Third person POV
Akuma was the last person to arrive at the meeting, but she certainly was not late. She made it right on time, which saved her from chatting with Trevor.

She briefly greeted a couple of figures such as Izana and Zen and took the same seat she had as last night. She had a confident gaze as she analyzed the men's faces. She was fully aware that the majority of then disapproved of her being here, and they judged her for wearing dress pants when she was not even a knight.

"Continuing with topics we have not been able to breach yet, I would first like to discuss the peace treaty as we have much more time allotted." Izana brought up.

"I agree. That is the most crucial subject we need to discuss in order to establish the previous topics from last night." Lord Haruka supported.

The group discussed and negotiated for a few hours solely on the peace treaty, yet they were not nearly done with the agreement. They were halfway into its subject.

'At this rate, we won't finish until midnight.' Akuma let out a troubled expression and sighed.

"Do you have anything to say?" An envoy hardened his glare at Akuma.

"Yes, I do. Pardon me for speaking out but both sides are trying to defend oneself. It's a nuisance." Akuma glared at the whole entire group at the table.

"You're right. We have used a lot of precious time already." Trevor sighed and smiled shortly after. "Do you have more to say?"

"First of all, is this really a peace treaty? I don't recall recent war between Clarines and Reinsfor." Akuma raised a brow and looked at both Izana and Trevor.

"I'm glad you caught that." Izana closed his eyes and nodded his head.

"If this is to end hostilities and is not a peace treaty nor is a truce, the clause cannot be temporary. I oppose number 4 on the list. It's unstable." Akuma waved her hand and shook her head to show her great disapproval.

"... I agree. It is fantastic to have, but it won't last." An envoy bitterly sighed.

"There are rebellion groups that attack country villages. It would be of best interest to contain them." Zen brought up, his tone quite daunting.

"This 'treaty' will be ceased when a force attacks the other." Akuma gave a knowing look that threatened them to not even begin thinking about pulling a joke and to reinforce their patrol. "After all, this shouldn't be temporary, but it is breakable."

"We will rewrite the draft then." The envoy nodded his head and wrote down onto the piece of paper.

It was only until three hours more before they were able to finish a rough draft. They were going to establish and discuss the rough draft at a press conference with more noblemen and officials.

'It's almost nine o'clock...' Akuma glanced over to the clock and then back to the papers in front of her.

"We present gifts to express our interest and determination to remove the titles as old enemies of history and nations of hostility." Trevor stood up and had a few envoys present the large and luxurious boxes.

The boxes contained rare jewels, delicately created artistic pieces full of symbolic meaning, a few beautifully crafted swords, and high-quality fur that would not be found in Clarines.

"We are grateful for your gracious gifts. Clarines presents its share of good intent." Izana said and stood up. He had a few servants open the boxes.

The boxes revealed yet again more jewels, intricate art pieces, high-quality silk, and A-grade crafting metal.

'These are the gifts? Why the hell was Izana holding off this information?' Akuma looked through the goods with careful eyes, but to no avail, she couldn't find anything out of place.

The meeting ended an hour later the gifts. It was concluded that they would discuss at a larger stage to further indulge in the process in the right steps. Still, being able to experience the politics and the judgmental eyes of people she could not defy alone made her feel infuriated. It enriched her soul to feel an amber light inside her.

"I will excuse myself." Akuma said her farewells to Izana and Zen before exiting the room. She walked far down the hall, a sigh escaping her lips.

"A sigh doesn't suit a lovely lady." A voice behind her chuckled.

"And it isn't gentlemanly to follow a lady all the way down here without a word." Akuma scoffed and crossed her arms as she turned around.

"I do apologize." He laughed with a smile. "You do look charming like this too. Not many women would choose to wear pants."

"Not many have as many loose screws as you. I'm a bit busy right now." Akuma shot down.

"Planning a tea party?" Trevor cunningly smiled.

"How did you..." Akuma sneered at him suspiciously.

"I heard a couple of noble ladies at the party chat about it yesterday after the meeting."

"That doesn't concern you. You're not invited."

"Hah, it was worth the shot." Trevor sighed with a smile. "I'll also answer whatever question you have."

"I'll save my question. You won't be leaving for the next three days."

"And you were so furious yesterday too." Trevor grinned and looked down onto her hip.

"How fascinating..." His smile deepened. "You even know how to wield a sword."

"Oh. How surprising." Akuma sarcastically said. "I'll be taking my leave." Akuma swiftly turned away and began walking.

*Swoosh*

"...!" Akuma's eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise.

Akuma whipped her body around and threw her left hand towards the back of her head. Her hair collided against her hand and fell down over her shoulders and down her back.

"Such a pretty ribbon. Red like rubies and delicate like your fiery eyes." Trevor caressed the ribbon with his thumb.

"You creep! Give it back!" Akuma growled and naturally placed her hand onto the hilt of her sword.

"Now, now, you shouldn't draw your sword. I'm sure you've heard about my position." Trevor ghostly smiled and folded the ribbon into his pocket.

"You're disgusting...!" Akuma glared at him with an awfully dark atmosphere around her.

"I'll return it to you on a later date. I will take my leave now." Trevor bowed his head and confidently walked back the opposite way as he retreated with his victory.

"Hah..." Akuma let out an unstable breath. Her hand on the hilt trembled. A ringing sound echoed in her head as if her skull was hollow. She was frozen in pure agony at her frustration.

"Akuma." Izana's voice approached her.

"... What?" Akuma's hand tightened around the hilt; her tone still as dangerous as her aura.

"Do you really wish to hold such a violent manner out here in the open?" Izana furrowed his brows and gazed upon her with watchful eyes.

"I am not in the mood for such a stupid question." Akuma's red eyes darted up towards Izana's unwavering eyes.

"You did well during the meeting. I heard from Zen about your party. I will have Zen talk to the head butler about the details while you cool that head of yours." Izana said before turning away.

"Hah...!" Akuma groaned placed her palm over her eyes. "Like hell I did well..."

'I'm burning up too much and too quickly... I can't do anything like this. I need to hurry and get stronger...' Akuma bit down onto her lip, unknowingly drawing blood from it.
—————

*Creak*

Ryu looked up, quite expectant to see Akuma. To his expectations, she did not come through that door.

"Not happy to see me?" Garak laughed as she opened the door wide enough for Shirayuki, and Yatsufusa.

"No..." Ryu awkwardly sweatdropped and placed down the pen in his hands.

"I received news earlier this morning of a task for us to determine the state of our rare herbs in order for the officials to determine a tax reduction percentage." Garak waved a folder in her hand.

"Does this concern with the guests from another country?" Shirayuki asked.

"Yeah. Reinsfor, pretty hefty country." Garak sighed and placed a hand onto her hip.

"Garak and I sent a letter to a couple of other facilities maintained under the palace's order." Yatsufusa said.

"We are waiting for their responses, but we shouldn't take this assignment lightly." Garak placed down the folder onto the table. "This copy of the information is for you two."

"These documents are very detailed. I assume this is a much more time sensitive task?" Shirayuki looked through a couple of papers.

"Yeah, it is. Reinsfor stated that they want to expand their knowledge and strength in versed subjects." Garak crossed her arms.

Ryu hid his worried filled expression and also picked up a paper from the folder.

"Ryu, you mentioned a day off beforehand for tomorrow. I'll let it slide if you buy us more ink for our pens on your way back." Garak winked and turned for the door.

"I-I will..." Ryu flinched and looked up from the paper.

The Next Day

Akuma walked through the column pillared walls and into the small garden. She looked around and found it to be empty of any person.

"Hah..." Akuma brushed through her bangs and held her hand on top of her head. She walked over to a spot of shade and decided to relax as she waited for Ryu.

'Finally... A day without political bulls**t...' Akuma closed her eyes and aimed her head up towards the sky.

"... Ah.... Akuma?" Ryu held a surprised and unsure face. He turned his head as he entered the garden and walked over to the girl. He tilted his head and analyzed the girl's appearance.

"Surprise~..." Akuma cooed with a chuckle. "It's my disguise!" Akuma brushed out a strand of black hair and picked at the ends. She shook her hand and played with the wig.

"That surprised me. I thought someone else was here." Ryu's shoulders relaxed.

"As if." Akuma blurted out and stood up. She dusted off her slim, black trousers.

"What about your eye color?" Ryu worriedly asked.

"I can't really do much about that. It irritated my eyes." Akuma clicked her tongue. "But I have a hood so I should be fine."

"Mm, that should do." Ryu's mouth formed a solid line, but his eyes were relieved. It assured him that their time together wouldn't be hitched with an obstacle.

"Well, we can't twiddle time! Let's go!" Akuma grinned and grabbed Ryu's hand.

"Oh?!" Ryu's eyes widened in surprise at the suddenness.

Akuma hurriedly speed-walked through the halls. She sneakily navigated the way to avoid the guards, who would question her hurried state and identification. After all, she is in disguise as an unfamiliar person, and she didn't want to waste time in questioning or revealment.

Akuma very quickly brought them to the gates. She let go of Ryu's hand and laughed as she let him catch his breath.

"Shiira, Kai. Open the gates." Akuma walked up to the gate with Ryu following behind.

"Excuse me, but please identify yourself." Kai glanced over Akuma's shoulder and took notice of Ryu.

"Ryu, who is accompanying you?" Shiira questioned.

"Hey. You idiots. Look into my eyes and ask me that again." Akuma's eye twitched and proceeded to glare at the two.

"A-Akuma!" They flinched and gasped in surprise.

"Y-your hair?" Kai raised a brow.

"We didn't recognize you..." Shiira paled, hurt at the fact that this punched his pride in his work.

"Oh wow. New hairdo changes everything." Akuma rolled her eyes.

"We will open the gates..." The two sweatdropped and opened the gates for their acquaintance, who would occasionally chat with each other.

"Seriously..." Akuma clicked her tongue and walked through the gates with Ryu.

'Red to pink to white and to black... I should be the most surprised...' Ryu sweatdropped.

A/N

Finally. Done. With. School. XD

6/8/2020