"Hmm, you do know that Kuroka and Tsubaki are going to want their own proposals now, right?" Akeno spoke with a smirk as the two of us began to make our way back into the castle, making me sigh while Bardou let out a chuckle next to it.

"I know. However, they'll have to wait their turn for when the time comes. It won't most certainly be now, especially since I'll be going to Kyoto, but it could happen after our wedding." I muttered out loud, a giddy smirk on my face as I remembered that I was now engaged.

Oh, in a past life, I would have been affronted at myself for being this happy about marriage, especially when I considered how many divorces happened from the time that I was from.

However, marriage actually meant something here and when you feel this good about something that makes you happy, it would be a shame for it to just vanish from your life when you had the chance to make it permanent.

'And I need some happiness right now.'

"What happened to the guy that said he was going to tell everyone to go jump in a lake before we went on vacation?" Akeno asked with an amused smirk and a raised eyebrow, to which I simply snorted as we turned the corner and made our way to the main entrance.

"Believe me, I tried. Unfortunately, Serafall was the one who made me come with and since Yasaka owes me one for saving her daughter last year, they thought the meeting would go smoother with my presence. Although, I don't think you will have to worry about me."

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" She asked with a confused frown, to which I simply gave a mysterious smirk and continued walking.

"Wait, Isaiah. Come back here and tell me what you mean."

"I can't say exactly, but let's just say that you all are about to be send on missions as well."

"Wait, all of us?" She asked and I chuckled while holding a finger to my lips.

"Like I said, you'll have to find out on your own."

"I hate that mysteriousness of you."

"You love it and you know it." I spoke with a smirk, to which she simply huffed while smiling.

"You bet your cute little butt I do."

"What?!" Kuroka exclaimed as soon as she caught sight of Akeno's left ring finger, Tsubaki looking just as shocked before I blinked as the two of them rushed past me while taking Akeno with them.

"…Anyone else see them move?" I asked as I turned to my peerage, shaking my head as they shook their heads while blinking owlishly.

"I can see that our plan worked, though. How did she react when you popped the question?" Meredith asked with an excited grin and I chuckled while rubbing the back of my head.

"Shock, excitement and euphoric joy. In that order."

"Told you that proposing in the rose garden would work." Issei spoke with a grin and I smirked as I nodded.

"I have to admit that most of your idiots are shitty at best, but you've outdone yourself this time, Issei. Expect a bonus for this month."

"I'm going to ignore the first part because I need the money for a new figure."

"Is it another Lust Rider figurine?" Saji asked, sighing as Issei grinned & nodded.

"Yep, and it's for Asia."

"…Issei, I don't think she would like that gift. She seems more of a…crosses & dresses kind of girl." Samson chimed in, to which Issei gave them a smug grin.

"Well, she loved it when I was building mine and wants help to build her own, so I want to surprise her with one."

"You can buy her gifts yet you blush whenever the two of you kiss. How does your mind work?" Valerie asked with a curious smile, to which Issei just grumbled before they turned as I clapped my hands with a chuckle.

"While I would love nothing more than to make fun of Issei,"

"Oi!"

"We have a matter at hand. I need another member for the meeting that Serafall and I will be attending so I need one person."

"Why not ask one of the ladies?" Saji asked and I simply raised an eyebrow at him.

"Do you honestly believe that I'll get work done? I like the girls, but they're very…distracting, shall I say."

"I have school./ Me too/ Me three." Saji, Issei and Meredith said respectively, to which I nodded before turning to the other two in the room.

"I hate meetings. / I have work." Samson and Valerie spoke, to which I nodded before smirking at the final member of the group, who was too busy scratching his ear to notice.

However, as the silence drew on, he snapped away from the blissful sensation to look around the room, blinking as we all were smirking at him.

"What?" Bardou asked with a raised eyebrow and I chuckled as I rubbed his head.

"Looks like you're the lucky victim, Bardy."

"For what?"

"To come with me to Kyoto as my bodyguard."

"I'd rather guard my own shit than look after you, Master. You're annoying to keep up with." Bardou spoke with a scoff before glaring at me as I cackled.

"Too late, buddy! You're the last pick." I answered, making him look at the room to see them all looking at something else in the room.

"Traitors." He grumbled, making me chuckle as I patted him on the head.

"Don't worry, bud. We'll see if we can't find a lady for you there."

"I'm a hellhound. Why would I need a woman?"

"You're the only single one in the team. Plus, you have a human form like any youkai so we can definitely find a girl to match you."

"I hate you. So much."

"Feeling the love, buddy. Now, I'll be leaving for the Gremory Castle to finalize the meeting with the Youkai. Anyone wanna come with?"

"I want to see Gaspy." Valerie said as she stood up, to which I nodded before turning to the boys & Meredith who shook their heads.

"Okay, then. Saji, you're in charge. If anyone destroys anything..."

"It's a 5 minute timeout in the Shadow Prison." He finished with a smirk, to which I nodded as the Azathoth crest appeared under us before whisking us away to the Gremory Castle.

"So, I hear congratulations are in order?" Okita spoke with a smirk as we appeared outside the Gremory Castle, making me flinch back while Valerie jumped as the knight appeared in front of us in the blink of an eye.

"I would prefer it if you didn't jump at us from out of nowhere."

"Then, how am I going to catch you off guard with my sneak attacks?" Okita whispered with a grin as he dashed away, though I saw his shit eating grin and shook my head before chuckling as Valerie spoke.

"He's quite the little trickster, isn't he?"

"You get used to it after a while. So, I'll be seeing you since you're heading down."

"Indeed. Good luck in your meeting with Lord & Lady Gremory."

"Thanks." I spoke with a smile before she teleported away, the Gremorian runes of the castle letting her through before going dormant once more as I sighed and began making my way towards Lord Gremory's office.

"So, when's the wedding?" Okita asked as he landed besides me with naught but a gust of wind, but this time I knew he was coming and gave a smug grin at his disappointed look.

"We haven't even started with preparations, though I was thinking an autumn wedding could be good."

"Hmm, not a bad choice, but most like a spring wedding." Okita said with a shrug and I hummed as we took the stairs towards the second floor.

"It's a good choice, but with how indecisive she is, I think I'm in for a long year of planning." I muttered, making him chuckle as he patted me on the shoulder before I remembered something as we neared Zeoticus' office.

"Hey, before we go in, can I... ask you something?" I began, making him blink as he turned to face me.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Do you think…well, this might be stupid from me, but if it isn't…do you think you & Evelina could perhaps be my parents for the ceremony?" I asked, watching as his eyes widened in surprise before my eyes widened as I heard a gasp behind me, turning around to see a teary-eyed Evelina walking towards us with a smiling Venelana.

"A-Are you being serious?" Okita asked and I smiled & nodded.

"Yeah, Evelina helped me with most of my etiquette when Lady Gremory was too busy and you practically raised me. If you can't, I'll completely understand-!"

"And miss the chance? Ha! You can keep on dreaming. Eve?"

"We would be honoured, Isaiah." Evelina spoke with a smile as she walked forward, making me smile as I hugged her back before chuckling as I felt Okita giving us an awkward hug.

"Not used to showing emotion, old timer?"

"Go jump in a lake." He grumbled, making me chuckle as Evelina giggled before pulling back.

"Now then, if you would excuse Okita & I, Lady Gremory. I need to go buy us some formal wear for the event."

"But of course. You may have the day off."

"We...haven't even decided the date." I muttered in confusion as the two of them disappeared, turning to see Venelana giggling as she gestured for me to follow her.

"You must forgive Evelina for leaving so swiftly, but once something excites her, I find there's very little that can stop her."

"I could see that. Hah, I suppose I should have waited until we had dinner before asking her & Okita."

"She would think that you were keeping her from her shopping trip. Now then, let us continue to see my husband before he starts whimpering like a lost pet that thought we abandoned him." Venelana said as she walked towards the office, to which I blinked at her comparison before shrugging as I followed after her.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Ah, you're finally here. Come in." Zeoticus' voice came from behind the door as Venelana opened it, a sigh escaping her lips and a chuckle escaping mine as we entered to see him sitting with an army helmet on his head while two different coloured army toys stood on opposite sides on his desk.

"A bit bored, are we Zeoticus?" Venelana asked with a raised eyebrow, to which Zeoticus gave a sheepish chuckle as a pair of runes appeared on his desk & absorbed the toys while the helmet on his head disappeared in a scarlet flash.

"Hehe, apologies dear. Just a bit of boredom."

"Well, if you're bored, perhaps I could find a way to…occupy your time."

"Oh, like what?" He asked and I simply looked at the roof as Venelana giggled before making her way back out but not before leaving a few words.

"The red waitress will show you later tonight." Her words made me blink as I turned to Zeoticus before smirking at the giddy grin on his face.

"I'm guessing that means something good."

"It does, indeed. Now, let us get you ready for your meeting with the Kyoto faction."

"And he proposed in the rose garden?" Rias asked with an excited smile as she sat on Isaiah's bed along with Akeno, Tsubaki, Koneko, Meredith and Asia, the other girls except for Koneko looking jealous as Akeno smiled & nodded while rubbing the ring on her finger.

"He did, indeed. I have to admit that I thought he was hurt when Bardou came to fetch me, but the stress was definitely worth it."

"I feel like it wasn't just his idea, was it Meri?" Kuroka asked with a smirk as she looked at Meredith, the others turning as she gave a sheepish grin.

"He wanted to propose to you on your trip, but since it was cut short, he asked us to help him with getting everything ready."

"Asked you?" Tsubaki asked, knowing how proudful their boyfriend could be and Meredith sighed as she nodded.

"Fine, Bardou had to force him to let us help."

"That sounds more like Isaiah. So, why did you come here? Usually, you three would be out shopping." Akeno said as she turned to look at Rias & her fellow peerage members, who all looked at each other before Rias answered with a smirk.

"Well, I wanted to tell you later, but tomorrow, the Gremory & Sitri peerages are going on a very important mission."

"Wait, really?" Kuroka asked with a raised eyebrow as she turned to Tsubaki, who smiled & nodded.

"Yes, Lady Sona informed me of the request from Satan Asmodeus."

"Oh? And what is this?" Meredith asked as she, Kuroka & Akeno leaned in curiously before their eyes widened as Rias answered with a grin.

"We're going to the Vatican as emissaries for the Allied Alliance and as the guest to Jesus, the leader of Heaven."

A/N: Another short chapter to start off the arc!

Yes, it's shorter, but that's both because the actual arc starts next chapter and because this was at the time that I started enjoying writing Perfection & Hellish Gravity so I kind of neglected it.

To be totally honest, I was actually thinking of putting this one on a hiatus for another month or so until I got my motivation for writing it back, but recently, I found myself enjoying writing this so I'm thankful to myself for continuing on.

Anyway, enough sappy shit. Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.

P.S. we've have started two new stories, one a Naruto fanfic and the other another DxD fanfic(Not an SI or an OC) This time, it's one centered around our goofy MC Issei!

So, yeah, if you want, come on over to the Pat-reon and come read it at your expense.

As always, read, enjoy, review and until next week...

Ba-Bye~!