Chapter 219: Chapter [219]
City of Lilith
Riser POV
I materialized in the hotel suite.
FWOOOSH!
A golden magic circle glowed, dissipating as I reappeared. The room was elegant; the luxury suite had a calm atmosphere, and the sky of the city of Lilith could be seen through the large window. The air had that characteristic touch of renewal that lingered in the city after the great renovation.
Seekvaira was there, ready and dressed, prepared for us to return to the Underworld mansion. She gave me a serene look, a mix of curiosity and respect.
"How was it with Hades?" she asked without hesitation.
"I killed him," I said directly, without beating around the bush, as I approached her.
Seekvaira didn't seem surprised. She looked at me for a moment, her eyes calm and tranquil. It was what she expected from me, her King. There was no fear, only acceptance of reality.
"As expected, my king."
I nodded, satisfied with her response. "You don't have to be so formal with me. You can just call me by my name, Seekvaira."
Seekvaira nodded, a slight smile forming on her lips. "Understood, Riser."
FWOOOSH!
A magic circle formed under our feet, and, in an instant, we teleported back to the mansion in the Underworld.
.....
Riser's Mansion in the Underworld
We materialized in the mansion's living room. The soft light from the fireplace illuminated the space, creating shadows that danced along the walls. I could smell tea being carried by Tsubaki to my study, though she hadn't noticed I'd returned.
'Probably, Sona is hosting someone in my study,' I thought, but decided to ignore it for now.
"Come, I'll take you to your room," I said to Seekvaira, gesturing for her to follow me.
We walked through the quiet corridors of the mansion, the tranquil atmosphere surrounding us. Seekvaira's room was close to mine, as was Sona's, a layout that ensured proximity and protection for my wives.
When we reached Seekvaira's room, I opened the door and gestured for her to enter. "This is your space. If you need anything, I'll be nearby."
Seekvaira smiled slightly. "Thank you, Riser. I'll rest a bit now."
I nodded and watched her enter the room before gently closing the door. After ensuring Seekvaira was settled in, I made my way to my own room, ready to finally relax after a day filled with battles and important decisions.
I lay down on the bed, trying to relax. But using my sharp senses, I quickly recognized Rias's voice talking to Sona in my study.
'Whatever this matter is, it's not with me,' I thought, deciding not to concern myself with it for now.
A few minutes passed, and Sona knocked on my bedroom door.
Knock, knock.
I found it strange, as Sona usually just came in. "Come in," I said, curious about the formality.
Sona entered, her expression serious. She approached slowly, stopping beside the bed.
"Riser, Rias wants to talk to you about... feelings," she said hesitantly. "Despite everything, Rias is my friend and has already lost many people. Don't be cruel to her."
I'd already imagined that, at some point, this conversation with Rias would happen; I just didn't expect it to be now.
I got up from the bed and approached Sona, embracing her and kissing her gently.
Smack.
"Don't worry. I'm the King of the Underworld, I'll act like one. And unlike her, I'll honor my position," I said confidently. I recalled how Rias had done everything to end our engagement, even offering her body to someone else.
Sona smiled, thanking me with a look.
"Thank you, dear."
I left the room, feeling the weight of the conversation to come, but maintaining my confident posture.
Each step echoed softly through the quiet corridors, and my mind wandered through memories of the past.
When I reincarnated in this world and gained the system, I knew things would be different. The Riser that exists today is not the same Riser Phenex from before. The memories of the original Riser remain, along with the bitterness of being betrayed by Rias. The thought of seeing her offering herself to Issei when she was supposed to be my fiancée left a bitter taste.
But now everything was different. I was the King of the Underworld, married to Sona, Rias's best friend. Akeno was my lover, as was Grayfia, Rias's former sister-in-law. I killed her brother, Sirzechs, and, if I wanted, even her mother, Venelana, could be in my bed. I held the power, and Rias had nothing.
I reached the office door, taking a deep breath before opening it.
End of Riser's POV
...
Riser pushed the door and entered the study. Only he and Rias were present in the room.
"Sona told me you wanted to talk," Riser said as he sat across from Rias.
Rias was visibly nervous. She nodded, trying to find the right words.
"Feel free to say whatever you want," Riser said, leaning back in his chair, his expression neutral.
Rias took a deep breath and began to speak. She poured out everything that had happened, her losses and her loneliness. She spoke of Sirzechs's death, the impact it had on her life, and how she felt seeing her friend Akeno and Grayfia now by Riser's side. She spoke at length about her feelings, her insecurities, and how lost and lonely she felt.
Riser listened silently, without interrupting her. He remained impassive, his expression unchanging as Rias spoke.
Rias began to cry, her tears flowing as she poured out her sorrows.
Sniff, sniff.
She sobbed, trying to hold back the tears, but they didn't move Riser. He watched everything with indifference, his eyes fixed on Rias, showing no sign of empathy.
Rias finally finished, her voice trembling as she looked at Riser, hoping for a response. She was vulnerable, perhaps hoping for some understanding or a word of comfort.
Rias had spoken a lot, but hadn't made clear why she was there.
"I know what you've been through, but why did you come to me? You have your friends and family to confide in," Riser said, his voice cold and direct.
Rias looked visibly nervous at Riser's response but decided to be honest. "I... I want to pick up where we left off. I want to try to be happy. I saw how much Sona seems to care about you, and I want you to make me happy too."
Riser raised an eyebrow, surprised by the statement. "Issei Hyoudou," he said in a dry tone. "Does that name ring a bell?"
Rias tensed up, staying silent, unable to respond.
"Did you forget? Let me refresh your memory. He's the low-class devil you wanted to give your virginity to while we were engaged," Riser said, his voice filled with contempt.
Rias felt her heart tighten and lowered her gaze, tears forming in her eyes again. "I... I'm sorry, Riser. I was confused, I didn't know what I wanted back then. I made a mistake, a terrible mistake."
Riser watched her for a moment, his gaze hard and unforgiving. "Mistakes have consequences, Rias. And you made your choice. I moved on and built my life, while you're still stuck in the past."
Rias couldn't hold back her tears, her voice breaking as she repeated, "I'm so sorry... so sorry for everything."
"Sorry for what? For betraying me or for the consequences that brought to your life?" Riser stood up from his chair, looking directly at Rias.
Rias lowered her head, crying silently.
"Look at your King while speaking to you, Gremory."
Rias raised her head, still with tears in her eyes, facing Riser.
"That's right, King. I am the King of the Underworld, and you're still that spoiled devil with a princess complex, waiting for someone to save you. But that someone isn't me. Go back to your family, Rias, and be useful at least once in your life. Stop your idiot father from meddling in my realm. You are the Gremory heiress; it's time to act like one."
Rias, through her tears, asked in a trembling voice.
"May I take my leave, Riser-sama?"
Riser nodded, giving permission. "You may go."
Rias stood up, activated a magic circle, and teleported away, disappearing in a flash of light.
FWOOOSH!
Riser sat back down, a smile of satisfaction forming on his face. He was genuinely happy with how his life had turned out. Despite being someone who reincarnated in Riser's body, he appreciated his rise from a villain destined to be humiliated by the protagonist to a king ruling the entire Underworld.
'In my next world, I'll choose one with less politics,' Riser thought, letting out a light laugh as he relaxed in his chair.
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