It is with great relief that Akito slowly looks up from his hands, feeling the rulers' eyes move off of him and over to his betrothed. His hands slowly come apart – slightly slick from nervous sweat – and he reaches out to stroke a finger down Hoko's back. The creature calms, turning around to lick at the warrior's chin before curling up and going back to eating. A smile finds it's way to his eyes alone and for a moment all he can think is that there is something unmistakably sweet about the man he is to marry. . .And that is not a bad quality for a husband. [i]'Of course those reasons are valid too, but that's not really why I want to explore those areas. . .'[/i] That paranoid part of his mind can not get those suspicious images out of his head, and for now he considers his vigilance a good thing.

The smile in his eyes reaches his lips for a moment as Hiro graces him with one of his own. [i]'So beautiful'[/i] His thought brings a flush once more to his cheeks but a moment later the youth across from him once more encourages him to 'relax', so with a concerted effort he takes a deep breath and turns his focus back on to his food. He tenses moments later but relaxes immediately as he recognizes the noise of a woman with an overly active bun in the oven. As the emperor looks to her, concerned, Akito offers up an amused smile before taking another bite of a meal he has as of yet not been calm enough to actually taste.

Only a bite later there is once more talking going on around him. However since it does not directly involve him at the moment he is able to listen while focusing on his meal. At last that savory meat touches his tongue and sends him back to the field with it's flavor. Hoko chitters happily, having finished his portion a while ago, the beast is not above begging more off his master. The soldier however is too busy with the duel task of remaining calm – an act aided by the nostalgic flavors – and actually paying attention to stuff that will affect his future.

Like any excited mother planning a wedding a wave of excitement seems to pass through the woman as she goes off on her list of attendees. The looming prospect of being surrounded by so many nobles threatens to spook the man once more, the urge to flee to the woods returning. However as her list comes to an end she turns suddenly to Akito with a smile. Despite the smile the young man has to fight the urge to jump and looks up at the empress with a subtle polity questioning expression. “Yes my lady?” he asks softly, setting his fork down.

“Oh, I was just wondering, who will be coming from your side?” Her tone is light and for the first time Akito realizes that she knows of his familial situation. 

[i]'She knows that the general is my only family and that I was orphaned. That I have no blood ties. . .'[/i] He swallows slowly before taking a sip of his drink and dropping his gaze to the happy animal on his knee, now licking it's paws clean. Just out of sight of his gaze the empress adopts an apologetic expression, fearing she did not approach the subject delicately enough, however before she can make amends Akito speaks up softly, but clearly. “Well, the general will be coming. As. . .As he is my family. He will stand with me. And, um, I think I overheard him saying that my unit will also be invited to come.” Trying to brush away some of the awkward he adds on with a small laugh. “I'm sure they'll all show up. It's free food after all.”

The emperor chuckles at this, nodding. “Yes, they are invited, as your closest companions. I'm sure a few will have something to say in your favor when it comes time to speak of your virtues.” He says this with such jovial confidence that Akito does not have the heart to admit that most of them barely know him despite having served with him for many years, some so far back as to have been around when he was adopted.