Riser nodded in response to Yubelluna's warning about the guests' departure.
"Thank you, Yubelluna, I'll check the posts later," he said, turning to Akeno and Sona with a confident look. "And as for Rias's wedding, I have nothing to do with it."
Sona smiled satisfied to hear Riser's statement, appreciating his clear and firm position on the matter. Meanwhile, Akeno felt uncomfortable with his response, unable to shake off the feeling that something was wrong.
"It's just that I thought you..." Akeno started, her voice faltering as she tried to express her concern.
"Thought what?" Sona asked, her expression serious as she looked at Akeno. "Riser is my husband and hasn't been engaged to Rias for a long time."
"Sorry, Akeno, she's just worried about me and ended up speaking without thinking," explained Rias, her voice calm and controlled.
Akeno lowered her head, feeling sad and helpless at Riser's response. She knew that as the queen of Rias's Peerage, she would have to serve Diodora, which would make the situation even more difficult for her. A foolish thought crossed her mind, a fleeting hope that Riser, knowing this, could intervene and save her from this unwanted fate. However, she quickly realized the futility of that thought, an illusion of a woman in love.
Riser watched Akeno with a subtle smile playing on his lips. He noticed her tense expression and decided to tease her a little.
"So, Akeno, I see you have some expectations regarding me," he commented, his voice suggestive. "Any special reason for that?"
Akeno looked up to meet his gaze, her tense expression revealing her surprise at Riser's direct question. She pondered for a moment before deciding to respond, her voice slightly hesitant.
Before Akeno could say any words, Rias intervened, her voice cutting through the air firmly.
"You should know, Riser," said Rias, addressing the Phenex heir directly, "that when you and I were engaged, you kissed her."
Akeno felt surprised by Rias's revelation, her heart beating faster as she processed her friend's words. She looked at Riser, her eyes searching for any sign of response to Rias's accusation.
Riser, on the other hand, remained calm and confident, his arrogant smile still present on his lips. He looked at Rias with a disdainful look, his expression revealing his contempt for her words.
"Ah, Rias, always so dramatic," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "An innocent kiss means nothing."
Rias raised an eyebrow, her expression becoming even more serious at Riser's response.
Meanwhile, Sona pretended to cough discreetly, drawing everyone's attention to her. She looked at Riser with an annoyed expression.
"You didn't tell me you were so close to Rias's Queen, dear," said Sona, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she watched Riser's reaction.
Riser raised an eyebrow, his smile gradually fading as he processed Sona's words. He felt momentarily taken aback by her observation, but quickly regained his usual composure.
"Darling, that was when I was still engaged to Rias," said Riser, his voice tinged with apologies. "I didn't even consider marrying you, and it was in the heat of the moment."
Akeno, upon hearing Riser's words, felt a mix of surprise and disappointment. She couldn't believe he was trying to downplay the kiss they shared.
"I'm sorry, I took advantage of the situation at that moment," continued Riser, his voice softening slightly as he realized the intensity of Akeno's reaction.
Sona relaxed a bit; she had decided not to be upset with Riser for the shared kiss with Akeno, but she was determined to express her disappointment for not being informed about the incident.
"I don't mind that you kissed Akeno, the problem is not telling me about it," said Sona, her voice calm. "But you can forget it; I won't be mad about it."
Riser nodded, feeling a momentary relief at hearing Sona's words. He knew he had disappointed his wife by not sharing all the details of his interaction with Akeno, but he was grateful for her understanding.
"Thank you, Sona, I really appreciate your understanding," he replied, his tone sincere. "I promise to be more transparent in the future."
Akeno looked at Riser, her expression still tense as she processed her own emotions. She knew she needed to confront Riser about her feelings, but she hesitated to do so in front of others.
"And you, Akeno, are free to stay with Riser if he wants," said Sona, her voice soft and encouraging.
Akeno swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nervous at Sona's suggestion. She looked at Riser, her eyes searching his for any sign of reciprocity.
Riser looked at Akeno with seriousness, his eyes locked on hers as he tried to read her emotions. Akeno felt uncomfortable under Riser's penetrating gaze, her mind spinning as she tried to figure out what he was thinking.
"When Rias planned to betray me with Issei, how much did you know?" Riser asked, his voice calm but firm.
Akeno fell silent for a moment, her thoughts swirling as she struggled to find an appropriate response. She didn't want to betray Rias's trust, but she also didn't want to hide the truth from Riser.
"She didn't know anything," replied Rias, sighing as she recalled past events. "I decided at the last minute and went to Issei's room, and it happened as you know."
Riser slowly stood up from his chair, his expression serious as he processed Rias's words. Everyone in the room fell silent, concerned about Riser's possible reaction to the revelation.
"I don't care if you're going to marry Diodora or Issei, Rias," said Riser, his voice calm as he looked at her. "But if you want me and Akeno to have any involvement, or if she doesn't share your fate with the Astaroth family, hand Akeno over to my Peerage."
Everyone in the room was surprised by Riser's words, especially Rias. She looked at him with a mix of shock and confusion, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Yubelluna and Merlin, let's go," said Riser, turning to his servants. "Are you coming with me, Sona?"
Sona nodded, rising from the table along with Tsubaki and following Riser out of the room, leaving Rias, Akeno, and Koneko behind.
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