"Rias, you're the princess of House Gremory—noble, beautiful, accomplished. In the Underworld or the human world, you've got more admirers than you could ever count."
"I'm just a regular guy, and of course I'm drawn to someone as incredible as you. That's the truth."
"But—"
"I'm Tenra Kamiyo. If I want someone, I'll chase her myself. I'll claim her with my own hands. I don't need a family contract to win you over."
"Rias, is that reason enough?"
The room fell dead silent. Every girl stared at Tenra, stunned.
Akeno's eyes shimmered with admiration; Yubelluna's group looked at Tenra with burning devotion.
Confident, bold, yet gentle—this was their master.
Rias was left speechless, her cheeks ablaze with embarrassment. Anger? Forgotten.
He was so blunt!
But what shocked Rias most was that, despite Tenra's direct—almost shameless—confession, she didn't feel angry. Instead… she found herself agreeing with him.
Looking at Tenra's proud, fearless gaze, for the first time, Rias felt a flutter in her chest—a girl's heart skipping a beat.
"So… what do you suggest?"
Rias struggled to keep her voice steady.
She wasn't arguing anymore. She'd accepted his reason. Tenra paused, then spoke:
"Our engagement was arranged by Father and Sirzechs. If we want to break it, we need a solid excuse."
"How about this: when you've assembled your peerage, we'll have a Rating Game. I'll throw the match, let you win, and you'll have the grounds to dissolve our engagement."
Akeno rolled her eyes. What a terrible idea—yet, somehow, it made sense.
But if Tenra lost on purpose, his reputation would take a nosedive. The whole Underworld would know that the fourth son of House Phenex was dumped by his fiancée—couldn't even beat a girl.
Tenra didn't seem to care, but Yubelluna's group looked pained, glancing at Rias with a hint of hostility.
"You want me to throw a match?"
Rias was incredulous.
Tenra could understand her reaction. For young devils like Rias, Rating Games were sacred. Faking a match was unthinkable—an insult to everything she believed in.
Someday, Rias would learn the truth behind those "sacred" games. For now, Tenra kept that to himself.
"It's not cheating—just using the system. That way, if you ask to break the engagement, neither Father nor Sirzechs can object."
He stroked his chin, voice calm.
"No! Rating Games are sacred—I won't defile them!"
"Tenra Kamiyo, I misjudged you!"
"Akeno, we're leaving!"
Disappointed and angry, Rias grabbed Akeno's hand and stormed toward the door.
Tenra only shrugged. He'd offered a solution; if she wouldn't accept, so be it. He wasn't the one getting married.
But at the door, Rias stopped suddenly.
"Fine! We'll settle it with a Rating Game!"
Tenra blinked, then grinned.
"Oh? Rias, have you come around?"
Under Tenra and Yubelluna's expectant eyes, Rias turned, her posture regal. She pointed at Tenra, her presence commanding.
"Tenra Kamiyo, once I gather my peerage, we'll face off in a Rating Game!"
"But I don't want you to go easy on me. You'll fight with everything you've got!"
"I, Rias Gremory, will defeat you myself—and then I'll ask my brother and Duke Phenex to dissolve our engagement!"
Rias's voice echoed through the room. Tenra's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening.
"Are you sure, Rias? Even after seeing my match with Riser?"
"If you win, the engagement ends. But if you lose?"
Rias had her pride; Tenra had his dignity. Backing down now would be cowardly.
"If I lose… I'll marry you. For real."
Face burning, Rias dragged Akeno out of the room.
"Tenra, come to school soon—we'll be waiting…"
Watching them leave, Tenra's smile grew sly.
Interesting. Looks like I really might gain another wife…
Rias Gremory.
Steam whistles echoed as the crimson train sped away from Phenex territory.
Inside a luxurious compartment, Rias sat by the window, scarlet hair spilling down her back, her delicate hand pressed to her cheek.
It should have been a picture-perfect scene—except for the shadow of melancholy in her eyes.
"Rias, are you still upset?"
Akeno set down a cup of tea and took the seat beside her.
Rias turned, uncertainty flickering in her gaze.
"Hey, Akeno… Was I too harsh earlier?"
Akeno paused, then smiled softly.
"Maybe a little. But Tenra won't mind."
"Hmph, you really do trust that guy."
"Of course. You saw it too, didn't you? He's so bold, sometimes gentle… That's my Tenra. Impossible not to fall for him."
Rias watched Akeno's eyes shine with adoration and couldn't help but twitch her lips.
Hopeless. This girl's beyond saving…
"Hey, Rias, Tenra's gotten unbelievably strong. Even Riser couldn't beat him. Are you sure you can win?"
"If you lose, you'll really have to marry him."
Akeno's eyes sparkled mischievously—not exactly concerned for Rias.
"Wh-Who wants to marry him? I won't lose!"
Rias tried to sound confident, though panic flashed in her eyes.
"Akeno, you'll help me, right?"
She regretted her impulsive challenge, but there was no turning back now. She'd just have to go all in.
Tenra's strength was daunting, but if she worked hard, found powerful servants and comrades—maybe, just maybe, she could win…
"Ara ara, of course. I'll help you beat Tenra with everything I've got."
"After all, I don't want another Rias competing for my Tenra."
The first part warmed Rias's heart—but the second made her face darken.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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