The Underworld was celebrating.
Crimson lights illuminated the Barbatos estate as nobles gathered across floating marble platforms.
Music from the royal orchestra filled the gardens, while servants moved between the guests carrying drinks and food.
It should have been a wonderful night.
For Rias Gremory, it wasn’t.
She stood alone on the balcony, one hand resting against the cold railing.
Her eyes lowered toward the gardens.
The Rating Game kept replaying in her mind.
The battlefield.
Her peerage.
Rafsan.
No matter what she had tried, he had remained one step ahead.
He had read her movements, countered her plans, and dismantled her strategy without ever losing his composure.
And now…
They were engaged.
Rias looked down at the ring on her finger.
“…What am I supposed to do now?” “Preferably not jump from the balcony.” Rias froze.
She turned around.
Rafsan stood behind her in his formal black suit.
His expression was as calm as ever.
And in his hands were two plates of cake.
Rias stared at him.
“…Why are you carrying cake?” “It’s cake.” “I can see that.” “Then everything is fine.” Rias’s eyebrow twitched.
“That’s not what I meant.” Rafsan walked over and handed one of the plates to her.
“It’s our wedding night.” Rias’s face immediately turned red.
“W-Wedding night?!” “Technically, engagement celebration.” He paused.
“Although everyone downstairs seems to have decided otherwise.” Rias glanced toward the ballroom.
Several nobles were already looking toward the balcony.
Her face became even redder.
“This is embarrassing…” Rafsan took a bite of his cake.
“That’s why I brought cake.” “…How does that help?” “It doesn’t.” Rias stared at him.
Then she sighed.
“You’re strange.” “I’ve been told.” She looked at the cake in her hands.
Despite herself, she took a small bite.
It was good.
Very good.
“…This is delicious.” “I know.” “You bought it?” “Yes.” “You didn’t make it?” “I value our marriage too much to risk it on my cooking.” Rias covered her mouth as a small laugh escaped.
For a moment, the weight in her chest became lighter.
Then her expression became serious again.
“Rafsan.” “Hm?” “Why did you agree to this?” He stopped eating.
Rias lowered the cake.
“You defeated me.
You defeated my entire strategy.
And afterward, instead of simply accepting your victory, you agreed to marry me.” She looked directly at him.
“Why?” Rafsan was silent for a moment.
“Because I wanted to.” Rias blinked.
“That’s it?” “Pretty much.” “That’s not an answer!” He sighed.
“You caught my attention.” Rias’s eyes widened slightly.
“During the Rating Game, I noticed that you kept putting your peerage before yourself.” He looked toward the gardens.
“You were stubborn.
Reckless sometimes.” Rias’s eyebrow twitched.
“Excuse me?” “But you didn’t abandon anyone.” His expression softened.
“Even when you knew you were losing.” Rias became quiet.
Rafsan continued.
“That was something I respected.” “…” “And…” He looked back at her.
“You were distracting.” Rias stared at him.
“What?” “You kept getting in my way.” “That’s your compliment?” “Yes.” “You’re terrible at this.” “I know.” Rias couldn’t help it.
She laughed.
It was only a small laugh, but it was genuine.
Rafsan smiled faintly.
Rias looked down again.
“You know…” “Hm?” “I still hate losing.” “I know.” “I hate that you saw through everything I did.” “I know.” “And I hate that you’re so calm about it.” “I know.” Rias turned toward him.
“Stop saying you know!” Rafsan blinked.
“…Okay.” Rias puffed her cheeks slightly.
For once, Rafsan looked genuinely confused.
She couldn’t tell whether he was doing it intentionally.
Probably not.
She sighed.
Then her voice became quieter.
“But…” She looked at the ring.
“I don’t want everyone downstairs to think I’m unhappy.” Rafsan’s expression changed.
“Are you?” Rias hesitated.
“I don’t know.” He didn’t interrupt.
“I never expected any of this.” She clenched her hand.
“The Rating Game.
Losing.
The engagement…” Her voice became smaller.
“Everything happened so quickly.” Rafsan nodded.
“Then don’t force yourself to have an answer tonight.” Rias looked at him.
“You don’t have to pretend you’re happy just because everyone else is celebrating.” She stared at him for several seconds.
“…You’re surprisingly considerate sometimes.” “Sometimes?” “Don’t get carried away.” “Understood.” Rias smiled faintly.
Then she remembered something.
“Rafsan.” “Yes?” “You said you respected me because I didn’t abandon my peerage.” “Yes.” “Then why did you fight so seriously?” He looked at her.
“Because you were serious.” Rias blinked.
“That’s all?” “You challenged me.” His voice was calm.
“So I fought you properly.” Rias understood.
For Rafsan, holding back would have been more insulting than defeating her.
She looked away.
“…I still don’t like losing.” “You don’t have to.” “What?” “You can beat me next time.” Rias’s eyes widened.
Then a competitive smile slowly appeared on her face.
“Next time?” “Of course.” “You’re confident.” “You’re going to try again?” “Absolutely.” Rafsan nodded.
“Then I’ll prepare.” Rias narrowed her eyes.
“You’d better.” For the first time that night, she felt like herself again.
Not the defeated heiress.
Not the newly engaged devil surrounded by nobles.
Just Rias Gremory.
A girl who hated losing.
A leader who wanted to become stronger.
And now…
Apparently, a wife-to-be.
Rafsan held out his hand.
“Ready to go back?” Rias looked at his hand.
Then she placed hers in it.
“…Yes.” They walked toward the ballroom together.
After a few steps, Rias glanced at him.
“Rafsan.” “Hm?” “Tomorrow, we’re discussing the political arrangements, aren’t we?” “Unfortunately.” “You really hate those meetings.” “Yes.” Rias smiled.
“Good.” Rafsan looked at her suspiciously.
“Why?” “Because you’re coming with me.” He sighed.
“I knew there was a catch.” Rias laughed as they entered the ballroom together.
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