The air in the high demon nobility eting hall was thick with magic and tension.
The obsidian walls, embedded with golden runes and gleaming rubies, reflected the dim light from floating candelabras, creating an oppressive and hypnotizing atmosphere.
A long red carpet, adorned with gold embroidery, stretched across the hall, guiding guests toward an empty throne at the center of the room.
This throne, carved from black crystal, emanated an aura of almost overwhelming authority, reserved for the Archon Amon.
At that mont, Cabernet Gremory stood at the top of a raised platform, surveying the hall with a critical gaze. She wore a dark purple dress that clung to her slender figure, while her crimson hair shimred like living flas under the magical lighting. A black rose adorned her head, completing her imposing presence.
Beside her, her loyal maid, Grayfia, adjusted the final details of floral arrangents made of silver lilies and black roses, which emitted a faint spectral glow.
"Grayfia, have you ensured that the seals are functioning properly?" Cabernet asked, her voice firm and authoritative.
"Yes, my lady," Grayfia responded, bowing respectfully. "Each portal is monitored and each guest verified. No intruder will enter without our knowledge."
"Excellent." Cabernet gave a small smile, but her eyes revealed concern. "This eting must proceed without flaws. We cannot allow our internal disputes to tarnish the order the Archon expects from us."
Grayfia remained silent, but the slight tension in her shoulders revealed that she shared her mistress's worry.
Suddenly, soft but determined footsteps echoed through the empty hall.
Runeas Gremory, Cabernet's daughter, appeared from the side corridor.
She was wearing a black dress with red accents, her fiery hair cascading down her back in wild waves. Her eyes carried a mixture of boredom and irritation, traits that seed to always accompany her.
"So, everyone must be starting to arrive," Runeas announced casually, waving a black-feathered fan. "Looks like no one wanted to risk being left out of such an... important event."
Cabernet turned to her daughter, crossing her arms. "As it should be. The Archon does not call etings often. Everyone knows ignoring him would be an unforgivable insult."
Runeas rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, I get it. But honestly, I don't see why you're so anxious about this. In the end, it will just be a display of power, as always. They'll fight for status, asure strength, and, of course, drool over the new Demon." She said with a slight mockery in her voice, emphasizing the last part.
Cabernet furrowed her brow. "He is not just any demon, Runeas. He married three heirs from powerful demonic bloodlines and claid the Queens as his allies. He is an anomaly... and also a target. We must observe how he behaves." Cabernet said, looking around the hall... "Moreover... according to so informants... it seems Raphaeline said he is her husband." She murmured, it was so absurd that she couldn't even bring herself to consider it valid.
Runeas sighed, dramatically closing her fan. "I bet he's nothing special. I bet he's completely lost in all of this. Newly born demons are so... predictable."
Before Cabernet could respond, a magical snap reverberated through the hall. A bright portal opened at the main entrance, and from it erged the figures of Sapphire Agares and Stella Sitri, accompanied by their respective maids.
Sapphire carried her usual lofty presence, her erald eyes evaluating the environnt with distrust, while Stella maintained an indifferent expression, though there was sothing unsettling about the way she observed everything.
"Sapphire," Cabernet greeted, descending the steps from the platform with a controlled smile. "What a pleasure to see you."
Sapphire responded with a nod, her tone cold. "Cabernet. I hope the setting lives up to expectations. It's been a while since he's played with the lesser demons."
"It's all under control," Cabernet assured. "And I'm certain the eting will be... unforgettable."
Runeas watched from a distance, leaning against one of the columns. "Unforgettable," she repeated softly to herself, a wry smile playing on her lips. "I'm sure it will be."
anwhile, in another part of the demon world, Vergil adjusted the collar of his shirt in front of a mirror. Katharina, Ada, and Roxanne were gathered around him, each offering their opinion on his appearance.
The formal outfit he wore was a special creation, tailored specifically for him by Lucy Fortune, the stylist recomnded by Raphaeline.
The black and blue ensemble highlighted his imposing presence, while the precise cut of the fabric conveyed both elegance and strength.
"It's perfect," Katharina declared, crossing her arms with a satisfied smile. "Now you look like soone worthy of standing by our side."
"I'd say it's almost perfect," Roxanne teased, adjusting a lock of Vergil's hair. "But sothing's still missing. Maybe... a sword?"
Vergil sighed. "I'm not going into battle, Roxanne."
"That's what you think," Ada comnted, checking the details of his outfit once more. "Don't underestimate the demons present. A small mistake could turn into a big problem."
"I know that," Vergil replied, looking at himself in the mirror. "And I promise I'll do my best to avoid problems... at least until soone provokes ."
"Ah, great," Katharina said with a sigh. "Exactly what I wanted to hear. Well, anyway, we're all ready, so it's ti to go."
A magic circle ford on the ground, glowing with red and gold energy. Vergil took one last look at his wives before stepping into the portal, feeling the usual mix of anxiety and excitent rise within him.
"Shall we go, my dear wives?" Vergil said, smiling.
Katharina crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow with a teasing smile. "My dear wives? Since when did you get so poetic, Vergil?"
Roxanne chuckled softly as she fixed a lock of hair. "It's not poetic, Katharina. He's just trying to be charming. Don't worry, he's still the sa clumsy guy as always."
"Clumsy or not, he's still our clumsy guy," Ada comnted, adjusting her gloves while watching the shimring portal. "And as his wives, he'd better keep that charm under control. We don't need more nobles falling for him today."
Vergil rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Seems like I'm surrounded by critics today. Couldn't you give a mont of glory before we go through this portal?"
Katharina shook her head, laughing. "Glory? Maybe when you co back in one piece from this eting."
With that, Vergil extended his hand to the three, a gesture that was both gallant and playful. "Very well, ladies. Let the show begin."
Ada was the first to step through the portal, maintaining her calm expression but with her eyes always alert. Roxanne followed closely behind, a playful smile on her lips. Katharina was the last to enter, but not without giving Vergil one last assessing glance.
"Don't embarrass us," she teased before disappearing into the red and gold glow.
The grand hall of the demon eting was a spectacle in itself. Crystal chandeliers adorned with demon gems illuminated the space with a crimson glow. The walls were decorated with ancient tapestries depicting epic battles and power pacts. The black marble floor reflected the light like a mirror, and the air was thick with the tallic scent of powerful magic.
The portal shimred intensely, signaling the arrival of the first important guests. As the energy stabilized, Ada was the first to erge. Her presence, as always, was flawless. Wearing a silver dress that hugged her silhouette with elegance, she moved with the grace of soone accustod to being watched. Whispers began to spread. Discover exclusive content at empire
"It's Ada Baal... Raphaeline's daughter..."
"She really is as impressive as they say."
"To think she chose to live alongside a human..."
The comnts continued as Roxanne followed shortly after. Dressed in a bright red outfit with golden accents that highlighted her hair and eyes, she exuded a natural sensuality that left the onlookers intrigued.
"That must be Roxanne Sitri."
"Her beauty is sothing only Stella's bloodline could produce."
"Don't be fooled by the smile; they say she's as lethal as she is charming."
Katharina was the last to appear, and her entrance brought a brief silence to the hall. Her deep blue dress seed to be made of stars, shimring as she walked. She carried an undeniable air of royalty, and every step echoed with authority.
"Ah, the Agares heir."
"What presence. She really is the most imposing of the three."
"And their husband? He's not with them?"
The three won gathered further ahead in the hall, imdiately surrounded by noble demons who began greeting them with reverence and curiosity. Each one maintained a different posture: Ada responded politely, Roxanne smiled provocatively, and Katharina observed everything with calculated attention. However, the murmurs in the background began to grow when they noticed the expected fourth guest had not yet arrived.
"And Vergil? Is he coming?"
"Has he decided not to show up?"
"Such disrespect to be late for sothing like this."
The three exchanged glances and, almost simultaneously, turned to face the portal. The glow remained static, but sothing felt off. The magic around it began to tremble slightly, as if sothing were about to break the boundaries of the structure.
"He always likes to make an entrance," Katharina murmured, crossing her arms.
Suddenly, the portal began to tremble violently. The red and gold glow intensified, and the ground around it vibrated. Demons standing nearby took steps back, uncertain of what was happening. Then, with a low roar of energy, Vergil finally erged.
His figure was surrounded by an oppressive aura, a mix of black and gold energy that seed to pulse like a heartbeat. His eyes burned with intensity, as though every glance could pierce even the most powerful. He was dressed simply, but there was sothing in his posture and the aura he emanated that made him impossible to ignore.
The hall, which had been filled with murmurs and conversations, fell into absolute silence. Every demon present seed to hold its breath as Vergil slowly advanced, his steps echoing on the marble floor. The energy around him was almost tangible, and the atmosphere beca so heavy that so of the weaker ones had to look away.
"He really doesn't know how to make a discreet entrance, does he?" Ada comnted softly, trying to hide a smile.
"That's how he's always been," Katharina replied, but there was a gleam of pride in her eyes.
Roxanne just laughed quietly. "If he's going to steal the spotlight, he might as well do it right."
On the other side of the hall, Sapphire, who had been watching intently, allowed herself a rare smile as she thought: "You really like to cause a scene, don't you?"
Vergil finally stopped, lifting his eyes to the assembly. The tension in the air was palpable, but he simply tilted his head slightly in a gesture that seed both casual and authoritative.
"So... this is the much-talked-about eting?" he said, his voice echoing through the hall.
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