It had been a day since Asuka's battle with the princess and talk with the emperor. Currently she was making her way to one of the gates of the capital where Ichigo was waiting for her. During their time in the capital, Ichigo was busy speaking with the emperor about the traffickers they had met. Though they couldn't get the one surviving trafficker or the girls and children to talk due to the marks on their tongue, the older man, however, had his tongue cut out.
Believing the older man, Robert, might at least be able to write down what he knew, the royal guards had tried—against Ichigo's judgment—to make him give information. Before he could put a word to parchment, flames erupted from his mouth and eyes. Flesh and bone melted away before their horrified eyes. Even the hardened guards were left shaken by the grotesque sight.
The rest chose to live together and were given a place to stay and the eldest of the girls, Alice, was given a job as one of the general's secretary. She had a similar job before this so the general was in need of one. They will be able to live comfortably for a while.
They don't know Robert is dead.
Ichigo told Asuka what happened the previous night and she wasn't happy he kept that from them. But she understood that they had been through enough. No need to make them feel worse than they do already.
As she walked through the capital, no one remembered her walking with Ichigo. Most were too busy focusing on him instead of her. For the first time, she could take in the full splendor of the capital—the architecture, the markets, the laughter in the air—and it made her all the sadder to see how poorly they treated him.
It was clear these people truly cared for one another. Everyone had a role, and they played it with genuine smiles. The baker handing bread to children. Couples strolling arm in arm after their dates. Families sharing meals in the open courtyards.
But seeing all these people brought up one question in the girl.
"If this place is basically a paradise, how come everyone else beyond the mountains live so poor?"
Asuka may not know much about ruling a kingdom, but she knew something was terribly wrong if there is such a wide disparity between classes of people. All signs point to the emperor being responsible. Her hatred of the man deepens.
It was a question she wouldn't get an answer to for a long time. And it was an answer she didn't need right now either.
After a while, she finally made it outside the gate where she found Ichigo, General Octavi, and Lieutenant Maximus. They seemed to be deep in conversation before they noticed Asuka coming.
"Well if it isn't our brightest young star," exclaimed the lieutenant, "You are looking quite dashing this fine morning."
Ichigo raised a brow, surprised at her new appearance. Asuka now wore a loose white shirt trimmed with sky blue, a fitted white vest bearing four gold stars on the shoulder, and black pants tucked neatly into obsidian boots. A new belt hung at her waist, with extra packs strapped to it. Her old brown arm braces had been replaced with sleek black ones, and her hair was tied into a short ponytail. At her side rested a new black scabbard for her claymore.
She blushed at the lieutenants remark.
"Thank you. They just appeared at my door this morning and I did need a new outfit anyway. My last one had been through too much."
"Well whoever picked those out for you deserves a thousand blessings. They've gone and turned you into a prince. A truly remarkable transformation."
"I suppose this is where we part ways," said the general with a small nod. "It has been a pleasure, as always, Ichigo. And an honor to meet you, Asuka. When next you come, please visit our praesi."
"I'll make sure to do so. Thank you for having me," replied Asuka, pressing her fist against her heart and giving a small bow.
The general did the same in return.
"Now, we should be off. Thank you again for hosting us," said Ichigo.
"Wait," Maximus interjected suddenly. His tone was sharp enough to draw Ichigo's full attention. "Before you go, there is something very important I must tell you."
The gravity in his voice made Ichigo pause.
"Please—grow your hair back as quickly as possible. The short look does not suit you, darling."
Asuka and Ichigo both shot him irritated looks. Even the ever-stoic Octavi rolled her eyes and sighed at the lieutenant's antics.
"I'll keep that in mind Maximus."
With that, they departed from the capital.
~
A couple hours after the two had left, General Octavi and Lieutenant Maximus were having morning tea. Anastasia was silently meditating in the courtyard. Looking at the girl, then back at the general, Maximus began to speak.
"You know you tend to be a lot more talkative around children."
Octavi silently sipped her tea before replying.
"So what if I am? Is that a problem?"
The lieutenant brushed his blond hair out his eyes before replying.
"No. Its just... even with children, you aren't as kind as you were to the Trinity. Not even to her highness. Apart from her birth, what makes her different?"
The general did not reply for some time. Soon, her eyes slowly softened and she took a sigh.
"Did you take a good look at her eyes?"
Maximus was surprised by the question, but he answered with a shrug after a moment.
"Not really. What did you see?"
"She tries to hide it, but at her young age, she has already experienced a deep pain. And just by being a Trinity, it will only get worse."
She paused to look outside where Anastasia was still meditating.
"The princess herself has experienced many hardships. Same with her brother. But they are loved by the world. Whatever pain they experience, the world weeps with them. They will always have someone to comfort them. Asuka however, has no such benefits. No matter how caring she is, no matter how many lives she will save, the world and those who rule it will always fear her. And people hate their fears."
She leaned forward in her chair, placing her elbows on the table.
"Soon they will abandon and discard of her. Funny isn't it. The weight of the world on her shoulders and that same world wants nothing more than her destruction. Her life will be a tragedy. So I thought at least, I should be the one to show her that there are those of the world who will stand by her."
Maximus' mouth opened and closed behind his mask. He ran a hand through his hair, struggling for words.
"I... I did not know you had that side to you."
A soft smile found her lips.
"There is much you don't know of me."
She gazed up at the sky, letting a long silence settle.
"Asuka. In your future, loneliness and despair will be your only companion. I swear when that time comes, I will accompany you through whatever hell you are forced to walk."