13 It's Riser's fault

**Gremory Mansion**

As soon as she arrived at her mansion, Rias was about to rush to check on her Peerage, but her father, Zeoticus, said, "Stop, Rias. We need to talk."

Rias exclaimed, "Dad, I need to know how Akeno and the others are!"

Venelana intervened calmly, "Daughter, sit down."

Reluctantly, Rias complied and sat down. Sirzechs also joined, taking a seat next to Zeoticus and Venelana.

Grayfia remained standing in silence, observing the tension in the room.

Zeoticus said seriously, "Rias, do you know what happened?"

Rias replied, "Well, Riser forfeited the Rating Game, and I'm finally free from my marriage contract."

Intrigued, Zeoticus asked, "Aren't you curious about the reasons that led Riser to forfeit?"

Rias affirmed firmly, "His reasons don't matter. All that matters is that I escaped from an unhappy and loveless marriage."

Venelana commented, "I think we spoiled you too much."

Changing the tone of the conversation, Zeoticus said, "On DevilNet, there's a video of you offering your virginity to a servant."

Shocked, Rias asked, "What? What do you mean?"

Sirzechs explained, "We don't know how it ended up there, but it's true."

Initially upset, Rias quickly recovered and asserted, "My body is mine, and I can do whatever I want."

Zeoticus retorted, "Your body is not just yours; it belongs to the Gremory House. You tarnished your image, offended the Phenex family, our partner for years. Now you have to face the consequences. You need to apologize publicly to Riser and the Phenex. Moreover, you will lose your position as the heir of the Gremory. This position will now be given to your nephew, Milicas."

Frightened by her father's words, Rias sought support from her mother and brother, but to her dismay, both remained silent.

In Sirzechs' thoughts, he lamented, "I'm sorry, Rias, but there's nothing I can do now."

Tears filled Rias' eyes, and she murmured, "This isn't fair."

Venelana said firmly, "Rias, you got what you wanted: you won't marry Riser anymore. However, now you need to be an adult and face the consequences of your actions."

Sirzechs intervened, "Rias, record a video apologizing to Riser and the Phenex, and then return to the human world."

With tears streaming down her face, Rias murmured, "But, brother, I don't want to do that."

Sirzechs stated seriously, "Rias, I am the Maou-Lucifer of the Underworld, the strongest demon. Yet, I will also apologize. You know why? To preserve peace in the underworld and show respect to the 72 pillars, which are the foundation of power in the underworld. Rias, if I'm going to apologize on behalf of the Gremory, why shouldn't you?"

Rias was left without words.

Venelana said firmly, "Now, Rias, go to your room. After recording the video, you can go to the human world."

Before Rias left, Zeoticus added, "You may have escaped this marriage, but that doesn't mean you'll escape the next one."

Rias climbed the stairs to her room, crying, and headed inside.

Sirzechs pondered, "Were we too harsh on her?"

Zeoticus responded firmly, "All of this happened because we went easy on her. But now it will be different; she needs to learn."

Venelana questioned, "What are you planning?"

Zeoticus declared, "Diodora Astaroth, the heir of the Astaroth family. And this time, Rias won't be able to escape."

Sirzechs frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "Dad, are you sure about this? Rias just got out of a marriage contract."

Zeoticus pondered, "It's just a thought. I don't plan to do it now, as it could be even more offensive to the Phenex. But it's a plan I have in mind."

Sirzechs sighed and reflected, "I need my sister to become strong. I think I'll have Grayfia train her in the human world."

Sirzechs said, "Well, I have some matters to attend to. Come, Grayfia."

Grayfia replied, "Yes, Sirzechs-sama. Goodbye, Venelana and Zeoticus-sama."

And so, the two of them left.

Venelana said, "Let's go to our room, Zeoticus. The day has been very stressful. Later, I'll talk to Rias and help her with the video."

Zeoticus agreed, "Yes, dear."

**Rias' Room**

Rias entered her room crying, surprising Akeno, who was waiting for her. Upon realizing Rias' emotional state, Akeno approached and hugged her supportively.

Crying, Rias poured out her feelings, "My parents don't understand me; they took everything from me, and now they want me to apologize to Riser."

Akeno remained silent, offering support through the embrace. After about 30 minutes of tears and confessions, Rias regained her composure and asked, "Where are the others?"

Akeno replied, "Kiba and Koneko are fine; only Issei got more seriously hurt. They are in the guest room."

Determined, Rias said, "Let's go talk to them."

**Guest Room**

Issei was upset by the amount of offensive comments directed at Rias. In an exasperated tone, he vented, "How can they talk about Buchou like that? She's not at fault for anything; it's Riser who wanted to force her into marriage."

Kiba tried to calm Issei, saying, "Relax, Issei. You're still recovering."

Still agitated, Issei responded, "Calm me down, Kiba. How am I supposed to calm down?"

At that moment, Rias and Akeno entered the room. Expressing joy, Issei exclaimed, "Buchou!"

Rias said, "Hi, Issei. After I record an apology for Riser, we will leave the Underworld."

Issei said, "Apologize? It was Riser who should apologize."

Rias said, "That's my parents' and brother's orders."

Issei said, "This isn't right. It's all Riser's fault. I'm going to talk to your parents right now."

Irritated, Rias said, "Issei, be quiet. Do you want to humiliate me even more?"

Issei was surprised by Rias' outburst and simply lowered his head. But deep down, the only person he blamed was Riser.

Rias said, "Come, Akeno. Help me record the apology video."

Akeno replied, "Yes, Rias."