I decided to comply as I followed Grayfia who took the lead into the gate of the luxurious castle.

What greeted me was something that caught me off guard.

As I entered the Gremory's castle, everything was red as far as I could see. The walls are adorned with exquisite artwork and tapestries and large windows, each covered with red curtains bearing Gremory sigil. Plush velvet drapes in rich jewel tones frame the windows, adding a touch of regal splendour.

In the centre of the hall stands an enormous staircase, crafted from gleaming marble and adorned with ornate wrought railings. Each step is meticulously carved, leading up to the upper levels of the castle.

All the details, including the geometric floor pattern, the intricate wall carvings, and the gilded light fixtures have been carefully chosen to exemplify the sumptuous aesthetic.

Suffice it to say, that even with the knowledge that Gremory was in the top five most prestigious families, this type of greeting completely blew me away.

"... Holy shit,"

"Ahem. Crass words such as that are not befitting of your status, Milord." Grayfia cheekily whispered from the side.

"Can't blame me when my past home was part lab and less of a luxurious mansion, can you?" I chuckled.

'I mean, even the servants were mostly researchers and lab assistants working for my father. Secrecy was a bitch at times.'

Grayfia nodded in return. But I could see a hint of a teasing glint in the corner of her eye. "I shall assume it as a first-time misstep, Milord. But I trust you'd be able to keep your composure in the future, especially when you meet with other members of the Gremory family later?"

Knowing that while they were mostly chill type of people, having some degree of courtesy was still mandatory for me.

"Alright, I will take note of that."

Grayfia nodded, satisfied with my acceptance as she quickly called a few passing attendants, telling each of them what they needed to do with such precision. One butler immediately went to retrieve my luggage, while others were directed to double-check my room.

I merely waited as Grayfia did her job as head maid, inwardly appreciating her handiwork and command over the staff.

Damn, she surely worked fast for Selena's Queen.

"Something crossed your mind, Milord?"

I did a double-take when Grayfia suddenly appeared beside me, even bypassing my detection easily. Well, it might be due to my being fully engrossed in my thoughts. I should stop that. This wasn't Ajuka's hideout anymore. I should be more on guard.

To be able to bypass Kankara's detection was an incredible feat. Both are incredibly skilled for an outsider to worm past it and me to just be incredibly foolish to let it happen.

"Nothing, I was just thinking that you're doing a good job. As expected of my mother's—Lady Selena's Queen. To be her head maid and second-in-command, you must be the creme of the crop." I replied to her truthfully.

Grayfia let out a hum after hearing my answer. "Thank you for your compliment, my lord. But perhaps I should correct you about a little misinformation."

I looked at her with a questionable gaze. "What mistake?"

"It's about my placement in my Lady's peerage. To be precise, I am not her Queen, I am her Bishop."

Well, That was eye-opening.

But then it clicked on me. I was so preoccupied about this world being the same as the canonical version that it affected my state of mind for a bit, that it made me forget that Sirzechs did not exist. Selena did. And she wasn't married to Grayfia who had been Sirzechs' Queen in canon.

That spot was reserved for someone else.

"Ohh! Grayfia-dono! Aren't you supposed to accompany Selena-denka to her annual meetings today?"

'Speaking of the devil, and she shall appear.'

The figure who greeted Grayfia with a jovial tone was a woman of short stature. Luscious golden hair reaching past her hips swayed behind her. Bright green eyes which emanated curiosity as well as wisdom belied her inner youth despite her age. She was currently wearing a white kimono that revealed the shoulder part of her body, and a purplish hakama on the bottom, complete with a set of geta sandals. On the part around her neck and upper chest, there was a red insignia with peculiar motifs.

And with my Kankara taking note of the giant value over her, my knowledge about my mother's change in peerage solidified it. This person was her actual second-in-command, also known as her Queen.

"Lady Tamamo," Grayfia greeted her back with a polite bow. "I was. However, Lady Lucifer assigned me to accompany this young man on a tour around the Gremory estate. He shall be living with us from now on, you see. My Lady's orders."

"Hoh, hoh? Is that so? Then I must have missed something interesting that happened whilst you were out, hm!"

The person who currently eyed me from all angles with deep interest was none other than Tamamo-No-Mae. The legendary figure is across various stories in Japanese mythology and is also known as one of the Great Trio of Terrible Yokai in Japan. A legendary Nine-tailed Kitsune who was infamously known for her terrible deeds across the East Asian continent, especially in the Chinese and Japanese mythologies.

And she was currently standing in front of me while having a conversation with Grayfia about my origins.

Or it was like she was interrogating her. The maid was pointedly brushing aside any direct questions about me and was seemingly unfazed at being badgered by this ancient Yokai.

But considering her number being the third highest I've seen by far, as well as my knowledge of her legends, I couldn't help but gulp my saliva a bit.

'Fuck, this went from a tad bit inconvenient to mega hard real fast, not to mention there was nothing about Tamamo that existed in the series other than she was sealed by the Five Principles Clan.'

"He is here under Lady Lucifer's tutelage," Grayfia explained, which gained Tamamo's interest, much to my chagrin.

"Oh, my? Didn't expect that Denka would take an interest in someone else. Interesting…" She then eyed me with a pair of emerald orbs, filled with morbid curiosity. "Other than her daughter and her sister, she hardly ever brings anyone to the house unless it is due to unique circumstances. Considering it's training, I don't see why not. But to let an outsider in." She wasn't doing it with her mouth, but the interest in the kitsune's eyes mirrored the licking of lips. "...Truly interesting."

"Lady Tamamo, please." Grayfia gracefully came to my aid and pulled the hungry gaze of the fox lady away. "Yes, his circumstances are unique, however, that doesn't permit you to go about being rude to Lady Lucifer's guest. This young man here is under our care and protection and must be treated with a modicum of hospitality."

Tamamo hummed, her hungry smile never leaving her face despite acceding to Grayfia's explanation. While her gaze was still locked onto mine, my eyes only slightly drifted to the number above her head as I kept my guard up around what should've been someone not present in the original timeline.

At least, not present in the sense that she was deceased.

"Ahaha! Relax Grayfia-dono. I don't mean any harm." Her eyes lay in that they still shone with a hint of interest. "Hm... I quite like the look about him. One cannot measure his worth on appearances alone, but I must admit him to be quite handsome at least. His appearance even sort of reminds me of Lord Beel—!"

It was at that instant that the glint in her eye not only sparked with realisation but maybe twisted in intent. At least, that's what I felt when a shiver ran down my spine as she stared at me. Quietly, she leaned over to Grayfia, all signs of playful demeanour now turning to one of deep inquisition as she hissed questions from behind her hand.

"Is he—"

"—Whatever could you mean?"

"Don't play games with me, Grayfia-dono! His appearance! It's—"

"—Yes. I will confirm that much. But not another word."

"But, how?"

"I am not at liberty to speak on this matter with you just yet. You will need Selena's permission for that."

"... For you to directly invoke Denka's name instead of her title, this lad is no mere brat, is he?"

Grayfia didn't answer further despite going along with Tamamo's hushed and hurried whispers.

'So the cat's now out of the bag,' I was mentally commended for quickly picking up on the clues. Then again, immediately connecting the dots of my relationship with Ajuka through appearance alone wasn't very surprising.

Loathe as I am to admit, I do look like the younger spitting image of that handsome bastard. Or half of him. Mother's genes were still pretty good appearance-wise. A shame I didn't get Sirzechs' elegant eyes and pretty-boy smile.

Side note, for Grayfia to directly refer to my mother's name like that, I guessed that she never told anyone about me at all, even her own Peerage sans Grayfia herself.

Secrecy to the max.

A sudden change in numbers to my side made me turn my head immediately. I'd come face-to-face with Tamamo in a near-kiss position.

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Tamamo and jumped a bit. "You don't have to be so surprised, pretty boy. Just let me get a good look at you~!"

To my credit, it seemed that even she didn't expect my reaction time. But to think that she bypassed Kankara's detection radius for a good one second before I could react to her. She had a hand on either side of my face, bringing me in for a closer inspection. I could feel her breath brushing up against my own.

It was strangely arousing but ringing alarm bells in my head for all the wrong reasons.

"Hmmm… Now that I have a good look at you, you're quite fetching. In more ways than one~!"

The fox's eyes had a different air about them now. There was something more than mere curiosity in their light. It was almost intoxicating.

'Is being stared at meant to be so alluring?'

I was about to lose it then and there when thank fucking Christ, Grayfia saved me from that, pulling me away from the kitsune's grip without hesitation.

"That's enough horsing around, Tamamo. You're being beyond rude at this point."

The older woman's hands on my shoulders immediately snapped me out of the trance. Quickly recomposing myself, I inwardly panicked. Kankara's analysis quickly informed me of how I was easily manhandled by this old Yokai in front of me.

'How? I didn't even realise the instant she started charming me!'

For fuck sake, all of that training and I let my guard down soon after leaving that forsaken place, and twice on top of that!

I swear Ajuka would have tripled my training had he heard about this.

"You should learn to contain your neediness, Tamamo. Lady Selena would be disappointed in your lack of self-control."

While I was trying to see if my power could deduce what the hell happened, Grayfia confronted the teasing fox behind me.

"Oh, don't be a spoilsport, Fia-dono! Nay, Fia~chan~~!" A snide expression curled Tamamo's lips. "Besides, something about her child is very intriguing. Won't you let this alluring and beautiful kitsune satiate her curiosity~?!"

"That's beside the point, Tamamo." The tone that Grayfia used now contained some hint of frustration, not entirely out of raw anger but approaching it. "You charmed him. Once Selena hears about this, I'm afraid I'd have to leave you alone to deal with her ire. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be inclined to get in the way of her rage. As I already made you aware, he is a very, very important guest of hers."

There was an edge to her tone. Getting a better look at her as she stood between me and the fox, there was also haze, a dangerous air of demonic energy flowing about Grayfia.

Not enough for combat, but it was a visible cue. A warning.

"Dear me, so terrifying~! I was only teasing." To her credit, Tamamo easily maintained her composure, cheekily grinning despite the hard stare the silver-haired maid gave her. "Hm… Strange…"

"What is?" The fox eyed her back, gaze narrowing with a smirk as she wondered aloud. "You're being defensive of him. Even if he is someone our dear Denka treasures, I wonder why you seem so agitated with my welcoming him. Are you also perhaps secretly interested in claiming the boy, dear Fia~chan?"

"I don't quite understand. Care to repeat the nonsense you have been spouting, Tamamo?"

"Ara~Ara~!" Grayfia didn't flinch even as the kitsune pushed her face into hers. "Don't be so cold, darling~! It won't do well if you start growing wrinkles before you get married~!"

Sparks were flying. And I was the unfortunate audience caught in the middle. I swear, the tension around here was just too much. Kankara's calculations aside, common sense dictates trying to defuse the situation with two women squabbling was never a good option.

With that in mind, I decided that was my cue to leave.

Masking my presence, I mutter an 'excuse me' and slip away, out of view of either beautiful but deadly ladies. Only after reaching the end of the hallway did I get to relax.

"Man, that was something else," I muttered while walking on the spacious corridor of the Gremory home. "As a wise man once said, 'hell hath no fury than a woman scorned'. Don't wanna deal with that."

'And I especially don't want to have to deal with that fox lady with a charm swift enough to overpower me before I could use my power to defend myself.'

Getting in the way of fighting women notwithstanding, I need to come up with a countermeasure to that woman. Her number was a big indicator of her power level, but I initially assumed I'd be able to match her. I was wrong to assume.

As I walked down this long hallway while still thinking about the previous event, a realisation crossed my mind. A simple, yet obvious thing.

"Dammit… I'm lost, aren't I?…" No one answered me. Of course, it's my fault for ditching my guide. I pinched my nose in annoyance. Or was it frustration at my cowardice?

Still, by a technicality, I was not entirely lost. With a little manipulation of Kankara to formulate a map via my recent memory, even if I was meandering about thoughtlessly, I should be able to map out this freaking huge castle. But the thought of getting myself lost due to avoiding the quarrel between my mother's peerage was an itch that annoyed me.

'... Way to ruin the day I meet my mother for the first time. And here I thought it'd just be a day of celebrations.'

Then again, I kind of had to stay in hiding still. As much as I want to stretch my legs after leaving the old man's hideout, gotta keep my head low.

"Excuse me. Who are you, mister?" Just as I thought it, the squeaky voice of someone who found me spoke up.

Turning my head towards the voice, I was met with a lone, petite maid who was carrying a basket filled with dry, fresh laundry.

Looking at her appearance, she was an typical devil. Decently attractive appearance, small in stature, with shoulder-length light-brown hair, and pink-coloured eyes, wearing neat maid garments as her eyes gazed at me with plain curiosity. "You're not an intruder, right? If so, then I must insist for you to leave, or I shall warn the head maid to escort you out from Gremory territory."

A warning, yet not necessarily threatening. Spoken with a calm voice, unwavering in the presence of potential threats.

Was it naivete? Or just confidence that the Gremory house's head maid could handle any issue? Then again, the second-in-command and her lackadaisical wandering of the halls before meeting us was telling of their homely nonchalance. Relatively speaking, I should be the nervous one if I was an average intruder.

I mentally applaud the maid's attitude of dealing with a stranger, while also maintaining an upright dignity that didn't bow before some random outsider she just met. She was polite, but she also wasn't arrogant or afraid to do her job.

"Good day, miss," I simply nodded back. "Sorry, but I am a guest on Lady Lucifer's invitation. I seem to have gotten lost. Lady Grayfia was escorting me earlier. However, I seemed to have gotten separated from her when a fox lady started chatting with her."

"Ahh! You mean you just met with Lady Tamamo?" The maid was quick to recognize which person I meant and gave me a curt but rushed bow. "My apologies, dear esteemed guest. I was informed that we were expecting someone today. However, if Lady Tamamo doesn't take any action at all, then she must have been aware of your arrival. Welcome to the Gremory house, sir."

Hm. Not even a slight bit suspicious despite me not having proof of my words… Damn. This girl is way too aloof for her own good. 'Nonchalant' wasn't even enough to explain her chill attitude.

Had I been a typical devil noble, her speech alone would have warranted punishment.

But then again, the Gremory clan was pretty powerful. Even if their household permitted treating their servants like family, it's not like outsiders get a say against it. Having someone as casual as this maid was probably a normal thing in this place.

Although, my opinion might be wrong.

"Aisha,"

"Eeep—!" The girl before me jumped when an unmistakably icy tone from Grayfia called out from down the hall. She finally managed to catch up with me. And she was a bit peeved. She didn't show it, but even as she greeted me with a nod, nothing was hiding the ice in her stern gaze.

"While our household treated servants unlike other households, some standard must be held. Notably, your attitude in addressing Lord Mael is something you must work on."

"L-Lord—?!" Aisha looked at Grayfia, then at me, then Grayfia again before her neck, looking like it was about to snap, turned back to me in a low bow. Low enough that the clothes in her basket nearly toppled to the floor. "P-please forgive my ignorance, milord! A thousand apologies for my rudeness!"

A glance towards Grayfia and I note her anger was dissipating. Perhaps it wasn't the maid's attitude that was the issue and more. It was about the earlier.

"You are forgiven, Aisha. Besides, it's more my fault for straying from my guide and minder in the first place. Sorry for that, by the way." A nod to Grayfia sheepishly, her facial expression softening a bit more.

"So, seems like you finally managed to fend her off?"

"If only things were that simple," she let out a sigh while brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Apologies for her uncouth behaviour, Lord Mael. Lady Tamamo is just curious about yourself, for lack of a better term."

"You're telling me that is how she normally acts?" I flatly asked.

"Ah. Lady Tamamo-No-Mae is indeed an eccentric individual," Aila replied with a thoughtful expression. "She is a bright and outspoken person, but sometimes she often teases other attendants with various pranks. I heard not even Lady Lucifer was safe from her mischief, especially when—"

"Aila," I was listening intently to Aila's gossip, but Grayfia quickly cut her off before she further exposed the past embarrassment of her liege. "Detention with me tonight, eight in the usual cleaning hall. Tardiness entails a longer session."

"E-eh? B-but Miss Grayfia?!"

"No excuses," Grayfia's stern expression quickly shut the poor maid down. "I won't tolerate such slanderous behaviour, no matter who it is about."

The poor maid could only let her shoulders sag in acceptance. "Okay…"

I held back my amusement for her sake. No shit, the idea my mother was getting pranked was an interesting thing, but to hurt the earnest girl's feelings by laughing at her would be rude.

"Something funny, Lord Mael?"

"Not at all." I quickly answered with a straight face.

"Good, because while you're an important guest of our lord, I will not tolerate such ill-mannered behaviour such as gossiping about people above one's station."

In short, 'I'm pissed today because of the fox. Please don't add on to it.' Geez, this woman needs to chill sometime. Or maybe she can't because of the earlier fox incident.

Still, the way she can read into my thoughts with her gaze was very unnerving sometimes. Just like mother, only different. Maybe.

'I swear, women were such mysterious creatures,' I inwardly complained, doing my best to avoid Grayfia's gaze to prevent her from wildly perceiving my inner musings again.

But while I was doing it, another voice suddenly entered the fray, and this time it was coming from a feminine figure bearing a striking appearance to someone I knew.

"Yahoo! Grayfia-chan~! What are you doing here with Aila-chan and—Hmmm?" She cheerfully greeted the silver-haired maid, before she quickly stopped her joyous greeting as her crimson eyes now bore into mine. "Ah, is this our guest for today?"

Short, crimson-haired, almost a younger version of Mother but about Aisha's height except for her fuller curves compared to the maid, she wore tight black shorts and a black tank top, along with those black stockings and white sneakers, combined with a stylish red jacket with white stripes in design.

Truly an awe-inspiring appearance that belied her youthful vigour as well as the same attention-grabbing air Selena had.

And from her appearance alone, I already guessed who her identity was.

"Yes, Lady Milia," Grayfia answered without missing a beat. "This young man is an esteemed guest of Lady Lucifer, Lord Mael Astaroth. Please treat him well."

"Eh? He's an Astaroth?" Aisha, muttering in quiet disbelief, quietly checked me out on the side.

Milia, however.

"An Astaroth?" The young lady quickly shoved her face into mine, stopping an inch away from my nose. How many women of this household aside from Grayfia have a habit of invading personal spaces, bloody hell. "You surely are an Astaroth with that greenish hair. Considering the other Astaroth I knew was Uncle Ajuka and Latia. I guess you would be the third one."

I raised my eyebrow on the slight stop after she mentioned Latia. But I also can guess why.

Shaking her head, she then gave a big smile while stretching her right hand. "Nice to meet you, Mael-kun! My name is Milia Gremory, and I am the daughter of Selena Lucifer! Nice to meet you!"

Seeing her cheerful smile brought an unexplainable feeling that went through my stomach. But…

'Now's not the time for the reveal.'

Restraining myself to a small smile, I extended my hand back, letting her grab me for a handshake. "Mael Astaroth. Nice to meet you, Lady Milia."

"Ehhh~! Don't be such a party-pooper! Just call me Milia. And in exchange, I will call you by your name as well! Let's be friends since both of us are the same age!"

"I could be older though?"

"Nahhh! You're definitely at my age~!" said Milia while sticking her tongue out.

Her confidence was astounding. But was it just her guessing? Kankara couldn't answer that speculation.

My little sister can't be this impressive, can she?

"Busted," I couldn't help the smirk. "Alright, alright. You win. Nice to finally meet you, Milia. Call me whatever you like."

"That's more like it!" Milia cheerfully replied while using both of her hands on my hand. "Wait, 'Finally'?" Her eyes seemed to widen as mine, and Grayfia's, narrowed at my slip. Didn't get a chance to pull back as Milia's eyes were suddenly shoved right into mine. "Did Mom invite you because of me?"

'How do I answer this without giving the secret away?'

Looking at Grayfia over the kid's shoulder, she had nothing to help me out of this. So I settled for being vague. "Let's say I was already told beforehand."

I don't know why, but when Milia's curiosity twinkled in her eyes locked onto mine, I felt as though my heart stopped.

Becoming a big brother was a weird experience.

-To Be Continue-

Beta Reader: LuluViBritania(FF.N, SB, WN and QQ)/-LuluViB99th Britannian Emperor(Discord), ReavesTheReader(FF.N and QQ) Basilisk

When I said I was about to update Fortune, I lied.
I got too much mood for Kankara that I ended up finishing chapter 4 faster
Shorter than before but it's fine.
Now for few things
Grayfia isn't Selena's Queen. She's her bishop. And we have a new player for being Selena's Queen.
If you ask whether she was a canon character, she technically is canon. Only once gets mentioned during Slash Dog.
She also a quickwitted girl, able to deduce Mael's identity soon as she examined him, what a dangerous girl indeed.
And we finally met with Mael's twin sister, Milia Gremory. If any of you realized who she was, then she is exactly who you are thinking.
No promises for next update, I just let my muse speak up.

Another thing I want to address is the changed of initial prospect. I decided to put this as pure DxD fic, for now. I will address the reason later.
Alas, please enjoy the chapter.

Reviews:

Kr3: Mael is still not yet to fully master his power. And both Ajuka and Selena couldn't protect him 7/24 hours. He's strong but like chapter 1 mentioned, few factors made all New Devil Kings being paranoid in recent activities of an unknown group.

Benny farr: yes, and she's also unmarried.

sid99: there will be a crossover version of this.

and other reviews, cheers and you do you.