Disclaimer: I don't own Little Witch Academia or any of its characters. They rightfully belong to Trigger.

A/N: Wohoo~! Update! Am I right?! Here's the newest chapter, as promised, from yours truly. I hope you guys and gals enjoy it!


Chapter 7: Discussions & Expectations

As soon as the rain let up, the girls headed back to Wedinburgh. It was quite late when they arrived at the manor, most of the lights were out and there's definitely no doubt that the servants had finally retired for the evening, or so they thought...

Diana led Helios by the reigns, guiding the horse towards the stables, and when she looked up she was surprised to see Anna and Carter waiting up for them.

The heiress was quite taken aback from seeing them, "Anna, Carter, I appreciate the thought, really I do, but I did say that you didn't have to wait for me." she reminded.

"We know, milady, but we wanted to." Carter insisted with a small smile as he held Helios' reigns, gently taking them away from Diana's possession. "It didn't feel right to retire for the night knowing that our mistress has yet to return home." The old man then looked at Akko, who was shyly clinging onto the blonde's arm this entire time, "It's good to see that you returned to us as well, young miss."

The brunette buried her face onto Diana's shoulder, answering with a timid, "T-thank you..."

"I, for one, was very worried and I was right to be! You poor girls are soaked to the bone!" Anna fretted as she headed over and gently started ushering the girls towards the manor.

The young doctor for once was very startled when her head maid decided to take charge, resisting a bit from being pushed around. "P-please Anna, you don't have to do that! Akko and I are very capable of taking care of ourselves."

"Nonsense!" Anna's voice thundered loud and clear, her voice obviously leaving no room for insubordination, which in turn caused the girls to flinch. "As a proud servant of the House of Cavendish, I am willing to dedicate myself to the well being of every member of this household as well as honored guests."

As the girls were being ushered away, the butler waved goodbye before he turned around and started leading the white stallion towards the stables, "Don't you worry, milady. I'll tend Helios for you, and leave you ladies in Anna's capable hands." he reassured with a yell over his shoulder.

Diana just sighed as she resigned herself to her fate, and Akko couldn't help but giggle a bit from her reaction.

It was good to be home.


After Anna ensured that the girls were bathed, fed, and dressed in comfortable clothing Diana finally managed to convince the head maid to retire for the night. Akko's wound had been taken care of and the girl was snuggled up in bed, fast asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Diana wasn't surprised to see that since the brunette walked around all day with practically no breaks, and of course she deserved the rest.

Instead of following Akko's example completely, the heiress only did half of it as she simply decided to lay down on her bed and started reading a novel. Diana was about done reading chapter two when she heard a knock on her bedroom door...

Who on Earth is still awake at this hour? The young doctor wondered as she closed her novel and laid it on the bedside table. She pushed the blankets aside and wearily got out of bed.

When Diana answered the door she was certainly shocked to see the brunette to the point where she let out a confused, "Akko?"

"Hey, Diana..."

The red-eyed girl stood in the hallway wearing a pink colored nightgown, which the heiress used to wear when she was much younger, but not anymore. It was a perfect fit. Akko looked absolutely adorable in Diana's eyes. The blonde must've been staring a bit too much because the brunette simply blushed, trying her best to hide her face into the pillow that she was hugging to her chest. Akko was child-like in so many ways that the young doctor can't help but think...

She is so cute. Diana thought adoringly, cooing on the inside as she brought a hand up to cover up her eyes. She'd definitely wouldn't mind getting a doze or two of Akko's cuteness, in fact, the blonde tries to make it into a daily goal of sorts, but now wasn't the time for such thoughts.

Diana dropped her hand back to her side and shook her head, giving the girl her undivided attention, "Is something wrong, Akko? Are you feeling ill?" she asked in concern.

"Yes, and no..." The brunette answered timidly, avoiding Diana's gaze.

Hearing Akko's shy answer caused the heiress to start jumping to conclusions as she asked, "Is your leg bothering you? Did I tie your bandages too tight?" Diana was clearly fretting by this point. "Did you catch a cold?" She quickly brought a hand up to Akko's forehead, checking her temperature. "Hmm, you don't seem to have a fever."

Meanwhile the brunette simply stood, feeling paralyzed at the blonde's close proximity. Akko was trying not to suffer a nervous breakdown, reminding herself that breathing was a necessary action, "N-no, it's not any of those things..." she managed to speak out.

Luckily, the red-eyed girl didn't have to freak out for long as Diana took a step back.

The young doctor stared at her with a worried and curious look, seemingly at a loss on why Akko was here. "Well then, if you're not here for a medical problem... What seems to be bothering you?"

"I can't sleep."

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that, especially with how late it is." Diana admitted bluntly without realization, being cut off guard from the sudden statement.

"I know, and I'm sorry..." The brunette apologized guiltily, subconsciously squeezing the pillow in her arms. "I tried, and I tried, but I keep waking up anyway."

Now, it was the blonde's turn to feel guilty. She didn't mean it like that, and she certainly didn't want to upset Akko for something so harmless.

Diana passed a hand through her wavy tresses, trying to gain back some form of composure and decided to make it up to her by saying, "Very well, you're spending the night with me."

The red-eyed girl looked surprised, finally staring up at her savior, "A-are you sure?" she asked.

"Quite sure." The heiress gave her a kind smile, stepping aside a bit to let Akko in her room.

The moment that Akko stepped into Diana's room she let her eyes wonder as she looked around Diana's personal space. It was certainly bigger than the moderate guest room the brunette was staying in. There was a large bed, a dresser, a vanity table, a desk, and a couple of bookshelves filled with so many complicated titles that Akko couldn't even begin to comprehend.

And almost in an instant, the red-eyed girl really felt out of place, suddenly feeling nervous. She subconsciously started heading towards a corner of the room and laid down on the floor, facing the wall.

"Akko, what are you doing?"

Akko tensed up, feeling a shiver go down her spine the moment she was called. When she finally dared to turn around the brunette noticed that Diana was already in bed, arms crossed and with a fierce look of disapproval on her face.

The brunette swallowed heavily, her tongue all of a sudden felt numb, but regardless of this fact Akko managed to mutter, "...Um, laying down?"

"On the floor?" The heiress spoke incredulously, raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow in amusement.

The red-eyed girl gave a slow nod, "Yeah..."

This girl. Diana had to resist the urge not to roll her eyes at the girl's childishness, and instead she merely shook her head and gently patted on the free space beside her on the bed. "Stop being silly, and get over here. You're not sleeping on the floor."

"I-it's okay, I don't mind...!"

Unfortunately for the brunette, the blonde was having none of it. "Akko."

Akko squeaked an, "Okay, okay!" in fright as she hesitantly made her way over. She settled down on the young doctor's bed, but noticeably kept her distance from Diana since the red-eyed girl was practically on the edge of the mattress.

After that ridiculous chatter, awkward silence fell between them.

The heiress didn't know what hurt more: Akko's distance, or the girl's attitude. Maybe both? Regardless of what it was, it inexplicably left a twinge of heartache inside her chest. In all honesty, Diana wasn't surprised since there seemed to be an invisible wall between them as of late. The question is... Why?

The blonde sighed heavily, leaning back against the headboard of her bed and looked at Akko from the corner of her eye. The red-eyed girl was impossibly stiff from her side of the bed, either too nervous being near Diana or too scared of laying down to the point where the young doctor wondered if the girl was actually even breathing let along blinking, but Akko remained still as a statue.

Akko couldn't sleep for some reason, Akko arrived unannounced by her door, both of which gave the heiress the impression that the brunette wanted some company, and yet Akko was acting strange. Very strange.

Obviously, by this point, Diana couldn't bear it anymore and so she broke the deafening silence by asking, "Akko, be honest with me." she paused for a moment in hesitation, "...Did I do something wrong?"

The red-eyed girl's reaction was immediate, suddenly snapping out of her tense posture and made eye contact with Diana, quickly responding with a, "What?! No, of course not!"

"Then, would you care to explain why you've been acting quite skittish around me lately?" The blonde genuinely asked her, feeling slight relieve but still felt a bit unconvinced from hearing Akko's answer, and so she pressed further, "Don't think that I haven't noticed. You've been acting strange ever since we started with your rehab."

The brunette's mouth went shut the moment Diana threw her accusation, further proving the young doctor's point, and so Akko avoided Diana's gaze once again.

What ultimately broke Diana's self-control were the girl's next words...

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Did she really just- The heiress didn't even finish her thought because she was outraged, clearly the thin line that was called 'patience' literally snapped and Diana let her emotions take over by saying, "Stop fucking lying!"

Akko looked at the blonde in surprise, quite taken aback from the sudden change in attitude. "D-Diana!"

"Don't, 'Diana!' me!" The blonde fumed, "Stop playing dumb, and stop avoiding the subject! You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about, Akko!" she then started bombarding the girl with questions, hoping that maybe Akko will crack under pressure and spill the beans. "Why did you leave? Was it because of me? Did I do something wrong?"

"No! You didn't do anything wrong, Diana!" The red-eyed girl answered fiercely as she shook her head in emphasis, meeting Diana's glare with one of her own.

"Then, why did you leave the manor? Surely, there must be SOME reason behind your actions!"

"I-I..."

"You've been acting distant lately ever since we've started your rehab, not to mention that you've left so suddenly." The young doctor repeated the facts once again, and she began to elaborate, "Your room was a complete mess, most of my belongings were gone, and..." Diana trailed off a bit as her scowl finally diminished, and instead a sad look took over her noble features, "I'll be frank with you, Akko. I'm not mad that you did any of those things, but what really hurt me the most was that...you left without saying goodbye." she admitted softly to the girl.

As soon as her anger had left, the heiress started crying and for the first time in her life the brunette had never really felt the need to berate herself more than she did now. It felt as if someone had punched Akko in the stomach, and they continued to do so because it felt near damn impossible to breathe.

Akko knew that she had made Diana worry, and unintentionally caused her some trouble, but Akko never imagined that she would ever hurt Diana for doing something like this.

For as long as she had known the blonde, Akko saw her as this confident, wonderful, and caring goddess, with looks to match. Diana had done a lot for her since they first met, and she always did so with a kind smile, and all the red-eyed girl did in return was crush that kindness beneath her heel. Crushing that precious, precious trust and practically threw everything away just because she ran...

Akko felt absolutely ashamed and horrified all the same, and for once she didn't know what to do, but she knew that she couldn't leave things like this.

"I... I'm sorry..." The brunette apologized, slowly bringing a hand up to Diana's face, and deep down she felt grateful at the fact that Diana didn't pull away from her touch, letting Akko to gently brush the tears away with her thumb even though that Akko knew she didn't deserve it. "It's just that I was so upset knowing that I'm causing nothing but trouble for you..."

"Trouble? Akko, don't be silly, you haven't done anything of the sort." The young doctor reassured, sniffling a bit.

Akko dropped her hand back to her side as she chuckled, though it held no humor in it, "Your aunt doesn't seem to think so..." she grumbled.

Aunt Daryl? Diana's brows furrowed at the mention of her aunt, somehow managing to gain her composure back she asked, "What about her?"

"I heard her, both of you actually. It was on the night when we finished my first rehab session. The two of you were arguing."

Bloody hell... The heiress closed her eyes in silent frustration as she berated herself in her thoughts. It was as she and her aunt feared, but there was one question that was of the upmost of importance. She needed to know...

"...Akko, how much did you hear?"

"I didn't hear everything, if that's what you're asking." The red-eyed girl answered honestly, "I just know that your aunt wasn't very happy of me staying here, and I heard you saying stuff about me being your responsibility and some kind of deal..." her voice quivered a bit as she brought a hand up to her chest, clenching the material of her nightgown with an angry fist. "And, after hearing all that... I decided to grant your aunt's wish and simply left to alleviate your burden-"

Akko's red eyes widened in surprise when she felt arms wrap around her small frame, bringing her close to an embrace. The brunette was a bit tense at first, not at all expecting a hug, but she soon found herself relaxing in Diana's arms. She let the older girl's warmth flood her senses, almost as if Akko was being covered by a warm blanket, which made her feel comfortable and somehow safe.

Akko's eyes drifted shut, breathing slowly as she merely concentrated on the beat of Diana's heart. Despite it's gentle rhythm, the red-eyed girl noticed that it was beating faster all the same, which made Akko wonder if the heiress was either nervous or scared.

"Akko, you are not a burden, you never have been." Diana assured her patient, unconsciously tightening her hold on the girl.

"I know, I heard you say that when you were bickering with your aunt. But..." The brunette sighed, "I don't know. A part of me was just upset over the whole ordeal, and when I got to Blytonbury, it made me realize just how stupid my actions were."

Diana gently laid her head on top of Akko's, doing small circles on the girl's back as a form of comfort, "You couldn't have known, and I suppose that this was my fault too. Forgive me, I should've been honest with you from the start." she apologized.

"That goes double for me." The red-eyed girl spoke in agreement.

"That's all in the past now." The blonde smiled, ensuring that all was forgiven before she finally released her hold on the girl, much to Akko's disappointment because Diana could've sworn she saw a hint of a pout on her lips. "I'm just glad that you're safe."

Akko merely nods, a yawn escaping through her lips in exhaustion. She then brought her hands up to her face, trying to rub her eyes in a vain attempt to hold off sleep.

"I suppose it's time for bed. It is quite late." Diana said knowingly, reaching and hovering over the brunette for the candle holder that was on the bedside table. Picking it up, the young doctor gently blew on it, putting out the flame and casting her bedroom in complete darkness.

A comforting silence fell between the girls as they got settled in bed, and the heiress was just about to feel the remnants of sleep claim her when...

"Diana?" Akko called out, her voice filled with uncertainty not knowing if her savior had fallen asleep yet.

Diana hummed a bit, maneuvering herself to lay on her right side so that she could see the girl clearly, or as clearly as she could in the dark, "Yes, Akko?"

"Can I...snuggle with you?"

The blonde's mouth went agape, clearly at a loss for words at this sudden predicament. If her face wasn't red before, then it certainly was now, and Diana thanked the Nine Old Witches in what she hopes that Akko couldn't see her blush at all in the present darkness. She opened and closed her mouth several times, but no words seemed to come to her aid, and so she settled in to what she hoped was a confident hum in an obvious show that she didn't trust her own voice at the moment.

Diana could feel the mattress shift as Akko moved closer, and she tensed up a bit when she felt the brunette's arm wrap around her waist. Akko had curled up against Diana's side, tucking her head under the heiress' chin, muttering a soft, "Thank you." before she finally drifted off to sleep.

For a while, the young doctor remained awake. Feeling the girl's warmth, and simply listening to Akko's soft snores as she slept, her warm breath tickling Diana's neck.

Not that I'm complaining, but I certainly won't be getting any sleep tonight... Diana thought to herself in content, but still nervous all the same. She didn't know which one was worse: The supposed butterflies fluttering in her stomach, or her heart practically hammering inside her chest.

Regardless of it all, it felt nice.

Bit by bit, the blonde relaxed into the smaller body that was wrapped around her. Her eyelids started to feel heavy with exhaustion, and before she surrendered to slumber Diana kissed the top of Akko's head, her last thought of the night being, Goodnight, Akko.


The following day the girls had woken up past noon, which was no surprise considering how late it was when the girls decided to sleep. Diana was a bit horrified about that fact because she had never slept in like that before in her life. After the heiress experienced her slight shock, she happily suggested that she and Akko should get dressed and head downstairs for lunch.

When they finished their delicious meal, and Carter kindly cleared off their plates from the table, the doors to the dining hall had opened as Anna entered. The older woman's steps were filled with a sense of purpose as if she was on a mission, and Diana noticed.

"Good day to you, Anna. How are you today?" The young doctor greeted her.

"Good day to you too, milady. I am doing well, thank you." Anna responded in kind as always, bowing in respect, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I am here to inform you that Lady Daryl requires your presence..." she lamented to inform, straightening up to her normal posture, and she then looked at Akko as she added, "Yours as well, Honored Guest."

The brunette's eyes widened in both surprise and fear, uttering a nervous, "M-me too?"

"Do you know what for?" Diana asked her maid, feeling her face settle into a scowl. Anything that concerned her aunt was never good news.

"I'm afraid that Lady Daryl didn't share any details with me about the matter, milady." The head maid answered honestly, feeling a bit disappointed that she couldn't help further. "I'll be waiting outside to escort you girls to the living room whenever you're ready."

The blonde nodded in understanding, "Thank you, Anna."

Anna bowed to them again before she left the room, and an uneasy silence fell between the girls over the news they've just received...

"What does your aunt want to talk about, and why does she want me to be there too?" Akko asked her savior, all of a sudden feeling anxious as she fiddled with the napkins on the table.

"I'm wondering that myself..." Diana muttered, bringing a hand up to her chin in thought. Her blue eyes narrowed a bit in irritation with only one thought crossing through her mind, I don't like this.

But no matter how much she thought about it, the young doctor knew that they weren't going to accomplish anything if they stayed here.

"We can't beat around the bush so let's just get this over with..." Diana sighed as she rose up from her chair, and she then sent a reassuring glance towards her patient, hoping that it will ease Akko's nerves a little. "Just try not to be nervous, and if it's okay with you, let me handle the talking. My aunt can be rather...difficult and a bit intimidating upon first meeting."

"O-okay!"

The heiress seemed to despise her choice of words since Akko already started to tear napkins by this point, obviously needing something to distract her shaking hands.

Diana sighed heavily, bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. In truth, she couldn't fault the girl for being nervous, but at the rate she was going Diana's tableware isn't going to survive...


After scolding Akko into sparing Diana's tableware, the girls led themselves be escorted by Anna throughout the mansion, eventually arriving to their destination.

The head maid raised a hand, her knuckles rapping against the white doors to the living room, "Lady Daryl, I have brought Miss Cavendish and her Honored Guest upon your request." she announced their arrival.

There was pause before an authoritative voice from the other side replied with, "You may enter."

When she was granted permission to enter, Anna opened the doors to the living room, and ushered Diana and Akko inside.

The room was enormous, just like Diana's bedroom, only bigger. But it looked different. There were more decorative pieces and objects of fancy. Flowers blossomed in the buckets on every sill of the windows. But somehow despite it all, the massive furniture did nothing to mask the coldness it emanated. Devoid of joy and mirth, Akko felt like she was being sucked into a darkness. The room had another hall separated from the main one, and there was Diana's aunt, sitting on one of the armchairs with a scowl like a gargoyle marble statue.

Daryl nodded in satisfaction, "You may leave, Anna."

The head maid bowed respectfully and excused herself as she departed, closing the doors behind her.

Once her maid left, Diana was the first one to speak, "Good day to you, Aunt Daryl." she greeted the elder Cavendish, and she then began to cut to the chase by asking, "May I ask why you have called us so suddenly?"

"So, you're the special commoner that my niece is so fixed about lately?" Daryl asked a question of her own, completely ignoring her niece as she let her cold gaze fall on Akko. "What's your name, girl?"

"A-Atsuko Kagari, but you can me Akko, m-ma'am!" The red-eyed girl managed to stammer nervously while surprisingly maintaining eye contact with Diana's aunt, fiddling with her skirt a bit as a distraction.

The woman sitting before her was nothing at all like Diana. In family resemblance perhaps, but that's literally it. To Akko, Daryl Cavendish was nothing but intimidating. Nothing about the older woman's demeanor showed warmth of any kind. Instead, all Akko could see was a cold, calculated, determination to achieve what she wants. Overall, the brunette knew that Daryl Cavendish is someone who she would not want to cross under any circumstances.

Hmph, at least she has some manners. I'll give her that. The proxy head thought with small praise, her icy stare falling down to the girl's injury. "How's your leg?"

Akko jumped a bit from the sudden question, "O-oh, um, it's getting better!" she insisted, "Though, I still have a bit of a limp..." she added shyly.

"Hmm, do you think you can work on it?"

"W-work?"

"Work...!" Diana repeated, whispering that word in disapproval, "Aunt Daryl, if I may say so, don't you think that this is a bit unnecessary? Akko isn't well enough to do physical labor. I think that-"

"I am talking to Miss Kagari, not you, Diana." Daryl interrupted her niece, still maintaining her gaze on the red-eyed girl. "Now, I will ask you again: Do you think you can work on it?"

Akko was put on the spot, looking at Diana from the corner of her eye every so often. The blonde did say that she would do all the talking, but it seemed that her aunt had different plans...

The brunette stuttered, clearly at a loss for words, "...I-I..."

"I'll be frank with you. My patience is wearing thin, and the way I see it, you only have two options." The elder Cavendish stated as she propped her left arm on the armrest, leaning her head against her fist. Her face had a serious look and yet it had a bored expression, all the same, her tone of voice being all business-like as she spoke, "Either you decide to stay with us and work as a servant in the House of Cavendish to earn your keep, or I can make arrangements with a dear friend of mine to send you off to live secluded among the countryside and peacefully live the rest of your life there. Which one shall it be?"

Diana looked beyond displeased at hearing these options, "Aunt Daryl, that hardly seems fair..."

"Don't you talk to me about being fair! Regardless of Miss Kagari's decision, she will be treated fairly and paid immensely in compensation. Where is the wrong in that? I simply refuse to keep a freeloader and potential threat in our midst..." Daryl answered honestly, straightening and rising up from her armchair.

The older woman then crossed her arms, and with each step she took towards the teenage girls, Akko had to remember two things: Breathing, and resist the urge of not running away... again. Once she was close enough, the clicking of heels stopped as Daryl uncrossed her arms and laid her hands on her hips, leaning forward a bit to glare at her niece...

"But, if you wanna say I'm being unfair, then I have absolutely no problem in notifying the city guards in Blytonbury. They'll happily arrest Miss Kagari for theft, take her to Appleton for a trial, and she will most likely spend days, possibly months, in the dungeons." The proxy head told them, and her voice went menacingly lower as she continued, "Stealing from influential families like the Cavendishes, the Hanbridges, and so on are very, very terrible offenses around these parts. I wouldn't be surprised if they, let's say, cut off something important... Or maybe, sentence Miss Kagari for an execution..."

As soon as she finished hearing Daryl's words, Akko's mind flashed back during her time in Blytonbury, and subconsciously the brunette brought a hand up to her throat as she thought of the poor blonde woman...

You monster...! Diana thought with vile resentment, glaring at her aunt. Manipulating Akko's actions through fear was just inexcusable!

Does this woman even have a heart?! I won't be able to survive in prison, let alone an execution! I'm being severely judged here! I mean, I KIND of deserve it, but still! The red-eyed girl thought with genuine panic, clenching her jaw to keep herself grounded. And to think that Diana has to deal with not only her, but also her petty cousins on a daily basis...! There's simply no way that I'll be able to live alone in the middle of nowhere, and even if I did, would I be able to see Diana again?

With that thought in mind, Akko glanced at the blonde, who met her gaze. Red eyes met with blue for a moment, both of them wanted to say so many things, but ultimately it was Diana who broke eye contact by closing her eyes as she shook her head.

And then, the young doctor opened her eyes and gave the brunette a kind smile, "Akko, it's okay." she reassured, seemingly coming to peace with what came next, "I'll support you on whatever you decide."

Diana may not know it, but her kind smile was enough to fill Akko's courage, and if things weren't so tense the red-eyed girl would've showed a broad grin to boost her confidence.

Well, since I have your blessing, I'll chose the bearable choice... Akko thought of her own conclusion.

"What shall it be? I'm a very busy woman, and I don't have all day!" Daryl haughtily complained, stamping her foot impatiently as she waited for the girl's decision.

What surprised the Cavendishes the most was the fact that Akko had willingly fallen to her knees, leaning forward in a bow...

"I'll...humbly serve the House of Cavendish." The brunette spoke firmly, making her choice. "I will happily work and earn my keep here, especially since I..." She paused as she sat back on her knees, staring up at the heiress with a smile as she continued, "have a life debt to repay the kindness your niece has willingly offered to me. Twice. As long as I can serve by her side, that is all I ask..."

Oh, Akko... Diana felt her breath catch in her throat, hearing Akko's words touched her heart. All she wanted to do was drop to her knees and bring the smaller girl into her arms and never let go.

Meanwhile, Daryl let her arms fall back to her sides as she simply stared at the girls in bewilderment, feeling rather surprised by the red-eyed girl's decision to stay at the Cavendish Manor. She initially thought that if she could intimidate Akko long enough, then the girl will simply cower in fear and leave the premises, but unfortunately things didn't turn out as she had expected it to.

No matter. Regardless of her staying here, she'll be under my watchful eye. Protecting my family shall and will always be my top priority, even if I have to play as the villain... The proxy head reminded herself of her mission. She then gathered her composure, her usual scowl returning as she crossed her arms, and she spoke to Akko with proper politeness, "Very well. I shall inform Anna and Carter to start training you on your servant duties starting tomorrow morning, bright and early." she informed her.

The brunette was about to thank her until Daryl raised a hand to halt her words, signifying that she wasn't finished yet.

"And, as a servant of the House of Cavendish, I expect you to act proper and work diligently on the tasks that you will be assigned to on a daily basis, I expect you to refer to every member of this household as well as guests with their proper titles, and that includes my niece. Are we clear, Miss Kagari?"

Akko swallowed heavily, feeling herself shrink under the older woman's gaze, feeling a shiver go down her spine as her courage from earlier diminished, seemingly without a trace. "C-crystal clear, L-Lady Daryl...!"

"Welcome to your new home."

A statement like that sounded not only forced but was also fake, a statement like that was supposed to fill her with warmth, and instead it filled Akko's being with an icy chill. She was surprised that she was able to respond at all by saying, "T-thank you very much."

Daryl merely ignored her thanks before turning to Diana, who has surprisingly remained silent this entire time.

"As for you, young lady, our 'deal' from before still applies even now." The elder Cavendish spoke, her eyes quickly shifting to Akko for emphasis, "And, I don't know if you know this considering that you have been...distracted lately." she said for a lack of better words, but Diana knew EXACTLY what she meant, but in spite of this she let her aunt continue, "I just want to remind you that being a Cavendish is first, being a good friend is second, and as a Cavendish we must always-"

"Help those in need." The heiress finished.

"Exactly," Her aunt nodded in satisfaction, "and that means being attentive to everything and everyone around you, and you can't do that if your focus is selfishly fixated on one person." she raised one finger to emphasize her point, "So, I hope for your sake that you will stop being distracted and start taking your responsibilities like you are expected to as the future heiress of this household. Do you understand, Diana?"

"Yes, Aunt Daryl." Diana nodded gravely, sighing heavily through her nose.

"Very good." Daryl smiled, though obviously there was nothing genuine about it, "Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have to inform our maid and butler that they have someone new among their ranks."

Finally, the proxy head backed off and started to head out of the living room, and before she closed the white doors she said, "By the by, Diana, in your study you have a stack of medical papers to review and sign on top of your desk. You may now do as you please for the remainder of the day. Ta-ta~, ladies!"

The double doors to the living room closed upon Daryl's departure, and the girls were finally alone with their thoughts, not that there were any...

That was simply horrible, horrible enough that if Diana or Akko had some sort of joy at the start of their day, then any trace of it was simply gone now. Instead they felt empty, numb, tired, oh so tired despite the fact that they have woken up about an hour ago.

Her aunt was just insufferable. The way that she had treated Akko was both unjust, and unfair, and she EXPECTS Diana to practically not hang out with the other girl, and instead just focus on her duties as a Cavendish.

Fat chance!

It's one thing to actually focus on her duties as heiress, but it's another when she basically ignores Akko's existence. Diana would never, ever, do that!

Speaking of the girl...

The blonde finally dared herself to look at the brunette, who still sat on her knees and had yet to move from her spot on the floor. Her head hung low as she simply stared down at her lap, her hands were balled into fists as they gripped the material of her skirt.

Diana was about to softly call out to the girl until she noticed a lone tear trail down Akko's cheek, and more came soon after that as her shoulders started shaking, and what ultimately broke Diana's trance in that moment was the strangled sob that came out of Akko's throat.

How long did she held it in? The blonde wondered in concern, feeling her own eyes welling up with tears just seeing Akko in such a sorrowful state. Akko deserves better than this. She deserves better, and instead she chose to suffer because of me...!

Diana's tears trailed down her face, practically without permission because she felt that she had no right to cry, but she refused to hold them in either. No sooner that the brunette had started crying, Diana had fallen to her knees and brought the sobbing girls into her arms, and the young doctor was so grateful that Akko didn't push her away.

I'm sorry, Akko, I'm so sorry! Diana repeated over and over again, not trusting her own voice at the moment due to crying as well, but when she collects herself she will voice that apology to Akko at a later time.

The heiress didn't know how long they stayed there, nor did she care because right now all of Diana's attention was on the distraught girl in her arms, and Diana would stay with her for as long as it takes...


A/N2: And, that's it for chapter 7 folks! The drama train has officially stopped, for now. As always, Daryl is a jerk, but a jerk with purpose I assure you. Next time, for chapter 8, Akko will start her training as a maid in the House of Cavendish and we will finally see the green team being introduced for this AU!

As always, please let me know how I did on your reviews! I would like to read what's on your minds whether it's criticism, praise, or support, and I will also like to see faves and follows for this story as well! Those really make my day, and this story would be nothing without your support guys, I really mean that.

STAY TUNED! I'm planning on updating again on the 25th of March! Hope you guys will be around for it! :3