42

The sharp, distinct sound echoed through the grand corridor, a sudden punctuation mark in the elegant silence of the Gremory castle. Rias Gremory, who had just turned her head to address Grayfia, paused, her crimson eyes blinking in surprise. She looked back, her gaze sweeping over Rin, then the space where the sound had originated. She saw Rin standing there, a subtle smile on his face, his hands clasped together in a quiet clap.

"Oh, Rin-kun," Rias murmured, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She thought he was just being playful, trying to lighten the atmosphere. They were, after all, about to meet her parents, a moment often fraught with a certain tension, even for a devil princess. "Trying to break the ice before we go in?" she teased, a soft giggle escaping her.

Grayfia Lucifuge, meanwhile, had frozen in place, a silent gasp caught in her throat. The electric jolt of pleasure still throbbed through her body, a shameful, secret ecstasy that had momentarily stolen her breath. Her face, usually a mask of serene composure, was flushed a deep, fiery crimson, rivalling Rias's own hair. She looked wildly around, her wide, bewildered eyes finally meeting Rin's triumphant, amused grin. A new layer of mortification washed over her. It was fortunate, she thought, desperately, that only the three of them were present. No one else had seen, no one else had heard.

Rias, ever perceptive, noticed the sudden flush on her Queen's face. "Grayfia-san?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "Is something wrong? Your face is quite red."

With a speed born of years of impeccable self-control, Grayfia's professional mask snapped back into place. The blush faded almost entirely, her eyes regaining their cool, composed dignity. "N-nothing, Lady Rias," she replied, her voice steady, though a faint tremor still lingered deep within her. "There is nothing wrong. Merely… the warmth of the castle air."

Rias glanced at Rin, who continued to smile innocently, then shook her head with a faint sigh. "Honestly, Rin-kun, you and your antics," she muttered, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Grayfia-san is far too serious for your pranks." She looked back at Grayfia. "Don't tell me you're actually falling for his charms, Grayfia-san?" Rias chuckled softly, finding the idea utterly absurd. Grayfia, the unyielding Ice Queen, fall for a human, even Rin? Impossible.

Rin, of course, heard Rias's every thought. Oh, Rias, you have no idea what your 'Ice Queen' is capable of, he mused, his internal smirk widening. He had felt the intense tremor of Grayfia's climax, sensed the overwhelming pleasure that had flooded her. The seed had been planted. Now, it was just a matter of time.

"Shall we proceed, Lady Rias?" Grayfia asked, her voice regaining its usual professional cadence, her hand already reaching for the ornate double doors of the living room.

"Indeed," Rias replied, still chuckling.

Grayfia pushed open the heavy doors, revealing a spacious, elegantly furnished living room that radiated the dignified power of the Gremory House. A few maids were already present, encircling the area with discreet efficiency. On a plush, velvet sofa in the center of the room sat two figures who commanded the space with their mere presence: Rias's parents.

"Rias, my dear!" her mother, Venelana Gremory, exclaimed, her voice warm and melodious. She rose gracefully, her beautiful crimson hair cascading over her shoulders, her elegant figure moving with an almost ethereal grace.

Lord Zeoticus Gremory, Rias's father, a distinguished devil with sharp, intelligent eyes, rose more sedately, a welcoming smile on his face.

Rias rushed forward, embracing her mother warmly, then her father. "Mother! Father! It's good to see you both."

After the heartfelt greetings and a brief exchange of pleasantries with Rias, the attention of the Gremory patriarch and matriarch finally shifted to Rin.

"And you must be Rin Takakura," Zeoticus said, his voice deep and resonant, extending a hand to Rin. "Rias has spoken much about you."

"A pleasure to finally meet you, Lord Gremory, Lady Gremory," Rin replied, taking Zeoticus's hand firmly. He met the older devil's gaze with a respectful, yet confident, smile.

Venelana Gremory's eyes, a beautiful shade of blue, sparkled with an almost youthful curiosity as she regarded Rin. "Welcome to our home, Rin-kun. Please, make yourselves comfortable. Do sit."

Rin, Rias, and Grayfia took their seats. Rin chose a sofa directly opposite Rias's parents, giving him a clear view. As he settled in, he couldn't help but feel a jolt of genuine surprise. They looked incredibly young. Especially her mother.

I… I completely forgot just how young Venelana Gremory looks, Rin thought, his mind racing back to his past life. He remembered watching High School DxD, but the minor characters often blurred in his memory. It was only the fan art, the doujinshi, of Rias and her mother, using their substantial breasts to pleasure the protagonist, that had vividly cemented Venelana's appearance in his mind. He shook his head subtly, a faint blush creeping up his neck. No. Focus, Rin. He forcibly averted his gaze from Venelana's alluring figure for now, focusing instead on Lord Zeoticus. It wasn't that he was attracted to Rias's father, but rather, Rin viewed him as a strategic resource. His status. His position.

The four of them exchanged pleasantries, discussing Rias's school life, Rin's transition to Kuoh Academy, and other innocuous topics. Rin contributed just enough to be polite, his replies measured and charming. All the while, his system was hard at work.

Zeoticus Gremory: Masochistic Tendency -> 95/100.

Rin pushed the stat to near max, observing the subtle, unperceivable shift in Lord Gremory's aura. He wouldn't feel anything now, of course, but the groundwork was laid.

This is it. The key, Rin mused, a cold, calculating gleam in his eyes. He intended to steal Rias's mother, Venelana, from her husband. A bold move, but one that fit perfectly with his overarching goal: acquiring powerful, beautiful women without getting bogged down in the complex, long-term politics of the Underworld. Lord Zeoticus is the answer. With him under my influence, navigating the Gremory House, and indeed, the wider Devil world, will be far simpler. This was also Rias's elder brother, Sirzechs's, fate. It won't be long now until I meet Sirzechs, and then Grayfia will truly be mine.

For now, Rin held back from acting on Venelana. There would be time, a perfect opportunity, later. He would strike when the moment was ripe, when the emotional impact on Zeoticus would be most profound. He feels nothing now, Rin thought, observing the undisturbed calm on Lord Gremory's face. But he will. He will feel everything when his wife, the woman he cherishes, is taken before his very eyes.

Rin shook his head, pushing the darker thoughts aside for now. Focus on the present. One step at a time.

After a few more minutes of amiable, if slightly superficial, conversation, Lord Zeoticus's demeanor shifted. His expression became serious, his gaze sharp and direct as he looked at Rin.

"Rin Takakura," Zeoticus began, his voice losing its earlier casual tone. "My daughter, Rias, holds you in high regard. She spoke of your… courage during the Rating Game. I must ask you directly: are you truly serious about her? About your feelings for her?"

Rin met his gaze, his own expression unwavering. "Yes, Lord Gremory. I am absolutely serious." His voice was firm, resonating with a sincerity that, while true in its intent to possess Rias, was perhaps not the kind of sincerity Zeoticus expected.

"And if your relationship with my daughter progresses," Zeoticus continued, his eyes scrutinizing Rin, "would you be willing to convert? To become a devil and join our lineage?"

"No," Rin stated, his answer immediate and unequivocal. "I will not convert."

A ripple of surprise went through the room. Rias stiffened, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and admiration for Rin's boldness. Before her father could retort, Rias moved. She quickly went to Rin's side, taking his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. She squeezed his hand reassuringly, then looked directly at her parents, her crimson eyes burning with unwavering resolve.

"Mother, Father," Rias declared, her voice clear and strong, "I will be with Rin. No matter what happens. No matter what the cost."

Lord Zeoticus and Lady Venelana exchanged a long, silent glance. They saw the fierce devotion in their daughter's eyes, the unyielding grip she had on Rin's hand, the undeniable bond that crackled between the two young people. It was a love that, whatever its origins, felt profoundly real in that moment.

A sigh, almost imperceptible, escaped Zeoticus. "Very well," he said, his voice softening slightly. "It seems this topic is settled for now." He offered a small, accepting smile. "However, let us change the mood. You have travelled far, my dear children. Have you eaten anything since your arrival?"

Before Rias or Rin could answer, Lady Venelana clapped her hands together lightly. "Indeed! It is almost lunchtime anyway. Maids! Prepare an early lunch. Dishes, and plenty of them!"

The maids bowed, moving swiftly to carry out the orders. The tension in the room dissipated, replaced by a warm, almost wholesome atmosphere of family and hospitality.

Rin, however, watched the scene with a subtle, predatory gleam in his eyes. Wholesome, indeed, he thought, his lips curving into a silent, knowing smirk. Just wait until after lunch, Lady Gremory. We'll be having a very private conversation, just the two of us. His mind was already meticulously crafting the scenario, planning every detail to ensure he would be alone with Rias's mother, laying the final trap for the elegant devil queen.