Diodora, accompanied by his parents, walked towards Venelana and Zeoticus.
The air carried a polished tension, typical of a meeting between two high-ranking families in the underworld.
Dimitri, a man of imposing stature with a posture that reflected nobility, smiled confidently, while Svetlana, elegant and with an aura of dignity, discreetly adjusted her dress. Their approach to Venelana and Zeoticus was marked by a formal greeting, typical of the etiquette among equal-status families.
"Venelana, Zeoticus, it is always a pleasure to meet you," Dimitri began, extending his hand in a gesture of respectful greeting. "We are all looking forward to tonight's events, particularly the announcement that unites our families."
Venelana, with her characteristic grace, responded with a warm smile, "Dimitri, Svetlana, it's a joy to see you. We are equally excited. We hope this union will bring not only our families but also our homes closer together."
As the adults conversed, Diodora, maintaining his polished posture and calculating gaze, politely interjected: "Excuse me for interrupting, but could you inform me where Rias is at this moment?"
Zeoticus, sensing the intent behind the question, responded with a nod towards the crowd. "She is over there, conversing with Sairaorg. Please, feel free to join them."
Diodora nodded, thanking them with a brief bow of his head, before heading towards Rias. Crossing the hall with confidence, Diodora reached Rias and Sairaorg at the moment they were sharing light laughs and conversation.
"Rias, Sairaorg, sorry to interrupt," Diodora began, extending his hand first to Rias in a gesture of courtesy. "I hope I'm not arriving at a bad time."
Rias, initially surprised by Diodora's sudden approach, instinctively extended her hand, greeting him with a polite smile. However, upon fully recognizing who it was, her expression changed slightly and she discreetly withdrew her hand, replacing the gesture of cordiality with a slight nod.
The scene was immersed in an atmosphere of tension disguised as cordiality as Diodora approached Rias and Sairaorg. As he approached, Rias initially tried to maintain formality, but the change in her expression clearly indicated her displeasure with Diodora's presence.
"Diodora, you are interrupting."
However, Diodora maintained an unwavering smile on his face, as if he neither noticed nor chose to ignore Rias's frustration. Issei, by her side, felt a wave of discomfort. To him, Diodora's smile reminded him of Riser, a smile he had learned to hate.
"Who is this?" Issei asked, the displeasure evident in his tone.
Rias was about to explain when Diodora interjected. "I am Diodora Astaroth," he said, still with the same confident smile. "And you must be the Red Dragon Emperor, right?"
"I am Issei," Issei replied, with a challenging look.
Diodora nodded slightly. "I don't intend to interrupt for long. I just want to say something to Rias."
Rias narrowed her eyes, suspicion evident. "What do you mean?"
Diodora maintained his smile.
"My feelings towards this marriage are the same as yours. I also do not want it."
Rias's surprise was palpable. She did not expect such an admission from Diodora.
"But I am willing to accept it for the sake of my family," Diodora continued. "And I suggest you accept it for the same reason."
Diodora's statement left Rias speechless for a moment. She realized the complexity of the situation and the difficult position in which they both found themselves, pressured by family responsibilities and politics.
Issei, still suspicious, watched the exchange with a lingering sense of displeasure, questioning Diodora's true intentions and the sincerity behind his words.
Diodora, noticing Rias's reaction, concluded, "I hope we can find a way to make this union less painful for both of us."
Rias, recovering from the initial surprise, merely nodded, trying to process the new dynamics this revelation introduced. Diodora walked away, leaving Rias and Issei with a mix of emotions and new considerations to ponder.
Issei remained beside Rias, watching Diodora walk away with a confused and suspicious expression. The sudden frankness of Diodora was disconcerting; Issei struggled internally to discern whether those words were genuine or just another manipulative scheme. The displeasure he felt towards Diodora was instinctive, fueled both by his past rivalry with Riser and the tense situation involving Rias.
"Rias, do you think he was being sincere?" Issei asked, his voice low and filled with concern. The complexity of underworld politics was still a murky terrain for him, and this ambiguity only increased his discomfort.
Rias, still absorbing the conversation, turned to Issei.
"I don't know, Issei. It's hard to tell."
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the imposing arrival of the Phenex and Sitri Families. Leading the group with authority and elegance was Serefall, Sona's sister and Riser's sister-in-law, known for her charismatic presence. Riser and Sona, hand in hand, followed a few steps behind her, displaying an image of unity and strength. Their parents, accompanied by members of their respective peerages, completed the entourage, adding to the weight of their presence.
Serefall, always commanding and charismatic, naturally drew attention as she approached the center of the hall. She possessed an aura that blended authority and a touch of playfulness, typical of her vibrant and lively personality. Her dress, a work of art in itself, subtly shimmered under the lighting of the Concordia Palace, reflecting the elegance and power of her position.
With a smile that seemed to brighten the already resplendent hall and a graceful gesture of her hands, Serefall commanded the attention of everyone present. Her voice, clear and strong, resonated through the hall, bringing an expectant silence among the guests.
"Dear friends and family of the underworld," Serefall began, her tone warm and welcoming filling the space. "It is an honor to be here with you on this very special night. As everyone knows, this event is not just a social celebration; it's a milestone in our rich traditions and an opportunity to strengthen our bonds."
She paused, allowing her words to permeate among the guests, who watched with respect and admiration. Serefall knew how to capture and hold an audience's attention, and she used that talent masterfully.
"Tonight, we have the fortune to witness and celebrate the rise of a new leader among us who promises to bring even more strength and prosperity to our world."
Serefall continued, with a smile that seemed to illuminate the hall even more: "It is with great pride that we announce the promotion of Riser Phenex to Supreme Class Devil, a distinction that only the most distinguished among us achieve."
The announcement generated a murmur of approval and surprise among those present. Riser's rise to the status of Supreme Class Devil not only solidified his influence within the underworld but also reflected the recognition of his capabilities and the potential he represented for the future.
Sona, standing beside Riser, squeezed his hand with a supportive smile. She shared in the pride for her husband, recognizing the importance of this moment not just for him but for the entire Phenex family.
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