Non Serviam: Chapter 16

A/N: This chapter was beta read by ThatOneSunGod!
My usual beta is sick, but I wanted to get out a second chapter for this Generic Winter Holiday!

Chapter 16: Council of Demons

I didn’t recognize the new arrivals.

That only meant none of them were part of the Gremory household staff like Letty or the other maids. Rias, for her part, seemed surprised at the four demons in her club room, but not worried. I stepped to the side, putting my back to the wall as Kiba took a spot at Rias’s elbow, the picture of a perfect knight.

“Rias!” The first of the two men threw himself onto the nearest couch. “It’s been too long.”

I could see Rias visibly holding back a sigh. “Riser.” She took a seat across from him. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Come now, darling, is that any way to treat your fiancé?”

Rias blinked once, slowly. The girl I knew would have lost her cool immediately, instead she put on a bland smile. “How else could I arrange a proper welcome?”

A lazy smirk grew across his lips. “I could think of a few ways.”

Rias held her smile. I guess she was reading those books Mittelt kept throwing at her.

For his part, Riser didn’t bother to hide his annoyance as Rias deftly parried his following remarks. While the two of them conversed, my eyes tracked to the other devils in the room.

One woman, nearly as tall as me and significantly more statuesque, stood easily behind Riser. His queen. She rested a hand on Riser’s shoulder as he spoke, fingers trailing along the edge of his open collar. That seemed almost as tasteless as his words, but devils were less interested in…monogamy.

The other two waited patiently by the summoning circle. Not members of the peerage. The other man rocked back and forth on his heels, white ruffled cloak swaying around him. He hummed cheerfully, ignoring the last devil who stood behind his shoulder, hands clasped.

She wore the habit of a nun.

A shiver ran down my back. I forced my gaze away, but she didn’t notice. With her head bowed and eyes closed, she looked the picture of serenity. I met Kiba’s gaze across the room, but while he saw the tension in my expression, any motion on his part would be immediately noticeable.

Maybe if he leaned forward and draped himself over Rias’s shoulders the way Riser’s servant was doing, but I doubted Rias’s fiancé would be as sanguine as my ‘master’. The thought of being bound to this blond devil, with his ruffled shirt and slicked back hair filled me with disquiet.

“Mou, Riser,” Rias said at last. “You can’t show up in my territory unannounced, with guests, and expect me to ignore them.”

Riser grunted.

Rias took that lull in the conversation to stand. “Lord Astaroth,” her smile become slightly more genuine. A bad sign. “Truly it is a pleasure to host such forgiving visitors.”

“Oh, don’t mind me.” Lord Astaroth chuckled behind a raised hand. “I couldn’t bear to spoil your upcoming nuptials.”

“The Lord Astaroth is too kind!” Rias clasped her hands. “Please, come sit. Taylor, if you could bring some refreshments.”

This time, I disguised my own sigh behind a simple bow. While Rias never called upon her friends to act as servants just for her, the staff had ensured I had the necessary training to ‘not embarrass their mistress’. It was only after I’d mastered the perfect tea service in both eastern and western traditions that I learned Rias had shielded the rest of her peerage from those lessons, and the maids were taking out their frustration on me.

I narrowed my eyes at Kiba. He had the grace to look apologetic without budging from his position, arms folded behind his back at perfect attention.

I slipped out of the room, leaving behind a single butterfly hidden on the outside of the drapes. Through it, I heard the conversation continue while I fetched the tea service.

“What brings you to Kuoh, Lord Astaroth?” Rias asked.

I swapped my day wear for grey slacks and a vest with a flex of demonic power. I still had no idea who ran the “So you’re a magical girl, now what?” website—I certainly didn’t have time to watch the show—but the quick-change spell was a favorite of mine. I’d built almost my entire repertoire off of the example magic on the site.

“Please, Lady Gremory,” Astaroth replied. “I know we have only been introduced the once, but you must do me the favor of calling me Diodora.”

Rias gave a light laugh. “Only if you’ll call me Rias, then.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

I heard Riser’s annoyed grunt with my own ears as I wheeled the tea service back into the room. I made conspicuous use of magic to set the kettle boiling, even as the rest of the devils in the room ignored me. I tracked their movements out of the corner of my eye: Riser leaned back on the couch in relaxed annoyance, Diodora Astaroth entirely at ease, and Rias leaning heavily on her own training as part of a noble house. To one who knew her, she looked ill at ease, but she carried the conversation well enough as I finished the tea and placed a decorated cup in front of each of the noble devils.

There was an arcane list of requirements for serving those of mixed status that was long enough I hadn’t even bothered to memorize, instead, I gauged both Riser and Diodora for a moment. Neither of them looked like the type to care about their subordinates overmuch. They proved me right by continuing their conversation, and Rias earned praise for having an adroit pawn. Devils measured each other by the quality of their servants.

This was the type of politicking I’d expected from a noble scion of devils. Rias had ignored and trampled over my expectations at every step of the way, but apparently, she was a bright light in a dark forest. I’d never much cared for people who were complicit in corrupt systems, but I’d also decided to be different this time around. I held my judgement for the time.

I took my place at the edge of the room and watched how the rest of the world worked.

“…Indeed,” Diodora continued. “When I heard you were starting a ‘Rating Game Academy’ I found myself interested.”

Rias relaxed slightly. “Oh? I would love to show you our new facilities,” she said. “But I don’t think Lord Astaroth needs schooling in rating games. Your record is almost as good as my fiancé’s.” 

Diodora didn’t react to that veiled jab. “Please, Rias, didn’t I tell you to call me Diodora?” He leaned back in his high-backed chair. “And I appreciate others trying to uplift the less fortunate. It reminds me of my own calling.”

Riser gave a short laugh. “Diodora. I didn’t come here to watch you talk around in circles.”

“Mmm?” Diodora took a sip of his tea, still smiling impeccably. “I asked you for an invitation, and I am certainly interested in this rating game academy idea.”

He didn’t react beyond that, but his queen narrowed her eyes in a venomous glare at Riser. Riser didn’t even seem to notice, but his queen turned, eyes flashing. The devil in the nun’s habit clenched her jaw, before lowering her gaze once again.

Riser’s queen finally removed her hand from Riser’s chest, running a hand through her glimmering purple hair as she turned to look at me. I had a much better poker face than Diodora’s nun.

The woman drifted away from Riser with one last proprietary squeeze of his pectorals. She drifted past Diodora’s queen, intruding sharply into the other woman’s personal space. I lowered my head slightly as Riser’s Queen came to stand before me.

“So,” the woman said. “You’re Rias’s fake queen.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Rias’s queen is—”

“Akeno Himejima, yes. We’ve met.” She held out a hand, palm down. “You may call me Yubelluna.”

Another sigh withheld. “A pleasure.” I took her fingers, bowing my head over it.

She flipped her hand around and caught my chin. I tensed, power rippling beneath my skin. She laughed softly, stepping back. “Yes, it’s you I was talking about. I’ve heard about your rating game with the Sitri Heiress.”

I stood and met her gaze. “Are you this hands on with Akeno?”

“Only if she asks.” Yubelluna smirked. “Don’t give me that look, little pawn. I’m simply getting to know a new member of Lady Gremory’s peerage. We’ll be working together closely in the future.”

I gave her my best smile. “How kind.”

“I am, I know.” She brushed a long strand of hair out of her eyes, before letting it drift back down. “Now that your King is participating in rating games, I had hoped for a match with someone flaunting herself as a fake queen.”

I hummed. “That’s not something a mere pawn like me can decide.”

“No, it’s really not, is it?”

I smiled. I found it so strange, whenever I felt grateful for Emma. Because of her these little word games had no power over me. I’d survived almost two full years of abuse from someone armed with my deepest secrets. Next to that, how could some woman I’d never even met prick my temper?

“I’m glad we agree,” I said.

Yubelluna’s smile shifted slightly. I wasn’t good enough to unpack the meaning behind it. “We may have the chance sooner than you think.”

I smiled back. There was no reason to play into the obvious trap and ask what she meant.

My reticence didn’t bother Yubelluna much at all. Instead, she elegantly drifted back along the room to her king, just in time for Riser to grow impatient again.

“Dio,” he said. “Either get on with it or I will.”

“My, my.” Diodora laughed. To Rias, he said, “I’m sorry for being so rude, but I did also wish to enquire about your newest peerage member.”

Rias frowned, eyes flicking to me. “…Asia?”

Diodora sighed, smile still firmly fixed on his face. “Yes, see. Now I sound uncouth and mercenary. I do apologize. But a dispossessed nun of the Vatican? Well,” he waved to his queen, her hands still clasped in faux prayer, “naturally the rumors piqued my interest.”

I was Rias waved a hand. “If you’re listening to rumors, you should know I’m not one to trade away my beloved family.”

“Oh, naturally, naturally.” Diodora nodded easily. “That’s why I hesitated to mention it at all. Why, from the start of our conversation, I knew little Asia was in safe hands. But…” He gestured towards Riser. “My friend would be upset if I didn’t at least bring up the other reason for my visit.”

Riser stretched on the couch. “Bored, more like.”

“And we must avoid that,” Diodora said. That sparked a genuine laugh from Rias. I felt myself tense again, for an entirely different reason. “I don’t suppose there’s anything I could entice you with, to trade Asia to me?”

“Nothing that comes to mind.” Rias smiled. “If I traded my people away so easily I would hardly be good hands.”

“True, true!” Diodora sighed, before standing and brushing off his cloak. “Well, that is the last bit. I do look forward to hearing about your rating game school.”

“I’ll send the things you wanted to your family seat.” Rias stood a second after and accepted Diodora’s hand. “I hope to hear back!”

“My dear I shall wait with baited breath.” Diodora bent over Rias’s wrist, pressing a kiss to it.

“Oi, Diodora,” Riser said.

“Sorry, sorry!” Diodora took a step back, smiling. “I—”

“Not that, idiot.” Riser shifted, sitting upright on the couch for the first time. “I was just thinking, it’s a shame for us to all leave unsatisfied.”

Rias finally frowned at her fiancé, but Riser continued as if he didn’t notice. A transparent ploy, considering he’d just called her a frigid bitch and a poor host besides.

“Why don’t we make a bet over it, Rias?” he asked. “I’ve been wanting to test your peerage ever since I heard you prevailed over the littlest Sitri.”

“I’d be happy to tell Sona you called her the littlest,” Rias replied.

Riser waved a hand. “What should I put up, against that nun you found?”

“Riser,” Rias replied patiently. “If I wouldn’t trade her, why would I—”

“How about our engagement?” Riser inspected his nails. “If you win, I’ll dissolve our engagement, since you hate it so much.”

Rias’s eyes flicked to Diodora, who stood watching silently. “I don’t think this—”

Riser sighed. “By the liesmith, trying anything with you is so frustrating.” He crossed his legs, even as Yubelluna leaned over the couch to massage his shoulders. “I’m only making this offer as a favor to a friend. So don’t waste my time.”

Rias shifted, hands tensing in her lap. My teeth clenched.

Then Rias spoke and proved herself the only person in this room that I had no reason to doubt.

“Riser.” Her voice came low and almost sad. “If you think I would ever wager a member of my own peerage…my own family…then it’s clear you haven’t tried to understand me very hard at all.”

Riser snorted, rising. “We’re finished here.”

“Indeed.” Diodora took a step towards the summoning circle. “I’m sorry for even mentioning it to you, Riser. If I’d known things between you were…”

“Hmph.” Riser waved a hand. “It’s not your fault.”

“Still.” Diodora frowned lightly. “As I said. I hate to be the cause discord between the two of you.”

“You’re too nice.” Riser snapped his fingers at his queen, and Yubelluna powered the club room’s summoning circle before Rias could so much as reply.

Diodora smiled at her. “My apologies, Lady Gremory.”

She rose, decorum welded back together around her. “As my intended said, it’s not your fault.” Then they were gone, but the shivers down my spine only multiplied.

All of Diodora’s smiles had been exactly the same.