After the duel, Serafall had been uncharacteristically quiet—at least until she dragged both Sona and Riser into her private chambers under the guise of "a little chat."
The Leviathan sat cross-legged on a velvet chair, her chin resting on her hands, sparkling blue eyes darting between the two. "Sooo…" she finally sang, lips curling mischievously. "My serious, always-composed, chess-obsessed little sister… is blushing. Blushing!"
Sona stiffened. "Sister—"
"And!" Serafall leaned forward, practically glowing with glee. "It's because of him! Mr. Reckless Phenex himself. You kissed him, didn't you? I can see it all over your face."
Sona's mask cracked instantly, her cheeks burning crimson as she adjusted her glasses a bit too harshly. "Th-that is irrelevant! It was… simply a formality. Nothing more."
"Formality, hm?" Serafall's grin turned wicked. "Then why are your ears turning red too? Hehe, Sona-chan, I've never seen you like this before. You're like a maiden in love."
Riser, lounging against the wall with arms folded, chuckled softly. "She really is adorable when flustered, isn't she?" His voice was warm, teasing but not cruel. His gaze slid to Sona with unmistakable fondness.
Sona sputtered, caught between glaring at her sister and glaring at him. "…You are both insufferable."
But Serafall's laughter soon softened. Her gaze landed on Riser, searching, testing one last time. What she found made her pause: there was no arrogance there, no shallow playboy act. Only fire—sincere, unwavering fire.
"…Take care of her, Riser," she murmured, the rare seriousness in her tone making Sona blink.
Riser inclined his head slightly. "Always."
Later that evening, Sona walked him to the estate gates. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of water lilies from the nearby ponds. They walked in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. For once, silence felt… natural between them.
At the gate, Riser turned to her, his usual smirk softened into something gentler. "I should return to my family. They'll be demanding explanations soon enough."
Sona nodded, adjusting her glasses to mask the small pang in her chest. "That would be wise."
Riser stepped closer, close enough that the warmth of his body pushed back the chill night air. His eyes met hers, unwavering. "…I'll miss you, Sona."
Before she could reply, he leaned in—not with a teasing demand, but with a rare, uncharacteristic tenderness—and wrapped his arms around her. The hug was firm, protective, almost reverent.
Sona froze, her mind blank as heat rushed to her face. She could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, against her chest. It wasn't boastful, it wasn't domineering—it was simply him, offering closeness she wasn't ready to admit she wanted.
"…Y-you…" she stammered, her carefully built mask in tatters.
Riser's voice was low against her ear. "Get used to it, Sona. I'm not letting you go."
When he finally pulled back, her eyes darted everywhere but his face, her cheeks aflame. She barely managed a stiff nod as he turned and walked into the night.
Inside, she was immediately ambushed.
Her parents were waiting in the hall, both having seen the scene from the window. Lady Sitri smiled faintly behind her hand, while Lord Sitri coughed into his fist, clearly trying not to chuckle.
And Serafall—oh, Serafall was practically glowing with mischief. "Kyaaa, Sona-chan! You hugged him at the gate?! My little sister, acting all shy like a girl in love! I should've brought a camera!"
Sona's face burned hotter than any flame Riser had shown. "S-sister! It was nothing of the sort!"
But no matter how hard she tried to compose herself, her hands still trembled slightly… and her heart still pounded with the warmth of his embrace.