The scene shifted to Rias's room, where Venelana looked at her daughter.
Rias looked back at her mother, puzzled by why she was suddenly so anxious to see her.
"Rias, I want to ask you, what do you think of August?"
"Mom, what do you mean?"
"Just asking. If you truly don't like him, I can personally talk to your father and dissolve this engagement."
"What does that mean?"
"I am your mother, you are my daughter, naturally, I will stand by you."
Hearing her mother's words, Rias was touched. If this engagement were to be called off again, it would be a slap in the face for the House of Gremory, but her mother was still willing to do it.
"Rias, my daughter, as a mother, I want to know, what is your attitude?"
"What's happened?"
"Ravel just arrived, and now she's with August."
"What? Ravel?"
Rias was naturally familiar with Ravel; she used to pester August every day in Kuoh, and she hadn't expected her to continue doing so in the Underworld.
She subconsciously associated Ravel with her persistent pursuit, but overlooked the reasons behind her actions.
As a princess of the House of Phenex, she was only slightly inferior to Rias herself, yet she was willing to lower herself like this. Rias had never considered why.
"Don't worry, Mom. It's nothing. She's always been like this in Kuoh."
"Rias, you still don't understand. Even an outsider is pursuing August so relentlessly. As his fiancée, you are so distant from him, worse than an outsider. Do you really intend to marry him?"
"I..."
"I'll ask one last time, Rias, what is your attitude, or rather, what are your thoughts?"
Faced with her mother's inquiry, Rias opened her mouth but couldn't find an answer.
She sat on the edge of the bed. To be honest, she didn't understand herself, whether she liked or disliked him, whether she anticipated or rejected him. Perhaps all of these were true.
"Mom, I don't know. I like August, but I can't accept that he has so many women, especially Sona too."
"So, do you want to escape? Withdraw? Give up?"
"I don't know."
"Rias, you don't have much time left. If you continue like this, when you come to your senses, it will be too late."
"What do you mean?"
"A man's patience with a woman is limited. If you want to keep a man guessing, unless he truly loves you, he will leave sooner or later."
"Mom, do you want me to please him?"
"I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do, but you need to make a decision, whether to give up or not. This is important. In a few days, at the banquet, it will be your last chance."
"What do you mean?"
"It means, at that time, will you choose to enter the venue with August's arm around you or alone? This banquet is for the entire Underworld."
Venelana patted Rias's shoulder and stood up, leaving.
As a mother, this was all she could do. Whether Rias chose to give up or not, it was her choice.
Rias lay on the bed, with her mother's words echoing in her mind. What should she do?
And so, time passed little by little. Soon, it was nighttime. After dinner, everyone went back to rest.
August was no exception. He returned to his room, ready to rest with Hilda and Yolda, the two maids, by his side.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
August paused, slightly surprised when he sensed Rias's presence. Was she here for their appointment?
He had thought she wouldn't come, but she surprised him by showing up.
Hilda got up to open the door, and then Rias, wearing a white nightgown, walked in.
The blush on her face indicated that she was not calm at the moment. Coming to see August dressed like this made her feel so embarrassed, especially in the corridor, afraid of being seen by others.
"You've come to your senses?"
"Hmph, I'm just following my father's and mother's wishes."
"Stubborn as a mule."
August didn't give Rias any respect, seeing her obvious attempt at argument.
Hilda and Yolda exchanged a glance, then left the room. When their lord's fiancée came to offer herself, they had to give them some privacy.
As for them, they naturally returned to their own room. Although they were maids, Grayfia had also arranged a room for them.
Seeing the two leave, Rias breathed a sigh of relief. It would have been awkward with them around.
"Now that you've made your decision, come here."
"What are you going to do?"
"What am I going to do? Of course, it's the thing between a man and a woman."
"I'm not ready yet. Don't come over."
"If you weren't ready, you wouldn't be dressed like this. Besides, since you've come to me, don't think about running away."
August grabbed Rias and lifted her up, then tossed her onto the bed.
Clad in a sheer white nightgown, with her face flushed, Rias's charm was undeniable.
...
The night passed without words. The next morning, August slept until late.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Rias in his arms.
August had to admit, she truly deserved to be the main female lead. Rias's proportions were just perfect, neither too much nor too little, an absolute golden ratio.
Though Sona was formidable now, compared to Rias, she still fell short.
A woman like her was irresistibly tempting to any man.
"Mm~"
At that moment, Rias let out a suggestive sound, almost causing August to lose control.
However, seeing the bloodstain on the bedsheet and Rias's slightly weary expression, August restrained himself.
Last night, it seemed like she had flipped a switch and didn't want to stop all night, until she exhausted herself, leaving August amused and bewildered.
But Rias had come to him willingly. Whatever the reason, there was no escaping it now.
___
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