Chapter Text
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A marriage ceremony between two high-class devils is usually carried out in the form of small and private parties attended by only high-class nobles. It is something that a civilian and low-class devil cannot even hope to attend.
However, when it comes to our ceremony, It ended up becoming more like a festival rather than a wedding ceremony, especially when the ceremony was about to end with Serafall who decided to act as the judge.
"By my right as Satan Leviathan and with Satan Lucifer who presents with us as the witness. I hereby declare Kyu and Ravel as husband and wife. May their unification forge new bonds and paths for the devil race to thrive in the future."
"Now, you may kiss the bride."
After Serafall said those words, I pulled Ravel close and kissed her lips in front of the audience and witnessed. Sealing the deal and officially declaring us as a married couple to the public.
At the same time, loud cheers and claps can be heard coming from the audience. Mostly comes from the citizens who are also present in this place since we welcome anyone who wishes to join the party.
I also look at Ravel who shows a happy smile on her face once we separate our lips.
"We finally did it."
"We are, Kyu-sama. Please take care of me from now on."
"Of course, I will."
Before the two of us can let ourselves sink into our moment, Serafall and Sirzech call my name and pull our attention to them.
"Congratulations, Kyu."
"Thank you, Lord Lucifer."
"Khuhuhu, I hope you haven't forgotten about our deal, Kyu-kun."
Serafall needs to pick a better moment to joke about something like that.
"Ah, yes, thank you, Lady Levia-tan", I answer Serafall's teasing joke while deciding to ignore the teasing remarks behind her words.
"Uhum~, Kyu-sama, Lady Serafall, Lord Sirzech. We should greet our families first."
Ravel ended up becoming the middle man and preventing our talks from straying further from this place. We also ended up agreeing to her suggestion and got down from the altar to greet our families and the others.
Reaching the floor area, the Phenex family is the first one who approach us. Ravel hugs her parents while they give her congratulatory words. I also received the same from my father-in-law, but looks like we will be dealing with our guests first before anything else.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Lord Kyu", said one of the nobles who came to my front.
"Thank you."
Exchanges of pleasantry and words that come from me and my father-in-law.
We continue to talk and deal with anyone who comes to approach us. Knowing that letting my father-in-law deal with this is the best course of action, I leave the place and decide to approach another group of guests instead.
This time I was approached by someone that I know.
"Sairaorg?"
"Hahaha~, surely I will be attending your marriage, Kyu."
"Thank you for coming."
I accept Sairaorg's handshake and look at his servants who are following him and accompanying him to this party. Kuisha and Coriana are the ones who come with Sairaorg to this place.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Lord Kyu", said Kuisha while offering a handshake as well. Although I can sense a tint of annoyance and jealousy in her mind.
"Thank you, Miss Kuisha", I reply to Kuisha's words while knowing that she must have already made up her mind and chosen her final decision. Looks like I will need to deal with her and Misla soon.
I begin to talk to Sairaorg for a while until another group comes to approach our position. It was Rias and Sona. They were also accompanied by Akeno and Tsubaki.
Sairaorg looks at this and greets Rias with a loud voice after realizing her arrival.
"Oh, cousin Rias. It has been a long time since we met."
"It has been a long time, cousin Sairaorg."
The two of them greet each other while also introducing those who accompany them to this place. This leaves me to talk with Sona and she congratulates me as well.
"Looks like your big sister cannot hold herself back anymore", I said to Sona while looking at the large stage beside the wedding venue. A large crowd has already gathered there as Serafall begins to sing with her magical girl identity.
"Ugh~, just let her do as she pleases", Sona replies to my words while rubbing her forehead with annoyance and acceptance toward Serafall's action.
"Anyway, congratulations on your marriage", Sona said to me after she decided to ignore Serafall's action.
"Thank you."
I approach Sona and begin to whisper something to her.
'Perhaps you will be next, Sona."
I slowly move away from Sona after I whisper those words to her. Looks like my action did cause her to lose control of herself a little bit after she showed her reddening face to me.
"You~, you better fulfill your promise, got it?", Sona said those words while trying to cover her face.
"Of course. Anyway, enjoy the party. I still need to greet the other guests as well."
"Go on, I still have Tsubaki at my side", Sona said to me while pointing her gaze to Tsubaki who was standing beside her. Tsubaki also nods her head after offering her congratulatory words to me.
I nod my head and leave Sona to approach another group of nobles. Most of them consisted of middle-class nobles and a few non-pillar high-ranking nobles who were quite close to me when it came to diplomatic relationships.
Meanwhile, at Ravel's side, she was also doing the same thing with her family beside her. They mostly dealt with nobles who were related to their business partners and a noble who came from the pillar clans.
It is not like I am refusing to deal with those guys, but I prefer to deal with those who are close to me first.
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<Later>
About half an hour later, I finally finished greeting all of the guests who had come to our place. Probably there are a few who have not come yet, but I guess I can leave them for later. Ravel and her parents have almost finished dealing with those who are affiliated with their family's business.
Right now, the party guests have been separated into two groups.
Those who come from the lower class and the citizen are enjoying the outer venue with Serafall singing on the large stage as their entertainment. Some civilians decide to sell things from their stands and treat this place like a market.
In the inner area, those who come from the noble family continue to talk and do whatever they want with their fellow high-class devil.
This lets me know the difference between their way of thinking to the citizens who reside in my territory. One of them is still separating themselves from those who are lower than them and the other does not even care about that matter at all.
Deciding to ignore their way of thinking, I return to my seat and sit down to get myself some rest. Seeing my action, looks like Ravel decides to do the same as well and place herself beside me.
"Good work, Dear", Ravel said to me while handing me a glass of cold juice.
"You too. So, did the other side say something similar to the one I have said to you before?"
"They tried to hide it. But, yes, they do. Some of them keep saying how it was a waste for me to marry you, my King."
"Classic", I said to Ravel while imagining and predicting how most young devils would react to our marriage.
"Do you think we should do the thing you are planning to do, Kyu-sama?", Ravel questions me while thinking about the result that may come to us if we decide to announce some of our secrets.
"We do, but wait until our father has done with his parts yet."
"Father?"
"Well, look over there."
I silently move my gaze to a certain spot within the inner area which Ravel immediately follows without fail. Our gazes arrive at the spot where Lord Phenex can be seen talking to the Gremory group.
At his side, Rias can be seen standing as Lord Phenex begins to talk to the Gremory group in front of them. A group that consisted of Zeoticus, Venelana, Sirzech, Grayfia, and the young Millicas.
Ravel moves her gaze back to me after she realizes the thing that is currently happening in that particular spot.
"Kyu-sama, are they perhaps talking about the cancelation of Rias and Riser's engagement?", Ravel questions me with surprise covering her face. She knows about it since she is also the one who offers these plans to me.
"Indeed. They also plan to talk about Rias who is willing to continue the engagement between the Phenex and the Gremory. However, it will be with me instead of Riser."
Ravel moves her gaze back to the spot where the Gremory group is currently sitting.
There is a bit of tension that comes from their spot, but we ended up seeing a few nods from their group. After a while, all of them move their gazes toward our spot and tell us about the cues for our surprise announcement.
"Ah, so that is the signal for the announcement", Ravel said to me with a chuckle after realizing the reason for my silence.
"Yep, it is time."
I use my magic to secretly contact Serafall to tell her that I am planning to announce something to the guests. Serafall nods her head and she slowly ends her singing while telling the crowds about the action that I am about to do.
In just a minute, the venue slowly lowers its voice as all eyes from the guests gathered to the spot where Ravel and I are currently standing.
"Let's go, Ravel."
"As you wish, my King."
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<A Few Minutes Ago>
Just like what he has planned with his son-in-law, Lord Phenex approaches the Gremory group with their daughter standing beside him.
His arrival together with Rias did cause the Gremory group to question this scene. But, since he is about to say the reasoning to them, he might as well continue the pace without letting the flow break away from his side.
After explaining and telling the Gremory group about his decision to cancel Riser's engagement with Rias, let's just say mixed emotions can be seen coming from the faces of the Gremory group.
Not to mention how Rias also tells them that she is currently having a romantic relationship with that young man.
"Ria~, is this true?", Zeoticus asks his daughter while looking at Rias who stands beside Lord Phenex.
"That is right, Father. There is no lie nor mistake in what Lord Phenex has said to all of you. Including my relationship with that person", Rias once again assures her family about her decision. She might try to hide it, but worry and anxiety continued to fill her mind about how her family would react to this.
Venelana, Grayfia, and Sirzech move their gazes toward Zeoticus.
In the end, Zeoticus is the head of the Gremory clan. His decision will be the result of this sudden declaration from Lord Phenex.
"Ria-tan, do you love him?", Zeoticus asks Rias once again while moving her gaze to the young man who is currently sitting on the seat on the podium.
Rias nods her head without hesitation.
"Huhuhu~, hahahaha~"
"Eh, dear?", Venelana suddenly looks at Zeoticus with confusion. Perhaps this sudden news messed up something in his head.
"Hahaha, I am sorry. Looks like I can't refuse anything that my daughter asks me."
"Father?"
"If that is what you want, Ria, then, I am not going to stop you."
"Really?"
"Yes, no matter what. Your happiness comes first. I know you didn't like the fact that we are pushing you to your engagement without your consent. Looks like my greed and fears ended up causing me to do all of this."
Lord Phenex looks at Zeoticus and lets out a sigh.
"I could say the same from my side. Looks like we are indeed being blinded by greed and fear."
"Oh, then what makes you change your mind?", Zeoticus asks Lord Phenex.
"It was my son-in-law over there. He is indeed a remarkable young brat", says Lord Phenex while pointing his finger at the wedding altar.
"Hahaha~, looks like my Ria-tan will be taken by good hands."
"Indeed, perhaps it is time for us the old generation to get some vacation and let the young ones lead our society", comments Lord Phenex like a parent talking about his child.
Looking at how Zeoticus accepts Rias's decision to cancel her engagement with Riser and forges the new one with that young man instead, the rest of the Gremory lets out a smile of happiness for Rias who manages to regain her freedom to love.
Because, deep down, they know that the happiness of their families comes first.
At the side, Grayfia looks at Sirzech's face. He might try to hide it, but a big smile can be seen appearing on his face.
She let out a chuckle, knowing that someone like that young man manages to turn the undiscovered conflicts among themselves into a series of smiles that fill their family with warmth. Looks like she will need to treat this young man as best as she can.
On Venelana's side, she shows a smile of gratitude and happiness while she hugs her daughter. Congratulating her for finding someone who manages to gain her acceptance for standing at her side.
She did wonder how this young man managed to infiltrate Rias's heart and make her willing to go this far for their relationship. Just like what Grayfia is thinking, perhaps she needs to personally test this young man to be compatible with her daughter.
None of them cares to think about the way they treat this moment as if everything will be alright as long as they are happy. There is no need to think about anything else and just accept the best result that they can get.
Perhaps some unknown forces manage to [Control] the flows of decisions between these clans' heads.
No one truly knows.
Once the matters have been settled, Lord Phenex once again says something to the Gremory group.
"Lord Zeoticus. If you are thinking about whether my son-in-law is worthy of your daughter, his announcement after this surely shocks all of you."
This caused everyone to be curious about this sudden declaration. Even Rias herself did not know about this, considering how she also showed a questioning expression on her face.
"Oh, now you make me curious, Lord Phenex", comments Zeoticus.
"I am not kidding. I even got myself falls onto my butt when that brat shows me his secret."
"Well, I guess we could only wait", said Sirzech.
Lord Phenex nods his head and gives the signal to his son-in-law. Telling him that he has done his parts with the Gremory group.
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<At the Same Time with the Sitri Group>
The way that Sona gives the news to her parents is quite different from Rias's parents, but a similar reaction can be seen on the faces of Sona's parents after they listen to Sona's words.
Both of them know that their daughter is not someone who will act without good reasoning.
When she told them that she was going to marry the groom who was currently sitting at the altar, it did surprise them a little bit.
"Is that truly what you wish for, my daughter?"
"Yes, Father. I am sure and content."
"I see. Both your mother and I will not prevent you from marrying a man of your choosing as long as you deem him acceptable. But, will your sister be okay with that?", Lord Sitri asks his daughter while knowing how Serafall acts.
"Don't worry, he already handles big sister in his way", Sona said to her father with a chuckle.
"Haha~, impressive. Even as far as letting Serafall accept this decision of yours. Ordinary did not fit his status."
Sona let out a smile of satisfaction after seeing how easy for her to convince her parents to accept her decision. Looks like accepting the suggestions that come from him makes things easier on her side.
Sona knows her circumstances are quite different when compared to Rias. But, she knows that she will not take any man who she deems unworthy of her love and attention to her life. In this case, Kyu happens to possess everything that checks her list.
Not to mention she was also somehow really attracted to him, both as a devil and as a woman.
Considering how he can easily convince her to share his love with Rias and many women around him, Sona needs to accept that she has already fallen for his charm. Something that she never experienced with any other man she had ever met.
No matter how hard she tries to deny it, Sona knows that she will love him no matter what. Because Sona knows that there is probably no man left who can fit her needs to take the position of her husband.
"Well, he said that he is planning to announce something. I guess we could wait and see what will happen", Sona said to her parents while leaning back on her chair.
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<At the same time inside Kyu's Home>
"Aika-sama, here is your tea."
"Thank you, Valerie."
Valerie sits on the sofa beside Aika and looks toward the floating orb in front of them.
Images of the wedding venue can be seen reflected from the surface of the orb. In front of Aika, the presence of Asia and Tosca can also be seen watching the floating orb together with them.
"Uuh~, I wish we could attend the party as well", Asia mutters with grumbles while looking at the orb.
"So do I, Asia-chan, but we got to keep him accompanied," said Aika while letting out a sigh from her mouth.
Aika isn't exactly wrong. There is one more person who is present with them in this place. A man with black hair also continues to gaze at the floating orb while continuously devouring banana after banana into his mouth.
There is also a glass of banana juice, fried banana, steamed banana, and every kind of food that can be made with banana at his side.
'Why does this person like bananas so much?', is what goes through their mind after seeing Crom Cruach but without knowing his identity.
Neither Asia, Aika, Valeria, nor Tosca knows his identity. All they know is that they need to keep this person accompanied since it is an order from their master.
They were also told by their master this man was a dragon.
'Well, he looks harmless enough. Kyu-sama also said to not disturb him with the bananas around him.'
"Ah, look. Kyu-sama and Ravel-chan stand up", Asia said to the group while pointing toward the floating orb.
At this moment, the man with black hair temporarily stopped eating his banana and let out a chuckle.
"Hehe~, do it."