85 Chapter [85]

Room of Zeoticus and Venelana.

Zeoticus was flipping through some documents while Venelana gazed out the window of the room. Silence reigned until Venelana broke it with a direct question.

"May I know what you went to do with Dimitri Astaroth, Zeoticus?" she inquired, her voice laden with curiosity and a touch of concern.

Zeoticus lifted his gaze from the documents, surprised by Venelana's question. He pondered for a moment before deciding to share his thoughts with his wife.

"I went to discuss details of the marriage contract between Diodora Astaroth and Rias," he replied, his voice calm and controlled. "It's an important matter that needs to be handled carefully."

Venelana frowned, concerned by Zeoticus' response. She approached him, her hands resting on the table as her eyes sought his for a more detailed explanation.

"Are you already thinking of making another marriage contract?" she questioned, her voice filled with worry. "What if Rias doesn't want to?"

Zeoticus sighed softly, understanding Venelana's apprehension. He closed the documents and set them aside before rising to stand beside her, seeking to comfort her with his presence.

"Rias doesn't have that choice, she'll marry whether she wants to or not," he stated with a cold look, his expression serious, revealing his determination to proceed with the marriage contract.

Venelana took a step back, surprised and alarmed by Zeoticus' direct response. She moved away from the table and went to the bed, sitting down as she processed her husband's words.

"Last time a lot went wrong," murmured Venelana, her tone laden with concern. "We can't ignore the mistakes of the past."

Zeoticus slowly approached Venelana, his gaze still firm and determined. He sat beside her on the bed, seeking to comfort her with his presence as he explained his intentions.

"It went wrong because you and Sirzechs were too lenient with her," Zeoticus asserted, his voice firm. "This time, I'm taking the lead on this."

"Lenient?" exclaimed Venelana, indignant at Zeoticus' suggestion. She looked at him with an expression of disbelief, unable to accept the idea that her leniency could have been the cause of past problems. "What did you want me to do? Disrespect our daughter's wishes and force an unwanted marriage upon her?"

Zeoticus remained calm in the face of Venelana's exasperated reaction. He understood her frustration but was determined to move forward with his plans to strengthen the family's position.

"We married the same way, a mutually beneficial contract!" Zeoticus affirmed, his voice firm and assertive. "And it worked out just fine. We should do the same for Rias."

Venelana looked at Zeoticus, her expression softening as she considered his words. She knew he was acting based on what he believed was best for the family, but still struggled with the idea of forcing their daughter into a fate she didn't choose.

"I understand, Zeoticus," she murmured, resignation tingeing her voice. "But we can't forget that Rias is our daughter, not just a pawn in our political game."

"When Rias was going to marry Riser you didn't act like this," reminded Zeoticus, looking at Venelana with a serious expression. "What has changed?"

Venelana raised her gaze to meet Zeoticus' eyes, her expression a mix of surprise and reflection at her husband's direct question. She pondered for a moment before responding, seeking the right words to express her thoughts.

"I know it may seem contradictory, Zeoticus," she began, her voice soft but firm. "But Rias isn't like any other girl. She's our daughter, and we have a duty to protect her and respect her wishes."

"Respect her wishes?," retorted Zeoticus, his voice tinged with irritation. "What nonsense is this, Venelana? Our daughter is a Gremory, and she will fulfill her obligations."

Venelana looked at Zeoticus, surprised by his heightened reaction. She stood up from the bed, facing him with determination in her eyes.

"I'm not talking about the name of our family, Zeoticus," she replied, her voice firm. "I'm talking about the fact that Rias is a person with her own desires and feelings. We can't simply ignore that and force her into a marriage she doesn't want."

Zeoticus furrowed his brow, his expression hardening even more. He approached Venelana, his gaze fixed on hers as he tried to make her understand his viewpoint.

"Venelana, you're being naive," Zeoticus asserted, his voice filled with impatience. "As leaders of the Gremory family, we have responsibilities that go beyond individual desires. Rias needs to understand that."

"She won't understand," said Venelana with a tone of concern as she looked into Zeoticus' eyes. "She will do everything to break the marriage contract."

"It doesn't matter," Zeoticus replied firmly. "If she tries to do anything, I personally revoke all her Peerage members."

Venelana widened her eyes, incredulous at the severity of Zeoticus' response. She couldn't believe that her husband would consider such a drastic measure.

"Would you do something so low?" she asked, horrified by the idea.

"Low would be going back on my word I gave to Dimitri," Zeoticus retorted with a harsh expression. "Rias will marry Diodora Astaroth and let's not talk about it anymore."

Venelana swallowed hard, struggling to contain the flood of emotions washing over her. She knew she couldn't convince Zeoticus to change his mind, but still refused to accept the fate he had decided for their daughter.

Astaroth Mansion

Diodora entered his father's office with a serious expression, knowing that something important was about to be discussed. Dimitri watched him with a stern look before indicating a chair for him to sit.

"I called you here to announce your marriage contract with Rias Gremory," declared Dimitri, his authoritative voice filling the room. "Do you have anything to say?"

Diodora frowned, feeling a mixture of surprise and resignation at his father's announcement. He knew questioning Dimitri's orders was futile, so he decided to accept his fate.

"No, father, if those are your orders, I will comply," replied Diodora, his voice filled with dismay.

"Very well, we have nothing more to say, you may leave," said Dimitri, pointing to the exit.

Diodora rose from the chair, feeling anger bubbling inside him as he walked through the mansion's corridors. He clenched his fists, struggling to contain the fury threatening to consume him.

In his thoughts, he cursed his father for forcing him to marry Rias Gremory, a woman he barely knew and had no interest in getting to know better. And to make matters worse, he still hadn't managed to locate the blonde nun who intrigued him so much.

"Damn old man, forcing me to marry that bitch," Diodora muttered through gritted teeth, his frustration evident in every word. "And on top of that, I still haven't been able to locate that blonde nun... Asia Argento."

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