Infernal Academia

Chapter 31 - Suyas' Big Day: Part 6 (Together, We Can Be Lonely)

It was quite terrifying to see just how much meat Oni were capable of consuming in a single sitting.  While Cobalt sat staring at his plate, nervously picking at the single steak that lay upon it, the Suyas family were already moving onto their third portions, tearing lumps of meat off the entire roasted bear that dominated the centre of the table.  Just looking at it was enough to make the Incubus feel queasy, though he wasn't about to let Lorenzo know this, considering the fact that bear was traditionally eat in anticipation of an upcoming victory.

"What's the matter with you, Cobalt?  Come on, eat up!" the burly Oni laughed, ripping into his meal with a pair of serrated knives.

He swallowed hard and forced on a smile.

"S- Sorry, sir.  I- I don't have that big of an appetite," he replied, pushing his own meal around his plate.

Lorenzo snorted.

"You ought to.  Big day tomorrow, after all!"

Of course.  Out of all the things on Cobalt's mind, the upcoming wedding was first and foremost.  

Everything was in order, and he could no longer see a way out of it.  The central hall had been converted into a matrimonial abbey, and decorations had been put up all over the compound.  Extra cooking staff had been hired in anticipation of arrivals from Earth's Sixth Family, who were all more than ready to see the fruits of their union with the Sulfur Blood clan.  Cobalt's suit had been custom-tailored and delivered to the estate just a day earlier, and he had heard talk of Izzbelle's dress being absolutely breathtaking.

Not that she had been willing to try it on.  Indeed, even as they ate their final meal before the wedding, Izzbelle Suyas sat seething, ripping her bear meat apart with her bare hands and shoving it into her mouth.

"Izzbelle, have some manners," Aelda sighed, swirling her wine.

The Oni just shot daggers at her mother.  Having spent the last week or so - Cobalt had lost track of time since arriving at the estate - doing everything in her power to disrupt preparations for the ceremony, she seemed to have finally tired herself out, unable to stop plans from proceeding, much to both Izzbelle's and Cobalt's chagrin.

"Oh, Cobalt, I forgot to mention; I've shared details of the weddin' with your mother.  She and your sisters will be attendin' tomorrow.  As honoured guests, of course," Lorenzo explained, turning to the Incubus.

He sunk into his chair.

"Is that so...?  How'd she take the news?" he asked, silently hoping that his family would object to the forceful marriage.

"Pretty well, I'd say.  Started cryin' over the phone, sayin' that her 'little boy's finally grown up'."

Ah.  Right.  For a moment, he had forgotten that Jezebel Trayer was far from a normal mother.  So worried about her youngest child's romantic life that she failed to see that his actual life was possibly in danger.

Especially if Izzbelle grew any angrier, judging by how she was reaching for her steak knife...

The meal was suddenly interrupted when the door was slammed open, revealing a sweat-soaked Corris.  Pulling off her hat, she wiped her brow and looked up at her superior.

"Lory!  Hate to interrupt your dinner, but we've got a problem on the east perimeter!" she gasped, leaning against the doorway.

Setting down his cutlery, Lorenzo got to his feet, brow furrowed.

"What the fuck could be so important that you gotta disturb me eatin' with my family?!" he barked angrily.

"Someone got at the guys on watch!"