At the dining table, everyone took their seats, naturally with Lord Sitri in the main seat.
But August sat right next to Lord Sitri, with Lady Sitri on the other side. Serafall and Sona sat on Lady Sitri's side.
As for the others, they continued to take their seats accordingly.
After taking their seats, dishes were served one after another. Since it wasn't a formal dinner, each person had their own portion.
"Uncle, I wasn't sure what to bring this time, so I brought a bottle of wine and some tea as a token of my respect for you and Aunt."
August presented the gifts he had prepared in advance: a bottle of wine housed in a luxurious golden bottle and the finest tea prepared by Hilda. Due to the rushed timing, they weren't anything rare.
"You've gone through trouble. We're family; there's no need for gifts."
Lord Sitri chuckled. Clearly, he was extremely pleased with August because August had given him plenty of face.
As a Duke on par with the House of Sitri, August could have conversed with him as equals or even asserted dominance. Yet, August still maintained the demeanor of a younger generation, showing sincerity.
Moreover, August was a handsome demon, and a Satan-class being at that.
In terms of status, position, strength, influence, and so on, August was the perfect choice as a son-in-law.
Throughout the meal, it was August who spoke with Lord Sitri the entire time. Apart from that, no one else had the chance to speak.
However, as the Lord of the House of Sitri, Lord Sitri had his own matters to attend to and left immediately after the meal.
Lady Sitri, after instructing Sona about something, then dragged Serafall, who was reluctant, away.
Led by the House of Sitri's maids, everyone found their own rooms.
To their surprise, August was assigned to the same room as Sona, which was the room Sona had grown up in.
"Sona, what did your mother just say to you? Your face is so red."
"It's nothing~"
"The more you act like this, the more curious I get. Come on, spill."
"Exactly, she told me not to use protection and preferably to conceive your child."
"Haha, looks like my mother-in-law wants a grandson."
Hearing August's words, Sona blushed immediately. She was still just a child, yet her mother was already thinking about her becoming a mother, catching her off guard.
However, as someone from a prestigious family, Sona understood very well what being the eldest son or daughter meant.
In any family, the eldest son or daughter usually represented the family's inheritance. It rarely changed unless they were particularly incompetent.
Just like herself, the reason she could become the successor of the House of Sitri was because her sister became a Satan, so she had to inherit the name Leviathan and abandon her own surname Sitri.
Because she had become a Satan, she couldn't inherit the position of family head, so it fell to her instead.
Otherwise, as the second daughter, Sona would never have had a chance.
Moreover, if Sona could be the first to conceive August's child, it would also solidify her position by August's side.
"Sona, since your mother has said so, let's..."
"Hey, it's just past noon, don't be so forward."
"Your mother is urging us; we have to work harder."
"No~"
Inside the room, a 'primitive' scene began to unfold.
At this moment, Lady Sitri happened to come to the door. Just as she was about to knock, she heard the sounds from inside the room and immediately blushed.
"Right in the middle of the day, you're still so young, lacking in self-restraint."
Lady Sitri turned and left. However, she paid no mind to the affair between the two.
The House of Sitri was harmonious and cheerful. Meanwhile, over at the House of Gremory's table, the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Zeoticus Gremory, the current Lord of the House of Gremory, didn't take Rias's response well. He even harbored some resentment towards August.
As a son-in-law of the House of Gremory, why did he not come to the House of Gremory first but went to the House of Sitri instead? What did this mean?
"Rias, tell me, what exactly is going on? Your fiancé runs off to the House of Sitri the moment he returns? If this gets out, where will I put my family name?"
"Father, it's August's decision, and I can't do anything about it."
"What do you mean you can't do anything? You're his fiancée; he's your fiancé. What can't an engaged couple discuss?"
"There are some complications between him and me."
"Don't deceive me, Rias. Your engagement with Phenex already embarrassed the House of Gremory once; are you trying to do it again?"
"Father, August and I are just boyfriend and girlfriend, whereas Sona has long been August's woman."
Watching her visibly angry father, Rias directly broke the lid, expressing her thoughts.
"What about you? Sona Sitri knows how to please a man; what about you?"
"Father, am I just a commodity? Was I born just to please men? First Riser, now August."
"Then tell me, what else can you do?"
"I will prove to you, Father, that I, Rias, am no less than anyone else. I alone can support the House of Gremory."
"And what good does supporting the House of Gremory do? Without heirs, who will inherit the House of Gremory?"
One sentence immediately silenced Rias. Venelana, Rias's mother, standing beside her, also had a change in her expression.
Because her daughter-in-law, Grayfia, the only wife of Sirzechs, was right there. Zeoticus's words were almost pointing out Grayfia's inability to bear children.
This was also why both Zeoticus and Sirzechs were eager to match August with Rias.
Now, the House of Gremory had no hope of succession. The eldest son and daughter-in-law had no children for many years, and the second daughter was now in a situation with her fiancé unknown.
A family needs succession; otherwise, no matter how powerful a family is, once it loses continuity and succession, it can only be destroyed.
Even though the House of Gremory's prestige was soaring now, having a son of a Satan could be said to be in the limelight.
But without descendants, without succession, no matter how glorious, what could they do?
Grayfia stood aside, showing no outward fluctuations. However, she felt very uncomfortable inside. She had served the two for so many years, and she had her share of hard work. She never expected that, unexpectedly...
But she couldn't do anything about this kind of thing, because the problem wasn't her.
Even if she wanted a child, she alone was powerless.
___
If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my patreon which already contains 30+ chapters:
https://www.patreon.com/XElenea