The celebration lasted until dusk, laughter lingering in the air long after the last toast.
When it was time to leave, Akeno and the others exchanged knowing glances and quietly slipped away, leaving the space to Draconis and Rias.
Draconis didn't pick up on their subtle exit. He finished clearing the table and turned to Rias, ready to say goodbye.
"I'm heading home," he said.
"Home?" Rias blinked, surprised.
"Yeah. Where else?" Draconis answered, a little puzzled. His girlfriend, Mai Sakurajima, was still out of town for work; there was nowhere else to go.
Rias, however, had other plans. "You're sleeping at the castle tonight. I'm too happy to let you leave—stay with me."
She made the decision for him, no room for argument.
"…Alright."
With Rias being so direct, Draconis couldn't refuse. He followed her, and together they teleported to the castle.
Tonight, the place was silent. Not a single servant in sight.
"Where's everyone?" he asked.
"I gave the maids the night off."
Rias wanted this evening to be just the two of them—no interruptions, no audience.
Draconis didn't mind. He was never comfortable with all that fuss, anyway. The maids here were almost too efficient.
"I'm going to take a bath," he said, heading off.
This wasn't his first time visiting Rias's home. He made his way to the familiar hot spring, sinking into the warm water until every last bit of tension melted away.
Afterward, dressed in a fresh yukata, he wandered out into the courtyard, feeling lighter than he had in days.
It was nine o'clock. Night had settled in, and the moon hung full and round above the central garden.
A perfect moonlit night.
Draconis stretched, draping his legs over the stone bench in the pavilion. He looked every bit the picture of lazy contentment—his posture relaxed, his mood unburdened.
Funny how solving someone else's troubles could lift your own. Now that Rias's problems were behind them, he felt truly at ease.
Rare, quiet peace.
A soft breeze carried the scent of shampoo. Rias emerged from her bath, wrapped in a sheer, violet nightgown that shimmered in the moonlight. Her fiery hair was damp, a blow dryer in hand as she walked over.
Draconis's eyes traced her silhouette, lingering a moment. Rias caught his gaze, smiled, and spun once—playful, unashamed.
The flowing fabric danced, hinting at curves that set his heart racing.
"Like what you see?" she teased.
He grinned. "I do."
Rias sat beside him, handing over the dryer. Draconis took it, gently working through her wet hair, the scent of her shampoo drifting between them.
As the strands dried, her pale back shimmered under the moonlight, flawless and smooth, dotted with tiny droplets.
The courtyard lamps glowed softly, casting a warm, golden haze. Devils could see perfectly well in the dark, but the lights added atmosphere—a touch of intimacy.
When her hair was dry, the battery gave out. Draconis set the dryer aside.
Rias leaned in, curling against his chest. He slid his arm around her waist, and together they half-reclined on the stone bench, gazing up at the moon.
"This feels so good," Rias sighed, laughter in her voice.
"Like I've thrown off every burden."
Draconis smiled. "Did your family and Riser really put that much pressure on you?"
"Yeah… Honestly, it still feels like a dream."
She nestled closer, her voice soft.
"That was a Phenex, you know. The sacred beast from human legend—masters of life, whose tears heal any wound. Drink their blood, and you live forever. They're truly immortal."
Draconis chuckled. "Keep talking like that, and I'll get a big head."
Rias laughed. "You deserve it. I never thought you'd pull this off. I was ready to risk everything against Riser…"
She shifted, tilting her head up so she could see his face.
He smiled, a little sheepish.
"You really do hate Riser, huh? He's a jerk—arrogant, disrespectful to women, a total playboy. But when it comes to family, he's not all bad."
"You're defending him? You're way too forgiving. I can't see anything good about that guy…"
"Just calling it like I see it," Draconis said. "Of course, I don't like him. The idea of him being your fiancé drove me nuts."
Rias burst out laughing. "Wait, did I just hear you say you get jealous?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Not at all."
She let his denial slide, eyes twinkling. "Okay, we'll say you don't."
Rias took his hand, pressed it to her chest, and laced her fingers with his.
"Honestly, it's not Riser I hate—it's being arranged. Because I'm a Gremory. No matter where I go, that name follows me."
Draconis tilted his head, understanding dawning.
"It's your greatest halo—and your heaviest burden."
"Exactly."
Rias's smile softened. She was glad he got it.
"I'm proud of my name, but it smothers who I am. Everyone sees me as the Gremory princess—never just Rias. That's why my time in the human world was the happiest I've ever been."
Draconis understood, but didn't comment.
To him, these were the troubles of the privileged.
Some people spent their lives chasing wealth and status; others, born at the top, longed for a taste of ordinary life.
There was no point judging either side. Everyone wrestled with their own burdens.
Rias relaxed against him, content.
"What I want is someone who doesn't care about Gremory—someone who loves me for me. Riser, those other nobles… all they want is the name."
She smiled, remembering something Draconis had said before.
"You were right… I really am just a helpless girl at heart…"
—
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