It wasn't long before the inn quieted down and Marie was back in the kitchen cleaning up while Kurt was already sent to bed. Marie sent me to clean and make the beds of some of the newly vacant rooms and dust the ones that had been empty for days. I silently dusted a rather barren table, but I was more occupied with what I was meant to do now that I was where I was.

In a situation like this, with an illusion spun around me, making me unrecognizable as this country's king, what could I do? I knew people were very unlikely to rally under a stranger. After all, this Alester character I had made based on the illusion was a stranger to all, he had no connections except for the small family of only a mother and son. So how? How was I going to take back the throne?

"Well, you really look like a ray of sunshine, don't you? I don't think I've ever seen a face that scrunched up." I turned around to face Marie who had appeared at my side in the doorframe.

"Then again, I think that's just how you are, Alester. So serious. I guess you really did work at the castle, huh? Only people there had the life that required that much stress." She had a sympathetic smile on her face, and leaned against the wall.

"What do you mean by that? I don't think it was as stressful as you say, and I imagine that people here in a village like this have their own stresses in life." She sighed as if I somehow didn't get something that she had explained over and over again.

"Well yes, we do, but… well… hmm. How do I explain this? Ah, I know. So remember when you came to this inn and realized you didn't have any money with you?" I turned to face her completely and nodded.

"Yes, I remember."

"You had the same look on your face then. The one you have when you stress over something. You thought you only had one option and as soon as you realized you couldn't do that, you were already trying to leave. That is how I could tell you worked at the castle. A person that lived here all their life though, would immediately try to bargain with me. That's the stress we have: 'how low can we get the expenses so we can pay for food?' Your stress is more like: 'how much food can I get with my low expenses?' It's a pretty big difference." When she finished her explanation, I brought a hand to my chin to ponder what she meant by this.

"I suppose I can see where you are coming from. I knew people bargained, but the thought to try that at an inn didn't cross my mind until you offered me work." Marie laughed softly and shook her head.

"Yeah, sure. However you want to put it. Also, you always talk like you're in some kind of war council. It's pretty funny, especially when I can tell you're trying to have a normal conversation." I tilted my chin down, feeling my face grow warm. It was odd talking to someone without some kind of political authority; they were able to get under my skin somehow. Or maybe it was just Marie? She seemed to like teasing me.

"All right, Alester. I came to pull you away from that dusting cloth. You earned a night in a vacant room. I know you can't really see outside from underground, but it's getting late. Get some sleep because you're waking up bright and early." Marie turned to leave, her dark flour-stained dress flaring around her. Before she could get far though, she abruptly stopped and turned to face me again.

"Also, one more thing. Not sure if you know this, but I lock the rooms at night. Nobody except me gets in or out. It's the same everywhere, so don't bother feeling like I don't trust you. The underground is vacant at night; everyone locks their doors. Mostly for safety's sake. So yeah. If you can't get out of your room, that's why. I'll lock up in ten minutes." And with that, she turned as swiftly as before and I listened as her footsteps disappeared down the concrete hall.

I decided the vacant room I had just dusted was nice enough for me and I closed the door, ready for Marie to come by and lock it in ten minutes. I didn't bother changing into something else, and since my Nohrian crown was gone, along with all of my other accessories, I didn't have to take off anything save for the dark leather boots. My pendant proved impossible to take off, both by slipping it over my head and breaking the chain.

With nothing else to do, I let myself lay in the rickety bed with a frame was made from metal rather than wood, and it made a screeching noise as it settled. I also quickly realized that I probably should have chosen a room with a larger bed, as this one was much too small. My heels hung off the end of the bed and were exposed to the cold, Nohrian air. My eyes drifted toward the lit lantern sitting on top of a chair by the table I had dusted.

I contemplated weather or not I should turn it off, but decided against it. I reached over to dim the light, but the lantern had apparently been low on oil. The flame slowly died and the room was submerged in an inky black darkness. This was why I decided against turning it off. If I tried to get up, I doubt I'd even be able to find my boots, much less the door. Besides, going out now would risk being locked out of the room that Marie and Kurt had so graciously provided for me. And so, I lay face-up in a darkness where closing my eyes would make no difference, and a dead, oppressing silence.

With nothing more to do, I made my body as small as I could so that the blanket could cover all of me and shut my eyes.

Well, Veteran. It took you long enough.

I snapped my eyes open and sucked in a sharp gasp of air. It was the voice again. Why was it talking to me again? And what did it call me? Veteran?

I took a deep breath and steeled my nerves. I had to confront this. Slowly, I closed my eyes again.

You'll get used to me one day. Unfortunately, that day is not today.

What do you want?

How pushy. Calm yourself, I have no ill intent. As for the reason I am talking to you, it's because The Guiding Light decided to involve you in his battle.

And just who is this Guiding Light?

As much as I would love to disclose that information, I cannot tell you. He has not specifically told me this, but after a look into his subconscious, it is very easy to tell that wishes for you not to know his identity.

Can you at least tell me why?

Simple, he's shy.

And I'm supposed to believe that someone so shy they can't reveal their identity was chosen to wield tremendous power equal to that of the one who took my crown?

You know, even if he wanted you to know his identity, I don't think I'd tell you.

And why is that?

Because, it's much more amusing like that.

In any case, you didn't answer my question very well. Just why are you talking to me? And furthermore, what is going on?

I suppose it would do you good to explain. I am a power of balance, lessons, and consequences. The one who took your crown discovered me while following the instructions of an ancient text. When she awakened me, I asked her a simple question: what do you wish for? She responded with power. She wished for a way to make sure the world would follow her every command. She believes that the current freedom of Nohr and the way you ruled was inadequate.

I warned her that by wishing for that much power, there had to be another with equal ability to oppose her. She disregarded my warning, saying she didn't care. I granted her the power she so desired, along with the new title, the Iron Chain, and gave her one more choice. I let her choose one person that would be immune to the power of the one I selected to oppose her. Naturally, she chose herself.

Was it then when you consulted the Guiding Light and gave him the power?

No, I waited for the right person to find out about the situation. It was when you first heard my voice that the Guiding Light wished for your immunity to the Iron Chain's power.

He didn't protect himself? That seems unwise.

I don't disagree with you. However, I don't have power over what he chooses. We must follow what he says, even if we don't agree. I, as his power, and you, as the protected. In the grand scheme of things, you will be known as the Veteran.

Why that title? I haven't been king for long, and I've already been dethroned.

It has more to do with your experience compared to the Guiding Light. Trust me, you have more than he does.

You make him sound like a child.

I will neither confirm nor deny that.

Very well, then answer me this: why exactly did you choose him over me? You can obviously relocate people.

Because of reasons that you will have to see for yourself. If you wish, you may seek him out.

Does that mean you will tell me where he is?

No. Trust me when I say that news of him will spread quickly if your kingdom has any hope whatsoever. I speak from experience.

And what do you propose I do until word reaches here?

You're the Veteran, aren't you? You should know. In any case, the Guiding Light has a journey that I must supervise, so I'll take my leave.

And with that, the presence left. I was laying alone in the bed, my eyes still closed. I had more information, but there was still more I wanted to know. The Iron Chain had the power to control people, as I witnessed with my own soldiers and my sibling. I had already lost one to her power, but the status of the other members of my family were unknown. The last time I saw Camilla was when she had gone to bid the others a good night. Corrin had gone on another trip to a faraway country, looking to make alliances. Elise had gone with Corrin for the same reason, but as a representative of Nohr.

And Leo… I had seen Leo run into the throne room when the presence of danger was clear. I saw him take out Brynhildr and prepare a spell, a sense of relief filling me. And all that relief turned to confusion as the Iron Chain looked at him and he froze, all emotion disappearing from his face. A film covered his normally clear eyes, and not even the tiredness from his lack of sleep showed itself in his eyes. The confusion turned to shock as he cast the spell at me, pinning me to the ground in varying degrees of pain. Leo was no longer on my side.

As for Siegbert… I didn't know. I had heard from Laslow that he had been in his study, and I assumed that he had been studying either penmanship or mathematics. After all, he loved to practice calligraphy, and in his last exam with his tutor, he had missed a question in mathematics. He would always be so hard on himself when he did even the slightest thing wrong.

A tightness filled my chest as I thought about my son. I wasn't there for just about all of his childhood, and I had missed much of what I looked forward to experiencing in that time. I had heard from the caretakers that he would often study in the stables when he was younger. When they found him asleep in there, and asked him why he did that, he said he "didn't want them to feel lonely." He loved the horses, even tried to teach one how to read. He was considerate in that manner; a gentle person. I would never forgive myself if the Iron Chain had already forced him into submission, and taken that quality away from him.

My mind felt hazy, and the exhaustion from the day overcame me, and sent me into a dreamless sleep.