Emiya residence.
Evening.
There was a deafening silence in the living room, and my eyebrow occasionally twitched at the looks I received from some of the people present.
Across from me sat a nervous Rias and Sona, while their entourages silently watched from the sidelines. Heiress Gremory's mouth was opening and closing, and Heiress Sitri was adjusting her glasses every now and then. In short, they were still reeling from what had happened, even considering that a decent amount of time had already passed since the incident had ended.
The church trio was also present. Zenobia and Irina looked as if they had met God himself, that is, with eyes shining with fanaticism and a happy expression on their faces. But I was disturbed by the strange behavior of Griselda, who from time to time furtively cast a strange glance at me, and then turned her head as if to drive away some thought.
The Pendragon family was here, too. Arthur and Le Fay stood behind Morgan, looking merrily at the stunned Artoria and Lancelot and the irritated Merlin. Mordred, on the other hand, kept her eyes averted from the 'father' figure with his fists clenched tightly. The rest of my Servants simply waited for the outcome of events from behind me.
- So," I began, "What can I do for you? Hopefully nothing, and you'll be leaving right now.
- We... apologize for such a sudden visit, Romani... sensei," Sona took the floor, gathering her will in her fist, "But the question of your identity is extremely important to us.
- Sona is right. The return of Solomon himself is an important event for the entire demon race. Especially the members of the Pillars. - Rias backed her up.
- Cool, but I'm not interested. Get outta here.
- You do realize that even if we leave now, the Demon Lords and the Council will not just leave you? - Sona asked, ignoring me.
- Like the debt collectors? I didn't take out a loan, I don't think.
- You're having fun, huh? - Rias crossed her arms - Do you have any idea what will happen when they find out? Those old men will try to get rid of you. Solomon is the only man who has subjugated the entire demon race. And some, if not most, won't just go along for the ride.
- Oh? For the record, I'm not going to rule the Underworld just because I'm the reincarnation of Solomon. Too much time and energy wasted, if you ask me.
- They don't care," Sona intervened, "The Council is made up of very old demons. Those who are used to solving problems quickly and radically. The Lords are more modern in their thinking, and will probably just want to talk to you.
- Just talk? More like interrogate," I rolled my eyes, to which Sona chose to remain silent, "It would be like three evil uncles plus one aunt surrounding poor me like a good old porno, wouldn't it?
- I'd like to see that. - Akeno cooed.
- Stay away from me, SM devotee. Not for you to color. - I said, to which Akeno...looked upset? - If that's all, please leave. Too many people for someone like me.
- Okay! - Rias jumped up and pointed her finger at me - Since you're being an asshole and you don't need help, we'll leave! But you still have to answer the Lords' questions, or else...?
- Or else?
- Like Sona said, there will be attempts on your life. Don't you realize we want to help you?
- OK.
- Why are you being so insufferable, for God's sake?! - She shrieked irritably and grimaced in pain, as did all the other demons present.
- Ok.
Rias' face turned as red as her hair, and smoke naturally began to billow from her head. With a loud stomp and a grunt, she stood beside her entourage and, activating a magic circle, teleported out of the house.
At this, Sona rubbed the bridge of her nose and then gave me an annoyed look.
- Wasn't there any other way to send her away?
- She, unlike you, tends to follow her emotions rather than reason," I grinned and produced a cup of coffee from which I took a sip. "And how did she become an heiress with such self-control? By proxy, I suppose?
- I... understand your argument. She's impulsive, fickle and unruly. And I'd rather Millicas take the place of Gremory's heir than Rias.
- Oh? That's rather interesting coming from a close friend.
- Don't misunderstand. I do consider her a close friend and value our friendship, but more than that. Rias is my rival and object of comparison. Our circumstances are identical. Both she and I are younger sisters of Demon Lords, descendants of the Pillars and heirs to those very Pillars. However, we are... different.
- President? - Tsubaki asked cautiously.
Sona paused and closed her eyes.
- As much as I hate to admit it, Rias is extremely spoiled and undisciplined. She's also not self-sufficient. Where I've gotten rid of an imposed marriage with my own hands, she's enlisted the help of her retinue, though that's definitely not their concern. I'm basically the only one in charge of the city, and her retinue..." she continued, then opened her eyes and looked at me, "Do you know about Gasper, the second bishop of Rias?
- The dhampir under the seven seals? - I rolled my eyes - Uh-huh. Poor guy hasn't seen sunlight in who knows how long.
- I'm not surprised you know about him, but, yeah," Sona nodded, "She can't even properly deal with the problems of her retinue, even though she proudly calls herself King.
- Hmph! - Gilgamesh snorted, drawing attention to himself - There is only one King - that's me, all the others are just mutts calling themselves such. But I am amused by her self-confidence. Tell me, demon, what does the word 'King' mean to you if you are so comfortable criticizing your friend?
- "King" is not an honor, it's a burden. Not a favor, but a sentence. A "King" is obligated to give his people what they need, not what they want. This I have learned from conversations with my sister and my own observations. Look at her, her comical and surreal image of a girl wizard makes demons forget the past and move forward. - At her words, not only me, but everyone present rounded their eyes, and a wild grin appeared on Gilgamesh's face.
- Interesting words, girl, - now Morgan intervened, who looked at Sona with intrigue - And if this "King" is a tyrant in the eyes of the people?
- If it will ensure the future of the people, I don't see the problem.
Yup... This Sona is straight up a treasure chest. Such confidence in her gaze and words that gave me goosebumps. Her words definitely impressed Gilgamesh, Morgan, Merlin, Lancelot and Artoria. Especially Artoria, judging by her clenched fists. I don't know how exactly Sona gained such maturity, but I can tell you that I'm definitely shocked.
- Sona Sitri," I started, to which she turned her gaze on me, "Will you marry me?
- WHAT?! - shrieked everyone present in general. And even the Assassins widened their eyes at my words.
- Master, are you a pedophile? - Emiya asked with a twitching eyebrow.
- Are you out of your mind! - Artoria was indignant.
- Well, I certainly don't mind her candidacy. - Morgan grinned.
- Aaaaaaah~ - clapped her hands together Tia.
- You're too old for President! - Shouted Saji.
- Disgusting. - Griselda hissed, glaring at me.
- W-w-what are you n-what are you talking about?! - Sona, blushing like a tomato, exclaimed, frantically adjusting her glasses.
- ... I would have said, if you were older. - I continued and grinned. Sona and everyone else froze in surprise, and then started pointing their fingers at me, not knowing what to say.
Heh. Did they really think that I would seriously consider it? I'm definitely not against the idea, though.
- This isn't funny, damn it! - Sona shouted after seeing my smirk, ''You can't play with a girl's heart like that!
- It's not my fault you didn't finish listening to me, is it?
- Your tone didn't promise a continued sentence, bastard-sensei!
Hehe. Her over-emotional face looked so funny and adorable that I even glared at it. It was like an adorable kitten that was just begging to be pity and petted. It's beautiful.
- Why are you so excited? Don't tell me you're okay with the idea? - I asked with a sweet smile on my face.
- No!" Sona whirled her head around, "Not in this life or the next, I'm not going to be your wife, dammit!
- Oh? You're breaking my heart, So-tan," I said with a sad face, clutching my heart, "But you can come to me whenever you want if you need to hide from Sera, okay?
- I'm done! - she jumped up and walked over to her entourage - We're leaving!
- But, President-" Tsubaki began cautiously.
- I said we're leaving! - Tsubaki interrupted Sona, forming a magic circle underneath her, and then gave me one last look - See you next time, you bastard-sensei!
And in a brief flash of light, Sona and her entourage disappeared from the residence. And I looked back at the group of Pendragons and the church trio.
- So, with you now. Or shall we reschedule this conversation for another day? I wouldn't mind that. Uh-huh-uh.
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