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The heiress tilted her head curiously at me as we departed the area unnoticed, the press too embroiled in Falon's tantrum to have noticed our passing.
"Will you not speak against him? Save your pride?" Seekvaira asked, though there was no accusation in her voice – only curiosity.
"I have very little pride left." I said in amusement. "He can say whatever he wants about me. The results of the Rating Game speak for themselves."
Seekvaira smiled. "Yes, I suppose they do. Once again your peerage has emerged victorious with no one but yourself and your queen taking the field."
"As pleasant as your company has been, Seekvaira, I would like to return home. Was there something specific you wanted to discuss with me before myself and my peerage leave?"
Seekvaira was silent. She led me down a connecting hallway away from the press that opened into a small room with a large viewing screen. It was likely the room she had watched the Rating Game in.
The Pillar heiress released my arm and stepped a few feet away, turning to face me fully, her peerage following to arrange themselves behind her.
"I have been following your exploits ever since our initial meeting, Riser. Everything I have seen has impressed me. Your company is also pleasant.
I found myself enjoying our meetings when I frankly detest most other nobles. With all this in mind, I made a request of my parents. Unfortunately, they do not view you in the same light that I do."
Now I was just plain confused. Where was she going with this? "Are your parents upset with how our business concluded?
I thought they accepted the trade of…" I trailed off as Seekvaira shook her head and waved her hand dismissively.
"You need not worry about that, Riser. They are actually very pleased with the addition of the Red Dragon Emperor to my peerage, and felt the trade was fair. No.
What they disapproved of was my other proposition, something I would very much like to see approved. However, there was only one way to convince them to even consider it. Therefore…"
Seekvaira took a dramatic step forward. Her eyes hardened as she said, "Riser, I challenge you to a Rating Game."
I stood in dumbfounded silence as I stared at Seekvaira. At first, I thought she was joking.
Then I saw the determination in her eyes and realized she was completely serious. Following that realization, I grew immensely confused.
"Why would you offer an opportunity like this to me?" I said, trying to understand her motives.
"By competing against me, not to mention challenging me, you are effectively telling the entire Underworld that I am a worthy opponent.
Win or lose, this will open a multitude of doors for me. What do you get in return?"
Seekvaira smiled knowingly. "That would be telling, my dear Riser." she echoed my words from earlier.
"Know that I do not harbor nefarious intentions towards you or your peerage. All I ask in return is that you keep an open mind when I approach you after the Rating Game."
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "You're trying to convince your parents of something and need to fight me to do it.
Are you trying to convince them to let you add me to your peerage? While I'm flattered, I must respectfully…" I stopped talking as Seekvaira began to openly laugh.
"No. As much as I would give to have you in my peerage, I am almost certain you would never accept. No. I have something else in mind.
Something I do not think you would refuse. Now…do you accept my challenge?" Her eyes swam with hidden intentions, though I couldn't find any trace of malice in her gaze.
I looked over my shoulder at my peerage, wordlessly asking their opinions.
I received stone-faced determination and nods from all of them. Kalawarner and Yubelluna even looked excited at the prospect of facing Seekvaira.
Turning to face Seekvaira once more, I said, "I accept your challenge. Thank you for this opportunity."
Seekvaira's smile shined brightly as she said, "Thanks are unnecessary, Riser. It is an opportunity for us both."
Before I could ask any questions about that rather suspicious statement, Seekvaira said, "I will see to arranging the match and ensuring you are informed of the details.
Until we meet again, Riser." A teleportation circle expanded out from her and sheparded her peerage away.
I stared at the empty space she occupied for a moment.
Turning to face my peerage, I said, "This is going to be our most important Rating Game yet. We need to be ready."
Expectant grins and serious nods answered my declaration.
X
"You don't need to worry about anyone who is retired." Ruval said, his typical amused smirk was replaced with a surprisingly serious gaze. "Zissa and I will remain here with Phenex Tears.
The organizers typically provide healers, but they might as well be incompetent next to these." Ruval finished, hefting a small vial with a dropper at the end.
"Won't helping us this openly cause problems for you?" I asked, genuinely worried. "The last thing I want is for anything to happen that ruins your heirship."
Ruval snorted as he waved off my concerns. "At this point? I could honestly care less. I'm independently wealthy and have made more than enough friends to cover myself if the assholes decide to direct their attention to me. Speaking of…"
Ruval heaved a sigh, rubbing his forehead. "They came to watch today's fight. Apparently they're considering being gracious enough to allow you to reclaim your last name so long as you don't 'embarrass them with your application of their power'.
If you ask me, you should tell them to fuck off. They're only here to pad their own egos. Talk to Ravel though. They brought her with them and she's been missing you something fierce."
"Ravel is here?" I said, ignoring the rest. I couldn't care less about the people who birthed me, but I'd missed my little sister's antics.
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