Luz and Noir going to the Lily Alliance by carriage. They already plan their action toward each other just as a boss and underling so that no one get suspicious when looking at them. Luz acting cold toward Noir that morning making Rose surprise as she saw how close Luz with Noir yesterday. Noir also seems treat him as her superior and there is no friendly joke between them anymore. Rose confused but she keeps silent when all of them breakfast together that morning. Scarlet on the other hand also notice the differences on how Luz interacts with Noir. Even though she feels satisfied but, in her heart, she feels that it causes Luz more pain than ever. Noir also become more formal with her and the others making Lumiere become awkward to making any jokes while the breakfast. After they all done breakfast, Luz ordered Noir to assist him to Lily Alliance, and both go to the Alliance by carriage.
Upon arrive at Lily Alliance, a man with two women standing at the entrance welcome them to Lily Alliance.
"Welcome to Lily Alliance, Lieutenant Luz." The man said and shaking his hand with Luz.
"Thank you, Captain Wood. This is my assistant, Sergeant Noir. She will assist me with the inspection these three days. Hope you all can give co-operation while the inspection is carried out." Luz introduced Noir to others.
"Well, this is Lieutenant Lilac Canasite and Sergeant Maple Cinnabar. They will assist both of you regarding the inspection matter." Wood introduced his members to Luz and Noir.
"Just call me Lilac and this is Maple. Is it alright if we call you by your name only?" Lilac asked politely.
"Yes, we didn't mind." Luz answered.
"Alright then, how about we begin now?" Captain Wood said. Luz and Noir nod and both of them follow Captain Wood, Lilac and Maple into Lily Alliance while listening to Wood explanation which sometime interrupt by Lilac and Maple.
Noir and Maple seem to become friend quickly and they always have many topics to talk with. Lilac never sees Maple this close to anyone in the Alliance before when she starts working at Lily Alliance a few years ago. She always saw the others tried to avoid her or politely didn't want to interact with her except while they are working. She knows the reason behind it, and she will always try to include her in her own social life so that Maple never feels left behind. As Wood and Luz continue discussing about work, Lilac drags Maple and Noir toward cafeteria for a drink. The three of them sit at the centre of the cafeteria and chatting with each other.
Noir realise. Many eyes looking at her with curious and some stare at Maple which causing her to feel uncomfortable. She saw Lilac drag them both toward cafeteria and they sit at centre of the cafeteria while the other members there looks at them and some stare with disgust toward Maple. Noir know the reason behind it because she also experiences it once when she just starts working at Epiphyllum Alliance. Discrimination. When Noir meets Maple, she already knows she is dark clan members because of her black hair just like her. She also feels the disgust stare toward her from the other members in the Lily Alliance as she walks inside the Alliance. She just brushes it off as it never bothers her anyway.
The cafeteria suddenly becomes crowded as Wood and Luz walk inside and taking a seat on the second floor of the cafeteria. Many female members of the Alliance seem want to get a glance on Luz and they seem starting become Luz fans all of sudden making Noir rolled her eyes.
"Seriously, another mob of fans." Noir mumbled making both Lilac and Maple puzzled. They both smiles.
"It seems that he popular among girls." Lilac said.
"And they always come to me for his contact number. Seriously, am I his personal assistant or what?" Nois replied earning a chuckle from both of them.
"So, is he already married?" Maple asked.
"You like him?" Noir teased making Maple blushed.
"No. I'm just curious. Handsome guy like him often already taken." Maple replied back.
"Hmmm… I ask him later." Noir said earning discomfort from Maple.
"Hahaha… she won't have crush on her Noir, Maple already married. How about you then, Noir?" Lilac asked with a tease.
"How about you, Lilac? Don't you fell for him?" Noir teased back without answering her question.
"Lilac already engaged. She will married next month. How about you try Noir?" Maple joked making Lilac surprise because Maple doesn't easily joke around other people except with her.
"Oh my, I am in the same situation with Maple. How should I do?" Noir joked while showing her wedding ring to both of them. The three of them laugh as if they already know each other for a long time.
"Urm… Noir… Do you… I mean that… have you…" Maple tried to asked Noir but being intercept by Noir.
"Being look down? Discriminate? Left alone? Yes, I been that for whole 5 years since I got into the Alliance." Noir said a little bit loud making most of eyes looks toward her. Luz and Wood also stop talking and looking down toward the centre of cafeteria.
"So what? Because I have black hair? I am proud of my dark clan genes. They can talk about me whatever they like but they are just jealous because I am better than them. You don't need other approval; you just need someone to trust who you really are. Look at you now, you become Sergeant because you are skills enough not because you have connection from higher up, right?" Noir added.
"You really are brave." Lilac praised.
"So, you from Dark Kingdom too?" Maple asked.
"My mum is, but my father is from Wind Kingdom." Noir replied making both of them surprise.
"Hold on… are you the she-devil rumour from Imperial Alliance? The dark hair Sergent with wind element power?" Lilac realised making Noir pouted.
"Why they always spread about the she-devil rumour? Am I too scary?" Noir pouted. Maple laughed out making Lilac smiles.
"Well that what they said about you, but from what I see, you are more interesting and easier to be with." Lilac said making Noir smiles.
"Well, I don't mind others think about me, they have their own opinion about what kind of person I am. As long as I have my goal in mind, I don't care about others bad mouth me from behind." Noir stated making most of members that look toward them turned their eyes away from them out of guilt. Noir smiles when she notices their reaction.
"Yup, that kind of people really are a loser." Lilac stated honestly. The three of them laugh together.
From the second floor of the cafeteria…
"It seems that my Lieutenant find a partner-in-crime already." Wood laughed.
"Sorry about our she-devil." Luz apologised.
"Don't worry. I really like her honesty. She really deserves to be a Sergeant. I know most of the dark clan members in Alliance experience what Maple gone through, but I really impressed with Noir. Even a half born like her can get through the hardship of discrimination in the Alliance." Wood replied.
"I think because of her mind set; she can break easily from the discrimination and force others to accept her with her own abilities as they cannot deny how good she is." Luz said making Wood agreed.
"Maple is a good Sergeant, and I see potential in her." Wood stated.
"But you want her to learn more before promoting her as Lieutenant, right?" Luz assumed.
"Yes, sometimes her decision can waver because of the pressure they give her as dark clan people. She sometimes has doubt in her own abilities. I want her to be firm with her decision and can leads other well. I also told my concern with Lilac, and she also agree with me." Wood agreed.
"Well, she really lucky to have both superior that always look after her. I think be honest with her can boost her motivation." Luz suggested. Luz looks toward the three woman and a figure that walk close toward them make him curious. He can feel a malice feeling emit from the person.
"Who's that?" Luz asked pointing toward the person.
"That's Ivory. Ivory Gypsum. One of our Sleuth in my department. Why?" Wood curious.
"He's felt off." Luz becomes suspicious.
"You did feels like that too? From the first time I meet her, my guts tell me don't trust her. But I don't have any proof of her doing any illegal activities outside. Still my instinct told me don't believe her." Wood said with concern.
"Want me to help you investigate this matter?" Luz suggested.
"Can I count on you about this matter?" Wood said. Luz nodded.
"Then, please carry out the investigation on her. And thank you." Wood appreciated Luz help.