Kazuya watched in disappointment as Akane got off the bed and started walking towards the guestroom door. She stopped before opening the door and spoke.

"I'm sorry, Kazu, but I can't risk losing you again. I'm going to keep helping Shizuru so none of the Columns will hurt you. This is the safest way."

The young ruler's feelings of despair were calmed by Akane's voice, and he eventually nodded in agreement.

"It's alright. I understand, Akane."

Akane gave an uneasy smile as she quietly shut the door.

"Goodnight, Kazu."

She returned to her post and continued to guard the hallway for the rest of the night.

It was the morning after Akane's original persona returned. She had nervously revealed to the Columns she was no longer the subdued "pet" the injection had temporarily turned her into, but hid the fact that the Emperor had tried to escape during the night. She offered her full obedience in exchange for Kazuya's safety, and the Columns' reaction was surprisingly positive. They also decided there was no need for further experiments since Akane continued reporting for duty and behaving well. In the following weeks, it soon become apparent that, without regular injections, the biological effects of the loyalty serum were just as temporary as the psychological. Akane's tail gradually shortened in length as her feline ears began painlessly receding back into the shape of human ears. Within a month, there were no signs that she had even been given the mutagen.

The Columns' conquest of Earl had continued in this time, and Shizuru occasionally returned with a fallen Otome that had been given Garderobe's drug. The more stubborn girls were kept in line with a regular routine of treatments, while a few others were encouraged to take the drug to put less strain on Garderobe's Otome system. These defectors, combined with the Corals and Pearls who had chosen to stay loyal to the Columns they idolized when the war began, gave Garderobe a growing military force.

Akane was surprised that her familiar life had gently fallen back into place. She was eventually entrusted with taking a group of the younger girls under her wing and training them in the rules of combat and the etiquette of an Otome (as the Columns dictated, obviously) on a regular basis. She continued to wear her Meister formal uniform and use her Meister Robe in exercises, but she functioned and Materialized in the same fashion as a leading Pearl. Best of all, she was allowed to make daily visits to Kazuya's room, and happily discovered that he was growing comfortable with his unusual surroundings. He had fallen into somewhat of a peril, though, as it was understandably difficult for a bachelor such as himself to constantly cross the paths of young women his age while adhering to the academy's "no touch" policy.

The Columns were becoming increasingly worried of Garderobe's morale as the male guest continued to stay on academy grounds. Furthermore, Windbloom's castle had remained empty under their watch since their initial proclamation of war, and their forces had grown to the point that a political front was practically required. The decision was carefully made to install Kazuya as a puppet King of Windbloom, as he clearly had no intent to be at odds with the Columns as long as Akane was happy, and such a timid ruler would set an example for how the other kingdoms should address the Columns. One of Akane's afternoon visits to the guest chamber was interrupted when the Five Columns stepped through the door, informed the couple of the decision, and summoned them to Castle Windbloom.

The coronation ceremony was held in Windbloom's empty throne room. The only figures standing in the room were the Five Columns, the soon-to-be King of Windbloom, and the Meister Otome who would serve him.

Akane's eyes scanned the ceremonial chamber. She was inspired by the thought of serving as Windbloom's Meister, but she quietly questioned herself. Queen Mashiro and Meister Arika were still in exile, so was it really right to just walk in and take over the kingdom like this? Her thoughts were interrupted as Column Mahya Blythe stepped forward from her group and began a rather truncated version of her ceremonial speech.

"He offers his hand, she kisses the ring, everyone goes home happy. You know the drill."

Mahya's eyes carelessly moved to the person she was addressing as she spoke.

"You're a monarch with no actual political power, and you're forced to serve him as his Meister until I say you've fulfilled your obligation. Nothing you two aren't familiar with."

Akane turned her head to face Mahya, taking offense to her crude words.

"You're wrong, Lady Mahya! Kazu would be a great king if you let him!"

Mahya simply snorted and shook her head.

"Whatever. Just get on with it so we can finally let the nobles back in here."

Akane lowered her objections and turned her attention back to Kazuya. She slowly knelt to one knee as her king lowered his hand to her lips, then closed her eyes and gently kissed the signet ring. She heard her GEM earring begin to softly whir and beep as it released its provisional connection to Shizuru's GEM and recalibrated itself to the energy signature of Kazuya's imperial signet. The contract was complete.

Akane rose back to her feet and turned toward the Columns. This process had ended her doubts and imbued her with a new sense of justice.

Follow Mahya's orders: Go to Chapter 26

Fight the Columns: Go to Chapter 27