(Ravel's POV)
I honestly was not sure what first woke me up the next morning.
At first, I suspected it was the feeling (or lack thereof) next to me. Where my new Queen had been laying last night was now only an empty space with the blanket tucked in neatly under the bed. It was as if someone had attempted to make 1/2 of the bed, leaving the rest undisturbed in order to refrain from bothering any other occupants.
I immediately began to panic, my heart beating fiercely against my rib cage. Hundreds if not thousands of terrifying scenarios ran through my mind, the most terrifying being the thought that he ran away.
In this world, it wasn't TOO uncommon for a servant to run away after being traded to a new master. To suddenly be uplifted from their previous lives and forced into a completely new lifestyle. It was sometimes too much for them to handle. They ended up running away and ended up being branded as Strays. It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened to them afterwards.
I didn't want that to happen to my new Queen! That's why I panicked!
He did look upset when we departed for the Underworld after Onii-sama won the Rating Game. I really hoped he didn't do anything stupid.
And that was when I noticed the alluring aroma in the air.
When I was still asleep, I swear I could vaguely smell this amazing scent… was this what woke me up?
Curious, I slipped on my morning slippers and walked out the door to—
"O-Ojou-sama?!" I turned my head to see a wide eyed and embarrassed-looking maid staring at me. "W-What are you wearing?!"
Hm?
I looked down at my dresswear and noticed I was still wearing my nightdress from last night…
"EEK!" I quickly covered my chest through my nearly see through dress. I ran back into my room to get changed.
How humiliating! Thank goodness it was only a house maid who saw that! If Otou-sama or Oka-sama saw me, I would literally DIE of embarrassment! If that maid knows what's good for her, she'll never breathe a single word of what she saw me wearing! That outfit was purely an attempt to get close to my new servant! Considering he had been the servant of someone like Leviathan-sama, I… I probably had a lot to compete with…
After I came back out of my room, my search for my servant ended up being put on hold once again as my nasal passageways were completely assaulted by this breathtaking scent. As undignified as it was, I felt drool begin to pool up at the corners of my mouth… My stomach started growling against my own wishes…
Grrrrrr! Fine! I will stop by the dining hall and THEN I will continue the search for Ruto-sa… Grrrr! It feels so weird using his name while resisting the urge to add the "-sama" honorific!
Anyway, I began walking towards the dining hall, now clothed in proper sleepwear.
Part of me was confused despite the fact I was continuously forced to follow the aroma I smelled.
After navigating through several hallways, I finally came to the door behind which the heavenly (as ironic as it is for a Devil to use such a word) smell.
Curious as to the origin of this sweet smell, I pushed through the door, allowing the delicious fragrance to flow forth unobstructed. If I wasn't drooling before, then I certainly was the moment that door opened.
I stared with eyes as wide as plates at the neatly set table. It was impressive, even for the household servants. Whoever set the tables must have had some sort of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Everything was neatly set and perfectly so. It was like someone copied the setting in front of one seat and pasted it in front of every seat. I couldn't spot a single difference. In the center of the table, trailing all the way down to the other end, was a banquet fit for a king (or perhaps several!).
Even classics such as eggs and bacon had been miraculously transformed into spectacularly designed plating.
The chef must have spent just as much time designing the setting for the dishes as he/she did actually cooking the food.
My stomach started growling again.
"I guess I could eat now…" Nobody else was awake and I usually had to wait for the other household servants to cook breakfast… but even then it was never anything of this scale. This was a banquet that surpassed most meals made for High-Class Devils. I honestly wasn't sure what to do.
When I sat down at the table, I shuffled uncomfortably in my seat. Or perhaps it was because I was TOO comfortable that I was feeling discomfort. The meal, the very atmosphere of the room just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It gave me the feeling of being home even though I was already home. It was a strange feeling to explain, but not bad.
I reached for one of the eating utensils—
*SMACK*
"Ow!" I yelped. I rubbed the red spot on my hand, tearing up slightly from the sudden shock of pain.
"Tut tut, master! Let's not forget our manners." A sudden voice beside me made me jump. I turned in surprise to see my Queen, giving me a playful scolding expression, tapping a wooden spoon against the palm of his hand, leading me to suspect that that was the unknown weapon that had struck me on the back of the hand. It was hard to tell whether or not he was seriously scolding me.
"Ruto… YOU made all of this?!" I could not hide my shock concerning this meal at all. When I took a closer look at my servant's apparel, I noticed he was still wearing the black hakama that he wore last night. The only additions to this outfit were the bandana he wore over his head, no doubt to keep his hair in check, and the disturbingly out-of-place pink apron that he wore over his chest. Either he was not aware of how feminine it was, or he was so certain of his heterosexuality that he felt no shame.
Ruto crossed his arms, smirking. "Hehe. But of course, master!" That cheerful sing-song tone was a complete change from the serious and gentlemanly persona he had possessed the previous night. Last night he was suave, calm, and mildly teasing, but now he was so cheerful and ever-so playful. It left me confused. "As… As my previous master's servant, I provided many other services than simply being her Queen."
Ah! So it seems Leviathan-sama didn't choose him as her Queen solely for his power as the White Dragon Emperor! It would make sense to have a servant with such appealing culinary abilities! Of course… I can't help but feel anxious when my Queen refers to his duties towards Leviathan-sama as "services". It leaves me uneasy. Not to mention that look in his eye… longing even…
"But anyway." Ruto suddenly said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "It would be rude of us to simply begin breakfast without the other members of the household! What about your parents, Lord and Lady Phenex, or your brother, Riser?" I stared at him, raising an eyebrow in confusion. Ruto closed his eyes and frowned, possessing an (I will deny it!) almost cute look. "Something wrong?"
I was taken aback by the sudden question. "Y-You're inviting Onii-sama? I thought you hated him?"
Ruto waved off my concern. "Well, it's not like I'm personally inviting him. I'm just not excluding him. As a servant, it is my duty to provide nourishment for my master and those with whom she dines. So I will give nothing less than my absolute best when it comes to the kitchen. Even if someone whom I do not favor were to partake, I would still do nothing less than my best. I won't give up or back down regardless of the situation. That is my pride as a Devil."
Huh?
I stared at him, somewhat stunned by the sudden mature air he gave off.
Then his same goofy smile presented itself. "So, when is everybody coming?"
That was when I got nervous, poking my fingers together. "Well… it's not that the sentiment isn't appreciated… but… You see, Otou-sama, Oka-sama, and Onii-sama are often busy when they aren't sleeping in the mornings. So… The only time we actually eat meals together are mainly during dinner and sometimes lunch if we happen to be dining in the house together at the time."
Ruto blinked. "Wait… you mean they're not coming?"
I looked down. "Well… I don't know. Sometimes Oka-sama calls for us to eat breakfast as a family sometimes, but—"
"Screw that." My Queen interrupted, his expression absolutely blank. "I did not create this banquet for two people." It was then that he pulled a large pot seemingly out of nowhere.
*BANG BANG BANG*
He started beating his wooden spoon against the bottom of the pot, hitting as hard as he could to make as much noise as possible.
"OOOOIIIIII! BREAKFAST IS READYYYYYY! ALL OF YOU GUYS BETTER GET UP WHILE IT'S STILL HOOOOOOT! COME ON, YOU LAZY BUMS! SOUP'S ON!"
I lunged at him and covered his mouth with my hands, blushing deeply. "Don't be so rude! Everyone is sleeping!"
Then I noticed that Ruto was pouting. Seriously! I could not get a read on this guy! Before he was so calm and mature, but now he was just so… ridiculous!
"But Ravel-samaaaa, I wanted to do this whole thing where I greeted my master's family!" Ruto complained. "Isn't it important that I meet all of them? How am I supposed to build a proper relationship with my new master's family if I do not even meet them?"
He sounded so ridiculous, but he made such excellent points.
I sighed after a few minutes of thought. "Very well. But at least let me send the household servants to wake everyone in a more polite manner, please?"
That seemed to satisfy my servant, eliciting a smile from him. "That would be most wonderful."
"Give me a few moments."
My servant stood dutifully by the seat I had sat in as I stood, rushing out of the room to contact one of the household maids, informing her of my desire to have everyone awakened for breakfast. When she expressed the thought that Otou-sama and Oka-sama would be dissatisfied about being woken up so early, I expressed the thought that she would be even more dissatisfied if she lost her job as a result of ignoring my order. She quickened her pace immediately after that.
I returned to my Queen's side, taking my seat once again. Then we waited… And we waited… And we waited.
I kicked my feet back and forth under the table, feeling awkward in this lonely silence with my servant who continued staring and smiling.
Geez! Stop making this so awkward with that pleasant smile, will ya?!
I felt myself blush deeply further.
OK, what was that thing Onii-sama told me that boys and girls do when they're alone together?
"Ravel, if you ever find yourself in a room alone with a boy… Then he's too close! If he touches you, he dies!"
I sweatdrop, hanging my head. Yeah, that seems like something that a pervert would say. He technically refers to me as a member of his "harem", but we're still brother and sister. I'm more of a decoration and a harem girl in name only. He's still my Onii-sama who is just like any other. He just uses my "little sister" status to make himself feel as though he has the perfect harem. Besides, if he actually tried anything with me, he KNOWS I would burn his "male pride" off several times over.
But really though! That guy has no idea on how to interact with others! I can't believe I even thought about looking to him for advice!
I tapped my hands awkwardly on the table, trying to avoid my servant's gaze. Seriously! It was embarrassing! But… in a way, I feel a little happy that he won't look at anything but me…GAH! What am I saying!? Why am I saying weird stuff like that!? He's just my servant! Nothing more! Nothing less! I managed to weasel the details out of the Sitri heiress concerning Ruto's heroic fight with the Fallen Angels and thought he would be an amazing servant to have, possessing such heroic characteristics. But he doesn't seem anything like how Sitri portrayed him as! He kind of did last night, but now he's so weird! This guy took on three Fallen Angels on his own despite KNOWING he would never be able to defeat all three on his own! Is this truly that same person?!
"Is something troubling you, master?" I turned and noticed that Ruto's expression had become one of worry. "You were wearing such a strange expression on your face. Have I displeased you?"
"E-Eh?!" I quickly shook my head. "N-No! Nothing like that! It's more like—"
""FOOOOOOOOOD! FOOD FOOD FOOOOOOD!""
Two childish voices cried out in joy, bursting in through the doors of the dining hall dressed in ill-fitting white shirts and incredibly small shorts. They were laughing and cheering as they ran towards the table.
"If you don't hurry, Imma eat all of the food before you, Ile!" One of the loli twins teased.
"Auuuu! No fair! You cheated to get here first!"
"Hehe! Prove it!"
They were jumping about and cheerful until they reached the table and saw Ruto. Then they paused, their expressions becoming cold and hostile.
"What's that creep doing here!?" Ile asked.
"Is he here to steal our food?" Nel… It's hard to tell how in sync you are with your sister's thoughts.
"NO, DUMMY!" Ile shouted before turning and glaring at Ruto once again. "This guy is here to stir up trouble! Even if he IS Ravel's servant, why else would he have Ravel call us here!?"
"What?! Why would he do such a thing?!"
Ile pointed at Ruto, glaring at him. "Just like that loser pervert friend of yours, you're going down! That jackass beat us with a cheap trick, but we're not smallfry! In a battle of strength, that loser would never have won over us!"
"Hey—!" I was about to shout out and scold them for disrespecting my servant when I felt a sudden pressure behind me. It was a heavy, almost suffocating feeling… That was why I turned around, shocked to see the sudden dark expression on my servant's face! He looked really mad!
He moved faster than I could even blink.
"Iyaaa!"
"Ow ow ow! Lemme go!"
"Now now, you two. That's no way to talk to the person who spent several hours cooking a banquet for you and your comrades." Ruto suddenly appeared by the two Pawns of Onii-sama, grabbing them by their ears and giving a good yank as punishment. "I've accepted for a long time now that Haru is a pervert and I cannot blame your dislike for him, but I will not have you acting out behavior unsuited for a breakfast-filled environment. You're free to share your discontent with me, but not until after breakfast."
I sweatdropped again. THAT'S why you're mad?
"Alright! Alright!"
"Just stop it before you rip our ears off!"
The two sisters were released from Ruto's grasp, the two rubbing their pained ears. They glared at Ruto who regained his previous smile.
"Alright then! You two best behave until everyone else arrives!"
""Whatever!""
Those two brats so rudely ignored my Queen's words!
"How dare you disrespect my Queen like that!" I shouted at them. "You two brats should know your places! I—!" I felt a calm hand placed on my shoulder. I looked in surprise to see Ruto smiling calmly.
"You mustn't be too harsh with them, master! They ARE still children." Then he turned and smiled at the children. "I know you two are hungry, but we really must wait for the other members of the household."
The two loli twins pouted.
"What?!"
"No way!"
"'We're hungry now!""
They both complained in unison. Onii-sama spoiled these two too much. They didn't know the meaning of patience. I had thought that my servant would feel insulted as well, but instead he smiled, kneeling down so he was on face-level with the other two twins.
"I know, but you must do better than this." Ruto said calmly. "You like your 'big sisters' who also serve Riser, right? You care about them being around you?"
"Yeah."
"Uh huh."
They both nodded.
"Well, then, you have to be patient so they can see what good girls you are, OK?" Ruto said, but the two twins had uncertain looks. "Look, just wait for them and the others. Then you two can eat until you puke if that's what you want. Hell, I might even join you. That sounds fun?"
Yuck. What a gross way to put that…
"Really!?"
"If we get to eat that much, then we can definitely wait a few minutes!"
"Yeah! Everyone will be so surprised how patient and how grown-up we are!"
Ruto let out a small chuckle at the reactions of the girls, seeming satisfied. "That's good. You two are very good, grown-up girls." He then patted them both on the head, an action the two seemed to enjoy more than I thought they would considering their initial reaction to Ruto's presence. When the two girls took their seats, smiling with their hands in their laps as they awaited the others, I realized what just happened!
Ruto… He easily read those two and acted in a way so as to have them cease their rude actions and completely change their opinions of him! It was like he read them like a book and reacted in a fitting way! Apparently he has even MORE than just his power and his cooking skills! He's a skilled politician too! He knows exactly how to handle people!...
It was that thought that sent a chill down my spine. I compared his behavior now and his behavior last night.
He knew exactly how to suit my needs and acted properly as a servant last night, obeying every order. Now he was a pleasant home-maker in the morning, cooking breakfast and exuding a cheerful, welcoming atmosphere. Was last night a facade to make me lower my guard? Or is this current Ruto a facade? Or were they both just complete fakes? The possible answers to these questions made me feel so uncertain and uneasy…
"Master, you're making a weird face again!"
"Yeah! Ravel-sama is looking really weird!"
"Is it your time of the month or something?!"
I felt the urge to slap Ile, Nel, or whichever one of the two said that last one.
"Please refrain from speaking to my master so rudely." Ruto scolded one of the girls. "I admit that my situation is not ideal, but Ravel-sama is someone I respect, so please speak politely to her in my presence."
""Yes, sir…""
They spoke so dejectedly that it was almost sad.
I really could not figure this guy out!... Is he…?
That was when I caught it.
Ruto turned away at the last second, but I caught it. His expression had been in its rawest state.
His expression had been one of sadness and worry. Worry for me, and sadness for a different reason… as if remembering something painful.
But it was all quickly hidden away under that same smile from before. So quick that I could have easily missed it if not for pure chance.
"Alright… Alright… We're here, now what's the rush…?"
"... Man.. I just wanted to sleep for five more minutes…"
"Don't act so lazy, Siris. After our loss to those Gremory servants, I couldn't sleep a wink due to shame."
"At least you guys weren't stripped by a freaky pervert and then blown up by lightning!"
"There there, Mira-neesan. It'll be alright."
Xuelan, Siris, Bürent, Mira, Ni, Li, all of Onii-sama's servants gradually came into the dining room, having dressed in at least mildly presentable clothes over their pajamas and various other sleepwear. They looked like they had literally been dragged out of bed. The only ones I noticed were missing were Tania (no surprise. She rarely ever got involved in activities that involved Onii-sama's Peerage as a whole. She was probably sleeping somewhere or waiting for an opportunity to peep at someone) and Isabela. Of course there was Yubelluna and Onii-sama, but they're either off making preparations for the wedding between Onii-sama and Rias or… other things. Since he WAS my brother, it grossed me out thinking of him doing things with women.
Mihae yet out a yawn as she approached in her rather conservative pajamas, rubbing her eyes.
"Not to be rude, Ravel-sama… but why did you wake us up so early…?" She sounded like she was trying hard not to complain, but her exhaustion was making it difficult. "... Riser-sama doesn't need us until later…"
To be honest, they all looked very tired and I DID feel bad. But Ruto was NOT going to let the "chef pride" thing go.
"H-Hey! What is THAT guy doing here?!"
Oh boy. Here we go again.
The atmosphere suddenly became serious again as everyone began noticing Ruto's presence.
"Hey! Ravel! What is this guy doing here?!"
"Yeah! He was on the same side as the pervert, that Namikaze person, who beat up Isabela-neesan!"
"What the Hell is THAT GUY doing here?!"
"That guy shouldn't be here!"
"Hold on!" Ruto suddenly interrupted, raising a hand. "Why do you all keep referring to me as 'that guy'?! I have a name you know!"
"Well…"
"... Er… So it's…"
Then came the awkward whistling.
Ruto just stared blankly. "You… You all don't even know my name." Judging from the look on his face, Ruto's pride as a man had been badly wounded. "You don't know my freaking name!"
"Don't insult us!" Marion shouted.
"As if we would forget the name of an insect like you! Even if it's you, you dared to insult our master!" Mira agreed.
"Then what is it?"
"""... What?"""
Ruto was staring at them, his arms crossed. "That's right. What is my name? I insulted your master and sided with Rias in the Rating Game… so what's my name?"
"... Erm… Well…"
"T-That's easy! W-We know your name…"
"... It's… I…"
Xuelan was the one who made the final guess. "... is it… Richard?"
If I had any less self-control, I would have burst into laughter at the humorous expression Ruto made, his jaw having dropped all the way to the ground, his wounded pride having been crushed and reduced to even smaller pieces.
"... You… You all never bothered learning my name…" Ruto said again. "... You… You remember the perverted dumbass who used a stupid spell to strip you girls naked… but you don't even bother remembering my name!? I was the servant of Serafall-freaking-Leviathan! That… Waaaaah!"
*GLOMP*
"E-Eeeeh?!"
"Ravel-sama, they're all being mean to meeeee!" Ruto had lunged at me, crying as he wrapped me up in a hug and nuzzling his face against my breasts.
So many emotions welled up inside of me in response to this… but I only acted on one:
"GET THE HELL OFFA ME!" I smashed my fist against the side of Ruto's face sending him flying into the wall. "Y-You pervert!" My face was steaming red.
"Grrr! I don't care what he's called! He's an enemy of the Phenex, so that means I'll cut him to pieces!" Siris declared, pulling her sword out of thin air. "Prepare to die!"
Then I realized my mistake. I had attacked Ruto, but that was only out of instinct in response to my ever-growing embarrassment. Siris thought Ruto was still an enemy and was planning to kill him!
"Siris, wait!"
"With this, I'll avenge my loss to that perverted friend of yours!" Ruto was still on the ground when Siris swung her heavy sword down on him.
"No! STOP IT!"
*CHINK! SNAP!*
"Now now. No playing with toys at breakfast." Ruto scolded. "It's rude and, not to mention, somebody could get hurt."
We all stared in shock at what had just occurred. Siris… she had just been about to kill Ruto… there was no way her blade could have missed.
Yet there Ruto was, standing behind Siris…
Holding the upper half of her blade.
Siris just stared at the hilt and lower half of her broken blade. Ruto… Ruto broke her sword in half. It all happened so fast, that I had only barely been able to keep up with my eyes. Ruto had utilized his speed as a Queen… I had only seen Tania and Siris amongst other Knights move that fast, but he left Siris in his dust.
"I will warn you. Rias, Haru, and the others weren't the only ones who got some training in the previous eleven days." Ruto said calmly. "And, in terms of strength, I already surpassed Haru. With my Queen piece enhancements, none of you here stand a chance against me. You might be able to take me on with all of you here, but I wouldn't recommend trying it." He was smiling… but he radiated such a cold, dark presence that left NO room for negotiation. "So let's all have a pleasant breakfast together, mmkay~? I doubt my new master, Ravel-sama, would appreciate it if we started a fight here."
Their eyes went wide.
"E-Eh!? R-Really?!"
"He's Ravel-sama's servant!?"
"I-I didn't know that!"
"When did that happen!?"
Ruto stared blankly. "Did ANY of you pay the slightest bit of attention to the confrontation with Riser prior to the Rating Game!?"
"Ooh! Ooh!"
"We did, Ruto-niichan!"
"Yeah! We're big girls, so we already remember the bet with Ravel!"
Ile and Nel were jumping up and down, behaving like children trying to get attention… which they were.
The others shuffled uncomfortably.
"Well…"
"I mean it's just…"
"That's not to say…"
Ruto blinked. "I feel that somebody should look into your short attention-spans." Then he shrugged. "Oh well. We are only awaiting a few more arrivals, so breakfast should start soon. Unless you feel like stirring up more trouble, please take a seat."
Clearly humiliated by the boy who scolded them all like children, Onii-sama's servants silently took their seats, embarrassed by how outclassed they were compared to MY amazing Queen.
"Well, it certainly is amusing to see how my daughter's new servant is keeping you all in line, but I cannot help but wonder if this is breakfast or some sort of pajama party."
"O-Oka-sama!"
My Oka-sama, the Lady Phenex, walked so casually into the room, a calm and pleasant smile on her face.
"'Oka-sama'?" Ruto repeated. He then walked over to Oka-sama and knelt before her, gently grasping her hand. "Then you must be the lovely Lady Phenex. It is good to see where Ravel-sama inherited her incredible beauty from." He then placed a gentle kiss on Oka-sama's hand.
"H-Hey! D-Don't flirt with Oka-sama like that, y-you pervert!" I couldn't keep the stutter out of my voice. H-How could I!? Th-That idiot went and called me incredibly beautiful! T-That pervert!
In response, Oka-sama only laughed pleasantly.
"Judging from your charming nature, you must be the Uzumaki Ruto-san that Ravel had just been DYING to have as her servant." Oka-sama placed a hand on the side of her face, smiling. "Ever since she met you, Ravel could not stop talking about the prince-like Uzumaki Ruto." Ruto stood, keeping his head bowed respectfully.
"Oka-samaaaa!" I was blushing again.
"It is truly a pleasure to meet you." She then took note of the banquet at the table. "I see the servants went all-out with breakfast this morning."
"Erm…" Ruto raised his hand to talk.
"My new amazing Queen was the one who cooked this meal." I proclaimed proudly.
"Is that so?" Oka-sama asked with a teasing smile, seeming even more amused. "Then I suppose he will make you an excellent prince charming husband like you always seemed to be fantasizing about."
"OKA-SAMAAAAA!" I cried. I mean LITERALLY cried! I was trying to remain respectful and calm, but Oka-sama was embarrassing me in front of my new servant!
"Well, I'm not looking to marry at the moment," Ruto said, taking Oka-sama's words seriously, "but if I were to marry someone, I would prefer it to be a marvelous woman like either my previous or current master."
"D-Dummy!" I slapped him out of embarrassment. "W-Why would I wanna marry someone like you?!"
"Eh?! Ravel-sama slapped Uzumaki-kun…"
"But she's smiling?"
"Ah! So is this what would be considered Ravel-sama's 'tsundere' side?"
"Makes sense."
SHUT UP!
"Hm?" Ruto paused, frowning as he noticed something. He seemed to point at everyone, taking up some sort of mental count. "Waaaaait a second. We're missing about… five people. Four if you don't count Lord Phenex."
Oka-sama sighed, still trying to maintain a smile. "I regretfully inform you that my husband will not be here this morning. He is off with Riser and Riser's Queen, planning the wedding between Riser and Rias-san."
"We're still down two people… Erm… Isabela-san and Tania-san if my memory serves me right." Ruto was right on the money.
Siris sighed, brushing her hair out of her face. "Tania is out for the count after I caught her hiding under my bed, trying to snap photos of what's under my skirt… that damned pervert." The sad part is, Tania isn't deterred by physical punishment. Due to her playing on both sides of the fence, nobody is safe from her perversion.
"Oh come oooooon, Siris!" Speaking of the Devil and she will come. "You're just too harsh!" Tania came in with a large bump on her head, wearing the most indecent outfit of all of us, nothing but a black bra smaller than what she wears in battle and black panties that look like they're one or two sizes too small for her.
"Oi! Put some damn clothes on!" Xuelan screeched, her face turning bright red. "That's so indecent, you damn pervert!"
Tania stared at Xuelan. "You DO realize that, as members of Riser's Peerage, we have no sense of decency left considering the outfits we wear. This is LITERALLY all that Shuriya wears in battle except she has a bigger bra to cover her large tits!"
… The worst part was, the pervert was right. Considering the outfits Onii-sama has them wear in battle, Tania being practically naked was nothing.
"Shut up!"
Then a thought occurred to me. "Hey… where IS Isabela?" Otou-sama, Onii-sama, and Yubelluna had excuses, but Isabela was not accounted for.
"I think I saw her outside… training, I think." Marion offered.
"Yes!" Ruto said, fist-pumping. "That means only one person left!" He placed his hands on his hips, looking at all of us. "Well… I guess you guys can go ahead and get started while I—" They all didn't wait for him to finish. Apparently they found the meal more appetizing than they first let on. Even Oka-sama was already at the table, preparing to eat. "... As I was saying, I'll go fetch Isabela-san so she can join us."
And he started walking away to go find Isabela.
"Wrong way." Marion pointed out. "Other direction."
Ruto spun on his heels and started walking in the opposite direction.
"I knew that."
I just stared at him as his back became turned to me.
His personality continued to change for what I assumed to be his own amusement, but I was able to make out the truest parts of who the one known as Uzumaki Ruto was. I was able to figure out his basest personality.
He was a kind and considerate person, if not a little teasing. He seemed like he was hiding some of his feelings, but he was a truly good person who could not hold a grudge towards others (excluding perhaps Onii-sama). He was passionate about everything he does and dislikes others spitting on his passions. He was also a person who did not like to leave others out. That was probably why he didn't want any member of the household to be left out.
My Queen… Even if I felt like he was manipulative to a certain degree… I knew he was a good person. I could only hope that he would truly show himself as the hero-like figure I always adored in those old stories… To have a servant like that… It would be great… To have such a husband… Even if his charming personality was a lie… Since the day we met, I swore I would make him mine…
I was still very much in love with Uzumaki Ruto.