Reborn in Flames

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Ruval waved my concern away. "A slew of minor annoyances that have only recently grown into actual problems. I'm handling it. It's nothing you need to be concerned with."

I was a little skeptical of that, but it was clear he wasn't going to say anything else on the matter.

Zissa turned back to me, her expression deadly serious. "Anyone who has been paying attention to your position will know Ruval has stood by you through it all.

Raycal has all but forgotten you exist and Ravel is far too young. To maintain cordial relations with the Agares Pillar, and to become close allies, Ruval is the only option to take over the Phenex Pillar."

I looked at Yubelluna. "What do you think?"

My queen was silent for a moment as she studied Zissa, Ruval's queen meeting her gaze without flinching.

"The idea has merit, Riser. I am partial to her proposal if for no other reason than to disparage your parents, but, should everything go well, the Phenex Pillar and the Agares Pillar will become close allies – a position that will strengthen both.

I am, however, curious as to what Zissa will receive from this."

"She'll be Lady Phenex." Ruval said before Zissa could speak for herself. "We've already discussed this.

When I become lord, I will release her from her position as my queen and marry her. She comes from a Pillar family;

few will protest her being at the head of a Pillar as a result." Ruval looked sidelong at Zissa, grinning as he said,

"The fact that this plan speeds that process along by a few hundred years is merely a bonus."

Ruval turned to me and his expression turned dead serious. "My initial judgment is that this would be you…our best course of action.

It protects you, empowers your future house and removes our parents from power all at the same time."

I narrowed my eyes slightly at Ruval. "And I would assume that you're behind this plan out of care for your little brother?"

I loved and trusted Ruval, but we were devils. I wouldn't have been able to sleep if I didn't ask.

Ruval barked out a short laugh. "Allow me to be transparent, Riser. I was not aware of heiress Agares's proposal, so this course had not occurred to me, and now that I am thinking about it, my ambition has been kicked into overdrive.

I have been biding my time until I became Lord Phenex for decades. This plan will let me ascend to Head of the Phenex Pillar now.

I will not lie to your face and say that doesn't entice me, but neither will I go through with it without your approval.

Not only will it not work without you, but I do care about you, little brother. That is why the plan is so perfect.

It is exceedingly rare that Pillars are joined through legitimate affection and need not prepare for the inevitable betrayal of the other.

The Agares Pillar and the Phenex Pillar could become eternal allies. Your children could be raised playing and training with their cousins, spending their weekend's being spoiled by their amazing uncle at Phenex Castle."

Ruval said, the image in his mind causing a fond smile to dance across his face.

I pinched my chin as I thought it over. On paper, the idea was wonderful. Surprisingly, the least interesting reason to follow Zissa's plan was to screw over Lord and Lady Phenex.

It would unite two strong Pillars and I'd finally be able to repay my brother for standing by me. He'd risked everything to cover my back while I was preparing to meet with Serafall.

It was likely Seekvaira's fear of me being kidnapped to produce Phenex Tears may have transpired without Ruval's intervention. With all of that said…

"I'm still not decided on whether or not to accept the marriage, and even if I were, I wouldn't be able to agree to this without Seekvaira approving it first. I won't betray her trust before we're even betrothed."

Ruval looked at me strangely as he said, "What exactly are you still considering, Riser? Anyone who watched the start of your duel with Seekvaira in the Rating Game could feel the sexual tension between the two of you.

You aren't displeased with her very existence like you were and still are with Rias. So what's the problem?"

"Me." Yubelluna said exasperated. "The problem is me."

I turned to her and held my hands up. "Yube, that's not–"

"Riser, I know you better than anyone – present company included." Yubelluna cut me off, turning in her chair to face me fully.

"You've been nervously carrying that contract with you through the entire manor since Seekvaira gave it to you.

Every time you realized I was in the room with you it would mysteriously disappear. You feel guilty that you want to accept her proposal while you have me."

"Yube, that's not–" I started to say, very uncomfortable with how spot-on she was.

"Riser, stop talking and listen." Yubelluna cut me off again, taking my hands in hers. "I love you."

My heart rate accelerated to the rhythm of a hummingbird's, but Yubelluna continued talking before I could say anything. "I have loved you for years.

As I said when Seekvaira initially proposed the contract to you, I have always known I would not have you to myself.

I have also known it to be likely that I will not be the foremost among your future partners.

I am okay with that. I know you will never leave me behind, and I will be happy so long as that remains true.

I cannot give you what Seekvaira can. You will always have everything I am, but that is not enough to secure your future.

Seekvaira's offer is genuine and will secure our entire peerage's future. If I disapproved of her, I would have done everything I could to dismantle the engagement or eliminate her."

Her expression was as unmoving as stone as she said that. "But she is genuine. I do not believe she loves you yet.

She has spent too little time with you to love you, but her affection is real, and that affection will grow into love.

If I am to step aside so another may become your foremost partner, I would accept no less than Seekvaira.

It is my professional recommendation as your queen to summon Seekvaira right now and accept her proposal. We will be able to discuss Zissa's plan with her once the proposal is signed."

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