[Infernal Indiscretion]
Sona withheld a sigh as the man in front of her droned on. The air in the Gremory Estate was one of celebration for all, or at least, to those who did not know the bride and her feelings on the coming wedding.
"Yes, quite fascinating," she said when he paused for breath, adjusting her glasses as she looked for a way out. "If you'll excuse me, I see my mother beckoning."
It was a lie, of course. Her mother was currently mingling with Lord and Lady Gremory on the other side of the room, well out of sight so as to not be bothered, Lord Glasya-Labolas didn't need to know that, and Sona wasn't about to spend another moment listening to his rambling.
She slipped through the crowd, nodding politely to those who caught her eye. The ballroom of the Gremory estate was filled to capacity, Devil nobility from across the Underworld gathered to celebrate the union of Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex.
Rias had been in the same spot since the event began, standing near the front of the room looking radiant and absolutely miserable at the same time. Wearing a beautiful white wedding gown and the saddest expression Sona had ever seen on her, Rias was the picture of quiet misery.
And by her side with an expression of smug victory on his face, was Riser. He had an arm around her waist, one possessive hand resting on her hip.
Sona's fingers tightened around her glass of wine, but she forced her expression to remain smooth. There was nothing that could be done, at least not by her.
She mingled with the crowd to keep her mind off of her friend's current situation. As heiress to her house, it was Sona's duty to be here for this "momentous" occasion, but she had to be present in the noble sense as well.
This entire ceremony was just that, ceremonial. It was a celebration rather than a formal affair. The actual marriage was to take place after the banquet, a quiet event that would bind the houses together. As a close ally of the Gremory family, Sona would be expected to attend, though she imagined it would be much quieter.
Sona took a sip of her wine, letting the bitter flavor roll across her tongue. Rias had performed well in the game, but in the end, it hadn't been enough. Riser's peerage had outmatched Rias's in both numbers and experience, and without a counter to the famous Phenex immortality, the results of the bout had been made before the first blow had even been struck.
"Sona, dear, you look absolutely ravishing tonight."
Sona turned to find a familiar face approaching, a broad smile across her elderly features. Lady Vepar was old nobility and a a close ally of the Sitri clan. Sona had known her since childhood.
"Lady Vepar," Sona said, inclining her head. "Thank you. You look wonderful as well."
"Oh, flatterer," Lady Vepar waved a hand dismissively, though her smile widened. "Tell me, have you seen your sister tonight? I've been hoping to catch a word with her, but she seems to have vanished."
Sona's expression remained polite, though a flicker of irritation passed through her. "I'm afraid I don't know where my sister is at the moment. You know her and her habit of wandering."
Lady Vepar clicked her tongue though her face wasn't altogether displeased, more amused. "One would think the Leviathan could manage to stay in one place for more than five minutes."
"One would think," Sona muttered.
Lady Vapula glanced around at the festivities surrounding them, taking them in with an eye that had seen more events just like this than Sona would ever forget. She seemed almost nostalgic, releasing a wistful sigh that had Sona looking towards her in askance.
"I remember my own wedding," the woman said, slowly swirling her wine as she reminisced. "It was a grand event---even grander than this, though I certainly won't disparage the efforts of our hosts. My nerves nearly got the better of me but in the end, I stuck it out and I've never been happier. Though I suppose our dear Lady Rias won't be quite so content with Riser as I was with my Charles."
The noble shook her head. "I don't know where Lord Phenex went wrong with that boy. He deserves a good knocking in the head before he gets himself into a spot of trouble he can't fight his way out of."
"He has power, there's no doubt about that," Sona said begrudgingly. Lady Vapula scoffed.
"Power, pah! Even from here I can tell that boy has neglected his training to the lowest parts of hell. If my boy were here, he would teach that fool a thing or two about relying so heavily on his family traits."
Sona glanced around, "And how is Eldric? I don't suppose he decided to attend?"
"I'm afraid not," Lady Vapula sighed. "You know how he is around the nobility. He's still sore about the whole situation."
Sona nodded understandingly. Eldric Vapula nee Halphas should have been the heir to House Halphas, a prominent member of the 72 Pillars. Unfortunately, like many others, the house had fallen into shambles after the Great War and simply couldn't maintain its standing among the other houses. After some debate, it was ultimately decided that its holdings would be absorbed and the house itself disbanded.
Lord and Lady Vapula had taken the then young Eldric under their own banner, rearing him as a Vapula, but his former name failed to escape him and the grudge he held against the remaining 32 Pillars was well known. Sona hadn't seen him for some time, despite how often she would visit the holdings of House Vapula.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully some day he'll come to terms with it."
"Hopefully indeed," Lady Vapula sighed. "But with how much time he's been spending apart from the Underworld, I wonder if he doesn't just desire to break away from it all and start somewhere new. Maybe it'll even be better for him."
The conversation lulled, and Sona felt sorrow as she saw the heartache written into the lines of the woman's face. Though this was supposed to be a momentous occasion, it seemed that there was sorrow abound.
Lady Vapula sighed. "Well, that got a bit dreary, didn't it? Let's move onto cheerier topics, shall we? Like that suitor that's been staying at your family's estate."
Sona blinked slowly, taken aback by the words, before their meaning suddenly clicked and she sighed. "Ah, you're talking about Naomi."
Lady Vapula giggled, the sound unbecoming of a woman of her station but entirely fitting for her personality. "Is that the girl's name? I wouldn't deign to assume. I've heard dragons can be rather prideful about such things."
"She prefers Naomi," Sona said carefully. "And she is not a suitor, but more of an associate. A recent ally, if you wish to take it that far."
"An ally," Lady Vapula repeated, her tone dripping with amusement. "Is that what they're calling it these days? My, how the times have changed."
Sona felt her eye twitch. "It's the truth."
"There's a bit of truth in everything," Lady Vapula replied, swirling her wine with a knowing smile. "But you know you can speak plainly with me, my dear. I'm far too old to be scandalized and far too fond of you to spread rumors."
Sona opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, another voice cut in.
"Lady Sitri!"
Sona turned to find Lord Beleth approaching, a portly man with a ruddy complexion and an eager smile. He was followed closely by his wife, a thin woman with sharp features and an even sharper gaze.
"Lady Sitri, how wonderful to see you," Lady Beleth said, her eyes roaming over Sona's form with an appraising look. "We were just speaking about your sister. Do you know where she might be?"
"I'm afraid I don't know where Serafall is at the moment," Sona echoed her earlier response to Lady Vapula. "She said she would be attending, but I haven't been inundated with her affections yet so I assume she's not here."
Lady Beleth clicked her tongue. "A pity. We so rarely get to see her at these sorts of events."
"Indeed," Lord Beleth agreed. "One would think the Leviathan would make more of an effort to attend—"
The rest of his sentence was lost in the sudden surge of power that blasted over the entire event.
Sona stiffened, her wine glass halting halfway to her lips as the pressure washed over her. It was immense, a tidal wave of raw magical energy that seemed to press down on the room from all sides. Around her, conversations ground to a halt. Nobles looked up from their drinks, their expressions shifting from confusion to alarm, and guards stationed along the walls stepped forward.
The bride and groom were not immune to the shift in mood. Rias looked up from the floor for the first time in ten minutes, her green eyes widening as she recognized the feel of the energy washing over them. Even Riser's smug expression faltered, his head turning toward the entrance with a frown.
"Is this an attack?" someone near Sona hissed, their voice trembling.
"Are we under assault?" Lord Beleth demanded, looking around wildly.
Sona didn't respond, staring out the nearby window as another wave of power washed over her. She recognized it, though not like this. It was energetic and almost impossibly deep, but tinged with a strange wildness that Sona was only just getting used to.
It feels like sister and... Naomi? Sona frowned, perplexed by the strange mix of power.
Just then, the doors to the hall burst open, a wash of cold air wafting through the drapes and meandering around the guests. All eyes turned as a familiar form bounced her way in, grinning from ear to ear.
Serafall bounced into the room like she was arriving at a children's party rather than a formal banquet. Her pigtails swayed with each step, and her bright pink dress seemed to glow under the chandeliers. She wore a massive grin that seemed completely at odds with the somber atmosphere that had pervaded the room only moments before.
"Sorry I'm late!" she announced cheerfully, waving at the gathered nobles as if they were old friends. "I had to pick up my plus ones!"
The room erupted into whispers. Sona watched as nobles exchanged glances, some confused, others irritated. A few looked scandalized at the Leviathan's casual demeanor, while others seemed relieved that the strange surge of power had a seemingly benign source.
Sona herself felt a mixture of relief and exasperation. Trust her to make an entrance like this.
As Serafall bounded forward, two more figures strode after her. The first was a blonde woman in a stunning blue dress. Mittelt sneered as her eyes swept over the gathered nobles with undisguised disdain, but there was a nervousness behind her expression that indicated she wasn't quite as confident as she seemed to be in her new environment.
Sona couldn't blame her. A Fallen Angel at a Devil banquet was bound to draw attention, and not the good kind.
The last member of the group strode in after Mittelt and drew all that attention away. It was a tall figure clad in rugged armor as black as midnight, with orange veins of light pulsing through it like magma flowing through volcanic rock. The slitted visor seemed to glow with an internal heat as the figure regarded them all silently, hands held loosely at their sides.
Though there were no overtly hostile moves being made, the appearance of this new character set everyone present on guard. The power radiating from them was immense, pressing against the senses and making skin prickle and hairs stand on end. It was as if an entire storm was contained within that armor, wild and untamed, speaking to the primal part of the mind and urging it to run lest it be completely annihilated by forces beyond its control.
Before anyone could say anything, the armored figure began to glow. A bright orange light spread outwards from underneath the armor before cracking like an egg and shattering into tiny motes of light to reveal a familiar, smirking face.
Naomi Kanei stood in the center of the ballroom, her posture loose and confident as she surveyed the crowd. She had dressed up for the occasion, donning a charcoal colored dress that Sona would easily admit suited her very well. The glittering scales on her body told all of her origins, and the look in her slitted eyes spoke of the danger she posed to anyone who might try and test her patience.
Sona felt her eye twitch even as she appreciated the view. What are you doing, Naomi?
Riser Phenex was the first to break the silence.
"You," he said, his voice dripping with disdain as he stepped forward, releasing his grip on Rias. His eyes narrowed as he took in Naomi's form, recognition flickering across his features. "I remember you. Tell me, half-breed, do you still struggle respecting your betters?"
Naomi's smirk widened.
"I've been nothing but polite to my betters so far, Lord Riser," Naomi said, her tone anything but polite. "You just seem to be under the misconception that you're one of them."
Murmurs erupted throughout the crowd, and Sona resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose as she realized that Naomi had no intention of not causing trouble.
Riser's jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. "You have a lot of nerve showing your impudent face here, especially tonight of all nights."
"Actually, I was invited," Naomi said, gesturing vaguely in Serafall's direction.
All eyes turned to Serafall, who had been watching the exchange with barely contained amusement. She caught the gazes and smiled widely. "Yup! Naomi is my plus one, and Mittelt is my plus two."
Riser's expression darkened further. "You brought a dragon and a Fallen to a Devil banquet as your guest? I mean no offence to you, but that is extremely improper."
"I don't think that's fair," Serafall pouted, putting her hands on her hips. "Naomi is good people, and besides, she's part Devil too."
Another wave of whispers swept through the crowd. Sona caught Lord Beleth muttering about the unprecedented nature of it all while Lady Vapula watched the exchange with undisguised amusement.
Rias, meanwhile, had lifted her head fully from the dejected slump she'd been in all evening. Her green eyes were fixed on Naomi, a flicker of something that might have been hope crossing her features before she schooled her expression.
Riser took a step forward, his posture aggressive. "I don't care whose friend she is. This is a gathering of Devil nobility, not a circus for—"
"Riser."
The commanding voice came from the crowd and all eyes turned to watch as Venelana Gremory strode forward, eyes fixed on the stage Riser had propped himself and his soon-to-be bride upon. Her expression was cool, but there was a hint of steel beneath her tone as she spoke.
"This is my home," she said. "And we are hosting guests. Whatever issues you have with Lady Leviathan's friend can wait until after the celebration."
Riser's jaw clenched, but he held his tongue. Even someone as arrogant as him knew better than to disrespect the Lady of the House in her own estate. He shot Naomi one last glare before stepping back, though his expression promised that this wasn't over.
Naomi, for her part, seemed completely unbothered by the exchange. She gave Riser a lazy wave as he retreated, her smirk never wavering.
"Play nice," she called after him. "It's a party, after all."
Riser's eye twitched, but he said nothing, turning on his heel and stalking back toward Rias. The redhead had been watching the exchange with an unreadable expression, though Sona thought she caught the faintest hint of amusement in her friend's eyes before Riser reclaimed his position at her side.
The crowd slowly began to disperse, nobles returning to their conversations now that the immediate drama seemed to have passed. Sona made her way through the throng toward Serafall and Naomi, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
"What are you doing?" she hissed as she reached them, keeping her voice low enough that only they could hear. "I understand you have a need for dramatics, but could you not spare me the headache for just one night?"
Serafall giggled, apparently unrepentant. "Oh, come on, So-tan! It wasn't that bad!"
"There are security protocols," Sona said through gritted teeth. "Guards are on high alert because of the wedding. You could have been attacked!"
"But we weren't," Serafall pointed out, completely missing the point.
Naomi shrugged, examining her nails with an air of studied nonchalance. "I told you, I was invited. If anyone has a problem with me being here, they can take it up with your sister."
"I'm sure they will," Sona said flatly. "Every single one of them."
"You're welcome, by the way," Naomi said, her smirk returning. "I noticed the room was a little too somber for a party. Thought I'd liven things up."
"You nearly started a fight."
"Nearly," Naomi emphasized. "But I didn't. So really, you should be thanking me."
Sona pinched the bridge of her nose. "I am not thanking you for almost getting into a fight with Riser Phenex at his own engagement banquet."
Despite the chaos of their arrival, Sona noted that Naomi seemed completely at ease in the hostile environment. She stood with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how much damage she could do if provoked and didn't particularly care who knew it.
Mittelt, on the other hand, was far less composed. The Fallen Angel's presence had been noticed in the lull following Naomi's entrance and it was clear that it wasn't appreciated. She stayed close to Naomi's side, her body angled toward the dragon in a way that suggested she was using her as a shield against the hostile glances being sent their way.
In return, Naomi positioned herself between Mittelt and the majority of the crowd, subtly blocking the most direct lines of sight. Her hand rested casually at Mittelt's back, telling all exactly what would happen should they try and mess with the woman.
It was surprisingly thoughtful, for someone who had just nearly caused an international incident with her entrance.
"You look good, by the way," Naomi said, breaking Sona out of her thoughts. "The color suits you."
Sona felt heat rise to her cheeks before she could stop it, and she cursed herself for the reaction. She'd had more suitors than most her age; she did not blush like a schoolgirl at a casual compliment.
"Compliments won't make me any less angry," she said, her voice cool despite the warmth in her cheeks.
Naomi shrugged again, and Sona found herself irrationally irritated by how attractive the gesture looked on her. The dragon's smirk hadn't faded in the slightest, and her ochre eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief in the chandelier light.
"They can't hurt."
Before Sona could formulate a response that would adequately convey her irritation without causing another scene, Serafall giggled, drawing their attention her way.
"I'm gonna go mingle!" she announced, already bouncing on the balls of her feet. "There are so many people I haven't seen in forever, and I want to show off my awesome new friend!"
She turned to Naomi and rose up on her toes, pressing a quick kiss to the dragon's cheek. Both Naomi and Sona froze, their eyes widening in identical surprise.
"Thanks for getting us here so fast," Serafall said, her tone mischievous. "That was a lot more fun than a simple teleportation circle."
"And safer," Naomi added absently.
Serafall giggled again. "I don't know about that! I'll see you two around!"
Sona watched her sister disappear into the crowd, a familiar mix of fondness and exasperation warring in her chest.
"She's something else," Naomi said, her tone oddly admiring.
"She's a headache," Sona corrected, finally allowing herself to relax slightly. "A beloved headache, but a headache nonetheless."
She turned back to Naomi, her eyes sweeping over the dragon's form despite herself. The dress really did suit her, hugging her muscular frame in a way that was both elegant and dangerous. The scales on her arms and neck caught the light with every movement, glittering like jewelry.
Sona forced her gaze upward, meeting Naomi's eyes. "I assume you have some kind of plan for being here beyond making Riser angry?"
Naomi shrugged. "Not particularly. Your sister invited me, and I didn't have anything better to do. Besides," she added, her eyes flicking briefly toward where Rias stood with Riser, "I figured someone should show up who doesn't think this whole thing is a cause for celebration."
Sona felt her expression tighten at the words. It was one thing to think that the marriage was a mistake and another entirely to have someone say it aloud in a room full of Devils who might disagree.
"You should watch what you say," she murmured, her eyes scanning the room to make sure no one had overheard. "There are many here who would take offense to the suggestion that this union is anything less than a cause for celebration."
Naomi's eyes flicked down to her, and Sona was struck by how much taller the dragon was than her in those heels. "I'm not saying anything that isn't true. You know it, I know it, and Rias certainly knows it."
"That doesn't change the fact that the decision has been made," Sona said, her voice carefully neutral. "Rias agreed to the terms. She lost the Rating Game. Whatever either of us might think about the situation, the outcome was decided fairly."
Sona's words caused Naomi's jaw to twitch and it was clear that the girl had thoughts about that. Thankfully, she decided it was better not to air them in present company and managed to keep her mouth shut.
Before either of them could say more, Mittelt coughed at Naomi's side, drawing their attention.
"So is this a boring party or are we allowed to have some fun?" The Fallen asked, eyeing the wine glass held in a nearby man's hand. "I'm dying for something to drink.
"There's a bar in the corner," Sona said, gesturing with a tilt of her head. "Though I'd recommend sticking to the wine. The harder selections are reserved for those with a more robust constitution."
Mittelt shot her a look that suggested she didn't appreciate the commentary, but she slipped away from Naomi's side regardless, making a beeline for the bar with purposeful strides.
Naomi watched her go. "She's handling this better than I expected," she admitted. "I thought she'd have bitten someone's head off by now."
"Give her time," Sona said dryly. "The night is still young."
They drifted through the crowd together, Sona pointing out various nobles and their histories while Naomi listened with varying degrees of interest. To her credit, the dragon managed to refrain from making any more inflammatory comments, though her expression whenever Riser came into view was less than diplomatic.
Lady Vapula intercepted them at one point, her eyes bright with curiosity as she regarded Naomi. "So this is the one I've been hearing whispers about," she said, looking at the scaled girl. "I must say, you're not what I expected."
Naomi inclined her head politely. "I get that a lot."
"Such beautiful scales..." Lady Vapula asked, leaning forward with interest. "Tell me, how do you get them to shine so brightly?."
"I was born with them," she said. "Or reborn, I suppose. It's a long story."
"I love long stories," Lady Vapula said. "Perhaps you'll indulge an old woman sometime?"
Before Naomi could respond, the doors to the ballroom slammed open with a resounding crash that echoed through the hall.
Everyone turned toward the entrance, and Sona felt her heart skip a beat as a familiar figure strode into the room, his jacket billowing behind him like a cape.
Issei Hyoudou stood in the doorway, his chest heaving and his eyes blazing with determination. He looked like he'd run the entire way here, and there was a wildness to his expression that Sona had never seen before.
"Buchou! I'm here to save you!" he proclaimed, his voice carrying across the crowd, straight into the ears of his King and anyone else who wasn't completely deaf.
Silence reigned in the wake of his proclamation, and Sona slowly turned to look at Naomi who was watching the spectacle with a shit-eating grin.
"Somehow, you're to blame for this," she hissed, and was answered with an unrepentant smile that did nothing to alleviate her oncoming migraine.