Harbinger of Ruin: Ch.13

“Bring it around…and pull it through and tight.” I muttered to myself as my hands easily did the black tie around my neck, taking a step back to make sure it looked good with the rest of my outfit.

With it, I had on a blood red long-sleeved dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the crook of my elbow, a black vest with the same red buttons as the shirt and ending it off with black dress pants and a pair of black dress shoes.

My closet was filled with almost two dozen or so suits, but this was the one combo that didn't have a black suit jacket in it so I decided to just wear it for uniqueness.

'But this is also a formal event…Hah, guess I should pick another jacket or…' I thought with a smirk as I walked back into the closet and picked out the thing I thought would match, throwing it over my shoulders and twisting around a bit before smirking as I nodded.

“Woah, look at you, Mr. Mafia.” I heard Rias say from the doorway and looked over only to be stunned by what she had on.

Red seemed to be the theme of the night as she was wearing a form-fitting blood red dress with thin straps that dipped very low to show of a lot of cleavage, a red scarf thrown across her shoulders and around her arms with shimmering red lipstick and a pair of golden hoop earrings.

“I'm guessing from your silence that I look good?” She asked and giggled as I blinked before shaking my head to clear my mind.

“You look gorgeous.”

“Aw~ Well, if you're already complimenting me now, then I can't wait for our date.” She said as she walked closer and helped me put my arms through the coat while I remembered the little deal we had made in the bath.

“You know, you don't have to go through with that.”

“But I want to. Think of it as a reward for helping me get rid of the most annoying parasite of my life. Besides, if something were to occur from it, who knows? I might enjoy it~” She whispered in my ears with a sultry voice before turning around and walking out of the room with a sway in her hips.

'…A few weeks ago, I was a simple guy trying to work his ass off for a promotion. Now, I'm about to go on a date with arguably the most desired woman of my generation. …Life is good!” I thought with a happy smile as I walked out and began making my way towards the living room.

“Ooh~ Looks like you went all out~” Akeno said with a smirk from where she was standing besides Rias, dressed in a black kimono with red roses and gold accents lining the edges of it.

Koneko, Asia and Mittelt were seated on the sofa and chatting happily to each other while wearing a frilly pink, a pure white and a gothic black dress respectively.

Kalawarna and Raynare however have decided to go all out as the bluenette was wearing a dark maroon cocktail dress while Raynare was wearing a rather conservative black dress with a cleavage window and a slit on the left side of her dress up to her lower thigh.

“What? This is a formal event so I might as well not look like a stripper.” She said as she noticed my gaze and rolled her eyes as I snorted and shrugged.

“Hey, the only thing I've seen you in other than your school uniform is that BDSM outfit of yours so sue me.”

“Oh, go jump off of a cliff. Besides, I don't see you saying that to Kala here.”

“Because she helped me make the weapon that gave us victory against Riser. As far as I'm concerned, she's alright in my eyes.”

“And you are in mine…even if you do kind of look like you're trying to be a mob boss.” Kalawarna said with a smirk before giggling as I simply gave her a deadpan stare before turning to Rias as she spoke up.

“Now then, is everyone ready for the party?”

“What should we expect?” Raynare asked as all of us gathered on the Gremory crest crafted next to the large bookcase in the room, to which Rias frowned before answering.

“The noble devils are going to taunt you guys or ask you to join their peerages. Just stick with one of the older members and you'll be fine. Also, Yuuto, here.” She said as she gestured to her side and I nodded before shifting over to stand besides her only to raise an eyebrow as she linked our arms together.

“What? I need a date for the night and you're the only boy of the group.”

“Wait, why do you get a date and we don't?”

“Because I called dibs.” Rias said with a cheeky smile and I decided to stay silent as Akeno huffed before we all looked down as Grayfia's voice echoed through the crest.

“Have you gathered everyone, Lady Rias?”

“I have indeed. You can let us through, Grayfia.” She answered and the crest lit up before the world around us shifted, the others looking a bit confused while Rias, Koneko, Akeno and I looked forward at the Satan Queen as she awaited us in her usual maid outfit.

“As the Queen of Lord Lucifer and the head maid of House Gremory, I would like to welcome you all to the main castle.”

“You know you don't have to welcome us, right Grayfia?” Rias spoke up and Grayfia simply stared at her, to which Rias sighed and nodded.

“Apologies. Continue.

“There's nothing to continue. Your mother has also asked me to inform you upon your arrival that they will be awaiting you in your father's office.”

“Well…that's just great. We'll be there in a minute.” She answered and I rose an eyebrow at her words while Grayfia nodded and walked away.

“We?”

“Yep, since you're taking me on a date, you're doing everything with me until said date, which includes talking to my parents. Akeno…”

“I'll make sure we all stay out of trouble while you're not there.” The priestess answered and Rias gave a thankful smile before I sighed as she began pulling us into the large castle and through its maze-like hallways towards her father's office.

If I had woken up here, I would most definitely be utterly in awe at the sheer wealth that I saw around each corner, but after living in a manor for the past month, I guess the awe just kind of died out.

“Here we are. You ready?” She asked as we stopped in front of a pair of double doors and giggled as I looked at her.

“Not particularly. Why am I still even here?”

“Because I want you to be. Or are you going to leave me to fend off my parents on my own?”

“And risk having you upset them enough that they make us fight Riser again? I think not.” I answered with a shake of my head and she giggled before reaching forward and knocking on the door.

“Enter.” A deep male voice spoke from behind the closed door and I opened it before she gave a smile as I let her walk in first.

“Mother, Father, a pleasure to see you as usual.” Rias greeted with a curtsy as I closed the door behind me and I simply bowed my head whilst standing behind her as I scanned the two stoic people in front of us.

Lady Venelana Gremory was as beautiful as usual with her luscious short flaxen hair, violet eyes and dressed in a low-cut white dress that showed she was just as blessed in the chest department as her daughter.

Lord Zeoticus Gremory however looked exactly as I remember him from the anime as the good-looking middle-aged man with long crimson hair tied into a loose ponytail, bright blue eyes and a short, red beard while dressed in a gold and white suit.

“It is wonderful to see you in good health, my dear daughter, and to you as well, Yuuto. I presume my daughter has not been too invasive on your privacy, yes?”

“Not at all, my lord.” I spoke with a smile and he nodded before I looked at Lady Gremory as she narrowed her eyes at me.

“You are far more alert than before. A good quality to have.”

“I thank you, my lady.” I bowed my head and she nodded before Rias sighed as both of her parents took their attention from me and towards her.

“Now that the pleasantries are done with, do you understand the magnitude of what you just did?” Lady Gremory asked and both Lord Gremory and I decided to stay out of the argument as Rias frowned.

“I do not. Would you care to remind me?”

“You not wishing to marry Riser is a slight in the face of House Phenex from House Gremory. While he is a third son, yes, House Phenex still hold control over a quarter of the Underworld's medical sector and Reyna Phenex loves her children very dearly. If you had won with power, this would not have been an issue, but you used Holy Power, something that could have left permanent consequences if they did not Phenex Tears to heal the damage.”

“I could have had permanent damage if I was forced to marry him. Have you considered that or are you too busy looking after the children of others to care for your own?”

“Take care in how you speak, Rias.” Lady Gremory spoke with a soft yet threatening tone as she stood up and I rose an eyebrow as Rias did the same with a glare.

“I…will…not. All I wanted was for you all to see things from my perspective and help me through it. Hell, if you had listened to me when I spoke and helped me understand what was going on when I was younger instead of just telling me that I am to now marry him, this conversation would not even be happening.”

“We thought that you were old enough to understand your duties as the heiress of House Gremory, but we thought wrong.”

“I was six years old! The only things I was thinking about was what cereal I wanted to eat for the morning and what manga I was going to read! Instead, I got told I had to marry someone six years older than me simply because my brother decided to become a Satan instead of staying as the heir.”

“I believe this is getting a bit heated so may we all calm down?” Lord Gremory spoke up and Rias looked as if she wanted to argue before looking at me as I placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Don't say something you'll regret.” That was all I said and I could see the anger in her eyes waning as she smiled and nodded.

“You're…you're right. Thank you.” She whispered and I nodded before being surprised as she pulled me forward and wrapped her arms around mine.

“Mother, Father, Yuuto has asked me out on a date.”

'How the hell did we go from you arguing to me now being in the crossfire?!' I shouted in my mind even as I kept a peaceful smile on my face, Lord Gremory looking surprised at her words while Lady Gremory rose an eyebrow at us.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, and he was also the one who proposed the part of me not being forced into another marriage contract so I decided that a date will be his reward. However, if I feel like I wish to go out on more, it may escalate to marriage and potentially our children.”

'…So she's pinning everything on me. Oh, you owe so so much, you clever little minx.' I thought as we looked at each other and she gave me an apologetic look before we looked back at her parents as Lady Gremory spoke up.

“Is all of this true, Yuuto?”

“I was hoping to speak of this another time if I may be truthful, Lady Gremory…but yes, it is. I do not know when my feelings for her started, but after seeing her looking so distraught by her forced marriage contract, I decided that if we do manage to get her out of it, I needed to make sure that I not only tell her, but that I also make sure she's never forced into a similar situation ever again.”

“…Hah, taking care to plan ahead and find some insurance no matter what the outcome of the battle is. Just how I taught you.” Lord Gremory spoke with a proud smile, which I returned with a smile and a nod before looking at Lady Gremory as she spoke up.

“Very well. I can see that you are indeed serious about her so I shall retract myself from your situation for now, but if you do wish to take it to the next step, you will have to consult your father and I first. Am I understood, Rias?”

“Crystal, Mother. Now may we go?”

“You may…after you tell me why I was called by Sona's mother about you and her fighting after she stole a potential peerage member from you.”

“…That little snitch.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hah…sorry for pulling you into that, but I did not want to be fighting with her for another few hours or so.” Rias said with a sheepish smile and I simply sighed and nodded.

“A warning next time is all I ask for.”

“Will do. So, shall we join the others, Mr. Kiba?”

“We shall, indeed, Ms. Gremory” I agreed and she giggled at me playing along with her antics as we began to make our way back towards the entertainment hall, though we decided to take it a lot slower this time.

“So…'I do not know when my feelings for her started', huh?” She teased whilst bumping hips with me and I looked at her with a smirk as she giggled.

“You have no room to talk. 'It may escalate to marriage and potentially our children'. Really?” I asked and she blushed before huffing and crossing her arms under her chest.

“So? You didn't think that I would agree to just one date?”

“We haven't even gone out on a date and she already wants to marry me. Perhaps, I do have a certain devilish charm to me.”

“Don't you start with the puns. It took us so long before you stopped using them.” She said with a frown before glaring at me as I chuckled and shrugged.

“Just a bit of fun, you know? However, the two of us do need to talk about that.”

“What's there to talk about? You like me, I like you and we both want to go out on a date to see what it's like.”

“You're not even worried about the fact that you might not like it afterwards?”

“Oh, don't worry. After saving me from the hell that was being Riser's potential wife, I will follow you to the ends of the earth.” She said with a happy smile while giving me a kiss on the cheek and I looked at her before nodding.

“So, all I need to do to get a girl to be utterly adored with me is beat the crap out of the guy harassing her? Good to know.”

“Oh, be quiet, you.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Oh, you guys are here?” I asked with a smile as I walked over to Saji and Issei, both boys being dressed in navy blue suits with white dress shirts and black bow-ties.

“Y-Yeah, Lady Sona wanted two extras and we got picked to come here.” Saji answered and I nodded before looking over at Issei as he looked around at every women in our vicinity.

However, and to my surprise, he seemed to be containing his urges as he took a deep breath and counted softly to ten under his breath before opening his eyes and nodding to himself.

“Huh, what did Sona do to you?”

“A bit of hypnotic training to help me control my pervertedness.” He answered and I blinked at that before looking over at Saji who looked amused and nodded.

“Lady Sona told him that he won't be able to get a harem if he doesn't man up, grow a spine and actually start working to becoming one. Therefore, she helped him make this hypnotic workout to help him control the urges.”

“Huh, neat. Also, she is kind of right. Most noble devil women do love a devil man that can take charge as well as last long in both battle and bed, but they also like a guy that's slightly perverted to her and her alone…or the other girls if you have a harem.”

“So…being perverted in public is bad…and being perverted in private is also bad as only a slight bit is allowed?” Issei said/ asked slowly and I nodded with a smile as I patted his shoulder.

“Exactly that, buddy.”

“I see.” He muttered as he took out a notepad and I left him to write on it as I turned towards Saji who was looking at everyone who passed.

“What about you? What's your reason for becoming a devil?”

“Cash. My grandfather passed and I needed money to help my siblings.”

'Did he ever say that in the anime? Huh, can't remember to be honest.'

“That's a noble reason. You have my respect.” I said and he just snorted and nodded.

“Sure. What about you? Why did you become a devil?”

“Revenge. I died after my family and I were gassed by the man who looked after us when we were younger. Therefore, I want to make sure to at least put the souls of my friends to rest by taking his life.” I answered and chuckled as he gave a slow blink.

“You know, for a pretty boy, you're really hardcore.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Hey, Mr. Casanov-!” Raynare called out to me but stopped the moment she caught sight of Issei, who looked just as surprised and slightly anxious to see her as she was to see him before his eyes widened as I spoke up.

“You two talked things over, did you not?”

“W-We did, but I'm still a bit…you know?”

“Well, there might come a time where we have to work together and I want to make sure the two of you don't have any bad blood still between you two. Why don't you go over and talk things out with her?”

“I don't think that's a good idea…” Issei trailed off as we watched Raynare turning away before his eyes widened as I smiled and placed a hand on his back.

“Hey, you're in a public space so even if she does try something, there's nothing she can't do without harming the reputation of Rias and House Gremory, which is something she does not want to happen. Just…go over and talk things through, but actually try this time.”

“Hah…hah…okay…Okay, I'll do it.” He muttered and I nodded as I watched him walk over towards Raynare and surprise her when he tapped on her shoulder.

“That was cool of you to do, pretty boy.” Saji spoke as we watched Issei walk to the corner of the room with Raynare and I shrugged while crossing my arms.

“The guy's still slightly traumatized so it's the least I could do.”

“…Wanna get closer to hear how much he messes up?”

“I'll go get the food and you bring the drinks.”

“Got it.”

A/N: And this chapter is done. More of a conclusion chapter, with parts of it bleeding into the start of next chapter before we start off with the next arc.

Also, meeting a new character next arc that I should have been busy with ages ago~!!

Anyway, as always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…

Ba-Bye~!!