Over the next following days, Rido was crowned and those in the old disbanded council who tried to oppose him found themselves dead. Asato was the only one who escaped but not unscathed. But Zero's presence at the ball had unnerved Akari. The hunters had no reason to be there and Asato had denied vigorously that he had not invited them. She did wonder however, if Takuma still had sympathies for humans and chose to contact Cross or the others. Rido told her not to think too much of it, that he would deal with anything that came of it.

Akari took a deep breath as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was finally marrying Rido. Her gown was form fitting, only flaring out ever so slightly under her bottom, a long train stretched out behind her. The dress was adorned with flowery lace and crystals. The bust itself was a sweetheart neckline, heavily adorned with crystals and dipping down into her cleavage. The back itself was open and low, only thin crystal straps on her shoulders helped keep the dress in place. Lace sleeves covered her arms to her fingertips. Her hair been placed into a low bun with a crown braid, where a floral diamond and pink crystal tiara sat. Her eyeshadow was pink with a light shimmer and simple thin winged eyeliner. Her lips, her signature ruby red.

"Zero stop hiding." Akari spoke up, she had sensed him a little while ago but gave him a chance to show himself. "What do you want?" She asked as he came into view behind her as she looked in the mirror. He had appeared to have taken care of his appearance this time, wearing a smart and somehow for him, neat suit. She wondered if it was something to do with the occasion.

"To give you the chance to change." He told her and she sighed.

"I thought I had gotten through to you when I told you everything at the gates." She huffed and folded her arms over her chest.

"I guess I don't want to believe that you are as cold, manipulate or cruel as Rido. I think he makes you like that." Zero stated.

"You know that's not true." She turned to face him. "And I know that's not why you're here."

"I want to stop you from marrying your end." He then stated simply. She looked at him puzzled. "You're marrying a man who without a second thought, killed his brother and sister. He then planned and plotted to kill both his niece and nephew. What's stopping him from turning on you? What's stopping him from one day harming his own child?" He then questioned her and she growled at him. Zero stepped closer to her, ignoring the glare.

"They did wrong by him and threw it all in his face." She countered.

"They fell in love and had children. That's all they did." Zero tried to reason.

"That is only half the story Zero." She huffed. "Now, I don't have time for your games." She added as she stepped around him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. She looked up at him shocked. "What are you doing?" She asked nervously.

"Finding out why I'm drawn to you." He admitted, his breath brushed against her lips. Before she could react, his lips moulded to hers. But just as quickly, her knee moulded to his groin. He fell to the floor while she walked away as quick as the dress would let her.

She didn't tell anyone Zero was there, nor did she tell anyone what happened. As long as she didn't say anything, it never happened.

The rest of the day went without a hitch. Rido was grinning as he watched her walk towards him at the alter. She finally had him, he was finally all hers. The kiss filled her with passion and lust, she almost forgot where they were. That night was filled with just as much passion, lust and love. She was finally happy.

The kiss she had with Zero however, it played on her mind. She wasn't in love with Zero, she doubted he was in love with her. But she wondered what drove him to do it, what drove him to follow her. Where ever she went, Zero wasn't far behind. She was growing tired of it. She wondered if he planned to kill her but was first playing a game with her.

She chose a day were Rido would be out, she could speak to Zero without interruption. She waited for him in the gardens of her new home with Rido. And sure enough he appeared, he stood before her. He knew she wanted to speak.

"Did you find out what you wanted?" She asked, referring to her wedding day.

"Yes." He stated simply.

"Then way do you still follow me?" She then asked confused.

"I don't love you, I know that for sure now. I'm not attracted to you like many men are. But I still want to know you're safe. I want to make sure you are being looked after. That is now my new dilemma." He explained.

"Do Cross and Toga know?"

"Cross, yes. Toga, no, he would ridicule me for it."

"What did Cross say?" She was curious if Cross was able to shed some light on the matter.

"He believes I care for you like a brother cares for a sister." He told her with a shrug.

"And how is it that you came to care for me like that?" She was now confused.

"I saw how much you wanted to be free of Kaname. I wanted to help you because I thought that it would mean Kaname would run after you. He would then be away from Yuki and all the humans at the school. But the more a watched you, the more I saw your unhappiness. Then you showed me respect, helped me even if it was for your own gain. You stood up for me. I know this was all for your benefit. But I can't help but care. When I stayed with you and Rido, all I wanted to do was help and protect you. I wanted you to be happy." He tried to explain it to her.

"Zero, you need to let those feelings go. I care enough about you to tell you to stop doing this. Rido will catch on and kill you without a second thought. Or the other hunters will see what you doing and turn on you." She told him with a sigh.

"Don't you think I know that?!" He snapped at her.

"You have to pick, are you a vampire under our rule or are you a vampire hunter." She told him.

"How can I be a vampire hunter and care about a pureblood?" He hissed at her, he felt like she wasn't understanding any of it.

"How can I be the Queen of Vampires and care about a vampire hunter?" She countered, catching Zero off guard. "I chose to keep away and do my duty with the love of my life." She then explained after a short silence. "Now you must chose to keep away, do the duty you were born to do. And find someone to share that with." Zero nodded and left without another word.

She knew the next time she heard from Zero, it would be the last or possibly the worst day of her life. But until then, she would live each day to the fullest with Rido. She was finally happy and free.