Chapter [146]

Riser, holding Sona's hand, watched with a penetrating gaze as Rias approached. He knew exactly how she was feeling, and the situation brought him a strange satisfaction. When Rias got close, Riser let go of Sona's hand and stepped forward, the malicious smile still curving his lips.

"Rias," he began, his voice laden with a condescension only she would recognize. "Congratulations on the engagement."

Rias, already exhausted and frustrated by the series of events that night, narrowed her eyes at Riser. His tone, though polished, was full of mockery. She knew he was reveling in her situation.

"Thank you, Riser," she replied, keeping her voice firm but unable to fully hide the bitterness in her words.

Riser stepped closer, leaning slightly so that only Rias could hear his next words. "You know, it's funny how fate works, isn't it? I thought you had escaped an arranged marriage when our engagement was broken off. And now, here you are, caught in another web of political intrigue."

Rias clenched her fists, trying to control the anger rising within her. She knew any show of emotion would only give Riser more reason to taunt her.

"I'm not trapped," she replied in a defiant tone, though internally she was struggling to stay calm. "I control my own destiny, and you know it."

Riser let out a short laugh, the sound echoing with calculated coldness. "Sure, Rias. Keep believing that. It will be interesting to see how far that illusion takes you."

Before Rias could respond, Riser moved away, returning to Sona's side, who watched him with a mix of curiosity and caution. He took Sona's hand again, squeezing it with a gesture that conveyed both affection and control.

"Come, dear. We have more guests to greet," he said, leading Sona away.

Rias remained still, the tension evident in her shoulders as she watched Riser and Sona walk away. Her gaze was fixed on them, but her mind was swirling with thoughts of frustration and despair. The scene was painfully familiar, bringing back memories of her previous engagement to Riser and the fight to regain her freedom.

Sona, noticing the intensity of Rias's gaze and the brief interaction between her and Riser, became curious. She wondered what Riser could have whispered to Rias to leave her so shaken. But for now, she kept her questions to herself, determined to ask Riser later, in a more private moment.

Meanwhile, Issei, who had observed the interaction from a distance, felt a wave of concern for Rias. He quickly moved away from where he was standing, running to catch up with Rias. Issei always tried to support Rias, especially in difficult moments like this. When he approached, his expression was one of determination and care.

"Rias, are you okay?" Issei asked, his voice full of concern. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but Rias, still wrapped in her anger and frustration, ignored the gesture. She was lost in her own thoughts, barely registering Issei's presence beside her.

Riser, beside Sona, watched the scene with a smile of satisfaction. He felt he had achieved his goal of further destabilizing Rias. "Let's go, dear," he said to Sona, squeezing her hand with a combination of affection and control. "We have more guests to greet."

Riser wanted to leave the event as quickly as possible. The night had been long and full of tense moments, and he felt he had done enough for today. Sona, always attentive to Riser's moods, nodded and accompanied him, although her mind was still full of questions about what had happened between Rias and Riser.

Meanwhile, Rias, feeling the persistent presence of Issei beside her, finally turned to him, her expression still laden with conflicting emotions. "I'm fine, Issei," she said, her voice firm but distant. "I just need a moment to think."

Issei, realizing that Rias wanted to be alone, stepped back a bit but stayed close enough for her to know he was there to support her if she needed it. He respected her desire for space, but his concern for her did not diminish.

The hall was filled with murmurs and curious glances. Rias knew she needed to maintain her composure, but the pressure of all the events that night was weighing on her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her thoughts and emotions as she watched Riser and Sona walk away.

For Riser, the night was ending with a taste of victory. He had managed to destabilize Rias and reaffirm his position in the underworld. "Let's leave quickly," he murmured to Sona. She nodded, understanding Riser's need to leave now that his goal was achieved.

As they prepared to leave, Riser turned to look back at the hall one last time. The sight of Rias, still clearly shaken, brought him a malicious pleasure. It was a reminder of his personal victory and the ironic fate he believed he had shaped with his own hands.

With a final nod to those present, Riser led Sona and the rest of the entourage out of the hall. The night had been long and eventful, but for Riser, it ended with the certainty that he was closer than ever to achieving his ultimate goal. The next step was clear: eliminate Issei and take on the role of protagonist in the vast and complex world of the underworld.

Thus, the Phenex family and their followers left the Hall of Concord, each carrying with them the hopes, ambitions, and strategies that would define the future of the devils.

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