Seeing Ravel at his doorstep, Roy was mildly surprised.
He'd assumed their paths wouldn't cross again soon, given their engagement's dissolution and his lack of interest in visiting the Underworld.
The girl fidgeted with her skirt, her gaze nervously meeting Roy's, a faint flush on her cheeks.
She straightened, trying to project calm. "Greetings, Roy, Lady Rias," she said after a moment's hesitation.
Roy nodded, his curious scrutiny making Ravel's flush deepen. Her eyes darted away, avoiding his.
"Greetings, Ravel," Rias replied.
"Lord Roy," Raynare and Mittelt said, stepping forward to greet him.
Spotting Ravel, their faces soured. "Phenex, still here?"
Having learned of Roy's history with the Phenex clan, the fallen angels held little resentment, especially Roy's ex-fiancée.
Normally, they'd invite guests inside, but Ravel's lineage kept her barred at the door.
Ravel's face reddened further, her expression a mix of embarrassment and unease at Raynare's jab.
"Enough," Roy sighed.
"She's a guest. It's rude to leave her outside. Ravel and I have no quarrel, so drop the hostility."
Raynare and Mittelt bowed apologetically.
"I came unannounced," Ravel said, waving off the tension.
"Let's talk inside," Roy said, inviting her in.
"Ravel, why come to the human world alone, without guards?" Roy asked as they settled in the living room, Raynare off to prepare tea.
"And Riser? He's protective of you. How's he okay with you visiting me solo?"
Ravel relied on connections rather than personal strength.
Noble devil typically traveled with guards outside their territory.
"No danger here, so no guards," Ravel said, forcing a smile.
"As for Brother, he… doesn't dare show his face."
"Doesn't dare?" Roy asked, puzzled. Riser's arrogance seemed unshakable.
What could keep him in hiding?
"It's about you and Lady Rias," Ravel replied, her tone tinged with resentment as she glanced at them.
"What happened?" Roy asked.
"It's tied to a rumor in the Underworld," Rias interjected, recounting the gossip.
The Gremory-Phenex engagement's dissolution was major news, publicized by the Gremory clan with full context.
This transparency, however, spawned a conspiracy theory: Roy and Rias had schemed to trap Riser.
The theory hinged on too many coincidences, particularly Roy's involvement.
Some believed Roy, the red dragon emperor, and Rias, the Gremory heiress, had been secretly involved long before, both seeking to escape their Phenex engagements.
Riser's visit to dissolve Ravel's engagement handed them the perfect opening, allowing them to outmaneuver him without conflict, leaving the Phenex clan speechless.
Had Roy used force to claim Rias, it'd be understandable—the red dragon emperor's might was renowned, and Riser might not have prevailed.
But outsmarting Riser? That stung. Red dragon emperor's were known for brute strength, not cunning strategy, making Riser's humiliation as a "fool" all the more biting.
"Exactly," Ravel said, sighing.
"People used to call Brother the third son of Phenex Clan respectfully. Now? They call him the 'fool' of the clan."
Someone stifled a laugh.
"Riser…" Roy suppressed a grin.
"Because of this, he's locked himself in his room, refusing to come out," Ravel said.
"He was supposed to join me to visit you, but he wouldn't budge, so I came alone."
Roy hadn't anticipated his actions would scar Riser more deeply than Issei's feats in the anjme.
It might take Riser ages to escape Roy's shadow.
"Sorry to Riser for me," Roy said. "I didn't expect this."
"It's fine," Ravel said, shaking her head.
"Brother's just too fragile."
Roy glanced at her, amused. If Riser heard his beloved sister's bluntness, he'd be crushed anew.
"Ravel, you didn't come just to chat, right?" Roy said, steering the conversation.
"Because of Lady Rias and Brother's dissolved engagement, Father was furious when he learned Brother and I sought to end yours," Ravel explained.
"He scolded us harshly and insisted we apologize to you."
Over a week ago, after Riser's failed attempt to reclaim Rias at Kuoh Academy, he and Ravel faced their clan's old devils.
Ravel, the family's darling, was spared severe punishment, but Riser bore the brunt.
"Your father's too kind."
"Our engagement ended, no fault on either side. If anything, I failed his expectations. I didn't realize he valued that old promise so much."
His words were polite, but inwardly, he doubted Ravel's father's ignorance.
A noble engagement was significant; the clan head likely knew of Ravel's actions but tacitly allowed Riser and Ravel.
"This is Father's apology," Ravel said, presenting an ornate gift box.
She opened it, revealing ten crystal vials.
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200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter