her voice light, "Seeing as I do not need to partake in sustenance and am uncaring of thy wealth, I am curious about the choice of courting location."
Rather than expecting myself to justify the choice of upscale restaurant for a location of this outing, I got the feeling that she instead wished to know how to act on this date. An all powerful Goddess she may be, but she is woefully inexperienced when it comes to romance. It's no wonder she was slightly nervous when it came to her first proper date.
"That's true, but the choice of location was more to do with how the public would perceive it." I answered, "For us, I was hoping that it would allow us to speak personally, get to know each other more in an intimate setting."
"An intimate setting, thou say? Should I be worried for mine chastity?" I was happy that she was comfortable enough for jokes.
"Only if you deem me worthy of such a priceless gift, my Lady. I would not dare to presume." I grinned at the teasing.
She squeezed my arm in light rebuke, "How uncouth, blatantly admitting thy planned deprivations. Thou should learn to more gently treat a maiden's heart."
I was getting better at reading her. She had perfect control over her face and expressions, her voice perfectly even and giving away nothing. Still, I could detect the slight hint of embarrassment hiding behind her words.
"I agree, that is something that is very important to learn. Would you be my teacher?" I teased further, "Unfortunately, in my inexperience, I might make a few mistakes. I am sure a gracious woman such as yourself would be forgiving of my missteps?"
"Thy tongue grows more honeyed by the day." She griped, voice still perfectly even, "At this point I worry that thou will charm many unintentionally. I notice thy habit of flirting with any and all that cross thine path. It blunts the effects of thy words if they are too freely given, mine Consort."
"You wound me, my lady." I dramatically grabbed my chest with the hand not in her grasp, "I only bestow such words on the truly deserving. Besides, of all these women I flirt with, might I ask which remains as my one and only Consort?"
"Thy thinking is to squirm thine way out of this with compliments?" She queried, gaze locked forward.
"Is it working?" I responded.
She did not respond, merely coming to stop in front of an ornate, overly decorated facade of a building.
"I believe we hath arrived." She spoke, staring up in palpable distaste at the spectacle before us.
"I humbly ask that you bear with it." I remarked, also not impressed.
"I am not unaccustomed to such unnecessary displays." She tightened her grip around my arm, "I am sure I shall live."
"This is your seat, my Lord, my Lady." The Host bowed as he indicated a lavish golden table situated towards the back of the Dining Hall.
Lucifer's Smile was the premier dining location in the Capital of the Devil Race, meaning that we were not the only Lord and Lady in attendance. Many eyes tracked our journey across the room with great interest, but at least for the time being the laws of politeness held and none made to approach us.
I swiftly moved from behind the Host and pulled out Ranni's chair, earning a regal nod of thanks from her as she sat. I turned to the Host and nodded to him, causing him to bow once more and return to greeting the next guests.
As I sat, I waved my hand with the index finger pointed out, causing a magical circle to flare to life around the table, drawing even more attention, before the circle flashed and ensured that the words shared between Ranni and I would not pass the boundary.
"There, we have some privacy. Despite the pageantry, I am actually looking forward to getting to know you better, Ranni." I spoke, lowering my hand.
"And I you, Dear Consort." She replied, before steepling her upper pair of hands, "I must admit though, now we have arrived at this point, I find myself at a bit of a loss as to what to ask."
"Starting at the basics seems to be best, I would think. I doubt that your previous adventures with me in the Lands Between gave much opportunity to discuss frivolities. What are your hobbies, Ranni? What do you like to do to relax?" I took the hint and started to lead the conversation.
"There were more times for conversation than thou might think." She smiled faintly, "But indeed, our discussions rarely wandered into the areas of recreation. I have always been fond of reading, thy library has been a great boon to me this past month."
"I enjoy reading too, especially with Shiro. We use it to bond together, it's the activity she finds the most enjoyment in. Perhaps we should set up a few reading dates of our own?" I suggested, causing her smile to widen.
"That would be most welcome. What books most catch thy fancy, when thou art in the mood?" She relaxed, allowing her steepled hands to rest more loosely in her lap as she engaged with the conversation.
"Mostly spell books and discussions upon the nature of Devil Magic. Additionally, histories of the Houses and politics of the underworld, although I have had to supplement those from the time after the Civil War." I replied.
"How practical." She lightly teased, "But I must admit to also losing mine self within mystical tomes. Still, I find mine attention drawn more to fantastical stories, rather than purely instructional ones."
"Oh? A fan of fiction are we? I find nothing odd about that, if my position did not demand so much from me I would likely find some time to indulge likewise. What sort of novels do you enjoy?" I was interested, not expecting this from her.
"Thou might think it silly, but I was always partial to romance novels. The chivalrous knight pledging his sword and soul to the fair princess… It was always something that fascinated me." She stared intensely into my eyes as she spoke her next words, "Never would I have expected that mine own knight would appear before me. Is it any wonder that I fell so hard for thee?'
"Well, earning your affection for a promise that I cannot recall making is slightly awkward, I must admit." I chuckled slightly nervously, "But, I would gladly swear that vow to you again, should you wish it."
"There is little need, Consort. Thou art keeping to its boundaries rather admirably." Her smile turned gentle, "Would thou raise thy sword in defence of me and mine aims? Would thou defend me from any that would seek my head?"
"I doubt that such protection would be truly needed." I remarked, "But I would gladly do so. Although I did not expect you to arrive here, rather expecting that I would have to travel to you, I am very glad you are here, Ranni."
"As am I." Her happiness shone through the soft response.
Our conversation was interrupted by a waiter coming to our table to receive our orders. Thanks to magic and devil sensibilities (Nobles need not wait for their food), the food was almost instantly put before us.
"I notice, Mine Consort, that thou are more partial to meat dishes." Ranni commented once the waiter was outside of the privacy ward, "Thou seem to always have it present in some form in thine dishes."
"Now that you mention it, I suppose you are right." I laughed at the observation, not realising myself, "I suppose it is a holdover from habit. I have always enjoyed meat, now that I have full control over my diet it always sneaks its way in somewhere."
"Indulgences are nothing to be ashamed about." She remarked, "I am rather partial to Gevain fruits myself. Although I have not had them for quite some time."
"Gevain fruits?" I had never heard of them before, "I am unfamiliar with them."
"Indeed, it is unlikely that they were something thou would have encountered. Tis a grape like fruit, pale blue in colour, that grew in a clusters and had a sweet taste. Here, let me show thee."
She raised her hand and projected an image from the palm, depicting a small fruit that was as she said, pale blue in colour. However, they reminded me of something that was native to Earth.
"Hmm, they appear to be similar to blackberries. That's a type of fruit that is native and grown upon this world. Would you like to try some, see if it is to your liking?" I offered.
"Similar looks do not denote similar tastes, Consort." She held a small smile as she responded.
"No, of course not. But being adventurous every now and then is not a bad thing. If you do not like them, then no harm done. Should you not at least give them a try?" I grinned.
"Very well, thou hath talked me into it." She conceded instantly, obviously interested in sweet treats just like any other person would be.
I waved down a waiter, asking them for a blackberry dessert, which was promptly delivered. Ranni broke off a small piece of it with a fork and brought it to her mouth, tasting the morsel she had secured for herself. Her eyes widened at the taste as she swiftly swallowed and recovered her small break in composure.
"Tis as I suspected, not nearly the same. However, I could easily find myself enjoying the taste of these… Blackberries, thou called them?" She checked and at my nod, returned to break off another piece of the dessert, "However, it is likely that such exotic fruits would be difficult to get. Please do not inconvenience yourself for me in order to indulge whims and luxuries that are unneeded."
"Oh? Presumptuous of you. I hadn't even offered to get you more yet." I joked.
"I know thee, Damocles. Thou would do so regardless. I am informing thee that it is appreciated, but unnecessary." She rolled her eyes in her response, her obvious enjoyment of the confection not diminished at all by the action.
"In that case, allow me to assuage your worries. Blackberries are fairly common and easy to acquire, and even if they were not I would easily be able to afford far more exotic purchases. What I am getting at, My lady, is you do not have a choice." I resolutely stated.
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, her fork in-between her lips as she took another bite of the dessert.
"I will pamper you with desserts whether you want it or not." I nodded, as if laying down a law, "Now that I know it is something you enjoy, I will not let this knowledge go unexploited."
"As ruthless in love as thou are in war." She laughed lightly, "Exactly as Mine Consort should be. I must admit, I look forward to what can be wrought by thine magical hands with this fruit."
"Well then, prepar-" My rejoinder was interrupted by a loud, booming voice echoing from across the Dining Hall.
"Lord Sagan! Fancy meeting you here!" An older devil I was familiar with from my time at the Senate was the source.
It appeared that the limits of politeness had been reached.
I waved a hand, dispelling the barrier around the table before calling back, at a much lower volume and not bothering to rise from my seat, "Lord Paimon. I am here on personal business."
"Indeed, indeed." The older politician slimed his way across the room, drawing every eye, making it clear that whatever this play was he wished for it to be public, "I merely wanted to confirm your attendance to the largest event in the Underworld, happening next month. I did not get your reply to my invitation?"
His voice trailed off into a question at the end, which I promptly ignored, "Allow me to introduce my lovely companion and betrothed, Ranni, The Goddess of the Dark Moon."
Paimon blinked at the apparent complete change of subject, before bowing and extending a hand towards Ranni, "Verily? I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Ranni."
Ranni spared him a glance as she took another bite of her desert, almost finished, before she turned her gaze back to me, completely ignoring the offered limb.
"Right." He recovered remarkably quickly, moving on from the rudeness with aplomb and swiftly retracting his hand, "All the more reason for you to attend, Lord Sagan. Announcing that you are accepting Betrothal agreements is a rather seismic shift for the Underworld to go notified about!"
I headed off the disaster before it could even start, "I am not. Ranni is to be my one and only Lady Sagan."
"And the eligible bachelorettes the underworld over weep in frustration, I am sure!" He laughed, falsely, "Regardless, seeing as I have yet to receive a response from yourself, I thought that perhaps the invitation had not been delivered properly. That is why I simply must seize upon this chance to ensure it reaches your hands."
So saying, he proffered a sealed envelope, waving it before me. Taking the thick paper as I debated how to deal with this buffoon, I noticed something familiar in the text on the front.
"Oh? That's rather odd." I spoke, staring at the written date, "I was under the impression that the Sitri Heir was hosting a Ball for her birthday on that date."
Lord Paimon's smile became tighter at my words, "Indeed, but I have no contact with the Sitri, as you well know. What they decide to do when has no bearing upon my own business."
Why did I even bother?
"How disgustingly petty." I raised my voice for the first time since he had called out to me, not to shout at the man, but to ensure that my voice was easily heard by the gossiping onlookers, "I would think serious rivals would not devolve to the point of snide scheduling 'conflicts'. This is pathetic."
"I would caution, Lord Sagan, that you choose your next words and actions carefully." Lord Paimon hissed, "Should you choose to attend the Sitri function, it would cause some to wonder as to where your loyalties lay."
"Indeed?" I mocked, "And just what would these 'some' do about it? Schedule pointless events to conflict with mine? The horror."
"Now see here-!" He drew himself up, but I merely tossed the envelope back at him.
"Calm yourself, Lord Paimon. I am not attending the Sitri function. Neither am I attending yours. Your factionalism bores me." I looked back to Ranni, who had a wicked gleam in her eye as she watched the confrontation.
"You are merely an Earl. I was being polite to you Sagan, but it appears that was a mistake. You do not understand your position, your family are no longer Princes. You may act as if you are above caring about Devil Politics, but you have nowhere near the standing to act as you do. It will come back to bite you, mark my words." He hissed out the words, attempting to keep them marginally less public, but was still heard by the closest tables.
"You come here to interrupt my date, to impress upon me demands on my time and have the temerity to accuse me of arrogance? Hypocrisy is an unflattering look upon you, my Lord. Your message has been received and you are no longer welcome at my table." I gave him one last chance.
That he refused to take.
"This is what I mean, Lord Sagan. Surely you can see that a mere Earl dismissing a Duke like myself can be construed as-"
"Lock."
His eyes widened as his body locked up and ceased movement. I sighed as I stood up and turned towards the frozen Lord, the entire restaurant suddenly dead silent at my actions.
"I did not imagine that I would have to teach a lesson that should have been well known on my first outing to the Underworld, but it appears as if I have massively overestimated the level of Modern Devil's intelligence and education." Paimon was slamming his might into my Lock, but thanks to Inexhaustible all it succeeded in doing was exhausting his own reserves, "Why were the Sagan Princes, Lord Paimon? Oh, excuse me, you cannot answer. Allow me to enlighten you."
I picked up my dining knife, cleaned it off on the provided serviettes and gently, tenderly, placed it on the neck of my captive audience.
Using the utensil to tilt his face up to look into mine, I continued, "You see, the original rankings of Hell were not determined by wealth, or status, or pedigree. No, the only thing that denoted where your House fell was Power, pure and simple. We were amongst the most Powerful Devils to exist and therefore rightfully had a place at the top of our Race. Tell me Lord Paimon, now that we are no longer Princes, instead 'mere' Earls, does it feel like that Power has diminished? Do you think the difference between such arbitrary distinctions as 'Duke' and 'Earl' and 'Prince' would stop me should I decide to slit your throat here and now?"
I paused, lightly pressing the sharp silver edge of the dining tool into the skin of his neck, "I wonder, what use is all that politicking to you right now? Your decades of manipulations, of deals and amassing wealth. You are unable to even argue your case. Despite your prestige compared to me, right now you are no different from anyone else."
I removed the knife, having not even broken the skin of his throat, "Rejoice, Lord Paimon. I do not kill messengers. Now, I have a message of my own for Lord Bael, I trust you will deliver it?"
I grabbed his chin and forced him to nod, "Good man, knew I could count on you. Tell Zekram, 'If you want me to join your Faction, have the balls to invite me yourself.' Can you remember that?"
Using my grip on his chin to make him nod again, I sighed, "I'm glad. Now I have a message for you. The next time you disrespect me by interrupting my dinner with my betrothed and not even acknowledging her before I force you to, it will be the last time. Please keep in mind, I do not make empty promises."
His eyes stared up into mine, almost uncomprehending at my brazenness. I paid it no mind, merely calmly returning to my seat and speaking to Ranni.
"I apologise for the interruption." My demeanour seemed to be most amusing to her.
"Pay it no heed, Consort. Such appears to be becoming the norm when we are alone. I find mine self in the mood for another of those desserts." Her words were even and controlled, but I could detect a sort of sadistic glee underneath.
"I shall make you one when we return home. Waiter! We are ready for the receipt." The pale faced young devil arrived, staring between me and the frozen Paimon patriarch in naked terror.
I paid a generous tip and rose, offering an arm for Ranni to take, which she gracefully did as she rose, "Thank you for the excellent service, my compliments to the Chef."
"I… I shall pass them on, My Lord. Thank you." He stammered, looking like he would rather be anywhere but there.
"Worry not, you may leave now." I allowed him an escape which he immediately took.
I turned back to the temporary statue in the room, speaking a singular word, "Unlock."
Paimon gasped, collapsing and scrabbling away from me. He had been fighting furiously the entire time, to exactly no visible effect. The man was haggard, on the last fumes of his Demonic Power, whereas I was completely unaffected.
Uncaring, I strode out of Lucifer's Smile, a smug, happy Moon Goddess snuggled into my side.
As I stepped onto the pavement outside the dining establishment and prepared to teleport us home, the Goddess leaned up to my ear and whispered, "Such a valiant defence of mine honour bears rewarding, Consort."
Suddenly I was looking forward to returning home even more than I already was.