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DN : [272] Damn Politics
🕑 Added 2024-08-10 16:00:03 +0000 UTC"My parents want to meet you too."
At that moment, Sona's voice echoed in agreement.
August suddenly realized what was going on. This wasn't just a trip back to the underworld; this was clearly an opportunity for his prospective in-laws to meet their son-in-law.
Rias, he could understand, but how did Sona's parents know about him?
Seeing August's questioning look, Sona blushed slightly.
"My sister told my parents about us as soon as she returned."
"Oh~"
August understood. Her relentless sister had run home to inform their parents.
Still, August didn't mind. After all, he had already won over their daughters completely, so meeting the parents was only natural.
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning. Everything is already arranged."
"Fine, you decide."
August left the arrangements to Sona without much concern.
Sona smiled, but Rias looked displeased. They were both going back to meet their parents, but she had a marriage contract to consider. Why let Sona handle it?
"August, you should come with me to meet my parents first." Rias interjected, emphasizing her role as the fiancée and feeling she should be prioritized.
Rias glanced at Sona, expecting some resistance, but Sona remained calm and didn't argue.
The reason Sona didn't contest was simple: there was a significant difference between her and Rias. Sona was already August's woman, while Rias was still just a fiancée.
"I'll visit the House of Sitri first, Rias. You should go back home. I'll join you after two days."
"August, I-"
Rias instinctively wanted to protest, but Akeno, standing beside her, gently held her back.
Rias turned to see Akeno shaking her head, signaling her not to continue. Akeno understood the situation more clearly than Rias did.
It was evident to everyone at home how much August favored Sona, especially since Sona handled things more transparently.
August knew what Rias was thinking, but he was no Issei Hyoudou; he wouldn't fawn over her continuously.
Both Sona and Rias had been pampered since childhood, but their current situations were vastly different.
Due to Sirzechs' subtle pampering, Rias gradually developed a mindset that she was the best and could only be the best.
Sona, on the other hand, also believed she was excellent but never imposed this belief on others.
Moreover, Rias's goals were too transparent, making August instinctively reluctant to favor her.
From their initial meeting when she used her body to win him over, to her constant competition with Sona, and even now, living under the same roof, she kept clashing with Sona.
Most importantly, she repeatedly tried to suppress Sona in front of August to prove her superiority.
Ravel observed all this from the corner of the living room.
She had now identified three factions within August's household: Rias's peerage, Sona's peerage, and the small group formed by Hilda, Yolda, Asia, and Raynare.
As a House of Phenex's informant trying to establish a connection with August, Ravel knew she had to align herself accordingly. After some observation, she decided to be closer to Sona, as Rias repeatedly embarrassed herself in front of August.
"Sona, is there anything your parents particularly like? It's my first visit, and I should bring something."
"Um, my father likes red wine, and my mother enjoys tea. Just bring some of each; they don't really lack anything."
"Hilda, please prepare those."
"Yes, my lord."
Red wine was easy. August's treasury held divine wine, the best in the world. As for the tea, that was up to Hilda, as August didn't have any on hand.
Seeing this, Rias grew even more dissatisfied. August only asked Sona and not her. Why bring gifts to Sona's family and not hers?
Compared to Sona, Rias now seemed like a sore loser, repeatedly defeated.
What Rias didn't know was that August was doing this intentionally, to provoke and stimulate her. He wanted to push her to the point of willingly giving herself to him.
The previous outing, with a mix of coaxing and trickery, had nearly broken the final barrier between them.
But the day after the Khaos Brigade's attack, Rias reverted to her old self as if nothing had happened the day before.
August had made it clear: he wanted to push her into his arms. They had a good conversation that night, and if there hadn't been other matters to attend to, their relationship would have been sealed.
Initially, he thought there was no rush; she was practically his already. But by the next day, she acted differently again, making him very unhappy. Was she playing hard to get?
This led to the current situation. August felt that if she didn't want to make an effort, he didn't need her either.
August lacked nothing, especially not beautiful women. He had a house full of them now, so he wasn't missing out. Besides, Sona was much more agreeable at the moment.
So now, with Rias feeling discontent and August's temper rising, neither was willing to back down, naturally leading to this standoff. In the end, only Rias would lose out.
"Tsubaki, contact the family and have them prepare for our return."
"I understand, President."
"But August, this trip might involve some trouble. The higher-ups may want to talk to you."
"Talk? About what? If they piss me off, I'll just take my family and join the Grigori. Azazel would love to have me."
"Can you be serious?"
"Don't worry. I'm not Sirzechs. If they try to use politics on me, I'll turn the tables on them."
Sona sighed. She knew August well enough to understand he was serious about such threats.
