"Lhori! I'm so glad you could make it!" Diavolo welcomed her with a cheerful smile and gestured to the chair. They were having their tea on the terrace overlooking lavish gardens. The woman sat looking around awkwardly. She never really got used to him, he always makes her a bit uncomfortable. Diavolo sat across the table from her. There were two more chairs. "How have you been? I'm sorry we didn't have time to catch up during the wedding, but you know how hectic it was..."

"Don't worry about it, I hope you had a wonderful time at your wedding?"

"Oh, it was marvelous. The best party of my life... But I believe I asked about you? What are you up to lately? How is it back in the human world?"

"Well it's normal, I guess," she shrugged and looked over the garden.

"Oh? That doesn't sound like a happy answer."

"Sorry?" she looked back at him. That was a problem with Diavolo. He always pretended to be charmingly silly, while in fact, he was awfully sharp and cunning. He looked at her with a small smile, his eyes bright with mischief, making her shifting nervously on her seat.

"Are you happy there, Lhori?"

"I..." she stammered a bit, surprised by his blunt question. "Why wouldn't I be happy?" She really wished the tea to arrive already, so she could do something with her hands. She kept fidgeting her fingers under the table.

"Maybe because you miss Devildom?" Demon Lord said with a shameless smile. Thankfully at this moment, Barbatos came to the terrace carrying a tray with tea and starting serving it right away.

"So..." she grunted. "No changes in duties after the wedding?"

"Ugh, don't tell me," moaned Diavolo. "I'm trying to reason with him every day, but he just won't budge!"

"I'm a butler, that's who I am, you can't take that away. What else would I do?" Barbatos said calmly and sat in a chair next to Diavolo.

"Smile and look pretty?" she asked with a grin.

"Yeah, good idea, how about it Barbatos?" Diavolo laughed. "Anyway... where is Lucifer? I believe you did let him know the time of our meeting?" Lhori took her cup to hide her surprise. She did not expect Lucifer here. But well, he was Diavolo's right hand, it was only to be expected that whatever business Demon Lord had with her, included him too. She put her cup back with a polite smile.

"He told me he'll be a bit late. There was some incident with Mammon I believe."

"So, business as usual" Diavolo sighed. "I apologize, Lhori, but the matter I wanted to discuss with you is an important one, and we need Lucifer here too."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. I'm not in a hurry."

"Are you staying in the House of Lamentation?"

"Oh, no. No... I just rented a room in a hotel."

"Really? Why would you do that?" asked Diavolo surprised. "You lived there for a year, surely you'd be welcomed there?"

"Yes, Mammon did try to persuade me..." she admitted. "But I'm not an exchange student anymore. And I didn't want to impose..."

"I think all the brothers would be more than happy if you stayed with them," said Barbatos elegantly sipping his tea.

"Speaking of the devil!" said Diavolo because Lucifer just entered the terrace. He paused for a moment when he spotted Lhori, but quickly got back his composure.

"Diavolo, Barbatos... Lhori," he nodded. "I apologise I'm late."

"It's fine Lucifer, please sit," said Diavolo gestured to the chair next to Lhori. Barbatos was already pouring the tea. She plastered a pleasant smile on her face and sipped her tea looking over the garden again. They sat in awkward silence, the only sound was the clattering of cups.

"Alright, let's get to business then," said Diavolo cheerfully ignoring obvious awkwardness. "Lhori, I wanted to offer you a job here, in Devildom."

"You... what?" she asked surprised, looking at him baffled. Her cup almost slipped her fingers.

"Let me explain. The exchange program was a huge success. Our relations with both the human world and the Celestial Realm were considerably improved. That's why we are extending it, for a bigger scale now. In a few months, we will admit sixty exchange students to RAD."

"Sixty? Wow... that's a lot," she said surprised.

"I know! I'm very excited too! But with those increasing numbers, we also have a lot of new challenges to face. For example, how are we going to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all those young bright people from different worlds? You probably guessed why I need your help?"

"So... you want me to be... what? Human consultant?" she asked putting her cup back on the table.

"Consultant, counselor, ambassador... name it whatever you like. The truth is, there is no better person for this job. You've been our first exchange student from the human world, and you were doing brilliantly. I believe you would be an invaluable help for this project."

"Wow... that's... a lot to take in..." she said nervously tugging at her braid.

"Don't worry, I don't expect you to give me a response right away. Think about it. It would be a normal job, we can be quite flexible. There would be no restriction for you traveling to the human world. I only expect you to be here as much as you can, for those new students of course." Then there was awkward silence again.

"Penny for your thoughts," said Barbatos looking at her from over his cup.

"Well, I'm really happy that your exchange program is doing so well," she said smiling to Diavolo. "I'm just...surprised by your offer. I don't know if I'm a proper candidate... I don't have any experience in... counseling or being an ambassador... or any at all to be honest."

"I disagree," said Lucifer taking a sip of his tea, not looking at her. "I would say you are quite skilled in counseling, considering how you managed to patch up my family."

"Oh... I didn't really do anything..." she protested.

"Lhori, please," interrupted her Diavolo. "We all discussed your candidacy thoroughly, believe me. You have nothing to worry about. The only question is if you are willing to accept my offer?"

"I... have to think about it..." she said looking at her empty cup.

"That's perfectly fine. Now I have to apologize, but I believe I have another meeting to attend, is that correct, Barbatos?"

"Yes, Diavolo. A delegation from the Celestial Realm will be here shortly."

"Right. Always, a pleasure to see you Lhori. Please think about my offer. Now If you excuse me... Lucifer, please make sure you keep Lhori company as long as she wants to stay here."

"Of course," said Lucifer nodding. Diavolo and Barbatos left the terrace leaving them alone.

"Well, that was surprising," she said to break the silence.

"Was it?" asked Lucifer and moved a bit on his chair to look at her. "What do you think about it?"

"I already said, I have to think about it," she replied in a noncommittal tone, not looking at him.

"Do you have any questions? We are working on this nonstop, so I can give you all the details." She looked back at him.

"My involvement in this project... whose idea was that?"

"Diavolo's," he replied quietly. "I could not ask that of you..." 

She scoffed and looked back at the gardens. "Of course, you wouldn't. What if I thought you actually care?"

"Lhori, it's not..."

"Stop, Lucifer," she interrupted and looked back at him. His face was sad. She just noticed he had black circles under his eyes and looked exhausted. She said gently, "You looked really tired, are you alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine," he replied waving his hand dismissively. "It's just... this new exchange program... it needs a lot of work. And though hesitant, I was convinced by Diavolo that I won't be able to do everything by myself and... your help would be invaluable," he admitted quietly.

"I see." They sat in silence for a while. Lucifer finished his tea.

"Lhori, if you are happy with your life in the human world... please don't feel pressured to help us. We will manage. We always do," Lucifer smiled but it didn't reach his dark crimson eyes.

"I'll think about it and let you know," she said getting up from her chair. Lucifer stood up too.

"I'll walk you to your place," he said.

"There's no need, Lucifer. I know you are busy. I'll see you around."