After that conversation in the study, Sona disappeared.
Not metaphorically—she was simply… gone. When I stepped back into the hallway, the atmosphere of the Sitri household felt different from before. The servants were still polite, still composed, but there was a subtle tension beneath their professionalism, like a string pulled just a bit too tight. Whispers followed me when they thought I couldn't hear. Glances lingered longer than they should have.
Sona herself didn't reappear.
I was escorted instead to a quiet sitting room overlooking the inner garden. I hadn't even finished a cup of tea when the door opened and Lady Sitri and Lord Sitri entered together.
They carried themselves with the calm authority of long-established nobility—no hurry, no excess emotion, just certainty.
"Ise Hyoudou-dono," Lord Sitri said, offering a courteous nod. "Thank you for waiting."
I stood immediately. "Of course."
They gestured for me to sit, and once we were settled, Lord Sitri wasted no time.
"Sona told me," he said evenly, "that you defeated her at chess."
I met his gaze and nodded. "Yes, sir."
A faint smile crossed his face. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold either—more like the smile of a man acknowledging a fact he had already anticipated.
"You understand what that signifies," he continued.
"Yes," I replied without hesitation.
Given that, Sona herself is a beautiful woman, and she is also willing to share me. Why would I say no to her? Issei's original dream is to have a harem for himself; since I possess him, I am obligated to carry out his dream as well.
Lady Sitri studied me closely, her sharp eyes missing nothing. There was no hostility there—only evaluation.
I took a breath. "That's actually something I wanted to address. I already have a relationship with Rias Gremory. She is my king and… someone important to me. Given that, would what happened with Sona become a problem?"
The room fell quiet.
Lady Sitri folded her hands atop her lap, considering my words carefully before responding.
"Polygamy is accepted within devil society," she said calmly. "That, in itself, is not an issue."
"However," she continued, and there it was, "your situation is… special."
Lord Sitri nodded in agreement.
"The Gremory household and the Sitri household are of equal standing," Lady Sitri explained. "Both are of the highest rank, both with long histories and political influence. When such households become intertwined, matters of succession and heirs cannot be ignored."
I listened intently.
"If you were of lower standing," she went on, "or if one household clearly outranked the other, the structure would naturally resolve itself. But in this case… there would be complications."
"Not insurmountable ones," Lord Sitri added, his tone steady. "But complications nonetheless."
I clenched my hands together. "Meaning…?"
Lady Sitri paused.
There was a deliberate gap in the conversation—a silence heavy enough that I could feel something unspoken pressing against it. Then she turned her gaze toward her husband.
Lord Sitri exhaled softly, as if resigning himself to inevitability.
"…Other than those internal matters," he said, "there would be no real opposition."
He looked directly at me.
"Except for one person."
I already knew the answer before he said it.
"It would be better," Lord Sitri finished, "if you spoke to Serafall."
Ah. True story.
Lady Sitri gave a small, almost amused smile. "Serafall is… enthusiastic when it comes to her little sister. You should not underestimate her emotions."
I let out a slow breath. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Despite the gravity of the situation, there was something oddly sincere about the way they spoke to me. No threats. No pressure. Just reality, laid bare.
"We are not forcing anything upon you," Lady Sitri said. "Nor upon Sona. What happens next should be decided through proper conversation—honestly and with care."
Lord Sitri inclined his head. "You have our respect for speaking plainly."
As they rose to leave, I remained seated, mind racing.
Chess.
Politics.
Heirs.
And one very dangerous, very loving, magical-girl-obsessed older sister.
…Yeah.
Talking to Serafall was going to be an adventure all on its own. And I also need to talk to Rias and give our situation. I should talk to her before anyone, as I do consider her someone special to me, even if I didn't show it in person.
Expressing your love is hard.
~~~
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