"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us to celebrate the engagement of my sister, Rias Gremory, and Kamiyo Tenra of the Phenex family. Please, enjoy yourselves tonight."
From his vantage on the dais, Sirzechs's voice rolled across the grand hall, warm and commanding, drawing the attention of every guest. The Gremorys and Phenexes—two of the Underworld's most illustrious houses—had thrown open their doors, and the nobility had answered. Every prominent clan had sent its finest to witness this union.
Tenra, resplendent in his formal attire, stood at the center of it all. Rias, radiant in her ceremonial gown, glowed at his side. Together, they were the undisputed stars of the evening, surrounded by a constant stream of well-wishers and praise.
"Onii-chan!"
A golden blur shot through the crowd and latched onto Tenra's waist.
Twin drills, a princess's poise—Ravel Phenex.
"Ravel, Mother—you both made it."
Tenra ruffled Ravel's hair, smiling as Lady Phenex approached, her elegance undiminished by the excitement in her eyes.
"Of course we came, Tenra onii-chan. Rias onee-san, congratulations to you both!" Ravel beamed, her voice sweet and sincere.
"We wouldn't miss your engagement for the world, dear. And you'd better take good care of Rias from now on." Lady Phenex's gaze was gentle but sharp, a mother's warning wrapped in warmth.
"I will…" Tenra promised, a little embarrassed.
"Thank you for your blessings, Ravel-san, Lady Phenex." Rias's voice was barely above a whisper, her cheeks flushed.
After a round of pleasantries, Lady Phenex drifted off to mingle with her circle of noblewomen, leaving Ravel at Tenra's side. The girl's eyes shimmered with something unreadable as she watched him.
"Rias, Kamiyo Tenra—congratulations."
"Wishing you a long and happy union."
Sona Sitri arrived, her peerage in tow. Her tone was formal, but the glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement.
"Oh, come on, Sona! Not you too!" Rias huffed, glaring.
"President Sona, please don't tease us…" Tenra muttered, rubbing his nose in defeat.
Behind Sona, her peerage giggled like silver bells. Sona adjusted her glasses, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "Opportunities like this are rare. I couldn't resist."
She softened, her voice lowering. "Whatever you two choose for the future, today is your day. Savor it."
Tenra and Rias exchanged a glance—and immediately looked away, flustered. Sona caught it all, her smile growing.
Suddenly, a ripple of excitement passed through the hall. The crowd parted, and two young devils—a man and a woman—strode toward the center.
"Hahaha… Rias, I hear you're engaged to the Phenex kid. Congratulations!"
The young man's laughter was bold and infectious. He wasn't conventionally handsome, but there was a rugged charisma in his sharp black eyes, the bearing of a lion who'd faced a thousand battles.
"Sairaorg… even you?" Rias pressed a hand to her forehead, half-exasperated.
Her brother had really gone all out—every major noble in the Underworld was here. Rias couldn't decide whether to be touched or overwhelmed.
"Of course! As your cousin and the next head of House Bael, I couldn't possibly miss this." Sairaorg grinned, then turned to Tenra. "So, you're Rias's fiancé—Kamiyo Tenra?"
"That's me. You must be Sairaorg."
"That's right."
The two men locked eyes, sparks flying between them. Before anyone could react, both threw a punch—fist meeting fist with a thunderous boom that rattled the hall and drew every gaze.
"I've heard about you, you know—the former 'waste' of the Underworld, Kamiyo Tenra." Sairaorg's stare was fierce, his tone teasing.
"Right back at you, Sairaorg." Tenra's eyes narrowed, a smirk on his lips.
Tension crackled. For a heartbeat, it seemed a fight would break out—but then both men burst into laughter, withdrawing their fists.
"Not bad, Kamiyo Tenra! You really are as interesting as they say."
"You're not half bad yourself, Sairaorg."
"Someday, let's settle it—see which of us 'Underworld's twin washouts' is stronger."
"Looking forward to it."
The sudden camaraderie had Rias and the other girls sighing in relief—then glaring at the two men in exasperation.
A tall, elegant girl with ash-grey hair and glasses stepped forward, extending a hand. "I'm Seekvaira Agares. Pleased to meet you, Kamiyo Tenra. On behalf of House Agares, congratulations to you and Rias."
Tenra shook her hand, recalling her reputation. "The honor's mine, Seekvaira-san—one of the new generation's Four Heavenly Kings."
Seekvaira's lips quirked. "Actually, it's Five Heavenly Kings now."
"Five?" Tenra blinked.
"Don't tell me you haven't heard?" Sairaorg laughed. "Kamiyo Tenra, you're the fifth!"
Rias just looked resigned.
Tenra couldn't help laughing. So he'd become the Underworld's fifth Heavenly King—an honor most would kill for, but which meant little to him.
The five of them—Tenra, Rias, Sairaorg, Sona, and Seekvaira—stood together, the undisputed center of attention, the future of the Underworld's elite. Even Ravel watched in awe, her eyes shining with admiration.
As Tenra chatted with Sairaorg, he suddenly felt a chill—a venomous gaze boring into him from across the room. He turned, searching the crowd.
There. A familiar figure, lurking at the edge.
Tenra's eyes widened, then he grinned.
Well, well—if it isn't Diodora.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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