Best Keep Your Guard Up

The two, Angeal and Arvid, looked at the reaction of the three angels. When they saw them acting this way, they also felt confused.

It would only mean that the appearance of the woman was unknown to them, too... except for Devin and Ivar.

What made them more curious was the thought that the wall they just fixed was destroyed again! Seeing this, Arvid sighed as he thought that it may be the first duty he would have to do before they go to class in the afternoon until the evening.

Devin sighed, making everyone look at him.

"Gladios," he said his name, making the old man blink his eyes and gather himself up.

"Yes, master," he asked as he bowed, feeling slightly composed even with all that had happened.

"Prepare our dinner for today. Take Arvid and your granddaughter with you. I would have to talk with the others and we will join you after," he instructed then instinctively, Arvid and Angeal bowed their heads, agreeing with his order.

"Yes, master," Arvid and Gladios said in unison as the three of them headed to the kitchen.

The moment the others were left, Devin filled them all in with what had happened, and why Ava is now working for him.

***

In the kitchen, the three stood still for a while in silence, until Arvid spoke.

"Gramps... what happened? What's with that," he asked and Angeal nodded enthusiastically, curious as a cat as well.

The old man furrowed his brows as he shook his head.

"I... I don't know as well," he answered honestly then he looked at the two beside him. "It all happened so fast. Edwin suddenly charged in to attack her, and Martha and Gwen also followed."

When he said this, Arvid and Angeal looked at each other, surprised with what they heard. Even Martha attacked!

Who is this mysterious woman that appeared in their mansion to make them act this way?

"Even Martha charged in," Angeal quickly typed in her app and Gladios nodded.

"I didn't expect that either. She was calm and so composed... I haven't seen her aggressive! She was... so quick on her toes!"

Arvid's mouth opened in amusement.

"Why were we doing homework at such a time? Oh! We missed on a lot!"

Hearing this Angeal squinted her eyes at him and gave him a poke at his side. Arvid chuckled a bit then scratched the back of his head.

"I'm kidding, Angeal," he said then he looked at the old man. "Anyway, we will get our answers soon. Let's fix the dishes on the table before they come," he added and the three worked quickly to put the dishes from the counter, to the dinner table.

***

After half an hour, the others who were on a talk arrived in the kitchen, including Ava, the mysterious girl. Everyone settled down on their seats, making their dinner a very quiet one.

And it is indeed the most awkward one yet because now Devin is joining them...

Everyone went on with putting dishes on their plates as they gobbled on their food silently. The ladies in particular, were mostly conscious of the others hearing how they chewed and ate because of this dinner's deafening silence.

"Anyway," Ivar said, breaking the silence. "We will have a dinner party tomorrow to welcome Ava," he added and Edwin, Gwen, and Martha, gave him a disappointing look.

Because of what he said out of whim, they are now to hold a dinner for this demoness who's now working with them. And the most annoying part to them was that even Devin, their master, agreed to the dinner!

"Don't give me that look, guys," Ivar said as he squinted his eyes at them, making Edwin scoff.

"Don't give him that look his ass," he mumbled, making Arvid look at his father.

"Hey, what did you always tell me about language in front of food," he said teasingly and his father gave him a glare, making his son shut up.

"Besides... this dinner is not only for Ava... but it is also for us who came home recently, right? Come on! Lighten things up!"

Hearing his lively voice, even Gwen, his girlfriend, rolled her eyes at him as she cringed.

'Whatever... you're so dumb at times.'

"Ava will be working with us so I expect that we all work accordingly and that we get along well," Devin said, making everyone look at him. "Despite the differences, you know what I mean, you have to show each other utmost respect. Understood?"

"Yes, master," everyone said in unison as Gwen stabbed her steak rather harshly with her fork.

'Says the guy who doesn't get along with us and sees himself as a god. Hypocrite!'

***

After an hour, Martha and Gwen were left in the kitchen to wash the dishes and at the same time clean the dining room. Soon after, Ivar led Ava to a spare room and talked with her in terms of their duties for their master.

"Son, we have to talk," Edwin told his son and Arvid nodded as they both walked away to talk in their training grounds behind the mansion.

As for Angeal and Gladios, they stayed behind and helped with wiping the table and the counters, also sweeping the floor.

As the mother and daughter pair washed the dishes, Martha stopped for a while and looked at Angeal wiping the dining table.

The head housekeeper looked at her as the human girl had a smile on her face, doing her duties after class. A sad smile appeared on the angel's face then she sighed, getting her daughter's attention.

"Mom, what's wrong," she asked and Martha's eyes still hadn't left the sweet girl.

"I think it is time for Angeal to know about the curse of our master."

When Gwen heard this, she looked at the old man and Angeal. After a few seconds, she nodded, agreeing, then spoke.

"I agree. She has to be aware... but we won't tell her of her soul being sold."

With that, the two of them continued doing their tasks, deciding that they would talk with Angeal after their chores.

***

At the back of the mansion, Edwin looked serious than ever. Seeing how his father is like this, Arvid felt uneasy. Knowing his father for a long time, he knew that something is up for him to act this way.

"What's wrong," he asked and Edwin's eyes met his.

"Best keep your guard up, Arvid. We have an enemy in the mansion and I do not trust her one bit."

Hearing this, Arvid's eyebrows furrowed.

"You mean that Ava?"

Edwin nodded, putting his hands on both of his son's shoulders.

"She is a demoness... a being of our kingdom's enemy kingdom."

When he said that, Arvid's eyes widened in surprise.

"Then, why is she working here!?"

Edwin sighed as he removed both of his hands from his son then he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I will tell you everything about our master, son... and you do well to listen. Do you understand?"

With those in mind, both Angeal and Arvid are now being talked to in detail about their master's curse and why Ava is involved.