[281] Predicament

Without disturbing Rias, August dressed and stepped out of the room. Outside the door, Hilda and Yolda were already waiting.

As soon as they saw August emerge, their eyes instinctively darted toward the room, filled with a burning curiosity. Rias's late-night visit had clearly sparked their interest.

"My lord, it seems you had quite an enjoyable evening." Hilda remarked with a smile, while Yolda turned away, stifling a giggle.

"Alright, go prepare some breakfast. You know what we need." 

"Yes, right away." Hilda replied, still smiling. She headed off to prepare, acknowledging Rias's now official change in status.

Having become August's woman, Rias was now recognized as the main mistress of the household.

"You too, Yolda. Go make some nourishing porridge." 

"Yes, my lord." Yolda responded, quickly following Hilda. Though it was a simple task, he felt it necessary to keep both maids busy.

Returning to the room, August noticed the white gauzy garment Rias had worn. He picked it up, deciding to keep this 'battle attire' as a memento.

"Mmm~"

Perhaps the slight noise had woken her up. Rias slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing August standing nearby, she blinked in confusion for a moment.

Then, memories of the previous night rushed back. She remembered that she had come to August's room and given herself to him completely.

"Where are my clothes?" She started to look around, only to realize that her clothes were nowhere to be found.

"Did you forget how you came here last night?" 

"Oh..."

She remembered now... she had arrived wearing only a white gauzy nightgown.

But she quickly became flustered. She couldn't wear such a revealing outfit during the day; it was completely inappropriate.

However, a glance toward the edge of the bed confirmed that her nightgown was also missing.

"I have no clothes."

"Don't look at me; I don't have any of your clothes. But I do have a large set of pajamas. Will that do?" August offered, pulling out a light gray pajama set.

Rias nodded; what other choice did she have? She couldn't go around naked.

As she tried to get up, her brows furrowed in pain. Last night had clearly taken a toll on her, leaving her with 'injuries' that would take days to heal.

After putting on August's pajamas, Rias suddenly realized something had changed.

"My demonic power and my strength... they've increased. I'm now closer to becoming an Ultimate-Class Devil."

"That's the benefit of our wild night together." 

"What?"

"It's one of my abilities. By engaging in intimate relations, both parties can grow stronger."

"So your strength is...?" 

"Of course not solely from this ability. This effect works best on the weaker party, while the stronger party benefits less. And you know how I reached the Satan-class."

"Oh..."

Rias remembered. How could she forget the bizarre incident where August ascended to the Satan-class just by taking a restroom break? Only August could pull off something like that.

In that moment, she thought of Sona and her peerage. No wonder they all rushed to become August's women, even moving in with him despite the inconvenience. It was clear now.

August was at the Satan-class, while Sona's peerage, except for Tsubaki, were all middle-class devils.

This meant the benefits they received were immense, given the significant difference in their power levels.

"I feel like I missed out on a huge opportunity."

"Who's to blame for that? Did I not give you chances in Kuoh? You were always so aloof."

"Who asked you to always hang around Sona in front of me?"

"Who asked you not to sleep with me?"

"You..."

Rias had never encountered someone so shameless. How could he say that her refusal to sleep with him justified his seeking out more women?

And to think she had once criticized Azazel as a lecherous old man... August was no better. No wonder they got along so well; they were birds of a feather.

At that moment, Hilda and Yolda returned, carrying breakfast and a bowl of jujube porridge.

"Already? That was fast." August was surprised at their speed.

"It wasn't us. Lady Venelana had prepared this earlier. We just brought it over." Hilda explained.

"Mom prepared it?" Rias asked, looking at the large bowl of jujube porridge. She recalled her mother's words from the previous night and realized that Venelana had anticipated her actions.

But now that everything was out in the open, there was no point in dwelling on it. Rias, having made her choice, fully embraced it.

She picked up the bowl of porridge and began eating heartily, exhausted from the previous night's activities and quite hungry.

August shook his head with a smile. Rias had changed significantly since last night, almost as if a switch had been flipped.

It made August wonder about the profound transformation from girl to woman.

"Hilda, go to Rias's room and fetch some of her clothes." 

"Understood."

Just as she was about to leave, there was a knock at the door.

August was puzzled. Who would be knocking this early in the morning?

Opening the door, he found Grayfia standing there, holding a neatly folded set of clothes, complete with undergarments and outerwear.

"This is..."

"Lady Venelana said Miss Rias left in a hurry last night and forgot to bring clothes. She asked me to deliver them." 

Her words made Rias, who was drinking porridge inside, freeze.

She felt a sense of social death. Had everyone already known about her late-night visit to August?

"Rias, my mother-in-law is quite impressive, isn't she? She's got you completely figured out." August remarked, taking the clothes from Grayfia, who then left without another word, her demeanor towards August frosty due to the events of the previous night.

Rias looked at the bowl of jujube porridge in her hands, suddenly finding it less appetizing. Her mother hadn't spared her any embarrassment, knowing all along and arranging both food and clothing.

August couldn't guess what was going through Rias's mind, but he had a good idea from her dazed expression.

Feeling completely under her mother's control wasn't pleasant for Rias. And now, her most private affairs were practically public knowledge.

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