An Empire's change

Kurome had been as happy as a girl who reunited with her Mother could be. She had been spending quite a lot of time with her whenever she wasn't speaking to the Emperor or patrolling the Capital. She liked the Jaegers, they were much like her old family. But her Mother was by far her favorite to be around. They hadn't killed any Night Raid members as of yet, despite having been a part of the Jaegers for two weeks.

They had mostly been exterminating Danger Beasts, Criminals and Bandits outside the Capital. Her desire to kill her sister and preserve her in Yatsufusa was doused by Raven, who had slowly convinced Kurome that Akame would eventually rejoin their family of her own free will after the Empire changes. She doubted that change would really occur at first, but over the two weeks she was in the Jaegers, things had taken a noticeable turn for the better. While they were still being ordered to kill Night Raid as quickly as possible and having no success, their General hadn't been too concerned about it.

Honest was trying to appeal to Esdeath's sadistic nature but she wasn't truly putting her heart into killing the assassin group off. Instead, the Jaegers had often witnessed Esdeath hitting on Raven. Things that ranged from strange pick up lines, inviting Raven to torture prisoners and finally, wearing different clothing to seduce her.

The last part having slight success due to Esdeath seeing Raven's eyes wander occasionally. Though they'd always quickly look elsewhere. Oftentimes she would consult Bols, who was the only one of the Jaegers who was married.

Seeing as how Honest often spoke to Esdeath or Budo about Night Raid or security in the Palace due to his paranoia, Raven took those small windows of opportunity to speak with the child Emperor. His mind slowly filled with subtle supplanted ideas that his Empire wasn't the perfect place Honest told him it was. Of course, Raven didn't outright tell him what a cesspool the Empire was. Only offhandedly remarking about some of the troubles the commoners and soldiers faced. She gradually built up a desire in the Emperor to see the streets of his Capital for himself.

It was during one of these talks when he finally decided.

"General Raven, I would very much like to see the Capital. I know Prime Minister Honest would disagree but with everything you have told me.. I asked General Budo and he has confirmed these things you've said. Please, will you escort me while I see my Capital?" He earnestly asked, grabbing onto Raven's arm.

~Finally. Time to break the trust Honest has over you. I just need that fat asshole to be occupied. The only one who can stall him for that long is..~ Raven slowly exhaled and nodded to the child Emperor.

"Very well, my Emperor. Please give me one hour to make arrangements. We should dress inconspicuously as well so as to see your Empire through a Commoner's eyes" Raven nodded.

"Yes! That is a good idea. Please come back to me in one hour then" He requested, earning a smile from Raven as she walked out of the Throne room.

~Poor child.. being used like this by that human garbage..~ Shaking her head, Raven proceeded to walk into Esdeath's room, where she was trying on new clothes meant for seducing her.

"Ah..-My bad, I'll wait until you've dressed" Raven started to close the door but Esdeath stopped her with a knowing smile.

"Oh hello Raven.. You should know I don't mind you watching, yes? How odd. You never come to my room of your own initiative" Esdeath licked her lips and watched as Raven did her best to avoid looking at her state of undress.

"You probably deduced why I'm here already so I'll cut to the chase.. I need a favor" Raven looked at Esdeath, focusing really hard on her face as to avoid her eyes wandering to other places.

"Is that right? You must really need this favor. Tell me, what is it?" Esdeath smiled and slowly finished dressing herself.

"I need you to stall Honest for three hours at the least" Raven asked, schooling her expression as to not show how desperate she was for this request.

"Oh I see. Then you're finally making a move? I know you've been sneaking off to speak to the Emperor. He asked me what the situation outside the Palace was a few days ago. Luckily for you, I prevented him from asking Honest" Esdeath smirked and hugged Raven's arm, sandwiching it between her breasts.

"You're... this supportive? I didn't think.." Raven trailed off, having come to a realization.

"That I could change and support the woman I have come to love? You seem to have a strange preconceived opinion of me. While at first, you were completely right, yes. But can't you see? Your existence, your actions, your words have stirred a change within even someone as stubborn as I. Perhaps, if you lacked the strength to convince me, I would disagree and oppose you. Perhaps if my love, having started as a desire to possess you hadn't developed as much as it had, I would oppose you or lock you up and use you as some simple toy. You have started a not-insignificant change in me, Raven. Please, drop your old opinions and bias of me and judge me for who I am now" Esdeath then separated and held Raven's shoulders, staring into her crimson eyes while slowly biting her own bottom lip.

"I... No, you're right. I'm sorry. I've been unfair to you lately" Raven admitted with a sigh, unused to seeing the expression on Esdeath's face.

"It's quite alright. I did used to be exactly what you thought of me. I still am, in many ways. Ah but we're wasting time, yes? I can stall him. But I want.. Hmm.. yes, three wishes from you that you must grant. Don't worry, all three will be within your physical power to make" Esdeath smiled and waited eagerly for Raven's response.

"Haaa... I know I'll be dealing with something troublesome later but yes, I agree. Three wishes" Raven agreed, seeing Esdeath's face joyfully light up.

"I so very much want to use one wish now but there is no time. I'll talk to Honest for three hours, for you. Do what you need to" Esdeath then proceeded to walk past her.

Raven was about to turn around and walk out right after her, but felt Esdeath's soft but strong hand on her butt, giving it a squeeze before letting go and walking off, pretending she didn't just grope her.

"This is going to bite me in the ass later, huh.. Yang, Ruby.. give Momma strength.." Raven sighed and proceeded to walk down to Budo's office quickly.

Quickly arriving, Raven saw Budo going over some of his paperwork. Something which he has always hated doing. As soon as Raven walked in, his eyes lit up.

"Honest will be distracted for three hours. In that time I'll be showing the Emperor around the Capital. If you know where you could find any proof of Honest's corruption, now is the time to do it. I'll be subtly implying Honest is corrupt while showing the Emperor the state of the Capital" Raven informed him as the tall General stood up with a barely discernable smile.

"Good. I know just where to look. I trust the Emperor is safe in your hands?" He asked, confident in her abilities but still worried about the child Emperor.

"No harm will befall him" Raven promised resolutely.

"Good, I'm trusting you with this.." Budo quickly made his way out of his office.

~Time to see the Emperor. I only have precious few days to end this. I'm only concerned with what Esdeath will do once I'm gone~ Raven finished her thought with a sigh, finding the Emperor in the throne room again, completely dressed head to toe in commoner attire with a ragged-looking hood to cover his head.

"Good. Allow me to get dressed and we'll head outside the Palace at once" Raven grabbed some commoner clothes for herself as the Emperor nodded to her, expression in an uncharacteristically serious frown.

~Good.. he's taking this seriously. With Budo to guide him, this Revolution should lose momentum. The ones who wish for power or democracy on the Revolutionary side will want to continue but many just wish for a decent place to live~ Raven changed into Wakoku styled clothes, touching her horn with a frown.

"Haa.. I'll have to wear a hood" Raven commented to herself, though she was still anxious as she put a hood over her head.

~That'll be up to Budo, Night Raid and everyone else.. I'm taking Akame and Kurome back. I wonder if they'll like Yang and Ruby.. Ah, so many things to deal with!~ Her Motherly worrying continued in her head as she escorted the Emperor outside the Palace.