Chapter 567 - 565: Hope

Chapter 567: Chapter 565: Hope

"Son, you’re drooling."

Father’s voice snapped me out of my trance as I shook my head, an awry smile on my face.

"How many times now?"

"Heh! That’ll be the twelfth time in the past ten minutes. You haven’t been able to keep your head straight." Malachi laughed.

"Well, can you blame me? When they all look like... that?" I pointed downward, to the ceremonial hall below where the figures of Clarissa, Aunt V, Elira, and even Sana could be seen dancing along with Mother and the women who had escorted them on their shopping spree.

After the women and Lucien crashed through our meeting earlier, we had left to prepare for the celebration being held. Well, me and the guys had, for the women were already ready—and did they mean it.

I hadn’t been able to keep my gaze steady since they showed up.

Aunt V, dressed in a beautiful one-piece dress that hugged her curvaceous figure immaculately, highlighting her generous breasts and voluminous ass, with a high thigh-slit that showcased glimpses of her juicy thighs, was a walking meal, begging to be eaten. And with that smile on her face?

"My God..." I was one moment away from whisking her away and pumping her full of baby batter.

But she wasn’t alone, as my eyes found Elira’s figure.

The sexy blonde had dressed a lot more modestly this time around, wearing a royal red ball gown that didn’t succeed one bit at hiding her ridiculous proportions. She wore a pair of glass shoes that glistened under the hall’s lighting, each of her movements graceful and seductive at the same time.

"Son... when I gave you that halberd, I never intended for you to turn her into such a walking temptation."

I couldn’t even be bothered to pay Father any heed as my eyes trailed hungry circles over the art moving on the dance floor. And even then—

"This is cheating, I swear these women are cheating..." I muttered in dismay as I found the ever-subdued Sana now absolutely laughing cheerfully as she and the little man shared a dance of sorts. Her expression was free and beautiful, adding more charm to her radiance. She had ditched her plain robes, opting for a two-toned dress that brought out her figure like the masterpiece she was. Her two-toned hair was done up in a nice ponytail, and the brilliant image of a kiss mark was painted on the left and right sides of her collarbone.

I smiled seeing the cheeky image, my eyes trailing down into the valley below as her dress cut a mean V-line that showed just enough cleavage. With her positioning on the dance floor—something I knew she had taken on purpose—I could see EVERYTHING.

Yet, of all these temptations, one still stood like a brilliant light in the darkness.

She had already captivated the entire ballroom with her immaculate beauty and graceful steps. Where my lovely Aunt V preferred not to be the center of attraction, SHE was different.

"Clarissa..."

"Dante, you’re drooling again..."

I didn’t even bother replying to their words as my gaze stayed trained on the walking catastrophe.

Dressed in a pristine white one-piece dress that hugged her seductive body like a second skin, the garment—which had been meant to imply purity—became the most sinful item on the dance floor...

I had always believed Aunt V to be the most endowed of my women, at least before Elira showed up with her perfect form, but looking at Clarissa now, I could tell a clear difference. Where Elira’s body was explosive and seductive, Clarissa carried a sort of maturity and grace that seemed to place her, at least at this moment, above even Elira in that department.

With her glass heels clicking softly on that dance floor as she moved to a rhythm only she seemed capable of hearing, she became the unchallenged center of attention.

"Darling~~" a beautiful chirp finally snapped me from my trance as my eyes locked onto the green jewels of Clarissa, her expression warm and inviting.

"Are you just going to stay up there watching, or will you come join us?" she asked. And of course—

"I’ll be right down!" I answered, about to leap off the railing before—

GRAB!

"Son..." Father grabbed my hand, pulling me back.

"Dad?" I asked, confused.

"Go..." He bobbed his head toward the right. I looked over, and right there, in an impressive white-gold suit, stood Raiden Agares, his expression loving as his gaze stayed trained toward the ballroom floor as well.

I followed his gaze and found there, on the dance floor next to Mother, a woman with obsidian-blue hair, four pairs of soft black horns, a heart-shaped tail swaying gently behind her, and a pair of bat-like wings folded beautifully behind her.

Her smile was radiant as she and Mother danced together, looking to be having the time of their lives.

My gut churned as regret flared, a bitter taste coming over my tongue.

"You need to say it..."

"But, Dad..."

"You know you won’t be able to rest knowing you hurt the feelings of someone who has been nothing but good and respectful—someone I know you already found likable."

I kept quiet, neither acknowledging his words nor dismissing them.

"Go, my son..."

I watched the old man’s face for a few moments before—

"Haa... I hate it when you get responsible, Old Man."

"Hahahaha... I can’t let my own son become a man without morals or honor, at least not towards those who don’t deserve such treatment." He laughed.

"Fine... I’ll go." I nodded before making my way toward the still-transfixed Raiden.

"Hey..." I called out, snapping the young man from his trance.

"Hmm? Oh, it’s you. What do you want?" His voice wasn’t as cold as it had been earlier, but it was evidently less welcoming and more distant. I could understand perfectly well why, so—

"I’m sorry."

"Wh.. what?"

"I said I’m sorry."

He remained silent, probably still confused, so I made myself clearer.

"For what I said earlier, about your woman. I shouldn’t have stooped so low. No matter my dislike for demons, it is not my place to put someone’s loved one down, and for that, I am sorry."

"This..."

"I understand if you’re upset; I would be too. But I just needed to say it. And your woman... she’s beautiful." Even if it hurt to admit, "she’s the second most beautiful demoness I’ve ever seen. You should be proud to have her and never allow anyone to talk down to her just for her race. I know I made that error, but please, remember: as a man, your duty is to make sure their honor is always defended, even at the cost of your own life..." I gripped my arm, and then—

RIIIIPPPPP!!!

"What are you doing!?"

"Punishing myself for you, since you’re too weak to do so," I replied as the ripped-out arm caught flames and disintegrated.

"Worry not," I waved the stump before his eyes as the arm reappeared instantly, "I don’t hurt easily."

"Haaa... I was scared for a moment there. You didn’t need to go that far. I understand it was in the heat of the moment, so I apologize for what I said about your son, though I don’t think I’ll be tearing my arm out."

"Pfft... ahahahahaha... worry not, apology accepted." I laughed, feeling a weight be taken off my chest.

"Alright then, I’m glad we settled that misunderstanding."

"Me too," I replied, about to go entertain my beautiful women, but—

"But," his next words stopped me as I turned around, an inquiring expression on my face, "you said Lily was the second most beautiful demoness you’ve seen?"

"Oh, that? Yes, she’s beautiful. Very beautiful in fact, but I know someone who’s a few paces more radiant and beautiful," I replied with a wave of my hand as I continued with my departure.

"Who!?"

"Lucien’s big sister. She goes by the name...

... Hope."

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A/N: I didn’t feel right leaving things with the way the last Chapter ended so I just had to post this one. He didn’t even deny when they called Lucien his kid twice now. And does He even realizes he just called hope radiant and beautiful? Lol... anyways...

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Thanks for reading...