"DXD: Infinite Loot System"Chapter 289: A Mother's Wisdom
"Ara ara, little Tenra and Ravel are home."
Lady Phoenix's voice was warm and teasing as Tenra, Ravel, and Ruval stepped into the sunlit parlor. She was already waiting for them, smile gentle and eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Mother!"
Ravel wasted no time, launching herself into her mother's embrace. Tenra and Ruval stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Father. Mother."
Lord Phoenix sat off to the side, sipping his tea with stoic composure. "Sit."
"Yes, sir."
House Phoenix was steeped in tradition—formality woven into every moment. Father, always the embodiment of dignity, rarely smiled. Mother, on the other hand, was warmth itself, fussing over Tenra and Ravel with affectionate questions.
After a few moments of pleasantries, Lord Phoenix broke the calm. "Speak. What brings you home so suddenly?"
Tenra winced inwardly—classic Father. Ravel, meanwhile, buried her face in her mother's dress, trembling with nerves.
Even Lady Phoenix and Ruval could sense something brewing between the pair.
The tension was real, but Tenra couldn't let Ravel shoulder the burden. He drew a deep breath and stood.
"Father, Mother… Ravel and I have something important we wish to ask your permission for."
"Oh? Something important enough to need our approval?"
Lady Phoenix's lips curled in amusement. Lord Phoenix's expression was unreadable.
Tenra braced himself. "Father, Mother—I love Ravel. I want her to be my wife. Please, grant us your blessing!"
He steeled himself for Father's infamous iron fist. But it never came. Instead, silence fell—thick and unyielding.
Lord Phoenix remained impassive. Lady Phoenix covered her mouth in surprise. Ravel's ears blazed red as she clung to her mother, her whole body trembling.
Ruval was the first to recover, staring at Tenra in shock. Between Rating Games and family business, he was rarely home—and he certainly hadn't expected to walk into a confession like this.
For devils, a match between Tenra and Ravel wasn't impossible, and Ravel had always been especially close to Tenra. But—
When had things progressed this far?
Tenra could barely breathe, waiting for his parents' verdict. Not even his near-death battles with Cao Cao had made him this anxious. The silence stretched for what felt like centuries.
Finally, Lord Phoenix spoke.
"Ravel is your sister. Don't let her down."
Short. Direct. That was his answer.
He'd given his blessing.
Tenra exhaled, relief flooding his chest—though he couldn't help a wry smile.
"Father, aren't you going to ask Ravel's opinion?"
"Is there need?"
He glanced at Ravel, still hiding her face.
Tenra was momentarily speechless.
Strong. Uncompromising. That was Father.
"But my word alone isn't enough. Your mother must also approve."
Lord Phoenix's voice was calm, but decisive. For most matters, his decision was law—but this concerned Ravel's future. Lady Phoenix's voice mattered just as much.
"Um… Mother?"
Tenra scratched his head, turning to Lady Phoenix.
She chuckled. "Fufu… Little Tenra, I'll give you my answer tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Not now?"
"This is Ravel's happiness we're talking about. I need time to consider."
"What, can't little Tenra wait a single night?"
"…Alright."
With Mother's words, Tenra could only wait until morning. Father had already agreed—surely Mother wouldn't refuse?
Lady Phoenix rose, taking Ravel with her. The two disappeared, likely for a long mother-daughter talk. Tenra and Ruval stayed behind with Father, quietly drinking tea. But Lord Phoenix was a man of few words, and the atmosphere quickly grew awkward. The two brothers soon excused themselves.
Outside, Ruval clapped Tenra's shoulder. "Tenra, you really do keep surprising us."
"Come by my place for a drink. Tell me about you and Ravel."
Tenra managed a smile. "Sure…"
That night—
In her ornate bedroom, Ravel lay curled beside Lady Phoenix, the two of them framed by soft lamplight. Their matching golden curls and regal bearing made them look like mirror images—one a mature woman, the other still innocent.
"Mother… have you decided yet?"
Ravel's cheeks were flushed as she watched her mother read.
Lady Phoenix set her book aside, eyes twinkling. "What's this? So eager to become little Tenra's wife?"
"N-no! It's not like that!"
Ravel squirmed, mortified.
"Oh? Not eager? Then I'll refuse Tenra tomorrow. My Ravel deserves someone even better."
"No!"
Ravel bolted upright, panic in her eyes—then saw her mother's playful grin and realized she'd been baited.
"Mother, you're awful…"
Lady Phoenix stroked Ravel's hair, her gaze softening.
"Ravel, you've been close to Tenra since you were small. When you two went to the human world together, I already knew this was coming."
"You… you knew?"
"When Tenra was considered a failure, you still clung to him. Now he's become so exceptional—how could you not fall for him?"
"And, my silly girl, even though Tenra took responsibility, you confessed first, didn't you? He only said that to protect your pride."
"Uuu… Mother, please stop!"
Ravel's face was crimson. She'd never imagined her mother saw through everything.
Lady Phoenix hugged her close. "Do you know why I'm making Tenra wait until tomorrow?"
"Why?"
Despite her embarrassment, Ravel was genuinely curious.
"Men are possessive and greedy—Tenra more than most, because he's earned it. The harder something is to obtain, the more precious it becomes. Even smart as Tenra is, if I don't give an answer right away, he'll keep worrying—and he'll treasure you more."
"My foolish daughter, loyalty and love aren't enough to hold a man's heart. You need much more—especially with someone like Tenra, who's surrounded by so many brilliant women."
"Ravel, let me teach you how to keep Tenra's heart—so he'll never, ever leave you. Listen carefully."
Ravel's eyes sparkled, embarrassment forgotten.
"Mother, I'll listen to every word!"
This was her future happiness—she wouldn't miss a thing.
Meanwhile, at House Gremory—
"M-Mother, this is so embarrassing…"
Rias's face was scarlet as she listened to her mother's "bedroom secrets," ready to run for the hills.
Venelana smiled knowingly. "Rias, capturing a man's heart isn't easy. If you don't learn now, you can't complain if Tenra loses interest later."
Rias hesitated. Her mother was right—if she didn't master a few "tricks," she might really be in trouble. Tenra was surrounded by women, and there would only be more in the future.
"Mother, please teach me. I want to learn!"
She steeled herself. She wouldn't lose to those vixens—she'd make sure Tenra was hers, heart and soul.
Venelana's smile widened. She was determined to mold Rias into the perfect woman—one Tenra could never resist.
At that moment, Tenra had no idea—across two great houses, two wise mothers were passing down their secrets to win his heart and soul…
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