Chapter 196: I Won't Cancel

"Sister?"

Sona looked at Serafall in shock.

And…

Cancel the engagement?

Sona was completely stunned.

What… does she mean by that?

Serafall ignored Sona's dazed reaction and pounced directly on her, wrapping her hands around Sona's head and rubbing it hard.

"It's been so long, my lovely Sona!"

"Come on, let me absorb a little of Sona's energy!"

Finally snapping back to her senses, Sona immediately began to struggle.

"Sister!"

Her voice was muffled, but clearly laced with irritation.

Hearing the tone in Sona's voice, Serafall quickly let go, then smiled sweetly as if to flatter her.

"Sona-chan, I brought you good news this time~"

Sona took a deep breath, frowned, and asked, "Cancel the engagement?"

"Uh-huh!"

Serafall nodded enthusiastically. "How is it? Aren't you happy?"

Happy?

Sona's face darkened.

Right now, she just wanted to find a way to shut her sister up.

"Why is it that we can suddenly cancel the engagement?"

Sona's eyes narrowed.

It had clearly been so complicated before. But now, out of nowhere, Serafall was saying the engagement could be canceled?

She had always…

Thinking of something, Sona bit her lip, her eyes filled with frustration and unwillingness.

Serafall didn't catch the shift in Sona's expression and continued proudly, "Of course, it's all thanks to your wonderful big sister! I just couldn't bear to see my lovely Sona suffer!"

"So, since Sona-chan was so resistant to this engagement, your dear sister has decided to take responsibility herself, even if it means making a personal sacrifice!"

Serafall clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling as she declared her so-called righteous intentions.

Cool speech, right?

Surely that would earn some points in Sona's heart.

"Unnecessary."

Sona's voice was cold. She calmly adjusted her glasses and continued, "This is my business. I don't need my sister interfering."

"Huh?"

Serafall blinked, visibly stunned.

But after a moment, her expression shifted, as if she realized something.

Given Sona's personality, it wasn't surprising that she wouldn't easily accept help from others.

However…

When it came to someone like Lynn, Sona had no control at all.

Besides…

Serafall leaned closer, her tone lowering. "Sona, you must have heard a little about this."

Sona raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Serafall continued, "The engagement arranged by the Sitri family… was originally meant for me."

Sona's expression froze for a moment, then she pressed her lips tightly together, saying nothing.

Of course, she knew.

That had always been part of what made her so resistant to the engagement.

Serafall had inherited the title of Leviathan and left the Sitri family, so she no longer had to fulfill the arranged marriage.

But…

Everyone in the Sitri family knew how Serafall had felt back then.

The man she had been meant to marry had disappeared without a trace.

Naturally, she had no interest in fulfilling an engagement to someone who was gone.

And so…

The responsibility was conveniently pushed onto Sona.

That had always been one of Sona's deepest frustrations.

Why should she be the one to go through with the engagement, just because her sister didn't want to?

Of course…

She also understood that the only reason she could even consider objecting was because of her sister's position and influence.

Still…

Sona had always wanted to fight for her own decisions.

But now…

There was a flicker of determination in her eyes.

From the moment her sister mentioned canceling the engagement, Sona fully understood her own feelings.

She no longer wanted to cancel it.

Serafall, still unaware of what was going through Sona's mind, stood up straight and declared, "Since I was the one who stepped away, I should be the one to make up for it. I can't let you suffer for my mistake!"

Sona narrowed her eyes. "So…"

"Sister, are you saying you intend to fulfill the engagement in my place?"

Serafall looked away awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.

Sona's gaze turned sharp. "Why didn't you say this before?"

Back when Lynn had first vanished, before they realized he was still alive…

Serafall's eyes darted nervously.

Sona frowned as she stared at her sister's guilty expression.

Was there something more to this story that she didn't know?

…Forget it.

Sona chose not to dig further, but her tone became firm. "I already said. I will not cancel the engagement."

Serafall was stunned.

After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "…Didn't you always want to cancel it?"

It wasn't until then that Serafall noticed something odd about Sona.

From the moment she'd mentioned canceling the engagement, Sona's attitude had been cold, even angry.

Her expression was nothing like the relief Serafall had expected.

Why?

Serafall narrowed her eyes, watching Sona closely.

After a brief pause, Serafall cautiously asked, "…Sona, don't tell me…"

"Do you really want to marry Lynn?"

A faint blush crept onto Sona's face, though she forced herself to remain calm.

"My choices aren't something for you to worry about."

Ah, that confirmed it.

Serafall's expression shifted.

So that's it…

What a sin.

Serafall placed her hands firmly on Sona's shoulders, leaning in seriously. "Sona, you can't handle Lynn. Let your big sister take over!"

Sona brushed her hands away, glaring coldly. "There's no need."

"I'm a bit tired now. Please leave, Sister."

Serafall: "?"

Is she… kicking me out?

Serafall felt a bit hurt.

"Sona… that engagement was supposed to be mine originally."

Sona remained calm. "The moment you gave it up, it became mine."

Tsk.

Serafall rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

How did things turn out like this?

Hadn't Sona always wanted out of the engagement?

Was it really because Lynn was just that attractive?

Well…

It's true that Lynn has his charms…

But still!

Serafall gritted her teeth.

Fine. If that's how Sona wants to play it…

"I'm not giving up that easily."

Serafall smiled slyly. "Sona, whether you like it or not…"

"This isn't something you get to decide alone."

Sona's expression turned cold. "If you're serious about trying to take this from me… then I'll challenge you to a Rating Game."

Serafall blinked. "Huh?"

Did she hear that right?

With Sona's current power, wasn't it obvious that she'd lose against a Maou?

But…

Was Sona really willing to go that far over this engagement?

Is this really the same calm, rational Sona she had always known?

Sona said nothing more. She turned and walked past Serafall, leaving the Student Council Room.

Bang.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Serafall stood there for a long moment, deep in thought.

Sona's stubbornness had completely caught her off guard.

Tsk.

She really couldn't tell how far things had already progressed between Lynn and Sona.

Serafall scratched her head.

She needed to investigate this properly…

On the other side.

After leaving the Student Council Room, Sona stood silently in the hallway, gazing up at the sky outside Kuoh Academy.

She let out a quiet sigh.

She hadn't expected that, besides Rias, even her own sister would become her rival.

Trying to steal away her engagement to Lynn.

Why was this happening?

From the moment they last met, Sona had already sensed there was something between her sister and Lynn.

Otherwise, why would her sister have shown that kind of expression when seeing him again?

This time, saying she wanted to help her cancel the engagement?

Sona could see right through it.

Serafall hadn't come here to help her.

It was for herself.

Because of Lynn.

But…

Sona clenched her fists tightly.

She would never hand Lynn over to anyone else.

Not even her sister.

Even if it meant challenging Serafall to a Rating Game!

Sona knew clearly the difference in power between her and her sister.

As a Maou, Serafall could easily shift the engagement to herself.

Even as the Sitri family's heir, Sona might not be able to stop it.

So…

The only option left was to declare a Rating Game challenge.

Even if she couldn't win.

At least this way, she could prove her resolve to her sister, to Rias, and most importantly… to Lynn.

Thinking of Lynn, Sona's cheeks flushed softly.

Her heartbeat quickened.

When had her feelings toward this engagement begun to change?

It had shifted from resistance… to expectation.

To desire.

And now, to a fierce unwillingness to let go.

Sona spaced out for a moment.

Memories of their first encounter surfaced in her mind.

That scene.

That moment when things had become so… intense.

Without realizing it, she pressed her thighs together, her breath quickening.

That pure white…

She had never washed it.

Instead, she kept it tucked away in her personal space.

It was her first time feeling something like that.

She couldn't help but collect it.

"Ahh…"

So embarrassing…

…

At the same time.

Serafall arrived at the Occult Research Club.

"Hello, hello! Is Sirzechs's little sister here?"

Rias narrowed her eyes. "…What?"

(To be continued.)

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