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Gale had always liked Peter, though initially, her affection was rooted in seeing him as her big sister's boyfriend—a figure of admiration rather than romance. However, everything shifted the day Peter heroically saved her mother from the vile clutches of her abusive father, a man she despised. That pivotal moment cast Peter in an entirely new light, revealing depths of courage and kindness she hadn't fully appreciated before. Slowly but surely, Gale found herself falling in love with him, her feelings blossoming like flowers in the warmth of spring.
Yet, she was acutely aware that pursuing those feelings would be wrong. Torn between her heart and her loyalty, she resolved to bury her emotions deep within, prioritizing her sister's happiness over her own desires. Until recently, she had managed this delicate balance remarkably well. Over time, her bond with Peter evolved into a genuine friendship, their closeness growing naturally as they shared laughter and quiet moments. She had convinced herself she could keep her love hidden forever.
But now, everything had changed completely. The need to conceal her feelings had vanished, like a heavy fog lifting from her world, and the freedom it brought filled her with an overwhelming sense of gladness and relief.
"Now, about Reiran and Rias." Peter said, breaking the silence. He paused, glancing around the room before continuing, "How about we all sit down first?" His suggestion was met with nods of agreement, and everyone settled onto the plush sofas, anticipation hanging in the air.
"Let's start with Reiran." Peter began. "I found her…" His voice softened as he recounted how he had discovered Reiran, carefully omitting the darker details of violence and death. Gale, at only fifteen, was too young to bear the weight of such grim truths, and Peter wanted to shield her innocence. He painted a picture of Reiran's rescue with gentle strokes, focusing on hope rather than horror.
As Madeline and Gale listened, their expressions softened, their eyes brimming with empathy as they gazed at Reiran. They couldn't even begin to fathom the depths of suffering she must have endured, the scars she carried beneath her quiet demeanor.
Reiran sat beside May, Peter's words stirring memories she'd fought to suppress. The horrors of that place flooded back, and a vivid image materialized in her mind—a bald, menacing face that sent shivers of terror down her spine. Her body trembled involuntarily, but then she felt a warm, steady hand envelop hers.
"Reiran, everything is fine." May said soothingly, her voice a lifeline in the storm of Reiran's fear, "You're completely safe here with us, with Peter." Her reassurance anchored Reiran, pulling her back to the present.
Nodding faintly, Reiran glanced at Peter. His gentle smile met her gaze, radiating a warmth she had never known before, a quiet promise of protection. Her trembling subsided, and she steadied herself, "Thanks, May." She murmured, shaking her head as if to dislodge the haunting past from her thoughts.
Reiran regained her composure, but Peter's concern lingered. When he had first told May about Reiran's ordeal, Reiran hadn't displayed the raw fear and distress she showed now. It was clear something new had resurfaced in her memory, something she hadn't intended to confront.
'I'll ask her about it when we're alone.' Peter decided silently, resolving to support her through whatever shadows still lingered. For now, he pressed on, "And now we come to Rias. I think almost all of you are eager to know about her, right?" He posed the question with a knowing grin, and everyone nodded, their curiosity palpable.
"Fufu~ Looks like I'm quite popular." Rias chimed in playfully. With a dramatic flair, she rose from her seat and promptly plopped onto Peter's lap, where he sat alone on a chair. The bold move drew sharp, envious glares from nearly everyone except Madeline, May, and Reiran. Even Gale's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of jealousy sparking within her along with something else also.
"Well, allow me to introduce myself." Rias declared, her tone laced with amusement as she savored the jealous looks directed her way. She stood briefly before settling back onto Peter's lap, "I am Rias Grimore, the eldest daughter of the most powerful vampire count, Scathach Grimore!" Her announcement rang out with pride, her wide smile showcasing her confidence.
A stunned silence fell over the room. This time, no one—other than Peter and Rias herself—was exempt from the shock that followed. Her words hung in the air, almost too fantastical to believe.
"Y-You're a vampire?" Gwen stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief as she pointed at Rias, wide-eyed.
Rias grinned mischievously, her fangs glinting as they extended, "Yes, I am! So, if you don't want me sneaking into your room at night to suck your blood, you'd better call me 'big sister.'" She'd clocked Gwen's fearful expression instantly and decided to lean into it, relishing the chance to tease her.
"Gulp!" Gwen swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously as she stared at Rias, clearly rattled.
'Haah, she's such a fool.' Everyone thought in unison, exchanging amused smiles as they watched Gwen's overreaction unfold.
"Why are you so tense? She's obviously joking." Liz said, patting Gwen's shoulder to snap her out of her daze, "She wouldn't dare do anything to upset Peter, so relax. Can't you see she's just playing with you?" Liz's calm logic made Gwen whip her head back toward Rias, her fear morphing into indignation.
"You…" Gwen began, her voice rising.
"Humph! Things were getting fun, but Liz, you ruined it." Rias huffed, pouting dramatically as she nestled closer to Peter, who obligingly wrapped his arms around her waist.
"So, you're a vampire." Madeline said, her voice tinged with awe as she studied Rias. She'd always dismissed vampires as mere fiction, but Rias's long, sharp fangs were undeniable proof that the world held mysteries far beyond her understanding.
"Yes, and not just any vampire—I'm a noble one." Rias replied, her pride swelling even further.
"So, you're like royalty among vampires? That's incredible!" Gale exclaimed, leaping from her seat to approach Rias and Peter. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, wide and starry like a child's, "Are there more vampires? Where do they live? Tell us everything!" She leaned in, gazing at Rias with the eager curiosity of a puppy begging for a treat.
"Fufu, you're a sweet girl." Rias said warmly, ruffling Gale's hair affectionately, "I like you." Gale beamed back at her, but beneath that innocent smile, a cunning spark danced in her mind.
'Hehehe, plan successful!' Gale thought triumphantly. Surrounded by so many women vying for Peter's attention, she'd devised a strategy: befriend one of them—preferably Rias, a newcomer she didn't know well—and learn the art of capturing Peter's heart. She couldn't exactly ask her sister, Mary, how to seduce her own boyfriend or win his affection, could she? Rias, with her bold confidence, seemed the perfect mentor.
"Okay, let me tell you about the supernatural side of the world…" Rias began, and everyone leaned in, hanging on her every word. This was a rare glimpse into a realm few humans ever glimpsed.
As Rias spoke, their eyes widened and jaws dropped. Gods, demons, angels—she unveiled a hidden tapestry of beings coexisting alongside humanity, yet shrouded in secrecy. The revelations were staggering, each detail more astonishing than the last.
"It's unbelievable!" Reiran spoke up for the first time that evening, her voice tinged with wonder. A look of fascination lit her face, as though she yearned to uncover every secret the world held.
'She's intrigued by this.' Peter noted with a smile, 'I should get her some history books from Rias, she must have books related to history. She'd love them.'
"Angels, gods, demons… How have we never heard or seen anything about them?" Mary asked, her question echoing the group's shared bewilderment. Others nodded in agreement.
"It's because we supernatural beings are cautious in the human world." Rias explained, "Even the smallest slip could spiral into chaos—wars, even. Take vampires, for instance. If one of us is spotted, the Vatican sends its hunters to eliminate us. To them, we're nothing but blood-drinking monsters." Her tone was matter-of-fact, but it carried the weight of centuries-old tensions.
Everyone nodded, absorbing the gravity of her words.
"But you do drink blood, right?" Madeline asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Of course." Rias replied, "But Human blood isn't our only option, though. We can sustain ourselves with our partners' blood, and thanks to our queen, we no longer hunt humans. We have vast stores of blood that could last millennia." At this, Peter's interest sharpened.
'This vampire queen sounds like a true ruler.' He mused, impressed.
"That's incredible!" Madeline exclaimed, her amazement mirrored in her widening eyes.
"And I don't need anyone else's blood now that I have Peter. His is the best~" Rias purred, licking her lips as her fangs gleamed.
"Don't you dare!"
A sudden shout pierced the air. From Peter's pocket, Velora, multi-eyed spider, leaped out, landing atop his head. She glared at Rias with fierce protectiveness, "Don't you dare drink my master's blood in front of me! Only I can drink my master's blood!"