Even after all these years, Duke Walter Vikenaâs face was as clear as day in her mind as he knelt to her height. The feeling of his strong hands on her child-sized shoulders as he halted her in motion. He was pretty and youthful, a juxtaposition to the responsibility he carried on his shoulders. One of the youngest that many could recall, he became a duke at eighteen years old and a father at twenty-two. His dark eyes had set on her with love and sadness that day as he brushed hair from her little face.
In the opulent and gilded corridor of the castle was a father knelt before his daughter, just beyond the threshold of the throne room. Sunlight poured through the grand windows, painting the scene with a radiant glow. Charlotte could remember the feeling of the carpet beneath her shoes and the way it had been on the warmer side that day.
"King Edin might state things that stir sadness within you... things that might be even hard to understand," Charlotte's smile radiated as her beloved father's hand graced her hair. "But the power to yield to those emotions, my little butterfly, is yours alone." His touch was a comforting presence as he looked down at her with adoration,"...Together, you and I possess strength beyond measure. Look to me, and remember, Iâm here."
âBut papa, if it makes me sad⊠How can I stop that? As the King he should say kind words.â She had given him a serious look at that point, âIâm a child.â
Amusement tugged at the Duke's lips, his laughter gentle. "At times, your speech belies your age. You're too sharp for your own good.â He shook his head, âSeven years old and you-â
âSeven and half.â
âRight. Well⊠We cannot tell King Edin what to do now can we? Heâs the King. But you and I...â A playful poke landed on her delicate nose, "hold sway over our own emotions. As we step into that chamber, if we decide his words are mere tomfoolery, unworthy of our heed, then no ridiculous utterance of his can sow sadness within us."
Charlotte's gaze lifted, the dawn of understanding illuminating her young features. âAh⊠We are much too cool for him.â
"Absolutely. We're beyond his reach..." A grin played on his lips as he swept her into his arms, a mischevious twinkle in his eyes. " Althooough, you know how your mother disapproves of that term."
âShe says Iâm Veirmontâs darling and I need to speak elegantly-â
âOh Veirmontâs darling, huh?â As he rose with the child, he grinned at her, a high-pitched tone taking over his voice as he swung his body, inciting giggle even before he spoke,"Behold, the one and only Lady Charlotte Vikena, wiser than all the world and cooler than even the coolest." With a gentle poke to her nose once more then referred to her eyes, âWith the cutest nose! Oh those eyes, oh, the most darling and prettiest pair of peepers you ever did see⊠Sheâs so elegant!" He lifted her arms up as a knight walking down the hall paused to stare.
Walter seemed more amused with his confusion than anything and instead lifted Charlotte up from his grip under her arms, âYou hear me!â He called down to the man as he stared in confusion. âThis is the best kid youâre ever gonna meet!â
âPapa stop!âCharlotte managed amongst a fit of giggles.
âGoodness, are you embarrassed? Of your dear papa?â
She gave him a stern look, âYouâre the Duke of Veirmont. â She leaned in to whisper, âThis is serious.â
"Indeed, my little butterfly. Seriousness is in order." He countered with a faux sternness of his own, causing her laughter to bubble forth even more. "Ah, yes. Your papa must remain the epitome of boring." He ruffled her hair. His voice then lowered to a soft whisper, âWouldnât it be much more fun if I was the acrobat of Veirmont? Or what if you and I created a band of traveling musicians called The Coolest of Veirmont?â He kept her distracted as he walked her into the throne room. Eyes fell on the father and daughter from the sides of the room as his footsteps echoed.
âThis is your daughter?" The resonant voice of King Edin at last captured Charlotte's attention. She sensed herself gently eased from her father's embrace, her feet making a noiseless connection with the floor. As Duke Walter fell on his knee, she was quick to echo his movement. They were very soon told to rise.
The room was filled with other nobles who had been called upon to present their children to the King today.The feeling of all eyes on her had not been as uncomfortable a notion as it had nowadays. She had stepped forward in her frilly lace dress and stared up at the king with curiosity. Charlotte had never spoken with him one and one, nor been so up close in her memory to the man. He was an intimidating presence in his throne in a ginormous crown and luxurious attire that even her own family did not seem to have access to. From his lofty vantage, the King bestowed upon her a measured glance, his interest faintly piqued. "Introduce yourself, child."
"Your Majesty," she greeted, a rehearsed smile adorning her lips as she executed a dainty curtsy, "I am Lady Charlotte Vikena of Veirmont."
A prolonged hush enveloped the room before the King's voice resounded again. "A mirror image of your wife she is⊠Now⊠Where are the rest?"
"SheâŠ" Walter had been bracing himself for this inevitable question, yet nothing could have truly prepared him for this conversation. âShe is our only child.â Charlotte had looked up at her father, anticipating disappointment, but what she found was a kind smile and eyes full of pride.
âWith all due respect, Duke Vikena, what is the hold-up??â King Edin inquired, exasperation lacing his words. He rubbed his temples with a sigh. âFirst Count Damien brings two girls, and now you bring only one⊠Alas, his wife is ill. Pray tell, what is your reason?"
"Duchess Emina is afflicted with infertility," Walter answered. âWe have been unable to produce more.â
Gasps filled the room.
â...And you have not considered another woman after all this time?â The King asked incredulously.
Walter had not heeded his own advice as anger overtook his countenance. With rising heat, he asked lowly, âYou⊠You are suggesting I leave my wife?â
"Why do you pretend not to like girls?"
Charlotte's voice pierced the tension, her words carrying the kind of directness that only a seven-year-old could wield. She let her gaze sweep around the room as if hoping for a response to her inquiry, eventually fixing her unwavering gaze upon the King. Her expression held a childlike innocence that starkly contrasted with the seriousness of the discussion. "I mean, you seem to really like girls. You always have ladies with you."
She pointed with a small hand towards the group of young women clustered in the corner of the room, a usual presence by the King's side. "They're right over there, your ladies!" Sudden incomprehensible chatter erupted through the room.
With hands resting confidently on her hips, she stood her ground as the Kingâs lips parted with surprise. She noted the offense touching his features even then but had continued nonetheless. "So, I don't get why there's a problem. I'm gonna be the Duchess, you know⊠â
With a smile, she informed him, âAnd I'm gonna be really good at it. â
It had always been difficult to recall what exactly had occurred after that moment, but she knew they had been rather rapidly dismissed.
Did that really happen... Was I really so bold?
Olivia had sat beside her silently to give her company and Charlotte had smiled at her. She had been grateful that Olivia had given her the space to unwind a moment after she had become a bit overwhelmed.
âLady CharlotteâŠlovely to see you again. Seems Iâm not the only one who leaves quite the impression on people.â
Charlotte glanced up from her seated position, her body tensing visibly.
âI don't know exactly what I just witnessed, but the girl I met the other nightâŠthe one that showed me such fire doesnât seem the type to just stand there and let someone treat her that way. I was glad to see your friends jump to your defense, not that I think you needed itâŠbut itâs always good to have support.â
I don't know why I just stand there either. Every time. Her eyes averted to the sea as he tried to meet her gaze.
âI wanted to askâŠare you alright? I canât imagine that was part of your vision for this relaxing day at the beach?â His words struck her as rather empathetic surprisingly. She wondered if this was a feigned concern or if the man wasn't as dreadful as he had initially seemed.
Charlotte pulled her knees to her body. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking..." She grappled for other words she could say and found herself assuring him, "It was only a smoothie..." A silence befell them once more and she noticed he wasn't walking away, so she spoke again with an inquiry, "Are you doing well?"
Perhaps asking such a cocky individual was pointless. He seemed like the type of person that was never bothered and went wherever the wind blew him. Given his intentions could be anywhere on a broad spectrum, she decided to remain pleasant yet guarded. If he was an enemy as she feared, it was better to keep him on his toes. If her impression was wrong and he was not the vulgar pig of a man she was convinced he was, then perhaps they could get along well with time.
As long as he never spoke to her like that again.
A looming shadow abruptly came upon them, extinguishing the warm embrace of sunlight upon her skin. Sensing this sudden intrusion, she swiftly rose to her feet, joining Cassius in his stance. Her gaze shifted, her head turning as she looked over her shoulder to discern the source of the new presence.
âHello! Donât mind me⊠Please continue.â
"Ruby!" Charlotte greeted her with a delighted smile and a brief hug. Once she withdrew, she began to introduce everyone. "This is Lord Cassius...Count Damien's son... And Lord Cassius," She turned her attention on him, "These are my friends Ruby and Olivia. " She gestured from Ruby to the red-haired girl nearby them as well, Olivia.
âSo nice to meet you, Wasun Sjandehk. â Charlotte had greeted him warmly. "Viserjanta, wowâŠ" She continued, a hint of admiration dancing in her gaze as she contemplated the distance he had traversed. âYou have traveled from quite far. Well, Sjandehk, whatever we can do to make you feel more welcome here, let us knowâŠI do not think Iâve studied that territory very well, actually. â She drew off in her thoughts. She had prided herself in her extensive studying of other lands, though she had always taken notice that there never had been many books about the lands beyond Varian and Alidasht. A longing for the unknown had fanned the flames of her curiosity, a fire that threatened to consume her very thoughts.
How was she not to shower this man with questions at that very moment!?
âWhat a pleasant surprise,â
Dread filled her instantly upon hearing the voice of Shehzadi Layla Kadir. Her body tensed almost involuntarily. Nonetheless, she turned to watch as the sultanâs daughter approached them with sour words as always. A frown marred Charlotte's features as Layla's words dripped with acidity, not sparing even her own cousin Farim from her biting commentary. Her brows knit together and she clenched her fists. The audacity of Layla's words toward John and especially directed at Olivia, sent a surge of indignation through Charlotte. Olivia had suffered enough; she didn't deserve any cruelty.
Say something Charlotte. She urged herself. Her lips parted slightly, forming the beginnings of a response that never managed to escape. Before she could gather her thoughts, Layla had already closed the gap between them, her presence casting a shadow over her.
Charlotte's heart raced, her gaze ensnared by the swift motion of Layla's hand and the lace ribbon as it fluttered in the breeze. Her fingers twitched with a reflexive instinct to protect what was taken, but the shock of the moment froze her in place. There had been no resistance as Layla had taken the smoothie as well. Her breath hitched and she took a step back as the cup's contents cascaded over her, a rush of cold shock coursed through Charlotte's body. An involuntary shiver rippled down her spine as her senses seemed to heighten, the world narrowing to the sensation of the liquid splattering against her, seeping through the fabric of her dress. After the initial shock, there was an overwhelming discomfort as her damp dress clung to her.
Her gaze rose as she felt all eyes on her and found that none of Laylaâs words could hurt more than this alienating feeling that she just could and would not belong. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
Would it always be like this? Would she and Lorenzo simply be jokes? Victims?
It had been nice to feel as if maybe she could fit in and she could have normal friendships, even if it had been for a little while. Yet, as the memory of those moments threatened to fade into the distance, a haunting uncertainty gnawed at her. She wondered if after such a bizarre event they'd now keep their distance from her.
As her thoughts spiraled, she was abruptly jolted by another interruption, her attention torn from the internal struggle that had consumed her. Through a haze of disorientation, she caught sight of Olivia and knew just what she had been considering. A flicker of alarm ignited within Charlotte's chest, her eyes widening. âOlivia-â Guards surrounded her and it was as if her body could finally move. She hurried through the sand to her side protectively and took her hand. âNo, Olivia⊠You know what will happen. âCharlotte implored in a hushed, urgent whisper, her eyes locked on Layla as the Shehzadi left her with a final insult.
In swift response, Farim's actions unfolded and Charlotte found herself momentarily captivated as he disarmed the guards. For a moment, she did forget the horrid situation she was in as she was rather impressed. Perhaps even jealous he could handle himself in such a manner that she felt she could not ever dream of. After a tirade that reminded her when Farim had stood up to Mayet, he approached her with a towel. Her gaze darted around the group as the image of him towel-drying her before all cemented in her head. She felt anxiety rise as she felt the urge to run from such a vulnerable position.
Despite such, she admired Farim. He was brave and had a good head on his shoulders. He clearly had been cursed with a cold family yet still chose to step up to defend others and show kindness toward them. He had never hesitated in either situation either. Clearly, he was strong and capable too. Regardless of what initial thoughts had reserved of him and his lingering gaze, she decided she had a good read on who she thought Farim was.
She gripped the fabric of her dress anxiously. It was perhaps best she took it off entirely, but she feared they may think her to be the whore some people seemed certain she was.
Finally, she made a decision to reach for the towel, âThank you, Farim⊠I-â
Her gaze slid to Sjan-dehk, who was speaking to both a guard and Layla. It was strange to have people defend her. Such had normally not occurred before. Her brows lifted in gentle surprise as he approached her with her ribbon and tunic. âThank you.â Charlotte repeated once more softly, taking the ribbon in her fingers. Though, there was clear hesitation to take the manâs tunic from him; it would be a shame to get any of the smoothie on such a lovely piece. âItâs-... Itâs alright. I think I will just wash off⊠But really, youâre sweet. Both of you.â
A new female voice then entered the air and she glanced over briefly. There was a beautiful red-haired woman, one that seemed familiar, yet Charlotte knew they had not spoken before. Then behind her was Cassius Vael. She tensed visibly as her gaze met his briefly, but then she averted it as quickly as she could. Charlotte wondered if he was here to provide some torment as well. Her expression saddened. Why? âWell now you really donât have a reason not to go swimming.â
Charlotte turned her body to face Roman. âYou canât control the actions of others but you can decide how you let it affect you. So how about a swim? and tonight if you like, I would like to invite you and the others hereâŠ.To my peopleâs celebration and ritual of the summer solstice out by loverâs lake tonight. Clothing is optional.â
Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, the genuine kindness of those around her warmed her heart. Despite how she felt, she knew Romanâs attitude was right. They had all come for a fun day and she always had some power on how things affected her. Charlotte wished she had complete control. She felt a deep seed of misery that was hard to shake, but she knew she had to try. There was no point in ruining everyone elseâs day. With a sigh, she politely declined Johnâs smoothie and thanked him for his kind words as her gaze slid over the group once more, landing on Cassius last, where it lingered.
With a moment's contemplation, a smile graced her lips. "Everyone, thank you," she began sincerely. She then waved her hands nervously as if to ward off any concerns before they were brought up, "I'm okay." That part was not as honest, but she felt it needed to be said. "...Let us shift our focus away from the Shehzadi and embrace the beauty of this fleeting day."
"I- uhm..." Her words faltered slightly, revealing a hint of shyness that crept into her speech. "I have plenty of snacks still in the basket if anyone wants anything. Please feel welcome to sit upon our blanket⊠I will take a moment to clean myself."
Charlotte proceeded to deftly remove the dress, carefully pulling it over her head. The sensation of the gentle breeze caressing so much of her skin felt both foreign and oddly liberating as the fabric slipped away from her body. She knew it was too late to worry about drawing attention and attempted to push any anxiety about standing there in the bathing suit out of her mind. She folded the dress and set it down. Proceeding to straighten up on her feet and run a hand through her hair, a sigh of relief then escaped her lips. Her fingers slid through the strands, a gesture of gratitude for this small mercy. As her gaze wandered, it landed upon the two that had most recently joined.
âLord Cassius and...â She slid some of her hair behind her ear to stall as she rummaged through her mind to recall a name that had touched her ears within the castle's walls long ago. âKalliope.â Her gift of a good memory had once again proven its worth.
The raven-haired girl smiled once more and told them warmly, âItâs nice to have you two with us. Please help yourselves as well to whatever you like. â Charlotte knew she could have given the crude man the cold shoulder. However, she had no intention of causing any more drama than had already unfolded. As long as he didnât start with her again today, she was happy to let go of the past and be peaceful.
With the towel Farim had offered now in her possession, Charlotte directed her steps towards the water's edge. She kneeled down in the warm sand and wet the towel. She then began to dab at the stickiness upon her chest. Though she was still in earshot of the group, it was nice to take a moment after such an overwhelming few minutes. With her gaze fixated toward the expanse water and her hair blowing behind her, she let the smile falter.
âWait.â Phia moved up to Darius and Dante. Placing a gentle hand on Dante's shoulder, a soft, soothing light emanated from her palm, suffusing Dante with a healing energy.She wasnât certain if anything in particular was injured, but she knew it would not add any harm.. â I am going to check on Menzai, and then I will catch up with you two⊠â
Her gaze shifted briefly towards Darius, a warm and caring smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "If you're hurt as well, please don't hesitate to let me know," she added, her concern extending readily to him. If he had needed healing, she had provided such as well.
âI am proud of you two for your bravery. You fought admirably.â She earnestly informed them before glancing in Cyrus and Violaâs direction. âAre either of you injured..? I will tend to your wounds as well if need be⊠If not, if you want to follow with them, they will bring you to the village. Menzai and I will catch up real soon. We can all then have a discussion over a meal perhaps?â
She then finally made her way over to Menzai, slowly approaching him with a wave.
Date: Sola, 21st Time: Late evening After departing from the dining hall, Wulfric headed straight to Augusteâs office. His brother wasnât there yet, but he decided to wait inside. He searched among his cabinets. Though well hidden and rarely used, his brother did in fact keep some alcohol in there. Wulfric took out one of his favourite spirits, and a pair of glasses. He poured himself a shot, and left the rest on the table. He was sure Auguste wouldnât mind some if heâd had as rough of an evening as he was suspecting.
Drink in hand, he perched onto the armrest of a couch, turning to stare out of the window as he got lost in thought about recent events.
The Second Prince knocked three times onto his own office door, âItâs Auguste, brother, may I be let into my own office?â Auguste joked jovially, unable to force back a grin.
Entirely unwittingly, a smile was drawn from Wulfric. âDo come in,â he retorted, amused, glancing his brotherâs way as the younger prince entered. âIâm glad you have such good awareness.â There was still that near-laugh in his voice as he spoke, but it was also genuinely relieving to know that Auguste could tell when someone had entered his study.
âYou know me, Wulfy, always gotta have eyes in the back of your head.â Auguste half joked.
âDrink?â he questioned, motioning to where heâd left the bottle and glass for him. âBed?â he arched an eyebrow, half-joking, half-serious. He resettled, though rather than properly sitting onto the couch, he merely folded one leg under the other, still casually nestled atop the narrow armrest.
Auguste acquiesced, pouring himself a stiffer drink than usual, filling the cup nearly to the brim. âPerhaps soon, it seems that my body is in dire need of such.â He chuckled, sitting across Wulfric, legs akimbo. He exhaled loudly.
Once Auguste had settled in, Wulfric requested, âTell me about the dinner?â
âI recall Wystan desiring to be in this impromptu meeting,â Auguste replied. âShall we wait for a moment?â The Second Prince toasted his drink towards Wulfric before downing the cup in a few seconds. Wulfric returned the toast, but slowly sipped on his drink.
As if right on time, a series of knocks rang through the door in a particular rhythm.
The watchdog promptly stepped into the room and bowed deeply with his hand on his heart. â...My sincere apologies for my tardiness, Your Royal Highnesses.â Wystan, judging by the deep rises and falls of his chest, had evidently just started to catch and steady his breath. âI was supposed to have been here earlier, but my patrol came up clearâ I found that strange, so I took another circle around and through the kingdom just to be sure.â
Wulfric glanced at the watchdog. âTake a seat,â he ordered curtly. He waited a moment until Wystan had caught his breath, which didnât take long. âWas there anything?â he then questioned. It was an unfortunate state of affairs when something being the matter was the expected scenario.
The bodyguard seated himself obediently next to the second prince, but with a much more rigid posture as he explained the results of his patrol. âNothing thus far. Combing through the reports from my subordinates has also cleared the kingdom and its affairs of any suspicious activity for now.â He paused for a single beat. âHowever, with foreign nobility still residing in Caesonian territory, I have sent Clive and Harper in my stead to round the kingdom while I am away to hopefully lessen unsavory occurrences.â
âThank you for the update, Wystan. Since all present parties are hereâŠâ Auguste began, âThe dinner⊠if it could be called as such, was disastrous to say the very least.â He let out a sigh, massaging his temple with an open hand. Wystan watched him with a worried expression. For all his patience, not many things in the world could give his prince a solid headache.
âDuke Lorenzo⊠you may have been right in him being a bit of a handful, brother,â Auguste confessed. At that, Wulfric gave him a âyou donât sayâ look. âIt started off well enough. Duke Lorenzo, however, served to inflame the Alidasht royalty.â
âPutting aside Duke Lorenzoâs actions, some of the Sultanâs heirs were disagreeable at best, and malicious at worst. Shehzadi Layla commanded her pet to play cruel pranks⊠being incensed at the Dukeâs presence, and similar under the guise of tradition.â
âDuke Lorenzo intentionally seemed to have a pissing match of sorts with Grand Vizier Hafiz. Which, naturally, did not help the situation.â
âIt ended with the Duke denying Shehzadi Mayetâs,â Auguste used air quotes for accentuation, âquote unquote âadvancesâ.â
âOh, Gods,â Wulfric interjected quietly, momentarily horrified. He drank deeply from his glass now, completely taken aback at how anyone could be as completely catastrophic as the duke was proving to be.
Auguste paused, downing another cup he had poured himself in the interim. His own watchdog had his elbows resting on his knees, still in the process of digesting the information thus far.
âOne can hazard a guess that Shehzadi Mayet did not take kindly to this remark. She threw a dagger at Lorenzo which intentionally missed and drew a blade aimed at his neck. Of course, as Caesonian royalty we could not stand for this. I had half the mind to send her to the gallows myself⊠but considering our countriesâ long standing alliance and relations I chose to overlook such actions and let the Sultan dole out punishment to Shehzadi Mayet.â Auguste kept it to himself that he was peeved off that someone of royal blood was able to get away with such brazen acts of hostility towards a neighboring kingdomâs citizen.
Wulfric rolled his eyes at his brother. âIf they could refrain from having Lorenzoâs head, Iâm sure you can oblige the same for one of their princesses.â Granted, itâs not as if he was amenable to hostility like that either.
Auguste glanced at both Wystan and Wulfric and smiled weakly. âThatâs the rough⊠rough gist of it. Iâll write up a proper report when I am⊠more sober and energetic. If you have any questions, fire away.â
Just as he was about to inquire something, Auguste asked if either had any questions. Wulfric smirked at the timing of it, and nodded. âWhat exactly was Shehzadi Mayetâs punishment?â He more or less trusted it was something reasonable, since the sultan struck him as a sensible man. âAlso, I could use more specifics on what exactly Duke Vikena did.â He gave his brother a pointed glance, because by no means did he believe Lorenzoâs actions should be âput asideâ, as Auguste had said.
âHm...â Auguste replied, âWhile I was not privy to the particulars of her punishment, the Sultan was seething with a certain fury. He mentioned that we will not see Shehzadi Mayet again, so it is likely she is at least going back to Alidasht.â
âDuke Lorenzo Vikena.â The Second Prince said, drawing out his words. âWell⊠Iâll assume you only speak about his slights and not all of his⊠idiosyncrasies. Well, Vizier Hafiz entered the dinner with a rude remark targeted at Duke Lorenzo for not knowing the inside-out of their traditions of seating order. I understand tradition, but should one really expect others outside of their culture to know all its ins-and-outs?â
âTheâŠseating order.â Wulfric repeated. Indeed, that was ludicrous.
Auguste paused, catching himself. He continued with a cough, âRumination aside. The two started a war of silvery barbs, trading jabs under metaphors and insinuation due to this perceived slight. Tradition, or otherwise.â
âThat and the insinuation made towards Shehzadi Mayet were the only two major slights I could gather. I am sincere in saying that I do not recall anything that could be received as an insult towards the Alidasht. Even the Sultan seemed rather kind and accepting towards Duke Lorenzo compared to the others.â
âYou are kinder than anyone deserves, my prince.â The watchdog was grateful for Auguste and his tendency to allow others some face, and it was already a miracle that Shehzadi Mayetâs actions were not considered a casus belli. Still, he had his face in his hands. It was clear he felt deeply guilty for not having been there at the dinner. There was turmoil he had to forcefully silence in his mind simply thinking of what could have happened to the prince if things escalated without him. âWere you injured in any way at all?â
Auguste noticed Wystanâs expression. âThis was not at all your fault, dear Wystan. It was clearly unexpected that a visiting royal would draw blades against their hostâs citizens.â Auguste reassured, âI am no worse for wear, though perhaps it wouldâve been better to have brought a weapon with me. Duke Lorenzo may have been injured so Iâve sent a medic to make certain of his condition.â
â...I am simply glad that you are alright, Your Royal Highness.â Wystan had already pre-emptively decided that he would be the princeâs weapon for the next gathering should he need one.
âToday has certainly proven on several occasions that we should be armed at all times,â Wulfric agreed. âRegarding the Alidasht, I suppose we are more or less even as far as slights, offenses, and incidents which could nearly cause a war go.â His thoughts very briefly turned to Mayet. âIt is a shame, but she is the sultanâs problem now.â He stood up to get a refill on his drink. While near Auguste, he clinked his glass against his brotherâs. âIt is a blessing that you were there, brother.â He gave him a meaningful glance, then retook his seat.
âLucky that- mother had sent her personal retinue to guard me. They were placated before anything else could happen, swords drawn and all.â Auguste mentioned with a soft sigh.
âMy,â Wulfric sighed at that tidbit.
He swirled the liquid within his glass, taking a moment to think. âAs far as Lorenzo is concerned, it is not his lack of knowledge per seâŠIt seems more an inability on his part to act diplomatically. If he is truly incapable of proper conduct, then he is simply unfitting to be a duke,â he concluded.
The royal bodyguard thoroughly agreed with the first prince. Quite frankly he had heard and seen enough of this dukeâs doings simply due to the fact that they bring utter shame to the Caesonian nobilityâ the Danroses most especially. âProper conductââ Wystan seemed to have recalled something and sighed. âWhile we are on this topic, earlier this afternoon during the park festival, it was reported by one of my sources that he had a fight with a citizen overâŠâ His eyes squinted, internally questioning even one of his own informants. â...Waffles?â Alas, he would need to double-check the credibility of this.
âLady Charlotte had mentioned a fight over food had occurred,â the first prince concurred. Of course, she had downplayed her fatherâs involvement; she likely saw him as an unfortunate target of something unexpected rather than a culprit whoâd played his part in it.
âShortly after, he got into a small altercation with a doctor. Unfortunately, I do not know his nameâ my source was not close enough to see any nametags.â He continued. âA person had passed out. The doctor approached her and administered a quick test via a light slap on the cheek to gauge her consciousness⊠Duke Lorenzo mistook this for an assault and yelled at him in open public.â The watchdog finished his short report concisely. â...At the very least, we know he is a decent man.â
âI wouldnât be so certain,â Wulfric said coolly. âI had an encounter with him after the race. He was clearly inebriated. Alcohol combined with opium is my guess,â he recounted. âHe had a breakdown right in front of me, telling me all sorts of personal details. Clearly, he is mentally unstable, and I donât know that it is only because of his addiction.â
â... Iâm going to need some context here, brother, Wystan.â Auguste cut in, âThe Duke had gotten into food-related troubles⊠over waffles? A noble picking a fight with a citizen?â Though he tried to hide it, his tone was a mixture of befuddlement and slight amusement. He had to bite his lip to stop from chuckling.
Wystan simply nodded. There was not much else he could sayâ even the man who had reported all this to him was in his own state of confusion. âRegrettably I was not around in this area to stop this from happening, but my sources are confident.â He paused. âUnfortunately.â
âThe context which I have is for my meeting with him,â Wulfric said, miffed at Augusteâs amusement. The dukeâs actions were annoying at best, certainly not amusing. âThe only explanation I have is that he is utterly and completely ineptâŠA social disaster,â he stressed.
âApologies, brother, I canât seem to control myself as itâs been a long day,â Auguste said. âI understand that Lorenzo is a bit of a hazard regarding matters of politics. But let us move on to another topic. Was there anything else of note?â The first prince let out a sharp exhale. âNoâŠâ he rubbed his temple, grimacing a tad. âNo need to apologize. As you have said, it has been a long day,â he replied by way of apology. âLetâs,â he nodded, concurring to move on. âYou might keep in mind, however, that if no other solution is found for Lorenzo, I will consider appointing a regent for Veirmont, and you are my first choice for that.â As shocking as such a revelation might be, Wulfric said it entirely casually, as if it were clear as day that this is what should be done. At this, the watchdogâs eyes lit up ever so slightly and darted eagerly to meet the second princeâs. Clearly, someone was overjoyed.
Auguste looked to Wystan, certain in what his friend was thinking. âIt is only times like these where you show such emotions, dear Wystan.â The second prince acknowledged with a smile.
As if heâd caught himself, the royal retainer cleared his throat lightly. âOf course, my prince. Still, he was unable to erase his pleased expression even as he looked to the first prince, whose strict presence nearly always had him on his guard. â...His Royal Highness never fails to put forth trustworthy decisions.â Wulfric caught Wystanâs gaze, smirking knowingly. He was aware of the manâs deep regard for Auguste, so the guardâs eagerness didnât come as a surprise.
âShould it come to such, Iâll happily oblige. However, let us cross our ts and dot our is first before I am named regent of Veirmont.â Auguste concluded, âThough I understand your wariness of Duke Lorenzo, should we not consider Lady Charlotte? It is likely she is not as⊠how do I say this, as âeccentricâ as the Duke.â
âBelieve me, brother, if it were entirely up to me, I would make her the duchess at this very moment.â The following silent communication between the brothers was telling enough; they both knew that the current king was unlikely to approve of such. âBut no worries. I shall speak with her and see if anything to that effect could be arrangedâŠunofficially.â
âMoving on,â he crossed one leg over the other. âWhat do you two know about magic?â As relaxed as his tone and demeanor were, his gaze was intent and watchful.
Auguste raised a brow. His brother, bless his heart, was not usually the type to believe in such tripe subjects. To see him bring it up is a definite curiosity. âMagic⊠Something writ in fairy tales and the like.â He replied, âWhy do you ask, brother?â
âIâve always assumed it was a legend, tooâŠperhaps an artifact of history, at best. But Iâve witnessed undeniable proof of it first hand. I donât think I could provide evidence to you right now-â he suddenly cut off. Wasnât the flying spell volo or some such? No, heâd better not make an attempt if he werenât certain. âWell, I can show you that later. To answer your question: our mother is a witch,â he paused at that revelation. âMore importantly, our enemy - Delronzo - is very likely dealing with magic too. Actual magic, unfortunately, not the make believe kind.â
August sat there, stupefied. Magic existed. This was now an objective, irrefutable fact. He knew Wulfric was not the type to bring such things up mildly. He was hit with a double whammy at the fact that their mother was also magically inclined - a witch.
Wystan was stunned for a moment. He was very fond of Queen Alibeth, and with the taboo surrounding the topic of magic within the kingdomâ he had no choice but to take a moment to process it all. Perhaps there was something in his mental library heâd need to touch upon, after allâŠ
âThere is something my messengers have brought to my attention during one of our meetings.â The bodyguard spoke carefully. âHowever, I am of the same viewpoint in that I donât quite believe in its existenceâ and at that time I had chalked it up to pure nonsense.â
âAs you already know, Your Royal Highnesses, one of my main sources of information is Harperâ an acrobat at the Caesonian Carnival.â He continued. âShe works hard for her craft and shows up to work everyday despite the workload I tend to put on her⊠during the past few weeks, sheâs noticed something about the members of her troupe.â
âSomething unusual, unable to be explained by anything mundane,â Wulfric supposed. âApparently, thatâs one of the signs of potential magic use,â he relayed. âSo, what is it?â he prompted.
âAt first, there were signs of possible drug overuse. To start, their personalities changed⊠rather quickly, for the worse. Dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, paranoia, depression, and the like. We debunked this as another case patrol to attempt to try and nip the problem in the bud. Another growing drug ring within the area that Iâd have to learn about.â Wystan was contemplative for a moment. âAnd then⊠their eyes began to emit a strange glow. They came to work one day and Harper had noticed it. It was hard to explain that symptom. Eventually, their health started declining. Theyâd have nosebleeds almost everyday. Their immune systems couldnât even take the common cold.â He paused. âThatâs why the carnival had to take many breaksâ they were severely understaffed.â
Auguste simply grimaced at Wystanâs report. A magical ailment, of all things. He massaged the temple of his nose. The breadth of their responsibilities had tripled with this revelation.
âWonderful,â the first prince retorted in a tone which suggested anything but. âWell, whether this is in any way related to that party and Delronzo or not, it should be investigated. I do wish we had a group of magical expertsâŠâ that last part, while audible, was mostly just him thinking out loud.
Wulfric then looked from one man to the other. âThe problem is, since we know so little, even detecting it is difficult, nevermind dealing with it.â He drummed his fingers against the armrest. âEarlier today, the queen showed me a hidden magical archive. So, we do have some knowledge at hand. Given her near-fanaticism against magic usage, I donât think we have anyone available who could counteract it if needed, however.â
âA magical contingentâŠâ Auguste stroked his chin, âYes, perhaps it is best to start one⊠though likely under the guise of secrecy and to be trusted by the inner circle. To be prepared against future, likely magical, threats is important. Especially now that we know Delronzo is privy to such things. Father⊠well, I am certain he would be against it.â
Wulfric nodded. He was gratified that he and Auguste were in agreement. Their parents were another matter, however. âI am unsure of the extent of his knowledge,â he confessed. âHowever, I will speak to them both to gauge their stance and see if they could be swayed to be moreâŠopen-minded.â He would have to do it rather carefully, though; the last thing he needed was losing the trust they had in him.
Auguste had always wondered why their laws against magic and what he, once thought, were simply tales told by parents to keep their children in check. âWe need an individual versed in this⊠âmagicâ, perhaps one that could help teach us or even guard against it. Heh, easier said than done, no?â
Wulfric returned the chuckle, though his was several degrees darker. âYes, yes it is.â His expression became profoundly grim as he regarded the scale and severity of the problem. âEspecially with all those purges of witches, whether real or imagined.â While he now knew there was an actual threat, he was deeply aware that far too many senseless killings had occurred. Countless of them.
âBut it is quite the conundrum, you know,â his lips thinned, the shadow of a tight-lipped smile repressing some other emotion. âAll those symptoms Wystan described are a natural consequence of magical use. Overuse in this case, but the dangers are clear regardless. From addiction, to paranoia and psychosis; a menagerie of mental and physical issues. Nevermind the potential abuses. I can see why the attempts at eradicationâŠâ he trailed off, but it was clear he didnât quite agree with it, even though he could, in part, understand it. âEven so, Iâd rather make use of it - with due caution, of course. From what I have read, there is no being too careful with it.â
Though it felt not quite in the watchdogâs place to agree, he found himself nodding along to both the princesâ sentiments, trusting wholly in their thought processes. Of course, he was not without his own, and held a softness for those impoverished who felt desperate enough to turn to seedy means of survival. Still, his arms were crossed and he stayed tight-lipped at attention. âWhatever the circumstances, I will be at your command should the time come that a plan is set in place.â He said to the princes, his eagerness to realize the will of the Danroses evident as usual.
âIâm not dead!â Anastasiaâs voice dimly reverberated from the hallway before the door swung open. âIâm not dead.â She announced once more, her voice loud and clear as she entered the room. The princess did not hesitate to tiredly throw herself into a chair. She glanced between the three men before declaring, âHe refused to see me.â She folded her arms and slunk back. âHe let some other person in though right after me⊠Super rude if you ask me.â
âYour Royal Highness.â The watchdog rose to offer the princess a bow. Of course, it went without saying that he was glad to know that she was well and unharmed.
Wulfric turned a look of fond surprise upon Anastasia at her entrance. âThat is good,â he told her, mildly amused at the dramatics. However, he was genuinely thankful nothing had gone amiss. âIt may be for the best that he didnât see you todayâŠâ After all, they did not yet know ways of protecting against magic. âBut did you see who was to meet with him?â
Auguste simply smiled at Anastasiaâs entrance, a mixture of pleasant surprise and bemusement.
Anastasia smiled at her brother warmly in greeting. There was a hesitation before answering and she certainly made a face that expressed she was lingering on the thought. âI did not see, but I did hear⊠and⊠Well⊠it sounded like Calbert Damien to me⊠â She frowned and urgently added, âBut I was tired, sooo⊠I wouldnât bet money on it or anything.â
âI seeâŠEven if you are unsure, this suspicion should be taken into account.â Wulfric turned to Auguste, gazes meeting. They would both know why this was potentially concerning.
â... That is an alarming suspicion, to say the least.â Auguste said, meeting his brotherâs gaze. âCount Damien and⊠certain magical revelations.â Auguste caught his words too late, giving a glance towards Wulfric and Anastasia. âAhem- Well, it does not bode well for our family, knowing him.â
Anastasia's delicate features contorted momentarily with a cringe as she audibly sucked in air, âCalbyâs got his hands full.â She commented, her gaze moving to Auguste. âHis house was attacked earlier today⊠He was really mad.â Her eyes lingered on her brother thoughtfully, but she did not comment further.
Wulfric raised a brow at Auguste, but didnât remark upon his slip-up. Instead he turned to his sister with a nod. âAh, yes, the shooting,â he recalled. While he had been informed, he was unsure if his brother knew of it.
A glancing moment of confusion landed on Augusteâs expression. â... It seems that I may have missed much, perhaps too much. Iâll go over the finer details with Wystan later but please catch me up on this⊠âshootingâ.â To this, the royal bodyguard nodded dutifully and shared a look with Anastasia.
âSooo basically Count Damien was having a meeting with someone and a woman attacked his house and broke the person out⊠Apparently she shot arrows through his windows and everything! The two of them ended up getting away and no one found them. He said it was like they disappeared from thin air.â Anastasia had chosen not to throw Kazooâs name around. She wasnât certain of the truth yet, and figured Auguste had no idea who he was anyway.
âWell! Calby said no one got hurt at least.â She commented with a shrug.
Wulfric, unlike his sister, had no compunctions against letting Auguste know the suspect. âKazumin Nagasa was the one having lunch with Calbert. Itâs possible the person who attacked and escaped with Nagasa was that âPersephoneâ woman. I donât believe that was confirmed yet, however.â Anastasia visibly appeared unhappy with Wulfricâs words.
Auguste internally grimaced. He was uncertain of Kazumin Nagasa, and he himself did not know Persephone that well either but he felt that there was more to this incident. At the very least it seems she was only a suspect. â... That is an alarming incident to say the least.â Auguste crossed his right leg over his left. âI assume this information hasnât been revealed publicly?â
âHavenât heard anything about it publicly yet.â
âIt has not. Perhaps not surprising given Calbertâs propensity for secrecy and control.â He turned to Auguste with a subtle if meaningful glance. He wished he could openly speak about Violetâs murder with him. âIt seems possible that he may wish to take matters in his own hands, given how fixated he is on those two, does it not?â he probed. Wulfric thought that was just one of the eventualities. He was curious to know what his brother was thinking, though he hoped Auguste would be circumspect if he decided to share. Love as he might her, Anastasia and vital information werenât the best match.
Auguste shot Wulfric with a quizzical upturned lift of his eyebrow. He could somewhat ascertain his brotherâs intentions and thoughts- likely regarding Anastasia and her not being involved within the âcircleâ. That and leakage of information was something Wulfric took to heart. âGood. It is probably for the best that it has only went so far as rumours for now.â
â... Have we been looking into this incident, or has it only been Calbertâs men doing so?â Auguste continued, âIt is likely best we catch the perpetrator first rather than Calbert. Letting him control the narrative and potentially sidestepping our authority doesnât sit well with me.â Though he put it as such, using the authority of the Danroses was an excuse, perhaps to appease Wulfric, he was uncertain.
âOur guards have been looking into it as well,â Wulfric supplied. He peered at Auguste, and thought he caught a sign of something else his brother wasnât saying. So, he asked softly, âWhat is it that you are worried about?â
â... Heh, what is there not to worry about, brother. Too many things, revelations and such, have happened in a short timeframe. Itâs all very worrying, to say the least.â Auguste said, âCalbert is just high on the list of things that worry me to an extreme degree.â He was also a tad worried about the non-nobility on the run as he knew of Calbertâs tendencies.
âThat they have,â he agreed with a head tilt. But there was more to it. Knowing his brotherâs personality⊠âDo you want to protect the suspects? Think that even if we get involved, it might not amount to true justice?â he questioned, staring at Auguste with quiet intensity.
âWell, you caught me, brother.â August confessed, arms slightly raised. âIâd much rather they have a fair trial under the Danroses than one under Calbert. Well, you know me, Iâm the type to not leave well enough alone. Iâll try my best at seeking out true justice, even at a personal cost to myself.â
Wulfric huffed, but nodded once. âVery well. I do not mind leaving this matter to youâŠIâll assist, of course,â he waved a hand, âbut direct it as you like.â Personally, he was most interested in the Black Rose angle. Could it be that Calbert had gone to Marek because of Violetâs murder? There was too much speculation, not enough information. He tapped his fingers idly. âI hate being one step behind like this,â he commented. Leaning against a hand, he fell into thought.
âNo doubt I will require assistance, the breadth of this is beyond my ken. Auguste replied, shooting Wulfric a small smile.
âIndeed.â Auguste said, âEven Wystanâs network cannot grasp all of this. Hopefully the meeting we will have soon will elucidate some of these talking points we have had and prod for any new information we might have missed or overlooked. Really, it seems that since the Alidasht have arrived, one fire after another has begun popping up.â Auguste poured himself a shot.
âMmhm,â Wulfric hummed, and straightened his sitting position. He did have a basic plan of action he wanted to implement against Marek but there was much he didnât like about any of this.
âFather knows more than heâs saying,â he suddenly remarked. Of course, the same was true for Alibeth, but he generally trusted her judgment, as much as being kept in the dark frustrated him. âHe recognized Delronzoâs nameâŠâ They both knew very few people were relevant enough for Edin to remember. âWell, you know the âwho watches the watchersâ dilemma,â a shadowed smile crossed his expression.
Anastasia had been quietly listening. She straightened in her chair and held her knees as she considered everything that had been said. Her gaze slid to Wulfric and Auguste as she asked, â... How can I help?... Obviously I can keep trying to speak with Marek and I can find Kazumin maybe and talk to him too.â
Wulfric pursed his lips. âI suppose Kazumin would be most open with you,â he tacitly agreed that she speak with him. âAs for MarekâŠYes, however, the procedure when you next attempt to visit will be the same as this time.â
âI donât know if he will talk to me with the guards.â
âYou are not going there unguarded.â That was not up for debate. Wystan could not help but nod quickly in agreement.
âI agree with Wulfric. There are too many unknowns. And this Marek is definitely an unknown factor from what Iâve gathered.â Auguste said, âAt the very least have Wystan with you. I would not mind being there either if time permits, but I assume they will not let their guard down if I were present.â
âMhm.â The watchdog agreed and suggested one other thing. âIf you are worried about his willingness to be open with company, I can simply stay hidden while ensuring your protection.â
âWe can try it. Whatever I can do to help I want toâŠâ Anastasia told them as earnestly as a tired princess could. She curled up in her chair and laid her head down. âI have your backs, no matter what.â
Wystan gave her a small smile before looking to the princes.
âI appreciate the sentiment, Anastasia. But do note that this desire and the one to âprotectâ Marek may clash,â Wulfric told her, a note of gentle warning in his tone. This was a lesson even Auguste still needed to take to heart, but at least his sympathies for Persephone seemed less troubling compared to his sisterâs for Delronzo.
Auguste closed his eyes, nodding solemnly towards Anastasia, agreeing with Wulfricâs words of warning.
Auguste coughed against the somewhat strained atmosphere that had been generated. â... off that note. Does anyone else have any subject of import they would like to bring up?â Wulfric curtly shook his head in the negative.
âAside from our further discussions regarding the Count Calbert case, my Prince, I have none.â
"This is Dr. Oswald Brown. He was the main medical examiner during the autopsy of the Jane Doe. "
âJane Doe.â Alibeth had repeated the words yet not glanced up. Her eyes were on the gray photos strewn over her desk as she pushed them around with her fingers. âDiscovered by Doctor John Williamson of the Varian Kingdom.â A smirk played on her lips and she raised her gaze to meet Oswaldâs eyes. He had salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His thin-framed silver glasses were perched on his nose as he looked down at the queen. With a twirl of her finger toward the seat, she invited him to sit.
There were two men flanking the man and they moved to sit in the cushioned chairs before her desk as well. The queen's eyes bore into them with a commanding intensity, causing them to momentarily freeze mid-movement A prolonged pause followed, during which Alibeth carefully considered the implications of their actions. Then, with a nod of her head, she granted permission for them to continue. âAs far as I know and as far as my people were able to discover, there is no known history between Dr. Williamson and Lady Damien. It is not far to say that he could have been mistaken in identifying Lady Damien in this girl.â
âHowever, gentlemen⊠I am a mother.â Her brows raised. âYou mean to tell me Count Damien misidentified his own offspring? â She scrutinized them as her voice rose ever so slightly with intensity, âA man of his caliber? What kind of fool do you take me for?â
âMy queen, she walks with the living. Sheâs at the tea party currently.â
She gritted her teeth, her gaze snapping on the man. âYou think I do not know that, Clarence?â When he said nothing, she continued, her eyes moving to each of them. âTell me everything you all know. Clarence Buford will begin, then Dr Otto, and Edward Davidson will give his report at the endâŠNo one speak unless spoken to.â She took a pen and clicked it, â This same report was given to my son, Wulfric yesterday? â
â ⊠Dr Williamson discovered the body and had witnessed the blonde woman leaving the area. She left a piece of bread-â
âWhereâs the bread?â Alibeth curtly interrupted.
âWe donât have it.â
Alibeth fixated a steady glare on the man. âWhy, in the name of all that is sensible, did no one bother to provide the investigators with the scarce evidence obtained? â Her words were laced with a hint of exasperation, but she deliberately posed the question, hoping to make the gravity of his mistake sink in.
âThey did have the bread. Calbert had initially given it to the investigators, but it was missing the next morning.â
Her glare did not let up for even a split second. âContinue.â
â Count Calbert Damien was brought to the scene and seemed to recognize his daughter in the pool of blood. She had an axe buried in her face. We had photos taken as you see⊠He came here to the castle to relay the information. Prince Wulfric and Prince Auguste are aware of the situation. We were all instructed to keep Lady Violetâs death a secret.â
How convenient.
" Prince Wulfric then ordered upon my arrival to make sure the evidence was brought over timely and that I give a detailed report on my patrols. One of our guards noticed Count Fritz Hendrix, a girl with different colored eyes and Lady Charlotte Vikena move upon the scene. He remained in the shadows to observe. They moved with purpose and did not stumble upon it without prior knowledge.â
A dry laugh escaped her lips. Those were two names she had a feeling sheâd be hearing often this courting season. Her mind lingered on Count Fritz for a moment. What were you doing there? Bringing me flowers one moment, seen at a crime scene another. Didnât care to mention that, my mysterious one. She considered Charlotte for a moment and clutched her pen.
âWhy am I not surprised to hear the name Vikena once more?â Alibeth asked rhetorically with some bitterness. She rolled her eyes and finally asked, âDo we know who the girl is ?â
âYes. She is the one who brought Prince Callum onions.â
Alibeth stared at him incredulously. âWhat is her name, Buford?â
âWe believe her name is Ruby and she works at the Tough Tavern.â
âSo say so in the first place, Buford. NowâŠWhat were they all doing there?â Those were certainly three individuals that absolutely had no reason to be together.
âThey seemed to be investigating. They found a small vial that was overlooked. Lady Vikena stated it was the same wine from the ball.â
â...I see.â
She gestured to Oswald, who was soft-spoken and very knowledgeable in relaying all the technical details. They had discovered the axe had swung from over head into the skull, killing the female instantly. She then fell on her back. He stated that they had the body in custody still, but no one had come forward to identify her yet. At this point, she asked Clarence to escort Dr. Brown out of the room.
âNow Davidson.â
âMy guards found the same three individuals Buford mentioned at the tavern. Lady Charlotte and the girl Ruby were upstairs and did not want anyone to enter the room.â
â I will have the three of them brought to me tomorrow. No later⊠Now.â She pulled over a copy of the newspaper and tapped her nail on the wanted woman. âWho is this?â
â... She has been sighted before at that very same tavern, but no one would give up a name. She was spotted once more attacking Count Calbert Damienâs estate. That is an event I hear you have already been briefed on..â
âYes.â She rose to her feet. âAnd it does not quite matter what her name is I supposeâŠâ A look intense even for Alibeth overtook her expression as she said venomously, âAs long as she burns at the stake.â
King Edin stared at his clapping monstrosity of an offspring with the intensity of the sun itself, his eyes slowly widening as he spoke filthy words of charity. No... We need to conserve funds right now. Is he kidding? He will be the end of us all. This fool. What am I to do with him?
A single bead of sweat moved down his face as he rose and smiled as wide as he could as the crowd roared with applause. "I-Indeed! My heart overflows with compassion for the poor and downtrodden. I will make a commitment to assisting our poor and making sure we all thrive here in Caesonia. Today, I set an example for my sons what the Danroses stand for."
King Edin's face suddenly lit up with an expression of sincere joy as he overheard Wulfric's initial statement. He eagerly addressed the gathering as Wulfric's voice became too low for him to listen to the conversation further. "My dear friends, rejoice with me, for today brings a glimmer of hope and positive change to our kingdom! Our beloved Prince Callum has seen the error of his ways and is determined to uphold the foundation of these charity events!"
"But that's not all," King Edin added, raising his hand to quell the rising applause. "Our dear Prince Callum has displayed extraordinary courage by pledging to abstain from alcohol. He will spend his days dedicated to the welfare of others instead of overindulging! This bold decision serves as an inspiring example to our kingdom, proving that even the best of us can overcome our vices and be the best versions of ourselves!"
"Sometimes the most valiant work is often thankless, but I promise you, it matters immensely, no matter what. You are undoubtedly a hero," Charlotte assured the doctor.
It was then Charlotte became aware of another presence. She glanced over to see a black-haired man in a straw hat. Then she paused with curiosity as he spoke to her. Her eyes lingered on his features as an image of her grandmother filled her mind. His features were reminiscent, yet not quite the same. He was actually rather unique looking and it gave her the feeling that perhaps he was not from the Alidasht at all, but somewhere further.
Still, it was a treat to have the face of Aina Cristian, though, to Charlotte, she had always been Nana. It had been so long since she had seen her Nana. It was hard for her to travel in her old age, but she had at least gotten to see her during her mother's funeral after so many years. She had always been smiling, even on such a difficult day she had welcomed Charlotte into her arms with a smile.
She quickly snapped back to the present, realizing she was in the midst of a conversation. She met the man's gaze, and a touch of confusion lingered in her expression as he seemed to be apologizing. Nevertheless, Charlotte responded with a warm smile, appreciating the sentiment even if she wasn't entirely sure what he was apologizing for. "Hello there! That's okay...It's nice to meet you." In a true Charlotte fashion, she could not help adding as well, " You have such a lovely face."
It was then yet another person showed up and to Charlotte's delight, it was the teddy-bear of a person Lord Roman. She urgently moved up to give Roman a light hug, not seeming to mind that he was wet at all. The two had not been close, but she had known him for years and always appreciated that he had gone out of his way to be more friendly to her than others had.
"Lord Roman! It's wonderful to see you."
She looked over her shoulder at John as his question reached her ear, "I'd like strawberry and banana please-... Oh you know what. Let me go ask everyone if they want any and then I'll come meet with you." Charlotte had realized if she got herself a smoothie and not the others, it would be rather rude. Luckily, Roman offered to help her carry them back.
Subsequently, Charlotte returned to the blanket to ask Olivia and Farim first. Olivia wanted banana and blueberry, while Farim wanted a mango smoothie. She then moved to approach her Lorenzo, who was seated strangely enough by the water with Lady Victoria Edwards' daughter Ariella. Charlotte had noticed him move over here on his lonesome out of the corner of her eye, so she was grateful Ariella had been kind enough to join him. She presented her a grateful look. "Hello Ariella ...Are you alright, Lorenzo?" Charlotte knelt down to touch his shoulder with concern. She first noticed he had been filling a canteen then next noticed it was rather smelly over here. She made a mental note that perhaps she should come back over here once more at some point after retrieving everyone's smoothies to make sure he was okay.
"I was going to get some smoothies for everyone... Which would you two like?" The two of them both seemed to want strawberries, which was easy enough to remember.
After a brief interlude, Charlotte, Sjandehk, Roman, and John reappeared, bearing refreshing smoothies. After distributing them to everyone, she remained standing near the blanket, gesturing for the three men to take a comfortable spot on their blanket or chairs. "Farim, Olivia, this is Dr. John Williamson, Lord Ravenwood, and..." Her gaze slid to the man with the large hat, kindly asking him, "What's your name, dear?"
The short dark elf grinned, seeing the gun fall to the floor. He hadnât hesitated much, however and moved forward with Tanithil, however, and had slashed his knives toward him once more. Before he could notice if he had struck him or not, his vision darkened as a blob of dark magic latched itself onto his face. It took him by surprise but after a moment or so, the dark elf wretched the magic off his face and glared at Tanithil with fury.
With his confidence undeterred, the dark elf lunged at Tanithil once again, his blades aimed with deadly intent. His attack was merciless and he seemed confident he had him this time.
Meanwhile, the orc grunted, âYou wonât be pretty when Iâm done with you.â He was pretty embarrassed to have been put on the ground by the small woman, but he knew how to put an overconfident bitch back in her place. He reached his big hands up to grab her thighs and squeezed them tight in his hands as she had averted her gaze. With superior strength, he squeezed as hard as he could then moved with intent to crush her femurs and fling her into the wall as he rose up to his feet.
The fairy staggered under the onslaught of the blinding light blasts, momentarily disoriented by the intense brightness. As he looked down, a sharp realization pierced through the haze. He had been struck in the abdomen by a bullet, the searing pain gnawing at his flesh. He clutched his wounded side, feeling the warm, sticky blood on his trembling hand.
Narrowing his eyes with a mixture of fury and desperation, he directed his glare towards Arlen behind the chimney, his voice trembling with anger as he yelled, "You will pay for this, light elf scum!" Despite the potentially mortal wound, determination fueled his every move as he propelled himself forward, wielding a black sword drawn from the sheath on his hip. The fairy now closing the distance, the taste of revenge on his lips, determined to end this once and for all by beheading the elf who had caused him such pain.
Finally came the leading dark elf, who had not anticipated Ismael closing in on him so quickly and had sustained a slice across his chest and ripped his shirt. As crimson droplets fell down from the fabric, the dark elf's scowl deepened. However, he knew the black-haired elf had made a grave mistake. With narrowed eyes, he managed to dodge the next incoming slices, stepping around him with ease and precision. It was when Ismael moved to spin that he had the opportunity to conjure a decent size orb of dark magic and propel it at him just as his foot had been about to connect with his skull. The sudden force would be enough to push Ismael back and send a feeling of dread through the young man.
This also would give him a moment to draw his gun.
Their turn in line arrived, and Wystan stood before them. As he would begin the customary inspection, Mina couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and mischief. She cast a playful glance at the bodyguard. "Oh, I hope you'll be thorough in your search. Wouldn't want me sneaking any dangerous weapons past you, now would we?" Her tone carried a flirtatious undertone, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes.
Her uncle gave her a brief, amused glance as he removed the sword Mina had noticed him wearing earlier and handed it over as he complied with the rule of no weapons. Heâd never been fond of Minaâs flirtatious ways, but he also understood why she did what she did. He just wasnât sure if Wystan was one she should be playing her games with.
Mina's lips curled into a mischievous smirk as she leaned closer, her voice a mere whisper. "I trust you'll handle me with care, Wystan. After all, I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a threat." She wondered if heâd be surprised that she knew his name or not, but she always made a note to try and learn everyoneâs names, whether they were servants or nobility. Wystan was one she considered more important to remember as well as he was often around Prince Auguste.
"Oh, I hope you'll be thorough in your search. Wouldn't want me sneaking any dangerous weapons past you, now would we?"
. âOf course not, my lady,â Wystan replied obedientlyâ though he had not known her to be the type to carry weapons. They were familiar faces both at the royal estate and based on his research on the noble and ignoble men and women who step foot near the Danroses. He had given both Count and Lady Blackwood a customary bow before resuming his work, receiving the kind Earlâs sword with fair thanks who was later in turn gently guided inside by the servants.
âIâll wait for you inside, Mina.â The Count called out, but Mina simply waved to him. She wanted him to go enjoy himself as she in turn enjoyed herself.
The watchdog had expected Lady Blackwoodâs turn next, and after having gone through plenty of grumpiness and rowdiness at just the gatheringâs line itself, it also happened to be the first time his ears were graced with a whisper this day. He leaned in himself midway to be able to fully grasp her words. "...After all, I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a threat."
His ears tingled, but this time it was not in a way that perceived a threat. Strange. As this woman was quite an important figure that had often appeared at the royal estateâs gatherings, it was even stranger that she had known his name. A half moment was taken to process what the soon-to-be countess was trying to say, but he simply chose to take it at face value.
âWorry not, Lady Blackwood,â Wystan spoke earnestly as he worked around her garb, his hands still maintaining a respectful distance from her, barely making contact with skin not covered by fabric. âYou are far from a threat. As one of our trusted guests, your and Count Blackwoodâsâ safety is my utmost priority. I will allow no harm to come to anyone during this gathering.â
â...As such, if either of you should find yourselves in any form of discomfort, I will not be far.â He said, carefully finishing off his security checkup.
Mina's mischievous smile widened as she listened to Wystan's response. She admired his dedication to ensuring their safety, even if it meant enduring her playful banter. She almost wanted to chastise all those that were giving him any grief.
"Well, I'm relieved to know that I'm in capable hands," she replied with a playful glint in her eyes. "Your diligence is truly commendable. I shall remember your offer of protection, should the need arise." Her voice carried a hint of flirtation, a gentle teasing in her tone. She then dipped into a small curtsy as he finished up his check. âI do thank you for being gentle with me, it was my first time after all.â She was playing with fire, she knew this, but it was all too much fun.
âOf course, my lady. I will be at your service.â A bow followed after.
It was at this moment that Wulfric appeared, speaking to Mina and reprimanding her for her actions. She glanced at him, a defiant smirk forming on her lips, but before she could speak she was pushed backwards by a different Danrose.
A loud cough filled the air. âHello! âŠI believe Iâm next.â Anastasia pushed forward around Mina as her voice cut through the air. It wasnât clear exactly where she had been in line or even why, but she made her way to stand in between Mina and Wystan. Clad in a long white dress with gold details and red roses adorning it, the ashen-haired princess stood before him with a smile. âHello Wystan.â
âYour Royal Highness,â The watchdog was visibly pleased. He smiled and greeted Anastasia with a deep bow. âYour presence here was much anticipated, and I am truly glad to see you well. May I?â He spread his gloved hands before her, politely asking for permission before going ahead with the security check. Though he was unsure if anybody else in the reception area had noticed it, there was a warm glow radiating from Ana that day, and the idea of putting his hands on her felt like a sin.
Mina took note of the interaction in front of her, finding it quite intriguing. She would simply log that away for use on a different day. âThank you for your service, Wystan.â She dipped in a curtsy to the man, looked to Anastasia and gave her quite the smirk. âPrincessâŠâ Another curtsy and then sheâd left their company to now address Wulfric. The princess had given her a smile back but said nothing in greeting.
âYou may.âAnastasia agreed and smiled up at him. It was nice to see him happy. She was at a loss for words for a few moments before she finally asked,him,â...What would you like me to bring you from the treats table?â
âAhââ The watchdog lightly waved his hand with a grateful smile. âPrincess, I couldnât. Please, donât trouble yourself.. I know how much you enjoy sweets. All Iâd want is for you to enjoy them for todayâs gathering.â
âAh I am going to get you a treat. I insist! Youâre lucky I already know what you like.â Anastasia told him with a giggle then moved off the line once he was done checking, her gaze lingering even as she had stepped away.
Minaâs attention was now on Wulfric, who seemed to be conversing with Lady Violet now. She rolled her eyes playfully at Prince Wulfric's admonishment, though her mischievous smile remained intact. "Oh, I'm just providing some much-needed entertainment for your esteemed guard, my dear prince," she replied with a teasing tone. "Before you appeared, the people before use were simply being downright rude. I simply chose a different approach. Is that so wrong?" She smirked slightly at the man, receiving a warning look from her uncle. Mina, however, was not one to cower before a prince nor would she hold her tongue. She was more keen on treating royalty just as she would treat anyone else around her. "After all, what's a tea party without a little excitement?"
When he mentioned Princess Sadie, Mina's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh, is she now? Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint the princess. Shall I head over there now or did you wish to join me, Prince Wulfric? I do not mind waiting." She said before glancing at Violet, taking in her strange appearance.
âLady Violet, you look quite lovely today.â She said in kind greeting to the woman.
"Oh I love being well-rested so dearly." Charlotte could not help but express her love for sleep. Being a doctor was hard work for certain and it was important he took his rest so he could help people efficiently. She smiled at him as she considered his choice of career. "You truly deserve a day of relaxation. It is indeed a noble endeavor to dedicate one's life to the service of others as you do. I am certain your contributions to the Varian Kingdom are deeply appreciated."
She then gestured toward her father and friends, "If you're on the hunt for free food, I brought lots of treats. Your presence is by no means an intrusion. However, there is no haste from my end." As for his next statement, she beamed and took hold of the fabric of her dress, and gave him a slight curtsy. "Why thank you, dapper gentleman. I do come here rather often. I grew up on the beach in Veirmont so I do rather enjoy being by the water."
Charlotte subsequently watched him sip his smoothie and was rather tempted by his offer... It looked very fruity and refreshing. "...That does sound rather nice."
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