After Rias left, Arthur didn't immediately go back to sleep. He sat on the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees, waiting. He didn't need Friday to tell him—he already knew someone else would be arriving soon.
And just like clockwork, the magic circle lit up again. Its glowing red lines etched familiar runes across the floor as it pulsed with quiet power.
From it stepped Grayfia Lucifuge.
Arthur didn't rise, but his eyes locked on her as she approached. "Where did you drop Rias off?"
"Back at her home," she replied calmly, brushing her silver hair over her shoulder. She took a few steps forward, and then—quite unexpectedly—moved in and embraced him.
"I missed you."
Her voice was barely a whisper against his chest. She clung to him for a moment longer before pulling back. Arthur rested his hand lightly on her waist, his other still draped on his lap.
"You should've just come earlier."
"From what I heard, you were busy with some 'unnecessary' business." Grayfia said with a smile, which was rare on her face.
"I believe Rory told you that." Arthur asked.
"Well, yes." Grayfia nodded.
"Anyway, why don't you tell me what's going on?" Arthur asked.
"You mean why her marriage was brought forward so suddenly?"
Arthur nodded.
In the anime, it didn't explain why Rias's marriage was done earlier than the schedule. So he is curious what the circumstance is to make such a decision.
She walked toward the edge of the bed and sat beside him, her gaze distant. "The Old Devil Faction is making moves again. Quiet ones—but they're there."
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "So this is politics."
"It always is," she replied. "The Pureblood families are growing anxious. You already know many of them resent Sirzechs' rule. "
"They've been stirring unrest among the Pillar families," she continued. "Subtle things at first—economic leverage, whispers in the court, minor conflicts between noble households. But it's building."
Arthur folded his arms. "So the Gremorys and Phenex decided to push the marriage forward to show unity?"
Grayfia nodded. "They believe a war may be on the horizon. And both houses—especially Lord Gremory—feel the appearance of strength and alliance is the best deterrent."
She hesitated, then added, "And there's a rumor spreading, even within the higher circles, that the Old Devil Faction may be forming an alliance with… your children."
Arthur didn't answer.
"I don't believe it, not yet," Grayfia continued. "But some believe Azeroth may be pulling strings behind the scenes. Not just that, there's talk regarding Lord Odin's intentions to form a deal with the underworld." Grayfia said.
"And what about Riser?" Arthur asked.
"He's requested it himself, formally," Grayfia said. "He sent a message to the Gremory estate saying he's prepared and willing to marry Rias immediately. He claims it's out of love."
"Love, huh? Riser doesn't love anyone. He wants prestige. Rias is a trophy to him, nothing more." Arthur said. "But I do believe that if he put his arrogance aside, he would become a good ruler for Phoenix House."
"Perhaps," Grayfia said. "But his timing was perfect—and it made him look noble in front of both families. No one questioned it. They're all so desperate to show unity, they didn't hesitate."
"My point exactly." Arthur said with a smile.
"From your looks, I must say nothing I said seems to surprise you. Does that mean you already decided what you are going to do?" Grayfia asked.
Arthur didn't reply to her question but instead asked a different question.
"And Sirzechs?"
"Powerless to stop it… not without igniting a greater conflict among the families. He's trying to delay it, hoping Rias will find a way to invalidate the engagement herself." She paused. "But we both know how that usually ends."
"How many times have I told him that sometimes, you need to insert iron fist rules for a smooth operation of an underworld? In that regard, Lucifer was a great ruler." Arthur said.
"But anyway, back to Sirzechs, so he's letting his little sister suffer under the weight of politics."
"No. He's giving her a chance. He knows you're here, Arthur. And whether he says it aloud or not… he's counting on you."
Arthur let out a humorless laugh. "And what exactly does he expect me to do? Take her virginity and declare war on the nobility?"
"Preferably something more elegant."
He smirked. "That's not really my style."
"I know."
A long silence stretched between them.
Arthur tilted his head slightly, observing her with those sharp, perceptive eyes of his.
Then, without a word, he leaned in.
Grayfia blinked as Arthur's arms wrapped around her again—not with the suddenness from earlier, but with something slower. More deliberate. He held her close, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder.
His hand creep down towards her ass through her maid clothes and giggled and played with it for sometimes.
Grayfia didn't move from where she was allowing Arthur the full access.
While Grayfia was expecting a must more intimate moments, Arthur hand stop playing with her butt cheeks.
And he came face to face with Grayfia, there hot breathe mingled and just as Grayfia leaned in for kiss.
"You've gained some weight," Arthur said into her ear.
Grayfia froze. For a heartbeat, nothing moved. Then—
Pinch.
She grabbed his ear and twisted it just enough to make him wince.
"That's not something you say to a lady, Arthur."
Arthur let out a low laugh, unbothered by the pain. "There it is. Now you show your real face."
Grayfia's crimson eyes narrowed, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her—faintly lifted in a smile she couldn't quite suppress.
"Only you can ruin a kiss with that mouth," she said.
"That's why you love me," Arthur replied.
Without waiting for a retort, he leaned forward and kissed her.
❌❌❌
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