章 47: 47. Riser's humiliation and Sona's inquisitiveness.
Omniscient POV
Underworld
In a dark grand room, a petite 8-year-old girl, with her short black hair in a bob cut, and violet eyes, peacefully rests on the bed.
She's Sona Sitri, the only heir of the Sitri Clan. She woke up with a cute moan while spreading her hands.
"Nnnn.."
Upon waking, she adheres to a rigorous routine—studying, refining noble etiquette, delving into politics, and immersing herself in the vast Sitri Clan library. Despite the apparent weight for a young girl, as the Sitri heir, she strives to excel in every aspect. Her exceptional genius, a rarity seen once in several centuries, propels her to work even harder.
After a tough day of work, she only has a bit of time for herself, and she spends it playing with friends.
Currently, she's in the Gremory Clan's territory, playing chess with her best friend Rias Gremory, who's the heir of the clan.
Rias Gremory, 8 years old, has crimson-red hair and blue eyes.
"...and checkmate. That's a win for me, Rias," declares Sona, wearing a smug expression.
Rias pouts, conceding defeat. "I'll definitely defeat you someday," she declares with determination.
Sona smirks, enjoying Rias' annoyance.
"So, how are things going on your end?" inquires Sona, showing concern for her friend.
"What do you mean?" asks Rias, tilting her head in confusion.
"Riser... I'm asking about him. Was he really that bad of a person?" Sona queries with curiosity.
"Of course! He's just the worst. I feel suffocating just sharing the same room as him," exclaims Rias, scowling as if recalling something unpleasant.
"I just can't understand why Otou-sama would arrange a marriage contract with him for me," she says, a mix of sadness and frustration evident in her tone as she reflects on her own father's decision.
Her kind father recently arranged a marriage contract for her with Riser Phenex, the third son of the Phenex Clan. The revelation took her by surprise, and she wasn't the least bit happy about it. Despite being only 16, Riser was widely known throughout the Underworld as a notorious womanizer, a trait that Rias despises. On top of that, he's extremely arrogant.
"You know, Rias, it's for the betterment of the Underworld," says Sona while also expressing concern.
As pure-blood devils, they have a duty to ensure the purity within the devil lineage and prevent its decline. Marrying another pure-blood devil is to secure the legacy of the last remaining Pillar Clans, preventing them from going extinct like many others.
"But why does it have to be him of all people? He's a disgusting pervert and an arrogant asshole. Do you know how he was leering at me at the restaurant that day?" Rias says it with a hint of venom.
"Really?! Is that why you did that?" Sona asks curiously, pondering the incident.
The incident has become infamous throughout the Underworld, particularly among the Pillar Clans.
One month ago, Rias and Riser, both pure devils, were supposed to meet at a luxurious hotel in the Underworld to get to know each other better. What was meant to be a fancy date turned into a disaster.
After just five minutes of their meeting, Rias Gremory threw a glass full of water at Riser Phenex and walked away, leaving him shocked and humiliated. The incident turned into a major scandal, circulating on DeviNet and even among other supernaturals. The reputation of the Phenex Clan took a hit, and Riser became a laughing stock worldwide, while Rias was labeled a snobby brat.
Zeoticus Gremory, the current head of the Gremory Clan, formally apologized to the Phenex Clan for the blatant disrespect, but Rias firmly declined to offer any sort of apology. Despite this, the relationship between the two clans remains intact. The incident became sensational news, with the media discussing it widely.
But thanks to the Phenex Clan's second son, who heads the biggest media company in the Underworld, the scandal quickly died down on DeviNet, and another topic took its place. However, it's undeniable that Riser Phenex will find it harder to regain his pride in the Underworld for at least a few years. Nobles don't easily forget such incidents, and he'll have to prove himself to stand tall again.
"Yes. He's disgusting. He even tried to take me to a room," says Rias angrily.
"What!? That's..." Now Sona was shocked, having never known Riser Phenex personally. She knows he's famous for being arrogant and a playboy, but would he leer at someone as young as Rias? She can't say for sure.
"Did he do something like that?" asks Sona, concerned for her friend.
"Yes! He 'suggested' we should change the place to be able to talk 'freely' 'away' from the 'crowd'," answers Rias immediately, a frown crossing her face as she recalls the incident.
"Oh," replies Sona, her thoughts now contemplating whether Riser explicitly meant to take Rias to a room or not. However, she realizes convincing her stubborn friend might be challenging, especially given Riser's reputation.
Hoping that the relationship between the two improves over time as they meet and understand each other better, Sona also acknowledges that Rias might have been a bit too quick to react in front of the other Pillar Descendants. She believes handling it differently could have been a better approach.
Sona just contemplates whether she might also be plunged into an unwanted marriage contract like Rias, expressing hope that it won't happen to her.
"Rias-sama, it's time for your lessons. And I believe Sona-sama also has her own lessons to attend to now," suddenly says Grayfia Lucifuge, the Strongest Queen of the Underworld and the Head Maid of the Gremory Clan.
"Mou~...Can't we play for a bit more? Please, Grayfia~" pleads Rias cutely.
"No. We're already an hour late. And someone from the Sitri House has also come to get Sona-sama," refuses Grayfia.
Hearing her words, Rias slumps in defeat and gets ready to endure those boring lectures.
"Then, I will leave now. See you later, Rias. Also, it was nice meeting you again, Grayfia-san. Bye," Sona bids her farewell to both of them.
After that, she is teleported to the Sitri House and sits through her studies while contemplating what her stance would be if she were in the same situation as Rias. However, as a pure-blood devil and the heiress, she acknowledges her duty to contribute to the devil race.
*
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*
Later that afternoon, Sona heads to the Human World to meet her friend and potential peerage member, Momo. Concerns about Momo's well-being have lingered for the past few months, prompting Sona to seek advice even from her quirky 'Onee-sama.' The advice hinted at a new male friend for Momo, but why should that be a cause for worry? Is this new acquaintance somehow mistreating or bullying her? [A/N: He is in one sense.🤣]
Determined to uncover the truth, Sona arrives unannounced. Unlike her usual practice of informing Momo in advance, today she opts for a covert approach. Aware that Momo tends to stay somewhere during this time after school each week, Sona intends to investigate and determine if it's related to her new friend.
So, Sona heads toward Momo's school as it's nearing the end of the school day. Among the many children emerging from the gate, she patiently waits until she spots Momo walking out, accompanied by three people. Observing from a distance, Sona begins to piece together the puzzle, her curiosity growing with each passing moment.
Noting the trio with Momo—a boy, and two girls—Sona observes as the group separates. The two girls head in a different direction, leaving Momo to walk with the boy. Sona takes notice as they proceed toward a location entirely opposite to Momo's usual route home. This deviation piques Sona's interest, prompting her to discreetly follow and unravel the mystery surrounding Momo's recent activities.
Unable to hear their conversation, Sona only observes as Momo's face is flushed red. Is it due to some sickness or embarrassment? Sona remains uncertain. Keeping a discreet distance, she wears a black mask and dark glasses, concealing her identity while maintaining her surveillance of Momo and the boy.
Despite the odd looks from the passersby, Sona finds herself a bit embarrassed yet secretly excited. Who wouldn't enjoy playing detective at least once in their life? She acknowledges her lack of a cap and a magnifying glass, lamenting the oversight in her preparation for this impromptu investigation. Nonetheless, her focus remains on unraveling the mystery surrounding Momo and the boy, undeterred by the curious glances from those around her.
Snapping out of her inner thoughts, Sona's attention is captured by the surprising sight of the blonde boy holding Momo's.....HANDS?
Even if she knows it's not something explicitly lewd, Sona, who has never held a boy's hand her age, witnessing Momo holding hands with him causes her heart to skip a beat, and various thoughts race through her mind in that fleeting moment.
With a flushed face, Sona emerges from her reverie. After a few more minutes, she observes Momo and the boy entering a house together. Deciding to give them some space for now, Sona chooses to leave. She plans to return later and await Momo at her house, ready to question her about her mysterious relationship with the boy.
*
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Momo's POV
After my usual magical lessons and some training in the slime dungeon, I come home more exhausted than before. I don't know how Kouske-kun got hold of a place like that, but I do know it's not normal. Nevertheless, it's an amazing place.
The potions he provides are also incredible. Initially, I thought it was the famed Phenex Tears, but Kouske-kun said it was not. He mentioned it's something wholly new he created and asked me to keep quiet about them, a request I plan to oblige.
Spending time with him, I always end up discovering so many amazing things and places. The training is always challenging, but the most difficult part is Kouske-kun himself. I just can't keep calm when I'm around him.
Walking into my room with a slight warmth caressing my face, I find Sona sitting there, elegantly sipping tea. Her unexpected presence puzzles me a bit since she wasn't supposed to come today, and she didn't inform me beforehand.
When Sona saw me, she gave me a smile that somehow looked... scary? Her glasses were kind of shining. Was that a devil thing?
Sona: "Hello, Momo. How was your day today?"
Momo(nervously): "Umm,g-good? Were we supposed to meet today? I don't think I remember about it."
Sona (looking a bit hurt): "Do I always need to inform you just to come to see my friend?"
Momo: "N-no. It's not like that. I was just a bit surprised to see you suddenly here today."
Sona: "Let's play chess as we talk."
Playing chess with Sona is fun and all, but sometimes it's bothersome as she tends to go way beyond, always being so serious about chess. Especially today, when I'm so exhausted.
Momo (sighing): "How about we play tomorrow? I'm kinda tired right now."
Hearing that, Sona looked surprised and shocked? Her face was burning red. What is going on in her head?
Sona: "W-what were you doing to get so t-tired?"
Momo (tilting her head in confusion): "Nothing much. I just did some light exercises."
Sona (mumbling): "B-but you were with him... in his house."
Momo (confused): "What?"
What was she even saying?
Sona (loud): "I saw you going inside a boy's house! What were you doing?" says Sona with a large blush on her face.
I was surprised to hear her words, but then confused. Then, when I understood and realized that nerdy girls like Sona might be the lewdest in their imaginations.
Momo (embarrassed): "Kouske-kun and I are only friends! What are you even thinking?!"
Sona: "So his name is Kouske. Is he the reason why you have been behaving so oddly for a while?"
Momo (flustered): "What do you mean oddly? We are just FRIENDS!"
Sona (smirking): "I never said you were anything else though?"
Momo (looking a bit defeated): "Nn..."
Sona: "So what's with him and you? Is he blackmailing you?"
Momo: "NO! Why would he?"
Sona: "So he's your VERY CLOSE FRIEND that you always spend time with?"
...
...
After that, Sona started asking various questions, and in my hazy self, I ended up saying some things about him. About how he's a magician, and he's been teaching me magic. But nothing more!
Sona: "So, he's the reason your magic is increasing so rapidly. And he's already knowledgeable and talented enough to teach you himself. I would like to meet him."
Well, it's not that bad to let Sona meet him. Sona's not like other devils.
Momo: "OK. I will introduce you to him."
Sona (satisfied): "Nn. Now, let's play chess."
Momo (annoyed): "No! Tomorrow!"
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