[11] Business and Pleasure

I followed him through the mansion's halls, our footsteps echoing against marble floors. Mother shepherded Cyrus and Damian toward their rooms, her gentle touch brooking no argument.

The heavy oak door closed behind us with a soft click. Father moved behind his desk, settling into the leather chair with practiced ease.

He opened the top drawer and pulled out a familiar piece of parchment. My letter. The one I'd sent three weeks ago, carefully worded to plant the seeds for tonight.

"I write to formally request a private audience regarding my future role within House Beleth," he read aloud. "Recent events have given me cause to reflect deeply on my responsibilities to our family. I believe I have developed a proposal that would benefit both our house's interests and my personal growth."

His eyes moved down the page.

"The upcoming Gremory gathering presents an ideal opportunity to demonstrate my commitment to change. I ask only for the chance to prove myself worthy of your trust."

"Your obedient son, Amon."

Father set the letter down, studying me with an expression I'd rarely seen - genuine pride.

"When this arrived, I thought perhaps you were finally growing into your role," he said. "Tonight confirmed it. The way you handled yourself - particularly that business with the gift..."

『He's pleased by your subtlety,』 the Advisor noted. 『A marked contrast to your brothers' behavior.』

"The book seemed appropriate," I said carefully.

"Appropriate." Father's lips curved. "A masterwork of plausible deniability. Supporting Rias's position while maintaining perfect social grace. Even Lord Phenex couldn't directly object without looking foolish."

He leaned back, fingers steepled. "You've changed, Amon. The past few weeks, I've seen a... maturity in your actions. Tonight was merely the culmination."

"I've had time to think about my place in the family."

"Yes, your place." He nodded slowly. "That brings us to your proposal. You mentioned the human realm?"

I met Father's gaze steadily. "Five years in the human realm. Time to establish our presence in their entertainment and financial sectors."

『Careful delivery. You want to present this as a natural evolution of House Beleth's strengths,』 the Advisor whispered.

"Our family's talents have always centered on influence and perception," I continued. "The humans have created entire industries around manipulating minds through media. Their technology amplifies what we do naturally."

Father's expression remained neutral, but his fingers drummed once on the desk. "And you believe you could succeed where others have failed? The human realm is... complicated."

"Most devils approach it with outdated assumptions. They see humans as primitive. But their world moves faster than ours now. Their innovations, their constant hunger for the next thing - it creates opportunities."

"Opportunities that benefit House Beleth how, exactly?"

I pulled out a slim folder I'd prepared. "Initial market analysis. Three main vectors - film production, social media platforms, and targeted investment banking. Each plays to our strengths in different ways."

Father took the folder but didn't open it. "You've put considerable thought into this."

"The Gremory and Sitri heir runs a high school. Why? Because they recognize education shapes minds. But entertainment? Finance? Those shape entire societies."

『He's intrigued. Notice how his posture shifted when you mentioned societal influence,』 the Advisor noted.

"And naturally," I added, "this would require a peerage of my own."

There it was - the slight narrowing of his eyes. The real crux of the conversation.

"You're young for a peerage," he said carefully.

"Younger devils have received them. And this isn't about combat prowess or rating games. This is about building a foundation for House Beleth's future."

"Explain."

I leaned forward slightly. "The right pieces, chosen specifically for their skills in business, technology, and human culture. A team that could navigate both realms effectively. Not just flashy displays of power - but also methodical expansion of our influence."

"Five years is an investment," Father mused. "Your brothers-"

"Will continue their current roles," I finished smoothly. "I'm not asking to compete with them. I'm proposing to expand into territory they've shown no interest in."

He picked up my letter again, re-reading certain passages. "Your mother will object to you being away so long."

"Which is why I'd maintain a residence here and return regularly for important functions."

Father stood, moving to the window that overlooked the estate's grounds. "You understand why this request gives me pause."

"Of course. I'm asking for significant resources and autonomy. If I fail, it reflects poorly on the family."

"And if you succeed?"

"Then House Beleth establishes itself in emerging markets before our rivals fully grasp their importance. We build influence through channels they won't see coming until it's too late."

He turned back to face me. "You've changed more than I realized, Amon. The question is whether that change is genuine or merely... calculated."

"Why not both?" I met his gaze directly. "I've grown up enough to calculate what's best for our family's future. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

Father returned to his desk, opening the folder at last. "Let's talk numbers."

For the next hour, I laid out plans within plans, watching him catch the subtle implications of each proposal. This was the Father I remembered from Amon's memories - the strategic mind behind House Beleth's earlier successes.

"Your budget projections are conservative," he noted, tapping one page.

"I'd rather exceed modest expectations than fall short of grandiose ones."

"Hmm." He closed the folder. "And what of your... personal development? Five years is significant time away from proper training."

"I can arrange access to several combat instructors in the human realm. Their techniques offer interesting counterpoints to traditional devil training."

『Careful,』 the Advisor warned. 『Don't oversell it.』

"Additionally," I continued, "practical experience managing resources and personnel is its own form of development. One our family needs."

Father's lips twitched. "A diplomatic way of noting our current shortcomings."

"We adapt or we decline. House Phenex understands this - look at how they've monopolized medical services. But they're focused on physical healing. The mind... that's our domain. Always has been."

He stood again, but this time moved to the cabinet where he kept his private reserve of brandy. The fact that he poured two glasses spoke volumes.

"You realize," he said, handing me one, "that this proposal effectively removes you from direct succession politics as you're gone."

I accepted the glass with a careful nod. "I'm third in line. My role was never to compete for leadership - it's to strengthen our house's foundation so whoever leads has more to work with."

Father took a slow sip, studying me over the rim of his glass. "And you believe five years is sufficient?"

"To establish a foothold? Yes. To fully realize the potential? That would take longer. But better to start small and prove the concept."

"Your brothers will see this as you running away."

"Let them. Their opinion of me is already set. I'd rather spend my energy on productive ventures than changing their minds."

He set his glass down with a soft clink. "I will need time to consider this properly. Review the details, consult certain parties."

I nodded, recognizing both the implicit dismissal and the fact that he hadn't outright rejected the proposal. "Of course, Father. Thank you for hearing me out."

"One last question," he said as I stood. "Why now?"

"Because the window of opportunity won't stay open forever. The human realm is changing rapidly. Better to establish ourselves early than play catch-up later."

"That's the practical answer. I'm asking for the personal one."

I paused at the door, considering my words carefully. "Because I'm tired of being the son you worry about. I'd rather be the one you can rely on."

His expression softened almost imperceptibly. "We'll speak more tomorrow. After I've had time to think."

I bowed slightly and left, closing the door quietly behind me. In the hallway, Mother waited, trying to pretend she hadn't been listening.

"That went well," she said softly, falling into step beside me.

"You knew I was planning this."

"I suspected. You've been too focused lately for it to be random." She touched my arm lightly. "Five years is a long time."

"I'll visit."

"You'll be careful," she corrected. "The human realm has its own dangers."

I stopped, turning to face her. "You support this then?"

"I support you finding your own path. Even if it takes you further from home than I'd like." Her smile turned wistful. "Just promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"Don't let ambition make you forget who you are. I've watched it happen to too many young devils."

I caught the unspoken reference to my brothers. "I won't forget."

She kissed my cheek and glided away, leaving me to my thoughts. The Advisor stayed quiet, knowing I needed space to process.

The first piece was in place. Father would agree - the logic was too sound to reject. But this was just the beginning. The real work would start once I reached the human realm.

A world of smartphones and social media. Of high-frequency trading and viral marketing. Of a billion minds connected and influenced in ways my fellow devils barely comprehended.

They saw humans as lesser beings. I saw them as they truly were - the greatest creators of weapons of mass manipulation in history.

And I intended to master every single one of those weapons.

I made my way back to my room, each step measured against the weight of the night's machinations. The familiar walls of the Beleth manor felt like a chrysalis I was ready to shed.

『Your father's pride was genuine,』 the Advisor noted as I closed my bedroom door. 『Though he'll still scrutinize every detail of your proposal.』

I shrugged off my overcoat, letting it drape over a nearby chair. The shirt followed, the cool air a relief against my skin after hours of structured formality.

"He'll find the numbers solid. Mother's already on board. The rest is just..." I laid back on the bed, eyes closed. "Details."

『And your brothers?』

"Damian will see it as me removing myself as competition. Cyrus..." I smiled without opening my eyes. "Cyrus will drink himself into a rage, then convince himself this proves I'm weak."

『You're letting them underestimate you.』

"I'm letting them believe what they want to believe. Makes things easier in the long run."

The silence stretched, comfortable and contemplative. My mind wandered through contingencies and calculations until a soft knock interrupted.

"Come in, Maria."

She entered quietly, closing the door behind her. When I opened my eyes, her gaze was fixed somewhere around my collarbone.

"I thought you might want a report on the other guests' departures," she said, voice carefully neutral.

"Sit." I patted the edge of the bed. "Tell me what you observed."

She hesitated for a heartbeat before perching on the mattress, still maintaining a proper distance. "Lord Phenex seemed... displeased."

"The gift rankled him. Good."

"And Lady Gremory..."

"Was grateful for the support, even if she couldn't show it openly." I sat up, noting how Maria's eyes tracked the movement. "But that's not why you're here."

A slight flush colored her cheeks. "You spoke with Lord Beleth."

"I did. About our future plans."

"Our...?" The word carried weight, hope and uncertainty tangled together.

I shifted closer, watching her breath catch. "The human realm will be different, Maria. Away from all this." My hand gestured vaguely at our surroundings. "Away from rigid hierarchies and ancient prejudices."

"My lord..." Her voice wavered.

"Amon." I caught her chin gently, turning her face toward mine. "In the human world, bloodlines mean little. Titles are just empty words. There's only what we build for ourselves."

Her blue eyes met mine, years of carefully maintained barriers starting to crack. "And what are we building?"

"An empire." I leaned closer, close enough to feel her shortened breaths. "But empires need more than just power. They need trust. Loyalty. Things that can't be bought or commanded."

"You have my loyalty," she whispered.

"I know. I've always known." My thumb traced her jawline. "But I want more than just your loyalty, Maria."

The last wall crumbled. She surged forward, closing the final distance between us. Her lips met mine with years of pent-up hunger, proper decorum forgotten in an instant of raw need.

I pulled her closer, one hand tangling in her hair while the other traced the curve of her spine. She made a soft sound in the back of her throat, fingers splaying across my bare chest.

『The door isn't locked,』 the Advisor noted dryly.

I broke the kiss long enough to flick a finger, magical energy sealing the room. Maria used the moment to straddle my lap, her formal dress hiking up around her thighs.

"How long?" she breathed against my neck. "How long have you known?"

"Since the beginning." I caught her lips again, drinking in her desperation. "Since the first time you looked at me like I was more than just another noble brat."

Her hands explored my chest, tracing old scars and newer muscles. I found the zipper of her dress, slowly dragging it down as she shivered against me.

"The human realm..." she managed between kisses. "When?"

"Soon." I helped her shimmy out of the dress's top half, revealing simple black lace underneath. "Very soon."

She pressed herself against me, skin to skin, years of rigid formality melting away. "And until then?"

I rolled us over, pinning her beneath me. "Until then, we practice being human."

Her laugh turned into a gasp as I kissed my way down her throat. "Is that what this is? Practice?"

"This?" I nipped at her collarbone, drawing another gasp. "This is making up for lost time."

She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me closer. "Then we have a lot of catching up to do."

"That we do." I captured her mouth again, swallowing whatever response she might have made.