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[POV - Rias Gremory]
[Gremory Mansion - Rias's Room - A few hours later]
THUMP-THUMP-THUMP...
My heart pounded in my chest like a clumsy war drum as I stared at the mirror for the thousandth time. What would be the best approach? How to convince my brother without seeming like a lovesick teenager? Because technically... well, maybe I was.
"Damn it, Rias, you're a high-class devil, not some silly schoolgirl," I muttered to myself, fixing my red hair that insisted on tangling.
VROOM!
The magic circle lit up beneath my feet, and in the blink of an eye, I was in Sirzechs's office. The environment had that imposing air as always - floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, polished mahogany furniture, and that smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with ancient parchment.
"Rias!" Sirzechs smiled in that way of his, half protective brother, half supreme Maou. Beside him, Grayfia maintained her impeccable posture, but I saw a flash of curiosity in her silver eyes.
"Brother, Grayfia... we need to talk," I began, trying to keep my voice steady.
"You seem... different," Grayfia observed, tilting her head slightly. "Did something happen?"
I took a deep breath. It was now or never.
"Asia Argento is alive," I blurted out at once, like ripping off a band-aid.
CRASH!
The cup Sirzechs was holding slipped from his fingers, shattering on the marble floor. The dark liquid spread like an ominous prophecy.
"What?!" he practically shouted, standing up so fast the chair toppled backward. "How is this possible? Diodora Astaroth said that..."
"Diodora is dead," I interrupted, feeling a perverse pleasure at seeing the shock on their faces. "And before you ask - yes, it was Asia who killed him. Or rather, something divine acted through her."
Grayfia stepped forward, her eyes sharp as razors.
"Rias, are you sure about what you're saying? The Astaroth Clan will want blood for this. They'll..."
"If they send the entire clan after her," I cut in again, letting my demonic aura leak out a little, "they'll only achieve one thing: the complete extinction of the Astaroth bloodline."
SWOOSH!
An icy wind swept through the office, making papers fly. Sirzechs stared at me as if I'd grown a second head.
"Rias... what the hell are you talking about?"
I sat down calmly, crossing my legs. It was showtime.
"There's someone protecting Asia. Someone who makes the Satans look like children playing war," I let the words hang in the air, heavy as lead. "I met this someone today."
Grayfia narrowed her eyes, that sharp mind already processing the information.
"Name?"
"Yuuki Rito," I replied, watching their reactions. "On the surface, an ordinary student from Sainan. But underneath..."
I paused dramatically, savoring the moment.
"Underneath, he's something I can't even describe. When I looked into his eyes, it was like..." I searched for the right words, "...like looking at the universe itself staring back at me."
Sirzechs collapsed into his chair, massaging his temples.
"Rias, do you have any idea what you're saying? You're suggesting that a human has enough power to threaten an entire devil clan?"
"I'm not suggesting, brother. I'm stating," I retorted firmly. "And that's why I need to move to Sainan."
CRACK!
The thunder that split the sky outside seemed to punctuate my words. Grayfia exchanged a significant look with Sirzechs.
"Move? Rias, that's..."
"Necessary," I completed. "I need to understand who he is. What he is. And maybe..." I hesitated for a second, "...maybe he's exactly what I need."
"You mean... regarding Riser?" Sirzechs asked cautiously.
I laughed, a sound half bitter, half amused.
"Riser? That presumptuous peacock? Please. He doesn't hold a candle to Rito. Not in power, not in... other areas," I blushed slightly remembering what I'd seen earlier.
Grayfia cleared her throat, saving me from further embarrassment.
"I'll investigate this Yuuki Rito," she declared, already making mental notes. "But Rias, if he really is what you say..."
"Then we need to have him on our side," I concluded. "And I intend to do exactly that."
Sirzechs sighed, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Our parents are going to freak out."
"Leave them to me," I smiled, already preparing for the next round.
[Main Gremory Mansion - One hour later]
DING-DONG!
The pompous sound of the doorbell announced my arrival. My parents' mansion was even more ostentatious than Sirzechs's - as if they wanted to prove something to the world. Crystal chandeliers, Persian rugs, paintings worth more than small countries.
"Rias, darling!" My mother, Venelana, hugged me warmly. "What a wonderful surprise!"
My father, Zeoticus, appeared right behind, that political smile already plastered on his face.
"Our little girl is growing up so fast! Soon she'll be married to Riser and..."
"About that," I cut in quickly, "we need to talk."
We settled in the living room, steaming teacups in hand. It was time to play my cards.
"Riser is... inadequate," I began diplomatically.
"What do you mean, dear?" My mother frowned.
"Well, for starters, he's an incorrigible womanizer," I counted on my fingers. "Arrogant, lazy, and frankly? Not very intelligent. Do you really want your grandchildren to inherit these... attributes?"
I saw my father choke on his tea. Bingo.
"But the contract..."
"Can be revised," I suggested softly. "Especially if I find someone more... suitable."
Venelana's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Have you met someone?"
"Perhaps," I smiled mysteriously. "Yuuki Rito. An exceptional young man from Sainan."
"Human?" My father seemed skeptical.
"Apparently," I shrugged. "But with enough power to make any devil think twice before challenging him."
I spent the next hour painting a careful portrait of Rito - strong enough to impress, human enough not to frighten. When I finished, my parents were exchanging thoughtful looks.
"And you want to move to Sainan to... get to know him better?" My mother asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"To investigate," I quickly corrected. "It's a matter of... territorial security."
"Of course it is," she winked, complicit. "Well, if it's for the good of the clan..."
"Absolutely," I agreed solemnly, fighting not to smile.
My father sighed, defeated.
"Just don't cause a diplomatic incident, alright?"
"I promise," I crossed my fingers behind my back like a mischievous child.
VROOM!
When the magic circle took me back to my room, I couldn't contain my smile. Phase one: complete. Now came the fun part.
Sainan, get ready. Rias Gremory is coming.
And Yuuki Rito? Well, he doesn't know it yet, but he just gained a new neighbor very interested in... getting to know him better.
"Much better," I murmured to myself, already imagining the possibilities.
CRACK!
Another thunder illuminated my room, as if fate itself was sealing my decision. Or maybe it was just coincidence. With my luck lately, you never know.
"Let the games begin," I declared to the mirror, my crimson eyes shining with renewed determination.
After all, it's not every day that a high-class devil decides to move to a small human town after a boy who may or may not be the most powerful being in the universe.
But hey, life's too short to be boring, right?