Gremory Mansion – Main Hall
As soon as she crossed the mansion's threshold, Rias stepped forward, eager.
"I need to see Akeno and the others!"
Zeoticus raised a hand.
"Stop, Rias. We need to talk."
She hesitated. Her father's tone wasn't one of concern—it was judgment.
Venelana, calmly, gestured to the sofa.
"Sit."
Reluctantly, Rias obeyed. Sirzechs was already waiting, serious, beside their parents. Grayfia stood silently, like an observant shadow.
Zeoticus faced his daughter.
"Do you know what happened?"
Rias crossed her arms, irritated.
"Riser forfeited. And now I'm free from that forced marriage."
"Aren't you curious why?" he asked.
"It doesn't matter. I'm free, and that's all that matters."
Venelana sighed.
"We've spoiled you too much."
Then Zeoticus dropped the bombshell.
"On DevilNet, there's a video of you offering your virginity to your servant."
Rias paled.
"What?!"
Sirzechs spoke softly:
"We don't know how it was leaked. But it's real."
Rias regained her composure quickly, trying to stay in control.
"My body is mine. I can do what I want with it."
Zeoticus retorted, impassive:
"You carry the Gremory name. What you do reflects on all of us. Now, you've tarnished our image, insulted the Phenex family, and exposed our lineage to public humiliation. There will be consequences."
He was direct:
"You will publicly apologize to Riser and the Phenexes. And… as of today, you are no longer the heir of the Gremory family. That title now belongs to Millicas."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Rias looked at her mother. Then at her brother. Neither defended her.
Sirzechs only thought: 'I'm sorry, Rias…'
"This isn't fair…" she whispered.
Venelana responded firmly:
"You got what you wanted: not marrying Riser. Now be adult enough to bear what it cost."
Sirzechs added:
"Record the apology video. Then you can return to the human world."
"But, brother…"
"I am Maou Lucifer, Rias. And even so, I will apologize to the Phenexes. Not out of weakness, but out of honor. You should do the same."
She didn't respond.
Venelana concluded:
"Go to your room. After the video, you'll be free to leave."
Before heading upstairs, Zeoticus delivered the final sentence:
"You escaped this marriage, but you won't escape the next."
Rias's Room
Rias entered, crying, and Akeno was waiting. Without a word, she enveloped her friend in a tight embrace.
"My parents hate me, Akeno… they want me to apologize to Riser…"
They stayed like that for half an hour. Then Rias wiped her face.
"How are the others?"
"Only Issei was more seriously injured. Kiba and Koneko are fine, resting."
Rias nodded.
"Let's go to them."
---
Guest Room
Issei was still furious, reading online comments.
"How can they talk about the President like that? She was the victim!"
Kiba tried to calm him:
"You need to rest, Issei."
"How can I? Riser caused all of this!"
At that moment, the door opened.
"President!" Issei smiled upon seeing her.
Rias entered with Akeno. Her expression was neutral.
"Hi, Issei. I'm going to record an apology video, and then we'll return to the human world."
"What? You can't do that! Riser should be the one apologizing!"
"It's my parents' and my brother's orders."
"That's ridiculous! I'm going to talk to them right now!"
"Issei…" Rias interrupted.
"Be quiet. Do you want to embarrass me even more?"
The silence fell like a verdict.
Issei merely lowered his head. Deep down, though, his anger toward Riser only grew.
"Let's go, Akeno. I need your help to record the video."
"…Yes, Rias."
---
Gremory Hall – Minutes Later
Sirzechs stood.
"Grayfia, we have other matters. Let's go."
"Yes, Sirzechs-sama."
They withdrew, and Venelana looked at her husband.
"Let's rest. Later, I'll help Rias with the video."
Zeoticus nodded but murmured:
"She may have escaped Riser, but Diodora Astaroth is still single…"
Venelana stared at him.
"Zeoticus…"
"Not now. But… it's a plan."
Sirzechs, already at a distance, thought:
'She needs to learn. But also… she needs to grow stronger.'
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A new life, a new Clark Kent — with all the memories of his past life intact.