Akeno opened her eyes from the teleporting spell to the sight of the Gremory House mansion. This was the place of the Gremory family main seat and where Rias and later her lived for many years before moving back to Earth. It was a beautiful place with large gardens and marvelous stone work walk ways. The mansion itself was in the style that was held in the southern regions of France. Akeno remembered fondly the times when she and Rias would play in the gardens, though at first it was more like Rias coming to find her when she wanted to be alone in her loss and sadness. But Rias in her own kind way did not let Akeno be sad for too long.
"Whoa! This place is huge!" Issei exclaimed as he looked around, both Kiba and Koneko both were very impressed but were more reserved in reaction. Asia was also just as excited but she was too busy looking at everything to make a comment.
"Yes, this is the Gremory family's home. Considering their wealth, it's only natural that they have a large place to live." Akeno explained as she led the others to the front main doors. "We will be staying for a few days here until things have been sorted out with both Rias' canceled marriage… and Dante's winnings." Akeno said as they climbed up the stairs to the front door, the final piece of her statement quiet and filled with conflict. She didn't want Dante to be around all those women and the knowledge that he would be was greatly destressing to her. She began to unknowingly circle the base of her fingers on her right hand with her left. But soon she focused on the sound of the great doors opening for the household of the heiress of the Gremory family. Everyone but Akeno awed at the majesty of the mansion's inside.
"Akeno… it truly is wonderful to see you back." They all looked to the incoming voice and saw a very beautiful woman with short brown hair and bright violet eyes. But what caught many of their attention was how much she looked like Rias.
"Venelana, it's nice to be back." Akeno said before the woman came and gave Akeno a warm family hug. The wife of the current head of the Gremory considered Akeno her daughter in all but blood. "How are you doing?" Akeno asked as she left the embrace.
"Not as well as you…" Venelana said as she held up Akeno's hands showing the black rings at the base of her fingers. "… I'm so happy that you found him. I remember all those nights you cried for him, and he returned to you a strong and kind young man. Tell me how does he perform in bed… good or just well enough because there quite a few people that could teach…"
"I don't think Rias would be very pleased if you speak of this in front of her servants." Akeno personally had no issue with the openness Rias' mother had concerning such personal topics, but given the embarrassed looks on all of the other young Devils it was likely best to end such talks.
"Yes… my daughter is quite sensitive about things like this." Venelana chuckled before looking to other Devils. "Your rooms have been prepared and there are many activities that you can keep your time occupied with. I recommended the pool out back, it is quite refreshing." She said and instantly Issei, Asia, and Kiba's faces lit up with the idea of pool time. Koneko seemed to have the same thoughts as she followed the three others.
"Thank you, I'm sure that they would enjoy that." Akeno said as she found the idea of a dip in the pool a nice idea as well but was blocked by Venelana.
"You didn't answer my question?" She said not letting this matter go. This was fairly important to her, she knew that Akeno and Rias both loved Dante and that both would be sharing him. She wanted to make sure that the two had the best, including in their chosen lover. Akeno sighed knowing that the woman wouldn't let this subject go.
"He's wonderful… amazing… I'm very happy with the fact we tend to find any excuse to find ourselves alone and with… enough room." She explained as she and Venelana began to walk together. "I can say for absolutely sure that it was well worth the wait." She said and Venelana smiled happily knowing that her daughter would be well taken care of.
"That's good… I was worried I would have educate him myself on how to properly please you two… oh… maybe not then?" Venelana said as she took note of the first real look of hostility she had seen from Akeno. "Even to make him better for you and Rias?"
"Even then, I love him and I know that… there will be others. But I will only accept it if they love him as I love him." Akeno said with firm and total conviction. That was the rule she had set for herself, any woman that would ever have a hope with Dante needed to love him as much as she loved him. And seeing Dante bloodied and nearly killed by Riser only reminded her of those feelings. Watching Dante being choked by Riser had made all her anger toward him evaporate into nothing. She didn't want to spend any more time being mad over something that he already admitted he was wrong on.
"And for all his faults… Zeoticus is the man I love." Venelana admitted even as she was currently giving her husband a bit of the silent treatment. He would not go without some punishment for that farce of an arranged marriage. "But it's good to know that you have set yourself a standard. One that you can keep." Venelana said as they walked outside of the main mansion and began walking through one of the outside stone paths. "I'm sure you know that it is fairly common for Devils to have their own harems. Zeo has one… silly girls that we both find quite amusing. I can manage them easily enough, sure they sometimes at first think they can steal him away from me… but he always comes back to our bed every night. Says he can't sleep right without me." Venelana mused fondly as she knew that Zeoticus would soon be hanging around hoping that she had forgiven him.
"Dante is the same… he has horrible night terrors when me or Rias aren't there with him. What he describes… it breaks my heart." Akeno before shaking her head of the depressing subject. "But Dante… the women that will be around him. They won't be like the ones you have to deal with. The Eternal Link can't be Faked or Forced."
"Yes… but just because they love him as much as you do doesn't mean he will. Yes he will love them with all his heart. But he will always hold you in a higher place." Venelana said as she stopped them in the middle of one of them any gardens. "Even above Rias, you were the first… he grieved for you for years and now has you back. He loves you because you also grieved for him, because he knows that he will always be your first thought because you're his."
"Thank you… that's something that I… I know it… but it's nice to hear it said by someone outside looking in." Akeno said trying to hold back a bit of the tears that were building in the back of her eyes.
"Your welcome… but you have a responsibility. You're the first Life Mate… both in order and duty. You need to take control and make sure that you all don't devolve into chaos." Venelana explained as they returned to their walk. "You will need to make sure everyone is happy and everyone has their own piece of your man. Because from what Rias has wrote to me about Dante… that boy will run himself into the ground trying to please you all."
"Yes… he's certainly… wait… you're saying I should be what is essentially the Alpha Wife in Dante's harem. Not Rias your own daughter?" Akeno was shocked that Venelana so readily would suggest that. But Venelana took Akeno hands and held a serious look.
"You are my daughter, as much as Rias is." Venelana said with as much conviction as Akeno showed earlier. "And yes, that is what I am saying." She said returning to her more warm and casual demeanor.
Rias, Dante, and his new… the word they agreed on was responsibilities… arrived at her family home. The new arrivals minus the Gremory all awed at the marvel that was her childhood home. Even Ravel who had grown up in similar housing was impressed. Dante also had lived a life of wealth and had to admit that Rias' family was very likely his family's superior in terms of wealth. Not that he cared much for that sort of thing, his brother's obsession with money and profit had despoiled the ideal of money long ago for him.
"Well here we are, I hope that they are ready for a few more people." Rias said looking back to the six women that were behind Dante. Marion and Bürent had left with Minos to assist in the transferring of the other women's things from the Phenex residence. So it was only Yubelluna, Isabela, Karlamine, Ravel and Li and Ni that had come with Rias and Dante.
"Better add… one to three people to that list Rias." Dante said as he knew that Rias was thinking over the logistics of the whole endeavor in her head. "Gonna to call grandfather to get the ceremony done as soon as we get the confirmation." Dante reminded Rias and her eye lit up at the impending future. The women behind Dante all had varying looks of confusion as to what their intended master was speaking about. But none of them were able to ask what he meant as the were soon approached by Grayfia, performing her duties as head maid to the Gremory family.
"Lady Rias, welcome home and welcome Mr. Alighieri, you fought well for your master's honor and freedom." Grayfia said, her tone much more friendly yet still professional as compared to how it was last time they spoke. Then she looked to the rest of the women and addressed them as well. "Your rooms have already been prepared by order of Lady Venelana, she hopes that you all enjoy your time here." Grayfia said before starting to lead them all to the manor. The former Phenex servants all noted the clear difference in tone that the Gremory family had to it. Even Ravel had to admit that the famous Gremory friendliness to their servants was starting to grow on her.
"Miss. Grayfia, my grandfather will likely be stopping by… and knowing him he might invite himself for a night or two. Would it be possible to get a room ready for him as well." Dante asked, his voice clear and polite at which Grayfia found to be right and proper. More points to the former Grim Reaper. She then glanced to Rias who nodded.
"Of course, I have your assurance that your family will not be disruptive." Grayfia asked, the threat was clear and scared Dante to no end. This was a woman that he would not want make angry at any point if he could help it.
"I promise that my grandfather will be on his best behavior." Dante replied "What Hana does is out of my control." Dante thought to himself knowing that his grandfather's second Life Mate was a total wildcard that couldn't be handled by anyone. Grayfia seemed to read his mind somehow and with one look in her eye he could tell that she was going to take whatever was coming as a challenge. But they soon entered and Grayfia stopped at the grand staircase. "The guest wing is up these stairs and down the right hall. All rooms are warded so when you enter only you may open the door from this point forward while you are staying here. Guest clothes are all ready for you in the closets and dressers. We were told that your belongings are currently unavailable to you so we prepared." The women behind Dante all gave a small sigh as that had been on their mind a little. "Lady Rias, your household is currently enjoying your victory over Lord Riser with a small pool party, should you wish to join them." Grayfia stated before bowing and walking off to continue her other duties.
"PARTY!" Li cheered excitedly before grabbing her sister's hand and running up the stairs. "Come on sis let's find ourselves some cute swimsuits and have some fun!" Ni seemed to go along with her sister's excitement but was asking Li to slow down a bit.
"If you mind I'd rather take a few hours to sleep off this day." Isabela said as she climbed the stairway slowly taking her paces. Today had been exhausting for some many reasons for her and all she wanted right now was to fall into a bed. And for the first time in years not have to worry about a certain someone snaking his way into it unvitiated.
"I think I will take a walk for a time and then join festivities." Karlamine said before bowing to her intended master and his own master and then heading off toward the gardens that she had seen coming in.
"I think… I'll just be in my room." Ravel said quickly not feeling up to being so public with her body and decided it was best to just stay in her room for now.
"And I'm afraid I'm next." Rias chuckled as she turned to her boyfriend soon to be husband. "I want to find my mother and… set some ground rules." Rias said knowing just what type of woman was her mother. Rias for many years thought that Akeno had been taught her merciless teasing by Rias' own mother until Dante confirmed that Akeno had always been like that. "I will see you soon enough though, you can inspect the kitchens while I'm gone. I know you'll be thinking about all day until dinner if you don't"
"I would… I want to make sure that they are up to my standards." Dante said very seriously. Rias chuckled before giving Dante a quick but meaningful peck on the check and walking off to find her mother. And then turned back to the only woman still left with him, Yubelluna.
"And your plans?" Dante asked, his voice conveying that it was a honest question.
"I am to be your Queen, my place is to be by your side." Yubelluna said making Dante chuckle. "You find that funny?"
"Because I'm guessing that you did everything you could to avoid that duty with your last master and yet you're so ready to do it with someone that is only your intended master." Dante continued to chuckle as he made his way toward what he knew to be the kitchens. He could smell the aroma of his favorite place in any home. Yubelluna still following behind. "Don't get me wrong… I appreciate greatly… just a little ironic and funny." Dante said and continued his way to the kitchens.
"If I could ask… why are you concerned with status of the Gremory kitchens?" Yubelluna asked as they walked through the halls of the Gremory mansion.
"Because I want to make sure that they are up to my standards and if they aren't then I need to take over it and make sure it is up to said standards." Dante explained but it really didn't help her understand his intent here. She was used to people that never ever concerned with domestic duties like cleaning or cooking unless they found it subpar. The idea that Dante would take over the Gremory kitchens was more than a little strange. Dante and Yubelluna eventually came to a large door where the smell of food was coming from.
"Rather big door for a kitchen." Yubelluna commented as she looked up at the massive metal doors. Dante was uncaring of the size of the doors and opened with easy with his Rook strength. Inside was a high grade kitchen that would make any five star chef drool with desire to have the chance to cook in it.
"DANTE ALIGHIERI." Both the Rook and former Queen looked up toward the source of the booming voice. They both saw a gigantic man not quite the size of a giant but close. "I HAVE HEARD OF YOU… YOU ARE THE ONE THAT NOW COOKS FOR LADY RIAS AND AKENO."
"And I'm assuming that you are the one that cooked their meals before they moved to Kuoh." Dante said as he stared down the fellow but giant chef. Yubelluna feeling totally out of place in this conversation.
"INDEED I AM. I AM VORGO… HEAD CHEF OF THE GREMORY FAMILY."
"I have come to see if this place is worthy of my Life Mate and Lady Rias, if I find it lacking…" Dante spoke with a little over the top grandiose tone that Yubelluna found a little humorous. He had puffed out his chest and stood like he was awaiting a challenge to his honor.
"YOU WILL NOT. WHAT SORT OF TEST DO YOU HAVE IN MIND SHRIMP?" It was at that point that Yubelluna watched as both of the men begin to debate a massive cook off and then proceeded to do just that.
"This… is different. Better than before but… not at all what I expected."
Rias was walking around the outside grounds of her family home. She knew that her mother must be speaking with Akeno somewhere here as that was the kind of thing she would do. Rias knew her mother rarely deviated from who she was. And that meant that she and Akeno were talking about things they shouldn't be talking about.
"My that is very impressive… I think it's a little more than Zeo in fact." Rias heard her mother say and a number of things went through her mind.
"Whatever it is you two are speaking of, I demand that you cease at once." Rias demanded as she turned the corner and found her mother and Akeno sitting at a small table enjoying tea.
"Welcome Rias, and we're were only talking about Dante's…" They was talking about the number of scars the two men had but her daughter assumed something completely different.
"ENOUGH! Mother, I don't want you to even know about anything private between myself, Akeno and Dante." Rias said knowing she needed to put her foot down quickly and firmly. Akeno meanwhile just chuckled and stood up.
"The tea was lovely Venelana and thank you for all the advice. Rias." Akeno said before walking off to leave mother and daughter to speak. She needed to find Dante and finally have that make up sex she wanted to compare to the other kinds she had so far.
"Exactly what were you advising Akeno in?" Rias said as she took Akeno's place across from her mother.
"What to expect in a polygamic marriage with you, Dante, and any others that may come. Along with some advice… I did ask a few details that you left out in your letters." Venelana said as she stirred her tea. "Like how the taste of Dante's lips have caused Akeno to be unable to eat mint candy without needing to change her underwear." Venelana enjoyed the sight of her daughter turning as red as her own hair at this comment. "Does the same thing happen to you as well?"
"You certainly haven't changed… you could try to show a little propriety when talking to your family." Rias said trying to change the subject. But she too was finding it very hard to eat anything mint flavored without become deeply aroused.
"We are family Rias dear… and I'm your mother. I want to make absolutely sure that you will be happy with your lover and husband. Now I'm just glad that man will be both rather than finding you a proper lover since that Phenex boy was clearly not suitable." Venelana tone was a strange growl that lacked any savage nature to it. "Akeno has filled in many of the details that I wanted to know and I must say I am very pleased. Dante will make a fine son in law." She said before she sipped her tea.
"Thank you, it does make me happy you think so. Really it does." Rias said honestly knowing that her mother had finally decided to stop with her fun and talk seriously.
"And your father is happy as well, honestly he felt terrible after finding out how Lord Phenex tricked him like that. The lies that he told to try and pass his youngest son off as even remotely passable for you. I'm not defending him keep in mind. He never should have arraigned your marriage in the first place but understand he did think that you would be happy with Riser."
"I know, but not everyone can be as lucky as you and father. But I have the man I love and soon we will be together for all eternity." Rias said thinking of her impending ceremony with Dante.
"Ah yes… the Linking Ceremony, while it does have legal precedent in Hell… I have a feeling that it will likely be challenged by your choice." Venelana warned before taking another sip of her tea. "I understand that it's not exactly a thing that can be dissolved like a normal marriage but that won't stop those with too much pride and stuck in their old ways from trying."
"They can try all they want but I'm not changing my mind or heart for anyone. I don't know how many times I must say it."
"Never to me Rias. You love Dante, in the end that's all that matters to me and I welcome him into the family with open arms knowing that you are happy." That made Rias smile as she was a little worried about how her parents would react. "So how soon shall I have to wait before grandchildren from you and him?"
"MOTHER!" Rias yelled before standing up and stomping off completely embarrassed by her mother's disregard for boundaries.
Dante was walking back to the residence wing of the Gremory Mansion, after getting his ass handed to him by a three thousand year old Giant who was trained in styles of cooking Dante didn't even know existed. Then to cap it all off, said giant called his cook a good start. It pissed him off to no end. However, his mood took a turn in a different direction at feeling the nearby approach of his Life Mate.
"Yubelluna, I need some time alone right now." Dante said glancing back to the woman that had been at his side since he arrived at the Gremory mansion. He was already seeing that Riser was massively mishandling her in more than the obvious ways. In the short time of having her around he could tell she was highly intelligent and very competent as a second in command. Likely from having years of experience of running the practical side of Riser's household while that fucktard messed around like the jackass he was.
"Very well master." That would take getting used. Being called that in this context was unfamiliar to Dante and something he'd expect his father to demand. So the thought of having it happen to himself was a little sickening, but he swallowed his feelings on the matter as he knew that it was the proper way that a servant addressed their King. Rias only got away with being so informal with many of her servants because that was just how Gremorys were. And even then during most times Kiba, Asia, Koneko, and for the most part Issei still kept a formal air around them when they addressed Rias.
Dante watched as Yubelluna turned around to give her master the space as requested. Likely to find her own room. Dante looked back toward the hall in front of him and felt out Akeno through their link. He could feel she was close and wanted to see him. It made him happy because it likely meant that she was no longer mad at him. It was a unsettling thing to have the woman you loved mad at you, and not something he wanted to happen again. During this time he finally figured out why Hades was always such a dick, it was because he was always in this spot that Dante had gotten himself in.
He walked forward and toward where he felt Akeno to be at. Eventually he came to a door with a small sign hanging from the handle. The name Akeno written across it in the style that he remembered she had back when they were kids. Dante assumed that this was her room when she was living here.
"You can come in you know." He heard from inside, the familiar amused tone in her voice setting his mind further at ease. He opened the door and was immediately pulled in by two hands. The next thing he knew Akeno was kissing him and pulling him close. The feeling of her soft breasts on his chest and her arms around his neck sent him into bliss as he felt everything click back into place. He continued the kiss for as long as the two could hold their breath. But eventually they needed that air their kiss denied them and their lips parted. "I see you missed that as much as I did."
"I take it you're not mad at me anymore?" Dante asked carefully as she slowly pulled away from his body, though remained in his arms with her hands moving across his chest. She trace over his shirt where she knew his scars where, then to around his muscles, repeating the process as she normally did when they were in bed.
"It was stupid, I guess I just wanted to be mad for the sake of being mad." She explained as she kept her focus on the scar that had been given to him by Jack the Ripper. It was at his center and too close to his heart for her liking. It just reminded her of how close to death he came that day. Far closer than when he fought Riser but even then she felt her heart break at the possibility. Making all the anger she had for his keeping secrets all seem petty considering the secret. "The only people I've ever really gotten mad at have been Rias when we were kids and my father. And in both it proved to be pointless, Rias and I were kids and it was over something stupid. And my father wasn't the man I thought he was. And I did again here, you weren't right in keeping such an important thing from all of us but my reaction to it wasn't warranted. If you had dug in your heels and said you were right all along, I would have something to be mad about, but you unlike so many other people admitted when you were wrong."
"If you're setting this up to say I'm perfect please don't." Dante snorted knowing that he was far from perfect. He was quick to anger with strangers, he lacked any real patience when he got angry, he was a lustful and spiteful person, and loved his vices. It was only with those he loved that he tempered himself.
"Oh I know you're not, it takes two sentences for you to hate anyone you don't know and then two seconds for you start punching them into the ground. You are as big a pervert as me and Issei, even if you're better at hiding it. And you hold a grudge for all eternity. And you could stop smoking any time you want but you don't." She said with that last one pulling out he pack of cigarettes he had in his back pocket.
"Where did those come from?" Dante asked knowing that Rias had told him several times that there would be no smoking at her family home. Then slightly whined as Akeno burnet them into ash with a smile.
"I know you're not perfect and that's fine so long as you love me for not being perfect myself." She said as she laid her head on his chest, enjoying the refreshing cool breeze that she loved almost as she loved him.
"Always." Dante said as he tightened his arms around the woman he loved before his mind reminded something fantastic. "Hey… I recall something about wanting to compare angry-" Dante didn't get to finish that sentence before his mouth was distracted with other things.
Issei was pretty happy at the moment. They had finally won out against that dumbass fried chicken Riser. Rias was free to do as she wanted… even if that was marrying Dante. Issei was happy for them, even if he was jealous that Dante would be the one having fun with Rias' enormous fun bags. Issei still had dreams about one day maybe… just maybe… getting to squeeze those glorious jugs. How soft they could be…
"Hey pervert." The sound of Koneko addressing him quickly knocked him out of his thoughts. As he knew that Koneko had some strange power of perversion detection. And if she thought for even a second that Issei was thinking about either her, Rias, or Akeno… pain would come to Issei. First would come Koneko… and then… Dante. "Asia needs help learning how to swim… and for some reason she wants you to teach her." Koneko said not finding this a good idea but Asia made her own choices.
"Oh… I can do that." Issei said without any added tone of excitement other than the normal spending time with Asia. Koneko did have to admit the pervert tended to act more like a normal person when it came to Asia, he didn't actively try to peep on her, he didn't ogle her body, and he didn't have that stupid face he had when talking with her.
Koneko watched as Issei went to Asia and they both soon entered into the massive pool that was in the Gremory's backyard. Kiba was running laps totally oblivious to the rest of the world. They all were in their own swimwear, Issei and Kiba both with black swim shorts. Asia just had her one-piece school swimsuit as she hadn't yet gone shopping for such things. She didn't have much growing up in the church and even after getting kicked out her clothing was limited. And after joining Rias' peerage she had been too busy to really worry to much about clothes shopping. Koneko herself didn't know how to swim so she was wearing some throwaway clothes over her own white and pink two piece. The only reason why she bothered to put it on was with expectation that Rias' would want her to learn today. A thought crossed her mind as she saw Issei help Asia across the pool.
"Maybe Dante could help me?" She thought but quickly dismissed it as she knew that he would be too busy with Akeno and Rias.
"What's got you so down today?" Koneko turned around and saw Akeno standing behind her, already changed into her own bikini which greatly succeeded in making Koneko jealous of the Queen's very developed body while her own was still stunted. There was also the fact that Koneko could smell the very faint smell of sex on Akeno. Only adding to the Rooks troubled thoughts.
"None of your business." Koneko grumbled before trying to walk away only to be stopped by wrapping her arms around her and leaning forward, pressing her chest into the back of the Rook's head.
"Now that's not very nice… I'm your upperclassmen and I want you to be able to come to me for anything. Is Issei bugging you extra today?" Akeno asked as she kept the struggling Koneko in check, as a Queen she matched the Rook's strength with her own.
"No, let me go." Koneko requested as she tried to push herself out of Akeno's grip.
"Not until you tell me why your upset today." Akeno said as she actually picked the smaller girl up and carried her over to the nearby reclining pool chairs. Koneko stayed silent even as Akeno placed her on a chair but the Rook didn't try to leave as she did before.
"I… I want to…"
"POOL PARTY!" The Queen and Rook both turned to the source of the interruption. They saw both two Nekomata in red and blue bikinis, each matching their own hair although the blue haired one's top was covered with a plain white t-shirt. It had been the one with red hair that had been the one to yell who was excitably waving her arms while her twin sister was also very happy to have some fun but was a little more reserved. "Come on let's have some fun!"
"Excuse me… just who are you and what are you doing here?" Akeno asked but then recalled that Dante had won twin Nekomata Pawns form Riser.
"I'm Li! And this is my sister Ni. We're Dante's future Pawns." Li said pulling her sister in to her side. "He said that you guys were having a pool party to celebrate beating Riser Nya."
"So we wanted to join you." Li said hoping that they would let them stay and not kick them out because they used to be enemies.
Akeno looked at them both with a worry that they might be dangerous because of their former loyalties but threw those concerns out because… Riser did little to inspire loyalty. And then she looked at them with the concern of how would Dante react to them and how they would react to him. The both were attractive… they both had sympathetic stories… they both were female… everything Dante needed to fall in love with. Akeno had to suppress the sigh that tried to escape her. She knew there was more to it than those three things, but she knew that those were the three main things Dante needed to be himself and end up coming to deeply care about them. And then eventually love.
Meanwhile Issei and Asia both at the end of the pool saw and heard the interaction and introduction of the two cat-girl twins. Issei for one was shocked and deeply thankful that the dream of hot cat-girls had come true, unaware that he had known a Nekomata for a few months now. Asia on the other hand was more interested in the idea from a more… pure… mindset.
Kiba was still running laps and unaware that anything was even going on.
And lastly Koneko was feeling even more angry and repressed. For one thing her building up of nerve to ask Akeno if she could officially date Dante with her blessing had been interrupted. Second… there was not one but two examples of what she should have. The twins couldn't be a year older than her and yet they were taller, the certainly weren't flat as a board like her, and she could feel in the air that they had some control over their Ki unlike her. But Koneko could not find one single reason why they and not her had all of this.
"Well I think that…" Akeno started but stopped at the sound of Koneko running off leaving them all. "Koneko! You can stay but… just stay here until Dante comes." Akeno said before running after the insecure younger girl. Issei, Asia, Li, and Ni all felt confused by the sudden leaving of Akeno and Koneko.
"Um… am I missing something?" Li asked as tilted her head slightly.
"You're not alone." Issei said as he didn't exactly understand and he was supposed to know them far more than the newcomers.
"HEY!" Li shouted as she only then noticed Issei. "Is it true that you can blast clothes off?" Li asked and her sister facepalmed at Li's sudden asking of that question when it was clear that something important and personal just happened. Issei meanwhile just kinda rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and slight pride that people were starting to take notice of his power. "Here! Use it on my sister!" That made everyone look right at Li who had a big goofy grin on her face.
"Li! You can't be Ahh…" Ni moaned as she was caught by a sudden sneak attack by her sister who was now groping her breasts from behind. Issei couldn't take the hot twin on twin action and with all his might kept his nose from bleeding into the pool and Asia who was right next to him, covering her eyes form the lewd display.
"Come on sis… we both have the same rack and it's great. This is what you get for wearing a shirt to a pool." Li said as she continued her playing with her twin's chest, this wasn't all that abnormal for someone that knew the twins. But that didn't mean that it was allowed by some.
"Li! Stop that at once!" Li did as ordered and Ni was able to catch her breath and try to calm her face down so it was no longer as red as her sister's hair. They both, along with Issei and Asia, looked and saw Karlamine walking toward the pool. Already in her black and yellow one piece suit that did well to show off her figure, the Gremory family had given a wide array of options to choose from. "Honestly… we are no longer servants to that pervert. You don't need to do such crass things."
"I didn't do it for Riser… most of the time… I mostly did it because it's fun to see Ni all hot and squirmy." Li said and they all turned to see that Issei had fallen face first onto the tile floor that surrounded the pool. He and Asia had started to get out of the pool when Li had started speaking and that last sentence seemed to tip the pervert over the edge. "Wow… he really is a huge pervert."
"We can't seem to find her anywhere." Akeno said as she, Rias, and Dante all stood in the middle of the patio of the Gremory mansion. All of them in their bathing suits but right they were looking for Koneko who had run off and hadn't been seen since.
"What made her run off, what happened?" Rias asked very concerned about the state of her Rook. Not so much for her safety but her mental being.
"She ran off when your new Pawns came to the pool." Akeno said as she looked to Dante who was just as surprised by this as Rias or Akeno when it happened. "They showed up and like that she ran off."
"She's feeling super insecure right now." They all looked to the right and saw that it was Zeiveist sitting at one of the patio tables… eating ribs. Why? Only a madman could figure that out "I mean… can you blame her? She's short, flat, and has zero control over her Senjutsu while on the other hand. Li and Ni are tall, busty, and have limited control over their natural Nekomata powers." Zeiveist said before returning to his plate of ribs that he stole from the Gremory kitchen. Meanwhile Rias, Akeno, and Dante all looked at each other knowing that what Zeiveist said was fairly true.
"She's suppressing her own soul; her growth being stunted by her body reacting to that." Dante explained as this had been something that he had been worried about for some time but he never really figured out just how to fix it. He had grown closer to Koneko and he tried to help her with her self-esteem but there was no real change.
"As much as I hate to ask this… but could yu help us Zeiveist. That's why you're here right, because we eventually figure it out but now you want to be the one to do it for us so we feel better about you." Rias said with a slightly cold tone.
"Yup… I'm here because I can speed up this and add a little extra reality fun to the process." Zeiveist chirped not even slightly affected by Rias' deconstructing his motives.
"Are you sure this is a good idea." Dante looked to Zeiveist. "You messing with events as they go about. You might change something not meant to be changed."
"I'm not." For the first time they all saw Zeiveist turn serious. "I have made sure that I am completely and wholly safe in my actions. I made sure of that and I will not allow for mistakes to be made." Zeiveist said before pushing aside his dish of ribs. He had a list, and this was number twelve, he had just gotten back from Brazil arranging for the takeover of a vampire coven. Why the Fates wanted him to do that he couldn't even remotely begin to understand, and it pissed him off because that was his thing. The ribs he was currently eating a perfect example of this. "I know exactly where Koneko is, I know exactly what needs to happen. I know every end game here… I have made it my personal mission to make sure that my inclusion in all of this does not bring about negative consequences." He said knowing that that method was just doing the dirty work of the Sisters of Fate. But taking credit for it was on the list.
"So… what is the end game for helping Koneko?" Dante asked with Rias and Akeno standing by his side knowing that they could take the Reality Mirror user on. If they were quick enough.
"She needs to go on a date with you… and you need to confirm that she's someone that you like. That takes care of her feeling inadequate when compared to the women currently around you." Zeiveist said, a bit of his mirth and casual attitude coming back. "What with thunder tits here and then there's the daughter of a pure blood Beal… who are remarkably famous for their females having such generous assets." Rias and Akeno looked at each other and while they didn't exactly like Zeiveist's way of speaking about them they could see his logic. "And then there is the matter of her soul… she's afraid that's she's going to go crazy like her sister if she lets herself feel too much. This translates in the suppression of who she is and yes… it has physical ramifications for her given that Nekomata are much more intertwined with their souls than most other beings. Like the Eternal Link for you… that trait carries over for her. The best way for her to know that she won't go down the same path as her sister is to see that Li and Ni are perfectly fine and for the truth of the matter to be told." Zeiveist said as he sat back down.
"And what truth is that?" Akeno asked although the three of them had a few good theories as to what he was talking about.
"That Kuroka didn't go insane with power, that was made up as a cover for the fact she killed a Pure-Blood whose friends had too much pride to let people know the truth. Powerful enough friends to construct a whole bullshit argument that currently is being used so bloodthirsty Devils can hunt a species down. I have a plan that could start the process up very nicely… if you'll let me." And with that Zeiveist waved his hand a Reflection stepped out of a formed mirror. Dante smiled as he recognized and got a pretty good idea what Zeiveist had in mind.
"Oh… she'll enjoy this."
Koneko was at the edge of the Gremory family's grounds. She was sitting on a large but low boulder, within sight was a cliffside with a small waterfall running down it. She was trying hard not to think about how unfair things were turning out. She angrily threw a rock far over the cliff, before stepping off the rock. She knew she was going to have to return and have to deal with Rias being overly worried. She didn't want to go back just yet, so she was about to return to her spot in the rock when she quickly blocked a sudden staff strike.
"A Girl has good reflexes." She looked up and saw the face of one her favorite characters. Jaqen H'ghar of the Faceless Men from Game of Thrones. The man walked in a half circle before tossing her a staff of her own. "A Girl is angry… a Girl must train to calm the anger."
"How… how are you…" Koneko stopped at blocking another strike from the man.
"That is not how the game is played." He said as he continued his walk around her. She had no idea how this was happening. She could be hallucinating, but this felt too real, the dirt in her feet and the pain from his strikes. And that also ruled out this being illusion magic. She didn't understand how a character from a TV show could be here in real life. "Who are you?" Jaqen asked and Koneko hesitated and in that he hit her face. "A Girl is confused… a Girl does not know who she is."
"A Girl knows who she is." Koneko said deciding to just say fuck it and play along. Jaqen attacked again but this time she blocked only for him to parry it and hit her face again.
"In the Game of Faces… lies… are punished." Jaqen said, his monotone voice a great equal in tone to Koneko own. "A Girl does not know who she is. She is neither no one nor someone. A Girl wants to be one but is another on the inside."
"A Girl knows who she is." Koneko said and once again blocked the incoming attack and then dodged the secondary move but was taken off her legs by a sweeping motion.
"A Girl wants to be safe but puts herself at risk… a Girl wants to be whole but refuses half of herself… a Girl wants what she wants but runs when the chance to have it is so close." Jaqen said as Koneko stood back up. "A Man asks again… who are you?"
"A Girl is Koneko Toujou. Rook to Rias Gremory. Devil…" Koneko was hit by Jaqen. "… a Devil…" Koneko growled but Jaqen once again moved to attack.
"A Girl is not yet ready to know who she is if she does not know what she is." The Faceless Man said as he pulled back from his attacks. And then to Koneko's shock he changed his face right in front of her, to a face she barely recognized. It was of Kuroka's King. "You remember this man correct… do you remember the way this man looked at you… do you remember the hunger."
"I… I… what are you talking about." Koneko was entirely confused as to the point of this. "What is the point of all this?!" Koneko yelled finding everything of this to be confusing and greatly irritating.
"The Many-Faced God wishes for you to understand. To understand and to accept what you are. To understand the truth." The Faceless Man said as he circled Koneko as he had been since the start of this. Koneko had to admit that the look that he was giving her… it brought back unpleasant memories. Ones she had forgotten, ones where Kuroka's King would talk with her and Kuroka would quickly become angry and take her away. She was too young to really understand what was being said and she still couldn't quite remember it. "Does a Girl remember… does a Girl remember the truth."
"You're trying to say that my sister was right to kill her master, are you saying that I should kill Rias!?" Koneko screamed at the man, the face he was wearing fueling her anger. All it did was smirk and look at her with eyes she hated so much.
"No… the Many-Faced God does not wish to give his gift to her. A Girl is angry… she is beginning to remember."
"I hate that face… stop wearing it." Koneko voice continued to get more and more feral. He normal control was slipping. And then The Faceless Man returned to his Jaqen identity. And then Koneko felt herself calming and then she realized that she had dropped her glamor and she had felt way too much for what she felt was safe. She quickly went to reapply the glamor spell but was stopped by an attack from Jaqen.
"A Girl is closer to understanding… A Girl would be wise not to ruin that." Jaqen said with a very small smile. "A Girl fears her own power and so a Girl hides and closes it off to the world."
"If I use Senjutsu… if even touch my Ki then I'll end up just like my sister." Koneko said before once again trying to reapply her glamor but only for Jaqen to once again attack and interrupt her.
"And who told you that?" The Faceless Man said before changing his face back to the one she hated so much. She could feel the anger building back up. "Did men like this man tell you that? Do men like this one tell you that you are a danger to everyone around you? If a Girl is angered by men like this one… why should a Girl believe what they say?" The Faceless Man said before returning to his Jaqen face. "A Girl knows of people that use the power a Girl is so afraid of, they challenge a Girl's views and beliefs of herself."
"You're saying… that everything about my sister and why she killed her master is a lie. That there is another reason." Koneko said still not lowering her defenses, this was still a very strange situation that she wasn't wholly convinced that it was all faked.
"A Man is saying that. A Man is saying a Girl have no reason to fear and no reason to hold back."
"And why should I trust you?" Koneko said making the Faceless Man stop. "I barely believe that this is real… and even if it is… you're a character from a TV show showing up and telling me all these things. Why should I think anything you say is true?"
"Because a Girl knows they are. A Girl is angry at the sight of her sister's master's face. A Girl remembers things she didn't not before. A Girl knows that lies come so easily to those who have told her the things that she fears." Jaqen said before taking a small pause and dropped his pole. "A Man knows many things… a Man knows what a Girl feels…" He said as he began walking up her. "…and… if a Girl promises not to be afraid anymore…" At that the person in front of Koneko pulled off his face and revealed himself to be Dante. "… then I will…" Dante wasn't able to finish his sentence as he dropped to the ground holding his gut which had just been punched by Koneko.
"That's not funny! Don't pull…"
"It's really me! I'm Dante…" Dante groaned as he knew that this part was going to be painful but he would endure. He needed her to get mad because apparently trying this nice hadn't worked out so far. That was what he had been doing before so now was the time to change tactics. "… seriously… it's me. Not talking in third person anymore." He continued to groan in pain. Koneko was about to run off feeling hurt that Dante had manipulated her like this but a wall of Grim Ice prevented her from going. "Nope… you didn't let me finish." Dante said as he pulled himself up off the ground. "I was going to say if you promise not to be afraid anymore than I would take you out on a date."
"You seriously thought this would work and I'd say yes."
"No… I had hoped it would get you react a little bit better." Dante said as he walked over to the nearby boulder and then sat down on it. "You want to know why I did this, because I've been worried about you. I'm worried that your fear of your own power is going to get you killed." Dante explained and then waited for a reaction form Koneko but she just stood where she had been standing waiting for him to continue. "When I look at you with my Soul Sight I can see how your suppressing your soul. And I know your actively doing it." Dante said with a small bit of accusation.
"That's because…" Koneko started, more out of reflex than real reason.
"I already told you… that's all lies." Dante interrupted her because he couldn't stand the idea of her saying it to herself one more time. "You want to know what I think, and I know this theory is true given on two things. One, the fact Nekomata have always had the power of Senjutsu and yet there is only a very small history of people going out of control with their power. Mostly beginners that don't know what they are doing. And second, because of how mad you got when I put on that face of your sister's master. That confirmed for me what I started thinking the first time I met your sister."
"You met her, when… what happened?" Koneko demanded feeling slightly betrayed with this secret.
"Once… and only because she exposed herself. Apparently she's been checking up on you for years now." Koneko… didn't know that. She thought her sister abandoned her. "She originally was going take you away from Rias, but decided that you were too happy and it wouldn't be right. Out of the small interaction we had I did not get power hungry psychopath, I got someone who cares very deeply for her younger sister." Dante continued as he thought back to that night he and Kuroka met. Deciding that the other description that he had for her was best left unsaid for right now. "So with that all that in mind… I think that her going out of control is just the convenient excuse all of her former master's friends came up with to explain just why in the first place she killed or was even able to kill him, a pure-blood devil beaten by a reincarnated low-class devil."
"But why would she kill him in the first place?" Koneko asked but even as she spoke she could feel her memory of those times feel like they answering that question for her. She frowned at a particular memory where she was alone in her sister's master's mansion. Until he came into the room. He asked her questions, and with each one he got closer and closer. She could remember the look on his face and just as he was right about to be close enough for him to reach her, Kuroka came into the room and began yelling at him.
"From the look on your face I'm guessing you have some idea?" Dante asked, his barely contained rage starting to bleed through his voice.
"The pervert tried to touch me and… Kuroka stopped him. But then he used the powers a King has on their servants and stopped her. She broke free and killed him." Koneko said as the repressed memory of that day came back to her. There was so much blood and she was too young to understand what was going on. So she ran out of the room and was later caught by the guards.
"Fucker is so lucky that he's dead…" Dante growled, the cold fury of his Reaper heritage clear in his dead expression and heartless eyes. But then he shook it off, only able to because it had no real target at the moment. "But yes… you know what the truth is." Dante said and things were quiet. The only sound was the small breeze, but eventually it was interrupted by the sound of Koneko climbing up onto the boulder that Dante was sitting on and took her normal place in his lap. "So… you're not mad at me anymore?"
"Nope, still mad that you lied and tricked me." Koneko said not looking up at him but kept her eyes on the forest that spread out below the cliff side.
"And yet your sitting in my lap."
"This is my spot… where else would I sit?" She asked and the two just stay there, not keeping track of time. "I don't know how to swim… could you teach me/" She asked breaking the silence.
"Only if you keep the glamor off." Dante said and noted that Koneko's cat ears slightly twitched in annoyance but she didn't flat out refuse. His eyes then turned black to his Soul Sight and he smiled as the white base and small slivers of pink and black of her soul had already began to expand beyond its confined size.
"Fine…" Koneko said and looked down in contemplation of what she was about to do. She as mad at Dante but… at the same time she wasn't. She knew that he did all of this for good reasons, that he was worried about her, to make her stronger, and simply because he cared. But she was still angry about how went about it… but the effort that he went to in order to help was hard to ignore.
"I'm promise to make sure that…" Dante was interrupted by a surprise kiss from Koneko.
"Maybe we should go and find them." Rias said as she paced back and forth in front of Akeno who was laying back in her chair. Rias was worried that the plan to… basically make Koneko so angry that she would lose the tight control she has over her emotions and to dredge up repressed memories… would end rather badly. Zeiveist had assured that things would work out.
"Rias, you're worrying too much. Sure Koneko might… react... I'm sure Dante can survive this." Akeno admitted as she adjusted herself in her reclining chair. Now a little worried about her Life Mate. Around them was the rest of Rias' Household and several of Dante's intended servants. Issei and Asia were both in a game of pool volleyball with Li and Ni on the other side. Kiba had ended his laps and now was relaxing with a meal provided by some of the Gremory staff. Yubelluna and Karlamine were both sunbathing. The sun of the underworld was a make of the modern government of Hell, hoping to make the lives of reincarnated devils a little more easy with the transition. Unlike the sun of Earth, this one didn't provide minor discomfort to the Devils under its glow.
"President look out!" Rias turned and was hit in the face with the volleyball that the Pawns and Bishop were using. "Oh… sorry." Asia mumbled as it had been her hit that had gone off course. The four watched in fear as Rias looked down at them. And just as they thought that they were going to be punished Rias suddenly looked off to the side and smiled. They followed her gaze and saw Dante and Koneko both approaching the pool. The four in the pool all sighed relief at Rias ditching them to run over to the two Rooks ending with hugging them both.
"I was so worried." Rias said as she hugged them tightly.
"Rias… you're crushing us." Koneko grumbled and soon Rias released her two Rooks. Rias then noticed that Koneko was no longer hiding her Nekomata features but with a small nod from Koneko she acknowledged to not say anything. Rias smiled and the three began their way back to the pool area. Koneko's revealed appearance instantly grew attention from everyone. Kiba and Akeno both already knew but were surprised that she would show her features so openly. Issei and Asia were both incredibly shocked by the fact Koneko was a Nekomata, Issei was trying to hide his perverted thoughts down to a bare minimum as this was still Koneko. Yubelluna and Karlamine both outsiders to this, found this to be interesting but didn't have the same reaction as those that knew the girl better.
"HEY! You're a Neko just like us!" Li yelled out as she flew out of the pool and landed in front of Rias, Dante and Koneko. "Why were you hiding, you look so cute with your ears and tail." Li complimented with bright eyes at the smaller Nekomata who was frowning at the shorting of the term.
"Li." Ni said as she pulled back her sister's cat ear. "She can have her reasons and keep them." Ni said as her sister begged her to let go. Eventually Ni did just that and let her sister go. "I'm sorry for Li… she gets excited easily."
"It's cool." Koneko said before starting to pull Dante towards the swimming pool but Dante stood his ground and Koneko looked up at him with a frown on her face. "You promised."
"And I will keep that promise but first." Dante looked to Rias and Koneko looked to her feet and nodded. "Li and Ni could you leave us to speak in private." Ni nodded and quickly dragged Li back to the pool. Meanwhile Rias, Dante and Koneko all walked back to where Akeno was waiting for them. "As you can see… I was successful in helping Koneko… and she did not throw me off the cliff." Dante looked to Akeno who thought that might happen.
"I thought about it." Koneko stated making Dante sigh and Akeno giggle.
"And… Koneko has something to ask both of you." Dante said as he sat down next to Akeno while Rias stood nearby. Koneko once again looked down to her feet and looked to be uncertain.
"I uh… I want to date Dante with you." Koneko asked with a rare tone of vulnerability that was not normal for the stoic and reserved Nekomata. Both Rias and Akeno looked at each other and Koneko's growing anxiety increased. She didn't want to hear them say no, she didn't want to not be with Dante. He did his best to make her feel safe, and she did feel safe with him. He went out of his way to help her and make her happy. She didn't want that to stop.
"Koneko… if Dante makes you happy and if you have feelings for him then we won't try to stop you from feeling the same joy we do with Dante." Rias was surprised that it was Akeno that took point on this. Normally as the King, she would take the leadership role while as the Queen Akeno would support. "You have our blessing to join our relationship with Dante." Akeno said much to Koneko's joy and relief.
Dante meanwhile was just letting all of this happen around him, he thought it would be best to handle this in that way. Then the next thing he knew was Koneko leaping into his chest, holding on to him in a happy embrace. If the four were paying attention then they could hear the small cries of a nearby pervert at the unfairness of the world. As well as feel the varying degrees of glares sent toward the three ladies so close to Dante.
"Okay, enough of that… you asked me to teach you how to swim right." Dante asked and Koneko let him go. She took his hand and began dragging him off towards the pool, a small smile on her face.
"That's so adorable." Akeno said as she stood up next to Rias. "It's so nice to see her happy don't you think?"
"Yes… and I hope that she'll grow from this… in both mind, soul… and body."
Later that day everyone was gathered in the main dining room where a magnificent feast had been prepared for the returning heiress and her household, as well as the extra guests. The Reincarnated Devils, Gremory or former Phenex, were all stunned and impressed by the feast.
"I welcome you all to the House of Gremory, I hope that you all have been enjoying your time." Venelana announced as she raised a glass, which every took the cue and did the same. Issei, Li, and Isabela all needed a small nudge though. "And I will toast Dante Alighieri and Issei Hyoudou for their combined efforts in winning my daughter's freedom in her right to choose who she will spend the rest of her life with." At that everyone took a drink with Dante feeling very proud and accomplished while Issei felt surprised that he was being praised at all. It was feeling that the pervert was unused to.
"Thank you mother, that was wonderful." Rias said as everyone began to eat. "But… where is father? Is he not joining us?" Rias asked as she had taken note that she had not seen her father once since arriving at her family home.
"I'm afraid that your father is… a bit tied up at the moment." Venelana said, as that was how she left her husband. Akeno had given her some wonderful ideas for punishment that would much more quickly in getting the message across than just the silent treatment.
"Oh… that's too bad. I wanted to have a few words with him about the living arrangements in the human world." Rias said making Dante and Akeno look at her with narrowed eyes. Dante knew that Rias was planning on buying out the hotel they lived at and renovating into some kind of place where everyone could live at together. He wasn't opposed to the idea per say but he felt that maybe it was a little fast paced for the new arrivals. Akeno on the other hand did not know about the plans, they were going to tell her soon enough. But Akeno was getting the idea rather quickly anyways, and she thought she and Rias were on the same page of trying to limit the number of women Dante was with. Moving the eight, very attractive, women that already were indebted to Dante in with them wasn't helping that goal. But Rias felt that as the future servants of her own servant they were just as family as her own household and so she would treat them as such.
"I'm sure you can speak to him about whatever you need before you return to the human world." Venelana said before looking to Dante, said former Grim Reaper felt a shiver run down his spine. "Dante… Rias and Akeno have told me many things about you. But I would like to see for myself if you are the man they claim you are." Venelana said making everyone at the table feel a little out of place for this conversation.
"Mother, is this the best time for this?" Rias said with a small amount of inlaid warning but her mother ignored it.
"Of course, these women need to know their future master just as I need to know my future son in law." That confirmation that Dante would be marrying Rias made Riser's former servants look back at Dante. They knew of course that he had claimed that he would marry Rias but to hear the current matriarch of the Gremory family basically approve of the match was another thing. "So Dante… what are your plans beyond high school, I'm sure that a intelligent man like yourself has some idea what he wishes to do."
"Three cookbooks and a TV show." Dante said slightly confusing most that did not know Dante all that well. "I will be a famous chef, after graduation from Kuoh Academy I plan to enroll in culinary school and then after that open my own restaurant. Haven't decided what kind yet." Dante said with smooth grace, having the lack of Rias' father around was doing wonders on his nerves.
Meanwhile, his future servants were all trying to wrap their head around the idea that Dante was dreaming for something so… normal. Ambitious in its end goal but still… it was fairly mundane when compared to other Devils. Out of all of them Isabela cared the least, it was his dream and it wasn't something that she would be oppressed in the process. Karlamine also knew that it was his life to led and had she not gone through the last few years with Riser she would have found it lacking. But she did and now was just happy to have a master whose dream and goal was actually decent. Li and Ni both were excited by the prospect of having a master that might let them try out some of his cooking if he was as good as he was claiming to be. Yubelluna wasn't that surprised as she had seen, and tasted, some of Dante's skilled cooking when he and the Gremory head chef did their little cooking battle, and she found his simple dream to be quite endearing. And lastly Ravel who was the only one that found the idea very underwhelming, she knew that with Dante rising popularity from his duel with her brother and the power he already had he could move up in Devil society like a rocket. Dante could very well become High-Class within a few months if he kept up the progress he had already made.
"Is that all? You don't have any ambition beyond that?" Venelana asked, not using a insulting tone but one more curious than anything. Dante crossed his arms and began thinking.
"Let's see… that… marrying Rias… having a family… reaping the souls of all succubi and Incubi… finishing my autograph collection… oh and taking Falbium Asmodeus' job." Everyone slightly paled at the easy way he just skipped over the genocide of an entire demon race but then hearing that last goal overshadowed everything. Even Akeno and Rias were surprised by this, they never heard that Dante was even remotely interested in rising to the level of Satan. "Before becoming a Devil I had planned out my mortal life and then once I died and joined the House of Thanatos I hoped that one day I could lead it's marshal forces. I've just switched over to the Devils but the goal remains the same. Though I'm not in any real hurry to do so. Spending a few decades living easy with those I love doing what I love is all I need for right now." Dante said with a small shrug, Akeno and Rias smiling at his words. Though nearby Ravel was outing over his lack of urgency.
"Humble and a good deal of self-control in your ambition… you know Dante you are in almost every way Riser's opposite." Venelana observed making Dante stop eating and everyone begin to think about that concept. "Unlike Riser you are humble as stated, respect women, thoughtful, don't; seek out personal glory or satisfaction. Even your powers are the total opposite, and you as a former Grim Reaper symbolize a final end while Riser as a Phenex is eternal renewal. It really is quite amazing that my daughter would find someone like you to love." Everyone began looking at Dante trying to find more to add to this list and Dante did not enjoy this little analyzing of him and Riser to find more ways to contrast them. "Speaking of Riser, Lady Ravel have you heard how your brother is doing at all?" Venelana asked taking Ravel out of her scanning of Dante like everyone else.
"Oh… all I know is that he doesn't let anyone into his room but for the nurses that need to change his bandages." Ravel said looking down a little sad for her older brother. She didn't blame Dante at all for what happened to Riser, he was the one that called for the Blood Duel, he was the one that didn't listen to Ruval's warning not to go through it. Riser brought everything that happened to him on himself. Not only that… but there was a part of Ravel that knew that he deserved what happened to him.
"I'm sure that it's just because his loss is just so fresh in his mind. Hopefully this will teach that boy a little humility." Venelana said but several of the former servants to Riser found that idea to be laughable. But kept their mouths shut for Ravel's sake.