The grand Gremory estate stood as a testament to centuries of devilish prestige, yet its youngest heiress, Rias Gremory, couldn't have cared less about its grandeur at the moment. In her luxurious, crimson-accented room, she paced back and forth, her arms crossed, her crimson hair catching the light as she muttered to herself.
"Raizer Phoenix," she spat the name as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth. "That self-absorbed, egotistical playboy! I don't care how powerful or connected he is, there is no way I'm marrying someone like him."
The source of her frustration sat on her bedside table—a formal letter from the Devil Council, outlining the decree that she and Raizer were to be wed to strengthen ties between the Gremory, Beal, and Phoenix clans.
"This is absurd," Rias muttered, her pacing growing more frantic. "They're trying to control me, to use me as a political pawn. And to pair me with him? The man's reputation is a disgrace!"
Her peerage, gathered in the corner of the room, exchanged hesitant glances. It wasn't often they saw Rias this upset, and none of them were quite sure how to handle it.
The Rumors About Raizer
The rumors surrounding Raizer Phoenix were enough to make Rias's blood boil. According to whispers in devil society, he was nothing more than a spoiled, power-hungry playboy who relied on his wealth and influence to get what he wanted. He was said to throw extravagant parties, flaunt his status, and treat others like pawns in his ever-expanding game of ambition.
And now, thanks to the council's decree, Rias was expected to marry him? To tie herself to someone she was certain was arrogant and shallow? The very thought made her want to scream.
"Why him?" Rias asked aloud, her voice tinged with frustration. "Out of all the devils in the underworld, why did it have to be him?"
A Peerage Discussion
Akeno, her queen, finally stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Lady Rias, I understand how frustrating this must be. But perhaps we shouldn't jump to conclusions. The rumors about Lord Raizer might not be entirely accurate."
Rias turned to her, her crimson eyes blazing. "Akeno, you've heard the same things I have. The man's a tyrant! A spoiled, power-obsessed playboy who thinks the world revolves around him."
Kiba, her knight, chimed in cautiously, "It's true that rumors can be exaggerated. Maybe we should try to learn more about him before deciding how to proceed."
Rias shook her head firmly. "I don't need to learn more to know that this marriage is a terrible idea. I've worked hard to build my own path, to prove I'm more than just a Gremory. And now they want to tie me to someone who embodies everything I despise about devil society?"
Gasper, peeking out nervously from behind a bookshelf, whispered, "Maybe… maybe you could just talk to him? Find out if the rumors are true?"
"No," Rias said sharply. "I won't give him the satisfaction. This isn't just about him—it's about the council thinking they can control me. I won't let them."
Seeking Sona's Advice
Frustrated and needing to vent, Rias decided to visit her best friend, Sona Sitri, at the Sitri family estate. Sona, ever the calm and logical one, was someone Rias trusted implicitly. If anyone could help her make sense of this mess, it was Sona.
The Sitri estate was far more understated than the Gremory estate, reflecting Sona's pragmatic nature. When Rias arrived, she was immediately shown to Sona's study, where the bespectacled devil was seated at a tidy desk, reviewing documents.
"Rias," Sona said, looking up with a small smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Rias didn't waste time with pleasantries. She sat down across from Sona, her frustration evident. "The council has lost their minds. They've decreed that I'm to marry Raizer Phoenix."
Sona blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Raizer Phoenix? That's… unexpected. I'd heard the rumors about his rise, but I didn't think the council would act so soon."
"They think they can use me to control him," Rias said bitterly. "But they don't care what I want. And Raizer? He's exactly the kind of person I've worked my whole life to avoid. Arrogant, shallow, spoiled…"
"Have you met him?" Sona asked, her tone calm.
"No," Rias admitted, crossing her arms. "But I've heard enough. He's a playboy who treats people like tools. I don't need to meet him to know we're completely incompatible."
Sona adjusted her glasses thoughtfully. "I understand your frustration, Rias. This situation isn't fair to you. But the council's decree is not something you can simply ignore. Defying them outright would cause more problems than it solves."
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Rias asked, her voice tinged with desperation. "Just go along with it and hope for the best?"
Sona's Solution
Sona shook her head. "Not necessarily. There's a way to delay the marriage without outright rejecting it."
Rias leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Go on."
"You could request to postpone the marriage until after you graduate from Kuoh Academy," Sona suggested. "Use your education as an excuse. Tell the council that you want to focus on your studies and your responsibilities as a peerage leader for now."
Rias considered this, her fingers tapping against the armrest of her chair. "Would they buy that?"
"They might," Sona replied. "You're young, and it's not unreasonable to prioritize your growth before taking on such a significant commitment. It would also give you time to learn more about Raizer and his intentions—if that's something you're willing to do."
Rias frowned. "I still don't want to marry him, Sona. Delaying it doesn't change that."
"No, but it gives you time to come up with a better solution," Sona said. "Rushing into this won't help anyone. If you wait, you might find an opportunity to renegotiate—or even avoid the marriage entirely."
Rias's Decision
Rias sighed, leaning back in her chair. Sona's suggestion made sense, but it didn't make her feel any better about the situation. Still, it was better than outright surrendering to the council's will.
"All right," she said finally. "I'll request a postponement. But only because I need time to figure out how to get out of this mess."
Sona offered a reassuring smile. "It's a good first step, Rias. And whatever happens, I'll support you."
"Thank you, Sona," Rias said, her voice softening. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
A Temporary Reprieve
As Rias left the Sitri estate, she felt a small sense of relief. The idea of delaying the marriage gave her a sliver of control in an otherwise uncontrollable situation.
But deep down, her feelings toward Raizer hadn't changed. She still saw him as everything she despised about devil society, and she was determined to avoid being tied to him forever.
For now, she had bought herself some time.
But the battle was far from over.
This revised chapter highlights Rias's strong prejudice against Raizer, her venting session with Sona, and Sona's pragmatic advice to delay the marriage. Let me know if you'd like to expand or adjust any sections!