Chereads / Pollute to Purify Amazonian Paint Lady 1# / Chapter 24 - Concealed Issues

Chapter 24 - Concealed Issues

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The food Raios spat out way back when he first visited Xeris, was a three-cheese baked oyster dish.

_______CHAPTER NINETEEN_______

HATHOR

~

"I miss the times when you were still my little girl."

"You were always the best liar father, I inherited that horrendous trait from you."

~

Throughout the passing weeks, it was undeniable that Fuzuki was maturing at an exceptionally fast pace, both mentally and physically, learning to form full sentences only in one week and learning to walk after two days, she looked like a six-year-old child despite being only a few weeks old. Not long after that everyone in their inner circle was absolutely certain that Milady was the one responsible for her development and they became worried for the raven-haired toddler's lifespan being handled in such a manner. Milady however has been secretly paying close attention to want they were saying behind closed doors.

Upon learning the news that her beloved spouse almost murdered Fuzuki, Milady decided to ask Zero about it wanting to hear it from his own lips and no one else's he promised to tell her but told her to wait till night time fell. Once gaining the chance before they slept that certain night Zero gained his witts to admit to Milady upon how he almost brutally murdered Fuzuki that night during the banquet was held, he was honestly excepting Milady to slap him hard across the face for even trying to pull a stunt like that, hence if Zero would have successfully managed to kill Fuzuki as he truly intended, then the bluette would have only brought more emotional wounds to Milady and dishonored the promise he to her made when they wed.

Jealousy will always lead someone to be furious. But nothing came instead, she placed shaky a hand on his face, her eyes navy wavering pure dejection in them "Oh Zero..." he held her hand in place as sobs of tears fell "I-I.." his voice heightened making it impossible for any locution to be spouted, Salt took a corgi form and jumped into the bed laying her head on Zero's lap as an additional support a tiny detail that Milady appreciated by giving her pet a soft pat on the head "I j-just want our daughter back..." his lips began to quiver, and short intakes of his breath followed close watching Zero like that had a heavy pang of pain clenched Milady's myocardium "He fucking promised to protect our daughter Mirror...a-and she died."

Milady simply listened to him vent out the bearings he never told anyone, and it made her feel bad hence he went so much out of his way to worry about her to the point that he forgot to take care of himself. "Is it a c-crime that I miss our daughter?" tears collected in his eyelashes making it difficult for him to see, "No, no it's not...shhh it's okay, it's okay." she stroked his tear-stained cheek with her free hand "She was so y-young Mirror...it s-should have been me...it should have been m-me.." He was falling apart and all Milady could do was hold him together. After that night Zero admitted his mistake, they both agreed to finally tell Sting the horrible fate Fuzuki is going to suffer at such a young age.

"Sting." Milady personally knocked on his door first thing in the morning crossing her arms upon her chest waiting for a reply of consented entry, Odette was standing beside Milady looking at the surface of the door then back to Milady "Sting." she repeated hence he was not answering, the blonde was sitting nervously at the edge of his bed upon hearing Milady's voice coming from the closed doorway "Sting, it's Mirror." still no answer "I know you're awake." he stared intently at the door "There's..." Milady paused making sure that he was listening to her words "...there's something you need to know. About Fuzuki." that perked his interest "I can't give the details out and about here, come by the library later on so we can discuss them privately." Milady nodded at Odette once she was done saying what she wanted to the blonde who refused to open the door for her and they left. Sting took some hesitant time opening the door after not hearing Milady's voice from the door screw it! but upon creaking it open Milady was no longer there. Leaving him with no choice but to come by the library later on.

"OoooOOoooh! what are you doing here Zero?" Ethan greeted Lireo's crown heir whilst floating upside down upon the library's door frame "Hello to you too Ethan." Zero walked past the teen raven after closing the door behind him "We'll just have to wait for Hibiki and Sting then we can start." Milady spoke in the midst of checking Ethan's assignments "You should really consider being a Luxian Anuva." Zero joked "I hate children." Zero chuckled at her response, walking behind the desk giving Milady a kiss on her cheek in which case she tilted her head to the side accepting it "Hey! Don't disturb Milady!" Ethan threw a crumpled piece of paper at the bluette kinou "It's alright Ethan, it's not like he can distract me," Milady continued what she was previously doing assuring her little prodigy "Oh? is that so?" Zero took Milady's words as a challenge crouching down a bit, gently grabbing her face lifting it softly so her eyes would perfectly meet his.

The previous vulnerability he showed last night to Milady was nowhere to be seen now as if it never existed--it was easily overshadowed by the usual stoic demeanor he plasters with the people he doesn't have a close relationship with "Yeah," the little ravenette monster watched the scene unfold before him with a grumpy frown wanting to know how well he did on the assignments Milady gave him to his joy, "Milady! Its's Nox! I came to pick up Ethan." an interrupting knock on the door pulled the two's attention out of each other "Its' open!" the little ravenette wasted no time preparing himself in front of the door to surprise the twenty-nine-year-old kinou standing on the other side "NOX!" Ethan tackled the white-haired kinou when the doors opened, who reacted badly by crashing on the floor along with the teen raven "Geez, that hurts you know." Nox placed a hand over at the back of his head as he got up on a sitting position from the floor in which case the water-obsessed teen floated giggling to himself "That's a thank you." Ethan helped him up back to his feet, dusting the imaginary dust that got on his clothes.

"For what?" Nox quired confused as to why the teen raven is thanking him when he hasn't done anything yet that he should be thankful for "Oh nothing hehehe." Nox gave him a what the fuck look before turning to Milady, he was sort of thankful that Ignatius wasn't here, or else she'd bug him again about addressing Milady as his foster mother "Let's just go, Milady I'll be taking this kid now!" Nox took hold of Ethan's wrist as if he was a ballon who'd fly away if you don't cling to it "Have fun," Milady waved them goodbye, once sure that they were out of earshot "Sunrays still loathes seeing my face." Zero took a seat for himself opposite of Milady "And I've treated him badly since I got back." a comfortable silence echoed as Milady engrossed herself in finishing directing said assignment. Unlike her beloved spouse, Milady doesn't keep any momentous photos standing around the surface of her desk, instead, she keeps them in the drawers for her eyes only. The orangette encountered the two youngsters on his way to the library and upon seeing the little ravenette he instantly rushed to the library.

Hibiki peaked his head through the door first in case he walks in something explicit "Talk about extreme silence," the orangette whistled relieved and a bit disappointed that nothing interesting occurred "And here I was expecting you two would be all over each other--seriously?!" Hibiki exclaimed with wrath earning Zero's attention whereas Milady didn't even look the least alarmed from knowing he'd react this way "Zeus's d*ck I fixed this a few days ago!" he grabbed fists full of his silky hair "Yeah, Ethan does that most of the time." Milady finished checking the papers with a dot of the little ravenette monster's grade, placing them aside on the surface of her desk for later "And you didn't even bother to stop him?" Hibiki frowned whilst neatly piling up a few books that scattered around the floor before sitting down via his talents help "I did, I placed them back in proper order yesterday and he disarranged them again earlier this morning out of boredom."

"I need a raise for this." The orangette declared upon walking over Milady's desk, sitting on the over a part that had no materials in them "Yeah sure." Milady agreed without a second thought hence he deserves it "Alright, that's what I'm talking about!--You doing okay Zero?" Hibiki vastly turned around slamming his hands down the surface of the hardwood smiling from cheek to cheek, happy about the news but halted upon seeing the dejected look on Zero's face reflecting on the windows behind Milady "In a way, yeah." the bluette answered, his elbow propped up the armrest leaning on to it with a bored expression "Sooo you're not okay?" Hibiki couched down a bit poking Zero's face on the side "I am." Lireo's heir sighed "Then why do you look like that?" Aulora's royal noble giggled "Do I seriously need to plaster a smile to prove that I'm okay?" Zero raised a brow at his best friend who kept on poking his face with his pointer finger "Pretty much yeah~" the orangette retracted his hand to place the on both sides of his hips proudly "By the gods...Hibiki,"

Milady stood up from her seat behind the desk walking over to Zero "I love your dynamic." she commented whilst easing out the knots on her husband's tensed self "Awww, thank you." Hibiki cooed "Why am I always the last to arrive?" The doors opened revealing the blonde kinou they have been waiting for since Ethan had left with Nox "Aha! I present you, our guest of honor! Sting Muriel!" Hibiki exclaimed whilst placing both of his hands between his opened legs, presenting the blonde like they do in a banquet whilst he walked over their spot by the desk "Why is he here?" Sting disgusting eyed his least favorite bluette team member "Zero has a part in the conversation, we four are about to have, please have a seat," Milady spoke for her husband, offering the blonde to have a seat so they can begin. With a simple movement of her fingertips, the entryway locked, and a time-bounded field was held up around them, she remained standing behind Zero "So what's this about Fuzuki? and why are you rushing the time of her growth?" Sting immediately got down to business once the reassurance around them was held up, to prevent anyone to eavesdrop.

"Before I answer that question, Zero will provide some context first." Milady gestured to Zero whose currently covering his face with his hand, from the uneasiness he's been feeling about the topic "I don't care about what he's going say, answer my question Mirror." the blonde demanded, annoyance evident in his tone "I will, but listen to him first...please." saying such a word felt bitter in Milady's vocabulary "Speak away you pulse-sucking bastard." Sting gave him the table to begin upon what he was going to say in the matter "First...I'd like to say sorry for trying to kill Fuzuki." Sting only scoffs still not too keen on accepting the apology, and Zero continued.

"The kinou that fecundated my mother is notoriously known by everyone to have quite a reputation hunting amazons for his selfish lascivious actions, so he was cursed by the deities to only have one child in all his life and that was none other than me." Milady softly massaged his shoulders hence talking about his deceased father can be emotionally draining. "And? What does that have to do with anything?" Sting didn't waver any pity as Zero took a minute break before his voice cracked

"When Mirror and I wed...I, I..." the bluette stuttered on his words "You what, Yugen?" the blonde asked getting impatient and irritated by Zero's voice hence Hibiki and Milady remained silent so he could speak freely "I brought on the inherited curse to our union...not only that Mirror was given a s-similar curse by the deities, a consequence of her notorious actions when she served Raios blindly back then." hearing the words come out of his lips brought back a few memories of Milady's childhood to pass by "And what curse does Mirror have? How on RHEA did your father's curse transpire to you? you never had a legacy like your old man so how?" Hibiki placed his voice on the topic pondering upon how did Zero manage to inherit such an omen to himself "I inherited the curse when the dying kinou who impregnated my mother gave his last name to be my second name, as his dying will. And Mirror can only have one child but--" Sting was fully aware of how Zero received his hated second name, from hearing it one time when Queen Minea was asked by his aunt, Venus Diaz regarding why the last name of her deceased spouse was given to Zero

"Wait, wait, are you saying that Mirror can only have one child? for real, real? huh? but Fuzuki exists, I'm confused." Hibiki quired, Zero finger-combed his hair back, biting the inside of his check before continuing to finish his explanation "Mirror can only have one, one good child and that was our daughter Riona, but once she passes on from life...those who follow after her are going to suffer death at a young age. Now you know the reason why Mirror wasn't able to handle her death very well." after Zero finished none of them uttered a word, Milady held her shaking hands together, whilst the two kinou's permit said information slowly sink into their scapes. "That's not true...I refuse to believe whatever the fuck Yugen just said." Sting was the first to break off the silence "Sting--" Milady wanted to say something in order to tone down the ragging emotions that washed over the blonde but he instead interrupted her before she could even start. "Why are you only telling me this now?" The blonde gently clasped his fist with his hand, biting his lower lip from the displeasure of not being informed much earlier his eyes intently staring dagger's at the carpeted floor "I didn't want to hurt your feelings further than I already did--"

"More reason why you should have told me earlier!" He raised his voice at Milady much to her dismay and responded, in the same manner, he did to her "Do you honestly think I could simply just impart that kind of vital information about myself to someone who raped me? while I was mentally unhealthy?!" Milady angrily strode her way over Sting, the bluette was unable to reach for her hand to stop "Hey, hey don't--" the orangette got up from his seat by the desk opting to stop Sting from confronting Milady "Shut the fuck up Hibiki!" to which case the blonde yelled at him, lightly taken aback such language for a good second "..." shutting his trap as they continued to a ghastly yell at each other "Fuzuki is lucky enough to be even born! I didn't tell you this but I almost miscarried her when I learned about her existence in my womb, if it wasn't for Hathor, Fuzuki's doomed to die sooner or later Sting, face it! there's nothing you can do about it!"

Milady lashed out pushing the blonde roughly on his torso to get some sense of awareness that he's currently dismissing "NO! You should have told me first, that's all my point here some fucking context! some fucking context Mirror! rather than just straight on manipulating my daughter's lifespan like she's a puppet you can easily make do with whenever you so please!" He grabbed her by the collar of her shirt to which case Milady acted by trying to remove it but he kept the grasp upon it "Excuse you? as I remember clearly, we both have agreed to distance ourselves from each other for a good amount of time so you'd get to forget about your lingering romantic affections towards me!" Milady pinched a vein in his wrist instinctively making the blonde lose his grip upon her garb in an instant.

"But this information is vital! it relates to my daughter's life and you just passed the idea until you've had your way already!" despite being yelled at by the blonde to shut his trap the orangette still took it upon himself from holding Sting back from almost butting heads with Milady "That's the point Sting it is crucially vital and you just expect me to tell it to you all willy nilly?!" Zero instinctively mirrored what his best friend had done and stood up from his seat holding Milady back as well "Huh, I should have known...given that you're that tyrant's daughter it's only expected that you'll never fall from the tree-- you psychopath." Milady's eyes grew wide from hearing Sting call her as such, she managed to vastly have an iron grip on the blonde's neck despite her beloved husband holding her back firmly "Mirror! Mirror! let him go!" the two tried to beg reason into her angered self who wasn't able to hear their pleads to stop "Mirror! Mirror! Mirror! le-let him go! Geez, you just had to call her that--fuck Sting! you fucked up!"

"Take back what you said right. now." she seethed, her hand began to imprint themselves on Sting's flesh who only laughed in the midst of his shortening raspy breath "Mirror, let him go please, please! he's going to die a second time! Mirror! Mirror! let go! let go! let go!!" Hibiki shot Zero an alarmed look in which case he instantly did, cursing along the way as what he's about to do is save the blonde from quote on quote dying again--dying a second time "Fuck this!" the bluette aggressively grabbed Milady's neck extracting half of her pulse in one go, something that pained him to do pulling his hands away and taking one step back the bluette kinou held a huge glowing sphere that is Milady's pulse, the time-bound field surrounding them weakened but it did not fell yet, "AAAAHHHHHHHH!!" she screeched beyond repose, Hibiki caught Milady the moment her body weakened to unconsciousness from the extraction Zero has done in order to stop her from killing Sting a second time, speaking of the blonde he began to pant loudly from the floor catching his breath as a huge bruise tattooed itself on his neck to the point that it cannot be hidden so simply from how evident it is.

"You okay sunrays?" Zero helped his frenemy to sit down on the singular sofa with his free hand "No," Sting's voice was both raspy and jagged coughing, not long after he sat down "Don't call her crazy, or else your daughter will be alone." the blonde didn't comment on what Zero had spouted saving his breath as he needed it much more than barking back a retort to the bluette "Zero," Hibiki called as he laid down Milady on the chaise sofa opposite of Sting, a small table separating them apart "Are you going to return that now?" the orangette asked whilst wiping off the beads of sweat that collected in his forehead from what transpired just mere moments ago.

"Not yet, that'll make Mirror's body palpitate if I return it just like that give it a few minutes then I can return it to her. In the meantime take sunrays to Panacea." the time-bounded field was getting weaker by the second and that also means that Zero can no longer impart the secret freely like before.

"What if she starts asking how Sting got that bruise on his neck?" Hibiki massage the back of his nape as if he felt the restriction that Milady previously had on the blonde kinou who was watching them talk whilst catching a much-needed air back into his lungs "If she asks tell her it has something to do with Fuzuki and Mirror's situation, she'll pick up the pieces from there." Zero explained whilst Hibiki helped the blonde to stand "Wait, wait, that old woman knew? she knew before us?" Hibiki turned his head to Zero raising a brow at how Panacea got wrapped into the secrecy. "Essentially yeah, after all, she was the one who told me and Mirror about you know. Since Panacea also took it upon herself to pull the double duty of also being Mirror's obstetrician."

The old woman has basically mastered all the medical fields of specialty that you could possibly think of, some Rhiannon citizens even refuse to believe that she is one hundred four years old due to her new chosen line of work after stepping down as Zoldanga's monarch "How did she even manage to speak to the deities?" Hibiki exclaimed loudly making them stop by the door looking back at Milady, in case the orangette's voice woke her up but gladly she was still lying soundly by the sofa "She didn't, they spoke to her." Zero chuckled opening the door wide enough for the two to walk out "Damn, I wish I was that popular." Hibiki chuckled stepping out the hallway with the blonde in tow "Hehehe, now go bring sunrays before anything else happens to him." Zero eyed Sting who just stared daggers back at him hence he was unable to speak his peace out.

"Yeah, yeah--oh wait one last question before I leave." Hibiki backtracked astounding the blonde like he's a doll from the sudden vast movement Hibiki incited "What is it?" Zero acknowledged the last follow up "Do the three youngsters know about this?" Hibiki gestured with his hand regarding the matter the four of them just spoke about "No, don't tell them." Zero's tone became somewhat monotone when those words passed by his lips "If they start asking as well upon how Sting go this thing on his neck, what do I tell them?" Hibiki pointed at the huge imprinted bruise on Sting's neck "Just tell them that things got of hand and Mirror strangled Sting out of angered spite, tell them the truth but leave out the parts regarding...that." anyone could hear what they are saying out in the hall "Got it." After they left Zero went back to Milady's side gradually returning her pulse back.

Standing outside the medical infirmary front doors, Hibiki smirked upon having a genius idea to which case Sting's eyes grew wide, regretting the choice of not being able to speak a protest against what Hibiki is going to do "PANACEA! PANACEA! HELP! HELP! PANACEA HELP! HE'S DYING!" the orangette blasted the doors open with his talent yelling for extreme help whilst dragging the already injured blonde with him "PANACEA HELP!" the old pinkenette physician hurriedly scrambled to her feet yeeting what she was previously doing at the call that someone is nearly dying "Hibiki what--??" Panacea stopped in her tracks annoyed upon seeing the orangette grin widely that his idea-- more like a prank, has worked out so well and the blonde vexed clinging to him. She had the blonde be a seat on one of the beds as she went to the drawers to find an ice pack bag and refrigerator to pick up some ice cubes.

"Does he need the neck thingy?" Hibiki sat down on the opposite bed as Panacea listed down her notes on the clipboard she's using "Neck thingy? Huh?" she looked up puzzled by Hibiki's words "You know, the thing you wrap around your neck..." Hibiki thought to himself for the first half as Panacea asked herself mentally Is he talking about a neck brace? upon hearing the thought in her scape Hibiki spouted it aloud "The brace! Yes! The brace neck, wait! brace neck??--no, no, the neck brace yeah! that one! The neck brace, does he need that?" Hibiki sought an answer to his curiosity "The proper term would be a cervical collar, and yes, he will need it." Panacea gave him a look before chatting said cervical brace on her clipboard pfftt brace neck she thought to herself, not wanting to say aloud that's he almost forgot about it "Wait, Collar?" the orangette pondered tilting his head to the side a bit.

"Yes," she replied eyeing the bruise for a good second before getting back on her listing "Whoever chose that term must have had unconditional love for domestic animals." the old woman stopped writing down giving the aulorian royal a befuddled look "..." the old pinkenette physician raised a brow not knowing how to respond to that "What happened? And whose hand choked him?" she asked subverting the topic "Mirror's." the orangette kinou replied simply, leaning back on the bed with his upper limbs as support "Why?" Panacea interrogated "Cause Sting here called her a psychopath to her face." Hibiki couldn't help but erupt with so much laughter "I see...you are finally moving on from her." the former monarch of Zoldanga was infected with Hibiki's laugh, as smirk etched upon her lips. "And he almost died a second time from doing so if Zero and I weren't there to stop Mirror, I'm proud of you dude." All the blonde could do is glare at the laughing orangette kinou, whilst holding the ice pack on his neck "Don't pull that stunt again Sting, your lucky Hibiki and Zero were there, if they weren't you'd be in a casket right now."

"I'm telling you Panacea he even had the audacity to laugh while Mirror was choking him to death," Sting smirked as well, wincing immediately upon almost laughing "By the gods, you have no regrets calling her by that do you?" the blonde gave a thumbs up agreeing "Bruhh," the orangette held his stomach from the pain of laughing too much "Don't try to talk yet for the next few days and only eat soft foods in the meantime or else you choke. Do you mind if I put the sensory bracelet on now? I need to check your thyroid's state, after this, I'll give you a vial of medicine if it is indeed damaged." asking for permission the blonde gave another thumbs up in which case the pink bracelet appeared on his wrist and his thyroid? it was indeed damaged and he had to wear a cervical brace after the surgery Panacea performed on him.

The following day, after his check-up with Panacea, Hibiki offered to loaf around the common room/meeting room expecting it to be empty today of any members from their team (2.0) but much to the blonde's disappointment it is not, hence the three youngsters also swung by whilst on their break "WhoooOOooOooOoaaa! who leeched on you, Sting?~" Ethan inspected the huge-ass bruise on the blonde kinou's neck "Nobody leeched on him huhuhu, he got strangled by Milady from calling her a psychopath." Hibiki leaned back comfortably on the soft bean bag explaining the reason as to why there is a huge patch of deep purple on the blonde's flesh "Did he really?" Ignatius giggled taking a pause from drinking her alcohol. "Yeah, and believe it or not, Zero saved his life back there." Hibiki opened his eyes levitating a cookie from the table to his mouth.

"Wait, back up--Zero? as in Zero, Zero? Zero Yugen formerly Edurne now Verity? Milady's husband? that Zero??" Ignatius spat out the firewater in her mouth flabbergasted upon hearing that Zero would do such risks for his quote-on-quote favorite comrade ever, whereas all Sting could do is listen to them chatter about him like he's not there "Yeah, hehehe." Hibiki chuckled with his mouth full "By the gods." Ignatius shook her head in disbelief and finished her eighth bottle of firewater, "I never knew my foster father cared that much for you Sting." The white-haired kinou placed an arm over Sting's shoulder blades teasingly congratulating him upon having Lireo's heir save him in which case the blonde smirked at such irony "Zeus' pole hahaha--ow!" Ethan fell swimming up the ceiling, bonking his head in the process.

The water obsessed teen drop himself on Sting's side patting his head like a puppy "Awww I pity you, Sting that is so sad," Ethan gave him a side hug "...And here I thought some horny ass bitch sucked the life from your neck HAHAHAHAHA," Sting's brows furrowed opting to push the raven away from him annoyed by what he spouted next, but Ethan practically clung to him like a gecko "So how did Zero save Sting?" Nox asked glancing at his wristwatch keeping track of their break time "Well for starters I shot Zero an alarmed look in which case he responded first by cursing then he aggressively took hold of Milady's neck extracting half her pulse from what I assume, hence the pulse sphere in his hand was huge--like literally! The only time I saw Zero held a pulse that similarly huge is when he extracted twenty people back then and that can't even compare to what I saw yesterday."

"Holy shit! Half of my own pulse, according to Zero, of course, is only as big as this throw pillow." Ignatius grabbed the pillow beside her on the sofa shaking it to prove a point "That's Milady for you~ I'm so glad she had me as a prodigy." flowers bloomed around Ethan as he daydreamed of Milady praising him, a silly grin on his lips, the blonde beside him just gave him a concerned look "This is good news, you and my father won't be itching to kill each other anymore." Nox playfully punched Sting's left arm "And what's greater is that Sting will finally be able to find Fuzuki a stepmother! HE HAS FINALLY MOVED ON YEY!" Milady's prodigy pumped his fists above his head yelling almost hitting Sting's injured neck in the process. "See Sting, you and Zero can finally get along after this."

The redheaded amazon teased deflating her hand upfront as if casting a rainbow "Now, now, leave Sting alone he can't defend himself word by word yet." Hibiki sat up from the bean bag crossing his leg over the other, pouring himself half a glass of wine via his talent's aid "Fiiinnee." Ethan rolled his eyes poking Sting's cheek one last time as on cue, the timer on Nox's wristwatch alarmed indicating the end of their break "And that's us, let's go you two." Ethan held out his upper limbs for Nox to take, carrying him on his arms like a five-year-old "Uugghhh...I don't want to my back hurts."Ignatius slumped back on her seat refusing to go back to shoveling the heavy snow from the roofs "Lazy ass bitch." Ethan murmured to himself as Nox walked past Ignatius.

But unfortunately, the redhead managed to catch wind of his insult and snapped back at him "Shut it, brat." she hissed "Fuck you, BLEH!" Ethan yelled back whilst putting on his coat, zipping it up vastly as he stuck out his tongue at her "Quit complaining Tia, or else you won't be able to buy another case of firewater for the next week--" the white-haired kinou walked to the door where their coats hung by, and upon opening the door slightly the calmed down cold song made him shiver, but before he could finish his sentence his redheaded best friend bolted faster than the speed of light out the door "Alright let's go!" Ignatius jumped on her feet upon hearing Nox say such words, as she basically can not live at this point without drinking liquor. Sting let out a relieved sigh after the three youngsters had left in which case Hibiki laughed.

A full week after all that has been going on inside the palace walls of Lireo, each member of the Arhianna team 2.0 was allowed by Milady to take a much-needed stroll out in the city to relieve themselves of the stress and all their hard work with a bonus cyhea on the side "Come back here at the palace before lights out. Unless you want to freeze outside--NOW LET'S GO SPEND THIS MONEY!" Hibiki handed out their respective bonuses and exclaimed at the end of his words once done distributing the blue envelopes containing cyhea, he ran out the palace gates along with Ethan "As Hibiki said, return before light out and spend the bonus." Ignatius and Nox waved at the blonde as they left next after the two hyper ones, Sting looked down upon his share thinking what exactly should he buy from it later on. Looking up at the cloudy skies he remembered the times when he and his niece, Arcana would always go on shopping trips together, such memories made him smile to himself.

Ignatius simply chugged down the alcohol like it was water placing it down the table with a loud thud, satisfaction was written all over her face. The redhead has found a pub to her liking hence they were quite accomdating "You're quite a heavy drinker, for a teenager." someone complimented her on the side of the bar, looking over she saw a kinou leaning over the island wearing a uniform that well suited his physique "I'm almost thirty but thanks." taking back the bottles opening on her lips finishing it to the last drop "Aah~ so good." flowers of bliss flew around her as she savoured the liquors longing taste in her mouth "I apologize for carding you as a kid." the bartender spoke out his apology for quickly judging Ignatius's age "I took it as a compliment it's no bigger really. Now if you could give me another one of those tempting bottles behind you." the chatty bartender nodded chuckling whilst he picked out one of their best sellers off the wall "Our usual customers specifically love to purchase this around this time of the year, it quite smooth once you down it plus it has a sweet pungent creamy after taste to it." he show cased the bottle to her with ease.

"I gotta say, the packaging itself is alluring."

"I could give you a few shots of this beauty right here, on the house."

"Don't mind if I do," free drinks are always the best according to Ignatius, the kinou she was talking to excused himself for a while to take two shot glasses, going back to the redhead once having it "So how long have you been working here?" She asked whilst he opened the bottle, pouring it down the two small glasses before them "A few good years," placing the bottle to his side, he gave her the shot in which she immediately down "How'd you get in? By the way, you're right this shit is hella good." The shot went down like silk on her throat making her instantly want a refill on her shot "Told you so, snd I'm good friends with the manager to answer your question."

"Wow, it must be nice to work here,"

"What about you what do you do for a living?"

"The usual shoveling off a bunch of snow from the palace roof."

"Oh, I assume you're a servant there."

"Not quite, but close enough yeah." their conversation was cut short when a new small group of customers arrived at the island demeaning service "Oi barkeep!" The stout kinou wearing a heavy beard called for the attention of the kinou Ignatius was speaking to "Serve us something great tonight!" he waved before laughing along with a joke his friends spouted "Works calling and feel free to finish the bottle without me, it was nice talking to you." he smiled offering his hand out to shake as thanks for the small talk "You too," she accepted the handshake with a smile. Once he was out of sight she dismissed the shot glasses and drank straight from the bottle downing it all "Damn I need to buy a hoard of this." she chuckled whilst holding the now empty frosted bottle in her hands.

On her way out of the fine establishment, a staff ran after her "Excuse me, Ma'am!" A feminine voice called making the redhead alcoholic amazon turn sideways to see who it was "Yes?" Ignatius offered the waitress a kind smile "Someone wants you to have this," the waitress offered out a small piece of paper to Ignatius in which she raised a brow at confused as to why "I'm sorry but what is this?" she asked accepting it "The kinou managing the island wanted you to have it," the waitress whispered, pointing at the guys whose currently attending to a few customers, "And thank you for coming to our alehouse." said waitress bowed and winked at Ignatius before leaving to proceed on with her work. Flipping the paper over she saw a Galva number and his name was hurriedly written.

(A/N: For the sake of the narrative ** will be temporarily used whenever Sting talks via text.)

"Would you like to purchase Sir?" a sales lady gleefully asked the blonde kinou who has been eyeing the cute colorful hair clips and silk scrunchies being displayed upon the shop's frosting glass windows from across the street whilst buying five servings of roasted chestnuts, the sales lady had to clean the windows every now hence why she is outside, for their possible customers to see what they have available inside "Here's your change, Your Grace." The merchant kinou handed Sting's change with a warm smile *Thank you, and here.* he gave almost half of the given change to the merchant who bowed greatly thank full for the kindness "By the gods, thank you, Your Grace." the blonde smiled.

Crossing the snowy street to hopefully buy something for Fuzuki, entering the shop the sales lady who was previously outside called for her workmate to switch places with her for a while as she assisted the blonde in their shop, Sting was their first customer today *How much for the clips?* he showed the sales lady who was first confused on why he suddenly started typing on his galva in front of her "Oh! our hair clips cost fifty cyhea for each box and the scrunchies are forty cyhea for each box." the blonde eyed his options before him pointing at the ones he wanted to purchase *I'll have one of each please.* she picked out two boxes from the shelf "Sure, this way please." the sales lady guided the blonde by the counter so he could pay for the accessories, whilst placing the two items inside the paper bag she began to think as to why their customer is quite familiar as if she has seen him before somewhere but couldn't exactly pinpoint where did she see him from.

"That would be ninety cyhea--" she paused finally realizing who the kinou standing in front of her is "I'm sorry but are you, by any chance Sting Muriel?" the sales lady asked *Yes, I am. I was quite surprised you didn't recognize me at first from across the street.* if the blonde could chuckle he would have done it but given that he was strangled by Milady and is still recovering from it, the chuckling is still most unlikely in such a current point and will have to wait "I deeply apologize for not knowing better, Your Grace." The sales lady bowed down her head ashamed of her misconduct against someone who was part of the elite stature here in RHEA *It's alright, I don't mind.* the blonde kinou assured her not to fret about anymore "Here, Your Grace, thank you for your purchase, and again, I apologize for not recognizing you earlier than I should have."

She handed out the paper bag to him bowing her head once again *As I've said before, it doesn't bother me at all, really, and thank you as well.* he tapped her on the shoulder to raise her head showing what he had typed upon the gadget to which case allowed her to be more at ease at least, retracting back the galva to type his farewell from their establishment *I'll be going now, and here have one of these, so you don't feel bad anymore about not recognizing me.* he gave her one packet of the roasted chestnuts he bought from across the street once she was done reading the text he typed, he waved at her as he left whilst the sales lady just stood there flabbergasted upon why did an elite from Xeris suddenly give her some chestnuts. If Arcana were here, she'd want to buy the whole store just for Fuzuki the blonde kinou thought to himself whilst he walked down the bustling street of Eirlys.

"How much does this one cost?" Ethan excitedly pointed at one of the displayed items "That would be 75 cyhea, Sir." the employee replied "Oooooooh~" Milady's prodigy ogled over the display whilst Hibiki choose from his options on the shelf "I'll take five bottles of these." he pointed at the deep mauve bottle standing on the left end of the fourth shelf "Right away, Your Highness." the staff nodded, calling out to one of his workmates to find an unopened stock of what Hibiki wanted to purchase whilst the ravenette teen monster was distracted by the blob of goo moving around inside a big glass jar "Can I touch this?" Ethan bugged the employee as he vastly took off the lid from one of the glass jars when the employee wasn't looking as it was made clear earlier upon their arrival at the said store that they cannot touch anything without any of the staff's permission to preserve the displays beauty "Sir! please don't touch the merchandise!" the employee whispered yelled as he promptly grabbed Ethan's wrist taking the lip off his hands and placing them back on the jar with a relieved sigh escaping his lips.

Ethan only laughed as the employee scowled at him hugging the jar as if his life depended upon it. The owner of this department store is quite over fastidious when it comes to what they are selling people who often touch their products without permission are usually kicked out but Ethan got away because no one else saw him open the jar but the employee he is currently pestering "Ethan come over here for a sec! I want to show you something!" Hibiki called "Coming! oh and I want to buy some of these." he told the employee before falling away over Hibiki's side "What is it?" the ravenette teen asked once beside the older orangette kinou "Look," Hibiki pointed at one of the displays "OooooOoOOooh~ what is it?" the teen raven asked intrigued. The store was quite well known among the masses due to the product's great quality and five-star customer service.

"It's a--" before Hibiki could finish his words a kinou's voiced completely interrupted him as if fate intentionally had it vastly done to somewhat save Ethan's unfamiliarity regarding such a suggestive topic "Your Highness here is your order, and that would be 730.75 cyhea." the employee that has been assisting Hibiki ever since they have arrived at the store held out the colorful paper bag for Hibiki to take and exchange it with the total cyhea it is worth of, turning around to accept the bag "Thank you and keep the change, it's a tip." a hint of joy can be seen upon the employee's eyes as Hibiki said that to which case he thanked him for and bowed down as a sign of respect to his stature here in RHEA. "Anyway as I was saying--" before Hibiki could even continue yet again another employee came in to bother their conversation the orangette immediately shot a 'are you serious?' type of look at the employee with furrowed brows "Here you go Sir, and that would be 1000 cyhea." Ethan took out his wallet pulling a few cyhea's from it, paying.

"Kay, and give me back the change! you don't get a tip cause you didn't let me touch any of the stuff, humph." Ethan handed the cyhea, and the employee was kind of expecting the same manner Hibiki showed and felt disappointed that he didn't get a tip, it's not the employee's fault honestly hence he was just strictly following the rules know their establishment to keep his job secured "Anyway before I was interrupted twice." Hibiki bit his lower lip looking left a new right in case someone dares to try and barricade his speaking once again "It's a--" yet again before Hibiki could even think about finishing his words fate had its way against him. "Your change Sir,"

The employee returned handing Ethan's change leaving Hibiki to fret his hands above his head so done with trying to tell Ethan whatever was on the said shelf "Holy Hera damnit. I give up! Ethan let's go!" He dragged Milady's prodigy by the wrist once the coins drops securely upon his palms, making himself lighter to avoid a sudden pull, the orangette strode like a child throwing fits of tantrums because their parents didn't buy a piece of candy "Okay!" Those opting to enter the department store vastly stepped aside upon seeing the expression written across Hibiki's face "I've never seen you become so annoyed before Hibiki, it's kind of refreshing to see you in such a state." the teen raven giggled, whilst Hibiki slowed down his pacing in the bustling streets

"Well, I am the one who's always annoying people." he chuckled, sidestepping as a cart full of boxes was being pushed ahead, almost knocking Ethan over the furniture display as he did the vast action without warning, its a good thing the teen raven levitated himself higher on-time avoiding a bruise across his cute face "That's why it's nice that you too get to taste your own medicine hihihi~" after the cart has passed the two got back on track, well Hibiki at least hence he's dragging the teen "Awww, that's not nice." he fake frowned upon looking over his shoulder "I know." the later sighed, a grin etched on his lips placing the cyhea into his wallet.

"Do you ever get embarrassed Ethan? when you're doing silly stuff?" Hibiki pondered, whilst waving back at a few citizens who said their hello's and hi's at them "What's that?" Milady's student gave a half-suppressed laugh enjoying how Hibiki is dragging him like a balloon who is free of worry "By the god's you're the perfect annoying child." placing the paper bag full of five under his axilla "Thank you~" Ethan cooed scratching his scalp as some fresh snowflakes fell on his soft raven hair "Ethan! look! its' drinking water! look hurry! There's a station over there look! look!" Aulora's royal noble stopped in his tracks giving Ethan a condescending look over his shoulder as he spotted a water refilling station up ahead of them.

"WHERE?! Where is it? Give me, give me!" To which case the little ravenette monster's entire bloodstream woke up violently with such exploding joy "There!" Hibiki pointed in the station's direction making Ethan promptly weigh himself down on his two feet running, now upfront the cashier he slammed his hands on the surface excitedly demanding an answer "HOW MUCH FOR TEN GALLONS?!" the kinou managing the cashier was astounded beyond repose hence they haven't had a customer who's as hyper like Ethan beforehand today--no, no, more like ever since melancholia started this year "7-700 cyhea, Sir." he answered eyes still wide from shock "Here money now--GIMME! GIMME!" Ethan plucked out his wallet opening it like the zipper was about to rip into a million pieces at any moment "O-okay...?" he replied, confusedly typing down the receipt on the register.

"Add ten more to that, I'll pay it." the orangette handed extra cash to the cashier doubling up Ethan's order, in which case he instantly loved his extreme squealing was proof of it, those passing by gave a look at them even the amazon managing the water distillation took a peak away from her job both bothered and curious as who was squealing just because of water "YIIIIEEEEEE! THANK YOUUUU!!!" Hibiki laughed to himself whilst the ravenette is hugging him, upon how the annoying teen easily got hooked at the mention of his number one obsession.

After that little adventure, the pair sat by the park where a free live dramatization of how melancholia came to be was being performed by some great actors "I suggest we shall build a prison to prevent any more catastrophe to befall on us!" the amazon performing on stage suggested a smirk plastering across her face as she does shocking those around her "I will not approve of such nonsense--" the amazon playing the role of RHEA'S first empress refused but her dialogue was aggressively cut short "So you would rather have hundreds of Rhiannon citizens perish under her livid emotions? rather than imprison one and save the masses?" she scoffed, "Why are they even recreating this? It's a bad encounter." Ethan whispered to Hibiki as to not offend those watching "They say that it's a way of teaching the new generation valuable history regarding how Lireo came to be."

"Oh wow, educational purposes riiigghhtt, but still though, it's kinda terrible how Lireo was factfully built on top of a massive prison."Ethan sipped on his water, his eyes glued to the live play "That's just how life works." Hibiki dreaded his own words, fearing that maybe in a few eras later their own story might be displayed like this in public...he doesn't want anyone to know that part of their lives despite being royalty, hence most of those memories were precious not only to him but also to the original members of their team and those memories should be kept secret from the public eye.

Nox has been aimlessly wandering the shopping district of Eirlys for a few minutes now and still hasn't decided fully upon what exactly he should buy "I heard they have quite the menu! And the crumble pastries are to die for, my husband had bought me some of their best sellers a few days ago, he also told me earlier before I left the house that we should hurry up to get there since they get quite a lot of customers." two amazons passed by behind Nox as he window shopped "Really? I want to try those pastries too! We really haven't got any great-tasting sweets that much since Calix's fall, Oooh! I can't wait!" they giggled excitedly to go to the newly opened cafe. The white-haired kinou has always made a list whenever he wanted to buy something for himself to budget it but their bonus was so suddenly given that he had no time to prepare such as a list.

Hence as to why he's been wandering around the vicinity aimlessly, his breath condensed upon exhaling "What should I buy?" He asked himself walking away from the shop he was previously looking at. Whilst in deep thought, random items he could possibly purchase ran through his mind "Hmmm--OW!" a snowball hit the back of Nox's head, turning around to see who it was that hit him, two kids awkwardly smiled at him the girl wearing a burgundy puff jacket pushed forward her playmate to apologize, a nervous shock washed over him hence his pedophilia might kick in, he was just finally getting over it and yet again it strikes like a challenge "Sorry Your Highness," he apologized with puppy eyes, Nox took this as the perfect opportunity to ask them a question and brush off his psychiatric disorder "What do you want to buy if you are given cyhea?" he crouched down on the kid's level, expression dead ass straight awaiting an answer.

"Uh...?" the young kinou wearing a cream-colored jacket looked back on his playmate asking for help up in the situation where he was supposed to ask forgiveness but instead a random question was unexpectedly thrown at him "Why are you asking what my friend what he would buy if he was given cyhea, Your Highness?" The little girl aided her playmate, but for the most part, it was pure curiosity hence in their view the elites of RHEA are the type who always knows what they want whenever and wherever "Oh, I just can't decide on what I should buy, so I'm asking your opinions."

"Your Highness, don't royals usually know what they want all the time?" the girl wearing a burgundy jacket put a finger on her lower lip tilted her head to the side confused as to why Nox doesn't know what he wants "Not really no, well maybe some do, but I'm not exactly that." he gave a tight-lipped smile to the two toddlers who looked at each then back to Nox "Are you undergoing a pick me phase, Your Highness?" in the midst of their conversation he asked himself if he really was indeed going through such a phase, is he? or is he not? "You're weird, Your Highness." the boy stared straight at Nox, playfully elbowing his playmate "Agreed." the two kids giggled, high-fiving as they ganged up on Nox's inability to decide upon what he should buy on impulse. Talking to them kind of lifted away his romantic affections towards children which is good for him because pedophilia is bad no matter what angle you look at it.

"Holy Hera I have been looking for the two of you--Oh! G-good afternoon Your Highness," their adult companion rushed to their direction among the crowd worried that they might be talking to a bad person or a total creep, but instead, she was met with Nox's face who had a notorious career but Rhiannon's here from Lireo aren't all that fussy about it, unlike the in the other tribes hence he was Zero's foster son "Good afternoon to you too," he smiled getting back up on his proper posture "I do hope these two didn't cause you any trouble, Your Highness, and if they did I apologize in their place." she placed a beanie on the little boy's head, bowing down to Nox in case the two youngsters did something to bother him "Oh, no, no, they didn't, not at all, I assure you they are nothing but sweet. "

"Thank Hera," the two kids smiled like angels when she looked at them, a devious smile she's all too familiar with scrutinizing her eyes at them "Do you mind if I ask a question?" Nox asked when she turned her attention back at him "Uhm...sure Your Highness, what might your question be?" she felt uneasy from the closeness of his face to her personal space, that it made her face flush a bright color of red in them "What do you want to buy if you are given cyhea?" the two kids giggled by the background at the reaction of their companion "Uhhh...Since it's melancholia it is only practical that I'll buy firewood and some duvet blankets so we can keep our orphanage warm and ourselves." she slowly but surely took small steps back creating a respectable distance to converse with Nox "Oh I see, thank you very much." Nox gave her a pat of the shoulder after hearing her opinion, which made the little boy wearing a cream-colored jacket whistle, adding up to their companion's already boiling blush.

"I'm glad I could help Your Highness," the three commoners bid their farewells to the white-haired kinou after that, and he went back to walking down the streets still pondering hence he won't be needing to buy firewood nor duvets any time soon as Queen Minea provides them already given that they stay in the palace. Sulking he found himself browsing in a clothing store then later purchasing some socks upon seeing a random citizen across the street that got their feet almost wet from delivering a few stocks of soda at a mini grocery store earlier, and hoodies "That would be 2500 cyhea, Your Highness." upon accepting the paper bag and exchanging it with the right amount he asked the same question to the cashier manager "I have a question." He spouted bluntly, surprising the amazon "A Question?"

"Yeah, what do you want to buy if you are given cyhea?" he asked upon receiving his change, placing them safely back into his wallet "Uh? Let me see I think some new coats and boots would be great since my old ones are about to live up their lives after the season is over." the cashier amazon scratched the sid of her cheek at such a sudden random question "Oh, I see, I see, thank you." he placed a hand under his chin taking a mental note on things "Your Welcome? Your Highness have a good afternoon." she waved the white-haired kinou goodbye "You too." a cold wind blew by as Nox closed the door behind him, he had to hug the paper bag close to his torso to secure them from being swept away.

Maybe I should buy a decanter set for Tia, he stopped in his tracks thinking to himself

She has been hinting it the past few days already that she wants one, he considered the possibility of it upon getting back on track, stopping once again when a few Rhiannon citizens stopped his asking to take a photo with him in which case he kindly allowed after they had left Nox continued on his way whilst at it, he stuffed one hand on his left pocket ready to pull out his galva to call the redhead amazon But wait what if she already bought one? The second thought of doubt entered his scape hence each of them was given a huge amount of cyhea to spend for themselves I should just call her to make sure, scrolling through his galva he tapped on Ignatius's number dialing it, it took a few rings before she finally answered his call

"Hi, Noxxie what's up?" The sound of crates unloading could be heard from her background line something that Nox ignored asking upon knowing that she was probably at a liquor store "You haven't bought a decanter set yet did you?" He verified "No not yet, why?" judging by the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she went to multiple bars here in Eirlys to taste their best sellers from the shelf "Great! Okay, thanks bye!" Milady's foster son exclaimed with relief saying his goodbyes for now as he rushed to go to toast liquor shop that Ignatius has yet to all visit "Huh?" after Nox ended the call he had established between them, the redhead amazon was befuddled beyond repose but mostly it was because half of the liquid running in her system right now is nothing but alcohol and she doesn't give a shit about it more or less she was happy.

Milady and Odette have been looking all over the palace for her lovely pet, who seemingly vanished when Milady had turned her back for a second, which is odd hence Salt has never pulled such a prank on her owner, I've blended Milady my help in locating her baby Meraki but the little critter just keeps on moving forward to another hiding spot whenever Milady has arrived at her previous location "Zero, it's Mirror." she knocked on the bluette kinou's study "It's open!" he replied in the midst of re-reading the paperwork "Zero have you seen Salt?" Milady walked head straight in front of his desk while Odette stood behind her "Salt? wasn't she with you?" he glanced up for a second, brows furrowed "She was but then I turned my back for a second, and she was gone." Milady crossed her arms on her chest, eyes looking around the room in case she spots a little critter hiding in between the corners. "Odette check the farther side," Milady ordered the greenette handmaiden in which case she nodded doing as told.

"Haven't you tried looking into Hathor?" Zero quired gesturing to me that was levitating beside Milady, placing down his pen to take the steaming mug drinking the coffee that was in it "I already did, Odette and I have been scouring the entire palace for Salt for a long while now and that's why I'm here cause Hathor showed me that she was here but she's not that been an occurring theme." Milady frowned upon seeing the piled-up paper on her husband's desk no matter how many he signed yesterday the next day there will still be more to do. Milady could tell how many cups of caffeine he had already consumed today just by looking at the time his lips made contact with the mugs ring and the way his eyes blinks heavily suggests that he wanted to put the paper down but refuses to do so. "Whether or not she was here, I didn't notice take a seat first I'll ask Chase." He scratched the side of his cheek.

"Zero why don't you take a break for a while, you have been working non-stop since this morning, I'm worried for you." Milady dematerialized my glass form as she expressed her harrowing to her busy spouse who was still deeply engrossed on the paper he's holding in his hand "I'll be fine, it's not like I'm doing anything rigorous--" he rubbed his eyes, blinking twice indicating Milady's point further "Zero...please." she looked away upon saying the word her father had taught her to never say hence doing so would make her look desperate and weak in the eyes of others "Okay, okay, I'll take a break." Zero however did not expect her lips to say such words and hearing it come out of Milady's lips willingly made him pause from his work and stare at her for a moment completely dumbfounded by it, Milady noticed his daze on her upon tracking her attention back at him "Good because you badly need it. And do give half of this to Chase to do tomorrow I want you to take a day off for making me say that stupid word." Milady gestured to the piles of paper and boxes scattered all over the floor.

"Yes Milady~" he poked fun of her an enigmatic smile creeping up his lips and it made Milady's eyes dilate "Zero stop." Milady kept her eyes on her spouse whilst he intertwined his fingers propping his elbow psychopath phone the desk's surface staring smugly back at Milady "Chase!" He chuckled tilting his head back satisfied with Milady's riposte upon the matter, calling his assistant to avoid any further insinuation of the flirtatious behavior that is climbing "Yes, Your Highness?" Chase made his way back into the main side of the room some streaks of his purple hair were peaking out the low ponytail "Have you seen Mirror's pet? Salt? running around here in my study earlier?" Zero asks, whilst the kinou in question thought to himself for a good minute before clarifying an answer to his boss "Yes, she was in a form of a cat and sat patiently in front of your desk for nearly an hour straight, Your Highness."

"What?" Lireo's heir couldn't believe that a little critter had been staring at him and he failed to notice its pulse "Why didn't you tell me?" he slouched on his seat closing his eyes for a bit "Because you were so engrossed in your work Your Highness that it felt rude in my part to interrupt you. I apologize for my negligence." the purplette kinou has beads of cold sweat forming in his forehead whilst clasping his hands together in his chest "It's fine, just inform me next time." Zero waved his right hand dismissing the mistake to never make it again "Understood Your Highness." Chase bowed his head down "Odette get me a cookie over there," Milady ordered from across the room "Right away Milady." she replied, taking a small plate beside the huge jar taking one of out it.

"Great you're here!" Hibiki popped his head into the open door, glad that he had caught Milady and Zero in the same room "You're back early." Milady crossed her leg over the other as she sat down by the chair close to Zero's desk, the greenette gave her the cookie "I'll spend the other one-fourth of my bonus tomorrow--but enough about that, look what I got you~" Hibiki shimmed the item in his hand, Zero narrowed his eyes at the item in his best friend's hands then back to the latter "By the gods...Odette and Chase leave the room for a second." Milady waved her hand, for them to leave the room hence if Hibiki manages to annoy the shit out of Milady, she doesn't want them to see it because the orangette will, he manages to get under her skin and he's the only one who can "Yes, Milady." Once the doors closed Hibiki giddy placed down the wrapped long cylinder item on Zero's desk "Here." Milady eyed the item from across her seat taking another bite on the chocolate chip cookie she's holding "I already have a feeling that this something--"

"Oh come on Zero don't be like that, I gave all my heart and dedication into buying you this one, open it~" Hibiki placed an arm over his best friend's shoulder blades overly dramatizing how he bought such a gift for Zero who only raised a brow at him quite nervous upon what the item is, from knowing what kind of tendencies Aulora's noble owns "Hibiki what exactly is this--..." the bluette kinou froze and stared with wide eyes upon tearing the first half of the gift Hibiki had bought him "Come on Zero don't be shy unwrap it fully~" his best friend slapped his back and due to it he almost dropped the cylinder bottle "Zero? what did Hibiki get you?... are you okay?" Milady got up from her seat to get another cookie not only for herself but also for the two kinou's when Zero started to tear the wrapping apart, side facing she saw his face turning a bit pale like he's seen a ghost.

"Y-yeah!--Hibiki why did you buy me this?!" his words stammering upon acknowledging Milady's question pulling on the orangette's collar the side of their faces squished upon one another, Zero whispered yelled at the latter when Milady turned her back again to place the cookie jars lid back on "Obviously, so you two could finish up faster duh, you two always take too long every morning." Hibiki only laughed and rolled his eyes at the fact. "Lower your voice--" Lireo's heir gritted his teeth "Is that what I think it is?" Milady placed the small plate full of cookies in front of them seeing the label written across the cylinder bottle "Yup! a hundred percent!" Hibiki shook the bluette's shoulder blades "By the gods, he actually bought you something like this, you have no shame Hibiki." Milady took the cylinder bottle out of her husband's hands fully taking off the wrappings surrounding it inspecting the instructions at the back.

"Awww thank you and see Zero! Mirror likes it! and she'll absolutely love it later on--oohohohohoho~" Hibiki threw his head back laughing slyly like a fox as he pulled on Zero's leg further "Uugghh..." the bluette groaned face-palming himself "Quit brooding, I also gave the other members the same thing." Aulora's royal nudged his close friend by the shoulder to lighten up his mood over it hence he wasn't the only one who's going to receive this kind of ignominy today, Ignatius will get a pass later on hence she will return back here at the palace highly intoxicated when Hibiki gives his gift to her "You didn't give Ethan one right?" Milady verified hence if the orangette did indeed give Ethan one she'll have to whack some senses into him in the form of not giving him any of his salaries for five months "Nope, he's still too young. I'll give him one when he's older."

Upon Sting's arrival to the room of his daughter to give her the little clips and scrunchies he bought, he was stopped in his tracks by the door upon seeing Salt in a corgi form happily playing with Fuzuki "Papa! Look it's a dog! Hihihi!" Fuzuki played with the Meraki's huge pointy ears "Woof! Woof!" who only barked enjoying the feeling her ears are receiving *When did Salt get here?* Sting placed the bag on the nearby cabinet as he walked in the servants' direction asking the nanny of his daughter who was folding the little girl's clothes upon why was Salt here "Milady's pet was already hereafter the little miss had finished taking her bath." Fuzuki's nanny gave an account of what transpired after she finished bathing the little girl, who was paying close attention to the two adults as they conversed with each other "Papa?" Fuzuki called for the blonde kinou from her spot on the puzzle mat with Salt.

*Yes sweetie what is it?* Fuzuki was at first confused when her Father stopped talking using his mouth and instead typed his words via galva, pondered upon why was he wearing something on his neck. Explaining that something just went wrong that was not planned by anyone and the blonde was the unlucky one who got caught in it but, adding further that he'll have to talk via texts in the meantime of his recovery from the unintentional incident "Who's Milady? I've been hearing the servants say it and they say she's my mama." Sting sat down in front of his daughter getting a bit anxious with her questions *She is indeed your mother sweetie,* he smiled, but Fuzuki's next words made his heartache a bit hence it was true "How come I've never seen her? why hasn't she visited me yet?...does she not love me?" Fuzuki looked like she was about to cry when she inquired about her mother's parental passion for her.

Sting cupped the face of his daughter as her eyes locked on the floor, to which case Salt nudged her head on the little raven girl's leg to cheer her up *Sweetie your mother loves you with all her heart...she's just busy with her work that's all, she'll come to visit you one day when she's no longer busy.* he lied to her, and her eyes traveled to reassuring ones, it was a fake promise but it was the only way to make her happy, the blonde doesn't want Fuzuki to hate Milady "Really?" she exclaimed with a hopeful attitude *Yes,* he ruffled her locks that she inherited from Milady *I can't wait!* she jumped to hug the blonde who almost got tackled down the floor from how energetic she was its a good thing Salt shaped shifted into a snow leopard cathing Sting before he could damage his already healing neck, the little girl giggled from in her father's embrace excited that she will be finally seeing the amazon responsible for carrying her out into our homeworld any time soon. Sting bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from letting out a tear at the thought of the little girl leaving him. What they didn't know is that Milady was standing outside Fuzuki's door listening.

After a few days and two of chatting merrily via galva with the bartender, Ignatius met and came by the bar said kinou works at, the redhead amazon finally agreed to let him take her out on a date. Hibiki had the right initiative for buying those unguent products as a gift of sorts for his already of right age comrades. *Why is she smiling all of the sudden?* Sting asked the white-haired twenty-nine-year about the redhead leaning on his left whilst playing with her hair excited for the next to arrive "She's been like that for the past few days now. She has a date tomorrow with a kinou she flirted with at a bar." Nox whispered to the blonde who typed an *⊙○⊙* expression on his galva when Nox answered his question "Hey, bitch! why are you smiling?" Ethan looked up from his assignment questioning the redhead who didn't seem to hear his words as she giggled to herself snuggling closer to Sting by the fireplace, not responding greatly to being ignored the water obsessed teen raven threw a huge of crumpled up paper at Ignatius' eye to take her out of her daydreaming.

"REALITY CHECK BITCH!"

"OWW!! WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!"

"What are you smiling about?"

"It's none of your business! and leave me alone you stupid fucking brat!"

"Quit grinning like a fool, you look crazy!"

"Shut up!"

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