The days continued their course. While Daniel, Tamamo, and the SEES team kept exploring Tartarus every night, facing increasingly dangerous Shadows and unraveling the mysteries of the Dark Hour, the routine of Kuoh city kept moving... but not without its jolts.
Sona Sitri, the ever-impeccable student council president, handled the political aspects that came with being part of the demonic nobility, while Rias Gremory dealt with eliminating the renegade devils that occasionally appeared in the darker corners of Kuoh.
However, although Sona appeared serene and focused to everyone, she had actually been secretly observing Daniel for weeks.
He intrigued her: his aura, his way of acting, the strange energy surrounding him... and the rumors circulating about him.
She tried to confront him on more than one occasion.
But always, always, something got in the way.
A magical alarm triggered by a loose shadow.
An urgent call from Azazel.
Anything that could ruin a private moment, happened.
But today, she wouldn't allow anything to interfere.
During lunch recess, Sona appeared in front of Daniel, who had just said goodbye to his girlfriends after eating.
With a firm step, a determined gaze, and an aura so intense it would make a mid-rank devil tremble, she took his arm without a word and dragged him away from the courtyard.
—Sona? — Daniel asked, confused by the sudden movement—. Is something wrong?
Daniel's girlfriends —Reynare, Tamamo, Hikari, Hibiki, Alya, Sakura— watched him with furrowed brows, some with narrowed eyes and others directly showing dangerous expressions.
Sona stopped for only a second and with elegant coldness said:
—This is a private student council matter. None of you are invited.
—Excuse me!? — Reynare said, taking a step forward.
—Daniel will return... if he can walk after what we discuss, of course — Sona added in a dry tone that held a barely perceptible hint of nervousness.
Tamamo narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms with a smile that said "this is going to get interesting."
The others stopped, ultimately knowing Daniel would know how to handle it.
Daniel sighed resignedly and with a small conciliatory smile, let himself be led.
—Behave, girls... don't burn anything.
And with that, Sona comically dragged him to the student council room while the other students murmured and Daniel's girlfriends watched him leave with a mix of jealousy, resignation... and expectation.
Once in the student council room, Sona closed the door with an isolation spell, activated barriers to prevent magical eavesdropping, and sat across from Daniel with her arms crossed.
—Alright — she said, somewhere between serious and a little nervous—. Now that there are no distractions, you're going to tell me everything you're doing at night... and what's really going on with that group called SEES. I'm tired of being kept in the dark.
Daniel observed her in silence for a few seconds... and then nodded.
—Alright, Sona. If you're going to get involved, you deserve to know everything.
Within the silent and elegant student council hall, Sona Sitri prepared the chessboard with meticulous movements, as if each piece held a deeper meaning than a simple game. Daniel, seated across from her, accepted the invitation without hesitation.
—If we're going to discuss such delicate topics... let's at least make it interesting — Sona said with a subtle smile.
—Afraid of losing concentration? — Daniel replied, raising an eyebrow while moving his first pawn.
—We'll see who ends up losing — she retorted, and the match began.
As the pieces clashed on the board, Daniel began to recount what had happened since the start of the holidays: how he and Tamamo were the only ones who could move during the Dark Hour, the nightly explorations of Tartarus, the shadowy creatures they faced, and how, each night, they drew closer to the heart of that mystery.
Sona listened attentively, only interrupting if she had a specific question.
—And you mentioned you're on the eighty-ninth floor? What has been the structure of the bosses for each block?
—At first they were more elemental Shadows, then came hybrids, entities that played with illusions and mental magic. The last boss had a strange connection to time... it almost seemed to manipulate it — Daniel explained, while sacrificing a bishop without hesitation.
Sona tensed. Not because of what was said, but because she didn't see that move coming. One more and she'd lose a rook.
—And do you think reaching the hundredth floor will answer all the questions? — she asked, moving her queen cautiously.
—I hope so... though I have a feeling the hundredth floor isn't the end, but a door — Daniel murmured, advancing his knight calmly.
The story continued. Daniel explained how mental fatigue affected the SEES members, the strategies implemented, and how even with Tamamo helping in combat, the pressure grew each night. He also talked about Mitsuru, her growing interest in understanding the Dark Hour... and perhaps in him.
Sona, skilled as she was, tried to hide her reactions. But the more pieces she lost on the board, the more evident her frustration became. Not just because of the game, but from the feeling that Daniel was hiding more than he said... or perhaps not, and that was precisely the problem. Everything he said sounded honest, transparent... and that disarmed her even more.
Finally, when she only had her king, a pawn, and a bishop left at a total disadvantage, Daniel moved his rook without even looking at the board.
—Checkmate — he said calmly.
Sona blinked. She looked at the board. She had lost. Not only that... she didn't even remember at what point she had lost control of the game.
—... How did you do that without thinking? — she asked, genuinely astonished.
—I guess I'm better than I thought — Daniel responded with a sly smile as he rose from his seat—. But thanks for the game. And for listening.
He headed for the door, but before leaving, he turned to her.
—If you have more questions, Sona, don't hesitate to find me. I'll be happy to answer them... or play another game.
And with that, Daniel withdrew calmly, leaving Sona alone in the room, still staring at the board, in silence.
She had heard everything about Tartarus. She had learned more than she expected.
But what was hardest to accept...
...was that for the first time in a long time, someone had beaten her at her own game.
Sona kept contemplating the chessboard in complete silence. Her fingers remained motionless over the bishop she never managed to move in time. Her gaze, fixed on the spot where Daniel had sat minutes before, was a mix of disbelief and resignation.
Her peerage, always so disciplined, didn't know if they should speak or pretend they hadn't seen anything... But they knew. They had seen it. And if they knew, then Serafall undoubtedly knew too.
—My personal clause... — Sona whispered, bringing a hand to her forehead—. "Only someone who defeats me in chess can be considered my fiancé." Stupid, stupid, stupid...
The hidden camera in the corner of the room, tiny and barely perceptible, had surely already broadcast the entire match live to Serafall, who was probably screaming with joy, planning a wedding and a shower of confetti at any moment.
—My fiancé... is a womanizer with a harem — Sona sighed, as if she had just lost a bet with fate.
She couldn't ignore it. She couldn't annul it. It was her own rule. And he... he had won without even breaking a sweat.
The worst part was that, thinking about it calmly, he wasn't a bad match.
Daniel was brave, direct, charismatic, respectful towards his girlfriends and, whether she admitted it or not, attentive when it mattered. He had shown it by speaking to her with complete sincerity, entrusting her with important secrets about Tartarus, even knowing she could use them against him if she wished. It was a risk he took out of trust.
And now...
—How on earth do I explain this to my parents...?
Meanwhile, several classrooms away...
Daniel was walking calmly back to his girlfriends. Tamamo was the first to receive him with a kiss, followed by Alya and Sakura, who surrounded him with their arms. Hikari and Hibiki joked in the background, while Reynare handed him a chilled juice with a mischievous smile.
Everything seemed normal... until Daniel stopped dead in his tracks.
A shiver ran down his spine. A dark premonition. As if something big had just changed in his destiny.
—...Did I just seal my doom without realizing it? — he murmured with a bead of sweat running down his temple.
—Huh? Did you say something, dear? — Tamamo asked.
—N-no... I just got cold all of a sudden.
While the dragon was still surrounded by affection and caresses, far away, in an office in the Underworld, Serafall Leviathan was screaming with excitement with a wedding dress in hand and a projector replaying the exact moment of the checkmate.
Fate had just moved another piece on this crazy board.
In a luxurious mansion in the Underworld, decorated with good taste and demonic elegance, an explosion of joy rumbled through all the halls.
—My little Sona is finally getting married! — Lord Sitri shouted excitedly, holding back tears as he hugged his wife tightly—. And with a man who defeated her in chess! A true strategist!
—And so handsome! And so polite! And strong! And he has that bad boy air that girls love! — his excited wife added, while already flipping through bridal magazines and magical headdresses.
In the center of the chaos, dancing with a banner that said "Congratulations, Sona and Daniel!", was a radiant Serafall Leviathan, a mix of magical idol and wedding planner.
—Kyaa~! My little Sona has finally found her charming prince! And she didn't even need to summon him with magic! — she yelled while throwing confetti with a toy wand—. I knew it would happen! The "Forced Romance by Chess Project" worked! Hahaha!
A servant entered, panting.
—My Lady... should we... inform young Daniel about this engagement?
Serafall looked at him as if he had just suggested canceling Christmas.
—Huh? And ruin the surprise? No, no, no! Love blossoms best when least expected! — she said with a mischievous and dangerous smile.
—And... and Sona-sama? Has she confirmed it?
—She's... processing it — Serafall said, spinning around while holding two wedding invitations with gold edges—. But you know how she is, all serious. She needs a little push! I've already had the hall prepared, contacted an interdimensional florist, and ordered a five-tier cake filled with fallen stars.
—Isn't that a bit rushed? — another servant asked timidly.
—Shh! Don't ruin my moment as an enthusiastic big sister! — Serafall said with a pout, while projecting the exact moment of the checkmate on a magic crystal, which repeated on a loop with animated hearts.
In the corner of the room, a demon aunt knitted a sweater with the initials "S + D" while the grandfather was already looking for a venue for the family reception.
The entire family was already mentally at the altar... though neither Sona nor Daniel knew absolutely anything about it.
Location: Rias Gremory's private study, Kuoh Academy.
The young red-headed devil was reviewing reports on low-level demonic activity on the outskirts of Kuoh when a soft click at the door snapped her out of her concentration.
—Come in — she said without looking away from the documents.
Grayfia Lucifuge entered, as elegant and expressionless as ever, carrying a golden envelope decorated with celebratory magic. She placed it very carefully on Rias's desk.
—My Lady, an invitation from the Underworld.
Rias raised an eyebrow, took the envelope and opened it... only to read something that left her paralyzed. A sepulchral silence took over the study.
—Is this... a wedding? — she asked in a low voice.
—That is correct — Grayfia replied in a formal tone—. Lady Sona Sitri is officially engaged. The wedding is being organized with unusual speed by direct order of Lady Leviathan. It will be held at the Sitri residence in two weeks.
Rias was dumbfounded. Literally, her brain wasn't responding.
—Sona? With Daniel!? HOW?! WHEN?! — she shouted, jumping up suddenly, her chair falling to the floor from the momentum.
And just then, as if fate were playing with her sense of timing, Sona Sitri elegantly entered the office with a folder in hand.
—Rias, I needed to talk to you about the treaties we need to renew for——
But she didn't get to finish.
Rias shot out and shook her by the shoulders like a mother hen with an emotional overload.
—WHEN DID YOU CLOSE THE DEAL WITH DANIEL?! YOU HID THAT FROM ME OF ALL PEOPLE?! YOU ALSO CONFESSED TO HIM?! WASN'T IT JUST YOUR CHESS RIVALRY?! OR WAS IT A TRAP?!
—What?! What are you talking about?! — Sona, red-faced and unable to drop her folder, barely understood half of what her friend was saying.
Grayfia, unfazed, placed another invitation on the tea table and spoke in that tone of an employee who has seen it all:
—Lady Leviathan made public Daniel's victory over you in chess. According to the clauses you yourself drafted years ago, that fact automatically makes him your fiancé. The entire Underworld has already been informed.
Sona froze, her pupils dilating slightly. Then she slowly lowered the folder and murmured:
—...Damn it, Serafall.
Rage, frustration, and shame swirled within her.
—I wasn't ready! I haven't even told him! I'm barely seriously considering him! And you're already sending out INVITATIONS?!
—By magic-mail, yes. They're fast — Grayfia added while flipping through the pamphlet with an included "Stellar Style Wedding Menu."
Sona clenched her fists. She already knew her family had boundary issues, but this... this was ridiculous.
—I'm going to the Underworld — she said in a determined voice, her aura of authority igniting like blue fire.
—Don't you want to think about it a little more? — Rias asked, somewhat overwhelmed but amused.
—No. I'm going to talk to Serafall. And if necessary... — Sona adjusted her glasses with a sinister glint—. ...I'll make her understand through force.
And without another word, she teleported with a burst of magical light.
Rias and Grayfia were silent for a moment.
—Do you think there will be blood? — Rias finally asked, taking a seat.
—Probably just confetti, but she'll throw it very violently — Grayfia responded with absolute calm.
Rias sighed and crossed her arms with a bitter air.
—Sona at least found someone decent... I'm still stuck with that idiot Riser.
Grayfia, without a word, served her a cup of tea. Both knew that, sooner or later... fate would take care of that too.
Location: Sitri Family Mansion, Underworld.
The atmosphere, normally elegant and serene, was now covered by an icy aura. In the center of a large hall decorated with wedding ribbons, flowers, and banners saying "Congratulations Sona & Daniel!", Sona Sitri herself stood with her arms crossed, an expression of absolute authority on her face and her demonic aura so intense that even the chandeliers trembled.
In front of her, her parents and Serafall Leviathan were kneeling with huge lumps on their heads, crying anime-style, and handkerchiefs in hand.
—We're sorry, dear daughter! We didn't think you'd react like that! — her father whimpered while rubbing the lump.
—It's just... we saw you so happy when you returned from Earth! And we thought someone had finally beaten you at chess! And he was such a handsome, strong young man! — her mother added, with a comical sniffle coming from her nose.
—And I was already imagining calling him brother-in-laaaw! — Serafall moaned with two tissues in each hand, rolling on her knees—. I was going to show him our family albums! I even wrote a song for the weddiiiing!
Sona watched them with a completely implacable gaze.
—I understand you got excited — she began in a cold but contained tone—. And I don't deny that Daniel is an... interesting candidate.
The eyes of the three lit up like Christmas lights.
—So you *do* like him?! — they shouted in unison.
Sona ignored them, continuing her sentence.
—But I have my own methods. I do not plan to become engaged to someone I don't know completely. I want to know what he's passionate about, what bothers him, what kind of books he reads, if he prefers tea or coffee, and above all... if I'm willing to share him with seven other women.
Serafall made a giant pout, with her chin trembling.
—But Sonaaaa! Daniel is perfect for you! Brave, chivalrous, strong, fun, a good strategist, and he loves challenges! What more do you want?!
—I want to choose for myself. — Sona replied, with a serious gaze that pierced the soul—. I don't want to be married off out of emotion or political logic.
Her parents bowed their heads again, repentant.
—You're right, daughter — her father said in a calmer voice this time—. We got carried away. We promise not to do it again without your consent.
Sona nodded, and with a wave of her hand, the magical invitations began to float in the air until they disappeared with a flash of purple light.
—Thank you — she said firmly—. Public apologies have already been sent, correct?
—Yes, yes — her mother responded immediately—. We even compensated the Bael family for the temporary confusion. Though... they thought it was a diplomatic move to distance you from Riser.
—Even better — Sona replied with a satisfied smile.
But Serafall didn't give up so easily.
—Nee, Sonaaa~! Forgive me! I only wanted what's best for you! Don't haaaate me! — she said while clinging to her younger sister's leg with the face of an abandoned puppy.
Sona tried to shake her off with a look of annoyance.
—Leave me alone, Serafall! You were the main culprit! YOU signed the magical permit to print and send the invitations!
—It was only three hundred sets! And they were all on recycled paper! — she whined.
Sona sighed deeply.
—We'll talk about this at home. In the meantime, I have matters on Earth to attend to.
And with a sharp teleportation gesture, Sona disappeared in a column of purple light.
Her parents remained on the floor, still kneeling. Serafall collapsed theatrically onto a carpet.
—My cute little sister hates meee! And I only wanted to help her with her romaaance! — she yelled loudly while making dramatic circles with her finger on the carpet.
—Darling... I think we should cancel the chef and the event organizer — her father said, sighing.
—What about the band? — her mother asked.
—We can keep them for when Sona really invites him.
Both parents nodded with resignation.