43

The rich aroma of a lavish lunch still lingered in the grand living room, a faint scent of exotic spices and roasted meats. Plates had been cleared, and the maids had silently retreated, leaving Rin and Rias in a bubble of quiet intimacy. Rias, her crimson hair a fiery cascade against Rin's shoulder, leaned heavily into him, her ear pressed against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. She wasn't speaking, but her thoughts, a tumultuous river of anxiety, flowed freely into Rin's mind.

Later tonight… the meeting. With all the Great Families. What will happen? Will Father and Mother truly accept us? Will Riser's family cause more trouble? Her anxieties swirled, painting a bleak picture of an uncertain future. She tightened her arm around his waist, seeking comfort, seeking reassurance. I don't know what will happen to us, Rin-kun, but I will indulge myself in your arms for as long as I can. Just a little longer…

Rin, reading her every fear, every desperate clinging to the present moment, offered no words. He simply held her, letting her draw strength from his presence, allowing her to lean on him for as long as she needed. His own heart, a calm, steady drum, beat in peaceful counterpoint to her racing pulse. He knew the path ahead, knew the machinations at play. But for her sake, he allowed her this fleeting moment of vulnerability.

Several minutes later, a subtle physical urge stirred within Rin. "Rias," he murmured softly, gently shifting. "I need to use the bathroom. Where is it?"

Rias stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She pointed towards a discreet door at the far end of the living room. "It's through there, Rin-kun. Do you want me to show you?"

"No, no, I can manage," Rin insisted, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll be right back."

Rias, seeing the confidence in his eyes, didn't press. "Alright, then. Be quick, my love."

Rin made his way across the opulent living room, his footsteps silent on the plush carpet. He found the door Rias had indicated, entered, and quickly finished his business. As he exited, stepping back into the deserted corridor, he noticed a graceful figure approaching from the opposite end of the hall. It was Lady Venelana Gremory, Rias's mother.

I should go check on Rin-kun and Rias, Venelana's thoughts drifted into Rin's mind. Rias seems so happy with him. I want to observe him a bit more, to understand him, now that he might truly become a part of our family.

She was just about to turn towards the living room when her eyes met Rin's. He offered a polite, charming smile. "Lady Gremory. Good afternoon."

Venelana's serene smile brightened. "Rin-kun. Good afternoon to you too."

As their greetings hung in the air, Rin subtly activated his system. His gaze swept over Venelana's status, focusing on the core parameters he sought to influence. He didn't immediately max out her 'Romantic Love,' choosing a more nuanced approach.

Venelana Gremory: Romantic Love (towards Rin Takakura) -> 80/100.

The moment the system confirmed the change, a subtle tremor went through Venelana. Her beautiful blue eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Her innate curiosity, a refined, intellectual interest in the young man who had captured her daughter's heart, suddenly shifted. It wasn't just curiosity anymore; it was something warmer, something deeper, something that made her own heart quicken its beat. As she continued to gaze at Rin, his features seemed to sharpen, his eyes gaining an inexplicable depth, his entire presence radiating a captivating handsomeness that went beyond mere aesthetics.

Rin, observing the instantaneous shift in her aura, felt a flicker of surprise. He had set it to 80, but he sensed a rapid, almost forceful surge beyond that. He quickly re-read her status.

Venelana Gremory: Romantic Love (towards Rin Takakura) -> 90/100.

What? It increased by itself so quickly? Rin was genuinely taken aback. He had no idea how the progress had become so fast. He dove deeper into her thoughts, seeking an explanation.

What is this feeling? My heart… it beats so strongly for him. I came to observe him, to understand him, to see if he was worthy of Rias. But now… now I feel this. Is it because I'm beginning to see him as family? As a potential son-in-law? Venelana tried to rationalize, to contain the surging emotions. No. This is… different. This warmth, this undeniable pull… I haven't felt this since I met Zeoticus. My husband.

A wave of vivid memories washed over Venelana. Her youth. Her past as the "Brunette Ruin Princess" of the Bael clan, renowned for her devastating "Power of Destruction" and her unyielding spirit. She had been considered the strongest woman of the House of Bael, a formidable devil who wouldn't fall easily for anyone. She had believed herself impervious to simple infatuation, to the whims of the heart.

And then I met Zeoticus, her mind mused, a soft, nostalgic sadness touching her thoughts. My strong, dignified Zeoticus. I fell in love with him at first sight. It was so sudden, so overwhelming, that I believed it was fate. Our families had planned our marriage, yes, but I truly loved him. I thought, this must be it. This must be my destiny. And I let myself be carried away, like a river flowing to the sea.

Now, the same, inexplicable, overwhelming surge was happening again. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat of desire and burgeoning love. And as she compared this new, intense feeling for Rin to the love she held for her husband, a painful, undeniable truth solidified.

This… this feels heavier. My love for Rin-kun… it is more profound, more consuming than my love for Zeoticus. The realization was a devastating blow, yet intertwined with it was a strange, almost terrifying exhilaration.

At that very moment, Rin, privy to her every thought, made a calculated adjustment.

Venelana Gremory: Romantic Love (towards Zeoticus Gremory) -> 20/100.

He didn't set it to zero. Their shared history, the years they had spent together, the children they had raised—eradicating all affection would be too jarring, too suspicious. A lingering affection, a fond remembrance, was more believable. But the passionate, consuming love she once felt for her husband was now a mere ember compared to the raging fire for Rin.

He… he is my true fateful partner, Venelana thought, her gaze fixed on Rin, her eyes shining with an almost desperate longing. This is what fate truly intended for me.

But then, a cold splash of reality. Rias. Her daughter. Rias's fierce devotion to Rin. The motherly instinct, ancient and profound, warred with this new, overwhelming desire.

No. It cannot be. He is Rias's boyfriend. As her mother, I cannot destroy her happiness. I cannot take this from her.

A deep, sorrowful sigh echoed in Venelana's mind. I will give up. For my daughter's sake, I will give up this… this impossible love. Her expression, however, remained serene, betraying nothing of the battle raging within her soul.