Non Serviam: Chapter 19

Chapter 19: The Lightning and The Thunder [1]

“It’s so nice to have everyone over again!”

Akeno allowed herself a smile at her king’s exuberance. “Did you miss your ancestral seat so much, prez?”

“I love home.” Rias waved her hands. “But mostly it was the club room was getting a little cramped, don’t you think? I should have it expanded.”

That Girl laughed. “Just turn the whole building into your personal club house. No one else is using it.”

“Mou, Taylor.” Rias pouted. “But then it wouldn’t be an occult research club in the abandoned old school building!”

Taylor leaned towards the fallen angel perched on the arm of her settee. “So I keep getting splinters for the vibes?”

Mittelt sniffed. “You’ll find no quarter from me, boss. Lady Gremory’s taste and mine are much more in line.”

“I knew you picked Taylor’s outfit!” Rias said. Akeno savored the glee in her dear friend’s voice, even if she took issue with the source.

Taylor had come back from her shopping trip wearing a tight-fitting, zip-up croptop over baggy pants that emphasized the woman’s sinfully trim waist. Even Akeno could admit it was a chic look, though she was more partial to Asia’s new American sunday school aesthetic. That artless innocence that exuded from Asia’s cherubic cheeks and glistening blonde hair—Akeno took a breath and let that thought go.

She and Rias had spent the better part of a month getting Asia comfortable with a peerage of devils. Akeno was more than capable of controlling her own worst impulses; seeing Asia share cupcakes with Gaspar and Koneko was reward enough for good behavior.

At the moment, they were in one of the smaller drawing rooms. The maids had set up a tea party out on the veranda overlooking the Gremory Gardens, while Kiba, Rias, Mittelt, herself, and of course That Girl were seated within on Akeno’s favorite set of couches.

Through careful consideration and support, Asia had been coaxed into visiting the underworld, and was now enjoying herself, leaving the rest of the peerage free to discuss more important matters…

“And what you did with your hair!” Rias clapped her hands. “I love it. Where did you get it styled?”

…And also the other changes that had occurred in the interim.

Mittelt scoffed. “I would never let a mortal touch my masterpiece.”

“Thank you for claiming ownership of my body,” came the dry reply.

“But the stars are her own work, I merely tidied up the edges…before it started growing again.”

Taylor shrugged. It sent the inky blackness of her hair—which did nothing to arouse Akeno’s envy—rippling across the specks of light that seemed to shine from within, as if the strands of hair were merely a window to a far-off place.

“Do you see what I mean when I say devils have no imagination?” Mittelt continued. “You should all at least have stuff like this!”

“If I added a fire effect to my hair, Riser Phenex would be even more insufferable,” Rias replied.

Taylor cleared her throat. “Do you have a plan for that, by the way? Because…”

Akeno raised an eyebrow. “Would you be interested in assisting in that plan, considering yours?”

“I don’t want to be stuck with that man any more than you do,” she replied. Akeno huffed.

“There’s a…concept of a plan?” Rias said.

“Rias…”

“Mou, it’s not like I don’t have time! Our engagement extends until I graduate University, and I still have a whole semester left of high school.” Rias crossed her arms. “Besides, don’t we have more important things to talk about?”

Akeno locked eyes with Taylor. For once, it seemed they were in absolute agreement on something. Akeno would not let her best friend be forced into a marriage with that odious man, Riser Phenex. While she would never allow herself to trust Taylor, at least that girl had the good sense to recognize how awful Riser was after a single meeting.

“Sure,” Taylor said. “We can revisit that topic later. You said you had something about Diodora?”

“Mm.” Rias nodded. “I set him up in one of the townhouses on the other side of Kuoh that we keep for visitors. As part of my hospitality, a few Gremory retainers are acting as his concierge for the duration of his stay.”

“And also keeping an eye on him.” Taylor’s lip twitched. “You have been studying.”

Rias pouted, but Akeno could tell she was secretly preening. “Only to stop your shoulder angel from throwing more books at me.”

Mittelt draped herself across Taylor’s shoulders. “I live to serve,” she whispered.

Akeno made note of that tone of voice. As much as she disliked the fallen, they knew their artful seduction. And it also clearly annoyed Taylor.

“What power do your retainers have over Diodora’s movements?” Kiba asked.

“My, Kiba.” Akeno placed a hand on her cheek. “So concerned with another man’s movements?”

He snorted. Taylor sighed again.

Rias easily slipped past the byplay. “Not that much. But they’re to let me know if he ever heads in Asia’s direction. Or if he vanishes.” She glanced out towards the veranda, where Asia was cleaning a smudge of icing off Gaspar’s face.

Akeno cooed softly.

“Are you certain we can’t just keep her in the underworld until Diodora runs out his visit?” Rias asked.

“It would be safer.” Taylor leaned back in the chair. Mittelt gave a playful ‘oof’ but made no move to escape her place as a neck pillow. That change in dynamic deserved interrogation. “But I couldn’t do that to her again.”

“Yeah.” Rias sighed. “It’s a shame she’s been locked up by the Vatican her whole life, like something out of a manga!”

Taylor grumbled. “Your whole peerage is composed of people with manga backstories.”

Kiba choked on his next words.

“Even you?” Rias asked.

“Ex-criminal kingpin resurrected and forced to look after a bunch of high-school capes?” Taylor replied. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume I was the main character.”

“We really do have to get the rest of your history out at some point, Taylor,” Rias said.

Taylor shrugged Mittelt onto the settee. “After we handle this mess with Diodora.”

“I’ll hold you to that!”

“When’s his visit scheduled?” Kiba asked. “If we’re going to focus at all.”

“So forceful,” Akeno said. “A girl could start to see intentions.”

Kiba lifted his chin. “A knight would declare such intentions openly, or he would be no knight at all.”

Akeno giggled at his elegant parry.

“I tried to push it forward.” Rias shrugged. “But it’s ‘unseemly’ to rush people out of your territory, so he’s here for two weeks to experience the human world.”

“Never thought you’d care about being seemly,” Taylor replied.

“It wasn’t just my negotiation.” Rias shrugged. “Sona-chan and I are co-owners.”

“Young Lady Sitri always does things by the book,” Akeno said.

“So, we have to keep Asia safe for at least two weeks.” Taylor ran a hand through her hair, lingering on the ends. “Or longer.”

Akeno didn’t give voice to the thought that he might simply be interested in the rating game school, not after she’d seen more of his peerage during his meeting with Sona and Rias. His congress of nuns looked taken care of, but Akeno could see the suppressed flinches and darting eyes. She watched the way those broken dolls both reviled and yearned for their master’s hand.

She would fry him inside out if he approached Asia.

“I’d say she can stay at the condo with you,” Rias said. “But she’s actually been going outside a lot! I don’t want to ruin her progress either.”

Taylor nodded. “And I’m already going to be failing my first semester to keep her safe.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry!” Rias waved a hand. “You’ll be able to make up your finals.”

“Ugh.” Taylor pulled a face. “Academic favoritism.”

“I mean, if you want, you can fail.” Rias shrugged. “But it’s not like you don’t have to know the material.”

“Prez didn’t even offer to just pass your classes.” Akeno covered her smile. “She knows you quite well.”

Taylor sighed. “Guess she does.”

“Speaking of school,” Akeno continued. “If Asia is coming out of her shell, perhaps she might enjoy the company of her peers? A taste of school in Japan for the end of the semester, and the start of the next one?”

“She doesn’t know Japanese,” Taylor said. “We’ve been working on it, and she’s a good student, but still.”

“How fortunate,” Akeno lifted a hand and pointed, “that a college-aged exchange student has offered her own time to translate.”

Taylor’s brow furrowed. Akeno could see the gears turning behind those dark eyes, seeking the trap. This time, however, Akeno was acting in the best interest of the peerage.

“Oooh, And then there’s no favoritism! Of course Kuoh University would make the necessary accommodations.”

Taylor nodded slowly. “High school,” she said. “For the third time.”

“Maybe you’ll get it right this time,” Akeno said.

Taylor snorted. “Surprised you want me nearby.”

“If it’s for Asia, I will abide.”

“Charmed.”

“Mmm.” Mittelt stretched, pulling herself upright. “Do you have room for two Italian exchange students?”

Taylor and Akeno turned to look at the fallen angel. She simpered at them without a hint of guile.

“Do you even speak Italian?” Taylor asked. “No, why would you want to go back to high school?”

“Certo che parlo Italiano, stronzo.” Mittelt rolled her eyes. “How did you think I was talking to Asia?”

“We should be able to find space,” Rias said. “Plus, aren’t two defenders better than one?”

“Wait, what language are you speaking the rest of the time?” Taylor asked.

Mittelt fluttered her eyelids. “Right now? Aramaic.”

Taylor narrowed her eyes at Mittelt. Then, she turned back to Rias. “You’re right. Only I don’t actually speak Aramaic. Won’t it be weird if everyone can understand me even when I’m translating?”

“Ah, for our gift of tongues? Don’t worry.” Rias waved a hand. “You can pick what you sound like, kind of how Mittelt made sure we all knew she was speaking Italian for a second, but in reverse. It helps if you know the language.”

“Do you even speak Italian?” Mittelt asked.

“Good thing someone just volunteered to be my teacher,” Taylor replied. Mittelt laughed.

“So, we’ll ask Asia if she wants to enroll in Kuoh starting next semester!” Rias clasped her hands. “And for the next two weeks, she can ‘try it out’ with Taylor there as her translator. If I phrase it in just the right way, maybe even Gaspar will join us!”

“You have been reading The Prince,” Taylor said.

“That’s not Machiavelli, silly.” Mittelt poked Taylor in the side. “Maybe I should be throwing the book at you.”

Taylor ignored her. “You’re not worried about his timestop sacred gear?” she asked Rias.

“I’ve been practicing!” Rias flexed. “Plus, he’s gotten a lot better control of it since him and Koneko started their little rivalry.”

The five of them turned towards the Veranda, where Asia was giggling and clapping as Koneko tried to tank through Balor View. Then after she collapsed, Asia would heal her of the residual fatigue from using so much energy. They’d come up with the game on their own.

The maids continued servicing the tea party, but Akeno noted that they made sure to drift around Gaspar’s field of view.

“That’s one way to practice control…” Taylor said.

“I think Koneko is getting better at it,” Kiba added.

“Maybe we should all step up our training.”

“Taylooor!” Rias shook her head. “Don’t we do enough training?”

Akeno giggled. “If anything, Taylor has been falling behind,” she said. “Poor Kiba has been climbing up the walls for a fight.”

Kiba huffed. “It’s not my fault none of you want to spar.”

“I did get a bit distracted with Asia…” Taylor said.

“Yes, so perhaps now would be a good time to knock the rust off?” Akeno leaned to the side. “After all, right now Asia is as safe as can be, and if you’re worried about a confrontation with Diodora’s peerage…”

Rias sent them a worried glance, which Akeno fully ignored. Taylor had paused, eyes locked on the middle distance.

Then, she turned to meet Akeno’s gaze. “We’ve never tested each other, have we? Tricks versus power.”

“Indeed.” Akeno’s smile took a fanged edge. “It seems something we should rectify.”

“Now, everyone…” Rias started.

Akeno turned her head. “Prez, you trust me, don’t you?”

Rias froze like a deer in the headlights.

“We’ll be good,” Taylor added. “I promise.”

Rias turned her betrayed expression on Taylor. It was not very effective.

“Besides.” Akeno reached out and squeezed Rias’s hand. “We’re united now, in a common goal.”

“Common goal?” Rias asked.

“Protecting Asia,” Taylor replied. “And killing any devil that tries to hurt her.”

The implied threat only made Akeno grin wider. “Exactly.”

“I still don’t think it’s the best idea?” Rias tried. “Why don’t you spar Kiba instead?”

“Oh, but wasn’t it Kiba who said that some communicate better through crossed blades?” Akeno placed a hand on her cheek. “Perhaps, could that be the reason why we never really connected?”

Taylor stood, stretching like a predator ready for the hunt.

“Only one way to be sure.”