Erin woke up and massaged her head. The events from yesterday were foggy on her mind and it was Voltaire's voice which shed a light on things.
"{ How are you feeling now?}"
"Fine.. but still a bit tired." Erin replied as she slowy rise. "What happened? I can't remember a majority of the events."
"{ You had a blackout. You lost control of yourself and nearly exhausted your powers to the point of draining every energy you got.}"
" I see.. it was that bad, huh?"
"{ Your memories must have triggered an intense feeling and past trauma to resurface. It was hard to reach out you. Fortunately, you only suffered a fever and didn't went unconscious for some days.}"
"Maybe I just got lucky."
Voltaire went silent for some moment before he continued speaking.
"{ You must find a way to counter those negative memories. Your feelings would get in the way and it'll be dangerous when you suddenly snap and lose focus.}"
" I know." replied Erin with a sigh. A knock was heard from the door and Rias entered, carrying a tray with a glass of water and medicine.
" Good morning." The red head greeted and once she set down the tray, she approached the Goddess and checked her temperature.
" Your temperature is back to normal. I'm glad it was just a fever and not some serious injury."
Erin went to take the medicine, muttering a 'thanks' to the red head.
"I'm sorry for worrying all of you and causing problems because of this."
"It's fine. It is my duty to look after my servants, after all." replied Rias with a smile as she touched Erin's face.
" But you're right. We were indeed worried. It wasn't usual for you to lose your cool and composure. Do you want to share anything? We would help you in whatever way we can." Rias said in a determined tone.
"It's fine. Yours and the others' support is enough."
" That's right. This is a personal matter which I should take care of." Erin sighed.
" Hmm. Just don't hesitate to ask anything, okay?" Rias said and hugged the Goddess which ended up with the latter being buried between the red head's breasts.
" Umpph!"
"Rias, what the heck?" Erin exclaimed as she broke away from the hold. " Are you trying to suffocate me?"
"I'm just trying to show affection to my servants." replied Rias mischievously.
"Strange, because if I do this to others like Issei for example, he would be overjoyed instead of being surprised like you."
"Well I'm not Issei." Erin rolled her eyes. "And you're right. You should do this to someone who enjoys the action instead of doing it to annoy me."
Rias chuckled at this and proceeded to squish her cheeks lightly.
"You're cute when you're jealous. There there, no need to feel that way."
Erin swatted her hands in annoyance.
" I'm not feeling anything remotely close to that. And if you're done teasing me for your own satisfaction then I would appreciate it if you get out so I can change for our next destination."
Rias only smiled at this and bent down to give her a quick peck on the cheek. When the red head left the room, Erin groaned in frustration.
" She is seriously annoying. Grrr. I hate her antics."
"{At least you are well enough to fight off her antics.}" chuckled Voltaire.
After packing their things up, the group boarded the train again to finally head to the Gremory estate.
" How are you feeling, Erin?" Kiba asked as soon as they settled themselves on the train.
" I'm fine. Nothing serious." replied Erin with a smile.
" If you need anything just ask me, okay?" said Kiba seriously as he held Erin's hands.
" Thank you, Kiba."
The two smiled warmly and locked eyes with each other. They only broke their contact when Rias cleared her throat beside the Goddess.
" We'll be arriving in a short while."
The train came to a halt and the group stepped out. They walked for a short distance and came face to face with a large castle-like structure. Rias entered first and when they stepped inside, numerous maids and butlers were lined up on the hallway.
"Welcome, ojou-sama and her family." they greeted in unison and bowed.
The ORC grew conscious at the act except for Erin and the red head.
" D-Does Buchou go home to this type of setting everyday?" Issei mumbled.
" Wahh! There's so many people." Gasper hid behind the Goddess.
" Ojou-sama, welcome home." Grayfia greeted at the end of the hallway.
"Zeoticus-sama is at his study and he'll be joining you for dinner later."
" Thank you, Grayfia." replied Rias.
" Big sister Rias! You've finally arrived!" A boy with the same red hair came running in the hallway.
" Millicas. Good to see you again." Rias said as she gave the boy a hug.
" Buchou, who is he?"
" This is Millicas." replied Rias and the boy waved at them. " He is Onii-sama's son."
" Ah so he's your nephew." Issei said until a question bugged his mind. " Wait, who is Sirzechs-sama's wife anyway?"
"Big sister, who is she?" Millicas shyly pointed to the Goddess. The said girl was busy scanning the surroundings and was unaware of the boy's stare.
" Ah, she is a member of my peerage." Rias tugged on Erin's hand which caught her attention.
" Huh? What is it- " Her gaze landed on Millicas. " Oh, hello there. My name's Erin."
Millicas grinned widely and gave her a hug, catching her off guard.
"You're really pretty. You look like the people found in the books."
Erin raised her brow at this but the boy ran off before she could ask.
" Big sister, follow me. Grandma is there on the library."
" Okay. No need to be in a rush." chuckled Rias.
They reached the library and a young looking woman with light brown hair was standing near the shelves. She instantly turned around after Millicas rushed to her side.
" Holy- Who is that?" Issei gaped.
" Don't think of anything weird, Issei." Rias sighed. " She's my mother."
" NANI?!"
" Hello, Rias." Spoke the woman and the red head greeeted her back. " I'm guessing these are the new addition to your peerage." She looked at the newcomers.
The group made a slight bow and the woman chuckled.
" No need to be so formal. My name is Venelana Gremory and I am Rias' mother. Thank you for helping Rias in any way."
Her eyes landed on the Goddess and her eyes widened in recognition.
" Oh my, this must be the popular Knight who crashed the engagement." She approached the Goddess who made a bow.
" The books are indeed true. You really have a striking resemblance to your father."
Erin grew curious on her words and the woman hurriedly flipped to a page on her book which showed the sketch of the Greek Deities.
" Sugoi.. Your father is a good-looking man, Erin." Issei commented and he quickly added. " I mean- I'm just saying. No weird thoughts or anything."
" I didn't know that there was a sketch of the deities of Olympus." Erin remarked as she looked at the book.
" I am interested to learn about Mythologies particularly the Greek ones. So when Sirzechs told me that Rias fianceé was a knight and Deity of Olympus, I couldn't wait to meet you in person."
" Geez, mother." spoke Rias " Go and reveal to her all of your fantasies regarding the Greek Deities. If it wasn't embarrassing already."
Venelana laughed at this.
" Of course. I also have to familiarize all of your potential suitors. Well in this case, your love interest." She gave a sideward glance at the Goddess causing Rias to blush.
" I'm sorry for any damage I caused at the engagement, Miss Gremory." Erin said in a formal tone.
" Dont worry about it. I was actually happy that you crashed the party since it taught my husband a lesson. That is, to never set up Rias on an engagement without considering her feelings."
Venelana motioned to the group.
"Shall we go take a tour around the house? We would visit the other rooms too."
The members stepped out and Rias was the last to leave. When it is only the two of them, Venelana said a few words to her daughter.
" You had a good catch." She winked which made Rias blush again.
" M-Mother. Stop embarrassing me."
Oh, Young love. But I must warn you though. Greek deities are extremely meticulous when it comes to the people who ends up on their lineage. So if you are really serious about your feelings, you should be prepared on facing her family, particularly the Olympians." Venelana said in a slightly serious tone.
" How did you even know about these things?" Rias gave her mother an incredulous look.
" I already told you. I study about the things which interest me." smiled Venelana in response.
- End of Chapter -