Overlord and the Seraphim

『Unto the Lap』

Arche let out a heavy sigh, she felt his chest against her back and his chin on her head. Her brilliant blue-hued eyes rested on his Highness at the other end of the table. Taken from the dancing, and the music, the crowd that had resumed its activities... Jack's arms were around her waist, the back of her body matched up against the front of his.

Her eyes slowly shifted to the side as she could see her teacher, a man who shared the same talent as herself. All of them could see the shaken expression on her face, one which still hadn't lost the fear of being touched by another man other than the one who now held her.

She was sure if the Emperor wasn't here, Jack would've slaughtered the boys without a second thought. Not only that, but she was sure he was fuming behind that fake smile that now adorned his face. One that tried to throw off the Emperor's worried expression which continuously plagued him as they talked on and on.

Arche listened to the calming tune of the violins, the flutes, and the cellos. The world itself was at calm, at least within the room. Free from worry is something she wished she could be, but that sadly was not the case.

They had thought she was a slave. They had thought she was nothing more than a piece that belonged to a powerful lord. Her lower lip quivered at the thought of what might've happened if she had not been seen and saved by the one she had come to love.

Her eyes then trailed over towards Momon and Nabe, the two who had defended her against the boys when she finally decided to fight back. Though when Nabe noticed her gaze, Arche snapped her head to the side to avert her gaze, albeit, shyly as she did so.

"You seem to be unable to control your nobles... Or the impulses of their children, even after purging those who didn't contribute to your... Prospering society." Jack was outright when he said this, bluntly and powerfully. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind towards the ruler of the Empire, but there was a reason behind that. No matter what the Emperor did to him, it wouldn't be enough to put him down or let alone destroy him. Even if they tried to seal him away, they were all too weak in his eyes to actually be a threat.

On top of that, there was more than one person here at his level, and he was on his side.

A light grin formed over the fake smile as he thought of this.

The Emperor slowly nodded, rather disappointed in his own countrymen and infinitely embarrassed by the fact that his own people had turned upon the man's lover.

"The three will be punished accordingly, I assure you, Jack-dono." The Emperor gestured towards the man with a smile, the corner of his mouth twitching nervously. How was he to use this man if he now looked down on him so!?

"I look forward to it," Jack uttered under his breath as he could see family members of the respective houses that had disrespected him, being escorted out of the room.

The way he said it, made Jircniv shiver in his seat. It was as if he was ready to see three teenagers be tortured to death. Though not exact, it felt like Jack was ready to even resurrect and kill them over and over again.

The very idea shook the Emperor should the young man be capable of such things. He was of course more powerful and versatile than any man he had ever come across.

His eyes closed partially before looking to Fluder who was silently eating his steak, humming ever so slightly, as he was thinking of nothing more than the items Jack had given him to tinker with.

"Gramps..." The Emperor huffed to himself, before looking at his own plate. It was filled with a large variety of foods with intoxicating aromas that were enough to persuade just about anyone to keep eating should they be full.