BEFORE I BEGIN.

I'm sure something in this chapter will upset someone. It's why I have an M on the rating.

Just saying. See you in the end comments.

Chapter 21

April 20

It felt good to wake up with someone in my arms. Even if they weren't my wife. Just to avoid some of the potential awkwardness that might happen, I'd worn a shirt to bed too, just in case. Not wanting to wake her up for my morning exercises, I carefully tucked the still warm blanket from my side of the bed between her arms.

Rias had left a neatly folded pile of clothing by my door before I'd returned home last night, so it wouldn't be any problem getting her dressed. But, after doing my normal morning routine, she hadn't moved, or made more than those tiny little 'snr' noises.

So I started on breakfast. I guessed it wasn't a usual thing for her, so I made some lighter foods. Fluffy pancakes, a little bacon, a little salad... The smell of bacon got her attention, the little mouse snores replaced with a "hm?" as she sat up, the blankets pooling around her.

Making sure I wouldn't burn anything, I went over to the bed and knelt by it. She reminded me of Haruhime's 'one hug from going back to sleep' face. Even had the eyes right. "Breakfast is ready any time." She looked like she wouldn't need that hug to go back to sleep, and she started to tip over again. "No no. You need breakfast." I admonished quietly, wrapping an arm around her back and gently tugging her towards the edge of the bed. "You don't need to think about it, just don't fall over."

As I helped her get undressed, then dressed in her uniform, her body almost like a ball jointed doll as I manipulated her limbs, she managed a "Why?"

"If I'm not taking care of someone, at least once a day, I start to lose focus." I said, brushing a little lint off her shoulder, "It's only been getting worse, and you, with your constant snacking, need breakfast."

"Sleepy."

"Rias will be here soon. So sit here. Knife and fork or chopsticks?"

"Bed."

"You can nap on my tails later."

Since she hadn't answered, I put both a knife and fork, and chopsticks by her plate. Then there was a polite tap on the door.

"Speak of the Devil, and she appears." I said, heading to the door.

"Bad pun." Koneko mumbled around a lettuce leaf.

"Kodori-Sensei, good morning." Rias used the ultra polite 'gokigenyo' greeting, "I... I'm amazed. You managed to get her to eat breakfast. Seems I owe Akeno 100 yen."

"And get her dressed. Food's on the counter there, plate and utensils are there too." I said, "Sadly, I've no other tables, aside from my alchemy bench there..."

"I don't mind. Oh, pancakes too?"

"Syrup? Butter?" I offered.

More time in the shop, this time taking apart an exorcist gun. With my inability to fire one, I could only do so much, but, with my new knowledge at adapting the sword version, rebuilding one without all the holy symbols on it was simple. While I was working on various metal bits in the forge, I had time to do some hinges too. I guessed Cime was a traditional sort who liked his doors made of heavy duty oak or the like, so I made them accordingly.

It was just as the wire machine was finishing up yet another spool of wire, around lunch time, when I started to feel it... A mild tingling just under my navel. I got out my phone, and started to power down the workshop.

Fox: Gonna have to skip the trip to the forest.

Boss: Oh? Something wrong?

Fox: Mother of three, father of four.

A pause, then...

Boss: Understood. If you need anything, please just ask. How bad is it usually?

Fox: The first and last day aren't terrible, but I'm worse than Issei on the full moon.

Boss: That IS bad.

Fox: I'll be locking my door. No visitors please.

Boss: You're still in charge while we're gone tomorrow night. Try to keep the riff raff out as best you can.

Fox: I'll try and remember.

I was hoping it wouldn't happen. I mean, it seemed to happen randomly, and this was the fourth time it had happened since my honeymoon night. But it was also the first time it happened without Haruhime nearby. Forward thinking person that I was, I'd gotten some supplies, just in case. Mostly quick food that didn't require much in the way of thought to make. Extra towels, extra blankets...

It would be kind of fun, if it weren't for the near two full days of being slave to my instinct and desires. Everyone back home knew to just ignore the noises from our room when it happened to either one of us, but here...

Locking the door, and applying the security chain, I stripped down and waited for my temporary bit of anatomy to arrive. Yet another reminder I was only human shaped, not human.

My phone might have buzzed a few times, but moving from my spot on the floor would have made already tingling nerves ignite with just barely contained lust. I knew I would have to eat at some point, and drink, and maybe clean up a bit more, since I was woefully unprepared with just how bad it was. My breasts, heavy with untended milk, were a source of discomfort that brought a welcome distraction, giving me something to focus on instead of just giving in to the animal side. I might have felt a hand on my back more than once, but even that caused yet another mess. I needed my wife, my mate, to calm me down. Even once, even if the end result was fruitless, it would soften the most primal urge to breed.

Holding my ring, under a shower long gone cold. My tails sticking to the shower floor as I sat under the frigid waterfall. I focused on the more calming side of the memories. Her smile. The proper posture at the dinner table. Her focus and earnest nature when training. The gentle scent of her afterwards, like flowers near the shore. Taking her hand and pulling her close...

"Ko-san?"

Eyes wide open, I look towards the bathroom door, a pair of golden triangles atop a wash of golden hair.

"You'll catch a chill."

I smell her, impossibly. I take my hand off my ring, lean forward, and start to crawl on all fours out of the shower stall.

"Shake off properly."

My tails, my body, obedient to her soft voice, twitch and shiver, shedding water in a terrific spray of chilling droplets.

"Come here my love."

Not bothering to stand, instinct moves me on all fours towards her. I round the corner, and see her kneeling properly on the floor, red kimono partially open, just enough to hint at what's underneath, yet not enough to break her modest nature. My hands reaching towards the knot on her obi, she speaks one last time, tilting her head to one side, I see her take a deep breath.

"Gently, my love."

I was looking over her shoulder, through a veil of red hair, at an elegant, silver haired woman dressed in a modest version of a french maid outfit. Impeccably tailored with an ankle length skirt, smoke grey under pure white.

"No closer, please." Haruhime's voice wavered, half in distress, half in discomfort, "Oh dear..."

I think I growled, seeing this other woman in the room. But... That voice? Hair? I felt my back suddenly light on fire, criss-crossed by deep scratches. My neck, shoulders, all over my back, felt like I'd slid down a hill of gravel. My arms, still wrapped tightly around my lover, held her a little closer, protectively, the motion making her breath hitch slightly.

"To think you would do this. Taking this... person... to bed." The maid said, though, she came no closer. "Is this how you intend to break things off?"

"Rias?" My brain re-connecting to my spine, I started to put things together. I mean... More together, since we were still connected at the hips.

"My father and elder brother wouldn't hear me out unless I did something drastic."

"If they knew you just granted your chastity to..." This lady seemed a little at a loss on how to describe me, "This youkai? Lord Gremory and Sirzechs-sama would be quite disappointed.

"My chastity is mine to give. There's nothing wrong with giving it to whom I choose." Rias winced as I shifted slightly. "Furthermore, Kodori-Sensei is not a youkai, or commoner."

As the rest of my awareness clicked into place, I found myself sitting under Rias, the red head in my lap, legs to either side of me. Aside from laying down, it was the easiest way for my temporary equipment to work. Of course, with this realization, I wanted to throw her off me, push her away, do something than just sit here while the two of them lectured one another... But not being human, she was quite firmly stuck to me. "Rias?" I tried again, my voice raw, throat dry.

"Who sent you anyhow, Grayfia? Did you choose, or did the house decide?" Rias very gently put a fingertip under my nose. "Or was it my elder brother?"

"It was all of us." The maid, Grayfia replied.

"It would have to be, for onii-sama's Queen to come to the human realm." Rias sighed, "Kodori-Sensei, this is Grayfia Lucifuge."

Of all things, the silver haired woman gave me a small curtsy, then looked to Rias seriously, "The mysterious woman from another world?"

I found my voice finally, though my lust had ebbed, I was still feeling far too many tingles to keep a low growl from escaping with my words, "It's a long story." I added, "A pleasure. I'd bow, but..."

"We have matters to discuss, you and I." Grayfia looked to Rias after nodding to me.

"I..." Rias gave me a sideways look.

"Ma'am Grayfia? She'll be out soon." I looked to Rias, "We have something to discuss too, but, there is something to take care of first." There was a flicker of dark purple light in the room, but I clamped down on my anger.

I knew Rias understood I was strong, and capable, but she had never feared me until this exact moment. I could smell it on her, even over the scent of lust in the room, as I slowly straightened my legs.

"I trust there will be no more... business... this night?" Grayfia blinked as I deliberately let a little moonlight, the only light in the room, reflect off my ring.

"Or any night." I said, holding Rias with my tails. "She might be a little cold, so if you could find a blanket or something, as well as some clothes. We'll be about ten minutes."

"Very well."

Blood, as well as other fluids, spiralled down the drain as I held Rias, the cold water spraying over us as I did a slow turn. Feeling the scratches on my back itch, even as the cold numbed them, I looked at Rias's face as she squinted her eyes shut against the cold. "Rias." I said, tilting my head back and swallowing a mouthful of water to clear the feel of sand from my throat. "Look at me." My hands were busy holding her steady, else I'd have moved her chin, "You don't get to look away from me after this."

"I'm s.."

"No." I said flatly. "You also don't get to apologize." My words made her flinch, but she managed to look up at me, "You knew what you were doing, and took advantage of me when you knew my guard was down. You even teleported into my room." While looking at Grayfia, I did see that both my lock and chain were still latched.

She didn't reply, though she started to shiver slightly, and I had to keep her from clinging to me for warmth. I was calmer now, but too much motion, and the cold shower wouldn't help.

"You have lost my trust Rias." I said, "Any dealings, just the two of us, will no longer be looked at, at face value. Remember this."

She nodded. "I will." She shook her head once, "I needed a way out, and this was all I could think of to get the attention of my family."

"So aside from the scratches on my back, you've just painted a giant target on it too?" I growled, "Wonderful..." I sighed, "Kiba? Issei?

My animal anatomy finally retreated enough for me to lift her off me, a second spill of fluid spiralling down the drain. "Can I get out of the cold now? Please?" She shivered as her feet touched the shower floor, "Kiba would have refused outright, and Issei is too... immature for such a sudden proposal."

She might have slowly been turning blue. It was hard to tell with the lights off. "One more thing, before you leave." I let her go, not looking at her very nice rear as she all but ran from the cold shower.

She waited, shivering in my room, as I walked right by her without looking at her directly. "What...?"

"There is a bit of a dirty secret in Orario." I went into my coat, and got the bottle of healing pills. "No one speaks about it, and not everyone even knows about it to ask, until they want to retire." I took out a pill, the red bead almost glowing in the moonlight. "I have seven kids already Rias." I took one for my self, popping it into my mouth and half turning to show her my back as the scratches she put there vanished. "I wondered about it myself, why I never had a cycle. But when I asked my apothecary, she told me." From the first day I started in Orario, I'd been more or less regularly drinking healing potions.

I watched her as she popped the pill into her mouth, and a little bite mark on her neck, the only mark I'd put on her, vanish, "We will talk, tomorrow evening."

"Yes. Now with great respect, go away. I'm going back to the cold shower." I walked past her, feeling one of my tails swish over her hand.

I was almost too upset to ignore the needs of my body. Almost. Sure, even in this body I'd indulged myself, but after what had just happened I almost couldn't bring myself to do it. But, I knew that if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to move from the shower to do other things. Like eat, or milk myself so I'd stop making even more of a mess. I would have to leave a big bowl of ice cream for my mystery cleaner.

The middle of the third day, just after lunch, the incessant need started to fade, and it became easier to hold more than two thoughts in my head. Finally able to get out of the cold shower without instantly thinking about how to warm myself up, I began cleaning up. The shower room was probably the worst, not because of *ahem* but because of me shaking off the cold water. It was like dozens of soft spined sea urchins exploded. This mess, I wouldn't leave to my shy housekeeper.

Laundry too. That was my problem as well. Just about everything that could be classified as a towel or sheet needed to be done. My bed was the worst, most likely because Rias was rather free with her nails, and I had probably laid down once as well. That wasn't including other sources of blood.

"Idiot girl..." I mumbled, my golden tail not swatting me for that one.

As I made yet another trip to the little laundry room, I noticed the glass bell jar where I'd put my two Tarot. Hestia's Tarot was still in the leather sleeve I'd made, but Haruhime's was not, laying face up next to it. Just what else did Rias do though? Shape shift? I shook my head. "I will ask later." I touched my wife's card, "And tell you as well."

The last load of laundry went 'ding', and I went about putting it away. I'd managed to clean every surface in my little apartment at least once, leaving only a single dirty cup and single spoon in the sink to encourage my guest to visit. My body had returned to normal as well, leaving me feeling both relief and longing. I really needed a hug.

I also needed to check my messages. I dimly remembered my phone going off a few times, the distinct little hum noise cutting through my lust filled haze. Except, it was dead. I had forgotten to plug it in for the duration. Doing so now, I looked at the time. April 23, just after school would be out.

A timid tap at my door. Too high for Asia. I looked at myself, in my last 'Number One Dad' shirt, and clean track pants. Good enough. I unlocked and unchained the door.

"Akeno?" I said, the Rias Queen flinching at my voice, "Sorry, still recovering." I coughed into my hand and stepped aside, "What brings you by?"

"I'm sure you can guess..."

"I'm sure I can." I replied, a little sharper than I intended, "Sorry. I'm not... Well, no, I am, just not at you."

"Politics."

"I hate that word, and everything about it."

"Since you're involved, as well as a house Gremory retainer, your presence is... Strongly asked for in the most polite way possible."

I smiled, and again she flinched. This smile showed all my teeth. "How formal?"

She looked at me, "Maybe a little more formal than 'just finished cleaning house'?" She smiled, almost as bright as usual.

"Help me with my armour then, if you would be so kind." I said, again waving her inside, "But, on one condition."

"Hm?"

"I'm going to need another hug."

"We have about ten minutes, so just one." She replied, closing the door behind her.

Fully armed, armoured, and with freshly brushed hair, (though not tails, they were still kind of sad looking as they slowly waved behind me), Akeno and I arrived at the ORC room. Rias, that Grayfia woman, and Koneko were in the room already. The rook was sitting by the door in a single high backed wooden chair, while the other two were near the big clear spot where the summoning/teleport circle was.

"Ah, you're here." Rias said, "And expecting trouble?"

"It was this, or my Number One Dad shirt and track pants." I replied, "Grayfia? I must apologize for my lack of... just about any social grace." I gave her my best fighter's salute, fist in palm, just how I'd bow to Takemikazuchi. "My first name is Kodori, my last name is Haruhime, and you saw the slight flaw in my character."

I was having a hard time reading this woman. She was calm, collected, and hardly batted an eye while I carried Rias to the shower with me. Even now, in full battle gear, she was simply looking at me. The moment stretched, then, "Grayfia, of house Gremory, Queen of Sirzechs Lucifer's peerage." She gave me an equally formal bow, hands overlapping below her belt. Now that I had a chance for a better look, her long silver hair was done up in a really complicated twin braid that started at the top of her head, and came down the front of each shoulder. She even had a pony tail, unbraided, close to where the two braids started. Her skin wasn't quite white enough to call her albino, even though she had deep red eyes. Elegance and poise personified it seemed.

"My, I'd never have expected that reaction." Akeno whispered to Rias.

"Hush." Rias whispered back, "We are just waiting for the others..."

While they had their little aside, I looked back to Koneko, "Cookie?"

"Mm." She replied, giving me the slightest of smiles as she accepted one.

"You still managed to make some?" Rias asked.

"Had to do something while I did laundry." I replied, "Ma'am Grayfia?" I offered her the open container of cookies.

"I must de..."

"They really are quite good." Akeno said, stepping out from behind her King to take one.

"Kodori-Sensei's cookies are exceptional." Rias agreed, smiling slightly, almost hopefully, as I offered her the container without hesitation.

"Very well." The maid accepted one, raising an eyebrow about a micron at their plain appearance, "Shortbread?"

"That's right." I replied, nibbling on one myself, "Not my best batch, but, I haven't been myself."

"They are... quite acceptable." She said after a small nibble.

"Oh! Kodori-Sensei is back!" Issei said as he opened the door to the ORC, "I smell cookies."

Issei looked to me, and the little container, while behind him, Kiba looked... well, it was hard to describe. He saw me, then Grayfia, and looked like he was suddenly expecting the sky to fall. Asia too, was oblivious to this, but she smiled brilliantly as I waved to them.

"Kodori-Sensei! You're feeling better?" She asked, taking a cookie.

"Far more social than I was, yes." I replied with a nod and giving in to the temptation to pat her head. "Something wrong Kiba?"

Kiba's smile tried, and failed to return, and he just shook his head. "President?"

"Before we get to club business, now that everyone is here, we have something to discuss." Rias started, getting everyone's attention.

"My lady? Shall I?" Grayfia started, though Rias waved her down.

"The truth is," She took a deep breath as everyone looked at her, "I'm..."

The usual spot for the summoning circle flared to life, sparks, then fire, traced themselves along the floor, forming a complex magic circle. A mix of runes and geometric patterns, the centre held the same sort of animal cracker shape as Rias's, except this one was easily identifiable as a bird's head. A wave of dry heat rippled out of it, while a pillar of flame formed in the middle, resolving itself into a person.

Sparks from the circle pinged off my armour, while Issei had to pat a few off his clothes. Kiba looked surprised, then mumbled, "The crest of the phoenix..."

"Long time no see, human world." The person, a man dressed in a casual suit, said as he ran a hand through short spiky blond hair. He stepped out of the pillar of flame, the circle's light fading, though it looked like it had burned itself into the floor. "I've come for you, my dear Rias."

The arrogant walk, the haughty voice, the way he simply didn't bother looking at anyone else in the room except Rias... I could tell I wouldn't like this man. I made sure to put the container of cookies down someplace safe.

He strode over to Rias, "Now Rias, come along, I want to show you where the ceremony is to be held." He looped one arm over her shoulders, her face one of restrained disgust, "The date's also been decide, the sooner the better I say."

"Get off me Riser!" Rias shrugged his arm off and stepped away.

"Harsh as usual." He laughed, as if indulging a child.

"Hey you! Stop being rude to the President. That's no way to treat a lady." Issei said, stepping towards them.

"Huh? Who are you?" Riser asked, unimpressed by Issei's anger.

"Issei Hyoudou, a pawn serving under Lady Rias Gremory."

"Oh, is that so?" Riser replied. I saw a little recognition in his eyes too.

"But, who are you, anyhow?" Issei asked.

Grayfia, Kiba, and Riser all looked like they wanted to facepalm.

"You haven't told your servants about me, Rias? I mean, is there anyone who doesn't know about me? Or did you revive this one?" He basically ignored the room again as he turned to ask Rias.

"I didn't tell them, because there was no need to." Rias replied, waving him off like one would an insect.

"This is Lord Riser Phoenix. He his a high class, pure blooded devil. Third son of the vererable house of Phoenix." Grayfia answered, "He is also to be the groom to the heir of House Gremory."

Having gotten some of the details of why she snuck into my room, I figured it was something like this. And while the rest of the room put 2 and 2 together and had a collective WTF moment, I kept silent. Looking at Rias, I saw the brief look of frustration in her eyes. If what she did was a ham-fisted attempt to break it off with this... thing...

I couldn't blame her. Not after having a similar situation happen with my very own Goddess. I could still be angry about it... But I just couldn't fault her for trying anything to get out of this.

"Enough!" Rias shouted, silencing the room, "I've already told you I will not marry you." Arms crossed, she glared at Riser, as angry as I'd ever seen her.

"Your parents are already decided about this." Riser shrugged, sitting down on one of the couches. Akeno, the proper hostess, though I could see the distaste in her eyes, served him tea.

"They worry too much! As successor I should be free to choose my own husband!" She grumbled, "I was promised my freedom until I started collage..."

Sirzechs and your parents are worried about the survival of your family line." Riser shrugged, sipping his tea, "With the war, many pure blooded houses are extinct now, after all." He sighed, Akeno apparently not letting her distaste for the man ruin her tea making skills. "You understand why pure blooded children are so valuable yes? It's only natural for the remaining pure blooded houses to join together like this."

The room remained silent, as he continued his speech, "With the revived devils filling the ranks, the pure-blood houses aren't exactly being improved. New blood is good, no doubt, but we can't allow the pure-bloods to die out can we?" He frowned, looking sideways at Rias, who was still standing and glaring at him, "Your brother left your house to become a Satan, and that leaves only you Rias, as successor. As more of the 72 pillars fall, you can see our marriage is key to the future of us Devils."

Issei looked puzzled, and mumbled a question to Kiba. "72 Pillars?"

"There were 72 houses. Devils that prided themselves on their power and influence. Most however were eradicated in the war. The houses of Gremory and Phoenix are two of the few that survived." Kiba explained quietly.

"Hm, seems the devil world is pretty complex... I'm still a bit pissed at this engagement though." Issei replied.

Good for him. I nodded to myself.

"I won't let my house fall. There will be a son-in-law, eventually." Rias replied, looking at me for an instant. "But in my own time!" She cut off Riser as he stood up, "I will not marry you! As a member of one of the 72 pillars, I have the right to choose."

This final rejection seemed to get to him, "I too bear the reputation of my house. I won't have it sullied. I came all this way to meet you, and you will be mine."

Rias looked at me again, and I finally spoke. "I see why now." I said, looking at Riser, "Why she came to me." Rias's eyes widened as she realized what my 'help' was going to cost her.

"Oh? And who are you?" A pause, "Are you the rumoured youkai that Rias hired?" His eyes narrowed, "You are not even a devil. You aren't even worthy of being in the same room as any of us, even that poor excuse for a pawn there."

I held out a hand, palm up, looking at Rias. Without hesitating she stepped forward and placed her hand in mine, "Worthy enough, it seems." A couple of my tails swished over and around her hip, "No, I see why she came to me. You are an arrogant, selfish, self centred, entitled rich BOY, who is so drunk on the power your family has earned, that you can't even understand why she doesn't want you."

"You dare speak to me as such? Rias Gremory is mine! Body and Soul! We shall be wed and..."

"Actually." I cut him off. "You're a little late for that." Rias was starting to blush furiously, "I meant what I said. She came to me, to give herself, so that you couldn't."

The room, minus Grayfia, had yet another freak out, I mean, everyone ELSE knew already. "Between two women? What do I care about such a dalliance?" Riser laughed.

"Actually." Rias started, "Ko-san," I looked at her with narrowed eyes as she said that, but she leaned on my shoulder, "Is a little different. She's already the mother of three, and father of four."

To say Riser was furious, was an understatement. Wings of blazing fire sprung from his back, his hair started to almost burn, and his eyes literally had flames hissing from the corners, "You DARE!?" He looked to Rias, who was huddled against my side now, "You would sleep with this ANIMAL before ME!?" He returned his glare to me, the temperature in the room spiking, "I will know your name, before I burn you, and her peerage to ASH and take her back with me!"

"My first name is Kodori, my second name is Haruhime. And I am the Demon Fox." I felt my adrenaline spike as my tails swept Rias behind me protectively, before fanning out, the beginnings of growling madness starting to fill the spaces between the fur, the dark flame of my magic leaping at the bars of its cage.

"A-Hem." Grayfia started, "Lord Riser, Lady Rias, Ma'am Kodori. Please calm yourselves. I will not be able to stand idly by, should this be taken any further." The silver haired maid looked at us, her eyes cold and deadly serious. "And for the honour of Lord Sirzechs, and house Gremory, I would not hold back."

I could feel the pressure of her power suddenly push against my skin, and I smiled, letting out a breath and standing straight again. Riser too backed off, his appearance returning to normal, the room suddenly cooling. "I can't refute an order from the Strongest Queen..." He mumbled. "I've got no intention of picking a fight with Sirzechs's lineup of monsters."

"We anticipated this." Grayfia continued, "In the case of an agreement could not be reached, we prepared a last resort."

"Last resort?" Rias asked, standing by my side again. "thank you" she mouthed to me.

"A rating game." She said simply, "If you insisted on calling off the engagement, then we would have you settle matters as a proper House conflict."

"A rating game? Isn't that..." Issei started to ask.

Kiba, ever helpful, replied, "We, the pieces of Lady Rias's peerage, would fight against Riser and his peerage."

"That's right..." Issei mumbles, his face going thoughtful, "I remember President's explanation now." He paused, "But, I thought she couldn't participate yet? Something about being too young?"

"Indeed." Grayfia answered Issei, "My Lady cannot participate in the formal games. But, unofficial matches may be held by underage devils. It is not uncommon."

"They are usually for family feuds and the like." Rias added, then sighed, "Father didn't just anticipate my refusal, he prepared for it..." She looked at me as I put a hand on her back, I knew what overbearing parents felt like.

"Do you intend to refuse this as well My Lady?" Grayfia asked.

"Not at all! I will never have a better chance than this. I consent. We will settle this with a rating game, Riser."

"Really? You know I've participated in the official matches, and have a number of wins. Still so eager, when your loss is already certain?"

Rias simply glared at him, though she was smiling.

"Fine. When I win, we marry immediately. But, in the off chance you win, you may do as you please."

Grayfia spoke as if reading a contract, "I Grayfia, as mediator of this affair, have received consent from both parties. I will handle the operations of this game. Is that understood?"

They both nodded.

"Very well, I will inform the members of both houses." She bowed to them both slightly.

"Rias? I suppose this sorry lot is all the servants you have? Haha." Riser laughed as he looked at the Rias peerage, "Only your queen even begins to measure to any of my servants. It won't be much of a fight!"

"So what if they are?" Rias grumbled, stepping away from me and standing in front of her team.

"Then you will have no chance! Allow me to show you the difference in our power!"

Notes!

Yes yes, I'm stopping here for now. The next scene, and the next part of the arc is a little long, so, instead of breaking off after the Riser peerage shows up, and starting a new chapter with a boring intro, I'll start with some excitement.

As for the scene with Kodori and Rias... I've been planning THAT since I took the vote for where Kodori was going to cross over. Yes, I play the long game.

Oh, and if you like reading actual books, and wonder where I get Kodori's introduction, look up 'Bridge of Birds', by Barry Hughart. A mix of spy, comedy, and Chinese lore.

Rock on. :)