Riser Phoenix's face twisted with anger at Shuo's taunts, but after a moment, remembering everyone else's reactions, he threw his head back and laughed.
"Hah! Did you really think you could fool me? The way Rias and everyone else acted just now—please. Kid, you think you can outsmart the great Riser Phoenix? You're still wet behind the ears!"
Shuo smirked, lips curling in mock admiration. "Wow, not bad, Turkey. That brain of yours actually works. I'll give you that—couldn't pull one over on you."
Riser puffed up, basking in his own arrogance. "Of course! I, Riser Phoe—wait a second. Did you just call me 'turkey' again, you little punk? I'm a phoenix, not some barnyard fool. Keep running your mouth and I'll roast you to ash."
Shuo just shrugged, utterly unfazed. "Look, I know all about you and Rias, but don't strut around here like you're her fiancé. The engagement isn't official yet. Rias is the woman I've set my sights on. So keep posturing, but if you get in my way—well, you won't like how that ends."
Riser's expression darkened, his composure slipping. "You… you bastard!" he spat, fists clenched, barely holding himself back from exploding.
Truth was, Riser never cared much for this engagement—girls like Rias weren't even his type. But the entire Underworld knew about the arrangement. It was a political alliance between the Gremory and Phoenix families. Whether he liked it or not, backing down now would disgrace his family, and he'd be the laughingstock of the Underworld.
Tension crackled. Riser's aura flared, flames dancing at his fingertips. Shuo's eyes flashed, the Rinnegan whirling to life—a silent promise that if things got ugly, he was ready.
Before the confrontation could boil over, Rias stepped between them, arms outstretched, her eyes hard with resolve.
"Shuo, I appreciate that you want to help me, but fighting won't solve anything. This is my problem, and I'll face it myself. Still—thank you, truly."
She offered him a gentle smile, the kind that said she understood—and that she was grateful.
Shuo relented, the Rinnegan fading from his eyes. He slumped back onto the sofa, but not before making his intentions clear. "Fine, I'll let you handle it. But just remember—I'm not going anywhere. Rias is my woman, and that's not changing."
A faint blush colored Rias's cheeks at his words.
Across the room, the other girls exchanged glances—some envious, some wistful. Akeno, her smile slipping, watched the two of them with a shadow in her eyes. Maybe you'll save Rias. But… will you ever save me?
Meanwhile, Ravel Phoenix regarded Shuo with open curiosity. He was challenging her family for Rias's sake—like a hero from the stories she'd cherished as a child. For the first time, her heart fluttered with something like admiration.
Riser, for his part, finally reined in his flames, glancing at Shuo with a sneer before turning his attention back to Rias. "So, Rias, are you going to obey your family's wishes?"
Rias crossed her arms, her gaze icy. "Don't kid yourself, Riser. I'm not some weak-willed pawn. Even if it's a family decision, I refuse to marry you. Hear me loud and clear—this is my choice."
Riser clicked his tongue in annoyance. "And that's exactly why I can't stand girls like you. Still, this isn't just about us—it's about the friendship between two great houses. You don't get a say. But… the family did manage to negotiate one last chance for you."
At that moment, another crimson magic circle bloomed in the center of the room.
As the light faded, a woman in a crisp maid uniform appeared, her black hair framing a face both beautiful and severe.
Rias's expression grew wary. "Evelyn. You're here on behalf of my brother, aren't you?"
The maid—Evelyn—bowed first to Rias, then to Riser, her movements elegant and precise. "Good evening, Lady Rias. I come bearing a message from Lord Sirzechs regarding your engagement and the Gremory family's decision."
Shuo, puzzled, leaned toward Akeno. "Evelyn? Who's she?"
Akeno explained softly, "Lady Evelyn is your brother's wife—Sirzechs Lucifer's queen, and head maid of the Gremory household. She's one of the most powerful women in the Underworld."
Shuo raised an eyebrow. "What about Grayfia?"
Akeno shot him a surprised look. "Oh? You know about Lady Grayfia too? She's called the Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation—strongest among all the peerage queens, second only to the Four Devil Kings. But she's still single, you know."
Akeno's eyes glinted with playful mischief. "What's this, Shuo-chan? Don't tell me you're aiming for the Silver Queen next?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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