Family Reunion I

[Grayfia's POV]

Seeing my household one more time and how well they were doing brought me an unparalleled sense of peace. The civil war is over, one of my deepest desires, and although my clan is not thriving... at least it is not extinct. I'm curious as to why my family would have such a humongous castle. In the underworld the manor of a family is a synonym of their grandeur... only families like the Bael or Agares should afford a castle like this.

'It seems it was all worth it'

I already knew it was worth it just for meeting master alone... now I had no regrets, I couldn't be called selfish and my family profited out of my decision as well.

Entering the gigantic manor; something stopped us. At some point, I was able to enter, but Richter-sama's hand that I was grasping didn't come forward with me.

"There is a barrier". He said with furrowed brows. Trying to enter again, pushing his finger against the invisible wall.

He was unable to.

Richter-sama released a sigh, the finger that was pushing against the barrier easily pierced through.

*CRACK!!*

I visibly saw how the barrier cracked before it crumbled to pieces in a chain effect. Like falling pieces of glass dominoes.

My eyebrows twitched as he smiled at me like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Now we're in, let's go~"

"Master… you're really…"

I couldn't reproach him, like a stupid maiden hopelessly in love, anything that he does enthrals me. I'm sure this barrier isn't that weak. He just makes it look like so.

It didn't take long as I expected for hundreds of devils to begin flying towards us from the castle. It was indeed not abandoned, this was a great entourage that even had high-class devils in it.

"Who are you!? State your names!" A 'young man' that I didn't recognise said, I can tell he isn't a Lucifuge.

What surprises me more is that in this lineup there are devils, fallen and even angels, when did my family become a refugee for these birds?!

"My name is Grayfia Lucifuge, heiress of the Lucifuge Clan… and I'm back home" following along with master's words I decided to not cause a ruckus and just wait until I met my mother and asked her.

The reaction to my words was what I expected, whispering quickly started between them as they encircled us before a man walked forward, I think I know him… but I can't remember.

He's a powerful devil with the appearance of a middle-aged man.

After experiencing the second phase of the trial, any memory that I was hardly attached to, vanished forever. The man looked at me aghast, he must be someone I know.

"M-My young lady…"

"I'm sorry... if we met in the past, I don't remember you… but your face looks familiar" I said.

"Could I see your family crest, young lady" his gaze was on my master at all times, it seems he was experienced enough to know who the real threat is here.

I nodded and showed him our family seal, forming a simple golden magic circle. The next moment the hundred-ish people all fell on their knees.

"We greet the Young Lady!"

I sighed in relief, at least this way there wouldn't be any misunderstandings.

"Looks like they respect you a lot in here…" Master whispered against my ears and I even felt his sinful hand hovering over my butt through the maid attire.

I didn't know what his intentions were but I liked them. I took his mischievous hand with a smile before moving forward.

"Where is my mother? I'm going to need an explanation… why are there angels and fallen angels here?" I tried to keep my voice the least threatening possible, but seeing all those angels and fallen angels standing in front of me was really getting on my nerves.

Especially now that I have the power to easily eradicate them.

"You must be confused indeed young lady… it was all five hundred years ago and a lot of incidents have occurred since then, the underworld is not the same. All of your doubts should be settled down by Lady Matriarch, please follow me. My name is Feral, you really have forgotten me" His gaze contained some sadness which I felt troubled to correspond.

"A lot of things happened on my end too, Feral" I smiled his way, still unable to recall him even though he told me his name.

"If it is not too much to ask, could I know the identity of this sir?" He then pointed at my master.

"My name is Richter, I'm her master".

He furrowed his brows marginally when the word 'master' was said, it was not simple. However, I merely nodded in Feral's way, "He is indeed my master, I hope you will address him with respect henceforth".

"Understood, please follow me".

We were led through the manor's gardens, I was delighted... not by the views that couldn't compare in exoticness to Goldstein, I just rejoiced that all this was branded as 'Lucifuge'.

"Young lady, you must have become… quite strong… to be able to break the barrier" He said all of the sudden, causing all of the entourage to place their eyes on me.

"My master was the one that broke the barrier. I'm sorry, I'll compensate for the dama-".

Before my sentence finished, master pulled me harshly into his chest, surprising everyone present, seeing me being treated like that, Feral wasn't happy.

"It was me who broke the barrier… my maid doesn't need to compensate for anything, I'll pay for it." His words sounded natural but I knew these people weren't taking light to them. Sometimes master is just stubborn and won't allow me to do my job as a maid properly.

"As I said, he is my master and I'm his maid… he can… do with me whatever he wants…" I clarified for them and they reluctantly nodded before we continued our way.

'We will see about that tonight~' I heard's master mental message.

My eyes gasped and I looked back at him expectantly.

Is that a promise?

…

We reached the main hall where we were received by two people.

The moment I saw them… my eyes got watery. It's them… the people I wished to protect.

"Big sister!" A gust of silver blurred in front of me and I was tightly embraced by what resembled my clone.

"My daughter!" My mother rushed in much the same way and I quickly found myself engulfed in so much warmth... sadly, there were two people missing. One of them was my father, the other... my little brother.

"Mother, Layla, I'm back!" I hugged both of them, perhaps a little too strongly since they seemed to be suffocating, "s-sorry... I couldn't control myself. I-I missed you so much!"

Master stood behind us with his arms crossed, much like the rest of the entourage.

"You must have worked hard, my daughter… we missed you so much!" My mother spoke, if my eyes were watery, she was crying and refused to let me go for even one second.

"Where is Euclid?" I asked; aware that my royal father has passed away, but what about Euclid?

My words immediately soured the mood between my mother and my sister.

"Let's talk about him later, dear… h-how have you been where? doing what? you need to tell me everything! Is madam Calliope with you?" My mother asked before her eyes settled on my master.

A curious glint flashed through her and my sister's eyes the moment they caught a glimpse of him.

As for master, he must be surprised by the abundance of silver.