"Thanks for saving me! I really didn't mean to cause a show!" Xiuying wailed, while bowing to Elizabeth. After the court ended, they went to a private room. This was the first thing she said.
"It's fine! It wasn't that big of a deal!" Elizabeth consoled. For some reason, she was reminded of her little sister on New Havens. It was a strange, but fuzzy feeling, especially when the twins were older than her by two years.
"No, it was! I embarrassed myself in front of everyone. How am I supposed to face people now?"
"Let's calm down, okay? Here. Drink this tea."
"Mm…"
Elizabeth felt bad, because she understood Xiuying. She really did. When she lost everything on New Havens, she kept thinking about how cruel and unfair the world was. If there was a god, then why would they inflict this misery? This pain? Why her? It was nonsensical! At the very least, if there was something to gain at the end, then she could say it was a trial, a sort of tribulation made by heaven. However, if there was nothing… If it was pointless, then what was her suffering for? Xiuying was probably feeling the same way. She lost her parents, family, friends, reputation, dignity, and almost her life. To invalidate those sacrifices and deny her of a good ending would infuriate anyone. It was a perfectly natural human reaction. Conversely, for Lady Vellena to say those comments… It was extremely distasteful and inconsiderate. Only someone privileged enough to never experience war would say such a thing. Elizabeth's opinion of the lady hit rock bottom. The Royal Assembly was, and still is, a pain.
"I would've done the same thing. You don't need to worry," Elizabeth said. "In fact, I think it's good that you said that. People don't die when their life ends. They die when they're forgotten. As long as you can remember everyone that you lost… then they'll live on. I think that's a beautiful idea."
"You're too nice."
"You overestimate me…"
Nice? That word was lost on her. She could never describe herself that way. Through this war, she led several hundred thousand people to their grave and destroyed many more families. By her hand, she had personally killed thousands of people. It might hang on her mind forever. 'Nice' was a word too good for her. 'Murderer' was more appropriate.
"I… I'm just trying to do my best," Elizabeth explained.
"You should drink some tea too," Xiuying offered.
"You're right, I guess I should. Does your sister need anything?"
"Ming?" she called out.
"Hm? Sorry, I was busy thinking."
"About what?"
"Our meeting with Her Majesty. Didn't you think it was suspicious? It felt like they were less interested in us, and more in…" Ming looked at Elizabeth, her confusion intensifying. Although Elizabeth was a princess, the former heir apparent, the Royal Army General, and the person who probably contributed the most in the war, why did Queen Samanthie and the others treat her with caution? They were on the same side, were they not? Ming could not understand.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed. Of course, she knew what Ming implied. Why did the court antagonize the Imperial Princesses? Yes, the princesses acted out of turn and violated proper decorum. That was worthy of reprimand, and even punishment. However, Sir Lest and Lady Vellena did not have to go that far. It was an overreaction to something Elizabeth thought was minor. Did they want to humiliate the princesses that much? Possibly, yet she did not think that was the reason. With how Queen Samanthie and Prince Dannark acted, it was more likely they wanted to test her loyalties. Would she hold any resentment against the kingdom and the new queen, after she lost the inheritance race? They probably wanted to know that. She shook her head tiredly. How ridiculous.
At the same time, Queen Samanthie and Prince Dannark were seated in another room. The queen rested her chin on her hand, while giving her brother a look. She asked, "Are you happy now? We played your game like you wanted."
"Thank you for entertaining my request, Your Majesty," the man said respectfully.
"Hmph. You should say that to Sir Lest and especially Lady Vellena. I doubt they're too pleased with what happened."
"I'll be sure to thank them later."
"So? Did you learn anything?"
The prince donned a serious face. "I don't believe Elizabeth will pose a threat at this point. I would need to monitor her more to be sure though."
"How did this happen?" the queen complained, as she massaged her brow. "When she left, she was simple, little girl, but now? She has the Featherwind Sect, Sword King, and Protector Avin on her side. Those monsters! Not to mention, she became a Half-Condensed Drop Arcanist already. This speed is clearly abnormal."
"It's not only her," Prince Dannark said. "Benedict Hawken, son of Sir Roland Hawken, High Knight of the Realm, is a Perception Realm Novice with Major Sword Form. His master is the Sword King, an Instinct Realm, and his martial brothers are Hidek and Lanar, both Perception Realm Masters. All of them are confirmed users of Martial Energy."
"A Hawken?" She raised an eyebrow. "The Hawken Household has a long history serving as knights or Royal Guards. Is there any chance we can bring him to our side?"
"Unfortunately, he was disowned by Sir Roland during the Lannisail explosion."
"…"
"Next is Shirley Adonina, a commoner from Lour Island, who became a Half-Perception Realm. Her master is Inari, a Perception Realm Master assassin who is better known as the grim reaper of Firecast. She later learned Martial Energy and the Sword King's Cloud Sea Style from Benedict. The Sword King treats her as half a disciple."
"Yes, I remember meeting her in Firecast. Her mother was comatose, so she asked for my help."
"The mother is Adel Adonina. She also has two younger brothers: Charles and Robert Adonina. I wanted to investigate them more, but there was interference from the 'grim reaper' of Firecast. My subordinates couldn't gather any useful information."
"You have my permission to send more people. I want that entire family thoroughly investigated."
"Understood. Lastly, there is Freon Adnire, the older brother of Ten Dawn Nassandra Adnire and a descendant of the Arcellius Family. His master and uncle is Protector Avin, a Blue Depth Core Arcanist. With Protector Avin's help, he managed to awaken his family's Magic Potential and famed Bloodline Ability, Thousand Core Resonance. During the siege on Yongtein, he successfully achieved Low Condensed Drop Core Level."
"If I recall correctly, he and his sister were adopted by Conquestian Zaru before Nassandra became a Ten Dawn. Did he know they came from the Arcellius Family?"
"It's likely. The previous First Sage of the Zino Kingdom was Sage Serana Arcellius, and her guard was Protector Avin. They worked with the Conquestian for many years. He probably heard from them at some point."
"The timeline doesn't seem right though…" The queen looked thoughtful. "Investigate the First and Second Sage for me, specifically around the time of the Arcellius Family's downfall."
"May I ask why?"
"When I was the ambassador, I recall a rumor that the Sages had caused the downfall of the Arcellius Family. I didn't pay it much mind because it happened over fifty years ago, but it may have some truth to it. See if you can find anything."
"Fifty years might be too long ago… I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, should we question the Conquestian or the Sages?"
"No, we can do that later. Find out everything you can about these three, including their families, friends, and history. The same goes for the Featherwind Sect, Sword King, and Protector Avin. I want no stone left unturned. Am I clear?"
Prince Dannark nodded. "Of course, I was already planning on that."
"Good. Let's focus on the empire next."
Somewhere else, unaware that they entered the queen's eye, Benedict, Shirley, and Freon were idly chatting when someone shouted, "Benedict, is that you?"
A man came sprinting over, jostling his plate armor as he did so. He had a decorated uniform and an orange cape, symbolizing his high rank in the military. They were probably a Brigade Commander like Commander Christina or something close. However, to Benedict, none of that mattered. The second he laid eyes on that person, he froze on the spot and his jaw dropped. His mind stopped working. He never thought he would see this person again. It was just a year… but so many things happened since then. It felt like an eternity had passed! His vision became cloudy from the tears. After all, this person was… Sir Lorenzo Hawken, his older brother!