Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation
Chapter 63: Emotional Detachment

Chapter 63: Emotional Detachment

Chapter 63 – Emotional Detachment

Lux paid the bill with a black obsidian card embossed with no logo—just an infernal glyph that shimmered briefly before vanishing. The waiter handled it with white gloves and a face that said ’I definitely saw the world tilt for a second but I’m going to pretend this is fine.’

Receipt signed.

They walked out of Marenti’s together, not touching, not talking.

But the air between them?

Yeah, still humming.

The car was already waiting, doors open like obedient servants. Lux slid in first, his usual smirk absent now, replaced with something quieter. Rava followed, settling into her seat, bouquet in her lap, one hand touching the shell earrings absentmindedly.

The car started.

And silence followed.

Not the awkward kind.

Not quite.

But not... comfortable either.

Lux didn’t flirt.

Didn’t throw glances.

Didn’t tease or pull out another gold coin joke.

He just leaned his head against the window and watched the city go by—like the skyline was more interesting than her, and that, somehow, was worse than any pick-up line.

Rava sat stiffly, her legs crossed. Her fingers curled a little too tightly around the bouquet.

Her chest felt weird. Not tight exactly. Just—tense.

She wanted to say something. Anything.

A joke. A compliment. A follow-up to this is the weirdest first date ever.

Even something dumb like... "What shampoo do you use? You smell expensive."

But her mouth wouldn’t move.

She didn’t want to ruin it.

Didn’t want to say something that would make the spell break.

And worst of all—

She didn’t know how to say the one thing clawing at her throat.

"Can we see each other again?"

She didn’t ask that.

Because it made her sound clingy. Desperate.

And she wasn’t desperate.

She was just... invested.

He’d made her laugh.

Made her feel seen.

What the hell was she supposed to do with that?

She bit her lip. Looked at him again.

Still staring out the window. Still unreadable.

But what she didn’t know?

Was that inside Lux’s vision—overlaying the view of the city—was something only he could see.

A glowing, celestial email window floating midair.

FROM: Celestial.Office @heavenlight.admin

TO: lux.vaelthorn @vaultnexus.infernal

SUBJECT: Formal Acknowledgment and Containment Breach Response

Dear Mr. Lux Vaelthorn,

We are writing in response to your recent correspondence titled "Regarding That Time I Almost Died."

First and foremost, we extend our deepest apologies for the events that transpired involving unauthorized Seraphim-class aggression and the unsanctioned Limbo drag.

This was, as you correctly noted, not within standard operational protocol. The containment breach was a result of unanticipated instability triggered by your consumption of the [Seraph’s Limitbreaker Core], an artifact classified under Tier-0 Divine Assets.

As stated in Clause 7.3 of the Interplanar Accord (see: Appendix C: High-Risk Artifact Consumption), side effects may include increased attention from hostile celestial entities, sudden progression shifts, aura fluctuation, and limited divine surveillance interference.

Maybe your interpretation of these side effects as "personal only". However, our documentation does indicate cross-realm risk potential. We regret the ambiguity of the wording and are in the process of updating our phrasing.

In the meantime, we will be covering the following as a formal apology:

o Dry cleaning costs for blood and divine burn damage

o Internal bleeding and physical trauma post-Limbo

o Therapy coupons, should you wish to redeem them (expires in 30 business eternities)

o A delivery of celestial-grade healing elixirs and two custom-threaded coat replacements

These items will arrive at your registered vacation suite within 24 hours.

We are aware that you are currently on "vacation," which has caused considerable surprise among multiple departments. Most projections expected the artifact to be consumed within your Underworld jurisdiction. The fact that it was activated in the Mortal Realm has led to temporary chaos among certain factions.

Please be advised that while official retaliation has been curbed, rogue angels with existing grievances may attempt unsanctioned engagement. We recommend low-profile behavior until further notice.

Once again, our sincerest apologies.

Stay safe, stay powerful.

Respectfully,

Celestaria

High Custodian of Progression Paths

Celestial Office of Interplanar Regulation

Lux’s jaw twitched.

Internally?

He was screaming.

’I KNEW I should’ve read the damn fine print.’

[To be fair, sir, you did skim that clause. I distinctly remember you muttering "side effects, whatever" before devouring a Tier-0 relic like it was a marshmallow.]

’I thought the side effect was a nosebleed! Not becoming a divine bounty prize on Earth!’

[Indeed, sir. An easy mistake. Happens all the time. Though rarely to vacationers.]

’And what about the coat replacements? I LIKED that coat.’

[Unfortunately, the coat is only from the mortal realm. I recommend emotional detachment.]

Lux let out a slow, internal breath. Not visible. But very much there.

Outside?

He was dead quiet. Still. Calm.

Inside?

Chaos.

And Rava?

Still holding her bouquet. Still chewing the inside of her cheek.

Still pretending like the silence didn’t feel like the end of something she wasn’t ready to lose yet.

But of course...

Her tentacles betrayed her.

Because emotions were never subtle with krakens.

Not when the feelings were sharp and complicated and—worse—real.

The first tendril slithered out gently, brushing the side of his wrist like a nervous cat asking to be noticed.

Lux didn’t react.

Another coiled lightly around his forearm.

Then two more slipped upward, over his shoulder, brushing his neck, cheek, and collarbone.

Lux still didn’t flinch.

Because his attention?

Fully locked on the glowing system interface floating just beyond his right eye.

His thoughts spiraled with the fallout from the celestial email.

’I think they need to explain more. Like—what kind of entities are targeting me exactly? Their level. Their alignment. Because those last three weren’t mid-tier grunts. They were almost Demon Lord-class. Hell, I’m me and they still made me spitting blood.’

[Would you like me to compose a reply, sir?]

’Yes.’

[Understood. Drafting a firm-but-polite request for more actionable intel regarding rogue angel classification—]

Ping!

[ALERT. Emotional instability detected. Source: Female Companion Rava Bluewave.]

Lux’s eye twitched. ’I know. Her tentacles are literary touching me now. I will deal with her later. Skip.’

[Skipping emotional stability diagnostics.]

[New alert: Rava Bluewave is currently expressing desire for increased connection. Suggesting emotional availability protocol—]

’Skip. Just type the letter first.’

[Very well.]

Lux refocused.

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