The Knight of Ruin(DxD)

One of the best uses of Demonic Energy in his opinion was that they could change their appearances on whims. His Mother, Venelana actively made herself look to be in her early 20s. His Uncle Lord Bael kept his appearance to be in his middle ages. 

His grandfather for some reason made himself look old, while the only thing he used it for was to remove his child-like features which made him look more mature than his actual age. 

He was not tall but certainly tall for his age as he was 5'5. Since today was his 11th birthday, he was certainly a tall kid.

'Here is to hoping we have a normal day.' 

Romonus walked out of his room which he locked with a key. He hated people going anyone in his room which was why it was usually locked. The new maid didn't know this fact, but she had found him in a good mood. 

Regardless he placed his hands at his side and began to walk toward the Ball Room where everything was going to take place. As he walked through the halls of the manor, he sometimes passed servants, maids, butlers, and the like who would bow to him. They also gave him the room he desired. 

He was not known for his friendly demeanor, but he was respectful to them when they did speak to him. This was a subject of disagreement between Zeoticus and Venelana. Zeoticus felt it was a great mentality for a future lord while Venelana didn't think being closed off like him was healthy. 

Rias on the other hand was a subject of scrutiny because of him. He showed off his talent quite openly and several marriage proposals were sent his way because of his power. Even his uncle, Lord Bael, and grandfather Demaenetus Bael placed their backing with him. 

For one he took after their Clan almost exclusively without a hint of Gremory crimson in his hair. His proud temperament was written off as the Bael blood running strong in his veins. As for Rias, she seldom if ever trained like him. 

That was the scrutiny as he had never slacked off which led to his power exceeding what a Devil his age would have. Meanwhile, Rias was childish so she was treated like most females. A bargaining chip while he was seen as an extraordinary heir. Two Twins who were as different as the sea and sky. 

Romonus eventually made his way into the massive ballroom which was being used for the birthday celebration. His parents had gone all out as he and Rias were entering their teenage years. They had invited as many of the pillars who were all going to be coming. 

This was also going to be used to assess Rias and his worth as a marriage candidate. He of course would crush any attempt to force him to marry, but Rias was another story. He of course planned to help as she was his sister, and he wanted her when she got older. 

For four reasons, 1st of all it would fuck with Riser, 2nd it would fuck with Issei, third, it would fuck up canon. 4th, she was going to be a hottie and while she may be his sister, she wasn't his sibling in his mind. 

When he entered the ballroom all eyes went to him as they were still getting ready. Today was the birthday and they were finishing things for when the guests arrived. Venelana was organizing a few final details, but when she saw the way he was dressed she got happy. 

"Romonus, look at you, my handsome boy." 

She walked over to him and hugged him causing his face to be pressed into her cleavage. 

'Still great.' 

"Well this is a ball so I felt I should dress to impress. Still, is it too fancy?" 

She shook her head as she let him go. 

"No, it's perfect. It will stand out among the traditional clothes of Devil Nobility. Zeoticus, what do you think?" 

Zeoticus looked his son over before he walked over. He smiled proudly as he placed a hand on Romonus' shoulder. 

"You're growing into an incredible young man, son."

Romonus smiled as he truly loved his parents. 

"Thank you. Here is to another birthday." 

Zeoticus smiled with a curious smile. 

"Yes. We have a surprise for you later my son, but you will have to wait." 

Romonus was now curious, but he did not ask. 

"Alright." 

Zeoticus at moments like this thought back to when the Knight, Mage, and Rook of Sirzechs agreed to train Romonus. he was overjoyed. 

It had honed Romonus into a powerful young man, but it came at a cost. He had become cold, and distant, with a pride that burned hot. His maids had more than once come to him saying they were terrified of Romonus. 

Though he was a respectful young man when it came to his family. 

"Enjoy yourself, son."

Romonus bowed once before he turned around and walked off. He seldom spoke at these events not because he was shy, but because most Nobles had terrible personalities. He hated those slimy pricks so he disliked events like this like the plague.

If he had his way, his birthday would be spent with a big family-only feast. But when one was a Noble that luxury was lost on them. Instead, he sat down at a random table where he closed his eyes to pass the time. 

Despite being seated and seemingly doing nothing he was in reality training. He was circulating his massive Demonic Energy reserve through his entire body. Including his muscles, bones, circulatory system, and nervous system. 

Just by doing this, his body improved much faster and he at least hoped his bloodline became purer. He did not know if this was true as while he was starting to focus on human science, it wasn't exactly easy to learn of an artificial race like Devils. 

While he distracted himself, Rias was currently in her room bubbling away as several maids got her ready for her party.

"I can't wait." 

One of the maids smiled as she worked on Rias' dress. 

"You will look breathtaking my lady. If only your brother would let us near him to dress him up. He always dresses himself." 

Rias stopped smiling when she heard that. She was always being compared to her two brothers, Sirzechs and Romonus. It wasn't always good things said as on their 10th birthday her grandfather, Demaenetus told her she was embarrassing the Bael clan with her open weakness. 

She had just been having a good time when he had told her that ruining the night. When she told her Moter later that night, Venelana had been angry but had not said anything to her Father. 

Instead, Rias had been told that Demaenetus was stuck in his ways and to ignore what he said. Rias' parents had worked hard to let her have a normal childhood. As normal as it could be as a Noble Lady of the Gremory Clan. 

Only now that she was 11 was she beginning to understand what it meant to be a Noble. Already, she was getting swarmed with marriage proposals. She had wanted nothing to do with them as she had wanted to end up falling in love and marrying who she chose. 

Her brother Romonus told her that she was delusional if she thought that she had that right. It was a privilege that she would have to earn and she could have if she trained with him. She had joined him on one of his training sessions on a much easier schedule and quit. 

She couldn't handle Souji, Surtr, and Mathers all pushing her the way they did. Being spoiled all her life she could barely endure their heartless training. Even worse was when she saw Romonus training which disheartened her. She could never catch up to him or her older brother Sirzechs. 

The day Romonus entered the Ultimate Class the whole family celebrated. Even her brother Sirzechs said that Romonus was on his way to surpass him. Without realizing that it put more pressure on Rias who started to feel inadequate. 

She had pulled away instead of doing what she needed, she ran away into dilusion.

'Am I an emberrasment?' 

"Ok, your dress is ready." 

Her maid smiled as she looked Rias over. 

"You will make a lovely bride one day, my lady." 

Hearing those words filled her with a sense of dread. 

"Bride? What do you mean?" 

The maid tilted her head confused. 

"You don't know? Today, your Father will decide your groom to be. That is why all of the Lords of the Pillars will be in attendance. Today, it shall be known who you will marry. Isn't that wonderful?" 

Rias' face pulled back in horror, but the maid just walked to the door to open it. 

"Come along. Your Family must be waiting."

Rias did not talk as she was led to the ballroom. Her mind was still stuck on the news she had heard that she would be assigned a groom. She couldn't help but think back to her brother Romonus' words. 

'Marriage for Nobles are all arranged and if you don't want the same you better be strong enough to enforce your will. He is right.' 

When she entered the ballroom, she saw her Mother and Father smiling in her direction. She also saw Romonus sitting at a table with his eyes closed. He opened them as soon as Rias entered the room. He stood up and walked toward her. 

"Leave. I need to speak to my sister." 

The maids bowed at his words. 

"Of course, sir." 

The maids gave them distance and went to help with the final setups. Once they were alone Romonus crossed his arms as he could see it in her face she knew. 

"The maids let it slip didn't they?" 

Rias gripped her dress as she looked at the ground. 

"You knew?" 

He nodded. 

"It was going to happen. I tried to warn you many times and I even tried to get you to get stronger to avoid this. You are lucky you won't be married until you turn 18 giving you 7 years. You have 7 years left from the start of your engagement to grow as strong as possible to get out of it." 

Rias looked up with hope in her eyes. 

"I get 7 years?" 

"Thanks to me and our brother. If it were up to the Nobles you would be married off in 4. Would you rather be married then? Because I can tell them to move it up." 

She shook her head with happiness in her eyes. 

"Brother, I won't slack off anymore, I won't cry. I will do anything you tell me. Help me get stronger." 

Romonus was not so sure about that. 

"Are you sure you are not going to quit? The last time I managed to get you to train, you were crying after 30 minutes, and by the hour you were done. And then again, your marriage is your fault after all." 

He looked up with crossed arms as he feigned being uninterested. 

Rias ran forward and grabbed his suit. She looked up at him with her blue eyes teary. 

"I promise I won't quit. I will do anything." 

He looked down at her and smiled before placing a hand on her head. 

"Alright. Because I will be damned if I have to watch you be married off like that. You have too much talent to be allowed to just be married to some random noble cunt like that." 

Rias finally started to see the truth in what her brother had been telling her. She had just been too blind to notice. Romonus did not realize that this simple change in mentality in Rias had sent Fate into a mad spiral because she was the main heroin of the 'chosen one' of the world. 

Such a simple thing already caused the Fate of the world to change in such a way, Rhavdall was already starting to feed on the chaos. Romonus' boss was quite pleased as things were starting to pick up pase. 

Issei's destined one was already leaving him and the changes that would occure as a result would be all encopassing. And Romonus was all for it.