Chapter 40 - Marriage

"I want you to accept Ruriko as part of my harem," Bane responded a bit annoyed at Sona's attitude against Ruriko.

"I see ..." Sona murmured, his request was something she already expected.

"Ruriko-san, by chance your master is not bunce-san?" Sona asked suddenly.

"Does Sona-sama know my master?" Ruriko asked in surprise and looked at Bane's askance.

"I don't know him personally, but I've heard a lot of rumors about him. He has no intention of improving his strength and only uses his evil pieces to revive women and add them to his harem." Sona explained with a smile, it was natural for her to know about these things.

Listening to Sona, Ruriko could do nothing but nod her head. The rumors will always remain rumors but both she and Sona knew it was true.

"I imagine your master has tried to get you to join his harem, why haven't you?" Sona asked.

"People like my master who only see women as possessions are not to my liking," Ruriko explained.

"I understand you, there are very few devils who do not allow themselves to be carried away by their ŀust when it comes to forming their peerage. To revive them and add them to their peerage is like saying: "I gave you another chance to live, serving me is your payment" "Sona added.

"Well ... my master may not be the best man in the world but he respects my decision not to be with him and strives for us to adapt to our new life, he is not the best teacher but at least he tries not to be the worst" Ruriko replied.

She also had similar thoughts about her master but still, deep down she was grateful for her new life and indirectly thanks to him, she was able to meet Bane which caused her complaints about him to decrease, so listening to someone else insulting him did not like.

"Excuse me for speaking ill of your master and case my question offended you, I want you to know that that was not my intention at all" Sona apologized as she bowed as a sign of apology.

Surprised by his gesture, Ruriko replied quickly.

"Apologies are not necessary, I understand Sona-sama position"

Sona nodded, dedicating a small smile to Ruriko, Sona refocused her attention on Bane

"So, back to the main point. Although we are committed, I am not obliged to accept your relationship with Ruriko but you know that very well. So, why would you come to introduce me to your girlfriend giving me the option of using this as an excuse to break our commitment? " Sona said while rubbing her chin.

Bane saw no need to respond to Sona's words. Having a harem in the underworld was not too complicated but everything became more difficult when it came to dealing with women like Sona who had the backing and intelligence to impose their will.

"I know you wouldn't be so stupid unless ... you have no other options.

The first thing you surely did was go to the Shax clan and try to exchange Ruriko for one of your pieces but a person like Bunce-san would not give in so easily. Furthermore, you have no authority to involve your clan in a personal matter and your sister would not allow it either," Sona explained patiently.

When she finished speaking, she picked up a cup of tea that had been on the table for so long that it had even cooled, she was so focused on her talk with Bane that she forgot to drink her tea.

'Tastes good. Later I will ask Linet-san to prepare a little more,' Sona thought as she took a small sip.

Instead of interrupting Sona, Bane took advantage of the little time they gave him to rethink his plan.

"Was I wrong about something?" Sona asked after setting the cup down on the table.

"You are right, so I have a proposal. Once we are married, our relationship will be in name only and I will not intervene in anything you do, even if you do get a partner in the future I will not object. All I want is to be with Ruriko" Bane said while stroking the hand of Ruriko with love.

"It's not a bad idea but that's not what I want." Sona refused.

"What do you want?" Bane asked although he already knew the answer.

"Cancel our commitment" Sona responded immediately.

"No" Bane flatly refused.

Instead of answering immediately, Sona picked up the cup of tea again and took her time to enjoy it. After a few seconds that seemed like years, Sona looked directly into Bane's eyes and broke the awkward silence.

"Then I have no choice," Sona muttered regretfully.

As things were going, Sona was sure they would not be able to reach an agreement then, it was time to fight back.

"I want you to play a game of chess with me. I will only marry someone who is smarter than me and this is not a proposal "

"What?" Bane exclaimed confused.

"You've already listened to me unless you show me that you are smarter than me I will not accept our commitment"

"You can't do that," Bane replied.

"I can, I have already spoken to my father and he agrees with me."

Not only Bane, but Ruriko was also just as confused as him. At what point did they change the subject so quickly?

"Unlike many, I value intelligence over physical strength more. I don't want to marry a man who is not able to use his head and whose only good thing is their strength and nothing else." Sona said before finishing drinking her tea.

"What you're asking for is stupid," Bane interrupted.

"We are already committed, the least you can do is show that you deserve to be my husband" Sona

"If that's your answer, we have nothing more to talk about," Bane said annoyed and along with Ruriko prepared to leave. He had finished everything he had to say, all he could do now was talk to Sona's father.

Sona watched all this without knowing what to do. As he had said, no matter how hard they tried to reach an agreement they would only be going round and round without reaching anything.

Glancing at Ruriko and Bane, doubts filled Sona's head. Do I press too much? Did I play me cards too fast?

"The next time you come, there will be no negotiations." Sona gave the ultimatum.