Rias brightened instantly. "Mother. I've returned."
The woman who descended the staircase moved with the refined grace of someone born into elegance. Her flaxen hair shimmered under the chandelier light, and her posture radiated a mature calmness that made her presence striking without effort.
It's not fair.
Rias's mother looked younger than most students at Kuoh Academy.
What kind of absurd genetics did the Gremory family use as a standard?
And—unfortunately—I said that out loud.
"Ara, to say such a happy thing… that I'm still a young woman." Lady Gremory pressed a hand gently against her cheek, smiling as though flattered.
Rias sighed and pinched my cheek, stretching it mercilessly.
"…Issei. You know nothing good will come from you making hungry eyes at my mother, right?"
I coughed and straightened myself. Issei, you idiot, keep your hormones in check… I lectured myself internally.
But damn it, it wasn't my fault! She looked like the elegant onee-sama type straight out of every man's ideal imagination. She didn't look old. Not even close.
Lady Gremory laughed softly, a comfortable sound that echoed faintly through the grand hall. "Devils can freely adjust their appearance with magic, dear. As the years pass, one becomes very skilled at maintaining one's ideal form. My mother, for instance, always looks the same age as Rias is now."
So basically, the entire Gremory family line was an immortal beauty cheat code. Great. Wonderful. My heart and sanity sighed in defeat.
"Ara," Lady Gremory turned her gentle gaze toward me. "This boy… you are Hyoudou Issei, correct?"
"You… know about me?" I blinked.
"Of course," she nodded. "I sneaked a look at your face during Rias's engagement party. I am her mother, after all."
Ah.
Right.
That event.
I awkwardly scratched my cheek, and she offered me a small smile—warm but refined.
"Nice to meet you. I am Rias's mother, Venelana Gremory. Please treat me well from now on, Hyoudou Issei-kun."
"Yes! Likewise!" I said awkwardly.
Dinner at the Gremory Estate
Several hours passed, and we now sat inside the massive dining hall. If I thought the entrance had been luxurious, this room completely crushed that assumption. The chandelier hanging above us glittered with embedded magic crystals that flickered like captured starlight. The oblong table could've easily hosted thirty people, and tonight, every inch of it was filled with an assortment of dishes ranging from roasted magical beasts to elegant desserts that sparkled under spellwork.
Rias, Asia, Akeno, Xenovia, Kiba, Koneko, Gasper, and I sat on one side. Across from us were Venelana, Rias's father, and Millicas.
"Please enjoy yourselves without holding back," Lord Gremory said, raising his glass.
Thus, dinner officially began.
I stared at my plate—or plates, plural—completely overwhelmed. I had no idea where to even start. Everything looked delicious, everything smelled divine, and everything was arranged beautifully. I felt like even touching one dish might break some kind of artistic balance.
Meanwhile, everyone else started eating casually as though this was normal.
I tried to distract myself by looking around. The walls were decorated with enchanted paintings that softly shifted, depicting moments of Gremory history. Even the chairs were embroidered with runes of comfort—sitting on them felt like sinking into a warm cloud.
Now that I thought about it, even the guest rooms we'd been given had been insane.
Earlier – Guest Rooms
Asia and Xenovia had followed me into my room barely a minute after we'd been assigned them.
"This room is too big!" Asia exclaimed, eyes wide as she spun around.
Xenovia folded her arms in a stiff attempt at acting calm. "I can't sleep in a room this huge. Sorry, Issei, but can I stay in your room too? Asia should as well."
Honestly, their reactions made me feel a bit better. My own bed back home fit three people comfortably because we slept together every night—Asia and Rias on either side, occasionally Akeno joining when she felt mischievous.
Being alone in a room that big? Yeah, it'd be bad. Because in my house, I always sleep with Rias and Asia. It became a habit of mine.
Grayfia had arranged things swiftly and without fuss, transitioning Asia and Xenovia to my room as if expecting this outcome all along.
Even with both girls' luggage, the room still felt too big.
At least having them nearby kept me from drowning in the sheer luxury of the Underworld.
Back to Dinner
I tore myself away from the memory and focused on the dining room again. Rias was speaking to her father about training and upcoming responsibilities, while Akeno shared a light conversation with Venelana.
Millicas sat across from me, swinging his legs cheerfully. "Issei-nii-sama, the Underworld food is good, right?"
"Yeah. It's amazing."
He beamed happily.
But how am I supposed to eat all this cuisine before me? I could ask all the butlers and maids that were constantly standing behind us, but the other club members hadn't asked about anything in particular.
~~~
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