The Red Hope (Highschool DxD AU)

Queen of Silver Heart

*Grayfia POV

Well, to be honest I did not think the encounter would be this brief. When I saw Millicas together with Sairaorg-sama, each said they had only exchanged a few words with Lady Gremory.

"Oh, and I would probably need a room," Sairaorg-sama said in a low voice. "Staying for next three nights, could be."

...Although he did know that I'm the wife of his cousin, Zechs, he seemed to treat me just like any other maid. Good. Might not forgive him otherwise.

Meantime, Millicas had gone somewhere else. The family library, perhaps, or seeing to the howabouts of his new shape-shifter friends.

"I'll see to that, sir. And may I ask, what was it that you've talked with Lady Gremory?"

He halted, and seemed to look up before turning towards me with an artful stare.

"Believe me when I say that your son might be in danger here, Grayfia."

As I retired to see to the completion of our visitor's request, I found it hardly believable that my son might be in danger from an encounter with his own grandmother.

As to my promise to him, well, that is a different matter entirely. I most certainly do intend to carry it out. I could honestly say that I am the only servant allowed to be near enough the Maou at all times, after all, and he did not once leave my presence in meetings except in cases of extreme urgency.

The only difficulty might be to find moments when my husband was not too occupied. You might remember that our clan presently has had a new business, and somehow Zechs was taking charge of it with more than customary seriousness.

Millicas had not failed us in obedience; it would be an insult to my person if we do now.

***

"...Was that what he told you?"

"Yes, danna-sama. I am very sorry about this, but since I could not get to him directly in the present case--"

(A/N: Grayfia uses this form to address Zeoticus. One more use would be seen later, in a different context.)

"No, I am the one feeling sorry. See, aside from his own father, I am the only male figure in this clan worthy of the child's respect. I talked to him as well. So you were saying that Milli wanted to meet his father again..."

"Yes."

"What could he possibly want?"

"As to that, you have the liberty to inquire of him, sire. I merely made the promise of granting it, whatever that might be."

"...Is that so. Let's see... Presently we have this 'Sekiryuutei-fever'. I even heard Vene had taken him out to see one of the shows; but that might not have been enough for Milli."

"What might be, then?"

"A direct interview with everyone in the team, I would say? Learn the secrets of their strength and weaknesses at source. Now Sirzechs would be able to arrange something like that, don't you think?"

"That... would have been easy for him."

"Yes, but he's not here, so I'll take the job. Only question is: when?"