Chapter Text
“It’s going to be your birthday in a few weeks, Azu-kun,”
Iruma pointed out, effectively making Alice freeze in his place.
The young demon then turned to his fiancé with this bright look on his face when asked,
“Is there anything you want?”
Now, it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that Alice had been waiting for that question for quite a while now. During his previous birthdays, there wasn’t anything he wanted. He didn’t have anything that held his interest either. As long as his betrothed was present and they had a good time together then he was convinced that he would be satisfied. He was more of a giver rather than a receiver. This year is a bit different though because this year… this year…
( “You play the piano, Iruma-sama?”
Alice’s eyes darkened, soulless magenta eyes staring at the invitation he was holding in his hands. It was similar to the time he missed his fiance’s birthday. It felt like the world was crashing down, a feeling similar to betrayal because aren’t we supposed to tell each other stuff like this, Iruma-sama? What do you mean you’ve been learning how to play since you were four?
“You’re… You’re having a recital?” and it’s in two weeks!?
Alice who had inherited his mother’s tendencies then proceeded to panic. )
“Remember how you invited me to your recital, Iruma-sama?” although he had no idea the other was able to play an instrument, thankfully it was his first recital. If it wasn’t then it would’ve been the birthday incident all over again. “You were really, really good at playing!”
Iruma blinks before he laughs at the sentiment.
Usually, he’d shake it off but Alice seemed to be rather adamant about it. He also reacted in the same manner when Iruma finished playing that day – singing praises and all. The invitation said that it was a recital but there were only a few individuals in the audience. It was mainly his guardians, piano teacher, and a few of the staff in Babyls as well as his grandfather’s friends. It was better off that way because surprisingly, Iruma didn’t seem that confident performing in front of a crowd.
( “He can’t play in front of a crowd but he can play right in front of Lord Bel and Lady Levy?”
Kalego feels a bit pissed off at the thought before he mumbles spoiled kid under his breath. Clearly, this boy has no idea who these people attending his recital are. They really need to install some common sense into this kid. It was horrifying how Iruma knew more about history compared to what was happening at the present date.
Kalego was more than certain that the boy would become a hermit if left unattended at this rate. )
“Can you play on my birthday?” Alice asked, peering through pale pink lashes, his cheeks flushed. He felt a bit shy making such a request. “Iruma-sama, I’ll tell mother to lessen the number of attendees so…”
Since per usual, birthdays at the Asmodeus manor was a big deal. Alice wasn’t sure if the other would agree since he knew that there would be a crowd so –
“Sure!” Alice looked up from his lap. “Azu-kun made a request so I can’t ignore it, can I?”
The young demon’s eyebrows rose, magenta eyes gazing over with bliss.
“Thank you, Iruma-sama!”
His fiancé was the best.
Turns out playing the piano in front of everybody was a bad idea because due to the performance, Iruma was currently being surrounded by females. Now, not to say that popularity was a bad thing. A demon benefits from fame and it just showed how promising Lord Sullivan’s grandson was but perhaps everyone was forgetting whose birthday it was?
“You were so good at playing, Iruma-kun!”
“We were acquainted last time. I’m – “
“Mother,” the eight year old’s eyes darkened at the sight, his tone cold enough to make his parent slightly flinch in nervousness. “Who are these people you’ve invited? I have never seen them before…”
Apparently, they were daughters from other noble families.
“It’s my birthday. He is my fiancé. They are being extremely rude,”
“Is that so?” Amaryllis nervously fanned herself at the statement.
“Correct, it is your night, young master,” thankfully, David was present to set things straight again. He looked rather calm, almost as if he was used to this. “Iruma-sama doesn’t look that uncomfortable being surrounded. It would be much better if you go ahead and separate him from the others. He is your betrothed after all.”
Alice pressed his lips into a thin line, staring off at the distance where his fiancé stood before starting to walk.
Azazel Ameri had been told by her father that Lord Sullivan had an exceptional grandson.
“You’ve been learning since you were… four?”
She raised her brow in confusion because many demons her age typically lose interest in certain hobbies quite easily. It is a bit unusual to meet someone who has been continuing something for an extended period of time. Whether it is a sport, martial art or learning how to play an instrument, many give up half-way. The only thing they probably keep on doing was practicing how to use magic. Upon hearing that Iruma follows through almost every single day, it was safe to say that she was taken aback.
“What about combat?”
Because she had been training under her father for quite some time now and surely, the hero’s grandson is –
“Ahh… about that,” the eight-year-old sheepishly laughs. “I don’t really like fighting.”
Maybe it was because of his nature as a human or because of Balam — it was either of the two.
Ameri narrowed her eyes at the boy, about to open her mouth to speak when —
“Iruma-sama!” the Asmodeus heir approached, immediately catching the eye of everyone in their small social group. The young demon stood out quite easily with his white suit and rose-colored hair. Aside from that, that frown on his face was quite eye-catching as well. “Ah… Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming today.”
“Azu-kun!” it was a half-whine, half-greet. “Happy Birthday, Azu-kun!”
Alice’s lips curled up into a smile and he nodded before he turned his head towards the ladies.
“I have to thank Iruma-sama for his performance earlier. May I borrow him for a minute, everyone?”
Unlike Iruma who was rather pure and kind-hearted, Ameri was convinced that Alice was as sly as a snake.
Iruma blinked, noticing that Alice was frowning at him.
“What’s wrong, Azu-kun?”
They’ve ended up in the pavilion in the Rose Garden outside, the other insisting that they get away from the noise. Iruma didn’t seem to mind since it was Alice who insisted and he was quite familiar with the place as well. He’s been here for tea parties with his betrothed multiple times before. The hedges might be taller than them but it wasn’t a maze, it was quite difficult to get lost. It was a bit cold though because it was nighttime and demons — if didn’t need to sleep — were quite active during that period.
“I wasn’t the first one to congratulate you,” for the piano performance. “I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you.”
Iruma tilted his head before he laughed saying, “You don’t have to congratulate me. It’s your birthday, Azu-kun!”
“Still!” Alice tried to reason out, ending up with a rather petty excuse he didn’t want to say so he hesitantly mumbles, “I’m your fiancé…”
Iruma hummed, clearly hearing the other despite the low volume.
There was silence for a moment before he remembered what Kalego told him earlier —
“You look good dressed up, Azu-kun,”
Compliment your fiancé, it’s his birthday.
The Asmodeus heir flushed in embarrassment, lips pursed into a thin line.
“You look extremely good as well, Iruma-sama!”
He’d somehow expected this for some reason.
“Midnight blue really suits you! I also like it when you tie your hair back – “
Alice continued to talk for quite a long time.
“There’s a pink rose, Azu-kun,”
Iruma pointed out, crouching down to take a closer look.
Alice who was standing next to him hummed in recognition, commenting about how there are indeed roses that are in a lighter shade throughout the garden. They’re a bit difficult to spot nevertheless because red was more abundant. Iruma stared at it for a moment, somehow curious as to why. Balam had told him about it before but he forgot so became quite intrigued.
“You’ll fall face forward towards the hedge at this rate, Iruma-sama,” Alice laughed at his fiance’s concentration but not particularly doing anything to pull him back. They’ve been walking around the garden for quite a while now. “Please be careful.”
“Nn,” the other nodded, slightly tilting his head to the side as he stared at the plant. “It somehow reminds me of Azu-kun. This shade of pink.”
“Oh, does it?”
“Nn, the same color as your hair ghhk – “
Alice blinked, his face turning pale when he saw the cut running across the other’s fingers.
“Iruma-sama!” the eight-year-old immediately bent down to get on the same eye level, magenta-colored eyes slightly panicking. He has always been a bit too overprotective when it came to his fiancé because one, the other had fail health, and two, he promised that he’ll always protect him. It wasn’t a big cut; Opera wouldn’t even get mad at it. Alice was a bit naïve though. “After I told you to be careful!”
And as the other sheepishly laughed, he hastily took out his white handkerchief to help clean up.
“Sorry, sorry,” Iruma remarked, a bit guilty after seeing Alice’s worried expression. “It’s shallow, no need for the handkerchief. See?”
He pulled his hand back, a few drops of blood dripping. It wasn’t a lot but still.
“You shouldn’t have touched it, Iruma-sama!”
Alice scolded, grabbing the other’s wrist, “Open your hand this way – “
He then leaned over, his lips pressing against the human’s bleeding skin.
Iruma was confused.
“Azu-kun?”
Magenta eyes.
He held out both of his hands, covering Alice’s mouth when he leaned in to approach.
( And later on they’ve returned after quite a while, Opera’s ears twitching after seeing their state.
“You’re a bit late,” David also remarked, noticing how the younger master squirmed under his gaze. He paid no heed to it nonetheless because there were more pressing matters. “Please go greet your guests, Alice-sama. They've been waiting for quite a while now.”
“See you later, Azu-kun,” Iruma was the first to say, Alice worriedly glancing at him before he went away.
When the other was out of sight, Opera then proceeded to ask, “What took you two so long?”
Iruma blinked, looking down at his shoes for a moment before he showed the servant both of his hands,
“I got cut, Opera-san.”
The cat demon simply sighed, ushering his proxy to the side for treatment. )
When the party ended and he had given his goodbye to all of the guests, Alice immediately rushed back to his room.
“What about your bath, young master?”
“I’ll… I’ll take it by myself, David!”
He replied, back pressed against the door with his knees tucked close to his body.
There were presents on his bed and amongst them he could see a large blue teddy bear with a red ribbon around its neck. It was given to him by Iruma – the boy thought that playing the piano was simply not enough as a birthday present. The servants must have transferred them to his room while he was talking to the attendees with his mother. It was to be expected, really.
Soon enough, although the butler had left from his door, Alice’s pulse still continued to race.
“Iruma-sama…” he mumbled under his breath, both hands cupping his heated cheeks.
“Are you going to eat me, Azu-kun?” Iruma asked, his face flushed, the red extending up to his ears.
Alice reached for the white handkerchief in his pocket, pressing the carefully folded fabric against his lips, his eyes in a daze.
“You’re amazing. How can you act as if nothing happened?”
He then remained in that position for a while.