Third person POV
"Greetings Lady Akuma. You look as radiate as the elegant moon tonight." Trevor grinned and bowed with politeness and poise.

'What a joke.' Akuma internally scoffed and ever so wanted to throw the man in front of him into a pit of flames.

"I do apologize from the bottom of my heart for my rude action at the garden tea party. I let my excitement of the rumored star of the castle get to the best of me." Trevor's bow deepened with his hand crossed and onto his heart.

"Lord Trevor, raise your fallen head. You make it look as if there was a great fault between us." Akuma's brows innocently creased downwards to pair with her eyes that wavered and looked away. She directly spatted out the fact that his bow was graciously overbearing and that she disliked it.

Whispers of curiosity surrounded them as some nobles tried to sneakily get closer to the esteemed individuals. Akuma hid her grin behind her hand as if she was distraught by the recent event.

"... Forgive me for making the lady uncomfortable." Trevor's smile dropped but regain its composure.

"I accept your apology." Akuma folded her hands and smiled with fluttering eyelashes. Her graceful and coy beauty captivated the people in the room.

"Lady Akuma, if you could spare some of your time at a later notice tonight, may I call for you to discuss some matters? I had recommended you to the enoys of Reinsfor." Izana said loud enough for only for her, Obi, and Trevor to hear with his polite, princely smile.

"Oh but of course! I would not dare to reject the invitation of his highness, the crown prince!" Akuma laughed, humoring him.

"I shall send a servant to you when the time comes then." Izana nodded his head.

"I shall wait until then, your highness." Akuma smiled with closed eyes.

After receiving Izana's permission of dismissal, Akuma walked off with Obi behind her. She scanned the party hall with still eyes behind her spread out fan.

'I swear... If Izana hadn't said it was for a meeting with envoys, the guests would have created vulgar rumors of seeing him to his chambers.' Akuma's face went stiff and she felt the need to gag.

'For heavens sake! I'm not even at the age of a lady at her debutante! And the party has only just begun...' Akuma let out a sigh behind the spread out fan.

"Obi, leave me be. I'll be going out to the terrace." Akuma placed the fan closer to her mouth. "I wouldn't want to create any rumors if you came with me too."

Obi understood her words immediately and left with a bow. He made sure to stand where the terrace was still in sight while being able to find Zen.

Akuma exited the large party hall and out into the terrace. The daylight had quickly been vanished with the last bit of the sunrise dropping down into the Earth's surface. The cool air brushed against her exposed skin as she made way to the railings.

'Anytime and he should be here...' Akuma rested her gloved hands onto the railings.

"Ah, Lady Akuma. To think you would be out here this early into the party."

Akuma didn't bother turning head towards the voice behind her. Instead, she let out a mischievous grin for a quick second before erasing her expression.

"Likewise Lord Trevor. Are you not enjoying the early hour of the party?" Akuma's cold gaze turned to his unreadable expression that was now next to her.

"Oh but I will!" He gave a hearty laugh. "I will be spending the early hours with a very lovely lady." He reached his hand out to touch Akuma's silky hair.

"How rude." Akuma slapped his hand away from touching her. "You will ruin my hair." She lied to create an excuse.

"You sure play hard to get." Trevor looked down at his hand and then to her eyes.

"Is that how you see it? What narrow thinking." Akuma straightened her back and turned to face him with raised brows.

"Whatever makes you so infatuated to chat with me rather than a noble lady with a title in the hall?" Akuma asked, trying to slowly drag a confession of his motive.

"They're simply no fun." Trevor laughed.

"Oh but that can't be all! A noble lady's arrogance can be as great as mine too!" Akuma feigned ignorance and placed a hand over her chest.

"... If I share my thoughts, will you grant me a favor?" Trevor smirked with an arched brow. His green orbs sparkled with subtle, mischievous intent.

"And what would that wish be? This all sounds too much like a trap with the short end of the stick for me." Akuma laughed in mockery and disbelief.

"That wish would be a single dance with me. And with that I will grant you one question with an honest and complete answer."

'A dance? Although that is a simple request, I do not wish to dance with some prick aside from Ryu.' Akuma furrowed her brows in displeasure and let out a frown.

"You certainly do not hold back your expressions. Is this exchange not fair?"

'Ugh... I have no choice. Izana will pester me many more ways if I don't take this chance.'  Akuma scoffed and folded her arms.

"If you try anything, I will make sure to end tonight's party with a humiliating end. After all, I can't trust you nor should I." Akuma let out a single laugh.

"As the lady wishes. Shall we?" Trevor held out his hand.

"Don't bother. The deal is for a dance and no more contact than that." Akuma glared and walked ahead.

'One question...' Akuma mentally let out a deep sigh and her heart uneasily trembled. This made her flinch and feel uncomfortable. A small cold sweat formed at the nape of neck.

The music played an elegant melody and signaled for a new song just as the two entered the dance circle.

Akuma maintained a neutral expression when he asked for her hand in a formal manner. She silently and begrudgingly took his hand and let him take the lead.

"You're not that bad of a dancer my lady—"

Akuma perfectly went on cue with his line and stepped onto his foot when they took a twirl to the right.

"Oh! Please do forgive me! I hardly had the chance to practice the waltz!" Akuma faked a gasp, and she quickly covered her mouth.

"Haha, don't worry. It didn't hurt one bit. You're as light as a feather." He reassured and charmingly smiled, wooing the ladies who were watching.

"Hah! Such words! This dress could weigh as much as me!" Akuma scoffed and raised a brow. She felt proud that she shot down his useless flattery.

"To think that she has the talent of acting." Obi sweat dropped with a laugh of amusement.

"She can become an actress if she wanted to. Though her role would more-so be one that acts freely like herself." Zen commented and lightly laughed. He took a glass of champagne from the serving maids and took a sip.

The song had ended and Akuma took this as her chance to woo everyone in the venue hall with her graceful bow at the ending scene.

"I'll ask my question after the meeting since I presume you ought to be there." Akuma smiled and placed her hand over her face, her fingers lacing her jawline.

"That's right. Though it is a shame you are not willing to spend more of your time with me." Trevor laughed and folded his hand behind his back.

"My time is precious. Farewell." Akuma brightly smiled at the fact that she could get away from the uncomfortable man.

"What an intriguing woman..." Trevor grinned and watched as Akuma retreated.

'Thank goodness he wasn't as pushy as I thought he would be. I'm sure I saw Obi and Zen while I was dancing...' Akuma scanned the room.

"Lady Akuma!" A few noble ladies, perhaps a couple and few years older than her, rushed and surrounded her. They blocked her view in search of her fellow friends, and that annoyed her. Still, she hid her annoyance with her still face.

"You danced spectacularly!"

"You are the most extravagant lady here at this party!"

"Such beautiful dress suits you!"

'These ladies might be from a lower noble house than the ladies at the tea party. There's no way they would stoop down to praise me, an unknown girl, for favor instead of indirectly insulting me.'

"Thank you. You flatter me too much." Akuma cooly smiled and shook her head.

"Say, do tell us what it is like dancing with his excellency!"

"I hear he is the most ambitious and talented nobleman in Reinsfor! The crown of that kingdom is ought to be handed down to him!"

"Yes yes! In fact, he is one of the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on!"

"Ahaha, is that so? He is a very esteemed and accomplished man." Akuma smiled through gritted teeth.

"Oh my! Lady Akuma! Have you not heard much about this outstanding man?"

"I'm afraid I haven't heard quite much about his deeds." Akuma acted out her disappointment.

"Oh! Let us tell you all about it!"

"Really? That would be splendid!" Akuma gasped and happily took the lady's hands.

'F*ckkkkk, kill me now!' Akuma groaned on the inside.

The noble ladies dragged Akuma into a lounge room to gossip. A maid plated desserts onto the table and left. The ladies excitedly clapped their hands and talked away.

"Lord Trevor is the son of the sole duke household in Reinsfor! He is expected to take the throne with his amazing achievements after the poor death of the crown prince!"

"The second son? Oh my, I did not expect such detail." Akuma faked a surprise gasp to entertain the ladies. "What ever happened to the crown prince?"

"He was ambushed and was gravely wounded! He was found on the brink on death! It was almost unnatural even!"

"It's frightening! The crown prince became disabled and his legs became paralyzed! He died shortly after being poisoned."

"How tragic..." Akuma frowned.

"We unfortunately do not know much more of the details. Regardless, Lord Trevor will ascend to the throne instead of his elder brother."

"Pardon? He is the second son?"

"Yes! The eldest son is incomparable to Lord Trevor but is greatly connected with many esteemed people! He is expected to inherit the duke household!"

"But there is that rumor of that the duke has an illegitimate son he cherishes too!"

"That's right! That rumored bastard son, Clevan, is quite the accomplished one, but there is no statement if he has the blood of the duke!"

"Oh! News have said that the imperial palace and the King announced that they would declare Lord Trevor as the Crown Prince next month!"

"There was a rumor that he was suppose to undergo bride candidate selection during this month and the next but turned it down!"

"My word! Why would he do so?" Akuma raised a brow.

"Who knows! Some say that he wants to expand Reinsfor's military forces with an international marriage instead! Others claim that he wants to rule the kingdom himself until he could not longer avoid marriage."

"Heavens! Those rumors are quite something! All the more curious it makes one feel!" Akuma folded her hands into her lap.

'I'm not getting much information. I already know almost all of what they're saying.' Akuma wanted to walk out of the room but couldn't do so. There was no opening to leave the room as they kept chatting and chatting.

"It is quite interesting that Lord Trevor created ties with Clarines! My uncle said that Lord Trevor instigated a great deal with Clarines himself!"

"As expected of the future king of Reinsfor!"

"Lady Akuma, Lord Trevor shows a great interest in you tonight and at the tea party."

"Hm?" Akuma looked up towards the noble lady with a bright yellow dress. "I suppose that is true. Though it pains me to not know why." Akuma sighed with a young girl's expression of having a troubled love life.

"Perhaps he wishes for your hand in marriage!" 

"Heavens no! That could not be possible haha! Why would he do so?"

"You are favored by the royal family of Clarines are you not? You are like the hidden princess of Clarines!"

"Is that how people view me?" Akuma raised a brow with a troubled expression.

"Of course! Your name is quite well known in high society."

"If you end up being proposed by Lord Trevor, I'm sure that will not only create an alliance with Clarines but the conquer of the fallen northern kingdom!" The lady in the yellow dress let out a giggle. The others followed her lead, jealous and ecstatic at the thought of marrying such fine man.

"P-pardon? Conquer?" Akuma tilt her head and her folded hands tighter.

"Why of course! The mighty kingdom of the North! Hyoushou!"

5/10/2020
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! It was a bit lengthy to get the mini backstory of the emerging, new character!
Stay healthy everyone!