Early morning sunlight spilled through the front windows of Celestial Brews, bathing the café in warm golden light. The shop had only just opened, and the peaceful atmosphere was filled with the rich scent of roasted coffee beans, fresh pastries, and the faint clink of porcelain cups being arranged behind the counter.
Arthur sat near the center table with his usual composed posture, casually drinking tea as if the world held no urgency at all. Across from him sat Renner, elegant as ever, while Evileye occupied another chair with the expression of someone guarding territory she refused to admit she cared about. Near the back, Raynare moved mechanically as she wiped tables, her eyes dull and distant from whatever hypnosis still gripped her mind.
Then the front door burst open.
The bell above it rang violently as Rias Gremory stormed inside, dragging two enormous suitcases behind her. One more travel bag was slung over her shoulder, and another smaller one hung from her arm. The sheer amount of luggage made it look less like a visit and more like a full-scale relocation.
Everyone inside turned to stare.
Renner was the first to recover.
With a perfectly polished smile that hid whatever thoughts were brewing beneath, she rose gracefully from her seat and approached the entrance. "My, my," she said sweetly, folding her hands in front of her. "Rias-sama, what a surprise so early in the morning. May I ask what exactly you are doing?"
Rias straightened, brushing a strand of crimson hair from her face with determined dignity. "I'm here to stay," she declared.
Renner's smile remained.
But only her smile.
The room somehow became colder.
"…I beg your pardon?" Renner asked after a pause so smooth it was somehow more dangerous than shouting.
Before the princess could continue, Rias's eyes landed on Arthur. Instantly abandoning all formal restraint, she rushed past Renner, leaving the blonde standing frozen in place. Arthur barely had time to set down his cup before Rias reached him and threw her arms around him in a full embrace.
"I'm here!" she announced brightly.
Arthur blinked once.
Evileye nearly snapped her spoon in half.
The vampire girl puffed out her cheeks and glared at Arthur as if this were somehow entirely his fault. "Why are women always jumping on you?" she muttered darkly. "You're not even that impressive."
Arthur glanced at her. "You said that while glaring like a jealous wife."
"I am not jealous!" Evileye shouted, face reddening instantly.
Renner slowly turned back toward the pair, her smile now so refined it felt sharpened like a blade. "How… affectionate."
Still hugging Arthur, Rias lifted her chin triumphantly. "I decided I want to know more about him," she said. "And the best way is to stay here."
Arthur gently pried one of her arms loose so he could breathe properly. "What exactly do you mean by stay here?"
Rias stepped back just enough to look at him directly. "I mean exactly that. Live here. Starting today." Then, with practiced innocence, she added, "Besides, Asia is staying with you, isn't she? It would be unfair to reject me."
Arthur stared at her for a moment.
Then he laughed.
It wasn't loud, but it was genuine enough to make Rias flush slightly while Renner's eyes narrowed a fraction.
"You came prepared for this argument," Arthur said.
"Of course I did," Rias replied proudly.
Only then did Arthur glance toward the mountain of luggage by the entrance. "And what is all that?"
Rias followed his gaze and immediately looked embarrassed. "It's… nothing excessive."
There were four bags.
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Rias coughed into her fist. "Mostly dresses," she admitted. "And uniforms. Casual wear. Training clothes. Formal outfits. Seasonal clothing. Some books. Personal items. Emergency items."
Evileye snorted. "That sounds like enough to invade a country."
Rias shot her a glare. "I like being prepared."
Renner gracefully returned to the conversation, standing beside the luggage like a noble inspecting siege weapons. "How diligent of you," she said sweetly. "To arrive with enough possessions to claim territory."
Rias ignored her entirely and turned back to Arthur, clasping her hands together now. Her proud, heiress demeanor softened just enough to reveal sincerity beneath it.
"Arthur," she said, "can I stay here?"
The room went silent.
Even Raynare paused mid-wipe and slowly turned her head.
Renner's smile remained perfect, though the table behind her suddenly developed a crack.
Evileye folded her arms and looked away, pretending not to care while clearly listening harder than anyone else.
Rias held Arthur's gaze stubbornly, refusing to retreat. There was mischief in her expression, yes, but also something honest—curiosity, affection, and the determination of someone taking a step she normally wouldn't.
Arthur leaned back in his chair, studying her.
Then his eyes drifted to the luggage again.
Then to Renner.
Then to Evileye.
Then back to Rias.
"You do realize," he said slowly, "that if I say yes, this place becomes far more troublesome."
[Don't you like troublesome matter, Sir?]
Arthur didn't replay to Friday.
Rias smiled brilliantly. "Then say yes."
Evileye groaned at the thought that if Arthur says yes, then she needs to hold back, as she will be introduced as a child of Renner, and she did like that, as in Nazarick, all the guardians and co-guardians fight for Arthur's affection, and here that wasn't a problem; it was just a perfect love nest for Evileye, but currently she felt that her love nest was being invaded.
At Evileye's side, Renner's smile became radiant enough to frighten nations.
"Since you came all the way with that 'mountain,' it will be impolite to send you back."
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