Seraphiell
By the time we have returned to the palace, father is exhausted. He is just too stubborn to show it. We tread through the front garden, only to be greeted by a familiar face. "Oh! Your majesty! What a pleasant surprise, it is great to see you up and about." Theodore smiles nervously, guilt behind his lips. "Would not a more fitting choice of words be 'it is great to see you at all'?" Father raises an eyebrow. "I am terribly sorry; I have been busy." Suddenly, the ground is attractive to him. He surely doesn't sound apologetic. "Is that right?" Father glares at him. He is not the emperor's proxy, so I have not a single idea what he is so occupied with. "Yes, father, I have been training."
"Where? The guards say you are scarcely on castle grounds. Meaning you never had a hand in settling state affairs."
"I often visit Duke Regard's estate to train and get support from the noble faction, I-"
"Let's see how far the support of the noble faction takes you when you are not the heir." Father snaps. Theodore had never been the sharpest tool in the shed, and duke Regard's actions are as easy to read as a book. Support an incompetent crown prince and reap the benefits of his ignorance in the future.
A confused Theodore shoots a death stare at me. I did not expect father to say that to him this early. Before now, I would have ignored him or been peeved at father for saying that out loud. But I stare at him, dead in the eyes. I said it once before and it still stands. Theodore Dante de Ezer Aetherwyne will not become the emperor. Not until he and I are dead. Father and I leave him standing there and part ways at the stairs.
I realize Lucas is still with me. "How did you find the outing, Lucas?"
"I found It enjoyable. Seeing the children like that made me happy."
"You were barely smiling though."
"It's just in my aloof nature. I liked seeing common kids in school. We never got that in Valeon."
"Aloof nature? You are taciturn, sure. But it would be a crime to call you aloof, Lucas. I wonder who is filling your head with such things." He looks in my eyes and I can't decipher the emotion. Sadness? Wanting?
"I apologise, my lady."
"Don't be so quick to apologise, Lucas. You have done nothing wrong. I would like if you spoke more casually with me and said your mind more often." He is about to speak when a knight in training approaches us. "Greetings, your highness. I must speak to Sir Lucas, I hope I'm not interrupting." He is scared for some reason. Although he does an excellent job concealing it. The beads od sweat forming on his forehead below his curly reddish-brown hair gives it away. "Not at all, please do."
"Thank you, your highness. Sir Lucas, Sir James is not feeling well and as such has been admitted in a clinic. With sir Kenji away on travel, there is no one to coordinate training except you." He is making a tenacious effort to avoid Lucas' eyes. "If I were to leave the princess' side, who would be here to protect her?" His tone is almost threatening. The knight's coffee eyes meet mine, pleading. He is not enjoying this conversation. "Whatever do you mean, Lucas? I'm in the castle am I not?"
"Yes, my lady but-"
"Go and do what you must. I am about to take a nap anyway. I insist." Lucas gives up and leaves with the knight, promising to return in the evening. I navigate the way to my chambers and eye my bed. As much as I would love to have what I said earlier be a reality, my desk is already covered in a plethora of parchment. A result of yesterday's attack in the capital, I'm sure. An impromptu meeting with the noble faction is holding at four, so I have about two hours. I switch to work mode and pick up my pen. If I do not become the empress after this, I will become the villainess who would haunt this nation seeking revenge.
But that is merely worse case prospect, correct? I smile.
It is four already and it feels as though the fire inside of me has been snuffed out. Regardless, I make my way to- Oh, who am I kidding, drag myself to the meeting hall. The guards open the doors, and I prance in. I make my way to the seat reserved for the emperor or his proxy ignoring the greeting the nobles give me. It isn't heartfelt anyway. And yet, their eyes are different. They are looking at me with a sort of hope. Strange. But on reaching my seat, I understand why.
"What on earth do you believe you are doing here?" Theodore looking proud and entitled as usual
with no achievements whatsoever to warrant it
sits on my seat at the head of the table. His face is assaulting my senses.
"I will be handling this meeting, sister. Rest assured, there is no need for your presence." The attackers did not only attack the duke's manor, but other estates as well. The nobles in possession on those territories practically go down on their knees with their eyes. Even they are aware that this man is senseless. I open my mouth to protest when my eyes meet duke Regard's for a split second. I smile calmly and walk to a seat at the end of the table. "Of course, younger brother. I will sit here and learn from your leadership." Duke regal starts nervously, first giving his account of what transpired. By some miracle, Theodore was able to escape before any of it happened, but being the person that he is, this incident is perfectly new news to him.
"We need to fix damages in the city." Theodore says confidently. Yes, here is a gold star for stating the obvious. The conversation simply continues to go in circles, and I zone out for a little bit, thinking of that flower. Strange how the moment I touched it; I came back to my body. And on top of that, I had seen it somewhere before. I had been theresometime before. One question nags at my mind. Was my going there an intentional attack by the terrorists, or was it a coincidence? And is it possible to go back? The magic some of the terrorists were using appeared to be vegetation and fire magic, apart from those with simple attack spells. And vegetation magic users aren't exactly easy to come by, especially in such a number.
Not in the empire at least.
I must go back to that place and ask the dark elf about it more. Not that I want to have to deal with him once again. The disturbance of a raised male voice pulls me back to reality.
That was fast.
They are already almost at each other's throats, shouting like lunatics. What a pain having to deal with immature, conceited grown men.
"May I speak?" I ask knowing how much they need my contribution. The room quiets. "Please do, princess." Marquis Pembroke gestures to invite my words. I take a deep breath, "The terrorists aren't just lunatics. They want something. They repeatedly said to give back what was stolen from them. They did not attack anyone directly, only destroyed property, showing signs of a violent protest."
"So, how do we prevent another attack? The prince suggested placing guards around the capital, but we do not have enough manpower." Count Eris pleads.
"That isn't needed. My knight has captured a member of their group for questioning. He is in the palace as we speak. And regardless of if we place knights or not, only an imperial knight can win in direct combat against them. And we cannot both waste resources and risk the palace being attacked with no protection."
"Are you saying the power of nobility's guards are insufficient?" Duke Regard barks.
"If I recall properly, had my knight not subdued the enemy, your guards would have been slaughtered and your guests massacred under debris. Kindly put your inflated ego aside when settling political matters, duke." That ought to shut him up.
"If the people are afraid, and as a precautionary measure, we can widen the area of patrol of the imperial guards. After finding out what the terrorists are after, we will hold another meeting to settle that problem. And for the parts of the city that were affected, I shall handle the distribution of funds for repair myself. Any objections?"
Nothing. They were either nodding in appreciation, relief or shame.
"If that is all," I stand. "I will have to bid you all adieu. Settle any remaining issues within yourselves peacefully. I walk in the direction of the door and stop at where Theodore sits. I whisper in the ancient tongue, taught only to royalty and the highest-ranking nobles. That is how you run an empire, brother. Take notes. And make my exit.
Normally, I shouldn't leave a meeting that has not been officially adjourned, but these men have given me a headache already, and I still have boatloads of paperwork I must settle. And before I know it, night has fallen.