Commencing my own reading and correction now.
Halkegenia Online - Chapter 12 - Part 1
Spring really was the very best time of year, Henrietta thought as she looked out on the southern grounds of the Royal Palace. The flowers were in full bloom and the trees were filled with the singing of birds. It was such a shame to waste the entire day inside. That was why she had chosen to take lunch outside while the House of Nobles broke for recess. With any luck, the final Treaty integrating the Fae into Tristain as subjects under the Crown could be signed as early as tomorrow.
The process had proved quite agonizing all things considered. The nobles, Cardinal Mazarin, and even the Faeries insisting that every part of the document be thoroughly gone over. Everything had to be explained and defined in detail. Neither side was willing to tolerate any ambiguity. And even beyond that, there were provisions for later modification of the treaty in case something had been forgotten. Though Henrietta could hardly imagine what might have been left out after all of that. There had been a rather lot of shouting, all things considered.
Still, she was grateful, after a fashion. After all, it had given her this opportunity.
"This tea is quite lovely." Henrietta's guest said from her place opposite the Princess at the table.
The Lady of the Sylphs was as serene as ever, a contemplative smile gracing her lips as she took in the aroma from the teacup held delicately in one hand. For the final negotiations before the convened Nobility of Tristain, she had exchanged her light green robe, the one she referred to as a Yukata, for a more formal one that had been hastily commissioned along with Lady Alicia's own ceremonial garb. Dressed as she was now, Sakuya affected a much more regal appearance that she had in their previous meetings. Which Henrietta thought, was rather the point.
"Do you like it?" Henrietta asked, pleased. "These tea leaves were purchased from one of the Rub' al Khali trade caravans."
"Rub' al Khali?" Sakuya asked. "That is the far Eastern human kingdom, is it not? I suppose it would be something like this world's China or Middle East in terms of trade goods. That makes sense. This tea reminds me a great deal of our homeland." Her smile turned melancholic.
"Drawing more comparisons between our worlds?" Henrietta asked curiously. This was what she most loved talking to Sakuya about. She had been right to judge the Sylph woman as a scholar, a historian. The world she was from had so very much history, wonderful, horrible, all of it fascinating. Most of all, Henrietta loved this little game where they would try to find parallels between the two.
"Hmm. In ancient times, the Middle East provided a trade route from the far Eastern lands." Sakuya elaborated. "It later declined somewhat in importance with the beginning of the age of sail and the formation of large overseas empires by the Great Powers. It makes me wonder if Rub' al Khali is simply one of many Eastern Kingdoms. The gateway to the East as it were."
"It is difficult to say." The third person at the table replied. Cardinal Mazarin was looking far better after his convalescence. By now he had fully re-assumed his duties as Henrietta's regent, though he had continued to consult with her on matters relating to the Faeries. "Contact is tenuous at the best of times, dependent as it is on the trade caravans that skirt the Elven Lands. Air travel is completely blocked, and the seas beyond Romalia are treacherous, the spawning grounds of Whale Dragons."
"I for one find it most strange that there would be any similarity at all between our worlds." The last person at the table, Queen Marianne said as she set her own teacup back on its saucer. Though the Queen had rarely exercised her authority as sovereign, curiosity, and Henrietta's own urging had drawn her mother from her normal seclusion to observe this matter personally. "You say that there is no magic in your homeland. Surely this would have made it a very different place."
Sakuya nodded. "It has." She agreed. "Our people didn't have magic to help us till the soil or heal the sick. We've had to rely on science and technology instead. But it appears that people are the same everywhere." The last comment seemed to be said half to herself, and left Henrietta all the more curious.
"I think what Sakuya means is that magic is the only thing that divides Mages from Commoners. Beyond that, we are all simply people." Henrietta elaborated, receiving a small nod from Sakuya and a mildly concealed look of discomfort from Cardinal Mazarin. He would no doubt tell her later, in private, that she should mind the way she said such things. But it was the truth, wasn't it? The Nobility may have been given magic in order to have the strength to rule, but they still had to make themselves worthy of that right.
"Science and technology." The Queen murmured. "That is the natural philosophy that you wish to provide to Tristain, is it not?"
"Yes." Sakuya said as the servants began to arrive with their meal. Having heard that they would be feeding not only the Queen and their Princess, but a Faerie Noblewoman, it seemed the palace chefs had outdone themselves this morning to represent Tristanian cuisine. "Although the ideas and devices we intend to introduce for the time being are quite simple and easy to implement. They mostly focus on Tristain's agricultural situation." Sakuya smiled, seeming a little embarrassed. "That should more than alleviate the burden we've placed on Tristain's food supply."
Cardinal Mazarin nodded. "A rather ingenious four crop rotation, and this new machine, what did you call it? A Macor-Make Reaper?"
"McCormick Reaper." Sakuya corrected. "Between these two, and the other agricultural advances we want to introduce, Tristain should be able to see considerably increased food yields in the coming years and free up additional labor for work elsewhere. Barring any natural misfortune of course."
"Of course." Mazarin breathed softly. "Though it may take some time for these ideas to spread. Many Nobles will want to see proof before they will commit."
"And they will." Sakuya said as she went to work on her plate, shredded game fowl wrapped in a crepe and covered in a rich sauce. "Count Woestte may be an unpleasant man to deal with, but he is all too happy to experiment with new avenues for making money. You would think that he and Rute were kindred spirits."
Henrietta's nose wrinkled at mention of the short Leprechaun. He was not an entirely unpleasant man, but rather more arrogant and pompous than most of the other Fae. At least he would fit in well enough with Tristain's nobility.
"He may not be the only one." The Cardinal observed as he raised his first bite to his own mouth. "I've heard word that Duke Valliere has decided to sponsor the Gnomes and Leprechaun's in their efforts to set up a new forge."
"The Gnome Council certainly are an industrious lot." Sakuya observed, referring to the collection of ground dwelling Faeries that had taken to managing the mining town of Tau Tona, the Gnome home city.
The Gnomes had yet to elect a proper leader to become their representative among the Nobility, instead sending a delegate temporarily empowered with the authority to negotiate on their behalf to participate and observe the proceedings in Tristania. The Puca had done something similar to the Gnomes, while both the Imps and Undines had already selected new leaders. The Imps had chosen a pious man named Zolf who had been a lieutenant to be their leader, while the Undines had put forward a man named Thinker who had taken control of the chaos in Orlein in the days after their sudden appearance in Halkegenia.
"And of course, we can expect this exchange of information to be reciprocated, can't we?" Sakuya asked with a slight edge of caution.
Cardinal Mazarin and the Queen exchanged glances, a nod was shared between the two. "The Tristain Academia will be made available to research the phenomenon that brought you here." Queen Marianne said. "Although from what I have been told, they do not know where to even begin at this time. It could take years to decipher just what brought you here and years more to translate that knowledge into a way to return you. That is, if it is possible at all."
The Sylph Leader's expression grew pained, and Henrietta's heart went out to the other woman. She was in a difficult situation, responsible to her people, but unable to guarantee even the slightest assurance for them. "I suppose that is all that we can hope for. Thank you once again on behalf of us all." Sakuya replied solemnly.
Sensing the mood, Henrietta worked to lead conversation away from a sensitive subject and the rest of the lunch hour was spent on happier topics, the discussions of trade, and the continuation of Sakuya and Henrietta's little game. So far they had decided that Romalia matched closely with Sakuya's Italy, and that Gallia was comparable to her world's France. Albion was apparently similar to the Isle of Britain which was also referred to as the White Isle, although not for the same reasons as Albion. Germania was the hardest of the countries to place given its history. It reminded Sakuya of something called the Holy Roman Empire but she seemed to think Germania was considerably stronger and more unified than that Kingdom when compared to its peers.
"I would hardly call Germania a unified kingdom. More a particularly bloody commonwealth." Cardinal Mazarin said with a note of distaste. "There is constant infighting among the Princes of Germania to place themselves in line to be the next Emperor. The whole nation is a web of constantly shifting political alliances kept barely in check by the intermarriage of the various families. Of course, this just means there are more claimants for the seat of the Emperor."
"And Tristain is about to marry into this mess." Sakuya stated with a hint of disbelief.
Henrietta bit down as she was reminded once again that her fate had already been decided. The marriage would take place in but a week. In a weeks time she would depart Tristain to be wed to the Emperor of Germania. As his bride, as his pawn, her blood would offer legitimacy to the current Imperial Family's next generation when it came time to squabble once again for the right to rule. Why did it have to ache so much to do one's duty?
"Quite." Cardinal Mazarin agreed softly. "This treaty signing will be the last official act of Tristain as an independent Kingdom. I understand that some of the conditions do not sit well with you, but believe it or not, it is in the interest of your people for the signing to be concluded swiftly. Tristain is a small nation, but it has a high proportion of mages and many old and powerful Noble lines. Germania generally does not dare to interfere to egregiously in the internal affairs of its constituent principalities."
Setting her fork back at its place on the table and lacing her hands before her, Sakuya gave the cardinal that peculiar smile that seemed to hint at an inner venom. "So, we'll only have to worry about interference from the Nobles of Tristain. Or of course, any interference they invite."
Mazarin took a breath but nodded all the same. "At the Princess' behest I have tried. But we cannot protect you and your people from everything."
There was no time for more to be said. A messenger arrived to inform them that the meeting was about to reconvene. Cardinal Mazarin and Queen Marianne departed hurriedly, Henrietta trailing behind the Regent and her Mother, lost once more in thought as she made her way down the wide hallways of the Palace's second story. A hand came to rest gently on her shoulder, it was Sakuya, a look of concern furrowing her brow.
"Princess, are you alright? You seem very troubled right now." The Sylph woman said. Behind her, a pair of Griffin Knights stood calmly, keeping enough distance to allow their Princess some privacy while speaking with her guest.
Henrietta tried to smile, Sakuya had her own troubles, she didn't need to be burdened by those of a Princess as well. "Its hardly anything at all." She said. "Nothing but a trifling matter." It was just . . .
Sakuya didn't seem to believe her. Odd, most people politely turned away when she said it like this. Though, why should she expect that of the Faeries? They were such forward people after all. Their manner could border on offensive. But at the same time, it was endearing, Sakuya never seemed to be trying to tell her just what she wanted to hear.
"I'm getting married." Henrietta said, almost babbled really. "I'm getting married. I should be happy, shouldn't I?" She questioned, her smile growing painfully tight. Yes, happy, just so!
Sakuya gave her an understanding look. "You do a very noble thing Princess. It's not what you want, but you're willing to sacrifice your happiness for your people." Henrietta nodded. Yes, it was exactly as Sakuya said.
"Have I really been so obvious?" She asked. Louise hadn't seemed to pick up on it at all, or had she simply ignored the signs out of politeness?
Sakuya tucked her hands back into the cuffs of her robe, closed her eyes, and shook her head reassuringly. "It's only natural. You think your destiny has already been decided. I can't imagine what that must feel like. In a way, even a King is less free in this world than the lowest commoner was in ours. There are things you will have to do in life, and you will really feel like you are sacrificing yourself. But never let that stop you from finding happiness."
Henrietta smiled back. "Yes. Thank you. I'll try do that." She said before moving to catch up with her mother and the Cardinal. Find happiness? She didn't know if she could do that. Not anymore. She'd cut her ties with joy only a brief while ago. Now all that was left was a bitter resentment that filled her chest until it ached. Sakuya was right, if she'd been born in that other world, she'd have been much more free than she could ever be in this one.
The journey to the meeting place was short. So short that it didn't even warrant a carriage ride save for the impropriety of the Queen and Princess arriving at the meeting on foot. The House of Peers was built directly opposite the front gates of the Royal palace as a meeting place so that the Landed Nobility could discuss subjects of national interest and bring grievances before the crown to seek redress. It was both a practical building, containing a meeting chamber with sufficient room for all of the major Noble houses to present themselves and take part in a meeting, and also a symbolic one. The House of Peers was a significantly smaller building than the palace and also came only to three stories in height. The palace, with its long eastern and western wings, four floors, and extravagantly domed grand ballroom, faced it majestically, and was a constant reminder of the crown's authority.
Stepping down from her carriage, followed by Lady Sakuya and flanked quickly by her two escorting Knights, Henrietta looked up at the face of the House of Peers before following behind her mother and the Cardinal, mounting the steps to enter the foyer of the building.
Nobles and their retainers were clustered together in tight groups muttering like a microcosm of conspiracies, all swirling around the broad doors that led into the Council Chambers themselves. A pair of guards opened the doors for Henrietta and her companions and they were admitted into the vast room, already over half filled as Nobles returned to their seats after a brief recess. Until today, Henrietta had never been in this room. It was an important place, but only frequented by the Royalty in times of dire emergency or momentous national occasions. More often the Nobility would confer her and then bring their concerns before the King or Queen at the Palace.
As people began to settle in, Henrietta was able to pick out the dividing lines. They could almost be seen by looking at the crowd and who sat next to who. In her novice opinion, there were three prevailing power blocks among the nobility of Tristain in the matter of how to deal with the Faeries and the rest of ALfheim. They were transient things, much too nebulous to be called any sort of permanent political alliance, much less to have selected names for themselves or to have been assigned names by their opponents. But shortly, Henrietta thought of them as the Opportunists, the Moderates, and the Radicals.
Making up about a quarter of the Nobility were the Opportunists. They were pragmatists more interested in how the arrival of the Fae might be used to improve their personal fortunes. To a man, they were among the Nobility who had been least directly effected by the arrival of ALfheim. Those whose lands were mostly intact, and generally close to one of the new Faerie settlements. While by no means friends of the Fae, seeking to hobble them under Noble authority, and yoke them as beasts to till the fields of their own fortunes, they were not adverse to the idea of cooperation if it would gain them wealth. Cardinal Mazarin had proven an especially deft hand at balancing these interests, gaining concessions from the Nobility on behalf of the Fae that Henrietta would have though impossible.
The next group, making up a little less than two thirds of the nobility were what Henrietta termed the Moderates. Mostly they were lower ranked Nobles with lesser titles and smaller estates to their names or else Old Nobility who had not ended up close to any of the major Faerie settlements. They preferred a wait and see approach to dealing with the Fae and were more interested in maintaining some semblance of stability for themselves. In general this group was willing to grudgingly tolerate the Faeries given the concessions that were being made in turn by the Fae and primarily sought a reaffirmation of their Noble privileges. Those that thought they could benefit from interacting with the Faeries leaned more towards the opportunists while those who favored isolation from the Fae leaned towards the last group, the Radicals.
The radicals were the remainder of the nobility, perhaps no more than a tenth, composed of those whose lands had been partially or entirely displaced in the transition or else pious men and women demanding that the demi humans be brought to heel. They sought the most extreme measures in dealing with the Fae, isolation, subjugation, perhaps even extermination, though none had been so bold or foolhardy as to say such things out loud. They based their legal arguments on the Fae being interlopers encroaching on the lands given in perpetual Stewardship to the Nobility and based their religious arguments on the broad discretion that the Church had given Tristain in settling this matter.
Henrietta's eyes next turned to the handful of truly friendly faces in this affair. Near the front of the chamber, a pew of seats had been set aside for the representatives of the Fae. It was already mostly filled.
The familiar, red haired figure of Lord Mortimer was hunched over with the rotund Leprechaun Lord Rute. All the while, the raven haired Lady of the Spriggan, Morgiana, stood over both, arms crossed confidently, commenting on whatever they were discussing with a look of open amusement.
Another man with brown hair, wearing an almost martial uniform, spoke animatedly with a slender silver haired woman who was similarly dressed. Their pointed ears were indistinct, not marking them out as any particular Faerie race. Sakuya had informed her that they were the representative of the Undines and his lieutenant respectively.
Next was a mild looking man with black hair, slightly pointed ears, and deep red eyes. When Henriette had first met Zolf of the Imps in the company of Duchess Valliere, the Duchess had been almost immediately suspicious of him, closely watching whenever he ate or drank. However, gradually, the Duchess' manner had slowly returned to its normal neutrality as if satisfied with her observations.
It had left the Princess quite curious what could have elicited such a response. Henrietta had only met with him briefly but she judged Zolf a gentle man if not a gentleman. His most peculiar trait was the small, almost Brimiric cross that he wore around his neck. Normally hidden in his robes and vest, the silver cross would appear from time to time in his hands, most often when meditating on some matter.
Following Zolf was a grizzled looking Gnome who was a rarity among the Fae for appearing old. Henrietta thought that Ruks of the Gnomes resembled a man in his fifties by human standards, his hair and mustache mostly white with a fringe of clinging gray. His dark gray eyes seemed to know more than they let on, yet the man rarely spoke, and when he did it almost seemed a riddle. Only the pale skinned, brunette girl at his side, Zia, the Representative of the Puca, had spoken less during the negotiations.
The only delegate missing today from among the Faeries was Lady Alicia who had traveled out the night before aboard a Tristanian Frigate to contact Kirito and ascertain the situation in Albion. Henrietta had been badly tempted to go with her in hopes that Kirito might be at Newcastle, might be in the company of Prince Wales Tudor. But in the end, she hadn't the courage, nor the strength to face him and not break down. In either case, Lady Alicia had left her assistant, a scholarly looking Cait Syth named Alden to see to things in her absence. Henrietta didn't know much about the man but he seemed polite enough in his bookish way.
Opposite the gathered faeries were Henrietta's own allies within the Nobility. The Duchess Valliere, and surprisingly, Count Woestte. The two represented two sides of the same coin, Henrietta supposed. Both the Vallieres and Woestte were among the opportunists, though for different reasons. The Duchess Valliere seemed interested in having things settled as swiftly as possible in order to see to Tristain's continued internal stability, Count Woestte likewise wished to see the prosperity of Tristain though in his case it was purely in order to line his own pockets. As Lady Sakuya had said, the Count was quite intrigued to try out the new agriculture methods that some of the Fae had suggested.
A bell was chiming to call everyone to their seats. Lady Sakuya's hand brushed gently against Henrietta's shoulder, giving a small, reassuring squeeze before vanishing back into the sleeve of her robe. The Sylph moved calmly to take her place with the other Faerie Lords, drawing the eyes of much of the nobility who looked on with a mixture of curiosity, intrigue, and in the cases of the few noblewomen present, open jealousy. It seemed that Sakuya's choice of exotic ceremonial garb was having the intended affect, people didn't know what to think of her, but they knew to take her seriously.
Henrietta was just about to move to her own seat when there was a voice to her back. "Princess!" She turned to see a Knight, but not one of her Griffin Knights. Instead, the man war the uniform of an officer of the Manticore Knights, the second smaller contingent of mounted Mage Knights that were under the direct control of the crown. Usually, as the Griffin Knights protected Henrietta, the Manticore Knights provided her mother's guards.
The Griffin Knights flanking Henrietta did not move from their places, nevertheless, the Manticore Knight gave each a suspicious glance. "Princess, I am Sir Hammond, Captain of the Manticore Knights, there is an urgent matter needing the attention of Cardinal Mazarin and Yourself."
Henrietta blinked rapidly. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. The council meeting is about to reconvene."
"I beg of you Princess. I have been told this is a matter of the very greatest urgency." Though he spoke calmly, looking at Sir Hammond, Henrietta was certain it was only the calm of a man who had seen countless battles. Anyone else would be in open panic.
She felt her stomach twisting up. Looking back over her shoulder, Henrietta saw a pair of Manticore Knights speaking heatedly with the Queen and Cardinal Mazarin. The Duchess Valliere approached, receiving a salute from the older of the two knights before waving it off with a look of open annoyance. They spoke for a moment more before all three followed the Manticore Knights to a side door concealed in the paneling of the chamber wall, a side chamber where meetings could be held in private.
Henrietta nodded to Sir Hammond. "Very well. Lead the way Captain."
The Knight cleared a path through the convening Bobility for the Princess and her guards. Quickly, they made their way to the same door and the hallway beyond. Henrietta's mother, Cardinal Mazarin, and the Duchess Valliere were waiting for them, along with another four Manticore Knights.
"Sir Weltwall, Sir Bjorn, this is as far as you will be going?" Captain Hammond said to Henrietta's escorting Griffin Knights. Neither man, trained to give their life to protect Henrietta's own, took the instructions well.
Sir Weltwall's eyes narrowed, the man's sharp features growing instantly suspicious. A hand came to rest on the hilt of his sword wand. "With all due respect, we are not to leave the Princess's side until relieved by acting Captain Dahl or else Captain Wardes himself.
"That would be the problem." Sir Hammond said softly. "Both of you, by order of the Crown, I order you to stand down."
"What is the meaning of this?!" The blonde haired Sir Bjorn asked sharply.
Stepping forward, Queen Marianne looked to both Griffin Knights. "Please, both of you do as the Captain Requests. This is an order from your Queen. For the time being you will return to your barracks and await further orders."
Though hesitant, slowly, both men stood down. Both looked to Henrietta who nodded that it was okay for them to depart. Bother Knights gave their Princess a small bow before turning back down the hallway.
"Mother, what is the meaning of this?" Henrietta asked. The Queen's expression simply turned pained, prompting her to turn to Cardinal Mazarin. Deep down, she thought she knew, their could only be one thing that would cause this sort of reaction. 'Please, don't let it be that, oh Foudner, do not forsake me with such misfortune.' She thought.
The door behind her opened again to admit another Manticore Knight. In his company was Lady Sakuya and Lord Mortimer. Both Faeries looked as mystified as the Princess as they were shown into a meeting room, all wood paneled with tall windows that looked out on the surrounding gardens. A long conference table occupied the center of the room with space for two dozen people. Two people were already waiting when they arrived.
The first was yet another Tristanian Knight, though not of either the Manticore or Griffin forces. His more utilitarian uniform marked him out as a Dragon Knight. His face was wind whipped and his hair was swept back as if from prolonged flight.
The second figure was all the more Surprising. Standing at his side, dressed not in her ceremonial robes but instead her scandalous casual garb, Lady Alica Rue smiled wanly, dark rings running under her eyes. It looked like she not had slept in the past day.
"Alicia?" Sakuya asked, concern in her voice as she hurried to her fellow Lord's side.
"Hey Sakuya-chan." Alicia said weakly, chuckling a little under her breath. "Sorry it took so long, but we had to wait for the Dragons to get back and rest from patrol so that we could fly over the ocean."
"Hammond." The Duchess Valliere nodded to the Manticore Captain.
"Karin." The man replied quietly.
"Explain yourself now. What is the meaning of all of this?" The Duchess Valliere instructed levelly. Henrietta was surprised at the way that the Duchess worded her request as an order. She was even more surprised with how immediately the Knight Captain obeyed.
"A precaution. A necessary one." Hammond said. "At the moment, the loyalty of the Griffin Knights must be considered suspect."
Henrietta licked her lips. "Why? Whatever for?" She asked. "My Knights have always served dutifully."
"That is very true Princess, which is why they were asked to return to their barracks rather than being arrested on the spot." Captain Hammond said before taking a breath. "I fear I must inform you that we have received word of treachery from the Captain of the Griffin Knights themselves, Viscount Jean Jacques De Wardes."
Henrietta didn't know how to describe how she felt at this very moment. The strangest sense of falling. "Treachery?" She asked weakly. Cardinal Mazarin's face became a mask of dull horror. Even the Duchess Valliere seemed to have grown pale.
"I heard it from Kirito-kun himself." Alicia spoke up. "We contacted him last night with Moonlight Mirror like we planned. Except when we got through to him he was waiting with a man named Paris and someone who claimed to be the King of Albion."
"Then he made it to Newcastle." Duchess Valliere said. "What treachery did Wardes commit?!" A tinge of anger had entered the Duchess's voice. As she balled her fists, Henrietta couldn't help but notice the way the tendons stood up tightly in her forearms.
"Well." Alicia looked around the room. It was clear how bad the situation was. The normally chipper Cait Syth looked run ragged. "He tried to assassinate Prince Wales."
"Assassinate?!" Henrietta felt her heart leap into her throat. No!
"He tried, but he failed." Alicia confirmed, picking up speed now. "From the sound of it, the Prince was at death's door after the assassination attempt, but Kirito-kun was able to force a vial of [<World Tree Sap]> down his throat. That kicked him from fatal into critical condition. He was still unconscious when I made contact, but it sounds like every water mage in Newcastle was at his bedside. They think he'll make it."
Henrietta felt her whole body shake with relief. But her joy was short lived. Wardes was traitor. There was only one cause he could be a traitor for.
"The Viscount was an agent for Reconquista." The Duchess Valliere said softly.
The Queen grimaced. "Karin, can you be sure?"
The Duchess nodded confidently. "It's the logical conclusion. Why else attempt to kill a doomed Prince save to demoralize the last Royalist holdouts? Which means, if he serves Reconquista he no doubt had another objective."
"The letter." Henrietta breathed softly. No, please not that. This was some sort of nightmare. Wasn't it?
"It was an attempted assassination." The Duchess observed. "If it was thwarted, then was Wardes killed?" The questioned carried a note of desperation. A last hope.
Alicia shook her head from side to side. "He used some sort of wind clone to do the deed after he'd already left."
"Ubiquitous Wind." The Duchess murmured, eyes going narrow.
"And it gets worse." The Cait Syth Lord said, ears folding flat as she recalled. "Prince Wales hadn't woken up yet, but the other guy you sent, says that he asked around and confirmed that Captain Wardes was spotted departing the private quarters of Prince Wales about half an hour before the assassination attempt. It sounds like he probably got whatever he came for. About the only good news is that Kirito-kun found our missing Faeries, they're all in Newcastle, holed up with the Royalists." Alicia Rue's ears twitched. "You said something about a letter?" All eyes in the room, but especially all Faerie eyes, turned to Henrietta.
"I . . ." Henrietta began. She looked to the Duchess Valliere, her mother, and then to Cardinal Mazarin. What should she do? Finally, she nodded. "Yes, Viscout Wardes was sent to retrieve a document from the person of Prince Wales. He was to return it to me here in Tristain before my wedding." Henrietta felt a hotness beginning in the corner of her eyes, but she would not cry. Looking up she saw past her mother and the Cardinal to Lady Sakuya and Lord Mortimer. Her people, and these other wonderful people, they were all going to be endangered because of her childish whims. 'Stupid. Stupid Girl!' She cursed herself. "I fear that letter might spell disaster for our coming alliance with Germania."
"Princess?" Sakuya asked softly. "If I may ask, what were the contents of this letter?"
"It was . . ." Henrietta bit her lip as if she could hold in the truth, the reality that was sweeping over them. "A love letter. An affirmation of a vow Prince Wales and I made to one another some time ago." She closed her eyes. She didn't want to look at the people she had betrayed with her selfish whims. Sakuya was right, she should have tried to seek happiness within the bounds of her circumstances. She should have known to have the letter removed or destroyed sooner.
A hand came up and wiped the first tears from her cheek. When Henrietta opened her eyes, she found her mother standing before her. "Henrietta." The Queen said softly. "Please, this is not a time for weakness. Show strength right now as our Kingdom's Princess." The words were not admonishing, they were encouragement. A plea for Henrietta to do her best.
"This love letter? How seriously will Germania take it?" Lady Sakuya asked.
Cardinal Mazarin grimaced. "The Princess made her drafts available to me after confiding in me the existence of the letter." The Cardinal leaned against the conference table for support. "The best we can hope for is that Germania will demand punitive terms be added to the marriage contract. More likely, the elements opposed to the marriage will use it as grounds to void the whole alliance. They'll leave us to draw the attention of Reconquista while building up their own defenses."
"That seems absurd." Mortimer observed clinically. "All over a love letter?"
Sakuya gave her fellow Lord a sideways glare. "Such letters can cast doubts upon the line of succession an legitimacy. They can be toxic to any agreement sealed by marriage." Turning back to Henrietta and Cadinal Mazarin, Sakuya asked quickly. "Then what does this mean for Tristain?"
"I cannot fathom any good outcome." Mazarin replied. "I would say invasion is by far the most likely. Without Germania's aid, Tristain cannot resist. We have less than half as many ships as Albion and no standing army to speak of beyond the Cavalry forces and garrisons. Reconquista will not wait for us to prepare. They will attack as soon as they've finished with the Royalists. Tristain's Royal Family will either be executed or exiled. What will happen to you Faeries, I cannot say."
"Nothing good." Lady Alicia concluded flatly. "Kirito-kun says Reconquista has really gotten behind the propaganda bandwagon calling the Faeries heathen demons of the land. Sounds like the best we can hope for is getting burned at the stake."
"It sounds like Cromwell is taking a page from the Church's early attempts to break Albion of its superstitions." He snorted softly. "Trust Cromwell to use a sledgehammer where a physician's mallet would do."
"In either case. What is our next move?" The Duchess asked as if awaiting orders. She looked first to the Queen and then to Cardinal Mazarin. "We cannot simply wait. Reconquista may not know it yet. But they have sent us a message that we would be fools to ignore."
"A message?" Henrietta asked. And then understood. Yes, this was a message. In fact, Reconquista agents would probably contact them shortly to list their demands. No doubt the surrender of the Royal Family and the complete surrender of Tristatin.
Lord Mortimer nodded slowly. "Ah, this much I understand." And then he said what no one else dare. "It's a declaration of war."
