Haruto gently laid Asia onto the bed and then put the blanket over her. He had a few extra rooms in his house and he put Asia to the second biggest one.
Now that he was alone, Haruto let his real emotions to surface. His gaze was solely focused on Asia and his eyes had the same conflicted emotions. He was clenching and unclenching his fist rapidly, his body was tensed. His mental barrier started to crack, as memories, he never wanted to recall started to resurface.
"Haruto, would you like to have a younger sibling, maybe a sister."
He could have let Rias have Asia, and maybe that would have been the better choice. But he needed her. He couldn't pinpoint why he was feeling like this? Maybe because she would look like her. Maybe because he started yearning for what he had lost? But if so, then …
"I didn't need this kind of distraction at this stage." Haruto rubbed his head, his face showed a great deal of discomfort.
Suddenly he lifted his head up and smiled. Perfect timing, he needed this kind of distraction. Taking one last look at the unconscious nun, he went out of the room silently. He came downstairs to see his guard was having a stare down with an uninvited guest, no, he knew she would be coming as soon as she could.
"Nice guard dog you have there."
"Thanks, Rias said the same thing."
"I am guessing you knew I would be coming."
"Yes." He put his arm up and his dog backed off, though reluctantly, "I should have greeted you but was busy fixing the room for Asia."
"She woke up?"
"Not yet," Haruto pointed at the Sofa and she sat down though her eyes never left Haruto, "She did have her sacred gear badly damaged so I am guessing she will wake up after it gets properly fixed. And let's not forget that she was reincarnated also, which means her body has to adapt to the new changes as well."
"True."
"Coffee, juice, soda, water or perhaps tea, though it will not be as good as yours."
"Let's get to the point, shall we? What do you truly want from my master?"
Haruto grinned from his ear to ear, "Rias really have an amazing queen."
"It sounds like your queen has problems," Akeno replied back sharply.
Haruto opened his palm and a queen piece became visible, it was a fake piece just to be displayed as a showcase, "I don't have a queen."
"Isn't one supposed to get the queen first? I thought it was basic for gathering peerage members." Akeno frowned.
Haruto chuckled as he closed his palm and with it retreating the piece, "For everyone, a queen has a significant meaning, someone who the king truly desires." Haruto gave Akeno a meaningful look, "I am pretty sure you get what I mean."
Akeno became quiet. Haruto was right; when Rias turned her into a devil, she wasn't looking for a strong person rather she was looking for a friend, a sister.
"Don't change the subject." Akeno looked at Haruto coldly who held up his arms in a surrendering manner.
"You think I have an ulterior motive?" Haruto asked.
"Am I wrong?" Akeno retorted challengingly.
"Nope, you are not. But," Haruto sharply added when he saw Akeno wanted to interrupt, "But whatever I said back there was true. I do want to make my place in the underworld and for that, I need your king's help. But I will not involve her with whatever I have in my mind for afterward."
"Aren't you going to say something like 'you have my words' or 'I swear this on my life'?" Her words were sharp and right to the point. Even though she was very displeased, she still held herself with elegance. Something, Haruto was sure, Rias wouldn't be able to do.
"Even if say something cheesy like that, you are not going to believe me anyway," Haruto smirked.
"True," Akeno dropped her gaze just to take a deep breath before looking back at Haruto, her eyes just got sharper, if that was even possible, "I will ask you two questions and I want straight answers. Are you going to use Rias? And are you going to put her in harm's way?"
"Do you think I am stupid, Akeno?" Haruto replied in a heartbeat, "I know the basic history of the underworld. Sirzechs, the current Maou and who is considered as one of the strongest devils ever to exist, is her big brother and plus, he is a siscon."
Haruto chuckled as he added, "Do you get my point?"
"I want clear answers Haruto-san," Akeno replied making Haruto to sigh. It seemed Akeno was not going to budge till she heard straight cut answers from Haruto,
"I want Rias's help and I am willing to help her in return, think of it as a business partnership. And no I don't want the whole underworld howling at my ass so I am not going to put her in harm's way." So Haruto gave her just how she wanted them.
Akeno didn't break her eye contact with Haruto. Few seconds passed only but it felt long in that room. Finally, Akeno sighed as she stood up.
"I hope you keep your words."
She didn't wait a second before teleporting out of the house.
"An amazing queen indeed."
It was quite refreshing to find someone around his age to actually hold a conversation of his level. Maybe she was just as cunning as he was? Who knows? Haruto relaxed on the sofa and took out a cigarette. But before he could lit it,
Thud
Haruto whipped his head fast and the scene that greeted him made him drop his cigarette from his mouth.
Asia was on the ground and his dog, his familiar Raikou who was one of the direct and strongest offspring of Raiju and one of the hardest beasts ever to tame, was licking Asia's face as if she was his long lost master. He was also rubbing his face on her neck as if asking her to pet him. The beast that was said could tame lightning just like his father, was acting like a spoiled house dog.
That never happened before.
"Umm," Asia looked at Haruto uncomfortably.
Getting out of his stupor, Haruto went toward them and moved Raikou forcefully, "Bad dog." Haruto chided at his familiar who stepped back unwillingly. Because Raikou was moved, Asia steadily tried to get up but couldn't because of her lack of strength. After few more failed attempt, she chose to sit right on the floor. After she got herself comfortable, as if nothing was wrong, she just looked at Haruto with big innocent eyes.
Raikou just gave Haruto a blank stare and then went and lied down beside Asia. Shaking his head, Haruto pointed at his dog, "I think he likes you. Just pet him if it is ok with you."
Asia nodded her head and gently started to pat Raikou. The way his tail was moving showed how exactly how pleased he was.
Haruto shook his head and threw the cigarette into the trash. He also sat down on the floor, opposite of Asia. Today was just not his day,
"I believe you have some questions."