The Phenex mansion rose in white marble, adorned with blazing columns that never extinguished. The phoenix crest gleamed on golden walls, and the air carried the scent of warm ash and exotic herbs. Long corridors stretched through the palace, lit by torches that burned without consuming oil.
Riser walked beside his father. Their steps echoed against polished stone floors, blending with the constant crackle of flames along the walls.
"Father, I don't understand why we're still delaying this."
His voice rang firm, tinged with impatience.
"Rias and I have been betrothed since childhood. It's long past time to conclude this marriage."
Lord Phenex did not answer right away. His serene gaze slid along the corridor, studying the tapestries depicting their lineage. Only after a few seconds did he speak in his deep voice.
"You're still impatient, Riser. But I must admit, I agree. There's no sense in waiting for something already sealed."
Riser's face lit up. A smile spread, full of the confidence that always marked his gestures.
"Exactly, Father. Rias has no choice. With the contract secured, uniting the houses will only bring benefit. It's inevitable."
As he spoke, his mind wandered into images he would never share aloud. He envisioned the body of the Gremory heiress, subdued to his will, pale skin crowned by the crimson glow of her hair. Her proud gaze would be reduced to silent pleas in his bed.
And not just her. The image of Rias's Queen, Akeno, appeared in his imagination. That teasing smile, so far from submission, to him was an invitation. To indulge in the heiress and her servant together was a pleasure he already considered assured.
His smile widened.
"I'll enjoy her, Father. Both of them. Rias's body will be mine, but Akeno won't escape either. I can already imagine how delicious it will be to have the redhead and her Queen at my side."
Lord Phenex held his posture tall, but a flicker of reproach flashed briefly in his eyes. Still, he did not openly rebuke his son.
"Riser, restrain your fantasies. This marriage is first and foremost political. We cannot forget that."
Riser chuckled low, making no effort to hide his arrogance.
"I know, Father. But there's no harm in enjoying the personal advantages that come with it."
The sound of flames crackling in the torches reinforced the oppressive atmosphere of the corridors. The two continued until they reached a wide chamber decorated with stained glass of golden fire. At the center rested a blackwood table beneath a blazing chandelier.
Lord Phenex halted, turning to his son.
"In any case, I've already arranged a meeting with Lord Zeoticus. We'll discuss not only the marriage, but also the production of Phoenix Tears."
The mention of the artifact made Riser's eyes gleam.
"Excellent. That will only reinforce our superiority. With this contract, the Gremory will be forced to respect us even more."
Lord Phenex clasped his hands behind his back, his expression cold.
"The union of our families is inevitable. But we cannot allow Rias to think she still has a choice. The marriage must happen soon. The quicker we seal it, the less chance of outside interference."
Riser inclined his head in approval, the smile never leaving.
"Exactly, Father. If it's up to me, this marriage will happen within days."
Silence filled the chamber, broken only by the fire crackling in the chandelier.
Riser walked to the window, watching flames dance across the horizon of Phenex territory. His eyes reflected nothing but triumph.
'Soon… Rias will be mine. No matter what she thinks.'
Behind him, Lord Phenex remained still. Though he shared his son's urgency, in his mind the matter ran deeper. The marriage was a strategic play, the uniting of houses a political power the clan could not afford to waste.
For him, there was no passion or desire involved. Only calculation.
Father and son, united in goal but for different reasons, awaited the next step. And in the Underworld, destiny was already aligning for the inevitable clash with the Gremory.
___
Days later, the scene shifted.
Sirzechs Lucifer's office was quiet, filled only with the soft sound of parchment turning. Stacks of documents piled on the black crystal desk, lit by the magical glow of orbs suspended in the air.
Toc. Toc. Toc.
Firm knocks struck the door. Sirzechs raised his eyes, sighing.
"Grayfia, come in."
His voice was low, tinged with quiet exhaustion. He still didn't understand why, after years of marriage, she insisted on knocking to maintain formality. To him, it seemed needless.
The door opened slowly. Grayfia entered in controlled steps, her uniform immaculate as always, her cold aura filling the space.
Sirzechs looked away from the paperwork, watching his wife's face. His fatigue wasn't only from bureaucracy. There was more—something weighing freshly on his mind.
Grayfia noticed at once.
"What happened, my lord?"
The question was calm but firm, paired with her silver gaze that seemed to pierce bone.
Sirzechs leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
"I received word from my father. Rias's marriage has been moved up."
The silence that followed was heavy. The flames in the orbs flickered faintly, reflecting the weight of the words.
"As Maou, I cannot interfere. It would be seen as favoritism. House Gremory would be accused of using my position to escape a political pact."
He closed his eyes briefly, drawing a deep breath.
"But as a brother… it's hard to accept."
Grayfia stood tall, flawless in posture. Her reply came sharp, like polished steel.
"Trust me. Lady Rias is evolving."
Her silver eyes gleamed softly.
"Not just her. Gasper as well. Even Akeno, who joined later, has shown significant progress."
For a brief moment, her tone wavered. A faint curve touched her lips—a subtle, rare smile, yet genuine.
Sirzechs noticed immediately. His heavy heart lightened, if only slightly.
That small gesture from Grayfia was worth more than a thousand words. She never wasted expressions without cause. If she smiled, it was because she truly believed Rias and her peerage had a chance.
He straightened in his chair, his crimson eyes fixed on her.
"Your words comfort me, Grayfia. But your smile… that convinces me Rias can win."
The silence stretched, but it no longer suffocated. It held a thread of hope.
Sirzechs rested his chin on his hand, thinking quietly. Within him, beyond the renewed confidence in his sister, another feeling grew.
A curious desire.
To see Gasper again.
The memory was distant, from when he'd seen the boy only once, fragile and insecure. Now, hearing from Grayfia that he had changed so much, he felt compelled to witness it himself. He wanted to see with his own eyes how far the young Bishop could go.
He lifted his gaze to his wife.
"Grayfia, I'm considering visiting Rias in the human world. I want to see her personally. And I also want to meet Gasper."
The silence that followed was brief, yet laced with surprise.
Grayfia held her perfect posture, but inclined her head slightly.
"My lord, you yourself said you could not intervene. A visit could be seen ambiguously."
Sirzechs sighed, leaning back.
"A visit is just a visit. I'm her brother. I have the right to see her. And if my father questions me, it will be no different from his rush to meet with the Phenex to accelerate the marriage."
Grayfia narrowed her eyes, her silver gaze reflecting the magical light of the office. His reasoning wasn't wrong. Zeoticus had already accepted treating the marriage as a political deal, not unlike Sirzechs using family as his excuse to be near Rias.
She drew a deep breath, letting silence settle around her thoughts.
"I understand. And perhaps it may be useful. Rias needs to feel she isn't isolated. Your visit could strengthen her confidence, even without direct interference."
Sirzechs raised his brows at her reply.
"So you don't disapprove."
Grayfia folded her arms calmly.
"I do not. But I advise caution. All eyes will be on you, especially now that the Phenex have decided to hasten their plans. Any gesture could be interpreted as political maneuvering."
Sirzechs smiled faintly, a rare trace among the weight of his duties.
"You, always so practical. Still, I can't ignore this urge. If Gasper has truly changed as much as you say, I want to see it with my own eyes. And if Rias needs encouragement, then perhaps my presence alone will remind her she isn't alone."
Grayfia allowed the faintest trace of softness to touch her face.
"Then go. But not as Maou. Go only as a brother."
The room fell quiet again. The magical orbs flared brighter for a moment, reflecting the weight of that decision.
Sirzechs closed his eyes briefly, organizing his thoughts. When he opened them, his gaze was steady.
"So it shall be."
Grayfia watched in silence, posture as rigid as ever, but her mind already laying out the next steps. If Sirzechs was going to the human world, she would need to prepare the ground herself, ensuring the visit could not be used against him.
The Underworld revolved around alliances and veiled accusations. Every move was read as a piece on a greater board. Yet, within that quiet office, there remained only a husband and wife sharing the same concern: the fate of a sister, a key piece, and a game growing ever more dangerous.
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