Xxx. Chapter two. xxX

Appearing in a courtyarded area that was paved with lavish jade stone by the looks of the colour and how opulent it looked Tristan looked about couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size and sublime beauty of his Kings home, none of the famous Cathedrals or Palaces of the Human Realm could compare of that he had no doubt, not even the Vatican could hold a candle to what he was seeing. Looking to his side he could see a circular patch of grass that acted as a roundabout for carriage and vehicle alike. Kneeling he removed a gauntlet and glove from his hand and traced his fingers over the green lush grass and smiled.

Standing he couldn't help but marvel the Mansion, no Palace was easily four stories high in some places and he had no doubt that he was standing above tunnels and catacombs, he had a lot of training with those sorts of places, his master Vasco thought it would be good training to capture Ghouls and other monsters release them in the Vatican Catacombs within a barrier field and send trainee exorcists in after them and hunt them down.

Following his King who was having a little giggle at his expression and reaction to her home made of precious hard stones. Sirzechs and Grayfia had seen enough people's reactions to the Gremory's family home to not be at all amused at his face. Walking up the steps following his King, Tristan couldn't help but question why they didn't just appear in the building itself.

"Because my friend, the Mansion is warded and protected by powerful spells that stop anyone including family members from appearing inside, that and it is rumoured that the First Archduke's wife in her old age suffered from a heart attack when one of her sons appeared out of nowhere while she was supping on tea." Sirzechs decided to clarify and answer for Rias who hadn't been told about the wards or spells due to her age, but it was all a matter of time before she was bought into the fold and told some more family secrets and allowed access to certain areas of the Mansion that had been off limits to her.

Stepping into the Mansion proper Tristan was greeted by the sight of high arches and pillars, needless to say the outside took the word façade to a whole new level it was as if they had walked into another reality, the inside looked to be three times bigger than what the outside showed. In front of him were two curved stairways that went to a landing area, then one stair case that led to the second floor. There was a tunnel under the landing that was tall and wide easily able to move furniture through easily.

Following his king through the tunnel along with the Lucifer and Ultimate Queen, they appeared in an absolutely gargantuan ballroom that had large windows that ran the length of the far wall, pillars lining each side of the room, chandeliers of crystal hanging all around a mezzanine floor running along the along all the walls. Continuing to follow his King and her elder brother and his Queen. Tristan counted that it had taken them a full two minutes to walk the length of the Ballroom.

Rounding a corner, he was gobsmacked at the sight before him, much like the ballroom it had pillars, arches and windows but it was dominated by the long large table in the centre of the room and the Chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. The walls were decorated with all manner of weapons while the table was littered with beautiful candle holders and large platters of food. The smell alone was tantalising and irresistible. All the chairs were filled with a multitude of devils all with various hues of Crimson hair as well as browns and blacks, he even saw a few whites intermingled from where he stood at his Kings side.

At their entry the room became silent as everyone stood and bowed a little towards the most powerful member of the Clan and the leader of the Underworld. Looking around a little bit Tristan felt several pairs of eyes at first before many of the Clan began to regard him wearily and whisper amongst themselves while a few who must not have cared simply returned to their meals in silence.

Rias pouting at the fact not many people were happy at the fact her father had chosen her as head of the clan and not one of his other sons born of one of his other wives. And they showed this by not showing her the respect she was owed as heiress to the clan, stomping her foot she marched over to her spot that was next to her mother at the head of the table where her father sat, she was on his right while Sirzechs took his chair on the left along with Grayfia who sat next to him. Tristan having learned for undercover mission on how to act as a servant moved to the edge of the room garnering a raised eyebrow from his King's mother.

As Heiress she was expected to toast at the end of the dinner while her father did so at the start and when her toast was finished that would allow for the rest of the clan to disperse and return to their own respective wings of the Palace. Tristan who was watching his King struggle to catch the attention of her clan except for a few of the members that were directly next to her.

He also saw they were taking amusement in the fact that she wasn't able to get everyone's attention. "Tristan...!" hearing his King's upset tone Tristan clad in armour stepped forward and bowed his head so she could speak directly into his ear. "Help me."

It was clear to him that having this happen to her was taking a toll on her self-esteem and confidence. Nodding his head Tristan who had to during his time as a Paladin commander trainee had to learn how to shout loudly and gain people's attention, Tristan himself wasn't a very vocal or loud person naturally and hated raising his voice unless absolutely necessary. But should his King Command he would act as her herald and announce her presence and her glory if needed.

Stepping back, drew Gem that hummed lowly as he had drawn her, blade glowing like a dull imitation of a star, golden fairy language inscribed along the blade. If the brief wave of Holy Aura wasn't enough to catch the devil's attention him tapping Gem on the ground a whipping up dust and making the table creak along with the plates and cutlery to clatter together sure did.

Standing proudly behind his King, Tristan spoke to the Devils who were silent and looking in their direction, his eyes were closed as he spoke not caring about the glares he was receiving for his actions. "Rias, your future Archduchess wishes to speak. You would all do well to listen to her. Lest you wish to cause a problem, and then in her name, I shall sort you out as her Queen." Seeing they were all going to stay silent he remained where he was both hands rested on the pommel of Gem as her point remained in a groove between two large stone slabs. His startling emerald eyes piercing and blazing as he met the gaze of anyone who dared to challenge him and by proxy his King, for he was her word and will should she ask it of him.

Rias smiling and staying sat she also closed her eyes showing that she didn't really care for them if they didn't care for her, but they would be very much mistaken if they thought they could disrespect her now that she had her own Queen, no she wouldn't stand for it any longer, she would command and demand respect of her clan members "Thank you all for coming here today, to our weekly clan dinner. As you have all seen I have gained my first peerage member Tristan Cú Chúille, descendant of Lancelot Du Lac, Galahad and Tristan, all Legendary Knights of the Round Table. He is my Queen and he shall be respected just like how you all respect Grayfia. Now that's done, you can all leave at your leisure. Have a good evening."

With that everyone began to filter out at varying paces, but the hall was all empty, except for Lord Gremory, Lady Gremory, Lord Lucifer, Grayfia and Rias. Tristan sheathed his blade and stepped out the way as his King shimmed her chair backwards to get down.

Venelana standing as well looked at the tall teen and smiled softly "thank you Tristan, that was very kind of you to help Rias out like that, I doubt very much that they will be so rude again at dinner."

"I was only doing my duty, My lady. I am but a humble servant to my King, though should she misbehave and step out of line I shall not get in your way when it comes to reprimanding her and if you are not there to do so my lady, I shall do so myself. Sometimes we must be protected from ourselves more than others, it is my duty to see that she is protected at all times." Tristan said as he bowed a little at the waist to his King's mother.

Smiling at what he said Venelana looked towards her husband Zeoticus, who began to chortle and laugh as he stood "Well said Sir Knight, couldn't have said it better myself, perhaps you could teach my family the meaning of manners and good etiquette. Goodness knows that they need it..." he then looked at some of the lingering dust motes that he couldn't blame the servants for missing, the mansion was an absolute bastard to clean, and he knew that from punishments his own father would give him. "Quite the display you put on there, although to think my daughter has the wielder of the Holy Sword and the Bow Failnaught as her first servant is beyond all my imagination and expectations I had. Serve my daughter well and you'll never want for anything."

Bowing again to his King's Father Tristan nodded "You need not ask my Lord, I have pledged my life and my sword to her. I will serve her with distinction and honour to the best of my ability even if it should cost me my life."

"Good Man." Zeoticus said as he turned to leave with Sirzechs most likely to discuss something important.

Venelana seeing her chance folded her arms and narrowed her eyes at Rias "Now that's out the way young lady, how many times have I told you not to be late for dinner..."

"Rat's thought I'd gotten away with that." Rias pouted as she allowed her mother to take her by the hand and walk her off a different way to that of the male Gremory's disappearance.

Turning as she marched Rias out the Banquet Hall, Venelana called out. "Grayfia, be a dear and have Tristan, measured for a suit and organise for some clothing to be made for him. Oh, and before I forget it seems we're going to have to register him tomorrow in the underworld citizenship, as well as get him a bank account. So much to do. Rias did you forget how much went into having your own servants?"

"Noooo, I thought Grayfia and you would help me mama." Rias said as she and her mother disappeared out the room.

Shaking his head at his King he looked at Grayfia "I suppose we should do as Lady Venelana says shouldn't we."

Grayfia nodded her head as she began to walk out the room with Tristan following her "Yes we should, so we'll be paying the family seamstress a visit Miss Odette, this shouldn't take to long. Then I can give you a tour of the castle before showing you to lady Rias' wing of the castle and your own quarters which aren't too far away from her own."

"Very well then, I'm in your care Ultimate Queen." He said with a twinkle in his eye as he allowed his voice to sound a little more sing song as he said Ultimate Queen.

Twitching a little at the lilt he had added to her title she japed back "of course Knight of Jewels, should we take the scenic route."

Yeah being a devil didn't seem so bad. Laughing a little he followed her out the Banquet Hall.

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