Test of the Heart (Sequel)

Chapter 10- Begin

Third person POV
The tea party was long over and Akuma was free to relax for the rest of the night. It was around ten at night when Akuma had decided to retire to bed. After all, she was sure the maids would barge back into her room early in the morning to prepare for a banquet that will occur in the evening. Akuma shuddered.

'The amount of time women spend getting ready is quite scary...' Akuma slipped into bed and tried finding a comfortable position.

"Though I suppose it wasn't bad..." Akuma stared up at the roof of her bed. She never imagined such a day where she would have entered high society. Especially since she never got the chance to debut into society.

Then she began to thrift off further into thought. She would never be able to officially debut in society. Even with her privileges in Clarines besides both Izana and Zen, she no longer has a confirmed title. She is only a lady of rumors.

But how will she ever live in the future? What power will she have? She can't just sit quietly in the Clarines palace with no role or purpose like a freeloader. Plus, Izana will become the King and bring in a Queen. There's no telling what could possibly become of her with new surroundings.

'I need to confirm a position and power if I want to continue living like this...' Akuma clenched her hand and her brows furrowed.

Akuma thought back to the Trevor of Reinsfor and his motive for power. She shook her head and sighed.

'I can't believe the possibility of them wanting a girl whose background they can't even confirm to become their queen...' Akuma clicked her tongue and felt her blood pressure rise. She tightly gripped the blanket sheet and tried closing her eyes.

'I'll have to see that damned man at the banquet tomorrow too. Tch... The entire purpose of these parties is to celebrate the peace treaty and create appease Reinsfor to an extent. No wonder Izana kept quiet to himself.'

"That scheming b**ch..." Akuma cursed at Izana.

'I have to find another way to obtain power to help both Ryu and myself.'

As she thought of Ryu, memories of the day displayed in her mind. The alone time they had together played and teased her emotions, causing her face to slowly heat up. Then with the image of Ryu planting a kiss upon her hand, her heart skipped a beat and her face flushed hot. She quickly sat up with wide eyes that blinked away at the seconds that went by.

"Ah~! I really won't be able to sleep!" Akuma groaned, facepalming herself as she flopped back down onto the bed.

"Why does he have to be so cute..." Akuma let out a long sigh.

'Whatever! I'll sleep it off!' She tucked herself back to bed and closed her eyes. The heat from her face seeped onto her pillow, reminding her of the cause of it.

She laid there and tried. And tried. And tried again. And again. And yet again. Still, she was unable to fall asleep.

"F*ck..." She scoffed.
—————

*Knock knock*

"Pardon our intrusion." Five maids entered the room.

Three of them went over to Akuma's bedside, waking up the half-asleep girl.

"Ah, eh?" Akuma tiredly rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?" She let out a huge yawn behind her hand.

"It is 10 o'clock. We need to prepare you for the party. Now we only have eight hours since his highness the Crown Prince requested to wake you up two hours later." One of the maids informed.

'I think eight hours is beyond plenty enough...' Akuma sighed. 'I had barely fallen asleep two hours ago too. Thank goodness for Izana's rare sparing soul.'