The quiet of the Sitri gardens at dusk was broken only by the sound of soft footsteps. Riser stood waiting near the fountain, his golden eyes gleaming faintly in the fading light. He wore a relaxed smile as Sona approached, her expression carefully composed—though the necklace glimmering at her throat betrayed a truth she could not hide.
"You came," he said smoothly, stepping closer. "I was beginning to worry you were avoiding me, Sona."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Perhaps I should have. You've caused enough chaos already."
He chuckled lowly, clearly unbothered. "Chaos is the price of honesty. And I told you before—if it's for you, I'll pay any cost."
Sona's eyes flickered, her hand brushing the necklace. For once, she didn't look away. "…You say these things so easily. Too easily. Do you mean them, or is it just another performance?"
Riser's smile softened. He tilted his head slightly, watching her as if she were the only person in the world. "Why don't you test me and find out?"
That answer caught her off guard, and she narrowed her eyes. "…Very well." She took a step closer, folding her arms across her chest. "Tell me, Riser Phenex—why me? You could have any number of devil heiresses, political allies, or peerage beauties. Yet you're here, insisting on me. Why?"
His answer came without hesitation. "Because you are the only one I see as my equal."
Sona blinked, stunned.
He continued, voice calm but firm, like a declaration of truth. "The way you carry yourself, the way you think, the way you lead—it commands respect. You're not someone to be flaunted on my arm. You're someone I want standing at my side. The world sees me as arrogant, but in front of you… I want to be sincere. That's why."
Her breath caught, her mask threatening to crack. "…That's… quite an answer."
He leaned in just slightly, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips. "Does that mean I passed your little test, Sona?"
She flushed, glaring at him as though trying to reassert control. "Don't get ahead of yourself. There will be more."
Riser laughed, a rich sound that filled the garden. "Good. Test me as much as you like. You'll only find the same answer every time: you are the one I want."
For a moment, silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken feelings. Then Sona turned away, trying to hide the faint pink dusting her cheeks. "…You're insufferable."
He stepped closer anyway, closing the distance until his voice was low by her ear. "And yet… you didn't deny that you're moved."
Her heart thudded in her chest, but she steadied herself. "…Next time, I'll make the test harder."
Riser smiled, eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Then I look forward to it, my future Queen."
Sona froze, her composure crumbling as she whipped her head toward him—her blush betraying everything she wanted to deny.