Chapter 4

"In that case, are you well acquainted with heir Astaroth?" Sona questioned him solemnly, her serious expression a stark contrast to Damian's own polite smile that successfully masked his intentions.

"We've met a few times in the past." Damian revealed calmly however his words were deceptive and vague at best. While he framed it in a way that made one believe they were fairly close it couldn't be any further from the truth.

Both of them hated each other's guts. Damian hated Diodora for his perversion and sly nature alongside his cowardice while Diodora hated Damian for his natural talent that he lacked. They were people that couldn't see eye to eye.

But the world didn't need to know that.

"I see. I've asked my question so you may ask one in return." Sona accepted, her mind clearly moving through various situations just like the many adults listening in. House Thaumiel was a thorn in many clans' sides whether they be from the pillars, the extra demons, or even the Old Satan Factions.

For that reason, their position was a risky one. That's why Damian went out of his way to encourage Sona to ask about his connection to the Astaroth clan and by extension, Ajuka Beelzebub. It was to protect his family.

"Only one? That doesn't sound fair miss Sitri." Damian questioned her wryly, resting his head on hand as he looked at her in unhidden amusement. Truthfully, it was unfair that he even got to ask another question and both knew it.

"I believe it to be more than fair however I am willing to rescind my offer if you desire." Sona replied calmly, unperturbed by his words. The fact that she was only giving him one question was a risk and it may make her appear cruel to the devil society due to greatly exaggerated rumors but it was necessary.

Sona Sitri was an intelligent woman that despite her age knew how to manipulate and draw information from others nearly as well as an adult devil however she knew she still had flaws although she thought they wouldn't be easily exploitable.

She was wrong. Damian Thaumiel was making her dance to his tune and she couldn't even do anything about it. As soon as he had sat with them her fate was sealed. Even her question to ask about his connection to the Astaroth clan was something he had 'forced' her to do.

'How had such a dangerous person gone unnoticed?' Sona questioned herself, a frown on her face. He was a man that practically didn't exist. If it weren't for the rumors surrounding his frequent prayers then she wouldn't have even known anything about him.

And yet, he could so easily force her to move under his whim. It felt like she was sitting in front of her father rather than a boy her age. It was intimidating however she could already feel herself adapting. One day, perhaps not today, she will escape his 'flow'.

"No, one question will be more than enough." Damian acceded with a small chuckle. A second question would be nice but he knew what he wanted to ask. "Serafall Leviathan…" He began, purposefully increasing the silence to increase her stress. "When is her next fan greeting?" He asked innocently, the tension erased as though it were smoke.

"Excuse me?" Sona questioned in bewilderment, surprise taking over every facet of her mind. Her intelligent mind practically hard wired for strategy and wisdom couldn't understand such a ludicrous statement.

"I'm a fan of her shows you know. I was curious if you knew when her next fan greeting was but if you don't it's alright." Damian explained further with a low chuckle. While his ultimate goal was to gather information it didn't have to be now.

Rather, it would be better if they had a long lasting connection to where he wouldn't have to scheme around like this. The first step to that goal would be leaving a lasting impression that would lead to her thinking about him in the future. It helped that he did want to meet Serafall as well.

"... I am not aware. However, I will send you word when I am made aware." Sona replied seriously, her serenity returned quicker than Damian expected. From the look in her eyes, Damian could tell that she did know the answer but didn't want to tell him right now.

'Too many eyes huh.' Damian thought to himself in amusement. It was one thing if he went alone to meet Serafall but if all the devils in the room were aware of such an easy date to meet one of the satans she would be swarmed with needless work on a 'rest' day.

For that reason, her meetings were all kept on the down low before they were announced the day off. At that point, the devils would either be all busy with other business or receive word too late to make it in time since the meetings were fairly short. It's also the reason Damian hadn't been able to go yet despite wanting to for years.

"That's plenty." Damian accepted her offer with a polite smile once more. He understood where she was coming from as another weakest member of a family. When you're the weakest you can't protect them with strength, all they can do is protect them from pests.

"I failed to answer your question so you can ask another." Sona offered, a mix of hesitation and interest in her tone. While it was surely the incorrect move she wanted to see how he would take advantage of her next to adapt to it and remove another weakness.

"How very kind of you. Hm… what do you think of the beaches? I hear they're a good place to sleep for a while." He asked cryptically, his words making no logical sense. They were strange, almost random words but he trusted her to understand his meaning.

'The beaches refer to the Leviathan territory obviously but what does he mean sleeping?' Sona pondered, her mind running through every word he had said for any clues that she would recognize. 'For a while. Why would he mention that?' She questioned herself before something clicked in her head.

What did 'for a while' mean to a devil? To her, it would probably mean a few months at most but to a fully grown devil, it would be hundreds of years. There was only one way to sleep for that long, the Sleeping Disease.

'There is a potential Leviathan clan member with the sleeping disease somewhere in the Leviathan territory.' Sona deduced after only a few seconds. It was a stretch at best and the source of the information had no credibility but she found herself believing it nonetheless.

"I also heard that the people running the place are a loyal bunch and are pretty good at their job." Damian continued on, a small grin of interest as he watched the gears quickly turn in her brain.

His words were cryptic as all hell and no adult devil would pay too much mind to it. It was Sona's own young age that allowed her to figure it out. She understood that she and adults pictured the world differently and it allowed her to figure out the true meaning hidden behind the insanity.

'So the Leviathan clan servants are hiding them. It's almost certain that they're a remaining member of the original Leviathan clan.' Sona concluded almost instantly. Everything was coming together with shocking ease.

However, she couldn't even begin to imagine how he had discovered such a secret.