Gackupo was there. Unabashedly so.

His wide, proud grin could be seen from the second storey down, like a gleaming blade. Long purple hair was tied back in a tall knot, the exquisite pattern of his clothing almost glowing with an ethereal light. His hands were held in front of his chest, a hand over a balled fist, the standard polite gesture. The decorated officials behind him followed suit. Swathes of people broke off from their daily routine, collected around them.

Miku pushed a low huff through clenched teeth. Luka paled. Even Kaito frowned at his decision, for once. If Gackupo was directly under her command, Miku would have reevaluated that, possibly have him fired on the spot. A sudden pressure on her hand. Luka's. Guilt and fear swam in her blue eyes.

A lone messenger was sent to request their presence.

Miku took her hand. Whatever came next, she would handle that.

The messenger returned, bearing one from them.

"Let us talk, Gackupo."

Despite it being late afternoon, the sun was high. The south of Luka's country did have quite pleasant weather. Too bad there was no time to enjoy it.

Miku stayed the same seat she was already in. Right next to Luka. Court rules could not apply – did not apply here. Luka kept to herself, rigid as well.

"Have you received our message?"

No sooner had Gackupo stepped into the room than Miku realized how odd his appearance was. He simply could not have received their letter and travelled that distance in that short a period of time. Overriding their previously agreed upon decision was egregious, yet unlikely for him.

"Not yet, my apologies. I acted in haste. One of the Empire's past allies, the Zola Kingdom is asking for an urgent conference."

Luka practically wilted in relief. Miku held back a smile as Luka similarly wiped off any expression. At mention of the Zola Kingdom though, Miku froze.

Miku narrowed her eyes. Oh, she remembered the Zola Kingdom very well. It was situated right under her own country; a troublemaker at best, an enemy at worst. Was it finally time to handle these foreign relations? It was a complete mess to navigate, each other's allies longstanding enemies of the other. Should they let bygones be bygones?

Kaito was deep in thought.

"I concur that an agreement has to be reached. We are one. However, given our past history, my liege requires more personnel on hand."

"Luka will be attending as well, I presume?"

Both notions were agreed upon.

"Back to matters regarding the message," Miku began, "There have been revolts in this city. I asked to leave and for the traitors to be handled, with our support if required."

Kaito explained it in more detail, adding his own insights to her translation.

"Those will be handled in time once we return. We have to prepare for the conference. It is absolutely essential for future relations."

Miku kept her tongue in check, not quite sure if she could leave a scathing remark out. Her people and their own lives were threatened by those rebels. While Miku did understand the importance of not upsetting a potential ally, the dismissive tone he took left her irate.

Evidently, Kaito thought as much as he pressed Gackupo further.

Pushed into a corner, Gackupo conceded to letting the local officials investigate, an order for their provinces to report all sightings and a bounty placed on their heads. That was satisfactory, at least.

Kaito sent word to the border patrols in Miku's kingdom to request for reinforcements and notified her officials at home once more of the change in plans.

Then, the impromptu meeting of theirs finally ended.

"Empress," Kaito said, "Is everything well?"

Luka had been quiet throughout the entire conversation. Gackupo's departure brought her out of her empty silence and she leaned ever so closer to Miku.

"I…believe so."

"Is there anything of note?"

"…I cannot offer anything else. I am sorry."

"There is no need for apologies, Empress. My liege and I will prepare accordingly."

Miku rose. Luka sensed the movement, blue eyes on her.

"Let us take our leave then."

Miku smiled and reached her hand out. Luka hesitantly took Miku's offered hand, stood at her side.

"Thank you for your troubles, my liege."

Miku closed the door of her room behind them. She turned around to see Luka still standing next to her. Luka looked so lost.

"Luka?"

Miku raised her head to meet Luka's eyes.

"I…"

Miku's heart broke. How did Gackupo destroy it all so completely?

Miku pressed down on Luka's shoulders, firmly seating her on her bed. That also allowed Miku to reach up to play with Luka's pink strands. Luka leaned against her, shoulder to shoulder. Luka looked ahead. Miku's own teal eyes focused on the wooden wall across from them.

"Miku, I believe one of my sisters married to the Zola Kingdom."

One of Luka's numerous half-sisters married off to consummate a deal between foreign powers. Miku felt bile rise in her throat.

"Were you two close?"

Luka's voice was flat, "I do not even know her name, much less who she is."

"Oh."

"Other than Luki, I was not close with any of my siblings. We are merely…related by blood on the Emperor's side," Luka paused, "They were not fond of us. The Emperor loved Luki and subsequently I was in his favour."

Miku twitched. That was not love either. Her initial assessment of Luka's monarchy was disturbingly accurate. Assets. She underestimated how far it extended.

"I recall how easily that could have been me."

Miku soothed, "You don't have to worry about that."

Luka shook her head, "Not now. I am yours, after all."

Luka tucked her head into Miku's shoulder. Luka didn't offer anything else.

On their way to the Zola Kingdom, they made a brief stop in Miku's kingdom. Her current guards were traded for fresh new troops, not stained with the stress of these months.

Exhilarating was Miku's return.

No, nothing changed when she stepped on the soil of her home, only differed by where the city wall stood. It was still her, riding the same carriage with Luka, they were still pressed together, all commotion still penetrated the thin walls. Miku was hit with a strong sense of…longing. Miku blinked away tears.

Rin and Len whooped as they dismounted from their horses. Around them, Miku's people chatter swelled to a buoyant cheer. Luka pressed her face into Miku's shoulder at the noise, twitching at the chaos. Miku remembered her own fear from not so long ago and traced a line down her spine. Luka shivered.

"We're home…" Miku trailed off, "Well, I am. I hope you'll stay though."

There was that soft chuckle. Miku's heartrate picked up tenfold. Miku's ears burned.

Luka peeled herself away from Miku. The woman had been mostly quiet for this leg of the journey. There was no doubt Luka was stressed over the next ordeal. Not that Miku wasn't. Miku shook off the urge to pry.

They exited the carriage. Miku linked her arms with Luka, indulging in the brief contact. Luka followed under her lead. The crowd parted for them, watching with shining eyes. That hadn't changed. Their two peoples weren't too different. None of them eyed Luka with any malice. Luka did look positively harmless so Miku wasn't too surprised. Gackupo and Meiko bore the brunt of the accusatory glances.

The childlike wonder extended both ways. Luka's eyes darted to and fro, taking it all in with a bit of fear. At a cursory glance, nothing seemed to have changed from Luka's home. The finer details made up all the differences. The faint hum of whispers between the people had her distinct tongue. Miku spied familiar knick-knacks children clutched. Most people had a complexion more similar to Miku and Gumi's. She was home.

They settled in the resident government building. Only her select few personnel remained with her, it was like Miku had shed an insurmountable weight. Most soldiers were off-duty for the day, on their long-overdue break to rest as they pleased. Rin, Len and Lily couldn't quite join them though. The trio trailed Miku wherever she went.

"Sorry, you three."

"It is our job, y'know?"

Miku sighed but didn't push. She saw the wistful glances Rin and Len had.

Outside her door, people lined up in request of her, either officials or citizens. The first of which was the head of the province, Dex. The man paid his respects and wished her well on the journey, even though he was adamant on her proceeding with caution.

"My liege has to be wary of the Zola Kingdom. Their King is known for his trickery."

Miku nodded with a half-smile. She was very much aware of it, the rumours having spread far and wide even when she was a child. That didn't help in the slightest with the jitters in her stomach. She had to give this a chance though.

Most requests ended that way. Either her people asking her not to attend in person, or bringing an entire army to ensure her safety. The second option was more tempting by the hour. However, Miku wasn't ready to risk insulting or provoking the Zola Kingdom. Others asked desperately for her permanent return, the spreading word of her foreign relations taken almost as abandonment.

"My Queen, when will you return to the capital? Your presence has been missed. Would it be in time for the annual festival?"

Miku felt a slight prickle of guilt. She was gone for too long.

"Of course, once this is handled, I will return as soon as possible."

Miku didn't promise anything. Kaito watched from afar in approval. Rinse and repeat.

Once the crowd thinned, Miku heaved a sigh of relief. The sun's rays slanted, pooling in the room. Had the day slipped by so quickly? Luka eased to Miku's side. It was like a soothing balm applied to raw skin.

Luka's eyes flitted across the leaving masses, "They need you."

"Not really. I'm not doing much. That falls to my officials currently. Though I probably will be playing a bigger role once I return."

Luka stayed quiet for a few moments. Her expression shifted.

"I'm glad we have time before that."

A small smile played on Luka's lips as she agreed with a nod.

Miku's beam matched it. She was home with Luka. The next time they had the chance, she would show it all to her.

The King – Kyo was his name – greeted them in the main palace. A rectangular hall divided in square halves, an empty path leading from the entrance straight to the raised podium where he sat. A myriad of patterns were etched on the roof, golden dragons, red flowers and green shrubbery, broken by a single golden square in the centre. Behind him were several golden screens.

Kyo's loose mop of light brown hair partially covered auburn eyes. Shrouded in black robes with gold accents, his lean frame was almost swamped by them. All his hundred officials knelt below the podium, spaced evenly apart.

The guards at the door first announced their presence.

The lone official with his head raised clamped his mouth shut in the middle of his report. Kyo raised a hand. He swiftly ducked his head back down, his forehead pressed against the floor like the rest of the officials.

"Welcome to my kingdom."

Kyo appraised them in turn. He remained seated in place.

Miku and Luka each gave a brief bow, their company following their lead.

"Please, do rest. Empress, your sister is eager to reunite with you as well."

Luka nodded, a mute 'thank you' leaving her lips.

Miku felt prickles on the back of her neck. Was it just Kyo's ignorance? Or was something…more sinister afoot? She needed to pull Luka, Kaito and Gackupo aside. Somewhere safe, away from prying eyes and ears.

Once they were outside and no one was in her peripheral vision, Miku traded a desperate glance with Kaito, her hand clamped on Luka's. In their rooms, Miku sat with her back against the wall, Luka permanently fixed at her side. Kaito faced her. Once again, his cold exterior betrayed nothing. Gackupo lounged on a chair.

"Something's off," Miku muttered.

"I am inclined to believe so, my liege. The King has not mentioned word of future agreements. It feels, at best, disingenuous."

"It may only be because he has no reason to rush."

"My sister and I are estranged," Luka admitted quietly.

"She may wish to make amends. There is no reason to fret!"

Gackupo looked around the room. Seeing their dark looks, he sighed, untying something that hung on his silk belt. Gackupo entrusted it in Luka's hands. Miku looked over Luka's shoulder. In her palm was a golden badge, a character 'ling' on it. Luka's hand shook.

"When anyone of the Empire sees it, it is like the Empress and myself are commanding them. Should they refuse, they will be sentenced to death," Gackupo explained.

Luka turned it over in her hand.

"Our people will be commanded as one."

"My Queen, since the Empress and yourself will remain together, the forces of both people are at your disposal. There is no need to fear the Zola Kingdom."

Miku forced a smile. That felt as out of place as her speaking Luka's language. Gackupo grinned.

"Shall we discuss this again tonight, my liege?"

"Yes, Kaito."

Miku and Luka stood before her sister's palace, open gates leading the way in. Luka's hand hovered to the golden badge now tied at her waist. Faintly, a baby's cry could be heard. Luka gritted her teeth. Stepping in, Miku could just make out a pink-haired woman seated down. Rin, Len, Meiko and Gumi fanned out behind them.

Miku and Luka had the fortune of meeting Luka's sister while Gackupo and Kaito settled down, presumably for Kaito to persuade Gackupo that this was a bad idea. Miku supposed it made sense. Luka was to be her spouse. This was strictly familial. Private, too, from Miku could discern. The creeping foreboding without Kaito at her side was wearing on her though.

"Please sit."

Her voice was soft, not unsimilar to Luka's.

They accepted the suggestion, resting themselves on one of the large wooden benches. Across from them, Luka's sister sat, peering at them over her cup of tea. Their friends stood around them. Miku shuffled a profile of the room in her mind. Bare. Hardly functional. Exactly like Luka's own palace. Few benches in one corner of the room. Various screens haphazardly placed. A single low table. Several servants scrambled to their places. It was a glittering empty shell. No doubt a beautifully sculpted room, reminiscent of the main palace even but a neglected one nonetheless.

The woman's appearance was far clearer now. Her pink hair was puffed and curled like the clouds above, unlike Luka's straight. Her eyes were pink instead of Luka's clear blue. Up close, she was about Miku's age. Her navy form-fitting clothes, the even gaze made her seem older than she actually was.

"Do you remember me, Luka?"

She didn't smile. Aside from her pinched brows, there was barely a hint of expression there at all. Oddly enough, that was where she most resembled her sister.

"No, I do not."

Luka's neutral expression mirrored hers, blue eyes glinting. Luka was being forward. Miku blinked in surprise but didn't interject. Luka knew better than she did.

"I'm Chika, though I don't expect you to remember either way."

Luka pursed her lips at the comment. Miku was tempted to scowl at her.

Chika laid her eyes on Miku.

"You are Luka's fiancé, I believe?"

Miku nodded stiffly, "I am Miku."

"Word has spread," Chika eyed them like they were a curiosity, a rare breed of animal, "I never did expect it to be true."

Heat blossomed under Miku's skin. That was remarkably insulting. Miku held her tongue, it would do no good to blow up now. Miku scooted closer to Luka, rather than stay apart. Luka's hand reflexively reached for Miku's. She held back, placing it in her lap.

"What is it you wish to speak about?"

"That was not how we were taught, Luka."

Luka glared, her stare withering.

Chika shrugged, "That was an honest observation. I expected you to be better. After all, Luki and you were able to take far more liberties."

Chika gestured to Gumi and Meiko. Hackles raised, both women stepped a fraction closer to Luka.

"Not everyone got to choose."

"You do not even know half of it!"

"Explain to me then, how you are deserving of this?"

Luka's rage dampened. The steady stream of words blocked by a thick swallow.

"If I may," Miku spoke, "Luka has ascended the throne as there is no one else to take the burden and role. Her current place is earned."

"Luka was merely lucky."

Miku smiled, "It can be considered as fate."

"What would our ancestors think? What would the emperor think?"

"With all due respect, your parents' whims are not to be entertained."

"Excuse me?" Chika hissed.

Luka's blue eyes flickered. Luka gently grasped Miku's hand to halt her from going on.

"Chika," Luka carefully addressed, "How was…home?"

Chika took a long sip of her tea. Her eyes never left Luka's.

"I have fond memories of home. Do not mistake, I have accepted my place and duty here. It is an honour to be married to Kyo. Our father praised me. My mother was proud of me then. No more lamenting I wasn't male, no more comparisons to you. She loved me."

Luka frowned. Chika caught the expression.

"Do you pity me, Luka? Having to earn love?"

"You are loved. You are protected. You are coddled. Even now."

Chika gestured to Miku. Her maid was borderline horrified. Those connotations were unheard of. Miku stopped her jaw from gaping open. However, Luka calmed as she listened to those accusations. No longer was the sharp and harsh exterior there, it thawed to reveal that gentle side Miku was so familiar with.

Luka offered a smile. Honesty was all Miku could make of it. There was a faint glimmer of joy in the upturned lips; dark blue eyes shone with a pinprick of light. Try as she might, memories haunted the gesture. The light reached from a frothing sea. That was more intense than a fresh herbal mixture, bitter with a honeyed aftertaste.

"You are not wrong. It was luck that placed me where I am."

Unheard of.

Luka near welcomed the childlike blame on her.

Chika couldn't conceal her mouth gaping. Miku frowned, scared she was falling back into those worrying thought patterns.

"I was truly loved by my brother and my maid and now, Miku."

Miku's heart skipped a beat.

A light pressure squeezed her hand. Was that in silent apology or in need of reassurance? Luka avoided looking her in the eye. Miku touched their shoulders together. She let their joined hands settle in her lap. Miku wished to kiss her.

"They respect me; they never enforce their wishes on me. I would wager that the late Emperor and Empress Dowager never cared for me in the same way. Regretfully, nor could I ever earn their approval."

Luka swallowed, "I congratulate you, Chika, on achieving what you desire."

Chika's lips twisted, like she wasn't sure whether to smile, to frown, or to even remain neutral. Miku couldn't read her, as with Luka before.

"Although, I realize how unfair that has been to you. My brother was kind to me in our youth."

"Let me extend that hand to you, Chika."

Chika's eyes widened. A low sound escaped her throat. She stifled it with a growl.

"Leave, all of you."

All the maids in her room scattered, used to her tantrums, save for one.

A timid girl at her side remained. Miku's teal eyes met her soft amber, which made her flinch. Long brown hair with pink ends was loosely tied, her white uniform with a red hem immaculate, her lip quivered. Yet, the girl demurely stood at attention.

Chika waved her hand impatiently, "You too, Kokone."

"My lady…" she protested weakly, "I wish to stay by your side."

"That's not a reason," Chika shook her head, "You stubborn girl."

"Very well. Bring Rana to me."

"Yes, my lady!" Kokone said with a smile.

The tension left Chika's shoulders. She looked a bit smaller, the contours of her face rounder and softer. She was Miku's age, maybe even younger. Chika sipped her tea as the soft footsteps receded.

"Rana is my daughter, your niece."

Luka nodded, sympathetic.

"How old is she?"

"Three months. She is very happy now. Truly so."

Chika grew quiet. Her pink eyes clouded over. Luka began, "Chika…"

Kokone returned with the baby. Rana giggled in her embrace, peals of laughter escaping her. Rin, Len and Meiko turned their heads to the bundle. Meiko's smile was affectionate and sorrowful. Rin and Len relaxed, eager to play with her.

"Luka. Hold her."

Luka blinked at the request but abided by it. Luka gingerly cradled Rana in her arms, quietly thanking Kokone. Miku looked down at the baby. She had that signature head of pink hair and dark blue, almost gray eyes. Rana cooed and pulled at Miku's long hair. Miku suppressed a shriek. Luka stared, wide-eyed as she tried to get Rana to release her grip.

Chika glanced at Miku.

"I believe Rana likes you," she informed.

Miku held back a whimper as she tugged her teal strands out of Rana's grasp. Luka apologized profusely.

Chika's lips curled upward, then thinned in a line.

"Promise me you will care for her."

"Chika?"

"Promise!" Chika spat the word out, her eyes gleaming with ferocity.

Rana whimpered. Rin, Len and Meiko stiffened once again, eyes on their host. Kokone started.

"I…promise," Luka answered warily.

Chika breathed heavily. Pink eyes darted at the open entrance. Kokone rushed to close it. Chika locked her arms around herself, as if that gave her strength. Her voice came out mostly calm, though it wobbled a bit.

"Listen to my words and do not interrupt me until I finish," Chika challenged them with a glare, "This is a ruse. Kyo wants to annex your territories, preferably with Gackupo and Kaito dead. He thinks you two are easy to control, that you will obey him with no alternative. Leave while you can. He strikes at night."

Miku and Luka paled. An unbearable ringing went off in Miku's head. Miku swallowed, her throat dry. Luka almost dropped Rana. Frantic hushed whispers spread among their company. Their friends dragged the duo up. Rin's hand clamped on her arm. Miku barely noticed the pain.

"Take Rana with you. Protect her."

"My lady…" Kokone watched her in horror. Was she privy to this as well? No – Miku shook the thought away. Kokone looked like she was ready to crumble to her knees in sheer fear.

Luka wrenched her arm away from Meiko. Miku scrambled to Luka's side, not letting herself be taken away from her.

Luka forced her voice out, panicked, "Wait! Chika! You need to come with us!"

Chika shook her head and forced a smile.

"Leave me. He will suspect something if I go missing now."

Chika directed her imperious gaze behind Miku and Luka. A hand locked on hers. Rin's again.

The joined forces of their guards wrestled them away.

"Farewell, my sister."

Author's note: This is a bit shorter than the preceding chapters but after going through it back and forth, I think this works in this context. As always, feel free to give me any feedback and thank you for reading!