5. Heiress of Agares

"So what do you think?" Shisui asked looking towards the moonlit sky.

Seekvaira was unable to hear him as she was mesmerized by the beautiful star-filled sky. The moonlight lighting up the entire area and its reflection on the river water gave the place the feel of serenity.

Seekvaira was woken up from her dazed state by the laughter of Shisui. She was embarrassed looking at Shisui's smiling face. "It is beautiful." She said.

"It sure is. This is my mother's favourite place. She takes care of the garden. As for the lake, it was formed when the Chaos Karma Dragon fought the Blaze Meteor Dragon when he turned into a devil." He said before letting out another laugh. "Father said that Chaos Karma Dragon let out a roar so strong, that the dam near our Compound broke and it made the water rush here, forming a lake. It destroyed a lot of stuff in the way though. After some serious brainstorming, my mother decided to make this place into an orchid garden and the river turned out to be a nice addition to the beauty." Shisui said before sitting under an old rhododendron tree. 

"And this tree was a gift from my aunt to my mother when she married my father. So it makes the tree quite old." He said before plucking out a leaf. "And I love this tree. It's beautiful."

Seekvaira nodded before sitting down under the same tree. "How does it feel being the heir of an almost extinct pillar?" Seekvaira asked but when she saw the frowning face of Shisui, she quickly corrected herself. "Sorry, I did not mean it that way. I mean do you feel pressured that you have to meet everyone's expectations?"

Shisui looked at her curiously before his facial features softened. "I won't lie, sometimes I do. But it also serves as a purpose to improve my skills and abilities. I don't want to let the pressure bring me down but instead, I want it to serve as motivation. And in all honesty, my parents are very supportive of me and that helps a lot." He leaned on the tree before asking. "If you don't mind answering, what made you ask this question?"

Seekvaira sighed and answered, "I am the heiress to the most powerful pillar beside the Bael. And this puts a lot of pressure on me, I am expected to do everything with perfection and nothing less. From my birth, every step that I am to take was decided by the elders… and I hate it. But I cannot do anything about it. Unlike your parents who support you at every step, mine pushes me to my breaking point just to improve my skills. So when you told me about your parents I was kind of jealous."

Shisui looked towards her and said. "Then you just need to show them that it's not you who needs them. But instead, it's them who need you as the heiress."

Seekvaira was confused. She didn't know what he meant so she decided to ask. "What do you mean?"

Shisui smiled and answered. "Simple. You just have to improve your skills even more. Let their pressure be your motivation. Increase your skills to the point that they believe that without you the Agares pillar won't prosper. When that happens they will see that it is not you who requires them but instead it is them who needs you. And when that happens, you will be freed from those shackles. It won't be them making demands but instead, it will be you when that happens."

Shisui's answer made a lot of sense to Seekvaira. "Thank you, that helped." She said leaning on the tree beside him. "Shouldn't you be at the party now? You are the birthday boy."

"I should, but I can spare a few more minutes to enjoy the moonlight." Shisui said with a laugh.

[Shisui's PoV]

This actually turned out better than I expected. I was aiming for a pureblood devil but definitely not the heiress of Agares. She got major family issues but this might actually end up working in my favour. If I can win her trust, I will be able to form a strong connection with house Agares. 

Seekvaira told me to greet the other guests while she will also meet a few pillar heirs and heiresses. Although she doesn't like doing so, it's her responsibility as the heiress to maintain a healthy relationship with other pillars. This gave me the chance to leave her and meet the other pillars.

But this plan shattered in an instant...

"Shi-tan!!!"

When I heard her voice. *sigh*

"Greetings lady Serafall." I greeted the self-proclaimed magical girl.

"Mou! Call me serafall. I am your mother's friend. So no calling me lady Serafall." She said annoyed.

"Don't trouble the poor kid, Serafall." A voice came from behind me which nearly made me jump.

'How did I miss him? I could not sense him at all. I was even able to sense Serafall to a certain point but him… nothing!' 

"Sorry for the trouble she caused, heir Seere." The Crimson Devil said.

"Oh no Lord Lucifer, I am honoured that you were able to attend my birthday party." I said politely. 'It will be stupid to antagonize the strongest devil.'

"Mou~ Zechy-Chan I was just talking to Shi-tan. I am not causing trouble." She said while puffing her cheeks.

"*Sigh* You know Serafall we are here because both of us own Lord and Lady Seere quite a few favours. Not to mention Ria-tan loves birthday parties." Said Sirzechs.

'Saying that they came here only because they owe my parents a few favours is sort of insulting. But they are Maous, they won't just go to any birthday parties without a good reason. But the fact that they owe 'favours' to my parents is an interesting find. I will think about it later.' 

I quickly asked the Maous. "Is the standard of the party of your liking, Lord Lucifer, Lady Lev-Serafall" I had to correct myself mid-sentence as Serafall was glaring daggers at me.

"It is indeed a very well organised party, young Shisui. I am enjoying it quite a lot." Sirzechs said putting on a smile. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to talk with your father about a few things." He said before turning towards Serafall. We have a meeting after this, don't be late."

"I won't." Serafall said with a bit of seriousness.

'So she can be serious at times, huh? But this is to be expected after all she is a Maou. And this meeting sounds important.'

"So Serafall, you needed something?" I asked the twin-tailed girl.

"Oh yes, I forgot to give you the gift. It is from both me and Zechy-chan." She said handing a nicely wrapped gift to Shisui. "I have to go now, but I will see you again later. Bye bye~" saying this she teleported away. 

'*Sigh* This is why I hate formal parties. It consumes too much energy.' Shisui sighed. 'At least I don't need to go through this event for another five years.'

[2 hours later]

"Good night father and mother." Shisui said, yawning a little.

"Good night, sweetie." Selene said giving him a kiss on the forehead, while Solas ruffled his hair.

"Good night, son. You did good tonight. Layla, take him to his room." He said before giving his hair another ruffle.

Layla nodded before walking behind Shisui.

[Shishi's room]

"I am going to sleep. You should rest as well, Layla." He said dismissing her.

"Very well, young master." Layla said and walked out of the room.

'This was a long night.' He sighed before falling on the bed and instantly blacking out.

[A/N: 2 more chapter after 2 hours]