Chapter 33 - #33 Mez and Suzuka (2/2)
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The next morning I dressed up in my usual black uniform with white gloves and black leather shoes. I attached a few little bags to my red belt and stuffed them with a things I got from Babara. For example poisonous smoke bombs and also that vial of hers that heals wounds almost instantly. Even those clothes I was currently wearing were made from material, Babara sent me and I must really thank her for how convenient it is. Any blood immediately gets washed away and its smell also immediately disappears.
I said goodbye to everyone and made my way towards the Palace.
”Who are you?! State your business here!” The guards at the main entrance towards the Palace immediately stopped me because my current uniform didn't have my house's insignia and although I was quite famous in our territory, I tend to stay there or just be outside of the City entirely so not everyone was aware of my appearance. Not to mention that these guards are simply looking at the clothes so once they noticed my formal clothes their tone became friendlier but they still stopped me
”I am here on behalf of Phoenix house, here is the invitation. Now, make way.” I said in an authoritative tone and took one of my hands out of my pocket and showed him a crumpled paper.
”Oh! I am sorry for blocking your way, please come on in!” The guard immediately straightened himself when he read a few words written on the paper.
I nodded at him and entered the Palace area.
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”Why was his invitation so crumpled?” One of the guards asked his colleague when Akashi left.
”...No idea.” He answered with a confused expression as he began thinking about possibilities but the truth was that Akashi forgot it in his pocket so when he threw his previous clothes aside yesterday, the clothes became crumpled and so the paper. Thankfully, Akashi's acting skills are high enough to pretend that nothing happened with it.
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*Sigh* For the first time being so close to the Palace of the current Emperor and his ”Guardian”
My eyes were still half open but this time, my expression was stern just for a show as my father requested. But this combination was enough to make me look ”noble” and arrogant enough as expected from such a family.
I asked a few maids working in the enormous garden about directions to the meeting room and they quickly described where it is. When I finally arrived, I still had to show my invitation once again to another guard.
*Creak* I opened the door and walked in with my stern look in my face.
There is Esdeath, sitting in white uniform without any badges, she still wears her headband, huh? Numerous people around her, trying to get her favor...and those 2 girls at the end of the table, sitting all alone must be from Rakshasa Demons.
Everyone immediately looked towards me as if they were waiting only for me. Most of those stares were angry glares except for those 2 girls from Rakshasa Demons.
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'Oh? Maybe this meeting won't be such boredom with this handsome man here. I can't stand these ugly stupid nobles trying to score with Esdeath...' One of the girls with green eyes, tanned skin and blonde hair tied in pigtails decorated with horseshoes thought with a genuine smile with her chin being supported by her hand while looking at Akashi, checking him out. She is wearing long leggings and open shirt, displaying her bikini top
'Those sharp eyes and that stern expression....Ah! I wonder how it would feel to be tortured by him! Just image of being whipped by him while being glared at with his red eyes with vertical pupils....aaah!' The other girl with pale skin, black hair and eyes, and scar over her nose thought with flushed cheeks while looking at Akashi with hungry eyes. She is wearing a loose kimono shirt exposing her cleavage held by a brėȧst guard.
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That black-haired girl is looking at me weirdly...Although it is not exactly in perverted ways...but that only makes it scarier.
”Who do you think you are that you let all of us wait for you?!” The angry shout came from probably one of the representatives of those noble families.
”Sorry for being late. I am Phoenix's house representative.” I directed my stern look at the one who shouted at me and said with an emotionless voice.
”It doesn't matter what family you represent, I hope you have a very good excuse for all of us here.” He replied with an irritated expression.
This is getting annoying...sorry father...
”Yeah, I have one. I had problem waking up so I took 5 more minutes. Is that good enough?” I said without any shred of humor in my tone.
”Wha-?!” All of them got surprised by my reply and the one who was arguing with me previously wanted to say more but...
I sensed something coming at me from my left side so I turned to the side and blocked the leg coming for my head and firmly gripped it.
”Akashi! I hope you didn't forget about our promise!” It was Esdeath who attacked me with a genuine smile while looking at me and her smile only widened when I blocked her kick so effortlessly.
”Of course not, it is nice to see you again and this time in more formal clothes. It suits you but let's postpone this ”our spar”, we are here to talk and not to fight. Here you go!” I threw her back towards her previous seat
”Huh?” She seemed a bit surprised but she quickly smiled and performed a few spins to regain her balance and then precisely landed on her previous seat with a calm expression and closed eyes, as if she never left it before.
Everyone had their jaws dropped when they saw this little exchange and the one who previously shouted at me was only looking at the ground, keeping quiet.
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'Oho? Not only handsome but also strong?! Just my type!' The tanned girl thought with sparks in her eyes.
'Aaah, now I am sure that he would be strong enough to make me feel great pŀėȧsurė!' The black-haired girl's cheeks only reddened more as she thought while looking at Akashi.
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Now for the empty seats...UGH, all next to those nobles.
I walked to the end of the table and took a seat next to the tanned girl since that black-haired girl was giving me weird vibes while the other one looked perfectly normal.
”Hi, I am Mez, nice to meet you!” The tanned girl immediately introduced herself with a wide smile and without any regard for the people in this room and extended her hand to me for a handshake.
”Akashi, nice to meet you.” I nodded at her and accepted her handshake with a small smile.
”I am Suzuka!” The other girl also extended her hand but I was slightly hesitant to take it but after a while I finally took it.
She immediately tightened her grip enough to crush normal man's hand so I tightened my own grip even more and instead of releasing pained groan she actually mȯȧnėd lowly.
”Ah!” Her cheeks became flushed once again and she released a charming smile at me.
”It's really nice to meet you, Akashi!” She said with a charming smile.
...This girl is a mȧsȯċhɨst.
”Y-Yeah, likewise.” I replied with a forced smile.