Akuma's POV
It's been another two days ever since the "incident" at the abandoned house. Meaning that it's been almost a week ever since the war. That bloody and grim war.

It's weird... Who knew that the atmosphere around these strange people would seem as if war never happened... How eccentric...

The one thing I hate right now is that I'm stuck. Stuck in a carriage while the guards and even Prince Zen get to be outside, riding their stallions like adventurous children they are! How unfair-

"Hm?" I hummed questioning, noticing the shaking figure next to my far left.

Prince Raji.

In my opinion, this prince is a scrawny and weak, but I have to admit sadly enough that he has some balls going up against Hyoushou. After all, from what I know, Tanbarun didn't need to be involved with that war.

"Hey, Raji!" I called out.

"Y-yes, Princess Akuma?!" He breathed out, staring into my red eyes.

"Just call me Akuma." I sighed, looking in front of me to see both Ryu and Shirayuki sleeping.

"Of course, Pri-Akuma!" Raji shouted, nervously chuckling.

"Shut up. There are people sleeping right now." I yawned, gesturing over to the kid and red head.

"Oh... My apologies."

"Never mind..." I scoffed, staring at Ryu's sleeping face.

"... Do you... like Ryu?"

"...... WHAT THE F*** DID YOU SAY?!" I turned my head to Raji, glaring him down while bringing him up to my face with a fist, tempted to launch.

"G-gahhh! I'm so sorry! Forgive me!" Raji cried, raising his hands up in surrender.

*Mnock knock*

I scoffed, releasing Raji from my grasp and opened the small window that connected to the driver of the carriage.

"What is it... Sakaki?"

"I heard my master give a girlish scream and your highness' shouts. May I ask if everything is alright?"

I looked over my shoulder and saw Raji hugging himself and hurt by the fact that Sakaki said "girlish scream".

"I'm pretty sure he's fine." I said, closing the window.

"How cruel~..."

"Oh shut up child." I yawned.

"I'm older than you!"
—————

"WELCOME BACK FROM YOUR JOURNEY, PRINCE RAJI! GREETINGS PRINCE ZEN!" The guards of Tanbarun's entry to the castle shouted, all bowing their heads in respect.

'Of course. They're slightly trembling and avoiding eye contact with me... Well. I can't blame them since I killed many of their comrades...'

"Prince Raji! The king would like to seek an audience with the Hyoushou princess in the throne room!" A messenger stated, bowing before his master.

"Already? I wasn't expecting Father to call on us so soon..." Raji said. "Are you okay with that Akuma?"

'At least he asked for my approval. I slightly feel touched by that...'

"Sure. I have no issue with that."

"His majesty would also like to seek an audience with everyone here."

"Thank you. You may leave now." Raji cooly said.

"*Whistle* Damn Raji. I didn't know you could have sounded so smooth and cool." I playfully teased him.

"Oh be quiet you!" He blushed furiously, walking ahead to tour us the way to the throne room.

'... Strange indeed. As if war was just a nightmare itself. That would be a miracle if it was just a nightmare and not reality itself.'

I sighed, closing my eyes to take a quick breather.

"Are you alright, Akuma?" A quiet and soft voice spoke out to me.

"Hm?" I turned, facing Ryu. "O-oh. Yeah. I'm fine."

He nodded his head, turning back to face forward.

Then, I started noticing his slightly strong features and his handsome self. His strong yet gentle jawline. His smooth and soft chocolate brown hair. His glimmering aquarium eyes that did not die of the battle. His slightly developed arms of strength. I wonder... Is this what Ryu looked like to Kiroyuki?

*Knock knock*

"Father. It is I, Raji speaking. You highly requested to see the princess of Hyoushou."

Everyone bowed down with one knee to the ground and their eyes facing the ground. All except myself. I had only bowed halfway at a ninety-degrees angle. I don't see much reason to stoop any further without knowing this king.

"Yes... I did request to have an audience with you all. Including the supposed princess of Hyoushou."

"*Sigh* Sorry to break it to you king, but I can see your eyes of curiosity to the wondering of my respect. I didn't bow like the rest of the lot because I didn't know if you were a crappy king or not." I stated.

I can barely see the shock and speechless expressions of everyone from the corner of my eyes. Zen's eyes spoke the most upmost frustration. Almost as if he was going to lecture me with fury later. I mean, it's not like I am a goody-two-shoes.

"Interesting. And what makes you think I am that sort of king?"

He slightly leaned forward, eyes showing more curiosity of me.

"Well. Although I am the princess of Hyoushou... I never got to learn of kingdoms!" I smiled, "innocently".

"Explain yourself."

"Well. My country lies in dark secrets. I am one of those dark secrets!" I smirked. "I was removed of my throne and went through a shitty way for my own parents to replace me with a new me."

"Then... Where is the second you?"

"Hehe~! She's inside of me of course!" I smiled. "But I didn't mean as if I ate her! Her spirit is inside of me like how I was externally sleeping!"

"... How can she say all of this without feeling any shame..." Was I heard from someone from the sidelines, mumbling.

"Are you not guilty of the men you've killed? The soldiers of both my country and Clarines?"

"Hm? Guilty?... Of course I feel like a criminal! But I've been a criminal since birth. The dye of roses that showered me shall only remain there. For the dye of roses have accidentally fallen into my ocean."

"... Have you thought of your actions to be prisoned for eternity?"

"I have. I suggested to be thrown away into the dungeon after the chaos, but they objected." I said, narrowing my eyes. "And I know that lives cannot come back because they're ordinary beings. But, I repent myself."

"... And my son. What do you think of this girl?"

"Me? Well although her actions cannot be undone... I think Miss Akuma is a fine young lady who enjoys freedom and helps lighten an atmosphere with her um, jokes."

"Why thank you, kind sir." I chuckled.

"She also takes situations very lightly." I hear Obi mumble amusingly to himself.

"Anyways, what's the point of requesting my presence along with these fellow men and women here? I've been trapped in a carriage for days and I want to stretch my legs with some training."

"Hm." The king grinned, standing up. "How would you like to take my son's hand in marriage?"

"HUH!?" EVERYONE SHOUTED, MOUTHS DROPPING TO THE GROUND! I MEAN! WHAT THE *BEEP BEEP BEEPPP BEEEEEEEEEP*!?!?

"MARRY THIS OLD MAN!?/ MARRY THIS CHILD!?" Both Raji and I screamed.

"HEY!? WHO ARE YOU CALLING A CHILD/ OLD MAN!?" We yelled in unison once again.

"WHY DID YOU STATE IT AS I AM THE MALE TOO, YOUR MAJESTY!?" I screamed.

"W-w-what..." I can basically see Ryu's soul was flying out of his body!

"Well, there is my younger boy who is about your age. About twelve years. His name is Eugena-"

"I DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS KID!? AND I AM TWO YEARS OLDER THAN HIM!" I shouted, tightening my fist.

"Hm? I thought you were-"

"THOUGHT I WAS 12?! WELL THAT'S KIROYUKI! I AM TWO YEARS OLDER!" I puffed my cheeks in dismay.

"W-why this all of a sudden?!" Zen asked, speechless and perplexed. I saw Obi nod his head in agreement.

"Hm? Why... Although her crimes cannot be forgotten, she is quite the valuable asset to my kingdom! Plus, maybe Princess Akuma can shape up one of my sons! She's quite the unique one and very entertaining! Hahaha!"

"Grrr... I AM NOT MARRYING THIS FART!" I pointed at Raji, clenching my teeth together.

"HEY!"

"Look! I'm thankful that you guys came to beat some senses into me and kinda literally by combining forces to invade my territory...but I do not plan on marrying anyone!" I scoffed.

"Hm... The offer will still stand, so you won't have to decided for sure right now."

"Sure whatever. I won't agree though no matter the years!" I tapped my left foot, smirking.

"I wonder." I heard Obi comment, making my brows twitch in annoyance.

"... Um. So, why were we asked to accompany Akuma, sir?" Shirayuki spoke out, piping my interest.

"Well. There is one thing I would like to ask you all." The king stepped down from the platform of the throne and down the few steps of stairs. "How do you find yourselves unafraid of Princess Akuma who had not long ago killed many of my own and Prince Zen's men? How can you act as if such horrific sight and event had never occurred?"

'Bastard...' I thought to myself. '... But I guess I would also like to know...'

Turning my attention to everyone in the room besides the king, I saw their speechless expressions. Their glassy orbs of different colors of a palette could not face me as they looked as if they were shameful.

"..." I myself was speechless of their silent voices.

"... Because Akuma is very dear to me. I would accept any side to her."

'Huh? Who said... Ryu?'

"Hm? And who might you be, young man?" The king asked, placing one hand over the other while I saw how his eyes showed interest of Ryu.

"My name is Ryu. I am a court herbalist of Clarines castle."

"You also interest me now, Ryu."

'I swear! If he also has a daughter and asks Ryu to take her hand in marriage... I'll go up there and slap that king! It's not like I like or like like Ryu! It's just that marriage talk is annoying me right now!'

"Well. I guess that is all I have to say at the moment. You are all excused."

'Thank goodness.' I internally sighed.

We all exited the throne room with Raji and Sakaki leading us to the courtyard.

"I'm still not marrying you." I blurted out to Raji.

"I didn't want to agree either!" Raji retorted back at me.

"K... K-kiroyuki!!!"

'Huh? Who... Who just said Kiroyuki...?'

Turning around, I was faced with a huffing and puffing boy about my height. A face full of innocence and sincerity.

"Eh? Who are you?" I asked, confused.

'Am I suppose to know this kid?' I asked myself.

"Your eyes are.. red? Kiroyuki, are you alright?" The light brown haired boy asked, causing me to slowly get irritated.

"I asked... Who the hell are you?"

"K-kiroyuki?" I sighed, brows twitching. "I... I- my name is Eugena! Remember me?"

'Remember? Hah! I'm not her... I'm not her at all...'

"Sorry... But I'm not Kiroyuki, kid."
—————

A/N
Hello~! Thank you for reading this chapter! I really appreciate it~! ^__^ It's been getting colder and colder lately! And my favorite sweater was a victim of the dryer~! Haha! ;-; Well, I hope you guys will have a great Thanksgiving since it's around the corner too! *looks to see a turkey at the corner of the hallway* O______O

Anyways, please comment and like! I would love to hear of your first reactions of hearing of this marriage topic!

Also, I SURVIVED THE EXMASSSS TWT I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE SURVIVING SCHOOL! IT IS TOUGH, BUT I BELIEVE IN YOU ALL! YOU CAN DO IT! (Hopefully this story isn't disturbing you guys too lol o___o XD)

Well well well, have a good day/ night~! Bai bai~!

(Edited)

11/15/17