Bare This Curse

Chapter 11: Control and Combine

"4000... ... ... 4000..."

I silently muttered to myself that number as I lagged behind the small group of Asia, Issei, Kiba, and Ophis. I had let Anba and Valerie leave a long time ago, letting them do their own things and fulfill their dreams while they had the time. You may be wondering why I was muttering this number. Well, it's simple. This was my 4000th life in this world. I was breaking, and Ophis knew this. Each life I was getting more and more emotionally exhausted. Of course, I never stopped caring for my friends. Asia, Issei, Ophis, Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, Anba, Valerie; They were all still holding a place in my heart. Rias' light, however, was dimming, and each life, I'm becoming less and less enthusiastic about saving her from Riser. Yet, each time, I always felt like I had to. Was it because of Riser's annoying personality...? Or was it simply just to relieve stress and pain...? I pondered over this as we walked into the ORC. Issei opened the door and we all walked in. Issei was surprised to see a certain maid there. 

"Miss Grayfia."
An irritated looking Rias stood up from her desk as I walked to the couch, sitting down without a second thought. Koneko looked to me, seeing that I was distant from the situation and of reality. She tilted her head, then scooted over, picking up one of her sweets and feeding me it herself. I accepted the gift, then watched her from the side as she ate another, then picked one up and fed it to me.

'Kinda generous this time around.'

"Everyone's here. Good."
"My lady, if you don't mind, I'd like your permission to speak openly."
Rias held up a hand to her.

"Let's hear her out."
Right when she said that, the Phenex Circle appeared and Riser emerged from it.

"Ah, and Riser has arrived to the Human Realm."
He turned around, facing Rias.
"I've come all this way to see you, my beloved Rias."
Issei narrowed his eyes as I accepted another sweet by Koneko.
"OK, who's this d***?"
Grayfia motioned to him.

"This gentleman is Lord Riser Phenex. He is a pureblooded Devil of noble birth. He is third heir in line to the House of Phenex."
"And that means, what?"
"He is also fiance to the next head of the House of Gremory."
"Fiance to WHAT? You can't be serious!"
"I am. Lady Rias has been engaged to Lord Riser for quite some time now."
"They're getting MARRIED?!?!"
I watched them as the peerage went behind the couch I was sitting at. Koneko remained, however, and instead of getting up, she scooted into my lap. Since we were relatively the same height, she only sat on one leg, facing the other as she kept feeding me her sweets and taking one for herself too. Akeno went to the kitchen, fetching some tea for them. Rias and Riser sat down at the opposite couch as Akeno was preparing it. Riser looked to Koneko and I.

"Don't you two peasants know your place?"
Koneko looked to him, then to me. I gave no response and she reluctantly hopped off, going back with the others. Riser kept staring at me.

"Well?"
"... What?"
"Get back with the rest of them, servant."
I rose an eyebrow, then pinched the bridge of my nose as I groaned.

"F*** it."
I stood up and went into the kitchen as Akeno walked out. She watched after me before going to Riser and Rias. I opened the fridge and found the alcohol shelf. I skimmed through and found a 3/4 bottle of Fireball. I grabbed it and walked back out, twisting the cap off and sitting back on the couch, taking a swig of it. It was now Grayfia's turn to eye me.

"Lady Rias? Should he be drinking that?"
The red head glanced at me with a worried expression.
"I... I don't know. Is there something wrong, Neito?"
I took another swig.

"His voice... His attitude... Just looking at this blonde a**hole fried chicken motherf***er makes me want to drink, and I don't give a sh** if I'm underaged."
"What did you just say, peasant?!"
"What the f*** is it with this guy? I'm not a peasant, a**hat."