Golden eyes traveled over lines and lines of ancient documents, a frown threatening to break across the Founder's face as he noted the limited amount of knowledge available without Banmaden's library at his disposal.

Asclepius, their Royal Physician, had been a true master of his art. He had been one of the Demons with the highest healing magic affinity, with extensive knowledge of plants and Demonic anatomy; the Founder was passionate. Asclepius, wise beyond most Founders and older by several centuries than most, had even graced Humans with his knowledge, granting him a seat among their so-called 'Gods.' The old Founder had written several texts regarding each Race of the world. Aku was dismayed and regretful for not having spent more time with the old Demon.

Nevertheless, given the situation and with some logic and speculation combined with what little theoretical knowledge of medicine Asclepius had taught him, the Founder could infer the end of his searches.

Why, it was logical now that he thought about it.

With a bit of sorcery and hypnotic magic, Eve would confuse herself. She would lose sight of her person, believe that she is no more, and in this moment of weakness, Cordelia would—

A sudden wave of powerful magic washed over the manor, stopping Aku in his spiraling musings.

The Founder paused. "Store those files away," he absently ordered as he stood from his leather seat. Kagamine emerged from the shadows to silently execute the command. The younger Demon took calm steps towards his office door, senses sharp as he pinpointed each individual within the mansion.

Eve was with Richter in the living room.

The sudden surge of power emanated from the male Vampire. He hadn't become stronger but had decided to stop suppressing his powers— a tasteless action in Aku's dictionary, but an entertaining one, nonetheless.

It took Aku less than another fraction of a second for him to determine that Eve's aura had entirely shifted. His lips drew into a deranged and excited grin, and his eyes did not even have the time to gleam in eagerness before he teleported away.

"—Yes, just as insolent as your Father," Cordelia spat, emerald green eyes glaring at Reiji, who remained expressionless. "I suppose this is why Beatrix never fancied you," she mocked before flipping her blond locks and walking away.

The Vampire did not react to her slap and provocation, instead choosing to readjust his spectacles. He mulled over the situation, acknowledging that their Sacrificial Bride had become an even bigger issue, before releasing a tired sigh. He should have given her a more lethal poison. It would have spared him the hassle of having Cordelia in front of him.

"How long will you be staying with us, Aunt?"

Cordelia's fingers twitched at the appellation. She ignored Reiji's words, making herself comfortable on the quilted chaise as she received a glass from her former Lover.

"My, Reiji! But this is my house. Why should I leave?" she rhetorically asked. The former Demon twirled her glass, observing how the liquid crashed and sloshed against the transparent surface before taking a tentative sip. "You children are all the same," she lamented as she set her glass down. "Even Ayato's first question when he saw me was to ask about that girl instead of his own, dearest, loving Mother— this ingrate," Cordelia mocked.

"Do not concern yourself with him, My Love," whispered the Vampire. Richter leaned down to pick a few strands of blond hair before laying a devout kiss atop their silky surface. "He is simply blinded," he comforted.

"Yes, Ayato has always been a rebellious child. It is no surprise he feels no joy upon seeing you again, Cordelia."

Reiji's head snapped towards the voice. "My Lor—"

"Ah, Aku! My Dearest Cousin!" Cordelia greeted. Her voice was coated in fake delight and dripped with a honeyed kind of poison. She did not bother to stand from her position on the long chair and instead opened her arms as if to beckon him to come closer. "How I have missed you," she cooed, her emerald eyes crinkling to reflect the curve of her lips.

The Founder ignored his step-nephew, keeping his focused gaze on the woman before him. It was weird to have Eve's body, and Cordelia's souls bound. After all, physically, both Human and Demon had nothing in common. One voluptuous, the other more underdeveloped, one a mature woman, the other a young adult at most.

Aku was convinced Cordelia would have more difficulty finding new lovers in Eve's body. The Human was not exactly what men of this era considered enticing— no matter how appealing her dress was meant to be. The Founder's golden eyes brushed against Cordelia's dress. It was a long black dress that hugged her body and highlighted her figure— not quite the First Blood's preference, but he had to acknowledge Cordelia's fashion taste.

"The feeling is mutual, Cordelia," Aku acknowledged as he took unhurried steps toward the former Vibora. A smile grew on his lips the closer he got, and his golden eyes shone with more appreciation as he neared the woman and her former Lover. "I didn't expect your visit, or I would have prepared a room befitting of your station," he apologized, tone oozing with sympathy and regret.

The girl received Aku's extended hand with her own. She drew him closer to herself, emerald eyes roaming over the Demon's body in silent appreciation as she slowly gauged his power and influence over the mansion and its inhabitants.

"I will consider notifying you about me coming to my own house next time, I suppose," she agreed. "I heard from Richter that you have been caring for my children and the estate. How kind of you," Cordelia articulated, eyes narrowing in obvious suspicion. "Karlheinz must trust you greatly."

The Founder mutely smiled in agreement, not bothering to deny her statement.

"I will have a grand dinner organized for you tonight," Aku promised, smoothly changing the topic. "That way, you will be able to see all of your beloved children— they have grown splendidly in your absence," he told her.

Cordelia's eyes narrowed as she lightly hummed in agreement. "My expectations will be high."

The First Blood politely smiled, a freezing wind blowing behind him as Glaciel made his presence known. "As they should," he concurred, laying an elegant kiss on the backside of her hand— as per etiquette. "You will not be disappointed," he swore. With a flick of his fingers, Glaciel received his orders before vanishing at once.

The Human smiled, expression brimming with a sense of deserved superiority as she observed her Cousin's polite demeanor and promises.

Power felt sweet. It was the sweetest when owned.

Cordelia had never stood at the apex.

In her home clan, she lacked legitimacy from her mother's fallen lineage.

Although she was the first wife in her husband's house, she only birthed the third child.

Next to her husband, Cordelia was undoubtedly weak.

Similarly, Richter, her Lover, was more powerful than her, and if not for her political influence or her being his brother's wife, the Vampire would not have courted her.

Even her Cousin, whose existence she only learned about after marriage, was powerful beyond compare.

Maternal Cousin at that. How was that fair?

The former Demon took in a deep breath to calm her nerves. Her skin tingled with excitement. The promises of influence Eve's identity provided her had Cordelia's whole being buzzing with a long-awaited thirst for power.

Cordelia was by no means weak. As a child of both Vibora and Founder, her genes were of the strongest kind, and she had immense (undeveloped) potential. But her education and environment had trumped her growth opportunities, and instead of becoming one of the strongest Vibora or future Vibora Lord, she found herself a political chip.

In exchange for her Independence, Cordelia married the man of her dreams.

(the harshness of the present had long eclipsed the happiness of the past)

Now that Cordelia held the power once promised to her, she would not let go.

The Human smiled to herself, admiring her gloved hands in mystified amusement. Her emerald eyes turned to look at her Lover. Richter stood tall and aloof beside her, waiting for her orders, and Cordelia felt her blood boil in joy and repressed glee. Richter beneath her today— Aku groveling under her tonight, and Karlheinz soon perishing under her will!

Burai and his clique were next on the list of people she wished to destroy.

"Richter," she cooed, bringing her arms up to cradle the man's face between her gloved fingers. "Tell me again what happened since you took my heart," she whispered, a strange sense of fascination engulfing her at the thought of her Lover opening her chest to dig out her still heart.

The man looked down at the deranged woman beneath him. His lips drew an enigmatic smile that he quickly covered up by flattening the line of his lips. He gave her a respectful bow, eyes gleaming a devout light as he never allowed himself to break eye contact.

"Of course, My Lady."

"Glaciel."

The short Spirit stopped his action, immediately lifting his jewel-like eyes to stare at his master.

"Yes, My Lord?"

The Founder's fingers grazed against the shelves of the estate's grand library. He appreciated the feel of old, smooth leather under his fingertips, the coldness of the material sending pleasant and familiar shivers along his spine. Krone, his mother, used to be particularly fond of books.

"Coordinate with Kagamine," he ordered the younger Demon. "Prepare the grandest and most lavish feast, spare no expense and have it so no one will be able to question the host's taste," he commanded, his voice sounding absentminded yet holding an undeniably dangerous edge.

Glaciel mutely swallowed at the look of pure contempt that tainted his master's golden hues.

"By your will, My Lord."

Aku's eyes momentarily flicked to look at his youngest and weakest follower. His gaze narrowed, lashes lowering to cast a menacing shadow over his gold-colored irises.

"Do not disappoint me, Glaciel."

The Spirit gave a low, devoted bow, words of promises slipping past his lips in a beautiful melody. He vanished in a freezing breeze, extinguishing part of the candlelights behind him.

The Founder observed the empty space unblinkingly for seconds before turning his attention away and blinking. Vibrant fire erupted from all previously still and dim wicks, illuminating the library in its warm and comforting glow.

His feet guided him across the vast alleys of knowledge and wisdom. He could hear the creaking of the wooden parquet under each of his steps, the flooring slightly bending under his weight, and the influence of time.

Finally, he stopped before a shelf of books on magic, each sealed with a more powerful spell than the previous one. But Aku was a Founder, a First Blood, an Ancestor. He did not have to care for most restricting spells. His affinity for magic was high, and even if he could not practice all of them, his natural affinity was important enough for sealed grimoires or books with awareness to welcome him.

He flipped through pages of ancient texts on mind-controlling magic— one of his favorites. After all, it was also one of the magic he was most proficient in, having used it on numerous Founders. His Aunt, Menae, being one of them.

The First Blood silently went over the lines of intricate text. Because he was in the Sakamaki estate, most knowledge emanated from Vampire researchers and famous Vibora figures. There was no grimoire written by Founders, much to Aku's dismay. His Clan was proud and reclusive, which was one of the reasons behind the limited knowledge of other Clans in Founders.

As Aku absorbed little knowledge, he pondered over Cordelia's case.

How long did his Cousin plan to stay? Not too long, he hoped. Having Cordelia around was a regal source of entertainment, but the Founder did not forget he needed Eve to accomplish the Adam and Eve project and resurrect his Clan.

His golden eyes shone at the notion of his Clan's revival.

A broad grin crept up his face, mirroring the craze in his aura.

Ah, and once Founders stood at the top once more, with his dearest Mother and Brothers watching over him, Aku would plunge the whole of the Demon Realm into the darkness they condemned Banmaden to.