13 Chapter 13

"I'm grateful to be alive." Damian prayed once more, a small yet soft smile on his face as he prayed to convey not only his thanks but also his hope for a better future. It was slightly strange to pray to a man who had died nearly seven hundred years ago but he had adapted at this point.

"Damian, we're running on a tight schedule." His mother reminded him as his door swung open. His mother was wearing a beautiful gown much different than what he was accustomed to her wearing though that was usually the case.

"I'm coming Mother." He called out as he rose to his feet, briefly taking notice of the effort woman takes to keep up with the trends. While men of high status like the extra demons and the pillars did attempt to stay fashionable it was much easier for them as their main clothing choice, a simple suit, had not changed since it was created.

In comparison, the outfit of the women of the nobility changed nearly more than a dozen times in the span of a mere year. In Damian's mind, a woman's ability to keep up with trends rivaled that of a clan trait. It was amazing how quickly they would adapt to such a sudden change that could occur so often.

Following behind his mother Damian couldn't help but glance outside the window, the sun releasing its final rays before the day's end. Most parties were held at later times to ensure that both sides had enough time to prepare but since he was an integral part of the event he had to arrive early.

While it certainly wasn't his greatest desire it did give him plenty of time to set up things if he so pleased. Luckily for Sona and Rias, however, he planned on enjoying the event like he was supposed to.

Truthfully, there was no better time to take a deep breath and enjoy himself. For the last two years, his days had been filled with training his body and emotions alongside his studies under Ajuka, an event dedicated to himself was the perfect time to relax.

Naturally, he wouldn't be able to relax completely around the scheming devil nobility but he could certainly try his best. It also helped that he was more of a side character in this event of theirs.

There were five people that would receive much more attention than him at this event. Rias and Sona were obvious however even they would be overshadowed when it came to the other three in attendance.

Sirzechs Lucifer, Ajuka Beelzebub, and Serafall Leviathan were all scheduled to attend the grand event celebrating the rise of the three heirs. Ajuka was there to give out the Evil Pieces of course while Sirzechs and Serafall were obviously there to celebrate their sibling's growth.

They were scheduled to arrive toward the end of the event officially so as to keep the three 'main characters' in the spotlight but there was no doubt in Damian's mind that they would attend secretly even if it was only to take photos.

"Get dressed and we'll leave." Astros commanded him, leaving the room to hurry around and do whatever it was that she had to do. The Thaumiel clan did not have a single servant so most household duties were either done by his mother or by magic.

'I wonder why Mother never got a peerage?' Damian questioned himself as he dressed. Unlike his mother's elegant outfit his clothing of choice was a simple white button up under a black suit jacket with pants to match. However, he paused when it came to the tie.

"Jeez, you still can't tie a tie?" His father teased as he entered the room, his serene smile tainted by amusement and affection. Damian never learned how to tie one whether it be in this life or the last and so he struggled with it. It definitely didn't help that the nobility couldn't have anything but perfection when it came to their accessories and appearance.

"No, I can't so help me." Damian demanded, handing over the tie to his father. At some point, he would have to learn but that time was not now. Chucking softly his father walked up to him and began tying it around his neck with practised ease.

"You'll have to learn someday you know? I won't always be here to do this for you." Alastor spoke softly, his tone almost sorrowful as his hands danced around his child's neck. The child he had birthed oh so recently had already grown so big.

"I suppose I'll have to learn within the next thousand years then." Damian agreed calmly, a small teasing grin on his face. Chuckling at his son's words Alastor couldn't help but glance at the child that would soon be going out and into this world… all alone.

It worried him greatly however he knew that it was an important moment for a devil. When he himself was offered the chance to find a peerage of his own he declined because of his family's traditions however he wouldn't force that onto his child.

Damian Thaumiel was a child who looked toward something he couldn't see. It wasn't obvious but there were times when he would plan around impossibilities, his eyes containing a dignity held only by those ready to risk their lives for what they believed in.

The Thaumiel clan traditions demanded that their heirs never receive a peerage however he would not force such a thing onto his child. He could tell, perhaps instinctively, that his son would live a life of danger, more than any other Thaumiel before him. If he deemed a peerage to be necessary to reduce that danger then Alastor had no reason to refuse.

"There you go." Alastor declared, turning his son toward the mirror on the wall. His son who he once held in his arms now stood nearly taller than him all dressed up for an event made for him albeit not only for him. It was a wonderful but sad moment.

A devil had all the time in the world to grow close to their children but it didn't mean their parting would be any easier. When Damian began to live his own life and separated from them was a moment Alastor was both looking forward to and dreading simultaneously.

His son was a boy who could take care of himself and would thrive no matter where he goes, Ajuka would certainly agree, however, that didn't mean anything to a parent. One day, his son would leave their home and the next time he comes home may be in a month, a year, a decade.

Alastor wasn't sure how many partings he could smile through.