44

Fate is truly playful, Venelana Gremory thought, a silent lament echoing in the depths of her mind. To finally meet my true fated partner, only for him to be destined for my own daughter. Despite the tumultuous whirlwind of these long, painful thoughts, the entire internal struggle had transpired in mere instants. No time had been wasted, no awkward pause lingered in the corridor.

"Excuse me," Venelana said, her voice composed, though a subtle, almost imperceptible tremor ran through it. She began to turn, intending to make her way back to the living room, to her daughter. She needed to talk to Rias, to reaffirm her commitment, to steel herself against the rising tide of forbidden desire.

However, before she could take a single step, Rin's hand reached out, gently closing over hers.

Venelana's heart, which had just begun to calm, surged anew, beating a joyous, frantic rhythm against her ribs. She held back a gasp, an involuntary urge to lean into his touch. Her fingers curled, wanting to intertwine with his, to pull him closer. She held the feeling in check, her professional facade unwavering. "Is there something you need, Rin-kun?" she asked, her voice even, though the warmth of his touch spread through her arm like liquid fire.

"I apologize, Lady Gremory," Rin replied, his voice soft, an earnestness in his tone. "I'm not sure why, but I felt the need to stop you."

Venelana smiled, a gentle, understanding curve of her lips. "It's quite alright, Rin-kun. No need to apologize."

Yet, as she met his gaze, the thought of giving him up, of letting this true connection slip away, tore at her heart. Her internal resolve, forged moments ago, wavered. She shook her head almost imperceptibly, a silent battle playing out on her serene features. No. Do not change your decision. For Rias. For the family. Her hands, however, betrayed her, clenching slightly, a visible tension in her posture as she fought the overwhelming urge to simply throw herself into his arms. The image of her family, of their long-standing prestige, of the peace she had built with Zeoticus, flashed through her mind. The thought of destroying all of that, of following only the selfish desires of her heart, finally stabilized her. With a forced, inner calm, Venelana gently withdrew her hand.

"If you'll excuse me, Rin-kun," she said, her voice regaining its full composure. "I should return to Rias." And with that, she turned and walked towards the living room.

Meanwhile, Rin's face, now unobserved, transformed into a broad, triumphant grin. He couldn't hold it back anymore. His eyes sparkled with mischievous delight. Oh, Lady Gremory. You are far more entertaining than I anticipated. Hearing her thoughts, witnessing her internal struggle, her resolute sacrifice, only fueled his desire to continue. He would shake her feelings, slowly, deliberately, enjoying every nuanced shift. But first, he needed to rejoin them.

A moment later, Rin stepped back into the living room. Rias and her mother were seated on the sofa once more, engaged in what appeared to be a perfectly happy conversation. Rias's face was genuinely radiant, filled with the simple joy of her mother's presence and affection. Venelana, too, maintained a facade of genuine happiness for her daughter, her smile unwavering.

But in her mind, a different, darker narrative was unfolding. Why Rias? Venelana's thoughts churned with a burgeoning resentment. I am not old. I still look young, do I not? Why did fate allow me to meet him so late? Why is it her, and not me? A bitter realization then dawned on her. Ah, my mistake. I haven't visited the human world much. I should have… I should have been more vigilant.

As Rias happily recounted anecdotes from Kuoh Academy, Venelana's jealousy intensified, a venomous coiling in her heart. The smiling face of her daughter, once a source of boundless affection, now began to twist in her mind, seen not as a beloved child, but as a rival. An obstacle. My enemy. She stands between me and my fated partner. I need to... remove her. I need to kill her.

Rin, whose Mind Reader was still active, felt a cold shock. His triumphant smirk vanished, replaced by a look of grave concern. What?! Kill her own daughter?! Venelana was not the woman he had thought. She was smiling, nodding, and offering gentle words to Rias, but her internal monologue was a chilling declaration of intent. This was beyond mere infatuation; this was a descent into a dangerous, obsessive possessiveness.

Rin acted instantly. Without a moment's hesitation, he channeled his system's power.

Venelana Gremory: Anger (towards Rias) -> 0. Hate (towards Rias) -> 0. Jealousy (towards Rias) -> 0. Open-mindedness (towards Rias) -> 90/100. Familial Love (towards Rias) -> 100/100.

The transformation was immediate and profound. Venelana's eyes, which had just moments ago held a chilling glint, softened dramatically. A sudden wave of overwhelming affection, of profound maternal love, washed over her. Her internal monologue, moments before filled with murderous intent, now recoiled in horror. My god! What was I just thinking?! Rias! My precious daughter! How could such a monstrous thought enter my mind? Oh, my sweet child!

With a choked sob, Venelana spontaneously wrapped her arms around Rias, pulling her into a tight, desperate hug.

Rias stiffened, surprised by the sudden, intense embrace. "Mother?" she asked, confused, but she didn't resist. Instead, she leaned into the hug, receiving her mother's unexpected surge of affection with a bewildered but happy smile.

Rin, watching the scene, felt a complex mix of relief and a renewed sense of vigilance. While he loved the type of woman who would go to such extreme lengths for him, this unexpected, dangerous intensity from Venelana meant he couldn't leave her unchecked. I need to make sure to check her later again. She can't do anything that could hurt anyone, especially my women.

A few moments later, Venelana pulled back, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears, her face flushed with lingering emotion. "My dear Rias," she murmured, her voice thick. "I… I just realized how much I truly love you." She then looked at both Rin and Rias, a wistful, almost melancholic smile touching her lips. "I… I need to leave you both for a moment. I have some matters to attend to."

She rose gracefully, her gaze lingering on Rin for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. There was a profound sadness in her eyes, a silent plea. If only… if there's another life, I want to meet you earlier, Rin-kun.

Despite her thoughts, Rin knew there was no way he would let her go. He would make sure that before he returned to the human world, he would get some action with her. He had merely delayed the inevitable.