After Delkira had become the Demon King, and Irumi had settled down in Sullivan's Manor, she was sad that she was separated with her father, although she understand that it was because he had to work. In place of her father, she now have a doting Grandpa and a loving caretaker who takes care of her and play with her. Delkira do come over once in a while to play with her, and sometimes Sullivan would bring her to the Babel Tower when they have to hold their occasional 13 Crowns Dinner, just like today. With the facade that he is showing off his Granddaughter, but in actually he just wanted to let Delkira have as much time as he can with Irumi. It would be selfish of him to just watch Irumi grow up.
Delkira missed out so much of Irumi's growing up, how she learned to help Opera set the table for meal times, how she learned to dress herself without the help of Opera or Sullivan, how she helped tend the garden, but cried when she realized she had pulled out a seedling instead of a weed. Irumi was only 3 but she had already learnt to have compassion for others, be it demons, creatures or plants.
"Delkira-sama" Sullivan said, gaining the attention of the king who is playing with his daughter in his private chambers as he watches her climb on top of a little ball, rolling on top of it with her tummy, while her little new developed wings flapped happily, although her wings are too young and weak to fly, she wanted to show off to her father, her new feathery wings, something that is rare in even Demons. Regular Demons have black leathery wings that look like bat wings. However, her wings looked like something that was of the Realm of Angels. except it was black. It suited her.
"There was an invitation from the Asmodeus family for Irumi-chan to join a tea party, as my granddaughter of course. As a Noble, a royalty even, She is now at the age where she should have her Social debut. Do you think that would be alright if she joined?" Sullivan asked the demon king.
Delkira froze for a little. 'Asmodeus, The family of where the Lady of Lust, Asmodeus Amaryllis is the head of. She is also a member of the 13 Crowns, She wouldn't know about Irumi being My daughter, would she? As much as I want to protect Irumi, She needs to step out in the world out there one day. It would definitely be of help for her to grow up normally as a regular noble Demon, Su-chan's Granddaughter.'
"I left her in your care. I believe you would protect her if anything happens at the tea party." Delkira said, while his large hands gently caressed Irumi's cheeks before she giggled and her tiny chubby hands reached up and grip on her father's hand, clinging her small body off of the large hand. Suddenly, her hands slipped and every adult in the room froze at the sight, Opera gasped as he thought the child was falling but he was too far away to catch her. He tightly shut his eyes and was embracing the thud that should be heard when she fell. None. He thought that maybe Sullivan or Delkira would have caught her, so he opened his eyes to look at the scene. Oddly Irumi's tiny wings flapped urgently, it was not strong enough to make her fly, but it was strong enough to help her flutter down to stand on the floor safely.
"O-Oh my Devil! Su-chan! Did you see that? I-Irumi can fly! My Daughter is such a genius!" Delkira almost burst into happy tears as he was able to see such a formidable milestone of his daughter.
"I-indeed Delkira-sama! Its such a pity we didn't capture it on camera!" Sullivan said as he picked up his granddaughter, who looks at her family, before burst into a fit of giggles at the atmosphere, her little tail swishing around showing her emotions. She was happy.
A few days later...
"Irumi-sama, Which dress would you like to wear today? We will be going to your first official tea party where you will have your social debut. Its an important day today so I would like to assist you in looking your best today." Opera asked as he pulled out a few formal dresses that he thinks would look good on Irumi, although he knows she looks good in everything.
Being an obedient and understanding girl, Irumi knows today is an important day, she wouldn't want to embarrass her family, she allowed Opera to help, knowing fairly well that the older demon have more nimble fingers as compared to her chubby and clumsy ones. "I-Irumi wants the blue one." being bundled in a large fluffy towel since she just finished her bath, She said as she pointed to a plain blue short dress, with cute white lace on the ends on her skirt and her sleeve. It was simple, but elegant, and definitely put her cuteness in the limelight.
After Opera helped her get dressed, she quickly ran out of her room with Opera in tow, towards her grandpa, wanting to show off her new outfit. Sullivan smiled lovingly as he watch her granddaughter ran towards her wearing a cute blue dress which settled a few inch past her knees and a pair of light blue pumps which completed the look, her long blue hair done up in a high pony-tail, secured by a white Ribbon.
"Irumi-chan~ You look so cute all dressed up like a little doll! Is my lovely Irumi ready to head out? You'll make lots of friends there today!" Sullivan asked as he picked up the little demon and held her in his arms. "Ung!" Smiling brightly at her grandpa's praises and words, she gave a nod so hard, Sullivan was afraid that her neck may ache later.
And with that, the three demon left on a carriage, Irumi sitting on Sullivan's lap while Opera rode at the front, guiding the demon horses towards their destination.
At Asmodeus' Manor, everyone was busy, the maids were busy serving the guests that have arrived, while the butlers were welcoming the incoming guests. And the owners were not free from being busy. Amaryllis was in her first born, Alice's room, making sure to help him look his best.
"Alice, I need you to be at your very best behavior today. I can forgive you if you are disrespectful to others on regular days, but not today. Sullivan-sama, one of the 3 Great Heroes and his Granddaughter, Irumi-sama will be here for her social debut. It would be terrible for the Asmodeus' Family reputation if you are rude towards her. Understand?" Amaryllis warned her son, while her hands moves quickly to brush and style the boy's short pink hair.
'Irumi-sama? Who is she, that my mother, one of the 13 Crowns have to call her name with respect and formalities? She would definitely be just another insolent brat. A rude, ill-mannered girl who is riding off her grandfather's fame.' The young Asmodeus scoffed softly, but he nodded his head in respect to his mother. He thought he would just put on a facade to 'take care' of the girl, and never cared for her again after today. Oh, how wrong was he.
"Madam, Sullivan-sama and Irumi-sama has arrived, along with their Servant Opera." The head Butler of the Asmodeus Family said outside of the door.
"Oh dear! its already this time? Quick let them know, We'll be right there in a moment." Amaryllis said before rushing to complete her son's look and pulling said son down to the hall where the party was held.
"Sullivan-sama, I am glad you are able to come!" the Older Asmodeus said before bending down to look at the Irumi who hid behind Opera's legs, her chubby little hands hugged her own tail as she looked at the lady. 'Lady.... Pretty...' Irumi thought in her mind, until the said lady spoke up to her.
"You must be Irumi-sama! Nice to meet you, you little cutie! You are so small and cute compared to my Alice-chan!" Amaryllis said before pushing Alice to greet the guests.
"I am Asmodeus Alice. Nice to meet you." Alice said, his right hand politely placed at his chest before he bowed to the young demon named Irumi. As much as he disliked her, Alice wanted to protect the reputation of the Asmodeus like his mother said.
"I-i am Irumi..." Irumi said softly, bowing her head, her nervousness was getting the better of her. It was the first time she was out in public where there were so many people staring at her. So many new things to absorb. Her tiny hand gripped her own tail tighter, while hiding further behind Opera's legs.
Sullivan's laugh roared in the room, his fierce aura was menacing, warning people around to mind their own business, which they did. While at the same time his laugh was also helping to calm Irumi down. "Irumi-chan is just so shy. Please do forgive her, young Asmodeus. It is her first time in such a place after all." His words made Alice flinch, before he quickly gave a quick bow of respect to the elder. After all, a young demon like him had just seen the Great Hero's aura. It definitely would have gave him some trauma, let alone scare him.
"Alice, would you be a dear and bring Irumi-sama to look around and get more comfortable? As a boy you'll be protecting her of course, wouldn't you?" Amaryllis asked Alice. It was more like an order as compared to a question. Alice sighed inwardly, but nodded his head and held his hand out to the Irumi, who only looked up at her grandpa for approval before she smiled at Alice and place her hand on Alice's.
'Her hand is so tiny. And that smile.... Unfair. hmph' Alice thought as he gently led the girl out to the garden.
"W-where are we going?" She asked the taller demon, as she just followed him, not knowing their destination.
"I want to show you something." Alice said as he led the other into a little forest of flowers. It was a quiet place as compared to the tea party that was held in the manor. Alice didn't like the rowdy kids that were there, as much as he wished to toss the responsibility of Irumi onto them, he couldn't bear to see her stressed, like she was earlier. It was obvious Irumi would have preferred to have a little alone time before she had to interact with the others again.
Irumi's eyes sparkled as she watched the the beautiful array of flowers in different shades of color, spread out in front of her. But a special one stood out to her. It was a rose, a silver one. Feeling intrigued, she let go of Alice's hand, unknowingly making Alice grumble at the lack of warmth in his hand where her hand once were.
"That's a Silverbreath. It is my Mother's favorite flower. Somehow it is very difficult to grow even though the gardener tried his very best to grow it, there is only one as you can see." Alice said in pity, before he spoke up again. "Would you like to take it? You can have it if you like."
'I know you will take it. Just take it. That will show that you are a selfish brat that just wants the good for yourself. That's how all Demons are. Selfish.' Alice thought.
Irumi blinked at the Asmodeus in confusion, as though he had grown a second head. "Why would Irumi do that?" She asked softly, before she turned her head back to stare at the flower, admiring the beauty of it, while she ensured that she had maintained an appropriate distance from the flower to not accidentally harm the flower from her clumsiness.
"Why wouldn't you? Don't you like it? Most Demons would just take what they want even without my permission!" Alice almost yelled, he couldn't understand.
"It will die. If Irumi take it from the bush, it won't be able to get the nutrients it needs from the rest of the plant. Irumi don't want it to die for Irumi's selfishness. Irumi is satisfied just watching it from a distance. also your mommy likes it. She would be sad if Irumi took it." She said before smiling cutely at the other, as she tried to reasoned.
"You are weird. People would have stolen it the moment I said it is rare." Alice said, staring at the other, dumbfounded by how stunning her smile was.
Suddenly from behind the bush, out jumps a giant queen Bee. Who probably made a nest in the beautiful garden, and the 2 kids have intruded.
"Insolent children. I have heard enough about your plans regarding stealing my flowers in my garden. You ought to be punished. Which one of you should I punish first?" The bee buzzed.
Alarmed, Alice jumped infront of Irumi in an attempt to protect her, he prepared small fire balls before aiming it towards the creature, angering it even more. "Out of the way, brat." the bee creature pushed Alice out of the way with her thick and long stinger. "She seems important to you. Just like how you want to steal my flowers. I shall steal her from you." The creature said before carefully picking Irumi up and flying off in a direction. Alice was left stunned standing in the garden, until the fact that Irumi had been taken away had settled in his mind before he frantically ran back to the manor to get help from the adults.
"What?! Irumi-sama is taken away?" Amaryllis could feel herself almost faint. The precious granddaughter of one of the 3 heroes, was kidnapped due to the inability of her son. She looked over at Sullivan, fearfully.
"Opera, Lets go." Sullivan said before he flapped out his large wings in the open garden and flew towards the direction that Alice pointed, along with Opera. Leaving Amaryllis to punish Alice, which was for Alice kneel in his room, until Irumi returns safely.
"Opera, can you smell her?" Sullivan asked the cat demon, as they had flew a long distance but still no sight of his precious granddaughter. 'If Delkira found out, I would probably be decapitated.' Sullivan thought.
Opera nodded before he pointed to the top of a tall tower. Sullivan looked at where the servant had pointed, The Babel Tower. Surprised, as he was able to see Irumi safely in the arms of her father while waving at them, with the seeming perpetrator perched on his shoulder. 'Oh. My Devil.' Sullivan thought.
"7 Minutes." Delkira said. "Well, I just that was as expected of Su-chan and Opera-kun~" He said while snuggling with his daughter.
"Urm.... Delkira-sama? May I ask what this is about?" Sullivan asked, confused.
"Well, I sent my Agrion, the Queen Bee I hired to tend the flowers Irumi brought for me last time, to protect Irumi. Only for her to find out that you left my dearest Irumi with Amaryllis' Son, Alone?! That brat is a predator of lust, just like his mother. How dangerous was that?" Delkira said, while hugging the tiny girl in his arms making the girl giggle, who is not minding her father's action as her little hands was reaching up, trying to pet the soft fur of the Bee Creature.
"I am sorry Delkira-sama, but it was more dangerous for Irumi to be taken away so suddenly. We thought that someone had kidnapped her..." Sullivan said before bowing his head towards the demon King.
"Forgiven. But do not ever do the same thing again. Irumi's innocence is to be preserved for as long as possible." Delkira said, before he pressed a kiss to Irumi's forehead and handed the child in Opera's arms. "Irumi, Stay away from boys. And miss me when you are away okay?" Delkira said softly.
"Amaryllis would be worried if we don't return soon. We will return soon for you and Irumi to meet." Sullivan said, receiving a nod from the king, he and his servant quickly took flight once again, back to the Asmodeus Manor.
"I-irumi is sorry for worrying you..." Irumi pouted cutely as she tried her best to hold in her fears when she was quickly embraced by a trembling Amaryllis the moment she returned with her family.
"N-no, no, sorry for my son. He was unable to protect you like I had thought." Amaryllis apologized as she released the young child. Opera and Sullivan shared a look but decided not to tell Amaryllis the truth.
"U-um... M-may Irumi ask where A-asmodeus-kun is?" Irumi asked when she didn't see him when she looked around.
"He is in his room. He is being punished." Amaryllis said, making Irumi gasped, she quickly waddled towards where would seem like the sleeping rooms are, and she checked in every room until she reached Alice's room.
Busting into the room, Irumi quickly ran and gave Alice a little hug, catching Alice by surprise. "Y-you are safe, Irumi-sama..." Alice sighed in relief.
"Why is Asmodeus-kun being punished? Y-you didn't do wrong... you even tried to protect Irumi..." She pouted and her brows furrowed together as she tried to pull Alice up from his kneeling stance.
The 3 Adults stood at the door, watching the scene unfold.
"B-but I was too weak. I didn't stop you from being taken away!" Alice said, surprised that Irumi and her 2 guardian wasn't even angry at him.
"Its not your fault! Papa asked Agg-agg to bring Irumi to him because papa misses Irumi..." the secret slipped from Irumi's lips, making the 2 Asmodeus blink in confusion and looked at Sullivan who nodded his head, as though agreeing with Irumi's words. 'Well, it wasn't a lie.'
"But it is still a fact that I was a weak...." Alice stood up pulling Irumi to stand in front of him. His thoughts about Irumi had changed vastly. Someone he thought was a Weak, Rude, Rowdy, Selfish, Spoiled brat, turns out completely different.
Alice slowly shifted and kneeled down on a knee, bowing his head in respect to Irumi. "But Irumi-sama was still so kind to forgive me. You are also so selfless and kind-hearted to everything around you. If you would, would you let me stay by your side and protect you, I'd do my best to improve and get stronger. All for your sake." Alice said before looking up into Irumi's deep blue eyes, before he felt a pang his heart, when Irumi giggled softly and nodded her head. "Asmodeus-kun is so weird. Aren't we friends?" Irumi said before giving Alice another hug.
Alice could feel a shiver down his spine when he noticed the glare from Sullivan and Opera from the door. 'Delkira-sama is right. He is dangerous.' Sullivan thought to himself, as he watched Irumi hug with the Young Asmodeus.
While the Older Asmodeus had other plans, 'Ooh? I think I see my future daughter-in-law. This will be fun~' She thought before she giggled to herself.
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Irumi, has earned her first loyal subordinate, Asmodeus Alice
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Author's Note: This was a lengthy one. I hope you guys like it~ Please comment if you have any feedback~