"You seem to be in a pleasant mood, Ulrich," Mara folded her arms over her chest as she leaned against the wall. The grand celebration for Tens was being held. They were in a large room with tables filled with food and decorations. It seemed like all of China had arrived- the room was filled with nicely dressed people all dying to bow before the young empress to be. Ulrich stood at attention, his eyes fixed on Tens, a warm smile spread across his face.

He turned to look at Mara, "It's hard to believe that she was in a cell beside mine, and now she will be crowned Empress. It's amazing…"

"That is what strength can grant. Birth right is no longer absolute- only the strong should claim power," Mara locked eyes with Ulrich. Even though Davis was her second in command- she knew that it wouldn't be long before Ulrich tried to claim that position. He was driven, headstrong- and his geass was a power that would take him far in times of war.

"Mara Brittania!" several Chinese nobles seemed startled to see her so casually against the wall.

"Yes?" she pushed off from the wall and looked at the three men, "That is my name,"

The men looked at each other with hesitant concern, "W-Why would the Empress of Brittania be in China?"

Mara couldn't help but grin. China had remained staunchly neutral throughout her rise to power and declaration against the EU, but now that Tens would be in charge, things would change, "To pay my respects to the new Empress of course. It's not every day that China changes rulers,"

The men nodded and quickly scurried away.

"Your highness," Ulrich bowed his head slightly as he handed her a drink.

She grinned as she took the thin glass. As she cheers'd her glass with his, her mind seemed to pull her to a memory from the night of the Kennsingtons ball. How Ulrich seemed to have pulled her away and glided with her across the floor. As much as she tried to deny it, there was something about him that made her curious, "And what- dear Ulrich- do you hope for your own glory in the future?"

"What do you mean?"

Mara shrugged as she took a sip, "Tens is Empress, Brand is making scientific advancements that will change the world, and Davis is second in command- what is it that you hope to have in the future with your power?"

Ulrich wasn't sure how to answer. It was true he seemed to have endless ambition and desire for more- but how could it be that he had no goal? He thought maybe he liked having Mara in power that he didn't want the throne himself…but how could he say that to her? How could he properly explain his satisfaction? Or maybe he had another goal? A goal that he dared not admit- how could you tell your Empress your deepest desires-for her?

Ulrich quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her out to the center of the ballroom-right in front of the Empress of China and Tens, "If I might be so bold-" he projected above the traditional music and noise that dwindled at his presence, "I would like to present a dance to the Empress and Empress to be in a sign of celebration,"

Mara was too shocked by this bold act to do anything other than nod.

The Empress looked to Tens and beckoned her to answer. Tens cleared her throat, "This dance would please me- I accept this celebratory dance,"

Ulrich bowed deeply as Tens hit play on the sound system for a more Western piece.

He slipped his hands over Mara and put his lips beside her ear, "Perhaps, this will satisfy your question," he pulled her to follow his lead and Mara could help but to remember her past class. She still had not mastered that foolish art of dance-and yet Ulrich seemed to make her mistakes seem planned. As if he knew that her clumsy feet would step to the left and not the right.

His eyes were locked with hers as the spun at the center of the room. Mara felt her face turn red- her blunders made her feel small before the once Prussian noble. But he didn't mind- her errors were refreshing even. They were not mistakes- not to Ulrich- he felt as though they were moving as one, his steps were perfectly in sync with hers. He was not leading, nor was he following- they were moving as one.

Mara realized she had pulled closer to him- her body was pushed against his as they moved. Her breath felt heavy- her face flushed. She couldn't completely place her own feelings- but that didn't seem to matter either.

Ulrich pulled her body closer into his before letting go. Mara fell back over Ulrich's arm in an elegant bend. As the room began their applause, Ulrich snapped her back up- their faces dangerously close together for a dangerously long amount of time.

Mara was the one that pushed away first- she bowed deeply before Tens and the Empress before quickly leaving the celebration- making sure to grab herself another drink.

Tens tried to hide her own smile as Ulrich winked at her.

Mara was in her room- Tens was kind enough to allow them to leave in the morning after the celebration- she cursed her own emotions. Why? Someone as powerful as me cannot be swept up in feelings. I can't be this weak to succumb to something so trivial. I am the Empress- the strongest! I am better than-

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door. She knew it was Ulrich, but she hesitated. She already had complications with Ulrich- she couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. I could use my geass- No, I have no idea what the future may hold. I can't compromise any future need for something this trivial…

She was frozen, she wasn't sure what to do- to open the door would be to invite more complications into her life, yet to not open it….her body begged her to open the door.

How many minutes has passed? Surely he would not still be out there- waiting silently. Her curiosity seemed to take a hold of her as she set her hand on the door. She let out a deep breath and opened the door slightly, then opening it all the way.

He wasn't there.

She looked down the hall both ways before seeing the small figure on the ground. She picked it up to see it was a small piece of hand carved wood-one side was a lion's face, roaring majestically. The other side was her own face- the two sides connected by her flowing hair and the lion's mane.

The Next Morning

"Goodbye Tens- I know you will fill your role perfectly," Mara bowed slightly to the young girl.

"Mara…before you go. There is something I need to tell you…" Tens fiddled with her fingers nervously.

"What is it?"

"It's about Winnston…he-"

"Were you just going to leave me here?! No wake-up call?! No warning?!" Ulrich rushed over, his uniform messily on.

Tens sighed, she wanted to trust Ulrich, but she knew that she had to tell Mara alone, "It's nothing, never mind. Be safe on your journey back,"

Mara looked questioningly back to Tens for a moment before turning, "We shall see you soon, at the conference," she smacked Ulrich on the back, "Lets move out sleeping beauty,"

Tens waved to her two friends as they left. She was all alone now- but she had a mission. She knew what she needed to do- and she would follow Mara as far as she would go. Tens would take the Chinese nation out of neutrality and into war if Mara asked it of her.