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...
The carriage pulled directly into the castle courtyard. Badr and the others followed Rias out, greeted by two lines of impeccably dressed maids flanking a pristine red carpet.
The display was extravagant.
Badr, still adjusting to his new life as a Devil, couldn't help but think, 'This is some serious aristocratic excess'.
'Plenty of opportunities for a kept man here.'
They proceeded along the red carpet into the castle.
A small figure darted from the ranks of maids and ran towards them.
"Aunt Rias, you're back!" A young boy with fiery red hair embraced Rias enthusiastically.
"Millicas, I'm home!" Rias smiled warmly. "You've grown taller!"
She turned to introduce the boy to Badr and the others. "This is Millicas Gremory, my nephew, the son of my brother, Sirzechs Lucifer."
'Nephew?' Badr glanced at Rias, suspecting she might have encouraged the familiar address. He also hadn't realized Sirzechs had a child this old. This was a genuine prince.
Millicas politely greeted Badr and the others. Badr returned the greeting with a smile. Asia and the others were charmed by the boy and promised to play with him later.
"Oh, Rias, you're back!" A melodic voice reached them, and a strikingly beautiful young woman in a formal dress approached. She looked about Rias's age.
Rias's face lit up. "Mother."
Asia and the others were taken aback. This impossibly youthful woman was Rias's mother?
Completely unexpected.
Badr, too, was surprised. This was his future mother-in-law…
Looking closer, he could see the resemblance to Rias. Apart from her flaxen hair, many of her features were nearly identical.
"Rias's mother? She looks so young…" Asia whispered.
Rias chuckled. "Devils can alter their appearance with magic once they reach a certain age. Mother usually maintains an appearance similar to mine."
"Well, it's only natural. Women of a certain age are very particular about their appearance. Is there something wrong with that?" His future mother-in-law said with a smile, her gaze settling on Badr.
"You must be Badr. I've heard so much about you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Madam," Badr replied with a composed smile.
"The pleasure is all mine. I am Venelana Gremory, Rias mother." Venelana studied him with an approving eye. "You certainly have a noble air about you. No wonder Rias is fond of you. She has excellent taste."
"…Mother," Rias murmured, blushing slightly.
Venelana seemed increasingly pleased with Badr, mentioning the possibility of arranging another marriage soon, leaving Rias speechless.
Rias glanced at Badr. Sona's earlier question about their readiness echoed in her mind. She wasn't entirely sure she was prepared to become Badr's wife, unsure if she could shoulder the responsibilities that came with it.
At least wait until graduation, right?
From a human perspective, marrying now felt too soon. She wondered if Badr would feel the same…
Rias was considering things from Badr's point of view, but devils were more direct in these matters…
Akeno and Asia remained composed, though they couldn't help but feel a touch of longing. After Rias and Badr married, it would be their turn…
"It's almost time, Madam, Miss Rias. Lord Gremory has returned and wishes to dine with you." Grayfia's quiet voice interrupted their thoughts.
"Very well." Venelana nodded. "Let's prepare for dinner then. Rias, lead the way."
…
Nightfall.
'Curse these aristocrats,' Badr thought. Even dinner was a grand affair, held in a dedicated hall with a twenty-meter-long table laden with elaborate dishes.
The food itself was exotic and rare, served with exquisite silverware. The meal was undeniably luxurious and looked delicious.
They took their seats, and a middle-aged man entered, taking the head of the table. This was Rias father, the current head of the Gremory Clan.
He was a vigorous-looking man, radiating an aura of power and nobility. He had the Gremory family's signature fiery red hair.
Sirzechs, Rias, and even Millicas all shared the same vibrant hair color. Strong genes, indeed.
"Welcome, members of Rias's peerage. Please make yourselves at home. You are new to the Underworld, so there might be many things you are unfamiliar with. If you have any questions or needs, don't hesitate to ask the maids. Please, don't be shy." Zeoticus Gremory, Rias father, gestured for them to begin their meal.
Badr picked up his silverware, gracefully cutting a piece of steak and savoring its exquisite flavor.
"By the way, Badr," Lord Gremory addressed him.
Badr responded respectfully, "Yes, Lord Gremory?"
"Though this is our first meeting, I have heard much about your accomplishments. Sirzechs speaks highly of you as well."
"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Gremory, and for Sirzechs's praise."
Badr offered a polite smile. His humble demeanor earned a nod of approval from Lord Gremory.
"If there's anything you desire, please don't hesitate to ask."
Badr raised an eyebrow slightly, replying with a calm smile, "Thank you, Lord Gremory. I am content with my current situation. As a Devil, I am still inexperienced, and I will continue to strive for improvement."
Rias beamed, seeing Badr handle himself so gracefully in front of her parents.
Honestly, she had been worried. Given that Badr was a human reincarnated as a Devil, she had been concerned he might find the formalities of Devil aristocracy stifling.
But now, it seemed her worries were unfounded. Badr was impeccable.
His polite and humble demeanor made her heart flutter. Akeno and Asia stared, slightly mesmerized…
The same thought crossed their minds:
'Our man is so powerful, so humble, and so incredibly handsome…'
Lord and Lady Gremory were equally pleased. They had, of course, already investigated Badr's background.
A young man with the potential to become a [Transcendent], possessing High-Class Devil strength that rivaled even Maou-level power, This talent was practically unheard of among the younger generation of Devils!
Zeoticus smiled at Badr, his voice filled with approval. "Badr, from now on, you may call me Father."
Rias's eyes widened, her face flushing crimson. "…Father."
Badr: "…"
'Are all Devils this direct?'
…
It seemed the head of the Gremory clan had decided to make Badr his son-in-law.
Rias, embarrassed, lowered her head and focused on her food, too shy to look at Badr.
Venelana chuckled. "Dear, you're being too hasty. These things take time."
"Eh? Well… I just think they're a perfect match. Rias seems to be quite fond of him, unlike her reaction during the previous engagement…"
"Speaking of which, I have even more reason to scold you. You should consider your daughter's feelings!" Venelana's gentle reprimand made the usually imposing Lord Gremory chuckle awkwardly and nod in agreement.
"By the way… Badr, you'll be staying in the Underworld for a while, correct?" Venelana inquired.
"Yes, I'm here for the Promotion Exam," Badr explained.
Lord and Lady Gremory exchanged a look.
They had almost forgotten that despite Badr's strength, which rivaled that of a Maou, he was still officially ranked as a low-class Devil…
It hadn't been long since Rias had reincarnated him. His growth was astonishing, forcing even the Devil Promotion exams to be adjusted ahead of schedule…
Such talent was truly frightening…
"Well then… that works out perfectly. Before you return, you must learn proper etiquette and decorum, to prepare you for future social gatherings," Venelana stated, her tone leaving little room for argument.
Rias frowned, slamming her hand on the table. "Father, Mother, what is the meaning of this? Please don't interfere with me and my peerage."
She had been worried about Badr adjusting to the Underworld's rigid customs. Seeing him handle himself so well had eased her concerns, but now her parents were starting up.
Venelana's eyes narrowed, her previously warm smile vanishing. "Silence, Rias. You unilaterally broke off your engagement. While you may have won the Rating Game, do you know how much effort your father and Sirzechs put into appeasing the other high-class Devils? This is a matter of our family's reputation."
Her voice softened slightly. "Rias, even as the Maou's sister, you must exercise restraint. That broken engagement should be your last act of defiance."
Rias fell silent. Badr smiled gently, trying to diffuse the tension, and gave Rias a reassuring look. "It's no problem, Lord and Lady Gremory. I'm actually quite interested in learning proper etiquette."
This, of course, was a lie. Who truly enjoyed the superficial niceties of high society?
But it was a small price to pay. It was merely a performance, child's play for him.
Ultimately, his mother-in-law's demands stemmed from a desire to protect the Gremory family's reputation. After all, behaving uncouthly at social gatherings would invite ridicule from other clans.
While Badr believed respect could be earned with fists, since he was in the Underworld, he would play by their rules for now. That would be the best way to silence them.
Zeoticus, Rias's father, observed Badr with a thoughtful expression. He could see that Badr's natural charisma and composure were genuine.
This young man was inherently graceful and confident, possessing an innate aura of refinement. There wasn't much to worry about regarding etiquette.
But at the same time, he was clearly a man with his own mind.
'Ah, these young people nowadays. Their thinking is so much more free. It's not like the old days anymore…'
"Then it's settled," Zeoticus said with a faint smile. "Don't worry too much about it."
"Indeed. Please don't take it to heart. We only ask this because we have your and Rias's future in mind," Venelana added, her warm smile returning.
...
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