The eternal purple sky of the Underworld filtered through the bathroom windows, casting everything in a faint lavender haze. Water cascaded over my shoulders, steam billowing around me as I examined the body I now inhabited.
Lean muscle wrapped tight over a frame built for both combat and turning heads. No fat, just hard definition where it counted. I ran my hand over the ridged abs, counting them. Eight. Not a six-pack but an eight-pack. Devils didn't fuck around with their genetics.
"Goddamn," I muttered, flexing an arm experimentally. The bicep jumped to attention, a perfect peak. "Is this standard issue for all devils or just the premium models?"
Dante's memories suggested this physique came from a combination of bloodline, training, and something called "natural demonic enhancement"—basically magic steroids without the shrunken balls side effect. I could get used to this.
I shut off the water and stepped out, grabbing a plush black towel from the heated rack. The bathroom itself was bigger than my entire apartment in my past life—all black marble with purple veins running through it, gold fixtures, and a shower large enough for an orgy. Which, according to Dante's memories, had never happened. Somehow, he was still a virgin.
I wrapped the towel around my waist and pushed open the door, releasing a cloud of steam into the bedroom. Ariel stood by the bed, hands clasped in front of her, eyes downcast in practiced modesty. She wore her standard maid uniform, though I noticed subtle differences from yesterday—slightly higher quality fabric, more precise tailoring. She'd dressed up.
"Good morning, Young Master." Her voice remained professional, but her eyes flicked up to my chest for a fraction of a second before returning to the floor. "I've laid out your clothes for breakfast with Lord and Lady Valac."
I glanced at the bed where an elaborate outfit waited—crisp black shirt, tailored pants, a waistcoat with subtle purple embroidery, and various accessories I couldn't immediately identify.
"All that just for breakfast?"
"Lord Alexius expects proper attire at all meals." She moved to the dresser and retrieved a pair of black silk boxers. "If I may assist you?"
I took the underwear from her, noting how her fingers avoided direct contact with mine. "I think I can manage this part myself."
Her lips twitched. "Of course."
I dropped the towel without warning. Ariel's composure slipped for just a moment—a sharp intake of breath, a widening of those crimson eyes—before she turned her back to give me privacy. Interesting reaction for someone who'd presumably seen Dante naked countless times before.
"You can look now," I said after pulling on the boxers. "Though I'm curious why the modesty. Haven't you been dressing me since I was ten?"
"Things change." She turned back, her professional mask firmly in place again. "Arms up, please."
I complied, allowing her to slip the shirt onto me.
"Sleep well?" I asked as she worked on the buttons.
"Well enough." Her fingers moved up my chest, securing each button. "You?"
"Surprisingly yes. Must have needed it after three days of void-napping."
A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. "Lady Selene will be pleased to hear that. She was concerned the experience might have lasting effects."
"Oh, it definitely had effects." I caught her wrist as she reached for the waistcoat. "Just not the kind she's worried about."
Her pulse jumped under my fingers. "Dante..."
"Sorry." I released her. "Force of habit."
She handed me the pants next, watching as I stepped into them. "What habits might those be?"
"The habit of overthinking everything." I zipped up and held out my arms for the waistcoat. "Three days staring into nothing gives you new perspectives."
"So you've said." She slid the waistcoat on, her hands smoothing over my shoulders. "Though I wonder what perspectives those might be."
I turned to face her, catching her off guard. We stood close enough that I could feel her breath on my chin.
"The perspective that life's too short to waste playing other people's games." I took the tie from her hands and looped it around my own neck. "Even for immortals."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Lord Alexius might not share that perspective."
"Then we'll have something to discuss at breakfast." I finished the tie with a perfect Windsor knot—a skill from my old life that Dante had never bothered to master. Another slip I'd need to be more careful about.
Ariel noticed, her gaze lingering on the knot. "You've been practicing."
"Like I said, new perspectives." I stepped back, gesturing toward the door. "Shall we face the parents?"
She nodded, leading the way out of my chambers and into the hallway beyond.
The Valac estate sprawled like a fever dream of gothic architecture and magical ostentation. Vaulted ceilings stretched overhead, carved with intricate scenes of ancient devils in battle. The walls alternated between polished black stone and dark wood panels inlaid with silver and amethyst in patterns that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles.
Paintings of stern-faced ancestors lined the hallway, their purple eyes following our progress. Magic hummed in the walls—protection spells, detection wards, and things I couldn't identify yet. Evidence of centuries of paranoia and power.
"Well shit," I muttered under my breath. "And this is considered declining nobility?"
Ariel glanced back. "The estate has been in the family for twelve generations. Most of the more valuable artifacts and properties were sold during the last century to maintain appearances."
"Sold?" I raised an eyebrow. "Or hidden?"
She didn't answer, but her silence told me everything. The Valacs hadn't lost as much as they'd pretended. Strategic deception—making rivals underestimate your resources while maintaining the lifestyle behind closed doors.
We descended a grand staircase that split halfway down into two curved sections. The main hall below featured a massive chandelier crafted from what looked like crystallized shadow, perpetually swirling within its frame. Servants moved efficiently through the space, none making eye contact as we passed.
"If this is what the lower-ranked Pillars live like," I said quietly, "what the hell do the top families have?"
"Their own dimensions," Ariel replied matter-of-factly. "Lord Bael's estate exists partially outside conventional space. The Gremory compound is rumored to be larger than some human cities."
Devils and their dick-measuring contests. Some things were universal.
We arrived at an ornate double door guarded by two men in formal black uniforms with the Valac crest. They bowed deeply as we approached, opening the doors without a word.
The dining room stretched before us, dominated by a table that could have seated fifty. At the far end, my parents sat side by side, tiny figures in the vast space. My designated chair waited at the opposite end, with Ariel's station indicated by a small standing desk behind it.
Theatrical bullshit. Pure power play.
I walked the length of the table, noting the elaborate place settings and the servants placing covered dishes at strategic intervals. The smell of food made my stomach growl—something rich and meaty that reminded me of how little I'd eaten yesterday.
"Good morning, Father, Mother." I bowed slightly before taking my seat. Ariel stepped back to her position, hands clasped before her.
"Dante." My father's voice carried easily despite the distance, deep and commanding. "You look recovered."
"Feeling much better, thank you." I had to raise my voice to be heard properly.
"Your color has improved," my mother added, her silver hair catching purple highlights from the enchanted candles floating above the table. "The void experience can be taxing."
"It was educational." I picked up my fork, examining the ornate family crest engraved on the handle.
A servant appeared at my elbow, uncovering a plate of what looked like eggs but shimmered with an unnatural blue tint. Another placed a basket of bread nearby, while a third poured something steaming into my cup.
My father made a small gesture, and the servants began uncovering dishes at their end as well. The absurdity of the situation struck me—three people having a meal while shouting across a football field of mahogany.
I suffered through it for a few minutes, making inane small talk about my health and the weather while servants hovered nervously around us. Finally, I set down my fork with a deliberate clink.
"This is ridiculous." I stood, picked up my plate and cup, and grabbed my chair.
My father's eyebrows rose fractionally as I dragged the heavy chair down the length of the table, its legs screeching against the polished floor. The servants froze, eyes wide with shock. I placed my chair next to my father's, directly across from my mother, and sat down.
"Much better." I resumed eating. "Now we can have a conversation without throat strain."
My mother's lips curved into the barest hint of a smile. My father stared at me for a long moment, then made a sharp gesture toward the servants.
"Leave us." His voice cracked like a whip. "All of you."
The staff practically ran for the exits. Ariel moved to follow them.
"Not you, Ariel." I speared a piece of the strange blue egg. "Stay, please."
My father's gaze shifted between me and Ariel, calculation evident in his purple eyes. "Unusual request."
"She's been caring for me through my recovery. Anything we discuss will affect her duties." I met his gaze directly. "Plus, we both know she reports to Mother anyway. Might as well cut out the middleman."
A startled laugh escaped my mother—a genuine reaction I hadn't expected. "He has you there, Alexius."
My father's expression remained stern, but something like approval flickered in his eyes. "Very well." He turned to Ariel. "You may stay, but remember your position."
"Yes, Lord Valac." Ariel bowed deeply, then took up a position near the wall behind me.
"Now." My father took a sip from his cup. "We need to discuss your schedule. Your... incident has forced several adjustments."
"I assumed as much." I buttered a piece of bread that tasted nothing like wheat but was delicious nonetheless. "What's on the chopping block?"
"Your meeting with Latia Astaroth has been postponed until next week." My mother's voice remained casual, but her eyes watched me intently. "It's important we don't have another... Sitri incident."
The memory floated up from Dante's consciousness—Latia Astaroth at a formal gathering, blonde hair with those distinctive blue tips, intelligent green eyes assessing him across the room. Unlike the Sitri girl, she'd been physically impressive, but it was her mind that had caught Dante's attention.
I smirked. "That won't be a problem. Astaroth actually has something worth talking to."
My father snorted, an undignified sound that seemed to surprise even him. "Among other assets."
"Alexius," my mother chided.
"What?" He spread his hands innocently. "The girl is brilliant. Ajuka's influence, no doubt."
"Of course that's what you meant." My mother turned back to me. "The Astaroth connection would be valuable, particularly given their recent efforts to enhance their family name."
"And our need to do the same?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Precisely." No point denying the obvious. "Additionally, you'll need to attend Rias Gremory's birthday celebration next month."
"Ah, the famous Gremory princess turns eighteen." I kept my tone neutral, though Dante's memories provided plenty of context. "I'm sure it will be the event of the season."
"It will be more than that," my father said, his earlier humor vanishing. "Riser Phenex will likely use the occasion to accelerate their marriage arrangements."
"Poor girl." The words slipped out before I could stop them.
My parents exchanged a glance.
"An interesting reaction," my mother said carefully. "Considering your usual indifference to others' marital situations."
I shrugged, covering the slip. "Just seems like a waste. Potential like hers leashed to Phenex's ego."
"Their arrangement is not our concern," my father said firmly. "Our focus must be on House Valac's position. Your presence at the celebration is required, but your behavior must be impeccable. We cannot afford another diplomatic incident."
"You mean I shouldn't comment on anyone's breast size this time?" I grinned.
My father's jaw tightened. "This isn't a joke, Dante. Our standing among the Pillars—"
"—has been declining for centuries because you can't let go of old grudges," I finished, setting down my fork. "Particularly your one-sided rivalry with Sirzechs."
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Actual frost formed on my father's cup.
"You forget yourself," he said, each word precise and deadly.
"No, I'm finally remembering what matters." I met his gaze without flinching. "House Valac deserves better than being dragged down by ancient history."
My mother placed a hand on my father's arm, though her eyes never left my face. "The void has certainly changed you, Dante."
"For the better, I hope." I picked up my cup, using the moment to collect myself. Pushing too hard too fast would raise suspicions. "I just think it's time I took a more active role in our family's future."
The frost receded from my father's cup as he studied me. "And what role do you envision for yourself?"
"One worthy of our name." I set the cup down. "Starting with making the Astaroth meeting successful and conducting myself appropriately at the Gremory celebration."
The tension gradually eased from his shoulders. "Those would be acceptable first steps."
My mother's eyes remained fixed on me, seeing more than she revealed. "You mentioned the void was educational. What exactly did you learn during your... absence?"
The question carried weight beyond the words. She suspected something, though perhaps not the full truth.
"That power without purpose is meaningless." I looked between them. "And that House Valac has been playing defense for too long."
My father leaned forward slightly. "Meaning?"
"Meaning it's time we stopped reacting to others and started making them react to us." I smiled. "I have some ideas I'd like to discuss. When you're ready to hear them."
My mother's lips curved upward. "It seems we've underestimated you, Dante."
"Most people do." I picked up my fork again. "That's always been my best advantage."