Disclaimer: Sure I own it...

Thanks to my two supportive reviewers, loriakitochan and RinHaru4ever, both of you rock! Thanks for reviewing every chapter, you two mean so much to me.

Part I Chapter V

March 11, 1910

"Good. I've won." Ren knew that she was going to win. There was no way that she could lose, since she knows that either way, the odds were on her side. That newcomer may interfere with her plans, but once she is Marchioness, she will crush her as easily killing a fly. It's not going to disturb her perfect world. She has finally put her plan into action, its time for them to pay.

She dressed in her best kimono, and summoned her ladies. She was going to go to Akito's to collect her dues, and humiliate that brat now. She might even give her some comfort. She couldn't help but just laugh at that thought, as she took her steps closer to Akito's quarters.

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Akito had little time now. Her masterpiece is almost complete. Now, if she could just stall for another day or so, she would have everything. Her status, her power, and her lover. Nothing shall stand in her way. However, how was she going to have someone to stir a storm while keeping everything under control?

The doors rolled, and her senses caught on. She quickly gave a sharp gaze to the intruder, and hissed. "Who dares to come in without telling me first?" Then her eyes saw a whole band of ladies standing behind Ren. She knew what Ren came for. Maybe this could assist her final piece in the puzzle.

She didn't bother greeting the long hair lady that was standing at her doorway, she merely growled, and started back at the window. The birds flying outside, thinking that they had all the freedom. Well, they are all wrong. They all lived at the mercy of her; she could take her hand and squeeze the live out of them. To prove her point, she took a bird, and that cruel fate did fall on that poor creature. She wanted to show them that no matter what they do, they always lived under her will. They must serve her.

"Aren't you forgetting something? Or are you eating your words now?" Ren was getting mad. She thought that she could come and demote this pretender to her rightful status, but instead, she was the one that was being taught a lesson.

"What words? I never knew you could eat them?" Her voice cracked with a dry laugh, daring Ren to continue.

"Our bet. In case you did not forget the terms, I required you to-----------"

Akito cut in her sentence and replied "Of course I have not forgotten. I think that you are one that is forgetting something. I promised you on the conditions that if he announces her as his mistress. He has not done that yet. Further, I would like to remind you that I am Marchioness. I rule around the household here. Not you. I think you better go back from where you came from." She smiled politely at the mistress, and made motions to dismiss them.

Ren couldn't think of a reply for this one, but then she just screamed "You don't deserve this. I do, you're the one that took everything away from me. How dare you say that! I am the only one that is worthy of this household, not you, nor your little slut!" Her arms were flying around, her face all puffed up and red. Akito just smiled back at her, and she ran out, screaming insults towards Akito.

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"And that woman, she has agreed. Yet she is still parading around like a stupid Marchioness. She has agreed that she shall step down, and that I should begin myself as your wife. She deserves no mercy!" She went on rambling about how Akito was rude to her, and that she was Marchioness in all but title, and should get that respect from everyone. Shigure paid no attention and continued working, but Ren at this point was boiling. She took his papers away, and ripped them into tiny little flakes of paper.

"What are you doing? If you got into another fight, just swallow it. You said she'll only wait for a few more days. Can't you have enough patience to do that? I'm trying to do work here." He snapped at her. She looked surprised. He has never done that to her before, never.

She ran out, saying that he doesn't love her anymore, and that she should run away, and marry some lowly farmer, for he would at least give her what she wants. He just muttered, gathered whatever remaining of his work, and continued. Damn Akito, he thought.

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For saying sorry, he has decided to shower Ren with furs, and a cornet. He has also given her pouches of gold, saying that she should prepare for the biggest event in her life. She smiled when she got the gifts, and sent a loving message on how much she loved him, and how she loved the gifts.

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Akito has heard of what Ren did, so she found messengers. Not many were willing to work for her, but she stated that as long as she was Marchioness, they were all under the mercy of her. Some gave in, and she made them purposely ask Shigure on how was his health, how he was feeling these days. All of them came back with either bruises or insults that were beyond anyone's imaginations.

Akito was glad; her plan was ready for the final phase.

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March 12, 1910

"I did talk to him. But he wouldn't listen. He doesn't care. All he did was swore and screamed, saying that he is sick of you. I couldn't get him to do anything that was related on advancing my position." Nanoko said. Her eyes were filled with tears. It didn't feel good to be screamed at just because you were the first person that he could take out all his anger from.

Akito smiled secretly to herself. One more move, and it'll be checkmate. She soothed the girl.

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"I trust you, you know that. I trust you more than anything. Here's the message that I want you to take to that bitch. And oh, scare her if necessary. I don't care how you're going to convince her, as long as you do it. You are my most loyal one, you shall be greatly rewarded." She nodded, and went on her mission.

Akito was once again walking in the gardens. However, there was something different about her today. She looked more happy, more cunning, and more, evil. Her expression was like declaring 'I will win with any means, and I already have. I shall make everyone pay."It looked most terrifying, it was almost worst than the devil. She looked as if she controlled the devil. Another thing was that there was a maid behind her. She has somehow forced a lady to follow her while she was walking around the gardens.

Suddenly, two figures caught her eyes. One of them was the little fool that she has told to play Shigure, and the other was the one that dared to disrespect her. She smiled, watching them. She then moved a little sideways, and on such an angle so that the maid could see everything clearly. Heads moving closer together, the little fool's face growing pale, her eyes wider by the second. The other one smirking, nodding.

Akito had watched enough, and decided to walk towards them. Nanoko saw her and bowed, walking away. But she stopped the other lady.

"I see you've taken an interest in someone else already. Is the being the Marchioness' dog not enough for you?" The lady's face merely reddened, but swallowed whatever insults that were thrown in her way. She sank down into a graceful curtsied, and Akito smirked, and then released her.

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Candlelight was flickering across the papers that needed to be completed. It gave a welcoming glow to the room, a place where one should feel save. However, when Nanoko was allowed in the room, she felt anything but that.

She clutched on the tray that she has, so hard that her knuckles were already white. But she felt as if she wasn't holding onto it, her palms were too sweaty. It was slipping from her. Her legs couldn't carry her, and she was losing her balance. She walked slowly, and set down the tray.

"I'm sorry if I offended you earlier. I didn't mean to do that. I just didn't know. I'm sorry, here's my token to apologize. I heard from the cooks that you enjoy this dish, so I tried making it. This is already my third try. I hope you like it." Her voice wobbled, and she was trying to hold back the tears that were making her choke. He at first didn't bother, but when her little speech was finish, he looked up with a tired smile.

"Oh, don't worry my little rose. I don't mean anything that I've said; it's just that I'm much stressed. I'm sure that anything you make is wonderful. I'm touched that you've made anything at all. Leave now, its getting late." He assured her with a tone that a father speaks to his little child, and stroked her hair. Her face lit up immediately, and she smiled, bowed, and left.

During the late hours, while trying to work out the wedding that he was going to have, the people's lands and complaints, and some political issues, he finished the whole dish.

The figure in the dark smiled. The mission was worth it after all, even if standing out in the old and dark for almost all night. It was almost dusk, and the sky has started transform into a lighter shade of blue. Such a beautiful day. Birds on trees were starting to sing, it'll serve the play well.

Checkmate.

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March 13, 1910

Ren was admiring a plate that she just got. It was beautifully crafted. It was a perfect circle. The patterns were like snakes, with silver threads everywhere. She found it very deadly and masterly. Her love for this plate was beyond words. Not only was it perfect in her eyes, it was also.

"Ren-sama, a messenger is outside." A maid announced. She felt mad, a sudden urge to slap the maid. She hasn't looked at this plate forever, it was her prized possession.
"Get out. I want no one to disturb me while I am looking at this plate. Do you understand?" She yanked the maid's ear, and the maid whimpered.

"But they say it was an important message, one that needs to be delivered immediately. Everyone in the household is getting this message. Please, Ren-sama, it won't take you very long." The girl was pleading. She wondered what had put Ren into such a bad mood. There should be nothing that angered her, for she was going to become a Marchioness within days.

"Tell the messenger to come in." She growled, being very impatient.

The messenger came in, bowed, and moved forward to whisper something in Ren's ear. The plate in Ren's hands slipped to the ground.

Author's Notes: Greetings...I'm basically back from the dead. I know I've made promises, but summer school is really wearing me out. Gosh...I want to quit so badly now...

Anyways, back to this chapter. One of my reviewers asked what the 'lady' said to Akito last time, about Ren having full authority for the divorce, I'm afraid its true. Sorry if any of you guys were like pinning to hope that she didn't. But look, she's having her reward now.

Is this kind of like a cliffie for you people? I don't really know myself. But its one of more of the exciting parts, and its a real turning point now. Those of looking forward to the ending of Aki's suffering, you've earned it. Try to guess what has happened that made Ren dropped her prized plate? People who guess get a cookie from me...and people that guess it right...I'll give you a genie. (And you can say "I want more wishes")

That's all I have to say for this one. Oh, as for the choppy scenes, its to keep everything more hidden. I don't want you to fully understand what Akito is plotting. Although I have a feeling that by the time that I've sprung the trap on you, its no surprise anymore. Well, I'll wait till that happens. By the way, its more like my style of writing. Short and choppy. I really have trouble writing some long long scenes at times. I usually like doing one scene, stop it, jump to the next one that's relevant to the story, tell it, and so forth. That's why if you people have been looking at the actual time frame, its not really detailed. I do realize that, but do we really need to see Akito just sitting in her room, or Ren thinking up some stupid plot. Or have those two scream at each other? If you do want more details, you could always drop off a review/PM, and I'll try to fix it. Right now I'm really hyped up about the upcoming chapters, something huge is finally happening.

Don't review, or else I'll become so sad that I'll never update again.