Mafumafu's P.O.V.

I heard mortified gasps from the three.

Kuroneko speaks up, "Your Majesty; are you sure you're comfortable talking about a sensitive topic?"

"Yes." I smile, "I know it hurts to dig up old scars, especially if it hurt you directly; but we were not the ones at fault, we won the war. Astral didn't take it so good, and it was cowardice of them to kill King Luz like that." I felt my voice quiver, "It shows that we are more disciplined than them. But we will be best if we, Cosmo, worked together with Astral."

Soraru slams the table and raises his voice, "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I think it's absolutely absurd to possibly become allies with a country that has dealt us great damage! After the bombing and the assassination of your father, you would like to become friends?"

"Calm down, Commander." I lock eyes with him, my eyes easy, "Think about it. If we don't make amends, more fathers will lose their lives."

He leaned back and contemplated, a stale silence lurked in the room.

"General [Last Name], your thoughts?"

She looks up at me with stern and understandable eyes, "If it's what you are comfortable with, my King, then we will work to make it happen. It's for the better."

"Are you serious, [First Name]? You agree?" Kuroneko questioned her, "The King has asked you personally about what you thought, you can say whatever you want!"

"It is what I want to say. I'd rather forgive than avenge. Even though it tears through my heart knowing that Astral should get punished, violence will create more violence. Innocent Astra and Cosmoan people will die if push any buttons. We were lucky that we won, even just by a fraction."

The General gave a confident answer, graceful in her delivery. Her self-control would've made her a great politician. But, I chose her to be in my cabinet, first. A wise choice as I say so myself.

I love conflict between two minds that think differently, that's why I chose the Lieutenant and the Commander. And the balance all lies in the General 's words.

"Do all of us agree?"

"Yes, sir."

I smile widely, "It's great to know we are on the same page, conference adjourned; we will follow up another day."

"Thank you sir."

Your P.O.V.

I walk down the stairs in front of the Capital Building. I've always wondered about how the King even stood talking about Astral without getting teary eyed. He was affected the most, yet he spoke with a smile wider than Cosmo itself.

"General."

My thoughts were interrupted by the Lieutenant's voice.

I look back to salute her, I smile, "Lieutenant Kuroneko. Good Afternoon."

She salutes back and returns my greeting. We walk on, "You and the King think very much alike."

I cock my eyebrow at her, "It was just a mere agreement."

"The other times were 'mere agreements' too. Consider this, about seventeen times out of over thirty conferences we all had together, the both of you seemingly had read each other's minds. How do you do it?"

I scoff. "The human brain works in its intricate ways. I don't even understand either. Maybe... brainwaves."

We laugh. "Acceptable answer." She then stops me, "Hey would you like to go on a girl's-out tonight?"

"I'm down; seems better than a night at home alone."

She pats my shoulder and parts from me, pointing my direction, "Perfect, 19:00 at the Izakaya over at Bel Street."

Mafumafu's P.O.V.

The eerily quiet atmosphere as I lay in my bedchambers rung in my ears. I stare up at the ceiling; a single Japanese lantern hung illuminating the room. It's very lonely. I crave the company of another warm body. I so heavily want such a thing.

My father, King Luz, didn't have to die. He was a great ruler, a superb man. I can't compare to him. His standards are way up high upon my capabilities. I believe I am still too young to take on this role; yet here I am. I miss my father deeply, and I wish I could've done something, anything, to prevent him from dying. I still need a helping hand.

What if I cannot rule Cosmo just like my father did? What if I fail? I will go down in history as Cosmo's worst King.

I turn on my side and press a pillow over my face. I feel overwhelmed once again.

And silently, I started to weep.

Your P.O.V.    

Later, we met up at the Izakaya. We greeted each other and took our seats- any seat we could find, luckily a table for two was available in the sea of other customers. We later ordered.

"Lieutenant Ku-"

"We are off duty. And remember, as close acquaintances, you can just address me casually."

"Yes I remember," I admit, "anyway, Kuroneko, I was wondering about how the king was able to speak without shedding a tear about his father."

"Trust me, I was fairly surprised, too," she explains while she opens up a menu. "Psychology states that if someone experiences loss, they seem to withdraw from others and keep silent about the whole incident. The King probably got over the tragedy already. The last stage of grief is acceptance."

"I feel like there's something off though." I sigh resting my arms on the table.

Kuroneko puts her hand on mine, "Leave it," she says softly. "Don't worry about the King. He is bold and can handle himself."

I look at her, wanting to trust what she said. I can't help but stay worried. If something happens to Mafumafu... I don't know what I'll do. I look down and rub my arms, it felt chilly all of a sudden. I feel something in my chest just thinking about him. Is it love?

"Hey [First Name]," the Lieutenant's voice slices through my thoughts. "Those eyes... do you feel anything special for the King?"

Maybe love.