Riser straightened his clothes and looked at himself in the mirror. He studied his image with satisfaction, making sure every detail was impeccable. His expression exuded confidence, a smug smile playing on his lips as he admired his own appearance. "Couldn't even wrinkle my clothes," he murmured to himself, feeling invincible after the successful duel with Azazel. With one last adjustment to his hair, he opened the bathroom door and stepped out with confident strides.
Riser found Sona and Tsubaki waiting for him in the hallway.
"Took you long enough!" exclaimed Sona, her voice playful as she shot Riser a teasing glance. "Thought you were going to the bathroom, not building one."
Riser laughed, his smug smile showcasing his unwavering confidence.
"Well, I like to ensure everything is perfect," he replied, his voice calm and self-assured as he adjusted the lapel of his suit. "After all, I can't afford to look anything less than impeccable at my own party."
Tsubaki watched the two with a discreet smile, her expression serene as she absorbed their interaction.
"You look great, Riser-sama," commented Tsubaki, her voice soft and respectful. "I'm sure all the guests will be impressed by your presence."
Riser smiled at Tsubaki, grateful for her sincere compliment.
"Thank you, Tsubaki," he replied, his voice gentle as he cast an approving glance at his wife's queen. "You look very elegant tonight as well. I'm sure you'll make a great impression on our guests too."
Tsubaki blushed slightly at Riser's praise, her expression grateful as she lowered her eyes in thanks.
"Thank you, Riser-sama," she replied, her voice soft and shy. "It's a pleasure to serve you."
As the three continued to converse, Yubelluna approached them with a determined look on her face.
"Riser-sama, everything is ready for the party," Yubelluna informed him, her voice gentle. "The guests will start arriving soon."
Riser nodded, pleased with Yubelluna's report.
"Great job, Yubelluna," he praised her, his voice gentle as he looked at his queen with approval. "I'm looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds tonight."
Yubelluna nodded, a slight smile of satisfaction playing on her lips.
Gremory Mansion
Rias was heading to her parents' room when she heard an argument. Intrigued, she stopped in the hallway and listened carefully.
"You can't just ignore her wishes, Zeoticus!" Venelana's voice echoed down the corridor, full of frustration.
"I know what's best for our daughter, Venelana," replied Zeoticus, his voice firm and determined. "She will follow what's been decided."
Rias furrowed her brow, concerned about the tension she could feel in her parents' voices. She decided to enter the room and confront them.
"What's going on?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern as she crossed her arms in front of her parents.
Venelana sighed, her expression softening as she saw her daughter before her.
"Rias, dear, don't worry about this," she said, her voice gentle as she approached Rias and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's just a minor disagreement between your father and me."
Rias looked at her mother with an inquisitive expression, her eyebrows furrowing with concern.
"A disagreement about what?" she asked, her voice sounding uncertain.
Zeoticus sighed, his expression serious as he looked at Rias.
"It's about your marriage, Rias," he said, his voice firm and authoritative. "And you won't be able to escape it this time."
Rias's eyes widened in surprise, her heart pounding fast in her chest as she absorbed her father's words.
"What marriage?" she exclaimed, her voice sounding a bit shrill. "Riser already married Sona!"
"We're talking about Diodora Astaroth," explained Zeoticus, his expression serious as he looked at Rias. "He's your betrothed."
Rias felt like she had been punched in the stomach, her mind spinning with disbelief at her father's revelation.
"Never!" she declared with determination, her voice firm and decisive. "I will not marry someone I don't love."
Zeoticus sighed, his expression showing a mix of frustration and concern.
"Rias," he began, his voice sounding a bit irritated. "If you try to do anything to disrupt this engagement, I'll take away your entire Peerage from you."
Rias swallowed hard, her heart tight with her father's threat. She knew he was serious and that she couldn't afford to defy his orders.
"Understood, father," she murmured, her voice soft and resigned. "I won't interfere."
Venelana cast a worried look at Rias, her expression showing compassion for her daughter's difficult situation.
"Rias, dear, we only want what's best for you," she said, her voice gentle and comforting as she approached Rias and enveloped her in a warm embrace. "Please, try to understand."
Rias pulled away from her mother's embrace and left the room with tears in her eyes. She felt betrayed and confused, unsure how to deal with her father's shocking revelation about her engagement to Diodora Astaroth. As she walked down the hallway, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, but she knew she needed a moment to herself to process everything she had just heard.
Akeno, ready to go to Riser's party, watched Rias crying in the hallway. Her expression immediately turned to concern at seeing her friend in such a state.
"Rias, what happened? Why are you crying?" asked Akeno, going to Rias and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Rias, with red eyes from tears, tried to compose herself quickly.
"Nothing, Akeno," she replied, her voice choked as she tried to control her emotions. "I'm just feeling a bit tired."
Akeno furrowed her brow, realizing that something deeper was going on with Rias. She wasn't naive enough to believe that excuse.
Rias walked down the hallway toward her room, feeling overwhelmed by her father's shocking revelation. She needed a moment to herself to process everything she had just heard. Akeno, worried about her friend, followed closely behind, her expression full of compassion.
When they reached Rias's room, Akeno closed the door behind them and turned to her friend, ready to offer support.
"Rias, what's going on? Why are you so upset?" asked Akeno, her voice soft and concerned as she approached Rias.
Rias flopped onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow as tears continued to roll down her cheeks.
"My father arranged another marriage contract," sobbed Rias, her voice choked with emotion. "And this time it's with Diodora Astaroth."
Akeno sat beside Rias, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder and offering her a tissue to wipe away the tears.
"I'm so sorry, Rias," murmured Akeno, her voice gentle and understanding as she tried to comfort her friend. "I can't imagine what you're going through."
Rias sobbed harder, feeling completely lost at the prospect of marrying someone she didn't love.
"I can't marry him, Akeno," lamented she, her voice filled with despair. "I just want to choose my own destiny."
Akeno hugged Rias, holding her gently as she tried to comfort her.
"Rias, we can't just let this happen," said Akeno, her voice determined. "There must be something we can do to stop this engagement. Like you did when you were engaged to Riser."
Rias looked at Akeno, her red eyes showing the anguish she felt.
"Not this time, Akeno," replied Rias, her voice trembling. "My father threatened to take you all away from me if I try to interfere."
Akeno furrowed her brow, feeling a mix of anger and sadness for her friend's situation.
"He can't do that," declared Akeno, her voice full of indignation. "We're your Peerage, your family. He can't just take us away from you."
Rias sighed, feeling powerless against her father's threats.
"I know, Akeno," she murmured, her voice filled with despair. "But I can't risk losing you all. You're all I have."
"You won't be without us, Rias," declared Akeno, her voice firm and decisive.
As the two friends talked in Rias's room, Koneko was outside, worried about the well-being of her companions.
"Why are they taking so long?" thought Koneko to herself, her expression worried as she approached the door to Rias's room.
Koneko gently knocked on the door, waiting for a response from her friends.
"Rias-sempai, Akeno-sempai, are you okay?" asked Koneko, her voice soft and worried echoing down the hallway.
Akeno looked at the door, realizing that Koneko was concerned about them.
"We're okay, Koneko," replied Akeno, her voice soft and reassuring. "Just need a moment to talk."
Koneko nodded, feeling relieved to know that her friends were okay.
"If you need anything, I'll be out here," said Koneko, her voice soft as she moved away from the door.
Rias looked at Akeno, her expression determined as she wiped the last tears from her face.
"I think we should go to Riser's party," suggested Rias, her voice sounding firmer now. "We can't let this stop us from living our lives."
Akeno smiled at Rias, proud of her determination.
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