Third person POV
It was the crack of dawn, and Akuma was wide awake. In fact, she was in the knights training facility. The sun was slowly rising, and the cool air from the open wall that led out to the outdoor training ground helped reduce the embers in her body. 

"Hah...!" Akuma fiercely swung her sword with remarkably swift swings that blurred. Her footwork was agile, and her eyes did not falter.

'I can't get weaker... I have to maintain and improve my strength...!'

Akuma was unable to sleep after retiring to her room. Her constant mind and heart that burned in anxiousness and fury made her feel incapable and powerless. She couldn't bear the thought that she could falter into a trap anytime soon.

"Lady Akuma." A voice emerged from the now opened doors.

Akuma turned her head and lowered her sword. She let out a heavy breath and regulated her breathing.

"I was informed that you were in the training grounds. I have the list of noble ladies for you. I figured you would have wanted it as soon as possible." The head butler walked over to Akuma as she sheathed her sword back and handed her the envelope.

"Thank you for delivering the list." Akuma wiped off the sweat on her forehead with a towel that rested around her shoulders and took the envelope from his hands.

"It was no problem, Lady Akuma." The head butler bowed.

'I don't think I can get used to being called Lady Akuma for a while...' Akuma sighed and opened the envelope to read which noble houses she acquainted with.

"I would advise you to return in an hour. Your maids will bathe and dress you for the meeting at noon." The butler informed.

"Hmm... Have them prepare a suit. I don't need a dress." Akuma read the envelope. "You included a small description of the houses. Good job."

"I am honored by your praise." He bowed his head yet again.

"Have you heard about the tea party I am planning?" She looked up from the papers.

"Yes, I received word about it."

"Excellent. Can I entrust you with choosing the decoration and snacks?" Akuma folded the papers back into the envelope.

"Yes, Lady Akuma. I will make sure to plan it according to what milady and the young ladies will like."

"Ah, don't worry about the tea for now. I plan on talking to someone else about it."

"Of course."

"I will retire back to my room. I will call for you sometime today."

The butler nodded his head and left with a bow. Akuma waited for a few minutes and let out a tired sigh. She glanced out towards the quickly rising sun and turned away for the door.
—————

"Lady Akuma! Your skin! Did you not sleep and instead trained the entire night?" The maids worriedly looked upon their admired lady.

"It's no worry. I only had three hours of training." Akuma waved it off and went behind a screen to undress. At this point, the maids respected her to undress herself despite it being their job to do so, and Akuma gave into the fact that she could not escape getting ready with the maids' help. 

"My Lady, a good night of sleep is essential for not only your beauty but your health!"

"Yes! We shall bring you bath salts immediately to ease your sore muscles!" A couple of maids left to find the said item.

'They're awfully nice to me when I showed them just a bit of kindness... I guess I don't hate it.' Akuma shrugged and walked out from behind the screen with a towel wrapped around her body.

When she slipped into the bath, she handed the towel to another maid. The maids kindly yet sadly looked upon Akuma'a scars and carefully washed her arms. The two maids returned and poured lavender bath salts into the water.

"... I never asked. What are your names?" Akuma turned her head to take a good look at each one of their faces.

"Pardon?" The maids blinked their wide eyes. After all, it's not necessary for Akuma to try to remember or ask for their names.

"Your names." Akuma repeated with a sigh, which made them all stop their actions.

"I am the eldest maid of this group, Marie. Along the lines of age is Eve, Bella, Bonnie, and Claire." The maids nodded their heads when their name was called.

"I'll try to keep that in mind." Akuma hummed and turned her head back. She closed her eyes and rested her head back onto the tub's rim.

The maids took this as a sign to continue doing what they were doing. They were filled with ecstatic smiles. They eagerly and determinedly served their lady even when she had no title to her name. They did not feel envy or bitterness. They felt grateful that their master was a kind lady despite her cold demeanor.

They exited the bathroom and let Akuma wrap herself in towels. Akuma walked out of the bathroom while tying her robe and awkwardly sat down at the vanity. She was still not accustomed to being ready by a group of people at her call.

They dried her hair and braided her hair into three different sections. They applied different skincare to lighten up her skin and glossed it over with light makeup. They fitted her into one of the suits Akuma would request to tailor for a woman's taste. The silky white blouse was simple but intricate. The cuffs of the sleeves had ruby buttons with gold rims. She fitted herself into red dress pants, and the maids tucked the ends into her black boots.

"Could you tie my hair up?" Akuma sat back down at the vanity.

The maids undid the braids and brushed out the luscious wavy hair. They tied her hair up with a red ribbon and made sure it wouldn't fall off.

"Your preparations are complete Lady Akuma." Marie said.

"Mm. Thanks." Akuma nodded her head. "You guys are excused."

The maids bowed their heads and left with giggles that urged to spill. They were overwhelmed by their Lady's coolness. Akuma had practically built up a fanbase among the servants and knights without her knowledge.

"I have a couple of hours before the meeting..." Akuma stood up and stared at her sword for a short while. Hesitating, she decided to take it for the meanwhile and strapped it onto her waist.
—————
*Knock knock*

"Come in." Shirayuki looked up from a document and towards the door.

"Hey, Shirayuki." Akuma greeted as she opened and closed the door behind her.

"Akuma! It's been a while!" Shirayuki smiled and walked over to the girl. "Are you looking for Ryu?"

"Yeah. I have some things to talk about with him." Akuma shrugged a shoulder and smiled unknowingly.

"He should be back shortly. He had a run to the main office. Would you like some tea in the meantime? Ryu, Obi, and I made this tea a week ago. It should help relieve you of soreness, headaches, and stress." Shirayuki explained and walked over towards her workspace.

"Oh? Sounds great. I'll take up that offer then." Akuma smile soften. "I expect the tea making from you and Ryu but not Obi."

"Haha, I suppose. But Obi spends a lot of his time here with us, so he learns a lot here and there." Shirayuki laughed and poured out tea for Akuma. She handed the girl a cup first and handed it to her.

"Thanks." Akuma accepted the tea and sniffed its fragrance. "It smells pleasant and fruity..." Akuma's eyes widened and she took a sip from the tea.

*Creak*

"Ryu." Shirayuki looked up and waved to. "We're drinking the tea made earlier. Want to join us?"

"Ah, sure." Ryu nodded his head and blink with wide and surprised eyes. He didn't expect to see Akuma. After all, they would have been getting ready to leave to town by now if their plans were hitched away.

"Hey, Ryu." Akuma awkwardly waved and laughed. "The tea you guys made is really great." She lifted the cup for him to see.

"How does it taste?" Ryu asked and sat down across from her, as Shirayuki poured him a cup.

"It's tart and sweet." Akuma took another sip. "A small bit spicy. It's really good! What's in it?" Akuma looked up at the two with an intrigued and excited face.

"Wild blueberries, hibiscus, rosehips, and sage." (Credit to Tea Forte's Blueberry Merlot Tea.) Ryu listed.

Shirayuki pulled out a jar of the dried mixed ingredients and showed it to Akuma. It was a beautiful mixture of blue petals, faded and ombre yellow hibiscus petals with pink ends. The dark blue blueberries and plum-like colors complemented the warm colors and blue petals.

"How pretty..." Akuma awed and looked at the clock.

"Do you have to go somewhere?" Shirayuki asked.

"*Sigh*. I have a meeting to attend to." Akuma's eye twitched and she crookedly grinned. She took the last sip of her tea and let out a refreshing sigh.

"You're welcomed to come here after your meeting. We can brew the tea again." Shirayuki offered with a kind and knowing smile that Akuma was exhausted.

"Thank you. I will make sure to do so, though I do not know when it will end." Akuma sighed and placed her elbow onto the table, resting her head onto her palm. "Ah, may I ask for a favor?"

"If it's something we can do." Shirayuki blinked her eyes and glanced over at Ryu who nodded his head.

"I have to host a tea party in a couple of days. Would you two like to instruct and handle the menu for the tea?" Akuma held up the cup and indulged in the tea's fragrance.

"Really? I heard that the guests from another country brought rare tea goods. Wouldn't you want to use those?"

"Hah, I don't really want to think about tea goods. Plus, this is a great brew. Original even."

"We can brew the tea. We will give instructions to the server on how to prepare and serve it." Ryu said.

"Yeah, don't worry about it." Shirayuki smiled.

"Fantastic!" Akuma grinned and placed the cup down.

"Ah, I should drop off this document." Shirayuki picked up a folder and exited the room with a smile.

"Ryu, how have you been?" Akuma looked over to Ryu and smiled.

"I'm doing alright. Just, surprised to see you." Ryu quickly blinked a few times.

"Yeah... I understand." Akuma looked down into the light-colored tea. "Sorry. Things got complicated and now isn't the best time to explain."

"... You're busy, so I understand." Ryu looked down.

"Ryu. Let's go out tomorrow. To the town." Akuma stood up and sat down next to Ryu. She reached out to grab his hand. " F-for sure this time." Akuma shyly blushed.

"...!" Ryu turned his head to face hers, quite surprised.

"I will sneak outside the castle if I need to."

"I don't think you should..." Ryu scratched his cheek.

"Oh but I will! Time is precious." Akuma cracked a laugh and laid her head onto the table. "I'll have to leave in a minute but trust me. Tomorrow at noon, we will go out."

"Mm. Tomorrow at noon in the garden." Ryu nodded his head.

"Perfect." Akuma lifted her head and stood up from the seat. "I'll try to come after for some more tea. Later now!" Akuma flicked his forehead as she walked past him.

"Ah!" Ryu placed his hands over his forehead and stared at her Akuma who giggled at his surprised reaction. "Bye..." Ryu blinked and let out a sigh of wonder.

"So strange..." Ryu whispered and took a sip of the tea. A smile poked out onto his lips as he took a sip. He wasn't sure why he felt this certain way, but he didn't want to throw it away.

'Be safe Akuma...' Ryu placed down the teacup and looked out the window into the clouded sun.

*Creak*

"Eh?" Ryu turned back to the door and his eyes widened.

"I came back. I wasn't satisfied with that parting." Akuma stomped over. "Hug." Akuma opened her arms.

"What?" Ryu blinked his eyes a few times, and his face flared up into a red shade.

"Hug." Akuma furrowed her brows.

Ryu unsurely and awkwardly wrapped his arms around her. Akuma let out a small laugh and securely wrapped her arms around his. She laid her head into the crook of his neck.

"Just give me a minute..." Akuma closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

Ryu was stiff and frozen in place. He didn't know how to react to this. Everything she does around him surprises him. He couldn't read her thoughts and perhaps could never. He knows that he troubles with emphasizing with people, and it worried him with this flaw. Still, this girl embraced him.

"Alright. Thank you. I'll seriously go on." Akuma pulled away and embarrassedly pushed her bangs back while trying to keep a cool front.

"Be careful..." Ryu said loud enough for her to hear.

"Thanks. I'll return with a smile!" Akuma grinned and left the room with light steps.

'She... She really is dazzling...'

5/23/2020