After the attack had ended and the recently instated Empress had stared icily at the guards while sweetly uttering all things she would have done to them if they ran around like headless chicken the next time an attack happened on the palace - including but not limited to removal of intestines, beheading, hanging, starvation,...- the demons who had joined the attack had once again returned to their rooms where a surprising sight was waiting for them, Murasakibari munching on his sweets -which really wasn't all that astonishing-, Akashi lazing on the couch -which while a rare sight wasn't all that surprising-, and Kuroko and Mukuro playing what looked a rather complicated game of chess, in his adult form. Kiyoshi smiled awkwardly.

"So...how did this happen?" Mukuro looked up from the chess game.

"Well..."

2 hours ago

The air in the tunnel was damp. The darkness spread in front of them, the small light that Kuroko had conjured only managing to illuminate a small amount of space. Their steps echoed in the distance and Mukuro couldn't help but wonder exactly how deep underground they were. The walls hinted they were in a cavern. From far away he could hear the rushing of water, the sound soft but constant. Was there an underground cavern with a river in the area? Mukuro didn't remember ever having heard about it, but then again if he had it would probably defeat the purpose of having an escape exit.

Their pace was steady but slow like they weren't secretly escaping. "Be careful, If you fall here it's a long way down." Kuroko's soft voice broke through the eerie rhythm of their own footsteps. Mukuro nodded to the words not truly registering his mind. He didn't notice Kuroko disappearing between the rocks, the body disappearing between the smallest of cracks. Only when the densest of darkness surrounded him did he realize that Kuroko was gone. The only thing he was able to see was inky blackness. The light that had accompanied Kuroko had gone with him. Softly he called out the other's name, almost afraid to break the fragile silence any further. No one responded. With an annoyed sigh he turned around. He would be able to get out with little trouble. He wasn't worried about that. Not bothering with conjuring a light he took a step forward...only to tense when he felt the ground disappear beneath his feet. Kuroko had warned him about this, hadn't he?

Allowing his child from to slip away so he could turn more power to the task of not falling he concentrated on manipulating gravity into believing he weighted nothing. Once he had managed that he concentrated on creating a breeze allowing himself to be drifted back towards the edge. Just as he was about to step onto the platform the darkness was once more chased away.

"Mukuro?" The aforementioned man's form tensed in the face of the throne prince appearance.

"Kufufu,well this is awkward." Silence.

"You're an adult." A nod.

"Who pretended to be a child." A nod.

"Who lived with me for weeks." Another slightly more hesitant nod now.

"Okay. Let's go." Kuroko turned around. Had he been nervous about the confrontation for this? Mukuro stared at the prince's back. He didn't trust Kuroko's reaction. It was most likely false.

"Aren't you angry?!" The younger boy looked back.

"Why would I be? You're still the same person as the one I told I love you this morning aren't you? Your appearance was fake but I don't believe the person I spent all that time with was fake as well. Are you going tell me I'm wrong to believe that?" The only sound left was the faint echo of Kuroko's voice and the constant rushing of water in the distant. He didn't answer. Kuroko smiled at him, a certain softness hidden away in the way his mouth corners turned up.

They continued on.

The two of them shared a look over the chess table. "...Kufufufufu, It's a secret." When the group of recently returned demons looked toward the other chess player he simply smiled and shook his head.

"It does not matter."

The demons shrugged. It probably wasn't important anyway.

"Okay then, It seems it was the Nollet Alliance that attacked, does that ring any bell? 'Cause we being demons all don't really know a lot about the upper world." For a moment Kuroko glanced up from the chess board. "You should know about them. Solomon once belonged to them..." At the mention of Solomon all demons tensed. Solomon was the favorite of the ruling court. Some even went as far as to say he was part of the ruling court. And truly he might as well be. The only thing stopping him from attaining the position was his lineage. As a being that while not quite human wasn't demon either it was impossible for him to gain the title. Kuroko carried on. "The Nollet Alliance is the name that was given to the union of five countries that have strong influence from the church. They have political and economic ties that hold them together. The country Eve holds the reigns in the Alliance, it's current leader being my great-grandmother. A full fledged nymph." The knight was moved forward. It was Mukuro's turn.

Akashi hummed. "What is your grandmother's name?" Nymph's were rare. There was no small chance that he had heard of her before. For a short moment Kuroko's eyes flicked up to meet his before he once more concentrated on the ongoing game. "Apel Nollet."

The red-head frowned. The name sounded familiar in his ears but he couldn't make out from where. Before he could question the boy further a certain blonde spoke up.

"So are they a serious threat?" Kise asked for confirmation. Kuroko nodded curtly. "Quite."

"What will your Empress do?" Hizaiki sneered. Mukuro's rook moved across the chess board seizing one of Kuroko's pawn's.

Kuroko took a moment to answer. "She'll be violent in her response. They attacked us. She won't bother with negotiation."

"And what will you do?" The only red-head in the room questioned.

Another piece was moved. The King was thrust from the board.

"I'll do as I've always done. My best." He had been conquered by the Queen. The sound of the King falling echoed in the room.

"Checkmate." Kuroko spoke in a soft voice. Silence filled the chambers.