Chapter 138 - #137 Unexpected visitor?! (2/2)

”You said yourself that you know how they feel so use that to your and mine advantage. Train them for me, be it education, business, cooking, combat, or whatever. Let them have a choice of what to do and then help them. Are you willing to do that for me?” Akashi asked with a gentle smile while looking straight into Ichika's bright violet eyes.

”Y-Young lord-” Ichika muttered while looking tenderly at Akashi with a sweet smile.

”Don't. I know that look, I am not a good person. I simply try to balance my karma plus if I am to turn this country into a better place to live at, I need to start somewhere even if it is making lives of more than 15 children better.” Akashi replied while waving his hand in denial in front of him.

”Hihi, of course, young lord. Please allow me to continue aiding you!” Ichika giggled after seeing the reaction she already expected from Akashi and then she suddenly kneeled on one knee in front of Akashi while taking his hand into her hands.

”? Please stand up, Ichika...You are already part of the family. You only make me feel weird by doing this...but thank you for your loyalty. Please continue being by my side and you have my word that I will never sell you out even if the entire world turned against you.” Akashi raised his eyebrow upon seeing Ichika's act but he quickly replied and then it was his turn to take hold of her hand as he promised her while gently ċȧrėssing her hand.

”...*sniff* I-I think it's time for me to go to the bed. Have a good night, young lord!” Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard his honest promise but she quickly wiped them away while getting up and excusing herself.

”Yeah. Good night to you too.” Akashi replied and as he saw her leaving, he shook his head with a small smile.

'What was with this entire situation? Well, I should finally go to the study to read reports of past few weeks. I guess Aiko is already asleep so I won't be reviewing business reports without her.' Akashi thought and silently went his way without waking anyone up. The guards he met in the halls just quickly saluted him before returning to their duties.

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As Akashi was reading through not so interesting reports, he suddenly recalled something as he lightly smacked the table with his hand.

'I completely forgot about Esdeath...Shit, she must be quite angry at me for not returning for so long. *sigh* I said that I will owe her but I am thinking of backing on my word since she must be quite angry and her request will definitely be crazy!' Akashi thought with a sour expression on his face.

*knock* *knock* A subtle sounds of knocking on the door bought Akashi back from his thoughts.

”Come in” Akashi replied and one of the guards from the main entrance walked in and bowed to Akashi.

”Lord, there is a young woman that wants to meet you. She is saying that she knows you, we wouldn't normally bother you about this but she looked...really down so I thought I better report this to you...I am sorry if I am bothering you.” The guard explained the situation and apologized once he noticed Akashi's still sour expression.

”Don't worry about it, I am annoyed by these reports, not from your report. What's the name of that girl?” Akashi denied his worries while pointing at the stack of documents lying scattered across his entire table.

”Well, she didn't want to tell us. She said that it would be better for us not to know. Normally I would chase someone rude like that away but she seemed really sad and genuinely sorry so I let it slide. In my opinion, I suspect her being one of those ȧssassins who escaped tonight from the palace.” He replied with a respectful tone and smile formed on his stiff expression when he heard that he isn't bothering.

”I see, escort her here but be quiet and don't wake anyone up.” Akashi replied while he started cleaning his table of the mess on it.

”Understood!” The guard saluted and left the room in silence.

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*knock* *knock*

After a few minutes, they finally came and lightly knocked on the door once again.

”Thank you for your hard work, let her enter on her own.” Akashi said and guard didn't say anything and only left.

*Creak* The door opened and Akashi raised his head to look at who could it be and was shocked to see the person in front of him.

”Poney?!” Akashi muttered with a dumbfounded expression.

”...Hi, Akashi” She greeted Akashi while looking at him with red puffy eyes. It was apparent that she was crying just recently.

However, her ragged and depressed appearance didn't shock him since he already expected this but he would have never expected her to come to him. To be honest, he wasn't even sure why is she here, he couldn't make a guess except for asking for Akame's location.