Rias Gremory stood at the center of attention, her crimson hair cascading over her white gown in vivid contrast. She nodded graciously to the elderly devil couple before her, the Marquis and Marchioness of Glasya-Labolas, as they offered their birthday congratulations. Their words blurred together with dozens of similar sentiments she'd heard throughout the evening.
"You've grown into such a lovely young woman," the Marchioness said, patting Rias's hand. "Eighteen already. How time flies."
"Thank you for your kind words," Rias replied automatically, the smile never wavering from her face.
As the couple moved on, she allowed her eyes to drift across the ballroom. Her peerage stood nearby—her anchors in the sea of politics and pretense. Akeno caught her gaze and raised an eyebrow slightly, silently asking if she needed rescue. Rias gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. She could endure a few more minutes.
From the corner of her eye, she spotted movement near one of the terrace doors. Dante Valac and her nephew Millicas slipped through the exit, heads bent together in conspiratorial fashion. Millicas's face shone with excitement as Dante gestured animatedly toward the gardens.
Rias bit back a smile. According to Sirzechs, both Dante and Latia Astaroth would be attending Kuoh Academy after tonight's celebration. An interesting development, especially given the young Valac's reputation. She only hoped he wouldn't be a bad influence on her adorable nephew.
"You seem distracted," Akeno murmured, appearing at her side with a fresh glass of champagne.
"Just watching Millicas and Dante Valac escape to the gardens," Rias replied, accepting the drink gratefully.
Akeno's lips curved upward. "Dante has quite a reputation for finding trouble."
"Or creating it," Koneko added flatly from nearby, her expression unchanging as she methodically worked through a plate of desserts.
Kiba chuckled. "Either way, Millicas seems delighted by the company."
Rias nodded, taking a small sip of champagne. "My brother seems to think Valac will be a good addition to Kuoh Academy."
"Along with Latia Astaroth," Akeno added. "Speaking of whom..."
Rias followed Akeno's gaze to where Latia stood conversing with Sona and Seekvaira. The three young heiresses formed a striking contrast—Seekvaira's pale greenish-blonde hair and pink eyes behind rectangular glasses, Sona's short black bob and violet gaze, and Latia's blonde hair with its distinctive blue tips that seemed to shimmer with magical energy even in the subdued ballroom lighting.
"We should join them," Rias suggested, grateful for an excuse to move away from the receiving line. "I haven't properly spoken with my friends all evening."
As they crossed the ballroom, Rias felt the weight of Riser's gaze following her movements. She deliberately avoided looking in his direction, though she could picture his smug expression perfectly. The thought of their impending marriage made her stomach tighten unpleasantly.
"Rias," Sona greeted as they approached, her tone formal but warm. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you." Rias smiled genuinely at her childhood friend. "I'm glad you could come."
"As if my sister would have allowed me to miss it," Sona replied dryly.
Seekvaira adjusted her glasses. "I believe Serafall threatened to freeze the entire Sitri estate if Sona didn't attend."
"She was exaggerating," Sona said quickly, though her expression suggested otherwise.
Rias laughed, feeling some of the tension ease from her shoulders. "Well, I appreciate your presence, threatened or not."
"Latia was just telling us about her recent outing with Dante Valac," Seekvaira said, her pink eyes sharp behind her glasses. "Apparently it's all over the news in Lilith that they were seen holding hands."
Rias turned to Latia with genuine interest. "Is that so? How are things going with Dante?"
Latia's eyes—shifting between emerald and turquoise in the ballroom light—took on a dreamy quality that Rias had never seen in the normally composed Astaroth heiress.
"He's... not what I expected," Latia admitted, her fan opening and closing in a nervous gesture. "Everyone knows the public persona—the flippant heir who seems to care about nothing beyond his own amusement. But there's so much more beneath the surface."
"Such as?" Akeno prompted.
"Intelligence, for one thing. He understands magical theory at a level that rivals some of the researchers in my uncle's department." Latia's fan stilled. "And he sees me—not the Astaroth name or my connection to Ajuka, but me."
From the corner of her eye, Rias noticed Sona's posture stiffen almost imperceptibly.
"How fortunate," Sona said, her voice carefully controlled. "To find someone who values you as an individual."
Rias caught the subtle pain behind Sona's words. The Sitri heiress unconsciously pressed a hand against her chest, a gesture Rias had noticed whenever the topic of Dante Valac arose. If only her breast size had been a little bigger... though Rias suspected the true story behind Dante's rejection ran deeper than his crass public explanation.
"It is fortunate," Rias agreed, feeling a pang of envy herself—not for Dante specifically, but for what Latia had found. Someone who saw beyond the family name and valued her for herself.
Instead, Rias had Riser.
The conversation lulled as a servant approached their group, bowing slightly.
"Lady Gremory, Lord Gremory requests your presence at the main dais. The formal announcements are about to begin."
Rias nodded, smoothing her gown. "Thank you. I'll be right there."
As the servant departed, she turned back to her friends. "Duty calls. Please excuse me."
"Of course," Seekvaira said. "It is your celebration, after all."
Rias made her way toward the raised platform at the end of the ballroom where her parents waited. Her father stood tall and dignified in his formal attire, his crimson hair—a shade darker than her own—showing distinguished streaks of silver at the temples. Beside him, her mother's brown hair was styled elegantly, her violet eyes—the source of Rias's power of destruction—surveying the gathered guests.
Sirzechs stood nearby, his crimson hair identical to Rias's own, while Grayfia maintained her perfect posture at his side, her silver hair and matching eyes making her look almost ethereal in her formal gown.
"There you are," her father said as she joined them. "Ready for the formal announcements?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Rias replied, forcing a smile.
Her father squeezed her shoulder gently, a rare public display of affection that told her he understood her discomfort. Then he turned to address the gathered devils, his voice carrying effortlessly across the ballroom without magical enhancement.
"Esteemed guests, family, and friends," Lord Gremory began, "Lady Gremory and I thank you for joining us in celebrating our beautiful daughter's eighteenth birthday."
The crowd applauded politely, glasses raised in Rias's direction. She maintained her diplomatic smile, years of training preventing her from showing her true feelings.
"Rias has been a source of pride and joy since the day she was born," her father continued. "Her intelligence, compassion, and strength exemplify the finest qualities of the Gremory name. As she steps fully into adulthood, we know she will continue to bring honor to our house and create her own distinguished legacy."
More applause followed. Rias felt a lump forming in her throat at the genuine pride in her father's voice.
"And now," Lord Gremory said, "a few words from Sirzechs Lucifer."
Sirzechs stepped forward, his smile warm and genuine as he gazed at Rias. "What can a brother say about his adorable sister on such an occasion?"
Rias felt her cheeks warm. Even as Satan, Sirzechs never missed an opportunity to embarrass her.
"Rias has grown into a remarkable young woman," he continued, "who balances strength with compassion, intelligence with humility. Beyond her role as heiress to House Gremory, she has proven herself an excellent King to her peerage and the best aunt Millicas could ask for." He glanced around, his smile widening. "Speaking of whom, I'd like to invite my son to join us in honoring his aunt."
Grayfia leaned close to Sirzechs, murmuring something in his ear. His expression shifted to surprise, then amusement.
"Ah, it seems Millicas is currently exploring the gardens with young Lord Valac," Sirzechs announced, scratching his cheek sheepishly. "In that case, let us call upon the lady of the hour herself."
Before Rias could step forward, a voice cut through the moment.
"If I may," Riser Phenex said, already ascending the steps to the dais, "Riser would like to say a few words about his future wife."
Rias froze, her smile becoming brittle as Riser joined them on the platform. His burgundy suit complemented his blond hair, and his chest remained partially exposed in his typical fashion. The smugness radiating from him was almost palpable.
From the corner of her eye, Rias noticed Ruval Phenex shake his head slightly, while Lord and Lady Phenex exchanged resigned glances. Clearly, this hadn't been planned.
"Esteemed devils," Riser began. "Riser wishes to thank Lord and Lady Gremory for the opportunity to join his house with theirs through marriage to their beautiful daughter."
Rias's stomach clenched. She hadn't expected him to address their engagement so publicly, especially not on her birthday.
"Rias Gremory's beauty is known throughout the Underworld," Riser continued, his gaze sliding over her in a way that made her skin crawl. "Her crimson hair, her figure, her... assets." He paused, allowing his eyes to linger on her chest. "Riser is truly fortunate to secure such a prize."
Not once did he mention her intelligence, her abilities, or her character. To Riser, she was merely an attractive body with a prestigious family name.
"In fact," he continued, his smile growing, "now that Lady Rias has reached adulthood, Riser sees no reason to delay our union further. Riser proposes that we set the date for—"
The floor beneath them suddenly trembled, cutting off Riser's words. A muffled boom echoed from somewhere below, followed by confused murmurs from the gathered devils. Rias glanced at her brother, whose expression had shifted from embarrassment to concern.
Before anyone could investigate, the side doors burst open. Two figures stumbled into the ballroom, coughing and covered in what appeared to be soot. Dante Valac and Millicas stood in the doorway, looking distinctly disheveled.
"I told you that trap was obvious," Dante was saying, brushing black powder from Millicas's shoulders. "The pressure plate had marks all around it."
"But you stepped on it too!" Millicas protested.
"Only to show you what not to do," Dante replied, before turning and freezing as he realized every devil in the ballroom was staring at them.
Rias felt her heart beat faster, her cheeks warming at the sight of them. There was something endearing about their bedraggled state amid the formal gathering. Dante's typically perfect hair was now sticking up at odd angles, streaked with soot, while Millicas looked like he'd had the adventure of his young life.
Dante recovered quickly. He gave a sheepish smile, then executed a formal bow toward the dais.
"Happy birthday, Rias Gremory," he called, his voice carrying clearly across the silent ballroom.
Millicas stood frozen beside him, eyes wide as he realized their predicament. Dante tapped him gently on the side, prompting the boy to bow hastily.
"Happy birthday, Aunt Rias," Millicas echoed, his voice smaller but no less sincere.
The silence stretched for another moment before Sirzechs broke into laughter—warm, genuine, and utterly contagious. Soon others joined in, the tension in the room dissipating as the absurdity of the situation overtook the formal atmosphere.
"It appears my son has found the old tunnels," Sirzechs announced, still chuckling. "A Gremory tradition, though perhaps not typically demonstrated during formal gatherings."
Grayfia stepped forward, her expression stern but with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Millicas, come here at once."
The boy hurried forward, leaving sooty footprints on the polished floor. Dante followed at a more measured pace, somehow managing to look both apologetic and entirely unrepentant.
"What were you thinking?" Grayfia asked as Millicas reached them, though her tone lacked real anger.
"We were exploring," Millicas replied earnestly. "Dante said the best birthday presents are adventures, not things."
Rias glanced at Dante, who shrugged slightly. "The kid wanted to see the secret passages. Who was I to deny him?"
"Who indeed," Sirzechs murmured, ruffling his son's sooty hair. "Though perhaps next time, avoid the trap chambers?"
"We found three secret rooms and a hidden library before the explosion," Millicas reported proudly. "And Dante taught me how to spot pressure plates and tripwires!"
"Essential life skills," Dante added seriously.
Riser, who had been momentarily forgotten in the commotion, cleared his throat loudly. "If we could return to the matter at hand—"
"Yes, indeed," Lord Gremory interrupted smoothly. "The matter of celebrating my daughter's birthday. I believe it's time for the dance portion of our evening." He gestured to the orchestra, which immediately began to play a traditional waltz.
Rias shot her father a grateful look as he effectively prevented Riser from continuing his announcement. Her mother stepped forward, taking her hand gently.
"As is tradition, the first dance belongs to the family," Lady Gremory announced. "Lord Gremory, if you would do the honor of dancing with your daughter?"
Her father bowed slightly, offering his hand. "It would be my pleasure."
As they descended from the dais to the dance floor, Rias caught Dante's eye. He winked at her, so quickly she almost missed it, before turning his attention back to Millicas.
"You seem happier suddenly," her father observed as they took their positions for the waltz.
"The interruption was... timely," Rias admitted quietly.
"Yes," her father agreed, his voice equally low. "Though I suspect not entirely accidental."
Rias glanced toward Dante again, who was now rubbing the back of his head while being scolded by Grayfia and Lady Valac while Millicas watched with wide eyes. "You think he planned it?"
"I think young Valac is more observant than most give him credit for," her father replied. "And far more calculated in his actions."
They began to dance, moving gracefully across the floor as other couples joined them. Rias caught glimpses of her mother dancing with Sirzechs, Grayfia now partnered with a cleaned-up Millicas, and various other pairings forming throughout the ballroom.
"The engagement announcement," Rias said after a moment, "did you know Riser planned to make it tonight?"
Her father's expression hardened slightly. "No. That was... presumptuous of him."
"But you can't oppose it publicly," Rias stated, already knowing the answer.
"Politics is a delicate dance, my dear. Much more complicated than this waltz."
The music swelled around them as they completed another turn. Across the room, Rias spotted Dante now dancing with Latia, their heads bent close in conversation. Nearby, Sona stood with Seekvaira, both watching the couple with different expressions—Seekvaira's analytical, Sona's carefully neutral but with tension evident in her posture.
"What do you think of Dante Valac?" Rias asked suddenly.
Her father followed her gaze, his expression thoughtful. "An interesting young devil. His public persona and actual capabilities seem... incongruent."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning he deliberately presents himself as less than he is." Her father's voice dropped further. "Your brother sensed something unusual about him tonight—a power carefully concealed."
Rias considered this as they continued to dance. "And his attendance at Kuoh Academy? Was that your idea or Onii-sama's?"
"Neither, actually. The suggestion came from Serafall Leviathan, though your brother supported it immediately." Her father's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I believe they hope to keep him where they can observe him more closely."
"And Latia Astaroth?"
"A recent addition to the arrangement. Apparently, she requested permission to attend after learning of Valac's enrollment." Her father executed a perfect turn, guiding Rias through the steps. "Ajuka approved immediately. He seems to think the pairing has... potential."
The music began to fade, signaling the end of the first dance. As they returned to the edge of the dance floor, Rias noticed Riser approaching.
"I believe your fiancé wishes to claim the next dance," her father murmured.
Before Riser could reach them, however, a small figure darted between the dancers and came to a stop before Rias, bowing formally.
"Aunt Rias," Millicas said, "would you dance with me next? Mother showed me the steps."
Rias's heart melted at the earnest request. "I would be honored, Millicas."