Raza and Riser locked eyes. For a moment, it felt as if time itself had stopped. Rias and Akeno watched as Raza blocked Riser from reaching Rias, his hand firmly holding Riser back. Riser’s eyes narrowed. “You… Have you lost your mind? You actually dare to touch me? Have you forgotten your place, brother?”
Raza met his glare. “I don’t remember ever being put in any place at all, brother. Gremory said she doesn’t want to go with you, and I… I just made her a promise.”
Riser tried to yank his hand free, but Raza’s grip didn’t loosen in the slightest. He was trapped.
“You would actually do something this stupid? Do you realize what you’re risking right now?” Riser hissed.
Raza’s voice dropped lower. “If you’re talking about my life, I was ready to leave this world the day I was born, you shithead. You don’t scare me.”
Riser gave a harsh laugh. “Ha. You really have lost it. All this over some girl you don’t even know?”
“I know enough about the bullshit the higher-ups pull, trust me. And I won’t stand by and watch you hurt and ruin someone just because of your stupid ego. It’s you who needs to be put in place, brother.”
Riser was fuming now. Phoenix flames began to flicker around his arms and legs, but Raza held his gaze, unflinching, still gripping his wrist.
The tension was about to explode when a booming voice rang out. “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?” Both Phenex brothers turned to see their father, Regulus, standing in front of them.
“Have you both lost your minds? What do you think you’re doing?” Regulus bellowed.
Riser quickly explained that this was all Raza’s fault. Regulus turned to Raza, eyes cold. “I should have known it was you, Raza.”
Raza scoffed. “I’m more surprised to hear you say you know anything about me.”
“Enough of this. You will both stop this instant. You are bringing shame to your family name.”
Riser clicked his tongue in annoyance and stormed off, not looking back. Regulus fixed Raza with a stern look.
“We will talk about this later,” he said, before leaving as well. The room fell into a heavy silence, but soon whispers began to spread again.
Rias approached Raza. “I don’t know what to say. You stood up for me. I… thank you. Truly.”
Raza shrugged. “Don’t mention it. Told you I would.”
Akeno glanced at him with concern. “Are you going to be alright? Things got heated there.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I said I’d help. Whatever happens, happens.”
Rias looked at him in silence, moved by his unexpected support. She thanked him again.
Raza assured them he’d keep an eye on Riser, and if he tried anything, they should call for him—he’d handle the rest. Akeno admitted she
was worried about the consequences Raza might face for opposing them so openly.
“There’s no point worrying about that now,” Raza replied. “Besides, it’s not like things have to stay this way forever.”
They asked him what he meant, but Raza said he’d explain another time. He excused himself, saying he should return to his mother. As he turned to leave, Rias called after him and thanked him once more. Raza simply nodded.
He found his mother, Rhea, and quietly asked if he was in trouble. She smiled, telling him she was proud of him for standing up for Rias. Raza smiled back.
The evening passed, and the Phenex family eventually returned to their household. Later, Regulus summoned Raza to his office.
Regulus’s voice was cold. “I’m disappointed in your actions tonight.”
Raza met his eyes. “I’m going to actively oppose this arranged marriage from now on. The Phenex family can forget about joining with the Gremorys.”
Regulus stared at him in disbelief. “Are you crazy? Saying things like that will get you in trouble with the elders.”
Raza just looked at him, unmoved. Regulus realized his son wouldn’t back down. He tried to reason with him, saying he only wanted to protect Raza.
Raza’s voice was flat. “You never cared, and I don’t need your ‘protection.’ If the elders want something from me, they can talk to me themselves.”
Raza turned to leave. Regulus called after him, but Raza didn’t stop. He left the room. Regulus sighed heavily, burying his face in his hands. The elders would find out sooner or later, and he feared the worst. He desperately hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Walking through the corridors, Raza found Riser waiting for him. Riser glared at him, and Raza met his gaze without flinching.
“You’re going to regret this, brother,” Riser spat.
“I doubt that,” Raza replied, and walked past him, heading back to his own room.