A/N: The new years is approaching, and I just realised that this whole story was just made in this year. God this was one long fucking year…

As Koneko and Asterios walked to the club house, once again only the disguised Minotaur was walking as Koneko was perched on his shoulder, neither of them spoke a word to each other.

Normally it was a comfortable silence between them, both of them were rather quiet people in general. But it was a quiet that was filled with worry.

"I think something is bothering President," Koneko spoke up.

"is there…?" Asterios questioned. He made a face for a moment "i sometimes see her looking sad, but she doesn't tell me anything about it."

"Really," Koneko asked "What does she usually say if you ask?"

Asterios hummed "if i ask, she usually just says that it's," He paused as he concentrated "gre-more-ree drama." He shook his head "said that, i shouldn't get involved."

"Hmph," Koneko crossed her arms "Well, now that you are part of our family I think that excuse is running thin." She lowered her arms and her eyes softened "Did Rias really not tell you anything?"

Once more he shook his head.

"Maybe she wants you learn today."

When the duo entered the main room, Koneko felt Asterios tense underneath her. She could understand why, besides Rias and Akeno, another woman was inside the club house.

Gray hair with a Victorian maid dress, attire that normally did not show much danger. But Koneko could feel it, the power and danger that she possessed. This was Grayfia Lucifuge, the Ultimate Queen, Servant to Sirzech Lucifer.

Her Master's older brother, and a woman whose whole existence exuded power.

Asterios could just sense it more, the sensation of something powerful.

"Asterios, Koneko." Rias called out to the two of them from her table, her usual smile when she greeted them was gone, instead her face was set in serious frown as her eyes stared at the grey haired woman in the room "I'm glad that you're both here early."

"We're," Koneko paused as she glanced at Asterios, who was still staring at the woman in the room. She felt worry rise up inside her "Here." She finished, and patted him on the shoulder.

He blinked, before he nodded his head "we're here president, vice-president." He lifted his head and once more caught the eye of the woman in the room "…stranger."

To her credit, she didn't react much other than raise an eyebrow at his way of addressing her.

Akeno moved her hand over her mouth, covering a smile before she lowered it back to her side.

Rias kept a stony expression on her face, not taking her eyes of Grayfia.

The two of them moved to the largest chair in the room, and Asterios took a seat. Koneko dropping from his shoulder and onto his lap.

All the while, he stared warily at the woman.

[Scene]

When the rest of the club members arrive, Rias nodded "Everyone is here, that's good."

The grey haired woman finally took her eyes off of Asterios and moved towards Rias "My Lady, if I could speak freely?"

Rias closed her eyes as she stood up "I suppose we can hear you ou…"

Her words were cut short when the room suddenly came alight in a bright orange glow. A magic circle had appeared at the entrance, and a moment later a massive plume of flame erupted from it, and from the flames a figure appeared.

Asterios took his own eyes away from the woman and turned them towards the new arrival.

It was a blonde man, wearing an orange suit over a white undershirt, he had his back turned to the group as he seemingly stretched his body.

Asterios' noise scrunched up as he sniffed the air, he let out a hum "phoenix…"

If the man had heard his words, he didn't pay attention to the disguised Minotaur "Finally Riser has arrived at the human realm." He turned around, revealing a handsome looking face with a pair of blue eyes. Ones that turned to Rias "Rias my darling, aren't you happy to see me?"

When Rias frown deepened, Asterios allowed his eyes to narrow towards the older man.

Koneko removed herself from his lap, the white haired devil patted him on the thigh as she did, and stood behind the sofa that was to the left of the table.

"Who the hell is this?" Issei asked, already annoyed at how he had addressed his Master.

"That is Riser Phenex," Grayfia answered his question "A pureblooded Devil and Third Heir to the Phenex house." Her eyes turned to Rias "And arranged fiancé to Rias Gremory."

As Issei and the other sounded their surprise at the information, Riser walked forward from his entrance until he was by the couches in the room. His eyes landed on Asterios. More importantly, it was on the massive chair that he was sitting on.

He raised an eyebrow when Asterios didn't move.

"Move you oversized oaf," The blonde man spoke "Obviously this chair is meant for distinguished guests, and you're sitting in it."

"no." Asterios replied, his red eyes narrowing in response "this is my chair. and you can't sit in it."

His eyes widened "You dare!"

"Riser," Rias voice called out to the blonde man, the red head was looking very unimpressed at the small outburst of the blonde "That chair belongs to him, one that I ordered specifically for him. You can take a seat on the couch in front of him," And while Rias allowed a small smile to appear on her lips, there was a sharp glint in her eyes "Unless you want to start arguing over seats like a child?"

A small growl escaped the throat of the man, before he sighed and shrugged "I suppose the oaf can keep his chair," The blonde walked around the table and plopped himself down on the sofa, as if it was his own house "Come now Rias, you should join your fiancé on the sofa." His eyes looked over to Rias, before moving to Akeno "And may I have some tea as well?"

There was a tense feeling in the air, one that remained even as Akeno had went and brewed some tea for the older man.

"Wonderful!" Riser looked up from his cup to give Asterios a look "This is fine tea, only people of refine taste can enjoy," He looked to his rise where Akeno was standing "Thank you, Rias' Queen."

"The pleasure is mine." Akeno answered coldly, before walking away from the man to stand behind the couch opposite of the one he was sitting on.

Rias was silent, the red head sitting next to him with the same frown on her face. Not even reacting as the man played with her hair.

Issei felt his annoyance grow into anger.

Koneko balled her own tiny hands into fists.

Yuuto, while keeping a straight face, couldn't help but feel his own anger rising.

Akeno kept a cold expression on her face.

Even Asia felt just a bit insulted at what she was seeing, although most of it was hidden behind fear and confusion.

And in front of them, still in his chair, Asterios continued to watch his President.

"Now that I'm here," He leaned in closer towards Rias "I suppose we can start discussing our marriage?"

Rias stood up, pulling his hands away from her body "There is nothing to discuss Riser," Rias turned away from him "I've told you before, and I'll tell you again, I don't plan on marrying you." Her eyes glared at Grayfia "The only reason you're here, is because you requested to be here."

"Only because of it's for the sake of our family," Riser shrugged as he stood up as well "After all, we must keep the blood of the future Devils pure to maintain our kind's purity. Especially after the war," He leaned in closer "It's what your family and your brother suggested."

Rias body language grew even more agitated "What my family, my brother, or my whole clan, wants to decide of me is none of my concern." She turned to Riser with a glare on her face "For something like marriage, and my own future, I will choose for myself. So I'll tell you one more time Riser, leave me alone for I will not marry you."

The easy going look on Riser face turned dangerous as his hand suddenly cupped her chin.

Her peerage reacted, their bodies tensing at his action.

"And one more time Rias, if I have to remind you, this marriage of our also concerns the reputation of both our clans." He leaned in closer into her face "Denying this marriage would tarnish not only yours, but the family name of the Phenex."

Rias didn't respond, her glare still affixed on her face.

"If you keep being stubborn," A rather bloodthirsty grin appeared on his face "Then I'll just have to drag you to the underworld, even if I have to incinerating your p-"

His threat was cut short as the atmosphere in the room suddenly turned cold.

Everyone had felt it. The glare on Rias' face had fallen into surprise, the grin on Riser's face had faltered into an uneasy grin. The rest of her peerage felt the shift in the room as well.

Koneko especially felt her hair stand on end as the absolute amount of anger that she was sensing. Her yellow eyes turning to source of it.

The only one that didn't seem affected was Grayfia.

Riser turned his head towards, where he could only guess where the source was, and found himself staring into the wide red eyes of the large man sitting in the large chair.

"President…" He growled, his voice drastically different from the passive voice he had heard just before "Doesn't like… You…"

The hand that had been cupping her chin fell to his side, almost in response to his words.

"You…" His mouth pulled back to snarl and he leaned forward, already looming over him despite the fact that he was sitting "Want to… Harm… Friends…"

Riser felt a bead of sweat drop from his forehead.

Asterios looked ready to jump out of the chair "Leave… Now…"

At the demand, Riser felt his anger overpower his fear. He turned fully towards the disguised Minotaur "Bold of you human to say those words," He looked down his nose towards the larger figure "Just who are you to tell me to leave?" The grin returned to his face "And what can you even do to make me?"

"I'll… Kill-"

The atmosphere suddenly lost the chill as quickly as it arrived, when Grayfia moved next to Asterios and placed a single hand in front of him. Despite that her gaze was locked firmly onto Riser.

"There is no need to escalate to violence here," Her voice was strong, seemingly laying down the law "And especially none from you, Lord Phenex."

With a gulp, the blonde could only stumble back "I suppose I shouldn't rise to the common insults of an oaf like him." He turned to Asterios, who was still glaring at him despite.

Rias eyes softened as she gave Asterios a look "Asterios," she called out to him, and when he turned to her, she shook her head "It's fine. You don't have to get angry on my behalf."

At her words the glare vanished, and the usual stoic expression on his face returned "if you say so president." He replied, his voice dropping back into the quiet tone it had before.

Beside him, he felt Koneko pat him on his shoulder, before her hand moved to the side of his face.

Asterios felt what remained of his anger dissipate, the warm sensation of her touch calming his mind.

[Scene]

"Then it is decided," After a few more words between Rias, Riser and Grayfia, they had finally reached a way to settle the issue of the marriage "A Rating game, an unofficial one at least, in 10 days between my Peerage and yours."

Riser let himself smile cockily "Although, simply looking at your pieces Rias, I can't help but feel pity for you." Suddenly a similar plume of fire appeared behind the man, and fifteen other girls emerged from the fire. "For I have a full set on my, compared to your pitiful numbers."

Asterios growled as he could sense the hostile intent from each and every one of the ones that had arrived. While not aiming to kill, none of them had any decent thoughts of those that were already in the room.

Something that drew the attention of some of the girls, meeting his own glare with their own.

Riser included.

His smile turned into a smirk "And worst of all, that oaf of yours that wanted to 'Kill' me?" He shrugged his shoulders "He can't even join."

Asterios growled even louder, rising from his chair.

"Growl all you want," Riser felt no more fear "All it does is make you sound like the animal you are."

"I… Swear…" Asterios glared even harder, his disguise failing as his eyes flickered from their human colours to their inhuman ones "I'll… Kill… You…"

Behind him, out of sight, Koneko couldn't help but shiver as she could further feel the negative emotions of the Minotaur.