Morning light warmed the long table in the Barbatos mansion’s dining hall.
For a mansion owned by one of the Underworld’s great houses, the dining hall looked surprisingly ordinary.
Linen napkins, steaming tea, and polished silver sat neatly on the table.
Rias Gremory sat with her usual poise.
Her crimson hair lay over the back of her chair.
Her gaze lingered on the young man across from her a beat longer than usual.
“Rafsan.” She lifted her cup and watched the steam.
“I know about Angela.
You still haven’t told me about the other two in your peerage.” He paused, fingers tracing the rim of his saucer.
He folded his hands and leaned back.
“Curious, are you?” His voice stayed flat.
“Fine.
I’ll give you a bit.” “My Rook is Akasha.” He looked toward the window, where a breeze moved the maple leaves.
“Tell me about her.” Rias set her cup down.
She didn’t rush him.
“She’s not in the Underworld,” Rafsan said.
“She’s in Asgard.” Rias blinked.
“Asgard.” “Studying rune magic.
Helping with some family business.” He shrugged and left the rest unsaid.
Judging by the way his gaze lingered on the cup, it wasn’t a pleasant memory.
“She’s good.” He sounded like he meant it.
“Rune magic fits her.” Rias watched his hands and his jaw.
She decided not to push.
“And your Queen?” she asked.
Rafsan tightened his grip on the cup and tapped the rim three times.
“That’s complicated.” “Not even to me?” Her voice was steady.
He gave a small, practiced smile.
“If people knew, it would cause problems.
Big ones.
I don’t want that on my peerage.” Rias didn’t answer immediately.
She traced the rim of her saucer with one finger before giving a small nod.
Rafsan cleared his throat.
“So… when are you heading back to Kuoh for third year?” “Two weeks.” She smoothed the front of her dress.
“Some family matters to settle first.” “Troublesome family matters,” he said with a dry sound.
“House Gremory never lets anyone rest.” Rias let out a short laugh.
“How bad was the student council this year?” she asked to change the subject.
Rafsan snorted.
“Bad enough that I considered transferring schools.” Rias laughed.
“You wouldn’t last a month outside of quiet.” They moved through smaller talk—student council disasters, nobles quarrelling over seating, a pile of petitions stamped in triplicate—each exchange spoken, not summarized.
When the cups were nearly empty, Rias set hers down.
“You change the subject when she comes up,” she said.
Rafsan didn’t look at her.
“Maybe I don’t like the questions.” “Or maybe you don’t like the answers.” She let the words hang between them.
He tilted his head.
“Maybe both.” “You really are hard to read.” She straightened her back.
He reached out and nudged her shoulder with the back of his hand.
It was a small gesture, but familiar enough that neither thought twice about it.
“Don’t make prying a hobby,” he muttered.
“Don’t be childish,” she replied.
“Not around you,” he said softly.
They traded another quiet barb about the academy.
Neither of them spoke for a few seconds.
Rias stood and smoothed the skirt of her dress.
“I’ll let you keep your secrets for now,” she said.
“But I won’t forget them.” Rafsan looped his long white scarf over his shoulders.
He watched her move for the door, then called after her in a low tone meant only for her.
“Some things are worth protecting.” She paused at the threshold and looked back.
“Some are worth finding.” Rias walked down the corridor.
Rafsan waited until her footsteps disappeared.
He looked down at the cold tea in his cup.
With a quiet sigh, he finished it, set the cup aside, and left the dining hall.
It really helps the story reach more readers.