Lunch, as it turned out, was a terrible, stomach-turning affair. For Conrad at least. He wasn't really sure how his Queen felt about it since she was far more composed than he and Gwendal were once his brother finally arrived and saw Stuffel was present.

The moment that everyone had finally gathered, and the maids had set the food out and began to serve them- Stuffel had basically pounced and began his interrogation.

"So, your highness. Please pardon my question but, how old are you?" He asked with a calculating look on his face.

"I'm eighteen." Ichigo responded automatically, not really paying him any mind since she was hungry.

The man hummed and said simpered. "My that is so very young for a human. You're little more than a child."

"I haven't been a child since the evening that my mother was murdered." Ichigo responded icily while she lifted her eyes from her plate. Conrad and Gwendal both shifted a little bit in their chairs. And she could practically tell that the two men not only had questions but were anxious to get this lunch over with and shove Stuffel out the door.

Ceilie, however, still seemed oblivious to the tension in the room though.

Which was weird unless she was pointedly ignoring it.

Stuffel said nothing about her comment about her mother's death, though she could tell that he was slightly startled by her admission and instead focused on what he wanted to say. "I'm not sure if anyone has told you, but I'm the former regent- as well as one of your many retainers. And I hope that you don't take this the wrong way, but given how young you are, it may be for the best if you hand the kingdom over to someone with much more experience at ruling."

Beside her Conrad hissed like a snake, his expression becoming dark and thunderous and he appeared to be tensing up to lunge across the table just like she'd feared he would. Gwendal wasn't much better though he hid his rage better.

While Ceilie looked at her older brother with a frown and snapped, "Brother! How dare you!"

Stuffel merely reached out and patted one of her hands in a mock comforting manner. "Now, now Ceilie. You know that I'm right. A child has no business sitting upon a throne. Not when she could be doing other things like shopping, or spending time chasing men around, or traveling-"

Ichigo sneered at the man for a moment and then cut him off. "You have such a low opinion of women. For your information I have no interest in such things. I've always been a very responsible person." She reached out and grabbed the back of Conrad's jacket as the man started to rise and yanked him back down in his seat. And for good measure she even stole his sword from his belt without the other occupants in the room noticing to prevent him from shedding blood. Conrad noticed though. And stealing his sword earn her a glare from him as she went on to say, "And even if I did have such interests- it's really none of your business. Also, my age has nothing to do with anything either. Children can rule just as easily as adults can."

Stuffel backtracked upon realizing his misstep but remained focused on his goal.

But it didn't stop the anger that rose up and burned, righteously in Ichigo's chest as she stared at the man. She sighed and pushed her plate away despite not having touched much of the food on it and sat back in her seat with her arms crossed over her chest as she said. "If you have something to say Lord Stuffel, then please, say it."

"I only brought it up because I think it's in the best interest of the people of the Demon Tribe as well as yourself to have someone more experienced rule them."

"And you think that person should be you?" Ichigo questioned, her tone dripping with venom that took even Conrad aback given the way that the man was staring at her with his mouth open right then.

Not that she could blame him, Gwendal, or their mother any. They'd never seen her upset enough to use such a tone before.

And she was upset. Very much so since she was being questioned by someone who appeared to think she was incompetent because of her age and gender and wanted to take the throne from her.

"Well, I do have experience-" Stuffel started to say as he puffed his chest up and looked at Gwendal and Conrad smugly when she cut him off.

"You're being too arrogant in assuming that I'm not experienced in ruling others. Besides, you don't strike me as someone with the Demon Tribe's best interests at heart. In fact, if I were to ask a few people around the castle then I bet that I would hear about how incompetent you were before as the regent otherwise you'd still be on the throne, and I wouldn't be here to clean up your leftover messes. Right?"

Ceilie slapped a hand over her mouth to hide her satisfied grin.

Oh, but the Great One had chosen their new Queen so very well.

As the former Demon Queen, she more than anyone knew about Stuffel and his desire for power. Especially after she had mistakenly trusted him enough to make him regent during her time as Queen.

Make no mistake, she loved her brother.

But even she knew that he craved power. And here the new Queen, who had only been in their world for a few days, denying him it. She was so proud of the girl for not blindly trusting her brother as she had and simply letting him do as he pleased that she would forever be grateful to her.

Gwendal was having some difficulty grasping what was going on.

But that didn't mean that he didn't approve, nevertheless. Especially since it appeared that the new Queen had more spirit in her than he had originally assumed. So much so that Stuffel was barely able to argue with her without being shut down immediately.

He wasn't able to help himself. For once in a very long time, he let go and he sniggered.

Conrad's stress didn't necessarily melt away instantly upon hearing his Queen's argument with his uncle. Though it did lessen a bit as an awed expression began to grace his face.

It didn't stop him from subtly palming a knife from the table though.

Stuffel's face turned a vivid shade of red and he sputtered in outrage. "H-How dare y-you-"

Ichigo jumped to her feet so quickly that her chair fell over and slammed her hands down on the table hard enough to shake it and leaned over and got in Stuffel's face as she snarled at him. "No! How dare you. How dare you come into my home and think that you can manipulate me into giving up the throne under the guise of I'm too young. Or a woman. Or have no experience." She lifted a hand and poked him in the chest with her index finger as she spat. "I see right through you mother fucker. In fact, I've killed people like you. You covet power and feel as if your entitled to it- everyone else, and the consequences be damned. And I will not sit here and let you spew your nonsense any longer. Get out!"

She pointed towards the door to her bedroom and glared at Stuffel with such disdain that the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

Stuffel was being pulled out of his seat by his arm by a worried looking Raven who didn't want his lord to push any further for the moment. While his lord continued to sputter incensed by his treatment by the child that was their newest Queen when Shinu appeared behind Ichigo's chair with a hand full of exotic flowers that he had collected for his precious child and took in the scene.

"Ah, I seem to be a bit late." He said earning everyone's attention.

Ceilie squealed in delight at the sight of him and got to her feet to run over to him and give him a hug. And Conrad, Gwendal, and Stuffel all stood up and then dropped to their knees before the spirit as he moved to stand beside his precious child and cocked his head a bit to the side as if thinking of something.

"Pardon my lateness, sweet child." Shinu finally said once he was finished giving his old friend a hug and then moved around Ichigo's chair so that he could drop to his knees before her and held the flowers out as an offering. "I'm afraid that I was thousands of miles away collecting these for you." He said as he looked at his daughter's face and noted the dark scowl there and frowned himself.

He waited anxiously for his precious daughter to take the flowers from him, hoping that it would ease her displeasure. He wasn't disappointed when her scowl faded as she took the flowers from him and smiled softly.

"Thank you for these Shinu. They're beautiful." She said gently as she then reached out and took hold of one of his hands and squeezed it a little bit. Trying to silently convey her gratitude to him by doing so.

Shinu beamed in happiness and then pressed her hand against the side of his face for a few seconds, just savoring the warmth of her spirit before letting her hand go and standing up and turning to the others.

"Now, what's going on here? Which of you has put such a dark look on my sweet child's face?"

"Great One," Gwendal started. "I believe that I can answer that question."

"Very well, Lord Von Voltaire. All of you please stand so that you can explain to me who is responsible for stealing my daughter's smile away."

Ichigo didn't react to being called the spirit's daughter at first.

She was a bit distracted by trying to keep Ceilie from taking her flowers from her. Since the woman wanted to touch them so badly that she was leaning over into her personal space whining quietly while trying to snatch them from Ichigo's hand as she tried to hold the determined woman back.

But once Ceilie managed to finally snatch the flowers from her, she huffed at the older woman's childish behavior and then turned her attention back to the others.

Gwendal was in the middle of explaining what had gone on while Shinu had been absent when Ichigo finally realized what the spirit had called her. However, instead of throwing a fit- she merely shrugged it off. Assuming that the spirit had either adopted her or simply felt that she reminded him of his daughter.

Who was likely either elsewhere in the world or long dead.

And if that was the case, was letting him be happy by reliving certain memories of his child such a bad thing? Especially when letting him do so might help him finally move on.

Helping spirits was her job as a Soul Reaper after all.

Gwendal finally finished explaining why she had been upset to the spirit, when he turned his attention to Stuffel, who was sweating bullets a few feet away because he knew that he had made a serious mistake.

Well, he had made more than just one mistake, if one wanted to get technical about it. The fact of the matter was that he'd made several.

His first mistake was questioning the Great One's judgement since he was the one who chose all of the Demon Kingdom's kings and queens since the beginning. And the second mistake had been in assuming that the new Queen was naïve enough to be manipulated into granting him power.

But his greatest and possibly most deadly mistake was his lack of knowledge about the new Queen.

Stuffel had merely assumed that she was a mere human of humble background. One that was lacking in nobility. But the moment that the Great One had appeared and called the woman his 'sweet child' Stuffel had realized just how badly he had messed up while he tried to grasp the full severity of the situation.

"Lord von Spetzweg, have you anything to say for yourself?" The Great One asked in an icy tone that echoed in the room. Yet didn't seem to affect anyone but Stuffel himself.

He opened his dry mouth to say something in his defense- but Raven's hand shot up and he blurted out. "I have a question!"

"Very well, Raven. I'll allow it." The Great One said with an indulgent nod of his head.

"You refer to her highness as your child- why?"

The Great One smiled. It was a joyous smile, full of love and affection as he replied. "Because she's the last living child of my bloodline. My one and only precious daughter."

Ichigo twitched in her seat at hearing this, but still said nothing. Weirder things had happened to her during her lifetime. And ever weirder things were apparently just on horizon to ambush her. Yay.

Raven turned to Stuffel and muttered, "It's been nice knowing you, sire." And then moved away from his lord's side to stand next to Ceilie. Abandoning him to whatever the Great One decided he deserved for his ill-conceived transgression.

"Now, do you have anything to say Lord von Spetzweg?" The Great One asked again.

"I do not." Stuffel said after wracking his brain for several moments for a fitting lie but came up empty. Besides, it was best not to lie to the Great One since he would know.

"Then you will leave and only show yourself before my child later this evening at the party. Or when summoned. The only exception to this is if you or your people need help from her. Now, go." The Great One said as he pointed at the bedroom door.

Stuffel, knowing that he was being given a chance to live another day, bowed to the Great One and then quickly scampered out of the room.

Raven was about to follow after him when he was stopped by Gwendal who whispered in his ear, "You may want to seek employment elsewhere after this. Staying with him will only get you killed."

Raven looked at Gwendal wide eyed for a moment and then glanced towards Ceilie. And then nodded his head and said something to the effect of 'he would think about it' and then left the room to catch up to his lord.

The moment that both men were gone, Ichigo slumped over in her chair, feeling more exhausted than she had felt since the war had just ended. And that was saying a lot since the war had almost lasted four months and she hadn't been able to eat, sleep, or take any bathroom breaks the entire time without risking being killed. So- yeah.

She was feeling pretty rough at the moment.

"Majesty?" She heard Ceilie say in a worried tone as she looked at her slumped over in her seat.

"I'm fine," She heard herself say, attempting to reassure the woman and the others that she really was fine so that they wouldn't worry about her so damned much as she pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes in an effort to try and control her emotions. Which just seemed to be bouncing around everywhere right then. "I'm just tired."

"Well, that's understandable." Gwendal said as he walked over to her and then reached out and took hold of one of her small hands from her face so that he could gauge whether or not she was truly alright. "Being talked to in such a disrespectful manner has that effect on people."

"You also haven't had a chance to eat anything yet either." Conrad chimed in worriedly.

"She wouldn't be able to eat right now anyway without throwing it back up." Shinu said as he looked his precious child over. Everything from how she was slumped over in her chair to her current body language practically screamed to him, I don't feel well! And as much as he hated the fact that she was unwell at the moment, an idea to help ease her internal strife a bit occurred to him.

"Precious one, would you like me to make you your favorite drink for when you aren't feeling well?"

He asked catching Ichigo off guard a bit from the way that she abruptly dropped her other hand away from her face and looked at him. "You know it?" She asked, sounding both surprised and hopeful at the same time.

Shinu smiled at her as he replied. "I do. It's your mother's recipe, right?"

Ichigo nodded her head and Shinu asked for several things from the kitchen. And since the maids had left once lunch had been served, Conrad was more than happy to go and collect everything for him.

Once Conrad returned with everything that Shinu had asked for, Conrad, Ceilie, and Gwendal all gathered around him to see how their Queen's favorite drink was made. For future reference, he would imagine.

"Some warm milk, honey, and cinnamon. There's another recipe that involves warm water, honey and some orange juice. But I think this one will work the best for now since she needs to calm down." Shinu said as he poured and mixed everything in a wine glass and then moved over to his precious daughter and handed the glass to her.

Ichigo's hand was shaking a bit when she took it from him, but she thanked him and managed to give him a weak smile before taking a drink and then sinking back in her seat with a sigh.

"How is it, majesty?" Conrad asked her in concern. Ichigo looked at him and smiled, a bit less weakly and much more genuinely.

"It's perfect."

Shinu visibly preened at her words. Especially knowing that the drink was serving its purpose on easing her inner turmoil and bringing her a small bit of peace.

"I'm glad." Shinu said with a smile as she finished the drink off. Conrad quickly took the glass from her and then went to make her some more while the spirit chuckled as he watched the man re-create the beverage with eerie precision.

"Shinu, you came here for something. Didn't you?" Ichigo asked warily.

"I did." Shinu confirmed. Though he was reluctant to bring up the reason why he had come when he could simply let everyone think that he merely wished to see his precious child and spend some time with her.

After all, he more than anyone knew how willful and rebellious his precious daughter and Conrart Weller could be. And besides, he wasn't sure how either of them would handle his decision once he voiced it. But he knew that once he voiced his decision, there was no going back.

Not for any of them.

"Say it." Ichigo said, though it wasn't really a demand nor a command. But the way that she spoke made Shinu nervous just the same.

Which was totally understandable since she could literally destroy him if she wished. And though he knew deep down that she wouldn't regardless of what he said- he couldn't help but want to skitter away from her and maybe hide himself behind Gwendal. For self-preservation reasons.

"I will," Shinu finally said and then quickly tacked on. "But only if you promise not to hate me."

"I won't hate you."

"Promise?" He asked, sounding pitiful even to himself.

"Shinu, I have a feeling that I have an idea of what you want to say- so no. I won't hate you, I promise. Just...get it out so we can all react and move on." She said, with a small frown as she looked at him.

And Shinu got the weirdest feeling that he just...couldn't quite put his finger on it. But he would swear deep in his very bones that she knew. The way that she looked at him was so very knowing.

So, he took a breath to calm his nerves and then said, "I have decided that as my precious daughter, that I cannot trust just anyone with your wellbeing and future. Not as Ichigo Kurosaki and certainly not as the Queen. So, I have chosen a husband for you." He paused when everyone in the room went totally still except for Ichigo. She merely sipped the drink that Conrart had made for her and raised a brow at him, waiting for him to go on. So far so good. He thought as he continued. "I have chosen Conrart Weller to be your husband and consort. I will make the arrangements. And I will also announce your engagement this evening at the party."

Ceilie gasped and covered her mouth and looked at the two. Gwendal was shocked, but he was not entirely surprised by this turn of events.

Ichigo glanced at Conrad curiously and noticed him staring at her. He was startled by this. Probably even more so than she was. But he didn't appear upset by the announcement any. At least not yet anyway.

In the back of her mind, she could hear Julia and Shiro both chanting, Yes, yes, yes! Do it. You won't regret it! Shiro then promised that he would break Conrad's face if he ever hurt her. And Julia promised that she'd bury him up to his eyes in an ant hill afterwards for the same reason.

And with both of them so willing to jump into a lifetime commitment like this, Ichigo couldn't really think of any arguments about why she shouldn't as well. There was just one thing that bothered her.

"Conrad, you don't have to agree to anything that will make you uncomfortable regardless of Shinu's decision here," She explained, wanting her friend/shadow to know that even if no one else was thinking of his feelings- she was. "You are free to say no. And will be totally free of any repercussions after saying so." She said that last part while looking at Shinu who merely gave her a fond smile to show that he agreed with her and was proud of her for thinking of his feelings.

Conrad stayed silent for several more moments, carefully weighing the pros and cons of being the husband and consort of his Queen. He already knew that he liked her. The two of them got along easily. Not only that but she was very kind and thoughtful and sweet. She was also funny and had a warped sense of humor that he enjoyed delving into. He could easily spend the rest of his life with her and be happy. Truly he could.

He just worried... that he might be found lacking somehow.

"Conrad?" He heard his Queen say gently and his brown eyes flickered over her face. She looked...worried. About him?

"I would be honored to be your husband." He finally said, his eyes dancing with some undefined emotion. Ichigo smiled warmly at him and lifted a hand to run her fingers through his hair only for him to capture her hand before it could even touch him and press a kiss to her knuckles.

Shinu watched the two for a moment longer before finally concluding that this was the right thing to do. For the both of them. They would take care of one another and the kingdom and its people.

"I will make the arrangements. And announce your engagement this evening then." Shinu said, though he was fairly certain that neither Conrart nor Ichigo actually heard him as Ceilie squealed in happiness and ran over to the two and quickly dropped down to hug them both.

Gwendal merely shook his head at his mother's antics and congratulated his brother and Queen both before deciding that he'd had enough excitement for the time being and he needed to go back to his office and hide a while.