"Hahaha, my boy, I knew you would come back. And who is this? Is she your lover?" Instead of being greeted by a solemn atmosphere or subjected to an interrogation, his father welcomed him with an air of nonchalance, as if nothing significant had ever occurred.
Riser was taken aback, unsure of how to feel as he observed the others behaving as though his absence had meant little.
Had they ever truly missed him? Had they even bothered to search for him?
These dark thoughts gnawed at his mind, threatening to consume him and devour his very soul.
Still, he forced himself to respond with the same casual tone his father used.
"Yes, she is my lover, Le Fay Pendragon. And Le Fay, this is my father and my family," he said, gesturing toward the gathered group.
"Hello, Father. Hello, Mother. I'm Le Fay Pendragon. Thank you for welcoming us so warmly," Le Fay said with a polite bow, her tone warm and gracious.
Her mind, unlike Riser's, was uncomplicated. She felt nothing but happiness for Riser.
How fortunate he was to have a family like this—one that refrained from bombarding him with questions about his disappearance and instead greeted him with open arms, offering no pressure, no accusations, only acceptance.
"Riser, sit down. Your sisters missed you. Your brothers missed you. Your mother missed you. I missed you. Even your younger sister missed you. Everyone missed you." His father sighed, and his tone shifted, no longer cheerful or light.
It had grown solemn, heavy with the weight of unspoken words, as if he had aged years in a single moment.
Riser nodded.
They deserved an explanation—at least some fragment of the truth—after everything that had happened.
He took a seat silently, prepared for what was to come.
The moment he did, his mother could no longer hold back her emotions. Her voice cracked as she spoke, choked by tears.
"Why, Riser? Did we do something wrong? Did we pressure you into something you didn't want? Is that why you ran from us? Even hurting yourself in the process? We heard about it, Riser. We heard everything. You were hurt—almost blinded in the war."
Yes, why was this?
They would never understand, even if he tried to explain.
They hadn't hurt him, not intentionally.
In truth, they hadn't done anything to upset him directly.
It was his problem—his inability to accept how everything that should have been his was suddenly stripped away and handed to an outsider.
To be precise, Hyoudou Issei.
Their affection, their love, their attention—it had all shifted to that wretch for no discernible reason. It was as though they had forgotten who their true family was.
His father, his mother, even Ravel—they had all begun holding that pathetic fool in high regard. And why?
Because he had defeated Riser once? Because he had used an underhanded tactic in that fight? Because he had made some crude remark to Rias about her breasts?
The thought was maddening, unthinkable.
That a single event—a single humiliation—could cause his family to abandon him in spirit, to favor a stranger over their own flesh and blood.
They saw him, Riser, as immature, while Issei, in their eyes, became the one in the right.
It was as if they had been bewitched, their intelligence and loyalty replaced with blind admiration for someone who had no claim to their lives or their hearts.
The betrayal cut deeper than any blade. It wasn't just an imagined slight—it was a pain that pierced his very soul, leaving him hollow and bleeding inside.
The awkward silence permeated through the room, a heavy tension that neither party dared to break.
Lord Phenex cleared his throat, the sound sharp and deliberate, intended to draw their attention. "No need to answer, Riser. We understand that this is a sensitive topic for you, and you're uncomfortable discussing it right now. For the moment, just focus on enjoying your stay at home."
He clapped his hands together, a firm gesture signaling the end of the discussion.
His mother, clearly displeased with how the conversation was unfolding, turned on her heel and left the room without a word, her disapproval radiating from her stiff posture.
His father offered a quick, apologetic glance at Le Fay, silently communicating his regret over the uncomfortable situation, before following his wife out of the room.
"They care about you, Riser," Le Fay said softly, her voice gentle but carrying a hint of concern as her eyes lingered on him.
Riser scoffed inwardly.
Then they suddenly stopped caring the moment Hyoudou Issei came into our lives.
"Yes, they do," he replied curtly, his tone clipped and devoid of warmth.
He didn't bother to elaborate or justify his feelings—he had no desire to connect with them yet, not after everything.
Noticing his indifference, Le Fay let out a soft sigh.
She reached across the table, her delicate hand resting atop his.
Her touch was warm, and her eyes, locked onto his, carried a mixture of firmness and compassion.
"I don't know what happened between you and them, Riser," she began, her voice steady but tinged with worry. "I can't help you fix this if I don't understand it. But at the very least, I can help you find some peace… even if it's just a better night's sleep."
Her lips curved into a playful, almost mischievous smile, but her eyes betrayed the nervous anticipation swirling within her.
She glanced at him briefly, as though trying to gauge his reaction, her cheeks faintly tinged with a blush.
Riser recognized the meaning behind her words, the subtle yet unmistakable invitation laced within her tone and actions.
Am I still a man if I ignore something so blatantly offered to me?
He mused, his lips twitching into a smirk.
Without hesitation, Riser rose from his chair, stepping around the table.
He wrapped his arms around Le Fay, pulling her into a firm embrace.
Her body tensed momentarily before relaxing against him, her trust evident in the way she leaned into his touch.
Without another word, he swept her off her feet, carrying her effortlessly toward his chamber.
It had been six long years since he had last tasted the pleasures of a woman.
And now, here she was, offering herself to him.
Who in their right mind wouldn't accept such a gift?
Le Fay's heart raced, her happiness evident as she melted into his embrace.
She nestled closer, her arms wrapped around his neck as her passionate gaze met his.
She was ready—no, eager—for what the night promised, her anticipation growing as they reached the chamber door.
The door creaked open, then shut behind them with a resounding click.
Gently, Riser laid her down on his bed, his eyes never leaving hers.
His lips descended upon hers, their kiss igniting a fire between them. In that moment, nothing else mattered.
She was the only thing in the world he cared about, the only thing that held any meaning.