Chapter Text
The morning light shines dimly with the privacy-tinted glass surrounding the Babel tower, the air smells fresh and powdery with the Jasmine and Iris flowers Clara, one of the current crowns of the Netherworld, insisted on putting. However this isn’t the case with Asmodeus Alice, it seems like today every scent he smells is distracting him. Don’t get him wrong, both he and Iruma like the touch of flowers Clara gifted them in the Demon King’s office, those are the flowers base of Clara’s signature perfume.
Asmodeus tried to ignore the faint shiver he felt and tried reading the paper in front of him for the sixth time. He only realized Iruma went up to him when a refreshing scent of Honeysuckle assaulted Asmodeus’ scent causing him to feel so hot and overwhelmed that he let out a groan.
“Hey, Azz–” Iruma cleared his throat and corrected himself “Asmodeus are you feeling alright? Do you need to take a break?” Iruma asked, his voice making Asmodeus look into Iruma's eyes. “Iruma-sama I’m fine…” Asmodeus trailed off, shifting his gaze to Iruma’s pouting lips, displeased that Asmodeus was pushing himself. Iruma started on a rant about overworking but all Asmodeus’ focus that he couldn’t grasp a while ago was on Iruma’s moving lips, eyes dilating, he felt his body shiver when he thought…
‘ How nice would it feel to kiss Iruma right now .’
Asmodeus blinked at what he thought, it took him a solid 5 seconds to process what he just thought. ‘ Wait… Iruma-sama has been talking this whole time. I haven’t listened one bit! I haven’t even stood up to acknowledge his presence! ’ Asmodeus realized shaking that impulsive thought that passed. He abruptly stood up, his legs barely registering. He stood up causing him to fall, his head facing against his desk.
Ouch.
“Azz-kun!” Iruma exclaimed, dropping the last name basis to express formality in the work setting. Iruma reached to support Asmodeus back to his seat to check if he was alright. Asmodeus felt his skin quiver when he felt Iruma’s grip on him. “That’s it!” Iruma snapped and pointed at Asmodeus. “You are going home right now!”
That seems to have caught Asmodeus’ attention. He mustered every strength to look at his soulmate with determination. “I won’t! Not especially when there’s a meeting with the 13 crowns in 10 minutes!” Asmodeus stubbornly refused.
“Azz-kun, a lot of the crowns don’t attend these meetings. Nothing will happen if you skip one of them. For example, Clara isn’t even attending” Iruma tried to reason with Asmodeus.
“This is different! I am your spear and–technically– your secretary!” Asmodeus replied. “She’s not skipping to have fun! She’s stuck at home finalizing the personnel to undergo training teachers for Pre-education training centers.” Asmodeus added.
Ever since Iruma’s first Scala exam the situation at the Many Ears Tribe has sparked an ambition for her to establish equal opportunity for weaker demon children to apply to any demon high school, She accomplished this by becoming the Head of Basic Education. Iruma sighed as he saw last night her working overtime at home office, her table and her side of the wall were scattered with different papers. She looked so locked in that he could see signs of her nearing her evil cycle.
Iruma rubbed his temples in frustration, there’s no stopping a demon’s determination. “Okay fine. You can attend the meeting BUT!” Iruma emphasized staring straight at Asmodeus, “If your fever worsens during the meeting, I’m speed-dialing Opera-san to bring you home in a carriage.”
“As you wish Iruma-sama.” Asmodeus obeyed, putting on a brave face despite the fluctuating temperature in his body.
Iruma had forgotten how many sighs he let out today, with how stubborn his soulmates were he could feel this wouldn’t be his last one. “Let’s go to the 665th floor to meet with the other Crowns.” Iruma ordered.
“But Iruma-sama, I’m not done with-”
“The files aren’t urgent. Do it when you are feeling a lot better.” Iruma ordered his tone with finality. The paperwork Asmodeus Alice usually handles are the minor ones that don’t require the Demon King’s full attention. As the Demon King’s right hand and spear, he has Iruma’s full trust in judgment to fill the paperwork according to his will.
Asmodeus mustered the strength to follow Iruma and go one floor below them to reach the 13 crowns meeting room. The 13 crowns present besides Iruma and Asmodeus are Sabnock Sabro, Andro M. Jazz, Shax Lied, Agares Picero, Gaap Goemon, Allocer Schneider, Purson Soi, Caim Kamui, Crocell Kerori, lastly Ix Elizabetta.
“Since we are complete, let’s start the meeting early.” Iruma declared.
“How about Clarin-chan?” Elizabetta raised a hand questioning Clara’s absence.
“Clara is catching up with deadlines with her Training Centers project, even bringing the work home and working the night away” Iruma responded. Asmodeus felt a little light-headed again once he felt the assault of Iruma’s Honeysuckle scent invades his senses, inching a bit closer to Iruma to relish on it. His body temperature fluctuates even more, the more he is exposed to it.
Everyone moved to their respective seats, while Asmodeus still stood there lingering near the Demon King. “Oi idiot, sit down already will you?” Sabro’s loud voice springs him back to reality, he didn't even realize Iruma already sat in the middle, narrowing his eyes on him as if reminding him of his compromise.
“Deepest apologies Iruma-sama for holding up the meeting” blatantly ignoring Sabro. Asmodeus sat diagonally to Iruma’s right.
Iruma started the meeting by giving a brief summary of the state of each region and its cities.
Majority of the crowns attentively take down notes and participate in the discussion with their information. Meanwhile, Ix Elizabetta, sitting next to Clara's empty seat, carefully observed Asmodeus Alice. If anyone would be paying attention and contributing to the meeting it would be him. As the current head of Lust, the way Asmodeus Alice acted as the meeting progressed, made her suspect he was nearing his heat cycle.
Demons from the Succubus race typically bear female succubi offspring, however, there are some rare or abnormal instances where they bear male offspring. The majority of male demons with succubus mothers grow up to be normal demons of society. There is however slim chance of 0.66% of those male demons inheriting succubus traits, one of those said traits being the succubus’ heat cycle.
She speculates that the reason why he hasn't succumbed to his heat cycle is because Clara isn't around to fully trigger it. Because heat cycles typically trigger around the demons you adore, in his case, it would be the Demon King Iruma, and Clara.
Elizabetta heard from Clara, that she's been busy overseeing the training centers built in different regions to accommodate the native demon species living in that area. Iruma also explained she even worked at home to finalize chosen faculties. Combined with the side Iruma and Asmodeus’ workload, Elizabetta doubts that the throuple had time to have sex.
Elizabetta felt bad for Asmodeus, no matter how hard he fights the pre-heat symptoms, he ends up succumbing back to it. Look at that! Allocer is the one currently speaking but Asmodeus still has his drunken-like gaze on Iruma.
‘ He desperately needs to get laid ’ Eliza pitifully thought.
“Any more ideas?” Iruma spoke up, Elizabetta taking this chance to raise her hand and speak up, “I say that Asmodeus Alice should be sent home” Elizabetta pointed at Asmodeus, he immediately went into defensive mode and tried concealing his sweat.
Iruma nodded his head, “I agree, Asmodeus should be resting right now.”
Asmodeus slammed his hands on the table, “I won't be defeated by a mere fever!” Asmodeus replies back, placing a hand over his chest, “I am needed for this meeting too!”
Elizabetta's eyes scrunched and looked at Asmodeus ‘ Does he think he is coming down with a fever ? ’ The symptoms for fever and pre-heat cycle are similar but your body, senses, and thoughts will be drawn to your mates. Even a novice succubus knows that!
Unless…
‘ Is this… Asmodeus’ first heat cycle?! Did I assess the situation wrong? ’ Elizabetta shook her head, trusting in her area of expertise, ‘ He could be a late bloomer.’
“Don't worry Azz-Azz. If it's a recap of the meeting you needed, I've been typing it on my phone.” Lied chirped. Elizabetta swooned, ‘ Oh how thoughtful! ’
“Shut up Shax” Asmodeus growled, feeling a distaste for Clara's nickname of him coming from Lied’s mouth.
Irritation and hostility from other peers, who aren't their mates, are another pre-heat symptom. Elizabetta is sure of it! Asmodeus is definitely nearing his heat cycle.
“Asmodeus-dono, calm down. Lied just being nice.” Gaap tried to mediate the tension from Asmodeus.
Asmodeus inhaled deeply, taking in Iruma's scent to calm himself, “I don't need a recap, I've been here since the very beginning.”
“Oh yeah?” Iruma suddenly spoke in a challenging tone, “Tell me, what has been discussed before this.” Iruma's gaze pierced through Asmodeus.
Asmodeus looked like a deer caught in headlights, his full attention from the start of the meeting had been on Iruma. The way his scent makes him feel like he is melting despite the well-ventilated building, the way his hands twirl the pen he is holding when listening to others, he is also mesmerized by the way his mouth moves whenever he is talking. “I… uhh…” Asmodeus softly muttered, trying to at least remember Iruma's contribution to the meeting.
“Azz, do you really think I'm blind?” Iruma sighs, he dislikes getting mad. Especially getting mad at his soulmates. “Ever since we started this meeting– No… Ever since we stepped onto this floor–I can feel your gaze right through me, even when I'm not the one speaking.” Iruma shook his head which made Asmodeus shrink in embarrassment.
“I already texted Opera a few minutes ago, they should be here right about now.” Just as Iruma said that there was a knock outside the meeting room, “Iruma-sama, I have arrived. May I come in?”
“You may.”
“Greetings 13 crowns, Greetings Demon King” Opera bowed and shifted their gaze to Asmodeus “Asmodeus-sama, the carriage is ready.”
Asmodeus reluctantly surrendered and stood up to follow Opera. “Opera-san, Clara should be inside our manor. I informed her that Azz is coming home.” Iruma informed Opera.
Opera nodded, bowed in acknowledgment, and closed the door before leaving.
Iruma exhaled some air, “He finally went home” He commented, relieved Asmodeus could finally take the rest he needed.
Sabro huffed, “Thou shalt have good rest and recover to perform the duties of a crown.”
“I'm really surprised Asmodeus caught a fever.” Caim commented. Agares lazily opened his eyes, “I'll be more surprised he didn't, with the amount of work he and the Demon King do to prevent demon lords from causing wars against territories.” Agares replied. “If not for the severity of the meeting, I would have skipped this meeting myself.”
Iruma nodded, luckily they managed to mostly finish them all this morning. The ones Asmodeus didn't complete were the approval notice from Clara and her request for inspections. “With that settled, let’s continue with our meeting.”