Riser was sitting in his office, the soft light from the fireplace casting shadows across the walls and creating a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. He raised his hand and activated a small magic circle, sending a message to Sona, asking her to come to his office.
A few minutes later, there was a light knock on the door.
Knock! Knock!
"Come in," said Riser, his voice calm and authoritative.
The door opened, and Sona entered the office. She had a curious expression, but her posture was always disciplined, like a leader who knew how to maintain composure in any situation. She walked over to the chair in front of Riser's desk and sat down, crossing her legs elegantly.
"What do you need from me, dear?" Sona asked, her eyes meeting Riser's as she awaited his response.
"Seekvaira Agares," Riser said, observing Sona's reaction.
Sona showed a slight surprise, her eyes widening for a brief moment before returning to her calm expression. 'I always knew this day would come,' she thought, controlling her emotions.
"Are you asking for my opinion or just informing me?" Sona asked, her voice neutral but with a hint of irony.
Riser kept his gaze fixed on Sona, his expression firm and unyielding. "I came here to ask for my wife's help. The marriage between Seekvaira and me is political, to benefit both her and me, and I would like you to take the lead on this."
Sona remained silent for a few moments, processing Riser's words. She knew that alliances like this were common among the great families and that power and influence were determining factors in the underworld's dynamics. Although the thought of sharing Riser with another woman wasn't pleasing to her, her pragmatic mind understood the political necessity of the decision. After all, her own marriage to Riser had also begun as a political arrangement before she began to develop feelings for him.
"Asking your wife to find you other wives... that's bold," Sona said, a hint of irony in her voice, but without losing her serious tone.
Riser allowed himself a small smile, acknowledging the irony in Sona's words.
"Even though I have other women, you are my only wife, and with you taking the lead, it will also solidify your position as the first wife and future queen of the underworld."
Sona frowned slightly, confused. "Queen of the underworld? What do you mean by that, Riser?"
Riser leaned slightly forward, his eyes meeting Sona's. "My intention is to centralize power in the underworld. I want you by my side not only as my wife but as my queen. Together, we will be the rulers of the underworld, and your position will be unquestionable."
Sona blinked, still absorbing what Riser had said. The idea of being a queen of the underworld was something she had never considered before, but at the same time, she knew it brought power and responsibility that could change the course of many things.
'If Riser really manages to assume power as he's planning... it means I'll have a unique position. I could make important changes in the underworld, reforms that only someone in such a high position could implement. This is an opportunity I can't ignore,' Sona thought, her ambitious side beginning to see the possibilities.
"I understand," Sona said, her voice serene. "I will make the necessary arrangements. And about more wives, Riser? Are you considering it?"
Riser shrugged, maintaining his serene gaze. "I have a short list of possibilities."
Sona raised an eyebrow, her voice filled with curiosity and a touch of provocation. "Is my sister or Rias on this list?"
Riser merely smiled, leaving the answer in the air, his gaze meeting Sona's in an enigmatic manner.
"Be honest and direct, Riser."
"Your sister, yes. As for Rias, I'm still uncertain; it depends on how my plans unfold."
"Having the same man as my sister..." Sona hesitated for a moment before continuing, "bothers me."
Riser tilted his head slightly, keeping his gaze fixed on Sona. "It bothers you?"
"Yes, but at the same time... I never imagined her with any other Devil besides you," Sona admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of discomfort and acceptance.
Riser nodded, satisfied with Sona's honesty. "I understand. But know that, no matter what happens, you will always be my first wife and the future queen of the underworld. Nothing will change that."
Sona rose from the chair, keeping her gaze fixed on Riser for another moment. She allowed herself a small smile, a mix of acceptance and a hint of provocation in her eyes.
"Thank you, dear, for telling me the truth. I'll go now to do my part," said Sona, straightening her posture and beginning to walk away. "Good luck seducing my sister; you'll need it."
Sona turned and walked toward the office door, her expression controlled and firm. As she opened the door, she glanced back briefly, as if wanting to capture the moment before leaving definitively. Without another word, Sona closed the door softly, leaving Riser alone in the silence of the office.
Clack.
Riser watched the door close, and a thought crossed his mind.
'How would she react if she knew that Serafall has romantic feelings for her? That would indeed leave her perplexed.'
...
Hours passed.
Serafall materialized in Riser's living room, her clothes still slightly billowing after the teleportation. She seemed tired but determined. Riser looked up from some papers he was reading and stood up.
"Did you finish the preparations for the farewell ceremony?" Riser asked, his voice calm but with a hint of curiosity.
Serafall nodded slightly, her eyes meeting Riser's. "Yes, everything is ready. The ceremony will be held as planned. All details have been arranged, and representatives from the Norse Mythology, Greek Mythology, Heaven, the Fallen Angels, and the Youkai are confirmed. They all wish to participate, either through a representative or their own leaders."
Riser raised an eyebrow, visibly interested. "And you allowed them to participate?"
Serafall nodded again. "Yes, I thought it was important to show unity. We are not only mourning our losses but also showing the world that the underworld is still a force. Each of these factions has its own reasons for being present, and this strengthens our position."
Riser smiled slightly, satisfied. "You did well. Let them participate. We need allies, and above all, we need to show that we are still strong."
Serafall smiled, though somewhat tiredly. "That's what we are trying to do. Despite the sadness, this ceremony will be a symbol of who we are and what we can still be."
Riser placed a hand on Serafall's shoulder, his expression serious but with a touch of understanding. "That's why we must continue. For them, for the underworld. We are the ones left, and it's our responsibility to ensure their sacrifice wasn't in vain."
Serafall took a deep breath, straightening up and forcing a small smile. "For the sake of the underworld, and for my sister."
Riser nodded, removing his hand from her shoulder. "We are all in this together, Serafall. Now, go rest. Tomorrow will be an important day."
Serafall bowed slightly, her expression more controlled. "Thank you, Riser-chan. I'll do that."
She turned and walked toward the exit of the living room, disappearing in a soft glow of light as she activated her magic circle.
....
At the Gremory mansion
Grayfia was in her room, while Millicas slept peacefully. The silence in the room was broken only by the boy's soft breathing, and Grayfia watched his serene face, trying to push away the disturbing thoughts swirling in her mind.
In the living room, a family meeting was taking place, one to which Grayfia was not invited. Zeoticus, Venelana, Rias, and a few other members of the Gremory family were discussing recent events in the underworld.
However, like any other Devil, Grayfia was fully capable of hearing the conversation from a distance, picking up every word spoken in that environment. Every phrase, every sigh of concern, and every decision made in her absence made Grayfia feel increasingly isolated from the family she once called her own.
'Riser is taking control of the underworld, and he intends to change everything,' Grayfia thought, as her mind echoed Zeoticus's words. She knew that amid the pain and loss, important decisions were being made and that Millicas now needed protection more than ever.
The voices echoed from the living room, and Grayfia could feel the tension and apprehension in each of their words. They discussed the future of the family, what it would mean to submit to Riser's new regime. Venelana spoke with concern about Millicas's safety, while Rias, still devastated by her brother's loss, appeared hesitant to accept the new changes. Zeoticus, on the other hand, mentioned the possibility of Rias approaching Riser, suggesting that by seducing him, she could secure advantages for the Gremory family.
'I can't allow them to decide my son's future without me,' Grayfia thought, her determination growing. She knew she would have to act soon, to protect Millicas from any decision that did not consider his well-being.
Grayfia closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. 'For Sirzechs... for Millicas... I will do whatever is necessary.'
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