19 Secret conversation

Marguerite walked out of the grand room defeated and depressed. Whatever is going to happen from now on, she isn't going to be in control of it. Sitting in her room with her old maids returned from the interrogation, she notices their pale complexion and can only imagine what "interrogation" they were forced to endure. She feels bad for the fact that they are still forced to work after such an experience.

"Are you going to heed Alphonse's warning?"

She suddenly hears Edwards' voice in her head interrupting her thoughts.

"Are you anxious?"

She doesn't really want to stay in this horrible world where life is harsh and human rights are scarce, but she also doesn't want to experience the guillotine first hand, therefore she is quite conflicted about her next steps.

"Didn't I already guarantee your life? You don't have to listen to him, I am much more powerful than he is."

"But wasn't that when you were free?"

Marguerite figured that Edward is probably sealed up somewhere in a place that limits his powers. She doesn't quite trust him.

"I'm perfectly capable of protecting one human. Especially since I really need your help. Just trust me."

Marguerite doesn't reply as she dismisses her servants. Tomorrow is enrollment. She is quite convinced that no teacher is going to be interested in her enough to enrol her as a pupil. She doesn't know exactly what bedservants do, but as a Christian who believes in Monogamy, she doesn't wish to find out.

Thinking about hazel eyes while lying in bed, she finds it a pity that such a handsome man is such a jerk. It is truly a waste of beauty.

As she falls asleep, she doesn't notice Edward slipping away in his cat form towards the Grand Hall.

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"Why are you here now of all times?"

The long, dark hair of emperor Alphonse shakes as his stern face constricts in a frown at the sight of the blue cat entering his office uninvited.

"I'm here to warn you."

At those words, the arrogant ruler cocks an eyebrow in surprise and slight curiosity.

Warn him? It has been a while since anyone has ever spoken to him in such a manner.

Suddenly, the cat gets enrobed in a blue fog that swirls around his little figure, hiding him from view, until the fog, seemingly coming from everywhere around the room, grows in height and forms a small tornado of blue fog in front of Alphonse.

The stunning sight doesn't seem to surprise the relaxed emperor, who watches on almost as if he was bored. His hands that were still gripping the documents passed onto him by his head eunuch earlier releases the boring sheets to fold together in an observing stance.

The fog quickly disperses out of sight, almost as if it never existed in the first place.

The faint, sulfurous smell of spent gunpowder lingers in the room as a tall and slender person emerges from the disappeared fog.

The stunning grey eyes meet with the hazels of the king who proceeds to smirk and watch the face he has only heard of in stories. The extremely white skin mixed with the white hair gives the standing man an almost morbid appearance, yet it is at the same time enchanting. The contrast of white and dark blue as the patterns of intricate outlines decore his cheeks and neck, almost like ink on a bare canvas, creates an image of mystery and wonder. It almost seems as if he wasn't from this world entirely.

As the man moves towards the nearby chair usually meant for ministers, the light reflects a tint of blue on his eyes and hair, reminiscing of the harmless blue cat that was replaced by this imposing and tall man.

The man settles himself comfortably on the cushioned chair, as a long, blue cigarette holder decorated with carved-out blue waves appears in his hand.

The two men stay seated in silence as Edward continues to take long drags of the blue cigarette holder, releasing consequently blue fog into the room almost as if trying to dominate the entire place with his presence.

Not liking the sight, Alphonse opens a drawer under his desk and takes out a black box. As he slowly sets it in front of him, Edward's eyes glance at the words "La Gloria" written in italic letters.

Alphonse continues to keep the silence as he observes the man now smirking at him as if he was laughing at a child's antics. He doesn't let himself fall for the provocation as his facial expression remains constant. He doesn't know if the blue fog has anything to do with it, but the man's initial pale skin looks slightly blue now. Alphonse cannot help but feel disturbed by how unreal his whole persona is.

"I have been here for many, many years."

The words finally break the tense silence, the defiant and arrogant man disappears to reveal a melancholic shadow. The deep, grey eyes become deeper as he seems to be remembering something difficult to bear.

Alphonse doesn't answer and decides to keep listening.

"It's time for me to go. You can try to stop me, or you can join hands with me and be on the right side of history."

"And what if I refuse?"

A pale smile adorns the lips of Edward as he narrows his eyes in a threatening gesture.

"Life for Your High Excellency Alphonse the king and the country that follows will become quite the hurdle. I'm sure you remember what your original position used to be."

Alphonse almost winces but stops himself. If he shows any sign of weakness, he loses any momentum in the conversation.

"I still don't see what I can gain from helping you. Aren't you meant to return everything to its place?"

The sound of light chuckling fills the office after the emperor finishes talking. Alphonse, not used to this dismissive treatment at all, cannot help but feel irritated at the moon-kissed man.

"A broken vase can be repaired, but the cracks will always remain. I can never return things to a perfect state; I can't turn back time."

Alphonse observes the suddenly saddened expression of Edward as he tries to digest the new information.

"Then, how are you any different from Brennus?"

Edward first looks a bit taken aback by the question, the utterance of that name bringing back a wave of repressed feelings to the surface. He contains himself with a smile and chuckles, again, irritating the king once more.

"How can the greed of this world pertain to me? What I am proposing is a fair deal, you can keep your current position while I can return to mine. No one loses out here, and no one will get hurt. You don't have to pretend to be noble and just to buy yourself time to think: we have all night."

The emperor doesn't break eye contact with the smiling man in front of him as he ponders over his words. Not sure if he can trust Edward without any leverage. Unfortunately, as annoying as Edward is, this is the best he can get, and he isn't sure if he can truly stop him from going back.

Finally, he looks down to rub his eyes with his thumb and index finger while sighing resignedly.

"Very well. But I want a universal contract to make sure you don't rescind on your words later."

Edward smiles satisfactorily, takes out a scroll from his sleeves that he had prepared in advance, already signed, and sends it flying towards him with an already dipped pen set next to the line.

After the signature, the two men proceed to talk for a bit longer before Edward returns back to Marguerite's chambers.