DxD: The Tale of Blood

"Well, Heir Darcaedes is here. We can ask what he thinks about your plan," Lord Vapula turned to look at him, and Ambeth frowned at his words.

"My apologies, Heir Darcaedes. I mean no disrespect, but I believe only a Lady can truly understand my circumstances. You are, after all, a man..."

"Oh?" He playfully raised his brow at her. "Why don't we ask the ladies in the room what they think about the decision to name your son the Heir?" He asked and looked towards Satan Serafall, Hilda, Agatha Pheles, and the new Head of the Naberius Family, Felicia Naberius. "Wait, they already voted against your proposal."

She frowned at his words as he clearly seemed to have taken offence to her early comment. Now she regretted speaking too much.

"My apologies, My Prince."

"There's no need for you to see my mother. I already know that she will not like what you have to say to her. So, save your and your child's life and graciously name your nephew the Heir." He bluntly spoke to her, and she deeply furrowed her brows at him.

"Forgive me, but may I ask who your father is?"

There was a deathly silence in the room after her question, and the seconds they spent under its weight suffocated them a little.

Raizel suddenly laughed, and instantly, the mood in the Hall lightened up.

"You may not."

"Why? What do you have to hide?" She pressed, and though the smile on his lips stayed, his eyes turned cold.

"Are you questioning the honour of my Mother?"

As soon as Ambeth heard his question, she paled, however, it was already too late and she could not back down.

"I am not. I am certainly the only person in this room who will have no issue with the truth. Whatever it might be."

"Ne-ne~ Do you want to die, Ambeth-Chan?" Serafall playfully asked her, but the coldness in her words chilled their hearts.

Those who knew her knew that she would kill Ambeth Mammon if the woman uttered anything wrong again.

"Prince Raizel is Queen Pandora's younger brother, Lady Ambeth. His parents were Zerys and Alissa Darcaedes. The Queen has raised him as her son." Sirzechs suddenly informed the council, and as soon as Ambeth heard his words, she felt lightheaded.

"How's that possible..."

Her words had not finished when a piercing headache assaulted her, and her scream terrified the young Avi, who subconsciously hid behind her father.

Everyone noticed that Raizel was casually tapping his forefinger on the armrest, and every time he did it, Ambeth let out another horrifying scream.

"Crack..." Lord Bael, who was sitting next to Lady Mammon, paled when he noticed a thin crack on her forehead.

"That's Belphegor Clan's Trait..." Someone else noticed it too and whispered, but in the end, all eyes fell on the Young Prince.

"Prince Raizel," Ajuka slowly stood up and called out to him, "we are in a Council Meeting right now." He tactfully reminded him, and the Darcaedes smiled as he paused punishing Ambeth Mammon.

"Oh, yes, my apologies. I forgot where we were."

Even though his words were playful, and everyone who had stood up sat down again, Ambeth was shaking uncontrollably as she traced the crack on her forehead.

"So, where were we, Hilda?"

"We were discussing the options for the new Heir of Mammon Family."

"Ah, yes, I remember. Well, Lady Mammon is not obliged to accept our suggestions, as long as she is following the laws. However, still, I have a suggestion." He turned to look at the woman who did not even dare to meet his eyes now. "Just in case that Lady Ambeth wishes to live a long life..."

As soon as those words left his mouth, everyone held their breaths.

"She should abdicate the seat of the Head of Family by tonight and hand it over to Lady Amneth, her younger sister. After fulfilling her duties, she should come and visit the Darcaedes Palace with her son, daughter, and her Peerage to sincerely apologise for thinking too highly of herself. High enough to question the honour of the Darcaedes Queen. And then, she should enjoy the Holidays in the Desolate Tower for a period of time."

Everyone sucked in a cold breath.

"In return for her duties and show of sincerity and loyalty as a true servant of Devildom, and if her apology is sincere enough, her children will be given a place to stay in the Darcaedes Territory. If they prove themselves worthy, they may earn the chance to fix their Blood and become Pureblood Devils. They may also be allowed to return to the Mammon Palace to serve the new Head and Heir. A union between her daughter and nephew may even be on the cards, arranged by the Darcaedes Palace."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when he finished speaking.

He was not just punishing her, but also giving her a way out. A way by which her future grandchild would have a chance to sit on the same seat that now belonged to her.

No one in the room found his words excessive.

In fact, every Lord and Lady felt that it was the best solution. There would be no bloodshed, no more Pureblood Lives lost.

"There is one more thing. Lady Ambeth's honour is at stake as well. The people of Devildom do not know that her two children are Illegitimate, and it would be best if that remains the case." Agatha suddenly spoke up, and everyone looked at the daughter of Mephisto Pheles. "I suggest that the council grants a silent divorce to Lady Ambeth and Norim Amon. They have not been sighted together in public for decades now, so it will be fine. She can officially call anyone from her Peerage her husband after she abdicates the Seat."

She was clearly fanning the flames now...

Ambeth stayed silent at her words, not showing any emotions, and no one else said anything either.

"The Council has decided that no Mixed Heritage Devils and Half Devils will be allowed to hold the Heirships of the Noble Houses. Let's move on to our final objective of today's meeting," said Sirzechs, ending the discussion, and Serafall slowly stood up from her seat.

"Odin of the Norse has expressed his intentions to open Asgard for trade with the Devildom. He now awaits our answer. If we agree, he will personally come at the start of the next year to sign the Trade and Peace Treaty." She revealed the news, and everyone had varying emotions on their faces.

"Is it wise to trust them? We know what happened the last time we trusted the Divine Patheons." Lord Sitri solemnly reminded them all.

"He has Queen Pandora's permission. The decision now rests on us."

"What?" Everyone surprisedly looked at her, even Raizel, since he was unaware of this detail.

Soon, there were whispers around the table as people started conversing with each other, discussing the prospect of trade with Asgard.

It was clear to everyone that a Peace and Trade Treaty was going to bring huge benefits to Devildom. They would not just have access to the resources from Asgard, but also to their people, potential Servants for their children's Peerages.

Some were already entertaining the idea of some Giants working for their families.

Lord Sitri, Lord Valefor, and Lord Phenex were the only three who refused to vote in acceptance, but they did not object to the proposal either. They abstained from voting. Other than them, Lady Mammon did not vote either, but that was mostly because she had a lot to deal with on her mind.

"Those who say that children are not responsible for the mistakes of their parents, don't understand the reality, Lady Ambeth. I hope whatever decision you make, you will put your two children and your Family above yourself," Raizel stood up at the end of the meeting, left the words for Lady Mammon, and calmly walked outside with Cleria in tow.

He smiled when he saw little Avi grinning at him at the door, and he reached inside his pocket and took out a few more chocolates for her.

"I am impressed."

"Hehe... I told you, I am brave." She sweetly giggled and he patted her head in affection.

After sharing a few polite words with some Lords, he returned to the Darcaedes Palace with Hilda and Cleria.

"You were way too kind to Ambeth, Master Raizel."

"I know." He smiled. "And we both know that she won't accept my offer. She hates her sister to the core of her being."

The grin on his face made the Crocell smile.

"What are your orders?"

"Task a few of our servants to keep Lady Amneth and her family safe. Inform the Satans about our fears. When Lady Mammon makes her move, you will take the opportunity to kill her, her Peerage, and her son. Keep the daughter alive."

"As you command." She bowed to him and left through the Magical Circle.

Cleria, who had heard his words, felt very complicated in her heart.

"Why spare the daughter but kill the son?"

"She's innocent. Only a child of three. She can be raised by her Aunt and become the wife of her cousin in the future. As for the boy, he's old enough to hold resentment in his heart. He might prove to be a threat to his own Family in the future."

"I see." She lowered her eyes and frowned.

"Yes?"

"What?"

"You have something on your mind."

She complicatedly looked at him but lowered her eyes again.

"Did you... bed Roygun?"

"Yes. Misla offered her Queen to me, and I accepted her." He smiled as he found her frowning.

"You will sleep with her again?"

"Yes. She's my Mistress now. Why? I thought you liked her." He grinned, and a scowl formed on her face.

"I don't."

"Too bad. I was thinking about taking you both to bed together."

Her body trembled at his words, and she clenched her fists tightly.

"Forgive me, Master, but your servant requests you to spare her the honour of joining the bed with your lovers." She bowed to him, almost pleadingly, and he grinned at her reaction.

"Fine." He turned around and walked towards his Private Hall. "You are adorable, dear Cleria."