The great hall of the Sitri estate shimmered with soft magical light, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of tradition. For the first time in centuries, two great devil houses—the Phenex and the Sitri—were sitting across from each other, not as distant allies, but as potential family.
Lord Sitri and Lady Sitri sat proudly at the head of their side of the long table, Sona composed beside them in her usual calm mask, though her heart beat faster than she'd ever admit. Serafall, of course, was present as well, already twirling her wand with thinly veiled excitement.
On the other side, Lord Phenex and Lady Phenex carried themselves with the natural dignity of their clan, with Ruval seated beside them—ever the composed heir—and Ravel fidgeting slightly with curiosity, sneaking glances at Sona. At the center, Riser himself leaned back in his chair with characteristic ease, golden eyes flicking between the families before settling, as always, on Sona.
The first formal exchanges passed smoothly—titles, blessings, polite assurances. But soon enough, Lord Sitri cleared his throat. "Riser Phenex. You've made a rather… audacious choice. Declaring your intent for my daughter in such a public and bold fashion. Now, before both our families, do you still stand by it?"
Riser's lips curved into a smirk, though his tone carried a rare sincerity. "I do. And I'll do more than just stand by it. I'll prove it."
He reached into a sealed case, drawing out a small, radiant orb. The air shimmered as the table was bathed in its soft azure glow.
"This," he explained, holding it up between his fingers, "is the Abyssal Pearl of Aqua Ignis, a Phenex heirloom rarely revealed outside our clan. It amplifies water-based magic by one hundred percent. For the Sitri line—masters of water arts—it is more than a gift. It is a symbol that I recognize, respect, and will support what makes your family unique."
A ripple of shock went through both sides of the table. Lady Sitri's eyes widened; Lord Sitri's composure cracked into genuine surprise. Even Serafall blinked, for once silenced.
"This…" Lord Sitri murmured, leaning forward. "…is priceless. You would part with it so freely?"
Riser shrugged casually, though his eyes flicked to Sona. "It is not parting with it. It is giving it to where it belongs. To the Sitri house… and more importantly, to her."
Sona's fingers tightened in her lap, her mask straining under the weight of his gaze. "…Riser…"
"And," he continued smoothly, tucking the case back, "that is only the first gift."
The air thickened as everyone's attention snapped back to him.
"The second gift…" He leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes locking onto Sona with a teasing yet strangely tender heat. "…I will not share with anyone else. Not my parents, not her parents, not her sister. Only Sona herself will know what it is. Because it belongs to her alone."
He winked at her, deliberately bold in front of everyone.
The Sitri parents exchanged intrigued glances; Lady Phenex raised a brow. Ruval gave a small, knowing smile, while Ravel nearly squealed in excitement. Serafall, however, gasped dramatically, clutching her chest.
"Ohohoho~! A secret gift between lovers already? So-tan~! He's marking you as special!"
Sona's face betrayed her this time, a faint but undeniable flush creeping up her cheeks. She adjusted her glasses quickly, fighting to compose herself, but her heart thumped traitorously at the way Riser never broke eye contact with her.
Lord Sitri exhaled, his voice steady but tinged with respect. "…You certainly do not do things halfway, Riser Phenex."
Riser smiled, this time more earnest. "Why should I? When it comes to her, half-measures are an insult."
The room fell quiet for a beat, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Even Sona's parents could not miss the sincerity that laced his arrogance.
And for Sona, though she kept her mask in place, she could feel the truth piercing straight through her chest.